History

History describes the events and people that came before.

## Summary

The history of the Evochron Universe is uncertain and full of errors and disagreements between both factions. As such any retelling should be taken with a grain of salt even those between different chronicles and seeming primary sources can contradict each other. Any ingame talk should be considered subjective canon of the person saying it. Only external absolutes by the creator may be considered absolute canon.

This page will attempt to unite the old game descriptions, the official quests and summary and the semi-official storyline of acknowledged fanfiction in the StarWraith forums by the developer Vice and fanfiction writer Tha\_Rami.

## The Fulcrum Age (2178-2252)

### New Age of Discovery

In the year 2178, humanity finally succeeded to travel long distances in space due to the invention of Fulcrum jump technology. Fulcrum jump devices could fold space across two points, allowing spacecraft to travel rapidly across vast distances. This quickly resulted in the colonization of much of the Sol sector, including the gas giant Jupiter, which was colonized by building stations just above its atmosphere. Most larger countries on Earth formed an alliance that united for the pursuit of space exploration in an effort to avoid war in space. The new faction was named the Terran Alliance. These early jump devices were so big that small stations had to house them. **(Source: Vice/SFSW)**

Over several decades, the Terran Alliance expanded their exploration efforts many light years away from Earth. Alpha Centauri has the distinction of being the first system to be colonized outside of Sol with Sirius being the second. **(Source: Legends System Info)** Later they reached the Orion sector in 2205. In 2207, the first drones were sent to the Orion sector to begin building Fulcrum Gates to Sirius which had been connected to Sol. **(Source: Vice/SFSW)**

The Fulcrum Gates, installed in various locations across the newly explored regions of space, offered instantaneous transportation across the universe. The sequence involved distance analysis by astronomers, followed by the transit of drones with automated construction equipment to build a gate at the destination. This was typically followed by an in system survey by Trailblazer Units culminating in the transport of colonists to the new planets. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

These pre-built gates allowed early and near effortless colonization in Sirius, Orion and Alpha Centauri with Sirius as the prime marvel. It boasted two systems with earth-like worlds. The most beautiful and without major terraforming viable of the two was dubbed Argus like the system and was the northern Sirius system. It would soon come to define the early expansion of humanity in the region and overshadow the earlier colony on Alpha Centauri. Orion became the backwater colony of the three with no major habitable planet. It was to serve as the hub and industrial support for the three habitable systems. This legendary era and first step of humanity towards the stars would be complete before the first quarter of the 23rd century with many enthusiastic emmigrants and settlers willing to take the risks and many nations willing to pay the price for influence on these new worlds. **(Source: Historic crafts and mentions of Argus, Mercenary 2 Intro, Vice)**

Alas, during this time of unprecedented effort and economical growth great upheaval on Earth arose about their new perspective as Terrans compared to these soon newborn colonists. This led to the dissolution of the former Terran Council that had led the colonization effort. With the fall of several governments and a new conference in Italy it was soon replaced with a more pro-Terran unification movement and a united government that represented most of the worlds former countries. This new Alliance of Sol with members of all important colonies in Sol space and a few elected representatives of Argus, Sirius Alpha and Alpha Centauri would soon form the new core of the Alliance government. **(Source: Reinterpretation of Tha Rami's Alliance Origins to fit the timeline of Vice)**

After Earth's unification the Alliance unveiled their already ongoing developement of a mobile system of the fulcrum gate to the new united Alliance Council. This new drive allowed instantaneous transportation between large distances, in some cases reaching into nearby binary star systems. This system was classified military secret and the purple flashes that were a result of a warping carrier were explained as auroras or bright stars flares. The Alliance would keep the new Fulcrum Drive, as it was named, a secret from the public for many more decades, until the 70's in fact. The system was so large and powerconsuming that it only fitted into the largest carriers or vessels the Alliance had in service at that time. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

### Foundation of the UFA

The impression of a huge untamed galaxy which had existed since 2178 was quickly proven to be fake, since the Alliance quickly made sure that they gained control of the discovered and colonized extra-atmospheric areas and new planets. Many commercial space transport organisations immediately negotiated treaties and contracts with the Alliance and those who failed to comply with the Alliances new strict rules, or refused to accept that space was ruled by a single organisation by now, were all left with nothing. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

This of course lead to planetary unrest on the planets Earth, Mars and Jupiter. Commercial Organisations that had been ruled out by the Alliance started to work together with small resistance groups, which are now-a-days known as the Rogue Clans, and provided these groups with technology and ships to pursue their goals. This resistance was, except for minimalistic, also futile. The Alliance had consolidated its power over Sol space. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

However, concerns about the Alliance control also started to rise with one of the colonies of the Orion systems. The colony ultimately separated from the Alliance over what they viewed were their rights of exploration and ownership of systems they settled in their region. They wanted exclusive colonial control over planets and systems they lived in, inluding the abundant resources they provided to the three populous systems of Sirius, Argus and Alpha Centauri. Since Orion was build up to be the engine and resource for the major habitable systems around them, this threatened the economic stability of the region and the influence of the Alliance. The request was impossible. **(Source: Vice + Reinterpretations of context of prior events)**

The following denial of self-governance and autonomy led to political disagreements and increasing hostilities. Once more rogue clans began to form, this time in Orion. Several other neighboring colonies of smaller star systems and the newly discovered and integrated major system of Thuban decided to unite for the same reason and formed the Colonial Federation Movement (CFM) around 2229.**(Source: Vice / StarWraith I&II)**

In 2229, following the formation of the CFM, the passed-by 'T. Enterprises' and several other companies were approached by several groups in the Orion system. The nearly bankrupt enterprise relocated all their activities to the Orion sector and started to provide these groups with hardware nearly equal to the Alliance's newest hardware. Engineers were able to quickly, cheap and efficiently built a fleet of the by then 5 year old Alliance model which was later redubbed the UFA-25. It wasn't exactly the same fighter as they offered continous developement. This led the CFM to gain strength quickly, and worries started to take hold in the Alliance. The first statement of the CFM was made on 6 March 2229, and included several warnings and threats to the Alliance. **(Source: Tha Rami, adapted to the CFM / UFA game narrative)**

But it wasn't until about a dozen more different colonial movements and groups joined that they formed together into one rather diverse and unstable entity. In the mid 30's this Pre-Federation and united entity became widely known as the United Federation Allegiance (UFA). **(Source: StarWraith I&II)**

Some remote colonies refused to reunite with either the Alliance or the UFA. This lead to even more numbers of rogue clans and the conflicts that followed began an arms race with the development of the first true space-optimized weapons. Rogue clans wanted the resources in the Orion sector and often attacked indiscriminately in their efforts. Attacks from Rogue clans became weekly news and colonies and the UFA often spent much of their time defending their interests against these 'rebels' and 'pirates'.**(Source: Vice)**

Due to the hostile rebels and rogue colonies the Alliance didn't respond to this new threat immediately, since this UFA 'riot' was too remote to risk devoting that many resources to solving it and the rogue clans ensured the UFA still had need of the Alliance. If they moved against the lesser threat of the UFA, it would leave the majority of Alliance space vulnerable to attacks, terrorism and insurgencies by the other rebels and pirates. They decided to tolerate this political faction. They had to defend their people, at least the part that mattered, the major earth-like colonies. As such the Alliance opted to pay Orion and Thuban for their resources and reimbursed their efforts against the rogue clans in return for their wares. Yet it never gave up their official claim to the systems. **(Source: Tha Rami, adapted to suit the narrative of Vice in Mercenaries)**

### Rise of Mercenaries

The increasing threat from rogue clans against the UFA and Alliance resulted in new opportunities for lone spacecraft pilots. Some were retired fighter pilots, others adventurous explorers. They privately owned their own spacecraft and made their living on providing services to anyone willing to pay. As conflicts increased, so did the need for outside help and this group of independent pilots willing to provide assistance eventually became known as 'Mercenaries'. Initially, they numbered in the hundreds, but as word spread of high pay for risky work, their numbers quickly grew into the thousands. Mercenaries became known for their effectiveness, often taking chances military forces refused while commanding customized ships that were better suited to certain challenges. **(Source: Vice)**

In 2250, space technology had evolved into affordable hardware for the wealthier people. What until then had been a trade exclusively reserved for mercenary, commercial and military organisations now started to change into public property. The introduction of the Argus Ferret, the first public single-man craft, led to a revolution. Large groups of people bought the Argus Ferret to try and find their luck in space. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

Naturally, even with such a wide area to operate, the first mercenary clans and formations decided to 'take out' their competition and thus with mostly older ballistic weapons, the first mercenary conflicts were born. Before the 12th of March 2252, space was swarming with lone pilots, ranging from miners and traders to smugglers and pirates with no clear way to know friend from foe. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

