First Fard Earth War

The First Fard Earth War was the first conflict between the Fard Imperium and Terra Earth. The war started in 2138, and lasted 9 years. The result being the believed extinction of the Fard species and the creation of the Earth Empire, three planets were liberated during the war, and two Earth colonies were established. The war was won by Terra Earth.

## Prelude

In 2138 a Japan class ship was escorting a cargo ship from Mars Colonies to Proxima B. Halfway between the two systems an unknown ship intercepted the convoy, destroying the cargo ship and damaging the Japan class ship. The ship then retreated, after a brief encounter with the Japan class ship. After another ten days the Japan class ship reached Proxima B and informed the colonists there of what happened. The message was then sent to Earth.

The next day all ships were launched from space stations as a precautionary measure. The Kranctons and Istari were also informed about the incident. At the end of the day, three ships were spotted just beyond the system, of unknown origin, they sent a signal to Earth before leaving. The message included a declaration of war against all Humans.

## Advance of the Imperium

In mid 2138 the Fard Imperium sent some 20 ships to overrun and enslave the 2,123 colonists at Proxima B against 17 America class and 6 Japan class ships. The ships fought brutally to protect the colony, who halfway through decided to evacuate the colony. During the battle, 15 American class ships were destroyed and 5 Japan class ships were also destroyed. The other three protected the surviving 18,94 surviving colonists, as the others stayed behind for hand to hand combat, the system wasn't heard of again until its liberation six years later.

Earth knew that the America class and Japan class weren't designed for long voyages in space, hardly any more than two months; so they got scientists and engineers to help them on designing and building new ships. Yet the first ones weren't due to be ready until mid 2139, and there was no guarantee of them working. Meanwhile generals worked upon how to strike back at the imperium.

Three months later the Fard had a whole fleet waiting just outside the Sol System. Waiting for something to happen. Inside the system all of the remining Japan class and America class ships were patrolling the edge, waiting for a strike from the waiting Fard which they knew must come. Unknown to Earth at the time, the Fard Imperium were in conflict with the Sarads and the invasion of the Sol System was to wait until the Sarads had been fully overrun, this came at the start of 2139.

The Fard then built up an invasion force outside the Sol System in preparation for invasion with many Troop Carriers in the fleet. At this time Terra Earth had designed the France class starship, and were finishing in construction of the first four ships, constructed near Scarlet Station. Terra Earth were also working on a second design in case the France class failed, the other design was due to be ready by 2140, assuming Earth could hold out by then.

On the 27th of July 2139 the Fard invaded the Sol System, immediately they ran into Japan class and America class ships, who put up a fierce resistance to their invasion; yet they slowly pushed them back, capturing Sedna after a day of fighting, and threatening to push to the outer system. This caused many reinforcements based at Uranus Station to be called in, the advance slowed, yet the Fard Imperium were still pushing the forces back.

On the 16th of August 2139 the imperium passed Eris capturing the Eris Mining Facility with 18 robots and 29 humans. The capture of Eris concerned Earth as it provided a place from where Neptune was within striking distance, which would be a huge strategic gain for the imperium. Many reinforcements were moved to Neptune the next day. Even though Eris had been captured the Fard started to feel the casualties, bringing in reinforcements, as many ships had been destroyed.

On August the 31st the first 3 France class ships had been completed, and were ready to join the front. This provided a huge moral boost for Earth even though the Fard were now advancing upon Neptune. The TES Paris, TES Lyon and TES Calais were still required to dock with Scarlet Station so their crew could board them and embark on the mission.

On September the 1st 2139, Neptune was within visible range of the imperium's advance. Yet on the same day the three France class ships were ready to join the front. This provided one of the most intense moments of the war, seeing if the France class failed. The fourth and final France class ship the TES Corsica had been completed that day, yet was kept in reserve, for home defence.

40 Fard ships made a push at midday on the 1st of September 2139 towards Neptune, the battle of Neptune had begun. Yet over 80 America class and Japan class ships faced them in the defence of the planet, as well as three France class ships which were heading to the system as fast as possible. The battle began with the imperium destroying multiple ships in front of Triton. Yet many of their ships were destroyed or disabled as the rest of the fleet attacked the front of the fleet.

