Ancestral War

> ***"Let it be foretold, that Mankind has been blessed with its rivalries and despotism. May it be held that mankind is doomed to fracture and break apart, may it be held that in the revolutions of the 18th century that even planet shaking guns would one day roar above the head of a chilled planet likely a whole galaxy away. For this is the struggle of man, for this we all must recall the primal Hobbesian struggle we as mankind are cursed with."***
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> **-Nreksta (2350) 'Histories of the Commonwealth', The age of crisis. Ortus Libraries Page 1**
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## Imperial-Commonwealth War

### Dates:

Declaration: 1st. of April, 2315Conclusion: 12th. of April, 2329

## Opposing Forces

### Aggressor Numbers:

Estimated 765 warships, over 200 Million Ground Forces

### Defender Numbers

262 Warships, around 60 Million Ground Forces

### Noteworthy Battles:

Battle of Aasha, Battle of Okopleron, Battle of New Earth

## Estimated Casualties

### Aggressor Losses:

395 Warships lost, estimated 380 Million Ground Forces killed

### Defender Losses:

98 Warships lost, around 38 Million Ground Forces Killed

### Civilian Losses:

Estimated between 1 to 3 Billion

The **Ancestral War**, otherwise known as the Imperial-Commonwealth War, was a conflict fought between the Eternal Empire and the Commonwealth - Being both nations formed by human survivors of the exodus, the name ‘*Ancestral War*’ was used to recall human conflicts from previous history. The overall objectives of such conflict was the Imperial domination of the Commonwealth planets and subsequent destruction of the Eastern Human species as a whole, meanwhile, the Commonwealth set its focus on defending against the Eternal Empire, whilst directing its offensive efforts at removing the Eternal Empress from power of its rival-state.

War was declared on April 1st, 2315. Although both nations found themselves at opposing corners of the Galactic Cluster, preparations for a campaign against the Commonwealth began being drafted immediately by the Royal Imperial Admiralty. In 2325, after years of intensive work and naval strengthening, the Royal Imperial Navy set out to invade the Commonwealth core system of Aasha, resulting in the aptly named Battle of Aasha, in 2326. After achieving victory in the battle and destroying the invading imperial forces, the Commonwealth then went to the offensive, resulting in an arduous campaign that eventually led to the Battle of New Earth, an engagement which killed Empress Victoria VIII and set an end to the Ancestral War, in 2329.

Set amidst the Unbidden Emergency, the conflict claimed Billions of lives and did little to accomplish anything for either side. The Commonwealth, although victorious in its goal of removing the eternal empress, still had to contend with a xenophobic Eternal Empire which continued to strengthen its military forces in preparations for future conflicts. Meanwhile, its primary naval force, Task Force Manticore, was forced to return home and await reinforcements, all the while the Unbidden threat continued to ravage the Galactic North unopposed. In the end, the Ancestral War set the stage for the rivalry present to this day between the Commonwealth and the Eternal Empire, remaining the most dangerous powderkeg found within the cluster and its convoluted history of wars.

## **The Prelude, The Build-up, The Hate**

To truly hear the words of the past, is to have records of the past as it was. Yet, with older governments having confiscated and lost much historical information during the chaos that is history, much of such memories is mired in mystery, let it be due to bureaucratic overload during the Exodus or the overall anarchy on Earth during the last few years leading up to the cataclysm of the wars that befell the planet in its last years. The scraps, however, have created ideals and goals to peoples born centuries after their documentations, setting entire cultures against each other, despite their real veracity altogether.

So, where do we begin?

Let us begin with man itself, and how it tears itself apart from the very beginning.

Humanity began with one trait which defined them throughout the entirety of history up to the modern centuries; their bellicose nature. Let it be the primate fighting against fellow scavengers for scarce food, or the polish musket man burning down British villages in the powder era, the species has always found a reason to tear itself apart upon seeing the slightest possibility that it could be wiped out or merely left behind in the progress race. In the end, mankind itself would evolve around 4 million years before the exodus from their homeworld, resulting in their species eventually becoming the dominant force on the planet and quickly becoming the single greatest force of change on said planet. Five thousand years before the end, and the first civilizations began appearing all around the globe. As older kingdoms, chiefdoms and tribes fell, governments all the more modern rose to carry the torch and march forwards. Around the medieval time we begin seeing the nations that would become the main protagonists of world history; The island nation, **England** (Later to be the British Isles as a whole) and the continental powerhouse, **Poland**.