### The Fulcrum Drive

After the final tests and successful development of the Fulcrum Drive the Alliance build the first pure space fulcrum carrier in 2245 at the Enigma Asteroid base in secret, which allowed far thicker plating and advanced technology. It was now too heavy to launch from the Earth's atmosphere and was the first pure spaceship and super carrier of humanity. It became the largest cover-up ever, and noone except for the best pilots would learn of the existence of the Lexington project until the year 2254. **(Source: Vice / Tha Rami)**

To accompany this new long range fulcrum super carrier the Alliance started to work on creating a spacefighter solely for the purpose of special operations in the defense of Alliance interests. This led to several expiremental fighter projects to branch off from the original concept. Every fighter from the original prototype of the UFA-25 introduced in 2224 to the early F-144A introduced in 2278 were developed to help protect Alliance colonies and territory. **(Source: Vice / Tha Rami)**

The threat from Rogue clans eventually started to spread back to territory firmly in Alliance control. Over the next decade, several conflicts occured in the Orion region and Sol region with small skirmishes against these 'pirates' and rebels. But a greater threat was growing involving the Alliance and UFA itself. The UFA took advantage of the general situation and quickly expanded its influence to neighboring star systems of the Alliance like Virgo and made strides to colonize far-off space regions without the aid of the Alliance's gate network, foremost the new discovery of Olympus. **(Source: Vice / Tha Rami, adapted)**

As territorial and political disputes continued to increase as each side claimed ownership of newly discovered regions, especially the metal-rich system east of Virgo, threats eventually lead to minor battles and conflicts which eventually could lead to war. This unsolved question of sovereignty of the UFA and the demand for imperial integrity by the Alliance was about to go hot due to a particular miscommunication, which was to occur on March 12, 2252. A particular radical faction inside the UFA was about to pull the trigger on a conflict yet unseen. It was an event that is described as the Aros Assault in history and is denied by neither side. Although the framing may vary.**(Source: Vice / Tha Rami, adapted)**

## Starwraith I & II (2252-2277)

### The Aros Assault

March 12, 2252 - 3:57AM Universal Space Time - Aros base in orbit around Jupiter. More than 200 well-trained UFA-25 pilots return to their daily duty as the Alliance Battle Cruiser Morpheus was to pass by with an update of the situation nearby the base, where a large cluster of unknown, probably Rogue ships were fighting Alliance fighters. However, the long-distance radar on the base was down due to maintenance and thus the base was fully dependant on the information recieved from ABC Morpheus, which orbited the planet at a location that prevented any radio-contact. However, they would restore radio-contact as soon as possible.

March 12, 2252 - 3:59AM UST - The force that was probably a cooperation between several Rogue clan forces and the UFA had quickly disabled the Alliance fighters, and started attacking the ABC Morpheus, which launched 25 fighters and already prepared it's turrets. In an heroic fight, most of the hostile forces were destroyed and it seemed as if radiocontact would be restored around 4:03AM.

March 12, 2252 - 4:01AM UST - A third UFA assault started on the ABC Morpheus, which had already been quite damaged in the previous battle. The outer hull was breached at 4:05, after the engines had been professionally disabled at 4:02. The radiocontact was never restored.

March 12, 2252 - 4:12AM UST - Aros Base in orbit around Jupiter. Red alert had been sounded during lunch time, as a massive hostile force was located on the close-distance radars. Within two minutes, the attackers succeeded in destroying most of the power-generators in the base and thus locking the hangar doors for most ships. A small 60 pilots succeeded in escaping the base, 13 being killed in the chase that followed. The attacking ships seemed a new, high-tech model used by the UFA.

The trapped personel died alongside the crew of the station when the attack succeeded in the destruction of the Aros base.**(Source: Tha Rami / Star Wraith)**

### The First Civil War

Following this daring military strike in the heartland of the Alliance, Sol itself, by mid to late 2252 the Alliance-UFA war had inofficially begun. Although no formal declaration of war was ever made this event would be known as the first civil war.

The Alliance reacted with overwhelming force and sent forth the most powerful spaceship ever made by mankind: The Lexington. A ship the likes the Federation never anticipated or knew about. At the same time, the Alliance commissioned to build further combat carriers under the projectnames Bismarck, Zenith and Victory, which would be completed in 2259. **(Source: Vice / Tha Rami)**

The Lexington was equipped with the most powerful weapon systems available and started to head for the Orion sector with a two year delay in 2254. It would remain there until and during the first real Alliance-UFA battle in the war. The Alliance succeeded in making their people belief that 2252-2254 was the time in which the Lexington was built to avoid unrest about such a dangerous hidden military project done in secret. It would be bad if the powerful colonies suspected foul play of Earth and an attempt to intimidate them.

It was escorted by a small battlegroup of newly developed Ravens to defend it from tactical fighters and the powerful Lexington soon heroically became a proof of the Alliance's power when it engaged and mercilessly slaughtered the UFA cruisers and destroyers which could barely scratch it. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

#### Turning Tide / Admiral Rucker

When the next generation of ships joined the battle with the Bismarck, Zenith and Victory, the Lexington had already successfully pushed back any major attempt of the UFA to gain ground around Sirius and Orion. The Lexington's ability to appear and hunt down the UFA battlegroups with ease struck terror in the hearts of the surviving Federation pilots and led to superstitions among them. The fulcrum drive was the true marvel of this longterm deepspace operation. However, the Lexington was only one ship with limited engagements and the constantly developed and upgraded UFA-25 fighters of the UFA soon took a toll on the heavy and slow squadrons of the Alliance in the East. Despite these heavy losses the Alliance held on to the asteroid mines north of Alpha Centauri. Admiral Rucker, namegiver and hero of Sol that stood his ground in the now renamed metal-rich Rucker system is a prominent figure from this time and surrendered his life to hold the East until the new super carriers could take his place. **(Source: Vice / Legends System Info / StarWraith I & II)**

As the war began to shift north into UFA territory the Alliance built a monument at the former location of the Aros base on Jupiter in 2260. **(Source: Vice)**

The difference in strategy between the Alliance and UFA was palpable. Where the Alliance went with shock and awe engagements, the Federation focused on destroying the smaller Alliance battlegroups and fleets with overwhelming numbers of agile fighter squadrons, escaping into the depth of space after each strike.

The Alliance was bothered by the superiority of the continously upgraded and advanced UFA-25 fighter, but truly struggled with its successor which was introduced in the late stage of the war in 2272. The ultimate upgrade of the UFA-25 was the UFA-80. The UFA-25 was the official UFA craft since its founding, but was originally built by the Alliance in 2224. Instead of self-upgraded ragtag UFA-25s, the superior UFA-80 was starting to take its place as the true first personal fighter of the new rising power. Especially after the defeat of 2272 which had shown that the UFA-25 was finally obsolete. **(Source: Tha Rami, adapted)**

After a massive battle in 2272 in northern Orion involving roughly 10 squadrons of fighters and nearly a dozen capital ships, the Lexington proved it could defeat whatever the UFA still had in its capital fleet. Recognizing the futility of engaging the Lexington any further, the UFA began to back down from its aggressive actions following this battle and tried to barely hold its ground in Orion and Thuban by harassing the Alliance's supply lines with tactical strikes. There was only so much one super carrier could do. The Alliance ruled the space but not the planets or the hearts. **(Source: Vice, adapted to the narrative)**

The Fulcrum Drive that gave the Alliance one of its core advantages in the civil war was no longer hidden from the public in the early 70's, and thus became public knowledge. Some of its secrets also reached the enemy as would the technological details. Independent scientists immediately started improving the technique and succeeded in fitting a smaller version in the larger mercenary ships by early 2274. This resulted in the quick exploration of space since independent pilots were able to quickly reach their destination and nearby planets and would soon change the face of warfare. **(Source: Tha Rami, adapted)**

The war was all but lost and the UFA realized its only remaining advantageous position was the UFA-80 and their numbers. With the help of new Fulcrum Drives they tried to assault Earth in 2275 in a last ditch effort. After two years of failed incursions into Sol hostilities came to an end and the Alliance gained the upper hand thanks to the heroic actions of the Lexington and its crew of Raven fighters that defended it. By 2276 the war had effectively ended in favor of the Alliance of Sol and by 2277 no new incursions were reported. The Alliance had now won the dispute over the new systems east of Virgo with the Federation unable to enforce any sovereignty beyond Virgo itself. The UFA had lost the war, but still persisted due to the inability of the Alliance to enforce their rule on the ground and in the colonies. All it did was rule the space.**(Source: Vice / Tha Rami, adapted)**

### A Tenuous Peace / The First Federation

The Lexington and its crew were credited as being one of the primary reasons the Alliance-UFA war eventually ceased by the late 70's. It broke their uniting momentum after Aros fell, shattered any hope of taking Argus, depleted their forces and ultimately single-handeldy defended the western theatre. Its overwhelming firepower and squadron carrying capacity made it a virtually unstoppable force in the later years of the war when the new fighters of the Alliance began to match the power of the UFA-80 with many of them housed by the Lexington and quite a few by her sisters Bismarck, Zenith and Victory in the Rucker theatre in the East. **(Source: Vice, adapted to the narrative)**