A few minuets after midday the three France class ships reached Neptune and started to fire upon the imperium's ships, causing many of them to be disabled or destroyed, as Earth pushed forwards. The attack upon the fleet caused initial surprise for the Fard yet they fell back three million miles before re-joining in formation with the second larger fleet, however the fleet consisted of many of the imperium's reserves.

The Fard fleet advanced again towards Neptune, yet were matched by a strong Earth resistance, now consisting of 3 France class ships. The fleet engaged eachother, still within visual range of Neptune and started firing upon each other. Many of the imperium's ships were destroyed, even though lots of America class and Japan class ships were destroyed, they managed to punch a hole through the enemies lines, forcing them to break formation. The break in formation became easy pickings for the Earth fleet, as nearly all of them were destroyed. The battle of Neptune had been won, providing a huge moral boost as the people of earth celebrated as though they had won the war.

The Fard retreated back again to outside the solar system. This represented an end of their advance and for the moral of the war having turned into the favour of Terra Earth and for the human race.

## Earth on the Offensive

After the Fard had lost the battle of Neptune, they retreated outside the Sol System now preparing for counter strikes by Terra Earth. On Earth military leaders were planning an offensive against Fard held systems. To start off there were two obvious routes, the first was to head through the Sirius System which would enable them to push back the Fard Imperium giving them much more territorial gain and enable them to fan out into Fard space. Or the second being to head back and retake Proxima B which wouldn't give them much territorial gain, yet would allow them to be able to present a greater threat in cutting the imperium in two. After weeks of discussions the first plan was seen as the proper option due to Fard defences being more likely to be prepared for an attack which would cut them in two.

Yet seeing as the Earth Galactic Force was vulnerable and would be thinly spread if the offensive was to occur then. Astronomers on Earth noticed that Sirius B had disappeared in preparation for the offensive, causing mild concern amongst planners as they wondered whether the Fard were planning something. Yet astronomers and scientists believed that the dwarf star must have faded away.

By the end of 2140 military planners were confident again that the attack on the Sirius System would be a success. As well as over 20 France class ships having now been built, there were now 6 Germany class ships which had been developed and built at the start of the year, along with now countless America class and Japan class ships as well, with ships of all classes being produced constantly.

On New Years Eve 2140 a Fard fleet of five ships probed the Sol System planning to test the systems defences, three France class ships destroyed them before they reached the Kuiper Belt, once again boosting moral. The next day the Istari ambassador on Earth gave Terra Earth permission to build a defence system and listening station on the Moon, in case of any more Fard ships in the system.

On the 31st of July 2141 Astronomers and Scientists confirmed a planet in the goldilocks zone around Sirius A, they were unsure whether it would be capable to support life due to there previously being a dwarf star nearby. But believed that the Fard Imperium would've built a base on the planet regardless.

On the 2nd of February 2141, Earth launched their fleet heading to the Sirius System, a journey predicted to take from two to three months. The plan was for Japan class and America class ships to attack first, followed by a huge number of Germany class and France class ships. The idea was to swarm through the system capturing bases and planets in the system, including the one which potentially had life on it.

On the 4th of February the fleet engaged a small Fard patrol fleet in interstellar space, and immediately wiped them out. This concerned planners as they worried about the amount of Fard ships flying through interstellar space between Earth and the Sirius System. Yet regardless to the fleets potential defeat before they even reached Sirius the moral still remained high on Earth.

On the 16th of April 2141, the fleet arrived in the Sirius System, their weren't many Fard ships in the system at the time, and were all quickly wiped out. The system contained six planets, one of which was inhabitable, with many life signs registering on the planet. There were many stations emitting waves into space, half of the stations emitted these waves on a frequency used by the Fard Imperium, the other was of unknown origin.

Soldiers took the portal down to of the areas areas emitting an unknown signal, whilst others took shuttles to secure the air above the area. The soldiers entered underground bunkers, to find aliens with green skin and white hair, living underground as if they were a small civilisation. The human soldiers then faced alien soldiers, as they had weapons pointed at each other in a standoff. The fleet admiral and captains were contacted and took the portal down to the area from the fleet. They moved infornt of the Earth soldiers as the alien soldiers dropped their guns, looking curiously at the authorities, before summoning their own leader.