Centuries passed, with these two powers growing greater and ever more aware of each other. After the revolution in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with beheaded and arrested nobles all across the kingdom in 1701, the real struggle for dominance would begin throughout Europe and the world. As a government with bright ideals glared in the continent, it’s people began a cultural and technological revolution just as strong as the military one to defend their homeland. With coalitions formed to deal with the new polish nation, the European wars began a path that eventually woke the British lion to finally face the eastern eagle in direct confrontation for the first time in history, initiating a series of wars and bloodbaths that would assure mutual hate over the two powers.

Eventually, the two nations brought the world into polarized blocs; the **Eastern Union** and the **Pax Britannica**. Wars and disputes frequently arose in an attempt to topple one of them, yet the sheer size, power and determination to not falter kept both sides standing straight despite the challenges with every new century. A breaking point was reached, however, during the exodus. With the destruction of the planet, each side cowered into their own palaces and achievements, looking for the best alternative to avoid annihilation on their own. The Eastern Union found the gateway of Istanbul, and the Empire, at the Isle of Man. These two forces would live to fight another day, and they would make sure not to forget about their historical foes whatever the circumstances might turn out to be.

With the past covered, and the different issues settled, it is time to analyse the modern nations of the Galaxy and their cards acquired with centuries of expansion; The Western Eternal Empire and the Eastern Galactic Commonwealth.

## **The New Behemoths**

At one side, you have the biggest Empire of the Galactical landscape, with a disciplined, confident military willing to crusade in the name of their empress no matter the circumstances. In the other, a democratic superpower, allied to fellow bordering nations and with the most advanced technology the Galaxy could find. As simple as it sounds, the motives behind the **Ancestral War** occurring at the time it did are nothing but. A big third player, the Unbidden, were making their strikes all over the Galaxy, and right between the two rival powers were the Entente and the Celestial Alliance, embroiled in arduous warfare and unable to support their Commonwealth neighbours with whichever enemy they might have fend off in the future. The Empire waited and waited, licking their wounds and rebuilding from previous wars with the Dyss until they found the perfect moment to strike, or so they had hoped.

The Commonwealth had grown far more from their Earthly ancestors ever could in similar circumstances, something the Empire never managed to understand completely. In a steady manner, the nation of the East had culturally integrated many neighbouring regions, masterfully forming a multi-ethnical state that, although suffered internal friction at times, flourished with industrial might, technological edge and a firm yet forgiving geopolitical policy with their most diplomatic of neighbours. Guarded by a competent and adaptive Armed Force with meritocratic ideals, the Commonwealth seemed small and sluggish to broader eyes, yet an awoke behemoth if faced with a great challenge at its doorstep.

In the end, what made these two great powers clash after all? Old rivalry? Their growing threats to each other? The fear of a pre-emptive strike? Truth is, all of them. The Empire and the Commonwealth were natural enemies, even when taking aside the historical background behind those two nations. Let it be the overly-aggressive stance the Eternal Empire enforced with its neighbours or the protective and in most cases, profitable guarantees the Commonwealth proposed to other smaller powers, the two mainly human administrations were bound to interstellar conflict eventually, and the most optimal time found for that also happened to be the most chaotic, the early 2300s. With other nations embroiled in their own struggles and unable to support allies, the Empire, fueled by an extremist sense of hate in their ranks, moved in fast to achieve a lightning victory over their Eastern foes; as an armada sailed off in complete silence and quick calls notifying of enemy activity in border sensors were made, each side drove headfirst into the conflict that would decide Galactical hegemony for the future to come, a war justified by ancestry, though hardly anything as brutal ever seen before.

## **The Ancestral War**

Now that both powers enter a state of warfare, it is time to delve into the specifics of each intricate advantage and disadvantage they possess respectively, as well as their leaders, commanders, forces and many other details critical to the development of the war as it did.