Both parties remained hostile, but didn't have the strength nor will to engage in another bloody conflict of these proportions. This way, an unwritten peace was formed, one with minor conflicts still raging through the disputed Orion and western Rucker sector, and one that didn't take away the tensions between both factions. UFA forces and their supporters started to expand more and more as they gained the sympathy of the poorer people living in the Orion sector and other exploited areas of Alliance space. The UFA finally started to slowly become more united after this war, since even after it was formed many groups in the UFA still fought among each other for influence and personal interest, foremost the Grissoms and the Richtons. This led to uncoordinated and independent actions during the war which ultimately cost them any advantage they may have had. But by the late 2270's, their anger started to become more focused on the Alliance of Sol as they began to realize that while they were fighting themselves, the Alliance was making massive strides technologically and in expanding their territory. With their successful consolidation of the resources of Rucker, the discovery and colonization of Deneb and the scouting of the northern Emerald region the Alliance of Sol continued to grow. In response to this expansion, around 2279 the new united Federation was born to stand against the powerful Alliance. To gain ground in the claim for territory, the Federation intensified the colonization effort of Olympus and moved its new capital from the disputed Orion under the UFA to the rich and vast system of Thuban. **(Source: Tha Rami, adapted to narrative and E-Mail exchange with Vice)**

During the course of the first civil war the Alliance had developed the new version of the Raven and Quasar, thus renamed Pulsar, and several new fighters, the Shadow light strike bomber and the Ferret highspeed reconnaissance, which were designed to counter the fast-paced UFA guerillia tactics. In spite of their power and efficiency they barely matched the UFA-80 and continued to struggle in the later war during the Sol incursions. This led to new research into spacecraft fighter technology. A new all-purpose fighter/bomber craft was introduced in 2278, the F-144A StarWraith. Several advancements would be made on this new fighter, ranging from the original A type up through the last E version introduced in 2285. **(Source: Vice / Replaced Lamprey with Ferret due to Retcon of Lamprey being derivitive of the Evoch-E)**

Following their defeat at the hand of the super carrier Lexington, the newly formed Federation advanced their spacecraft technology with the development of the Vengeance and the Richton battle carriers which would carry their own UFA-80 squadrons. Comparisons and estimates gathered that the Vengeance would potentially outgun the Lexington, but the Federation decided to make the Richton their official flagship so they could gamble with the Vengeance during a future conflict without loss of face if it were to be destroyed. **(Source: Vice / Tha Rami)**

## Starwraith III: Shadows of Orion (2285-2287)

### The Second Civil War

The Richton wouldn't last to gain an impressive history, as less than 8 years later, life in the Orion sector suddenly became more uncertain than ever before. 10 years had passed since the Federation made their push for Earth and the Alliance successfully held back the invasion. The unwritten peace that had existed between both forces for nearly 8 years was about to be torn to shreds. **(Source: Starwraith III Intro)**

In 2285, the Federation's flagship, the Richton, was mysteriously attacked and destroyed while on route to a peaceful colony establishment meeting in Orion to negotiate another admission into their midst. To facilitate trust the ship was carrying many elite political and military leaders of the Federation to meet with the dignitaries of the colony. Because the ship was so heavily armed making it nearly impossible to destroy and was so close to disputed Alliance space, the Federation blamed Alliance forces for the ship's untimely destruction. The Alliance denied the accusations and pleaded for an immediate investigation, offering support to find out the truth. The new interim president of the Federation, a member of the more radical Grissom faction, didn't listen to their excuses. War was immediately declared by the Federation and the forces of the Alliance were dispatched to secure the borders from attack. Mostly minor engagements took place over the next two years with little or no casualties. Neither side seemed willing to fully engage in battle as what had been so destructive in the previous war. The main goal was to push the Alliance out of Rucker and Orion for the Federation and for the Alliance it was to keep control of Rucker itself. As forces from both sides spread into the Orion system, the new Alliance battle carrier Becker approached the western front from the nearby Rucker system after they had won a major engagement for its security to assist in Orion. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

The Becker was attacked on April 14, 2287. It was apparently destroyed in a matter of a few seconds, something Alliance intelligence believed would be impossible for any Federation force to accomplish. Rumors began to spread about a 'super weapon' being used by one of the rogue clans, but no evidence could support the theory. 48 hours after the attack, several Wraith pilots from the Becker who were on patrol and survived the attack arrived at the nearby AH-104 starbase. They reported seeing a massive dark gray vessel that attacked the Becker from the side. They also reported that the vessel fired a series of energy blasts before the Becker was destroyed. The weapon used was apparently powerful enough to penetrate both the shields of the carrier and the heavy armor plating. The end result was the Becker blew apart with no chance to respond.**(Source: Vice)**

The mystery of the Becker's destruction and continuing reports of Federation casualties around Thuban and Olympus where no Alliance forces were even engaged had raised suspicions of a new faction with advanced technology. The Lexington, flagship of the Alliance and veteran of the Alliance-Federation war, had been dispatched to the Orion system to investigate this new enemy and hold back any advancing Federation forces from reaching Sirius and Argus. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

During this time a small group of experienced F-144E pilots stationed in the Enigma asteroid base were put up to the challenge of escaping their own base, as federal marines had taken over the automated defences of the station. After disabling all defences, they succeeded into meeting the Lexington and from there on coordinated the attack against the new threat alongside the super carrier as their new home base. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

### The First Vonari War

It turned out the Federation was really sustaining significant casualties from attacks by an unidentified force. Over the following weeks, information about the highly-developed, alien race started to reach Alliance Intelligence and after joining forces with newly formed and hired mercenary clans from the Alpha Centauri system, they decided to counter the attack of this new unknown foe before it reached the heart of Alliance space. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

In a first attempt to face this threat, the Alliance engaged the Vonari in Rucker and Orion with heavy casualties. It didn't help that the Federation still primarily targeted the Alliance vessels as they saw these areas as their rightful space. Regardless the Alliance would soon get a chance to test their might against the Vonari in uncontested space when their fleets began to invade the infant colony of Deneb. It was the first pure Vonari-Alliance battle and resulted in a pyrrhic victory for the Alliance forces. However, it offered the Alliance valuable intel on their new enemy. The Alien race was dubbed the Vonari and they seemed capable of destroying entire carriers in a single salvo. Their main-fighter, dubbed the A-50, could overpower the Star Wraith and the UFA-80 and caused heavy losses to both sides. Despite this advantage the tenacity and bravado of the Alliance pilots endured. Several Vonari vessels were shot down and further incursions of the unknown enemy were pushed back. **(Starwraith III + RNG Missiontree)**

Following the painful victory of Deneb the Alliance Intelligence managed to track several fleeing Vonari to a strange rift in space in the dark space between Orion and Rucker. Brave mercenaries lead the charge and soon found themselves in an entirely unknown distant system which was later identified by constellation and star charts as Sierra, far north from the current borders of Emerald. With several further incursions, including the attempt to build a bridgehead in the system filled with Vonari patrols, humanity seemed to strike back at the aliens for the first time. **(Source: Star Wraith III / E-Mail questions to Vice)**

#### Last Stand

Faced with active resistance in the Alliance, the Vonari decided to make a push for Earth itself from Riftspace on July 1st, 2287. Earth's Naval forces intercepted the Vonari attack force, which consisted of numerous large ships matching the description of the spacecraft that attacked the Becker and one giant capital ship housing a major ground force to invade Earth.**(Source: Vice, embellished)**

The giant Vonari vessel filled with an invasion force to takeover Earth met the Earth's last line of defence, and while the line stood and fought bravely, the Lexington arrived just in time to offer reinforcements. In a battle that had Alliance High Command and all pilot on edge, with both Human or Vonari out to win at all cost, two Lamprey pilots under cover of the F-144E pilots from the former Enigma asteroid base succeeded into breaking through Vonari barricades and evaded Vonari turret fire. They reached the Vonari invasion vessel and planted several hull charges, while the vessel was engaged from two sides by the F-144E squadron and the remaining Earth's defence fleet. **(Source: Tha Rami)**

The hull charges proved effective and four explosions rocked the dark vessel and tore it apart. The explosion was large enough to also destroy several of the surrounding smaller attack vessels flying in close formation. The scattered Vonari remnants either fled or were dispatched in the following days.**(Source: Vice / Tha Rami)**

Contrary to later Alliance claims in 2880 their involvement in the second civil war was the first official incident of Vonari activity and they showed their full force after the Alliance began to prove themselves as more hassle than a basic primitive subjugation of a new space-faring race. **(Source: Evochron Legacy Alliance Intro Quest)**