An alien woman appeared, as the fleet admiral slowly moved towards her, with his hands in the air. He had a translation matrix attached to his ear and a translation microphone in is pocket. The admiral then proceeded to taking out the microphone, causing the alien soldiers to be on high alert, aiming at him. He then turned it on and spoke into it, before indicating to the female alien to do the same, as he gave her an earpiece. She attached it to her turquoise ear and spoke into the microphone as it eventually translated to English for the admiral. He then pressed a button on the microphone as she spoke, then his earpiece registering the language, and allowing him to speak to the aliens without needing the microphone.

He then spoke into the microphone as it translated English into the aliens language for them, she then spoke back into it, as the two began a discussion. After about five minuets of talking, they shook hands and returned to their parties. the admiral proceeded to telling the fleet that the race was called the Ulinase, that the planet they were on was called Wyhad and that they had been oppressed by the Fard Imperium for ten years, but that they were rebels, fighting against them. The admiral then informed them that they were fighting the imperium and that they would be willing to help them in the liberation of Wyhad. After explaining this to them, the admiral returned to the neutral point and talked for a few minuets more with the alien leader, he then ordered his soldiers to put down their arms and move towards the rebel soldiers who did the same.

Each of the soldiers gave out translation matrixes to the Ulinase and then went on to socialise with them and the rebels. After hours of socialisation with the two species, the admiral and captains ordered mot of their soldiers back to the ship, along with ten Ulinase, including four leaders and six children, promising them that they would return. They took the shuttle up to a Germany class ship, informing the entire crew to wear the Translation Matrix.

After settling in for the night on the ship, the Humans and the Ulinase began diplomatic discussions, regarding the whole Fard Imperium threat. Understanding that ten years ago the Ulinase were about to develop faster than light technology, and had been enslaved ever since, the two races agreed that it would be in their best interest to work together in removing the threat. On behalf of Terra Earth the admiral and captains offered protection and freedom for the Ulinase and promised to assist them in the war as long as they returned the favour until the Fard had been defeated. This was accepted by the Ulinase, and hence began the three week campaign of the liberation of Wyhad. Later that day they returned to Wyhad and informed the Ulinase that they would be working together to defeat the imperium. The message of alien assistance was broadcasted to all rebel bases and groups, each wanting the freedom from which they have fought for in the past such as the Wyhad War, and the idea was immensely popular amongst the Ulinase.

On the 20th of April 2141 the liberation of Wyhad begun. With Earth shuttles dropping paratrooper Humans onto key Fard positions, as to disable their communications and command. This was overall successful, even though the city of Parduel proved a problem. The entire Fard army was recalled to dispose of the humans in the cities, leaving many open areas, towns and villages unguarded. The Ulinase rebels and the Earth troops followed the Fard army, liberating villages, there was patchy resistance from the imperium, yet the alliance moved forwards rapidly, not to mention they were supported by shuttle airpower and space power. By the 3rd of May 2141 over 75% of the land had been liberated, yet the bulk of the Fard army had disposed of the Humans who had cut communications with the cities.

On the 5th the Humans and Ulinase begin the liberation of many of the cities on Wyhad. By the 9th after many casualties every city is liberated with the exception of Parduel. The Humans send in the whole army and tell the rebels to rebuild the rest of their world, after three days of fighting in the city, the Fard surrenders, and the liberation of Wyhad is complete. The Earth fleet planned to leave 5 France class ships and 2 Germany class ships behind along with dozens of Japan class and America class ships to help defend the system, even though reinforcements are on their way. The admiral informs Earth about the liberation of the Sirius System and that Humans have gained more than an ally, but a partner in the help for the defeat of the Fard Imperium and that they are no longer alone in the fight. The news is received with much positive attitude on Earth boosting moral after not hearing from the fleet for almost a month.

Before the fleet fans out into Fard space, the leader of the Ulinase meets with the ambassador one last time. She thanks him for the liberation of Wyhad and hopes that it is only the beginning between their two races. She also notes that she has learnt some English as she isn't using the Translation Matrix. He is impressed, and hopes for a bright future for Humans and Ulinase alike. She then requests that some Ulinase who want to fight on join the fleet, as they want revenge for the atrocities that the Fard have caused against her people. He accepts the proposal and 300 Ulinase join the fleet, with about 3 or 4 on each ship. The fleet departs, with some of their new allies with them.