### **Imperial Jaws**

The Eternal Empire, an aggressor in the conflict, had Empress Victoria VIII assume its head of government, yet was guided by a series of ministers and advisors once the monarch had to vacate for regular treatment. The two main figures at the time were the Lord Regent, Daniel Lavoie, and the Lord Admiral, Darius Ney, sharing a deadly rivalry with each other as soon as they came into contact. The Royal Navy, Army and Air Forces, dominated by support for the Lord Admiral spearheaded the **radical militarist** drive at the Commonwealth, as the civilian government of the Lord Regent assembled a rather **moderate and conservative** strategy to objectively find a way to achieve victory over the external foe. In the end, however, both were very much in agreement that the Commonwealth had to be taken down no matter what, something deeply encouraged by Empress Victoria, which only hurried the efforts to strike down at the East. The High Command had decided the strategy to be carried in a single, decisive battle, with the Imperial Armada forcing an engagement with Task Force Manticore that it could not ignore, therefore wiping out their greatest threat in a single blow no effort from the Eagle could recover their advantages in time. Such planning, taken to the homeworld of the Commonwealth, Ortus, required almost perfect surprise and even more favourable odds in the battle over the planet. Yet, once the troops were landed and controlling the surface of the world, there would be no safe actions for the East to take without resulting in a quick defeat of all surrounding forces around Ortus, as then, the Royal Navy would have a safe port to which it could launch further operations into enemy territory without supply complications.

With that, comes to attention the capabilities of the Royal Navy and Armed Forces as a whole. On paper, it is an unstoppable force, crewed by arguably the most elite veterans of the Galaxy, with numbers to rival even Unbidden threats to the North and enough manpower to take half of the galaxy on its own with unwavering morale all throughout it. In reality, though, much of its bare strength comes from the direct incentive of the Empress herself, a factor that assists the morale of the forces as long as it is in direct effect. The Imperial Armada lacks the supplies to run operations in the Commonwealth for extended periods, and that forces it to choose a cirurgical doctrine of heavy-hitting at the heart of the enemy, instead of the one it conducted during the Bloody Push, against the Dyss. This naval Blitzkrieg, coupled together with the lack of knowledge in the Eastern territories and the exposed stance it leaves the mainland in is strongly voiced over by the more cautious conservatives, smaller in numbers after the ascension of Darius into the scene. To the radicals, who style the campaign with optimistic thoughts, point out the clear wavering spirit of the Commonwealth, as well as their smaller and less organized forces, unaware of the potential invasion from the West.

Safely to say, it is nowadays obvious to see which side was favoured by the High Command to proceed with their plans.

### **Commonwealth Claws**

Hurrying a defence contingent, the waking power of the East assembles her advantages and prepares her cards for the upcoming gamble once more. It headed ex-general Lop Aspinaca as Chancellor of the nation, with Task Force Manticore, the Commonwealth’s own navy, under the lead of the legendary Satayesh Ibrahim to articulate a defence. The navy, which had remained apolitical for most of the country’s history, kept like so, following the orders of the High Command as it coordinated with the industry and other civilian groups to assure mutual survival. With their own set of strategies and advantages, Manticore hurried forward a plan to set back the Imperial onslaught at once with their most powerful doctrine; defence. Unlike any other power in the Galaxy, the Commonwealth counted with highly automated and competent artificial intelligence, which cut down the manpower required to run the armed forces with the added bonus of continued improvement of tactics, equipment and discipline in battle, all at the enormous expenses only an industrial power such as the Commonwealth could accommodate in comfort. Coupled with that, came the eagle’s significant technological edge over the enemy, a trump card to maintain Task Force Manticore compact, yet just as competitive as the Armadas or any entity in their vicinity ready to clash. Yet although the East held many advantages against the West, ultimately, the timing was not one of them, and that proved critical to cause more blunders than opportunities to Ibrahim than anything else at the beginning of the war.