## Starwraith IV: Reviction (2287-2289)

### Calm before the Storm

With their ploy to transport fleets by rifts discovered by the Alliance and their attempt to subjugate humanity with ground forces a massive failure and loss of life, the Vonari retreated and prepared a more permanent solution to the human question. They would return and with them all their wrath. They wouldn't underestimate humanity a second time. Even though the Alliance ultimately managed to prevent the Vonari invasion and destroyed their flagship near Earth, they themselves suffered major losses in the battle of Orion, Rucker and Deneb against the Vonari. **(Source: Starwraith III / IV)**

Despite the sustained major losses against the Vonari and during the creation of the bridgehead in Sierra, the success of Earth's defense finally gave the Navy much needed time to regroup and redesign many technologies to confront the new alien threat. Humanity knew it was just a matter of time before the Vonari would strike again, and next time, they would have the advantage of knowing their capabilities. So Alliance Command decided to maximize whatever time remained to transform the military to a technology level capable of resisting any future attacks. At the top of the priority list was the Star Wraith space superiority fighter, which would receive several improvements to its weapon systems and shielding. **(Source: Vice)**

### Evochron Riftspace

An ancient Vonari artifact was discovered in December 2287, telling a story of an outsider who would find a paradise world hidden in a realm called 'RiftSpace'. The outsider would come from a distant place and posses great wealth and powerful machines to find the planet which would bring safety to a dying race. **(Source: Vice)**

Groups from several systems hunted for the paradise planet in RiftSpace. In their search, another artifact was found near the planet Sierra B. This became universe-wide news among mercenaries and adventurers and the hunt for RiftSpace started to grow. However, this one mercenary had a minor advantage, he knew where to search. The drawing on the artifact resembled the land pattern of the planet Onyx Omicron, a giant ice-cold, moonlike planet used for industrial exploitation by the colony of Olympus. After extensive searching, the second artifact was retrieved in January 2288. This time, the retrieval of the artifact was kept top-secret, and the disappointment of not finding any artifacts caused many "Riftspacers" to return to their homes. **(Source: Tha Rami / Evochron Riftspace / Evochron Debris Fields)**

Not even the Alliance knew of this last discovery, and not much later the third artifact was found in the Thuban system. In May of 2288, the fourth artifact was located and retrieved. It did however contain an unclear clue and an encoded Vonari message. It took nearly 9 months to unravel this clue, until a fifth artifact was found near Sirius. After the mercenary retrieved this last artifact and was unable to understand both the 4th and the 5th clue, he contacted the Alliance. After top-secret Alliance research on Sirius, the 5th artifact turned out to be the "key" to the encrypted message on the 4th artifact. **(Source: Tha Rami / Evochron Riftspace)**

A shortwhile after the bridgehead contact to Sierra suddenly vanished. The rift had closed and the fate of the forward base in Sierra would not be known until far later. The Vonari that had created the two-way wormhole to facilitate their invasion from Sierra had collapsed it and overwhelmed the expedition fleet without any supplies and support. The Sierra incursion was a major defeat for the Alliance, but it did end the constant stream of Vonari reinforcements around Orion and Rucker for a while and gave the Federation a much needed time to breathe. This daring expedition also allowed a certain mercenary that accompanied the expedition fleet to finish the journey of their life, the quest for paradise. **(Source: Star Wraith III / E-Mail questions to Vice)**

The Alliance that had been involved in finding this legendary system claimed Riftspace as Alliance space and wanted to use its technology and rifts for military advances on the Vonari. However, knowing the Alliance could not enforce this claim as they had other problems; defections to the Federations and the constant threat of a new Vonari invasion, their ambitions where cut down immediatly by the mercenary, who was the only one to understand the clue. He headed for Thuban, where he located an ancient structure similar to a Fulcrum Gate. It activated as he approached with the combined artifact and after the transportation he quickly located the planet of Paradise. However, Vonari "guardians" had been awaiting the arrival of this outsider and naturally disliked him for being human. After a true inferno in space, in which 4 human mercenary fighters engaged 9 Vonari guardians, the humans had again claimed victory. Riftspace soon became a neutral location, but also a secret one. Only those who were invited were given the way to Riftspace, and inhabitants of the Paradise system only showed up to sell their goods in Alliance or Federation space with no mention of their origin. Due to the acquired hidden technology of cloak fields from Paradise, it would take decades until Riftspace would become known and public space under influence of the Alliance. **(Source: Tha Rami, embellished / Evochron Riftspace)**

### An Empire in Disarray

Initial rumors surfaced that indicated the Federation might be trying to convince several high ranking Alliance officers to defect. Indeed, over the course of 2288, several high ranking Alliance officers and some battlegroups defected to the Federation. The Lexington was dispatched as a result to investigate the defections from behind enemy lines, together with several special operation squadrons. All cells operated apart to make them harder to detect and to cover more ground. The Ex-Enigma StarWraith Squadron was renamed to be the 80th StarWraith Squadron and permanently reassigned to the Lexington. The squads history would be a bad omen of things ot come. **(Source: Tha Rami / StarWraith IV: Reviction)**

On 12 October of the year 2288, during a routine patrol, the F-144E squadron succesfully destroyed an UFA-80 strike force while the Lexington took out their carrier. When the 80th squadron attempted to pursue the fleeing remnant of the destroyed enemy carrier towards the gate of Orion, the Lexington was attacked by a Vonari capital ship. Less than a minute later, the allied blip that was the Lexington, with a proud 30 years of history without ever having failed a single mission, had been torn apart by the destructive energy blast of the Vonari carrier. The Lexington had no time to launch any reserve fighters to defend itself and the patrolling 80th Squadron was too far away to come to the ship's defense in time. The 80th Wraith Squadron returned to find only debris remaining. **(Source: Vice / Tha Rami / Reviction Intro)**

The 80th Squadron was transferred to another special operations squadron which warped in after the last hostiles had left the area. Together they continued their investigations on the defections from behind enemy lines. After several engagements and some covert research, it turned out that the Federation had convinced several mercenary clans and Alliance officers that humanity could not stand divided if it wanted to confront the Vonari invasion. The Federation planned to consolidate all of human space and its resources. Since the Alliance of Sol was drastically weakened after the invasion of Sol, a quick coup would allow them to stand united as one species. **(Source: Tha Rami / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

The 80th squadron started to trail a large fleet of Federation and Alliance rebels that planned to regroup in Thuban. As they reached the nearby nebula cloud the hostile fleet seemed to retreat and disperse. At first it gave the impression of a counterattack by a major Alliance force on the Federation or perhaps a Vonari incursion. After two retreating squadrons had been intercepted, the radar blips of the large fleet suddenly started to disappear. Since the nebula limited the connection to Alliance High Command, the officer of the new home base and carrier of the 80th squadron finally decided to try and pass-by the expected rebel fleet battlefield. **(Source: Tha Rami / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

The radar displayed a large amount of weaker debris on the location where the fleet would have been, and a smaller debris field straight ahead. All pointed to a successful attack on the rebels with a following disengagement by the attacking force. Three F-144E's were send to check the smaller debris field nearby. The debris was quickly confirmed to not be debris, but a small remaining patrol of A-50's. With an unmatched effort, the three F-144E pilots barely succeeded in destroying over 12 A-50's. This do or die operation once again proved humanity's strength in space combat and the strides the new version of the StarWraith had achieved in just a year.**(Source: Tha Rami / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

The carrier intercepted Federation communications pointing to a safer path out of the Nebula towards the distant Olympus system. Most Federation ships had already been destroyed during their first contacts with the Vonari, and thus the 80th squadron found itself amidst of uncountable remaining Vonari patrols that were invading Thuban. In a desperate attempt, the 80th squadron started fighting its way through the swarming nebula. **(Source: Tha Rami / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

### Call to Reason

In the meanwhile, inside of the Orion system, the Alliance and Federation forces agreed to a ceasefire. The Vonari had returned from their year of silence and advanced very rapidly. All the while the civil war between the Alliance and Federation had cost the Federation more than expected and their effort to unite with the Alliance rebels was ended by the invasion of Thuban by the Vonari forces. Now left with no advantage of their own, they forfeited their ambitions to unite humanity by force and decided to cooperate against the Vonari. The Alliance had shown to be the sole force to match their power and the StarWraith was their only hope.**(Source: Vice / Tha Rami / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

The first transmission for the 80th squadron after they had restored radio-contact described a joint operation to engage a large Vonari vessel and capital ship near the Olympus system, alongside the Federation. The order wasn't questioned and after another heroic battle of the ex-Enigma pilots, they succeeded into clearing the path for their carrier and destroyed the Vonari capital ship that organized the siege of Thuban and Olympus. **(Source: Tha Rami / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

