Interplanetary Wars

- United Nations Space Command (UNSC)

The Interplanetary Wars were a series of conflicts fought between the United Earth Government and various communist and fascist hardliners across the Sol system. Fighting primarily took the form of guerilla warfare, which contributed to the war's excessive timespan.

## Overview

### Prelude to Civil War

After the devastating conflict of World War III, the remnants of humanity, dwarf and elvenkind were unified under a single banner, led by the former secretary-general of the United Nations. With much of the world's population dead, the survivors were forced to invest heavily in spacefaring technology that ultimately culminated in the development of better engines and advanced terraforming technology. By the end of the 21st century, the 'Terrans' -- as they started calling themselves -- had settled on Luna and there were already plans to establish a fully functional colony on Mars and even Venus.

Nevertheless, the remnants of the war stuck by humanity, even during these founding years. Communism had taken its hold on the people once more as many were disillusioned by the government due to their part in World War III. Led by Vladimir Koslovic, the Communist Party of Terra was formed in 2101 as a political party in the Terran Congress. However, the subsequent popularity of communism also led to a sharp increase in right-wing activity, who believed that the communists may have played a role in World War III. In 2104, the Frieudian Nationalist Party was formed and quickly became the CPT's primary opponent. During this period, the Terran Congress was divided into three major political parties: The Communist Party of Terra (CPT), the Frieudian Nationalist Party (FNP), and the Humanity First Party (HFP). For much of the congress's history, the HFP held a majority of the seats in congress.

Years passed, and the neutral members of the Terran Congress became increasingly worried about the rising militarism expressed by both parties. In the 2135 General Elections, the CPT won 35% of the seats, while the HFP won 45%. The FNP only won 20% of the seats. Hermann Frieudian expressed his outrage over the results of the elections, denounced the democratic processes and accused the CPT of having rigged the elections.

### Night of Long Knives

On October 31st, 2135, Renata Luxemburg—a high-ranking member of the CPT—was found dead in her apartment in Old Mombasa. When the CPT received this news, they accused the FNP of having done the assassination, though there was no evidence to support their accusations. The two parties met under the cover of night on the streets of New York. They argued incessantly about the situation until, finally, a gunshot was fired, and the *'thud'* of a body echoed throughout the streets. Confused and distraught, a member of the FNP fired at one of the members of the CPT. One thing led to another and the streets erupted with the sound of gunfire. The 'Battle of New York' forced the Frieudians to resettle most of their operations to Venus; but the disturbance that was stirred by the FNP and the CPT was enough to have the Secretary-General step in and ban both parties from participating in the next general elections.

However, the ban had the unintentional side-effect of uniting the two parties against a common enemy. The CPT and the FNP were utterly convinced that the election results were rigged by the HFP and that the true culprit of Renata Luxemburg's death was actually the secretary-general himself. In 2136, Hermann Freudian and Vladimir Koslovic met at a disclosed location on Mars and agreed to a truce that would last until their war with the United Earth Government was complete. Thus, the United Rebel Front was formed.

### Conflict

#### The battles fought during this period were incredibly bloody. Free from the restraints of international law, the URF employed ruthless tactics to maximise as much damage against the UEG as possible. EMPs were used frequently, cutting off countless settlements from resources vital for their survival. The public shared mix sentiments regarding the conflict. Some citizens believe that the conflict was justifiable, arguing that the war will make Terrans stronger by highlighting the key flaws that society must overcome. However, due to the strategies used by the rebels, most of Terran society sided with the government.

The war would come to an end on November 7th, 2142, at the base of Mount Olympus, Mars. Years of fighting has taken its toll on the United Rebel Front. A third of its armed forces had been routed in the devastating 'Rainforest War' campaign, leaving a vast majority of key Rebel territories exposed to the UEG. The battle of Mount Olympus lasted less than a week, but the battle proved to be a difficult one for both sides. Thousands of soldiers lost their lives. In one instance, over thirty thousand Loyalist soldiers died in a single day, resulting in the bloodiest engagement since the end of World War Three. Eventually, the Rebels were defeated, and its perpetrators captured.

### Legacy

On January 1st, 2143, Terran channels broadcasted the trial of Hermann Freudian and Vladimir Koslovic. The men expressed their concerns to the court and offered their rhetoric to the audience before them. They remained true to their ideals, and when asked whether they would plead to be guilty, they chose otherwise, stating that their actions were justifiable.

Two months later, both men were hung at the court plaza situated in front of the UN building in New York.

Since the end of the Interplanetary Wars, Terran society has remained divided.