The fleet then split into three groups to fan out across Fard space, the first would head from the Sirius Sytem to Wolf 359, Ross 128 and Lalande 21185. The Second would guarantee the gain of that area of space for Terra Earth by heading for Procyon and Luyten, giving Earth a corner of space from which to work from. The final fleet would create an equal front for Terra Earth by getting a string of systems such as Eradani, Ceti and Indi.

On the 10th of May the fleets began their mission to liberate the invaded systems, each journey took about a month. On the 1st of June 2141, the second smaller Earth fleet was ready with 3 Germany class ships 9 France class ships and 32 America class and Japan class ships, their task was to iscolate the former Earth colony Proxima B by overrunning Groombridge 34, Ross 248 and Barnard. Yet this wasn't to happen unless two out of the other three fleets was to be successful in their liberation mission, as the fleet would've been used for support in those areas.

On the 8th of June 2141 the first fleet reached Procyon, there was 10 Fard ships against 6 France class ships, 1 Germany class ship and a dozen America class and Japan class ships. The battle of Procyon raged for 17 hours, as for the first time in the war, the seemingly indestructible France class ships had two of them the TES Brest and TES Squirrel getting destroyed, furthermore the Germany class ships was heavily damaged, and multiple America class ships and Japan class ships were destroyed, leaving 8 of each. Six of the Fard ships were destroyed, whilst the other four retreated to Luyten. The system had been captured, as the Fard bases on the planets were destroyed, yet that on paper the Fard had won, and moral was lost on Earth whilst the imperium gained much of it. Plus the ships had to be repaired before the final push to Luyten which would take a month due to no facilities in the system.

On June the 13th 2141, the second fleet arrived at Wolf 359 they had 2 Germany class ships and 8 France class although they had less America class and Japan class ships. Against them they faced 9 Fard vessels. The battle of Wolf 359 lasted 6 hours as 8 of the Fard ships had been decimated, whilst 1 damaged ship retreated. 1 of the France class ships had been destroyed, 1 Germany class ship had been damaged, there were only 2 America class ships left and 1 Japan class ship left, after the battle. Yet was a small moral booster for Earth.

On June the 15th the Ulinase carried out their first faster than light speed test, successfully going twice the speed of light. At this point Earth gave them information to go 64 times that of the speed of light, assisting them in the construction of their facilities in space to build such ships. This was received positively by both Earth and Wyhad as it meant the pressure of Earth fighting a war without help would soon be gone.

On June the 16th the final fleet reached Eradani, it had the bulk of the fleet with 3 Germany class ships, 12 France class ships and countless Japan class and America class ships. The system only had three imperium ships, all of which were destroyed within 2 hours with only minor damage to 3 France class ships. Yet the system had many asteroids and meteors, providing a good place to lay mines. France class and Germany class ships waited at the edge of the system as the smaller and more manoeuvrable Japan class and America class ships removed the mines for the next two days, the fleet then advanced and took the system, before beginning minor repairs.

On June the 21st 2141, the second fleet, was ready to go to Ross 128 and started on the two week journey there. Later that day the third fleet was ready to advance onto Ceti which would take just less than a month. The first fleet was still being repaired, hoping to get underway by the 4th of July 2141, due to repair rate.

On the 29th of June a France class ship reached the first fleet along with 10 Japan class ships, this was due to a Germany class ship and 25 America class ships being sent from Earth to Wyhad to reinforce the system and the first fleet. By the 2nd of July due to the extra manpower, the fleet was ready to advance again to Luyten, a journey predicted to take little more than a week.

On July the 5th the second fleet reached Ross 128 and faced a fleet of 10 Fard ships, the battle raged on for 6 hours, causing brutal casualties on both sides. For the first time one of the two Germany class ships were destroyed, as were the remaining Japan class and America class ships, yet even though the remaining ships all suffered damage, the system was captured, reinforcements were being sent from Earh after the news of the victory. One of the planets had an environment capable for supporting life, the Fard had only set up one base on the planet and it had been destroyed during the invasion. Consequently 10 crew members from the Germany class ship applied to start a colony on the planet, hopefully with others from the reinforcements approaching them. On the 7th this was accepted by Terra Earth, starting Ross Colony. The fleet however would wait another month until the reinforcements arrived, assisting in the start of Ross Colony.