The battlegroup now headed back towards the Orion system. From there, they quickly succeeded into clearing a path to Argus and freed it from hostiles as well. They set up a base and withheld the Vonari from taking Rigel too, a neighbour system of Sirius, the gateway to Earth. However, the Vonari proved to be as cunning as intelligent. The whole Rigel conflict turned out to be a distraction. A massive Vonari fleet passed dark space near Alpha Centauri, leaving the 80th squadron stranded in Rigel without the time to intercept the Vonari fleet on their path to Sol. The Vonari had already sabotaged the Sol gate and locked a major part of the Alliance fleet outside of humanities cradle. A flight through dark space would take weeks. **(Source: Tha Rami, put in context and embellished / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

### Dr. Adam Shefeld

Aboard the Special Operation carrier, in a last desperate attempt to aid Earth, the officer in charge prepared to use an experimental, classified propulsion. In early February 2288, Dr. Adam Shefeld developed a new warp-gate device that could open a temporary fulcrum field pathway capable of transporting an entire ship from one region of space to another without the need for another gate. However, this technology was still in its infancy and the gate was barely operable. Initially it was designed to help the Alliance invade distant ungated Federation systems like Olympus. On the 30th October 2288 around 5:32PM UST, the alien Fleet appeared on Earth's low orbit with no one able to come to their aid. **(Source: Tha Rami, put in context and embellished / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

The carrier and its 80th squadron for days fought their way through Vonari patrols in the Orion sector, Thuban, Virgo and towards the Rucker belt, and succeeded into reaching the Shefeld Gate at the Rucker Belt on the 30th October 2288at 5:40PM UST. The experimental gate had been deployed and aimed beforehand and the fleet dived right in without question or concern for their own safety. **(Source: Tha Rami, put in context and embellished / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

Their first glance after reaching Earth was an unmatched Vonari fleet once more trying to bash through the Earth's last line of defence. This time more well prepared, but the Vonari had come in greater numbers. Yet once again, the Vonari were suprised by the sudden attack in the back. **(Source: Tha Rami, embellished / StarWrath IV:Reviction)**

The Vonari had learned from their hubris a year ago and this time they aimed at destroying Earth instead of invading it. Their loss of Riftspace and the Sierra incursion alongside the ability of humanity to grow and match them was too dangerous. Several Vonari Vessels powered up their energy arrays and uplinked their energy production to a main leading vessel. Their planet buster array would drill to the Earth's core and overcharge it to explode. **(Source: StarWrath IV:Reviction / Mercenary Intro)**

The 80th squadron teamed up with the Earth defence and succeeded in breaking through the enemy defensive lines. The desperate earthen engineers had figured out an emergency plan, which would require exact timing. While the main vessel prepared its attack, several F-144E's started attacking it to distract it. The plan was to use the linked arrays at the right time to trigger a chain-reaction in the Vonari carriers just before the catastrophic beam would drill into Earth. The timing was crucial, as with too little power the explosions wouldn't have the required strength to destroy the entire fleet and would leave the fleet damaged but intact to potentially overwhelm Earth's defense and invade instead. Too much energy and the main carrier could fire and destroy Earth with a single blast regardless if the overload would cause its own destruction.**(Source: StarWrath IV:Reviction / Mercenary Intro)**

Against most odds, the timing was perfect enough. As the hull of the main carrier was breached and the entire vessel tore apart in a huge fireball, the energy-uplink process which was almost nearly completed started to spread the effects of the explosion into the internal systems of the other Vonari ships and overloaded their cores, which resulted in a turning point in this siege. The remaining squadrons and A50's of the Vonari forces where quickly overwhelmed and repelled and at 6:01PM UST a universal broadcast declared the Earth safe.**(Source: StarWrath IV:Reviction / Mercenary Intro)**

The first Vonari War wasn't over, merely its second phase. Humanity still suffered attacks and the Vonari's long shadow still threatened each and every civilian ship that still dared to travel without escort. At least their continued threat ensured peace between the Alliance of Sol and the Federation of Thuban.

### Discovery of Evochron (Sapphire)

With the passage to Sierra lost and Riftspace for the Alliance out of grasp the united navy of Federation and Alliance had to search for Vonari strongholds in a more conventional way. They send out fast moving fulcrum tracking drones from Olympus, Thuban, Emerald and all available places to quickly find any remaining Vonari positions inside the local clusters to once and for all end this threat to humanity.

During these attempts to track down the Vonari homeworld, in November 2288, a lush oceanic planet with a rich oxygen atmosphere and near Earth gravity was located. It was called Sapphire after its resemblance with the blue marvel known as Earth. The news wasn't secret for long and mercenaries started to head of to the new Evochron system. It was named after the exploration satellite that discovered the central star system, but later redubbed Sapphire. Instead the entire quadrant of space which included Sol was renamed to Evochron. **(Source: Vice / Evochron Alliance)**

The Enigma squadron returned to their retaken starbase near Orion. They would remain there until it was turned into a research station. In memory of the Lexington and it's crew, a monument was built in Washington, where it firmly stands since it was presented on October 12th, 2289. **(Source: Vice)**

The Federation Flagship Richton is remembered yearly in Federation space and also has a memorial monument. 2 minutes of silence is held every 21st of May at 2:41PM UST. **(Source: Vice)**

## Evochron Alliance (2289-2292)

### Scramble for the North

The colonists, adventurers and mercenaries had the hope of more luck and a new life after the search for Paradise had officially failed, even though a lucky few had succeeded and kept its secrets to themselves. Over the course of the next year two more Earth-like worlds were discovered in the Evochron system, the aptly dubbed New Hope and Erato. The race to claim a piece of or home in this wondrous and major system was about to begin and the far reaching consequences of its discovery were yet to be revealed. Of course all nearby star system were quick to link themselves to this new marvel through a network of newly build jump gates. All of which were the Federal systems of Thuban, Olympus and Lambda.**(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

While the Federation was still scrambling to link themselves to Sapphire with fulcrum gates directly, the Alliance send an expeditionary fleet to claim the system their fulcrum drone had discovered for themselves. With the aid of mercenary contracts and their fleet they quickly discovered almost 14 new systems around the Evochron region and many were subsequently colonized by small endeavors and independant mercenaries. The prime focus was on Sapphire which quickly had been terraformed and seeded with life to turn it into a green marble and true second Earth. **(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

While the Alliance managed to secure Sapphire for itself the Federation now controlled all public access to Sapphire with most people accepting this status quo. It ensured the two powers would compromise on the northern campaign with long lasting consequences. To better organize their northern campaign for influence among the new colonies and access to resources, the Federation moved their military headquarter to Lambda mear the newly discovered system of Fauston that now served as a refueling point for further expansions to the north. To ensure the smooth supply and payment of local services for the new military headquarter, the Federation increased the local taxes in Lambda to match the new demand in upkeep and logistics.**(Source: Evochron Alliance / Lambda system description Renegades / Fauston system description Renegades)**

Many of the nearby 10 systems had been wrapped in nebula clouds and the area was named the nebula systems. Mostly pirates and daring mercenaries went into these systems while the Alliance remained behind and guided the independent pilots with incentives and money. For a long time the entire northern region remained in anarchy and became a place for experienced mercenaries to make a fortune. Over time the mercenaries in Evochron demanded to have their system computers updated regularly with the most recent data available. The reason was that with the north of the quadrant finally open to humanity and with Sapphire as a lush and productive base, new systems were discovered regularly. Ultimately a new supernode for communication was set up. This supernode, from which mercenaries could download all data available about the region and be reimbursed for new data, was dubbed the Registry. **(Source: Tha Rami, embellished / Evochron Alliance)**

### The Wormhole Highways

Around 2290 a series of instable wormholes were discovered which seemed to connect a disparate region of space into a pearl chain of trade and opportunity. Due to its constant changing nature not many dared to make the plunge as some rifts just closed behind those that dared and collapsed. A few handful of brave mercenaries set out to strike gold and stumbled about a particular system with another collection of weird wormholes linking two small distant systems together. This region was named after their daring leader, Al G. and became known as Al's Quay. They established a hidden mercenaries paradise and several mercenaries came to make their living in this place or find entertainment in the famous **Al's Bar**. Only Al G. and his loyal clan knew the intricates of this dangerous shifting landscape and ensured rich hauls and special traderoutes for those willing to pay for their service. Soon Al G. was known as the richest man in the north with an estimated wealth of 32 billion credits. **(Source: The famous story of Alg who broke the economy system of Evochron in the wormhole highway for Vice to fix / Al's Quay ingame easter egg)**

Over time the rift valley became more and more unstable and began to collapse, but the passage and wormhole to Al's Quay was deliberately stabilized and remained open. Even today those daring to take the plunge into the dark south of Sapphire may find this legendary harbor of mercenaries, alas under new leadership. **(Source: Evochron: Renegades and beyond)**

All systems located by the rift valley were called the 'Expansion' systems and were uploaded to the Registry. After contact to them broke down due to instability in the rifts they were declared lost and the people living there abandoned to fate. **(Source: Tha Rami, embellished)**

