Galactic Imperium/History

## History

### 2080: Formation

The Galactic Imperium officially began in 2080 on Earth, though talks about it's formation began a few years prior, in 2078. The idea of the faction was mostly brokered by corporations and governments, flush with new technology generated by Artificial Intelligences, being unhappy with the various legislative differences between countries and borders. Since starships were becoming more and more commonplace, it made sense that soon space itself would be humanity's to explore. Having a unified Earth during this age was deemed necessary, from an economic, cultural and logistical perspective.

In 2080, the United States, Canada, Russia, and much of Northern Europe joined together to form this new government, electing a popular politician Sorrin Worthington to be its President and figurehead. This merger allowed for vast quantities of resources and new technologies to be shared, utilized and improved upon, as the human race began looking to the stars. During this first year, the new Galactic Imperium began the construction of the first Capital class ships, distributed resources to the struggling populace within their borders and re-organized many internal institutions.

### 2081: Early Protests

However, these new laws and the Imperium as a whole were not universally accepted by the people of Earth. Many countries saw the government as an oppressor, trying to destroy their culture and way of life. Others, such as Switzerland, were happy to ally themselves with the Imperium, but wished to remain independent. Even the population within Imperial territory were somewhat divided, and a great deal of protests sparked up across the planet.

The largest and most vocal of these protests were found in Central America, organized and funded by Senator James Corvin. Corvin claimed the Galactic Imperium were nothing but conquerors, willing to crush any that disagreed with their vision for humanity's future. His sentiments were echoed throughout much of the southern continent, as well as overseas.

Thankfully, many of these protests were non-violent, as the Galactic Imperium was focused mostly at improving the lives of it's own people; securing their public image. However, this changed drastically in 2081, when the government of Australia decided to join the Imperium against public consensus. This caused an outcry from the nation's people; many of whom wanted to retain their independence, rather than link themselves to a foreign power. This divide split the country in two, with intense fighting breaking out in various population centers.

The wider Imperium was disturbed by this, and while they sent resources to Australian loyalists that supported them, they were unwilling to provide direct military support. Instead, they re-doubled their efforts on brokering peaceful mergers with other nearby countries, preaching the benefits rather than the pitfalls. New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia and South Africa were some of their early members.

### 2082: Aurelia

In late 2082, Central America pushed out the last Imperium footholds, many of their people following the words of James Corvin. Realizing that the Imperium's strength was growing worryingly high, the various regions within discuss forming a long-term alliance in order to protect their own interests. In early 2083 this alliance was formalized and a new faction was born: Aurelia. Corvin, now promoted to the rank of General, was placed as their leader and figurehead; a mirror of President Worthington.

Many protesters across the world pledged their allegiance to this new faction, recognizing the strength in numbers. The largest of these were the rebels within Australia, where the fighting was the most fierce. Now with direct foreign support, the civil war within the country grows increasingly violent, especially within the city of Prenmane.

Aurelia also drew the interest of some of the biggest Imperium holdouts. Several South American and African nations formed alliances with the new faction, while China, Korea, India and Japan remained neutral, rather than pledge themselves to a specific side.

### The Council

Due to the rise of Aurelia, global support for the Imperium and President Worthington began to decline. To combat this, the highest ranked officials within the Imperium, leaders of former governments and top level executives, reorganize their leadership. Together, they form the Imperium Council in 2084, a cabinet of five individuals leading the rest of the faction. At the same time, President Worthington vanishes from the public eye, due to his waning popularity. It is said he is one of the Councilors, but this is never confirmed.

Rumours spread regarding who the other Councilors are too, but there is never any concrete answer. The official reason is for security - anyone willing to break the Council would have to kill every official within the Imperium's ranks. The media preached about factional unity alongside this; their leaders weren't from one nation or another - they were from the Imperium as a whole.

### The Intervention of the Core

With their hierarchy secured, the Galactic Imperium began the process of global unification, utilizing one of their best kept secrets; the espionage and assassination order known only as the Core. While the organisation had been utilized in the background of society for many years, including the early days of the Imperium, they were now engaged full force.

One of their first major operations was Operation: Warbreaker, which involved the assassination of the high level Aurelian supporters and military officials within Australia. This attack, combined with a coordinated military push, placed the Aurelian rebels in an unwinnable situation. They formally surrendered, and the country joined the Imperium proper.

The Core would go on to stage a number of operations that led to widespread Imperium mergers. The dictator of China was assassinated, with blame placed on Aurelia. The Core also hamstrung several national governments within South America and Africa, leading to many choosing to join the Imperium as a more stable nation state.

### The Second Korean War

In 2087, North Korea (unofficially supported by Aurelia) launched an electronic attack against the Imperium, devastating computer systems globally. In response, the Imperium launched a small ground invasion into the country from the neighboring South Korea. As it turned out, the country was well defended, with troops and supplies brought in from Aurelian supporters in Japan and Mexico.

The second Korean War lasted for three months, ending with the Imperium's defeat. The faction is forced out of the now unified Korea, with much of the loyalist military withdrawing with them. The Imperium, wary of the resources and support the Korean military were receiving, devise a new strategy.

A month after their retreat, the Galactic Imperium marched troops into China and lands forces in Japan. China, now partial to the Imperium's cause due to the early 'Aurelian' assassination, joined the faction with little hostility. Japan was more reluctant, but with many of their officials and executives already holding trading partnerships with the Imperium, it was only a matter of time.

The Aurelian sympathizers within the two nations fled to Korea, clogging the country with refugees and slowing the flow of resources. This, alongside both a Core assassination of the Korean leaders and a rising sentiment of support within the people, lead to the decline of the Korean military. When the Galactic Imperium invaded a second time, they met a much weaker resistance. The newly elected dictator, seeing the writing on the wall, pledged his nation to the Imperium. Thousands of Aurelian supporters fled the country, though many more decided to fall in line under the Imperial mandate.