On July the 8th the first fleet reached Luyten facing 25 Fard ships. The battle raged on for two days, yet at the end the battle was won, and the first objective had been completed. At the end of the battle 3 out of the 5 France class ships had been destroyed, as had the Germany class ship. As well as all 8 America class ships and 27 Japan class ships. Nevertheless due to there no longer being imperium influence in that section of space, the fleet was recalled to Wyhad.

On July the 19th the third fleet reached Ceti, yet faced an opposition of the bulk of the Fard fleet with over 100 ships facing them. The battle lasted almost three days, until on the 22nd of July 2141 the remaining crippled Germany class and France class ships retreated with only 3 America class ships and 5 Japan class ships, whilst the imperium only suffered 25 ships being either destroyed or disabled. The battle effectively ended the Earth rapid and seemingly unstoppable advance into the imperium's space.

## Allied Defence

After the first major defeat for Terra Earth, since the loss of Proxima B, the few surviving ships from the first battle of Ceti, returned to Eridani; a months long voyage, and it would take another month for them to return to Wyhad, meaning that they were vulnerable for at least two months.

On August the 3rd 2141, the second fleet was ready for the voyage just under a fortnight to reach Lalande 21185, as reinforcements arrived with two more Germany class ships, 6 more France class ships and 50 each of America class ships and Japan class ships. Furthermore 110 more colonists joined Ross colony and brought a large and fresh supply of materials to start the colony.

On the 12th of August the first fleet returned from Luyten to Wyhad. There had been considerable progress in the construction of the Ulinase space facilities, with two temporary structures almost completed to allow ship building. The fleet was also surprised to see how quickly the Ulinase were rebuilding most of Wyhad within the space of a few months. The next day a large reinforcement of 5 Germany class ships and 10 France class ships joined the system, preparing for a defensive since the failure of the third fleet in the battle of Ceti.

On the 15th of August the crippled third fleet returned to Eridani hoping to rebuild there. On that day many mines were placed throughout the system to prevent against any Fard attack. Once done the fleet repaired themselves, and awaited instructions.

On the 16th of August 2141 the second fleet arrived at Lalande 21185 and faced 21 imperium ships. The Fard were facing a force of 3 Germany class ships, 14 France class ships, 50 Japan class ships and another 50 America class ships. The battle lasted an hour, as all of the Fard Imperium ships were decimated, with only the loss of two America class ships, 12 Japan class ships and one France class ship. Yet the system had been secured, the second objective was complete. Consequently the large fourth fleet left Earth to invade Groombridge 34, Ross 248 and Barnard, as two of the required 3 asks had been completed. 1 Germany class ship, 6 France class ships and the remaining Japan class ships stayed in the system, whilst 8 America class ships and 2 France class ships took the journey back to Ross 128 to defend the system, whilst the rest returned on a voyage back to Earth to get reinforces and get given orders. Before the Earth bound fleet headed of to Earth, they were instructed to head on a similar length voyage to Wyhad. At the end of the day the Fard launched an attack on Eridani, destroying the Germany class, France class, one America class and all of the Japan class ships, with only two America class ships escaping heading back to Wyhad, there were only 2 Fard ships destroyed, both by mines, the journey was predicted to take a little bit over a month.

On September the 21st 2141 the two America class ships returned to Wyhad where a massive fleet was assembling, as well as the first of the Ulinase ships under construction. On the same day the fourth fleet reached Groombridge 34 with over 30 Germany class ships, 100 France class ships and 300 America class and Japan class ships. The system was blitzed in 15 minuets, and not a single ship was lost. Yet due to the threat upon Wyhad, Earth refused to allow the ships to attack any further in, even though the ships were over three months away from Wyhad.

On October the 31st the remainder of the second fleet reached Wyhad, joining the armarda, which was constantly growing in size. The Ulinase believed that their ship would be ready by the start of 2142, so the attack on the imperium was delayed until then.