Among the great achievement of this legendary expedition of pilots is the discovery of the Pearl system, the jewel of the southeast of the Evochron quadrant near Al's Quay. Rich in nebula and rare metals and with many lush worlds it became another marvel of this new age of space exploration. Its subsequent colonization, however, would prove to draw the ire of a former enemy. **(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

In early February 2292, Dr. Adam Shefeld finally presented his new warp device that could open a temporary fulcrum field pathway capable of transporting an entire ship from one region of space to another without the need for a receiving gate. Its unwanted field test during the second invasion of Earth offered valuable insights and allowed a faster developement. This was revolutionary and his technology was built as one specific gate, the so-called Shefeld Gate near the Rucker asteroid field. It would serve as a major military base and deployment station for future Alliance fleets to allow them to strike all over Evochron and would see massive use during the Second Vonari War, the Evochron War and Arvoch Conflict. Due to its value most details of the Shefeld gate were kept as military secrets. **(Source: Vice, embellished and in context)**

### Second Vonari War

When humanity was about to move on from their former conflict and search for the Vonari due to the distraction of Evochron, the Vonari returned. With the encroachment of the mercenaries and the Alliance into the north of Evochron and their attempt to claim Pearl the Vonari seemed angered. They didn't try to attack Sol, having failed twice, but this time somehow originated their attacks from inside the region of Thuban, Olympus, Pearl and Sapphire. The exact location was unclear. In truth they had multiple invasion points, but once again relied primarily on one major two-way wormhole bridge to deliver their ships directly to the frontlines. Their hidden outpost in the still unknown system of Arvoch was yet to be discovered. **(Source: Evochron Alliance / Arvoch Conflict)**

The Alliance fleet in Sapphire was overwhelmed by the sudden influx of Vonari and was needed to defend the three colonies of the system. At the same time the Federation was busy defending Olympus and Thuban. Faced with little options the Alliance had put out a draft and established the first major mercenary fleet in history which consisted of everyone in the Evochron region willing to fight for humanity. The new mercenary fleet of the Alliance would see its first inception and true test during this time. This cooperation would cement a long term relation. **(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

The Vonari slowly began to overwhelm the still ungated and thus hard to reach system of Pearl while the Alliance and Federation barely kept them at bay. When Alliance Intelligence finally tracked down the main invasion fleet of the Vonari to its main supply hub, it turned out to be a small rather inconspicious system north of Rucker. Later known as Pisces, the Vonari had set up the two-way wormhole gateway there. The Alliance knew how this worked from their failed endeavor in Sierra and thus decided to gamble on another expeditionary force shutting it down from the other side. This time the mercenaries would take the risk.**(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

#### The Gambit

The Alliance fleet helped to secure the Pisces system in a major battle and after preliminary scouts confirmed the system led to an entirely new system with a nearby settled planet and Vonari stations, the plan was set. The reason the Vonari were able to muster so many troops so fast was because this wormhole led to if not their homeworld, one of them. The system was dubbed Vonari and a special operation would take place. Before they could collapse the rift again like in Sierra the Alliance armed a special mercenary fleet with their newest experimental Fulcrum Torpedos. It was a gift to provoke the Vonari to retreat and defend themselves instead of destroying humanity. The Alliance would instill in them the same fear they showed them first. They decided to strike at their homeworld with a superweapon of their own. **(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

Fulcrum weapons create a miniature black hole by folding space as to cause the inherent load to enter a quantum collapse. Small blackholes are extremely unstable and outside of direct damage to matter falling into the blackhole, the dying blackhole right after this event radiates massive amounts of heat and energy. The power of these weapons was not to be understated. Loaded by a single fighter, each of them could destroy a capital ship and the Alliance was about to let loose an entire fleet of it. **(Source: Arvoch Alliance)**

During the battle of Vonarion the Alliance and mercenary fleet managed to destroy their primary station near one of its moons and most of the defensive fleet of the Vonari in orbit. One or two mercenaries were also inclined to fire a fulcrum torpedo at the planet. The exact losses of Vonari lives are unknown. Despite a few losses for the mercenary guild the operation was a success and most pilots returned in time before the suddenly unstable rift was collapsed by the Vonari and Pisces was cut off from Vonari once again.**(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

This attack led to a desperate retreat of the harassing and deployed troops in Alliance and Federation space. They all returned to protect their own home. Even though no peace was ever signed, the Vonari didn't dare to show up again for decades. Finally in 2293 the Evochron quadrant knew peace. A long needed calm had arrived without the Vonari, for a time. **(Source: Evochron Alliance)**

This second encounter and war with the Vonari would later become a false memory as many Alliance pilots in 2880 believe the war for Pearl was the first Vonari war mostly since the original war was fought before the mass exploration of space caused by the discovery of Evochron and its prime danger mostly concerned Earth with most distracted by the official news of the civil war. **(Source: Alliance Intro Quest Evochron: Legacy)**

## The Evochron War (2293-2363)

### Embers of War

Following the many desperate victories against the Vonari the Alliance overhauled the famous Starwraith ship with reverse engineered parts of the A-50s to produce the Evoch and the Wraith. Both ships had their defenses upgraded with very special objectives in mind. The Evoch would overwhelm the enemies in dogfights and the Wraith would serve as a mid-range strategic bomber against capital ships. The Federation didn't hesitate to build up its fleet either, to fight both the Vonari and the Alliance of Sol, whoever came first. **(Source: Evochron Guidebooks)**

Sapphire quickly became a question of claims and sovereignity between the two factions again and Olympus slowly became dependant on trade with its neighbor Sapphire. During the same time a new gate was build to incorporate the system of Pearl into the galactic trade-network proper. The gate was in Rucker and thus Pearl came under sway of the Alliance. **(Source: Evochron Legends Map / Descriptions)**

Despite these successes to expand their sphere Sol shut down most civilian access and easy transport to Sol and began to defend Earth with a giant planetary defense system that would shot at anything failing the IFF check. The horrific threat of the Vonari had permanently scarred the heart of the Alliance of Sol and the many traitors had eroded the trust of the Alliance Council for non Sol pilots. A small courtesy was given to Argus and Alpha Centauri as their pilots also passed the IFF check due to its long history and council membership. **(Source: Dying when flying to Earth Renegades+)**

The same trauma could be said about the Vonari as the Alliance fulcrum attack on Vonarion scarred the Vonari deeply. Both their primary station, moonbase - and moon proper - got destroyed with many Vonari dead. They would only return when they felt they could overwhelm humanity without risking their homes. The Vonari would never make the mistake of using a two-way wormhole bridge again now that they knew the devastating potential of humanity's weapons. Instead they began to develop one-way wormholes with a new jump beacon technology to return home to a fixed location when in need. Nevermore should a human defile their homeworld! The primitive species they thought to conquer and subdue in hubris had finally come to truly humble them. For the first time in centuries they decided to overhaul all their ships and all their fleets. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict / Non-ring debris field next to Vonarion B)**

### Shadow Empire (2295)

The colonization of northern Evochron was akin to the wildwest but far more deadly. The desperate and the hopeful both fueled the quick expansion to the newly conquered lands the Vonari had to give up. Many Rogue clans now lived mostly in exile at secret locations. Rumors indicated that larger clans had hidden bases throughout northern Evochron. Many of these systems were fiercely independent, forming their own clans and ruling structures. Some housed pirate clans that lived to prey on others and many more just tried to survive, thus distrusting most travellers that found their way to their new homes. But something changed after a while... **(Source: Vice Significant Events, embellished)**

Far off the beaten track and the main interests of the Alliance and Federation in Onyx, Fauston or Cygnus, many of their patrols and scouts began to go MIA. The first losses were given to pirate ambushes or rogue clans, but the loss rate didn't decline and even the deployment of the superior and new Evoch fighters led to them going missing with entire capital ships failing to report. Accounts from independent mercenaries in the region soon told of the many smaller systems and clans starting to unite under one banner. Several of them former Alliance client states and subjects of the Alliance Council. Despite their new autarchy, there was a rising economy, new build stations and a fast technological advancement among those that defected. All of these reports didn't match a region in anarchy filled with pirates and rogue clans. Quite contrary, pirates got mercilessly slaughtered and order arrived where chaos once reigned. **(Source: E-Mails with Vice, initial Renegades mostly consisted Alliance defectors)**

Mercenaries were welcome and allowed to trade but the systems soon turned openly hostile to any attempt of the two powers to regain influence in the colonies. Their rising prosperity drew envy and the two powers sought to regain their just due. Now they knew they dealt with organized opposition and acted accordingly. Alas, when the two powers tried to enforce their will, they were met with highly agile untrackable enemies and massive amounts of casualties of unknown source. The united disparate group of northern colonies would soon be known as the Renegades, a name given to the traitors by the Alliance, and their technological advantage was questioned by both the Federal Command Center and Alliance High Command. Something wasn't right. **(Source: E-Mails with Vice about the Renegade origins / Evochron Renegades / Evochron Legends Intro)**