If anything, Satayesh and her fleet held the home front advantage, being able to roam freely wherever she wished in friendly territory with support and supplies to house the Task Force safely. That was immediately countered, however, once Darius and the Imperial Armada forced engagement with Manticore by threatening a siege of Ortus, which the Commonwealth could simply not ignore. Then, the strategy shifted once more, instead of for a stone wall defence at all costs at the homeworld of their nation, aided by Merit-class Citadels numerous defensive platforms and the Ortus Spaceport itself, ready to defend their home space until the last being. The simple fact was that the Commonwealth lacked the experience, resources and time to conduct long-range expeditions into foreign lands as far as the Empire’s, and such had no other choice rather than to sit and wait until the enemy spent its window of opportunity, as Manticore itself hurried a contingent to send over across the Galactic centre. Coupled with that was the unoptimal weaponry mounted on many Commonwealth warships, hoping to engage against the looming extradimensional foes instead of conventional human ones invading their homeland. The East, known to overcome their foes with time and planning, had been jumped quickly, neglecting many of its tricks and hurrying the fleet into an enormous sense of pressure to contend with as battle loomed.

Ultimately, both forces and commanders forced themselves into a single decisive battle. With both sides covered, their strengths and weaknesses glanced upon, it can be understood why the Battle of Aasha happened as it did, as well as why the logistical aspect of the war turned to be a nightmare both sides came to face to mount any kind of meaningful attack force for further incursions.

### **The Tug of War**

* **2315 AD -** The Commonwealth calls out for unity against the Unbidden threat. In response, fearing it might eventually have to face a coalition of Xeno nations led by the East, the Eternal Empire declares a preemptive war on the Commonwealth.
* **10.06.2326 AD -** The Great Array makes a demonstration, by chance the sensors detect the Sovereign Armada; it is approaching through the centre of the galaxy, a feat thought impossible before.
* **15.06.2326 AD -** Emergency defences around Ortus continue. Ibrahim gathers intel from few *Imperial deserters* and sets course with the remainders of the fleet for Aasha shortly afterwards.
* **21.06.2326 AD -** Battle for Ortus commences. Over 400 ships battle for dominance on both sides. Commonwealth victory achieved, at a bloody cost.

The battle in Aasha was brutal but necessary for both sides to learn from each other as the conflict dragged on. Lord Admiral Darius Ney, with a battered armada crushed in spirit and battle, was forced to sound the retreat from the sector as a whole, sacrificing the main body of the Army landing force to evacuate his vessels from Commonwealth space that no longer counted with the psionic aid of the Empress. At the other side, although the victory was achieved, the situation also looked very bleak. Manticore, unlike the First Royal Armada, still had full schedule up north to deal with Unbidden presence, that coupled with a damaged navy, cut down fighter and bomber squadrons from carrier groups and a huge cloud of debris surrounding Ortus that stalled overall repairs, the Commonwealth faced dangers from their borders like never before. However, the battle also rewarded the nation with much-needed support from their previously reluctant allies at the North, which brought not only closer military coordination with the Condign League, but a complete geopolitical union with the Commonwealth also, a political victory that only strengthened the eastern bloc and crippled foes surrounding them.

With short yet sounding celebrations, Aspinaca initiated the daring goal of a counter-attack mainly possible by the window of opportunity given by the retreat of the crippled Imperial fleet. The all or nothing strategy they were about to follow now required the Chancellor to step down and return to the army, being replaced by the experienced ex-chancellor Shu Lin as wartime head of government until the end of conflicts. Knowing the risks that an incursion like such could provide, High Command focused carefully in the planning and development of a competent Logistical flotilla to accompany Manticore. After some years, the planning leaves boards and begins to be put into action; soon the most critical battle of the war would be brought up at the Imperial heartland.