On November the 1st 2141, Krancton informed Earth that the next attack wouldn't come upon Wyhad but from Proxima B upon Earth itself, on new years day 2142. The news alarmed Earth, as they stopped building a fleet at Wyhad and concentrated on home defence as Scarlet Station received upgraded turrets and housed many ships on standby.

On New Years Eve 2141, 25 Germany class ships, 40 France class ships, 70 America class ships and 110 Japan class ships lay in preparation for the battle due to occur tomorrow. The tensions on Earth were high yet the Istari were prepared to cause a diversion if required, allowing Earth ships to regroup. On that day, the Kranctons informed Earth that the Fard were planning to launch an attack on Wyhad on the 5th of January. This relieved tactical planners for not moving any ships back from Wyhad to defend Earth.

On New Years Eve 2142, 500 Fard ships approached the Sol System, all ships from Earth were launched to intercept them, yet were outnumbered more than two to one. The Terra Earth fleet kept together in one defensive wave, so that smaller waves wouldn't get decimated. The Fard Imperium stopped at the Kuiper Belt and formed their own defensive position with no intention of moving. Whilst checking in at Uranus Station from where Terra Earth intended to host the battle, they were informed that the Fard fleet had stopped at the Kuiper Belt in a defensive position. This consequently caused the Earth planners to have to come up with an entirely new strategy. By 1:00 PM of that day, the Earth fleet had moved into an offensive position, and slowly moved towards the Kuiper Belt.

The battle of the Kuiper Belt began at 1:30 PM from where the Earth fleet became within weapons range of the Fard fleet. The Fard fleet seemed to be in a defensive position from where they would be prepared for an attack by Japan class and America class ships, so Terra Earth ordered that 20 of the France class ships were to support them. This took the imperium by surprise, as over 100 of their ships were destroyed with only a casualty rate of 10 America class ships, 15 Japan class ships and no France class ships.

The Fard in response sent their heavier ships into attack, yet the smaller and more manoeuvrable Japan class and America class, were protected by France class and Germany class ships which fired upon the front of the enemy ships, the America class and Japan class ships manoeuvred around the enemy ships to attack them from their weakest, where shielding was almost non-existent. For the next ten minuets over 150 enemy ships were destroyed by the Earth fleet. Yet at the expense of only 20 Japan class ships, 15 America class ships, 30 France class ships and 20 Germany class ships remaining in the Earth fleet, meaning that the size advantage had been reduced further from Earth, with only 85 out of the original 225 ships remaining. Yet Fard losses were also high, leaving 234 Fard ships.

The America class and Japan class ships now swarmed around to protect the remaining Germany class ships. Whilst the France class ships went on the offensive, tearing apart the enemy fleet, whilst Germany class ships destroyed ships attempting to regroup into lines. In another hour 184 ships had been destroyed leaving mainly Troop Carriers. There was now only 10 Germany class ships, 10 Japan class ships, 6 America class ships and 8 France class ships. The final assault began on the destruction of the ships protecting the imperium's Troop Carriers. Leaving 40 Troop Carriers carrying large amounts of the Fard army. These were destroyed with ease, killing a predicted 5 million Fard troops, carrying about 80,000 each. The victory had ruptured the strength of the Fard Imperium, as the remaining ships returned home. Yet the fact that Wyhad was still to defend was kept fresh in the minds of the tacticians on Earth.

The Earth fleet was mobilized at Wyhad on the 4th of January, along with the new Pinent class Ulinase ship the UWS Parduel, which was similar in design to the America class ship, yet had the manoeuvrability of a Japan class ship. Overall the fleet lined up with a number of 500 ships. The ships then moved to the edge of the system, near the planet of Gada, and awaited the attack.

Late the next day a fleet of 800 Fard ships approached the system. The battle of Gada had begun. The imperium who hadn't seen the enemy fleet hiding behind the planet, intended to cruise straight on to Wyhad. Yet over 200 of their ships were destroyed within the next half an hour when Terra Earth launched a counter offensive, splitting the fleet in half, the remaining 637 ships scattered and tried to regroup, yet became easy targets for Earth ships, in particular the UWS Parduel caused much mayhem throughout the enemy fleet, destroying 4 ships up to that point, as well as assisting in the destruction of many more ships.