It didn't take long for the Alliance and Federation to pay for their indiscretion. After repeated attempts to bring the northern colonies to heel, the Renegades began to attack the gate systems north of Sapphire. Once more the two superpowers were dumbfounded by the newcomers as they managed to enter the systems undetected and struck at strategic installations and their military fleets with next to no way to counter it. With small groups unable to survive these assaults, the factions had to resort to massive battlegroups and they simply lacked the resources to cover everything. Worse, several reports of attacks on important factories, production centers and fleets in southern Evochron suddenly fueled fears of a more connected and widespread influence of the Renegades. Onyx, Cygnus, Fauston... one by one the system fell to the Renegades and their empire began to grow. At this point it was a war and both superpowers united in their pursuit of the Renegades had failed. **(Source: Evochron Renegades Intro)**

In 2299 after they had defeated the Federation in the north the Renegades finally dared to challenge the Alliance for the control of Sapphire. It had become the home for millions of people with the colonies slowly terraformed to be a new home for humanity. The fall of Sapphire would hand the entirety of northern Evochron to the Renegades as by now it had become the most important gate nexus, leading to both Olympus and Fauston, which were now controlled by the Renegades. **(Evochron Renegades Intro)**

The attacks on Sapphire not only originated from the gates but they came from inside the system. This lead to further distrust of the mercenaries and slowly poisoned the climate between the Alliance and the mercenary fleet. As more and more parts of Sapphire began to be lost and the trust began to erode, the mercenaries decided to give up their freedom in return for their reputation. **(Evochron Renegades Intro)**

### The Mercenaries Guild (2300)

With the independence of Mercenaries also came risks of unreliability and loyalty. The questionary origin and success of the Renegades, the spread of pirates and the well kept secrets of Al G. led to distrust. So to improve their reputation, the Mercenaries voluntarily formed the 'Mercenaries Guild'. The Guild was a network of leadership spanning numerous systems where Mercenaries operated in northern Evochron space. They established operational guidelines and technological standards, one of which included the incorporation of tracking devices in every spacecraft, station, city, and carrier where Mercenaries operated. When a Mercenary failed to follow a rule or complete an objective, it would be recorded on their permanent record. With no escape from the reputations Mercenaries earned for themselves, a code of honor and standards quickly formed. **(Source: Vice, embellished / E-Mails with Vice about the date and Renegades)**

The new system worked. The Alliance demanded all AMF members had to install the tracking devices and those that worked for the Alliance would get a much better payment. Alongside a new mass draft for the AMF to fight the Renegades this supported a very quick adoption of the new tracking method. Now, with all of their questionary allies accounted for and the attacks all in hands of non-tracked ships, the fissure in the relation between the two superpowers and their mercenaries quickly recovered. With a new system of warning and quick deployment of major battlegroups of AMF members around Sapphire, they quickly began to shot down and dismantle several Renegade fleets, including their hidden Spec-Ops. Some of the more daring mercenaries had taken down a few of them. It was here the Alliance discovered the secret to their success, the Renegades had optained a new technology; a cloak field. **(Evochron: Riftspace)**

It didn't take the Alliance long to reverse engineer the cloaking device once sufficient and working ones were recovered. The ships that fielded the cloaking generators were a minority in the fleet, but all of them were responsible for the destruction of the advanced Evoch squadrons and torpedo strikes on the capital ships. None of the Renegade ships could truly match the Evoch in a fair 1:1 fight as they mostly consisted of multi-purpose ships with very individual kits, one of the more common was dubbed the Renegade hull design. The Evoch itself was a highly specialized dogfighter and killing machine. The main problem was the nature of the stealth generator as it made it impossible to track them even when it was successfully reverse engineered. Instead it had a fatal flaw, it disabled shields and made the ship vulnerable to attacks. But how could one attack an invisible enemy? **(Source: Evochron Guidebook Stealth Generators)**

The superpowers had the advantage in firepower and resources. As such as long as the enemy could be forced in the open and be harmed they would win. The Renegade war led to the mass adoption of the Disruptor rocket among mercenary fleets. This weapon was famous to trap enemies by disabling their fulcrum drives and shield systems in a massive radius with an electromagnetic pulse. It also often trapped the user in a life or death situation. Since the cloaking device relied on the shield to generate its effect while disabling the shield effect iself, this meant a disruptor could disable a cloaking and its massive radius ensured it would hit as long as one knew the enemy is somewhere nearby. **(Source: Evochron Guidebook Disruptors)**

The plan worked and the cloaked ships were forced in the open. The massive deployment of anti-shield weaponry that harmed friend and foe would soon lead to this war causing massive casualties for both sides. Capital ships became utterly useless in massive engagements as their broken shield generators and lack of jump drives would leave them open to fulcrum torpedos and cause needless loss of life. Instead giant armadas of fighters, strike bombers and mercenary ships would battle in the skies of Thuban, Sapphire and Fauston. Mercenaries saved the Federal capital from near defeat and slowly the Renegades also began to fade from Sapphire as Fauston was retaken. **(Source: Evochron Renegades Intro)**

Captured members of the Renegades had spilled the info that they all sought to gain access to Riftspace and that their leader was tied to this legendary system. Only the worthy among them would find the way to this technological paradise and they all fought for the privilege. Publicly the Renegades were branded religious fanatics and terrorists deluded by old myths, but the Alliance High Command knew there was more to the story. One of the original four mercenaries that succeeded in securing passage to Riftspace returned with advanced technology and united the north into their personal empire. Worse, their connection to Paradise allowed them to freely tap into supplies all over Evochron.**(Source: E-Mails with Vice / Tha Rami / Evochron Renegade)**

Due to their sacrifice and devotion Mercenaries soon became a dependable option for civilian and official military factions in need of their services. The Alliance already fielded the famous Alliance Mercenary Fleet which slowly merged with the Mercenary Guild over time. However, the AMF members typically fielded the most cutting edge technology fresh from the Alliance and would apply tremendous pressure on anyone to follow the Alliance rules and standards if they wanted early access to these marvels. This included the newly reverse engineered stealth generators. **(Source: Vice, embellished / E-Mails with Vice about the date and Renegades)**

### Great Melting Pot (2310-2363)

The rampant exchange and access of Mercenaries to equipment, weapons and know-how during the Evochron War slowly began to merge the military technology of both factions. Nothing but the best would fit a Mercenary in a life and death fight with no shields and their experience quickly showed the superiority of the new Alliance models. Slowly the UFA-80 got abandoned in favor of the Alliance variant and in due time the Federation replaced its own variants of the UFA-80 and successors completely with a remodelled variant of the Wraith and the Evoch. This unified approach to military standards in the galaxy further allowed Mercenaries to adjust their ships as they preferred. Modular shipkits were the norm among Mercenaries and many new propulsion, wing and hull systems were developed to suit their tastes. All of which were fully compatible with standardized fusion generators, electronics and more. **(Source: Evochron Guidebook / Civilian Shipframes and Outfitting)**

Slowly the tide in the north turned and over decades Cygnus, Olympus, Onyx and many smaller systems returned to control of the mercenaries guild and thus by proxy the two superpowers. The former Renegade systems Aries, Talison and Cerulean were added to the gate network and the exploration and push of humanity resumed.

The Renegade war never officially ended and over time many further formerly Renegade systems were simply found independent or abandoned with little resistance to the adoption of the Mercenary system under the Mercenary Guild. Aries and Cerulean still retained a reputation to house some remaining Renegade loyalists on far off planets with access to rare technology. **(Source: Evochron Unknown planets in Cerulean and Aries)**

By 2360 most Renegades had vanished and by 2363 they were declared disbanded. In truth the Renegades merely left Evochron. Disheartened by losses or with the death of their legendary leader in Evochron a new era had begun. There was no one else among the Riftspacers to step up and take the mantle of conquerer. With less ambitions to conquer Evochron, the Renegades turned to isolationism and returned to Riftspace. All loyalists were allowed to follow them to Paradise as the chosen. The few that remained behind in Evochron and those that were deliberately left behind still had some of the advanced technology hidden on Paradise as a farewell gift. They also retained connections to trade with their former allies. The Evochron War, though, was over. **(Source: Evochron Renegade Intro / Legends Intro)**

### The Forsaken

Rumors soon travelled that remnant Renegade members still operated near Emerald and some other systems in the West. They were still somewhere out there and seen time by time. Most of these stories concerned ships that didn't fly under the Mercenary Guild and had no tracker, often seen as pirates, rogue clans and rebels by those unaware. They traded with systems bringing valuable goods and items of unclear origin, most commonly by proxy and third parties as many stations refused to directly engage with these pilots without trackers. Over time the stories transformed and were turned into a common folktale and bogeyman, a warning to tell your children and to warn about strangers. They had repurposed one of the former rifts in Riftspace and created a permanent bridge to the southern systems through a stable gate in deep space at a coordinate only they would know. It was by design a Shefeld Gate and would return their kin home to Riftspace without ever setting foot in Thuban again to use the ancient portal. **(Scource: Evochron System Info "Emerald" / Beacon Trail)**