* **2327 AD -** Mass enlistment & production skyrockets Commonwealth war machine, as the battle above Ortus fuels a massive propaganda drive all across the nation. General Aspinaca and Admiral Ibrahim begin setting plans for a daring yet risky counter-attack towards the Imperial homeland; the cogs of invasion begin turning once more.
* **2328 AD -** Psionics all across the Armed Forces are rounded up and refrained from joining the offensive of the West. Planning continues, as a massive multi-species force is assembled for the attack.
* **01.11.2328 AD -** Task Force Manticore departs with over 200 warships towards the Imperial homeworld as it escorts 40 million soldiers and other ground assets. Stripes are painted on the vessels, as **Operation Broken Hydra** begins in full swing.
* **23.03.2329 AD -** Commonwealth Forces reach New Sol system and make preparations for landing in the capital. With little resistance, the siege of New Earth begins as a success for the East.
* **12.04.2329 AD -** Imperial Armadas break their concealment from the surface of New Jamestown and head for battle against Manticore and the Commonwealth troops on the ground. Five days later, the carnage in the void begins to turn into the greatest space battle in history; the Battle of New Earth.

As it happened, the Commonwealth realised the importance, both psionically and as a figurehead, the Empress upheld all throughout the Empire. All the heads of the operation came to the agreement that her removal from power would not only be a necessity to contain further fanaticism in the enemy nation but also to assure its stability as a much less indoctrinated institution in the Western theatre of the Galaxy. However, it was already well known the destructive capabilities psionic powers could achieve, that, along with the danger of fanatical militarised society ready to die for their leader instead of surrendering, and the Commonwealth High ranking staff were more than keen on gathering their best soldiers to spearhead the charge against the Eternal Empire, let it be Yadran cadets, Yaanari officers or even the Minervan spiders, famed for their aggressiveness and efficiency against poorly armed groups, they were hoping to throw everything they had into a battle to remove the Empress from command and then sort out an agreement with the remaining forces of the Empire, whoever could still be alive after the slaughter happening all across...

The Empire, who had been rebuilding and fending off Unbidden strikes, awaited a much-expected counter-attack, taking advantage of their superior production capabilities at home and fortifying their systems in preparations for Commonwealth incursions. At their side though, the disagreements between Lord Regent Daniel Lavoie and Lord Admiral Darius Ney grew more sounding each day, and it was clear that, if the Empire came to lose the war, there would be an enormous power struggle in pursuit of domination for the throne in case the Empress lost her power. With constant tension between the conservative and militaristic branches of the armed forces, the best course of action they found was to simply lay low, build up, and await a strike down onto the Commonwealth whenever they were occupied sieging the Imperial homeworld. The war had switched sides, it was now, whether the Empire liked it or not, them the ones forced to engage in battle, and they would make sure that this time, they would be the ones to come on top in the fighting.

## **A Bitter Status Quo**

Hours passed in the struggle, worrying for supremacy in the Battle of New Earth. Both sides bled, as the slaughter above in space, and below in the surface, seemed far from over. Yet, as the Commonwealth pride, CSV Archon, headed down in flames towards the Empire’s great holdout and palace, it became obvious that the fighting would be over whenever the Dreadnought touched down in ruins at the buildings of Hill Westminster. With Billions dead, fleets wrecked, and an entire nation missing its leader, the Commonwealth had achieved their goal, yet it created a rivalry the moment they noticed they had to settle contently with a white peace, as their warship sizes dwindled and their soldiers down below were killed in droves despite accomplishing their goals. In the end, it was Lavoie the one to come out on top; with Darius killed mere minutes after the Empress was declared lost and the psionic curse removed, the Lord Regent made quick and swift moves to assure his control even amidst the decisive battle. With a quick ceasefire signed shortly afterwards, the war ended in a Commonwealth strategic victory, but the Galaxy would still be polarised despite the best efforts of the East to contain the Imperial Status Quo. The **Ancestral War**, as the future years would prove, was a bloody draw.

The war and its aftermath was a turning point in galactic history. It marked an end in local conflicts between small nations, and instead turned to become a great interstellar rivalry; between the East, headed by the Commonwealth, the Entente and remaining Thadrakos nations, and the West, with the rebuilt and reformed Eternal Empire steering away from isolation once more. This conflict orchestrated by human exiled species then turned to be a galactic struggle, which only accumulated the tensions, the suffering and the despair. With the Unbidden threat pushed off in the following years after the end of the Ancestral War, the Galaxy had to contend with another growing disaster; the **Cold War** Between East and West.