For the next 12 hours running skirmishes took place around the edge of the Sirius System with casualties mounting on both sides, yet most of the time Earth ships hammered the enemy ships. The imperium eventually regrouped with an estimated 250 ships against 314 Earth ships and one Wyhad ship, around the orbit of the furthest moon of Gada, Dizecle.

The battle raged on for another 12 hours until a remaining 10 Fard ships retreated against a force of 70 Earth vessels. The retreating vessels were pursued by 5 Germany class ships who clarified the remaining ships destruction the next day with the loss of one of the Germany class ships. At that point Terra Earth had crippled the military might of the Fard Imperium and from then onwards in the war were seen to have the upper hand.

## The Tide Turns

With more and more reinforcements arriving to Wyhad each day as well as more arriving at Groombridge 34 from where most of the fleet lay. On the 12th of January 2142 the fleet at Groombridge 34 left the system on the short 5 day journey to Ross 248.

On the 17th of January 2142 the fleet arrived at the system to find only two Fard ships defending it, they were both destroyed in 20 minuets with no casualties. On the same day the fleet at Wyhad left to recapture Eridani and eventually move onto liberating Ceti and Indi.

When the fleet reached Eridani they quickly overwhelmed two Fard ships before moving onto Ceti to overwhelm the system in 3 hours. Each of these successful attacks suggested that the Imperium had moved most of it's fortified positions to a defensive line as a result Terra Earth decided that with each system taken a huge fleet would be required as to not underestimate the enemy.

On the 3rd of February the fleet from Ross 248, reached Barnard, yet much to their surprise it was heavily defended. A fleet of 50 Fard ships lay waiting against a fleet of 100 Earth ships. The engagement would become known as the Battle of Barnard, and would be one of the most crucial battles of the war.

Once the Earth fleet arrived into the system almost immediately 10 Fard ships came from behind a gas giant and attacked the frontal ships from below and above, disabling 5 of them and destroying another 8. Admiral Gary Elliot ordered his ships to retreat to the far reaches of the system around the outer asteroid belt. Though successful 6 of the 10 Fard ships had been destroyed, yet the remaining 4 took control of the 5 to the orbit of a planet with a military base upon it, later to become Barnard A. The ships were put in orbit whilst the crew were brought down to the planet, these members would later become the first human colonists of the planet.

The Fard fleets remaining 44 ships took a defensive position around Barnard A, every Fard on the planet took arms, each member preparing to protect the military base. A crew of Fard engineers tried to work out how the disabled 4 Japan class ships and 1 disabled France class ship worked, in order to use them for the battle. It was so much so that the Fard commander of the base sent a message to Fardum demanding immediate reinforcements. This was because of the value of the position from which was later discovered by Terra Earth after the battle.

On the 6th of February the Earth fleet had been gifted by reinforcements of 20 America class ships and two Germany class ships. Admiral Gary Elliot discovered that the Fard fleet was protecting one planet, he ordered his fleet to move into an attacking posture and prepare to attack. By that time the Fard Imperium itself had gained three warships, spared from the Orthornia defensive position, yet these warships had a greater firepower than anything Earth had, and though they took a long time to construct due to the ships many abilities, they were more than a match for a squadron of Earth vessels. These warships became the template for the ships used in the Second Fard Earth War.

At midday the Earth fleet attacked, consisting of 109 ships, yet almost instantly 19 of these were destroyed by the warships, making the numbers more even. The Earth fleet tried an outflanking movement, shredding 14 of the Fard ships with a loss of 16 ships of their own in doing so. Yet the Warships again destroyed 14 more Earth ships, having reduced the number of Earth ships down to 60.

At 12:55 Admiral Gary Elliot decided that they could not win until they had destroyed the warships, and ordered 20 ships on each. This decision left the fleet exposed, yet if successful would turn the battle to their favour. At 1;00 the decision was to begin being carried out.

At 1:15 after a loss of 10 ships the first warship was destroyed, the remaining 10 ships split into 2 groups to help pile on to destroying the remaining 2 warships, yet were being hotly perused by 8 other Fard vessels. By the time they reached their next target only 7 of the 10 ships had survived the bombardment from the other Fard ships, though all 8 of the Fard ships had been destroyed.

