Second Terrean War

The **Second Terrean War**, often abbreviated as **2TW**, was a global war that officially lasted from 2252 (-12 XTE) to 2296 AD (32 XTE). It involved nearly every nation and was dominated by two main factions, the United Nations (UN) and the Terrean Republican Coalition (TRC). The 2TW was a total war directly involving 4.5 billion personnel from all over the world. The major participants threw their entire economic, industrial and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, and it is often cited as the major driving force in the advent of extrasolar technology. Spacecraft played a major role in the conflict, with cheap and easily accessible parts enabling rebellions with little money to wage war in orbit. The 2TW was by far the deadliest conflict of human history so far; it resulted in just over 1.5 billion fatalities, nearly half of which are estimated to have been civilians. Hundreds of millions were displaced or killed by the resulting famines, droughts and a dramatic increase in crime within war-affected areas.

The 2TW was directly caused by a large-scale rebellion. Many western territories, originally ceded to the UN during the First Terrean War, declared independence. Through a campaign of infiltration, UN-loyal security in these territories was easily dismantled and later armed many militant groups with what was then high-grade modern equipment produced by the UN. Those western territories would quickly establish the Unified Republic of Terra and the North American Confederation, which would later form the Terrean Republican Coalition after a short period of infighting. The UN would then respond by closing the borders between these territories and blockading them. The UN Council immediately announced their intent to take control of all territory on Terra through military force.

In the wake of the UN conceding and leaving Terra, relations between Terrean states in the coalition broke down and much of Terra lost contact with the outer colonies for nearly a decade. The UN's concession resulted in a long period of recovering, though small skirmishes and battles continued near national borders, mainly between the Unified Republic of Terra and the Grand Union of the Socialist Republics in Asia and Africa. These have since stagnated, and the Unified Republic of Terra successfully contacted the Sectoral Republic of Perūn in 64 XTE. The two nations established the first official trade routes between Terra and another planet since the end of the war.

## Timeline

The first phase focused mainly upon securing space around Terrean orbit as both sides had near equal numbers of militarily personnel with only slight technological advantages held by each side, making it difficult for either faction to gain an advantage over their adversary during this stage. After eight years of fighting without significant advances made by any party, several large-scale engagements took place which resulted in heavy losses suffered by both the UN forces and those loyal to the Federations; however neither was able to claim victory due to their inability to inflict major defeats on one another. It wasn't until 2264 with the advent of extrasolar technology that there was any real change within this stalemate as the new technologies allowed for small skirmishes between spacecraft belonging to the Federations but stationed within close proximity to the UN to perform extremely effective "hit & run" raids which became increasingly common among various rebel groups who very effectively used ships in small formations against much larger fleets belonging to the UN.

The second phase of the war began in 2265 when both factions began making considerable use of extrasolar technology and quickly sent out their own ships to explore beyond inner Sol. This led to advances being made by each side as they invented new technologies, drafted new ship designs, and extracted tonnes of resources. In 2273, the Federations captured a UN ship which allowed them to reverse-engineer their design and improve upon it. This led to considerable advancements in military technology for them; however due to time constraints placed on them by the war effort they were not able to gain a significant advantage over the UN until later.

In 2276, the UN made a major push to take control of several strategically important colonies in an attempt to gain the advantage over their adversary. This resulted in some success for them, but they ultimately failed as they were unable to maintain control of these areas due to counterattacks by rebel forces. The Federations responded quickly and sent out its own ships which managed to repel most of the UN's advances. In 2282, Mars successfully gained independence from Terra after years of fighting during their civil war and immediately pledged support for the URT, providing them with much-needed resources that would prove instrumental in allowing the rebels to gain ground against their adversaries who were now placed under further strain due to the loss of these resources.

The third phase began in 2283 when the Federations made a number of significant advances which led to them gaining control over several key territories and colonies on Terra formerly held by UN forces, this allowed for their continued production of new technologies as well as greatly improved morale among rebel troops who were now seeing substantial success against their foe after years of stalemate. The war stagnated in 2292 with both sides focusing more on defending held territories from each other. Finally, after four years of fighting without any real progress being made by either side, representatives from both factions met up and signed a peace treaty which officially ended hostilities between them on March 14th 2296 AD (32 XTE).

Despite winning the war against the UN, Terra still had a large breakdown in relations between states previously allied in the Federations of Terra resulting in a complete loss of communications from Terra until 50 XTE and the URT's contact with the SRP. Smaller scale wars and battles continue to happen frequently as the factions of Terra continue to battle for control over the territories. The Unified Republic of Terra and the Soviet Republic of Terra are largely the only recognized Terrean states on a solar level, though there are some exceptions.