At 1:27 the second Fard warship had been destroyed, though 11 Earth ships remained from that fleet, including the ships which had destroyed the first Fard warship, though it was now believed that there were 12 Fard ships left including the warship.

At 1:35 the final warship was destroyed with a remaining 24 Earth ships, against 9 Fard ships. The battle raged intensely, until at 1:55 the final Fard ships were destroyed. With a remaining 15 Earth ships from the battle. Yet still destroying the military base was a priority, as a predicted 2,000 Fard were armed inside.

At 3:30 on the 7th of February, when discussions began about how to take out the military base began, all 15 ships came under heavy fire. The 5 disabled ships from when arriving in the system had begun to fire upon the remaining Earth vessels, fire was returned but the ships weren't completely wiped out until an hour later, from where only 8 Earth ships remained.

Admiral Gary Elliot called for reinforcements at 5:00, yet none were expected for a week, this then became a hard decision for him of whether to risk attacking the base now or wait until reinforcements arrived. This was a tough decision as it was unknown on whether any Fard ships would return to Barnard as to fight of his fleet.

At 10:00 on the 8th of February just as the crew of the surviving ships were getting ready for duty, he made the decision to attack the base, that time tomorrow. This was a shock decision and even 3 of the remaining 8 captains argued against him, as together they had a total manpower of no more than 750 men, yet he was absolute in his highly risky decision.

At 9:00 on the 9th of February the first Earth troops landed on Barnard A, 100 metres away from the Fard perimeter. Though the planet had water and oxygen like Ross Colony had no life on it, except now Human and Fard bacteria. By 9:30 700 troops had arrived on the planet, leaving a skeletal crew of 50 on-board the 8 remaining ships.

At 10:00 the remaining ships began bombarding the enterance to the Fard base for 10 minuets, then the troops moved in. Once inside they came under heavy fire, yet managed to break into the entrance section, yet over 50 troops had already died in the fighting. Nevertheless by 10:10 the entrance was secured and Earth troops were already fanning out.

By 10:30 300 troops had died, yet the communications centre and storage areas were captured by this time. The troops were told to take an hour and a half break to reload and help the injured. their next targets were the control centre, the armoury and food hall.

At 12:05 the battle continued, the troops firstly moved to liberate the prison containing 467 personal who had been captured from the ships on the 3rd, they were taken back to be fed and treated seeing as the Fard had treated them poorly.

At 12:10 the first troops arrived to storm a heavily guarded food hall and surrounding corridors, the battle raged for 20 minutes until they had to retreat having lost 158 troops, and having only captured a few meters. Admiral Gary Elliot decided that he would have to blow apart the food hall to capture it and move on.

At 1:00 explosives were set, and at 1:05 were detonated, yet surprisingly the hall still stood, forcing him to rethink his tactics. This took another hour for him to decide on what he had to do next, as it was believed that most of the Fard were defending deeper into the base, and he had just over 240 troops.

He decided that he would split them 50 50 and bypass the hall and through the corridors either side, and that the hall could be mopped up later. At 2:10 the push began and with a loss of 43 troops both corridors were secured by 2:30, he posted 9 guards around the hall in case the Fard inside attempted to break out.

The only positions remaining were the armoury and the control centre, yet a built in fortification was between them and their objectives, from which most of the Fard were stationed. The defensive position was 3 stories tall, and had Fard defending it overlooking a 100 meter straight from to shoot down troops before the first fortifications began.

Admiral Gary Elliot decided that the only course of action was to emit cover, through artillery and smoke. Yet there was no Earth artillery available. Yet there was some Fard artillery in the storage area, yet knowing how to operate it was unknown. As a result he called of the advance until tomorrow until he had managed to see whether the artillery was successful.

For the rest of the day, Ray Artillery from the Imperium was being tested. It seemed to work in a similar way that ray weapons of Terra Earth worked, yet that it worked in pulses instead of a constant beam. Though by 6:00 the schematics were understood, how to operate it wasn't completely understood.

At 8:00 they decided to call it a night, in preparation for the seemingly hopeless battle tomorrow.