A few expeditionary mercenaries with a taste for rumors and challenge would find themselves in the presence of other mysterious figures in northern Evochron and would follow them to a paradise of their own. Their main appeal was their technology and secrets. It wasn't Riftspace those left behind would call their home as they instead had decided to mark their own exile inside Evochron and to remain in contact with the old world while living freely. The Free People of Wolf had made their home beyond Olympus through a hidden wormhole and would trade with northern Evochron with the help of the other of the only two private Shefeld Gates ever constructed. The Shefeld Gate of Wolf targeted Olympus Prime and was the only way back to civilization. Similar to the Renegades before, Wolf too would be inherently hostile to the two superpowers. **(Source: Evochron Mercenaries/Legends the high-tech free system of Wolf)**

It is unlikely the Federation and Alliance didn't know about Wolf, but with all of Evochron officially at peace and near unlimited resources to expand and exploit there was no reason to fight over one distant planet where rogue clans, former Renegades and political enemies would hide in a self-styled exile. For centuries Wolf would remain an open sanctuary for all that didn't agree with the old world, but would one day shut their doors and hearts for those left behind. **(Source: Evochron Mercenary/Legends + Hostile during Legacy, kill on descent)**

## Age of Prosperity (2363-2401)

### The Evochron Accords

The Evochron War and the long standing exchange of ideas between Mercenaries and navy pilots had eroded many misconceptions among the people in Evochron. It didn't matter if some persisted on the planets or in fringe areas of the galaxy. The pilots and those that would exchange ideas between the planets cared. Many of them still disagreed on political ideas, personal preference or goals in life, but they all saw themselves as Mercenaries or navy pilots defending Evochron. The old guard that was fueled by the fires of war between the factions and distrust about traitors had come and gone and the new generation that took their place in politics and power didn't knew the hate and suffering their forefathers had went through. Instead they all shared a common memory and a common dream. Their fathers told the same stories of shared maneuvers, tactical strikes and loss of beloved friends and people from either side. Their world views began to align and Evochron was vast and finally free of major strife. There was enough for everyone. **(Source: Reenvisioned context for Tha Rami's peace treaty)**

After many meetings between the leaders of the Alliance Council and the Federal Government, an agreement was reached to peacefully divide the north. While the rules of the superpower given the territory would apply to trade and tax, the general business inside of it would be managed by the neutral party of the guild and would allow open trade and open borders. Due to Olympus' strong ties to Sapphire and Fauston's strong ties to the Federation, their respective locations were chosen to divide northern Evochron. All systems east of the Sapphire-Talison line would follow the statutes of the Alliance and those west from Sapphire would follow Federal laws. Talison as the northern border would follow the Federal statutes and Sapphire as the southern border would follow Alliance statutes. When the Evochron Accord was finally signed on the symbolic planet of New Hope it had already begun to come to life with the new bioengineers advancements in terraforming. The first trees adapted to its mixed atmosphere had just been planted. **(Source: Reenvisioned peace treaty from Tha Rami to suit the actual timeline and Evochron War / Vice in E-Mail / System Infos about historic rules and ownership)**

As a new symbol of trust between the two factions, the system of Pices was officially added to the gate network for both Thuban and Pearl. This allowed fast and efficient trade between the rising and rich system of Pearl and the Federal capital of Thuban with benefit for both of them. **(Source: The Pisces Gates and the system info as a system made for exchange between the two)**

### Rise of Bioengineering

Most planets inside of Evochron were always dependent on sheltered cities, underground facilities and the supply of artificial oxygen or hazard suits. The few planets that attempted terraforming always did so in a multi-generational effort. Most of these were abandoned by lack of progress or due to conflicts. Failure was costly and every xenosphere had its own problems so most didn't even bother. The main consistent success of several worlds had been oxygen. It was introduced into their atmospheres with the massive use of bacterial farms and chemical conversion or over time by leaks and overproduction of cities. The few planets that by nature were rich in water and had the right temperatures to immediately flourish were Argus, Sirius and Sapphire, the three most precious planets alongside Earth.

To remedy this lack of homeworlds the Evochron Accords finally allowed to pool the resources of the galaxy and both superpowers to conduct major planetary transformation. From creating artificial greenhouse effect to thaw far away planets, to converting entire atmospheres into hospitable mixtures and to create life adapted to local geology and native bacteria a new major industry emerged; the bioengineering industrial complex.

Spearheaded by the Alliance in Alpha Centauri, Olympus, Pearl and Emerald many planets would see benefit from the research and success of these major projects. While the Federation did see profits in case of plants and animals from this too, most of their people were satisfied with breathable atmosphere. Massive and coordinated government spending never occured.

In the next decades several planets became hospitable with oxygen to breath and an ozone layer to protect its citizens from radiation. Some of them even got artificial plants and animals especially created for them. The trade and exchange of biosamples and materials to conduct further research became an honorable profession and many a Mercenary began to hunt rare specimens on foreign planets to find the one bacteria or critter to lead the next colonization of Evochron. **(Source: Bioindustry / Many planets with oxygen atmospheres without life and the history of Sapphire etc.)**

### Return to Sierra (2380-2392)

2372, nearly ten years after the last sign of the Renegades, a shocking discovery was made on Sapphire. An object emitting an encrypted message was located partially buried in the terrain. The object was declared harmless by the guilds and was confirmed to be created by the Renegades after their downfall in late 2363. Several mercenaries believed the beacon to be the first in a trail and embarked on a quest to find others to reach Riftspace, none of them returned. Interest in the beacon quickly fell as no explorers seemed willing to risk the same fate for a hypothetical treasure. It wouldn't be revisted until a dire situation would call upon it. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

In 2374 Virgo attained autonomy from the Federal government. While the system remained technically in Federation controlled space and was protected by their guarantees of independance, it would henceforth be almost entirely self-sufficient. The system turned to an autarch industry and began to discourage outside trade with high export and import tariffs. **(Source: System Info Virgo)**

While the Alliance focused on its inner expansion and prosperity, the Federation continued its look outward. The stories of Sierra and the sacrifice of the historical fleet during the First Vonari war remained in public conscious. The main reason it remained was the legendary tale of the Riftspacers that followed and once looked for a fabled Vonari world of riches and prophecy. It didn't take long for Mercenaries to return to Sierra and renew this dream of old. Normally this space was off-limits due to the risk of provoking a Vonari incursion, but repeated fulcrum drones and military observations of the region had shown little to no activity. Forced by Mercenary hand and as the local responsible colonial power, the Federation ultimately agreed to let them return in the early 80's and helped build an outpost there to monitor the situation. Sierra Command would monitor the Vonari front from this new outpost, soon followed by Fulcrum Gates to both Aries and Talison to connect their colonial holdings when Sierra was deemed safe. **(Source: System Info about its colonization just before Arvoch Conflict)**

The remnants of the old station and expeditionary fleet didn't get the memorial they deserved. Sierra S178, codename Tango, was the final resting place of the historic expedition and was consequently scavenged by Mercenaries and entrepeneurs for parts and profit. Due to the distant nature of Sierra and a lack of agency, noone stopped them. Only a few scattered remnants that nobody were bothered to look out for remained. **(Source: No wrecks or memorials in Evochron Legends to Legacy)**

Over the following years a small colony and industrial production formed. The people of Tango would trade old antique parts of ships or mine the rings of Tango to move the resources to Sierra proper where it was processed in the industrial forges to supply parts and resources for the further expansion of the colony. As the most northern industry of the Federation it was an important outpost to monitor the Vonari in the north. **(Source: Planet economies, oxygen atmosphere of Tango even though it got depopulated later during the wars)**

Around the early 90's the Mercenaries had scouted and found the rich asteroid belts and nebulae of another system in the far north. The area was still considered off-limits due to Vonari concerns. Once again several Mercenaries and clans would force the Federal hand. Due to a lack of problems and losses, some private companies began to setup mining operations in the north to fuel the ever-growing maw of Sierra's industrial complex and to process fuel from the nebula. The energy guilds had declared the system a mandatory investment for the advancement of the Sierra region. The system was dubbed Agate and was admissioned as the newest major colony of human space. It was perhaps a step too far. The Vonari wouldn't take too kindly to this intrusion near one of their core worlds. **(Source: Agate system info, energy guild interest etc.)**

### Harbingers of Doom (2393-2401)

The wealth of Agate quickly began to draw attention and many Mercenaries attempted to profit from its discovery, but something was amiss. Goldrushes were nothing new, but the number of Mercenaries and clans signing up to the guild of Agate was odd. There was something else luring all of them. Despite that, the profit the Federation gained in taxes allowed them to invest into more ships and fleets. In a way the Federation outgrew its own officer pool and soon several former high-ranking Alliance officers defected and signed up with Federal Command for the chance to lead their own battleship or command carrier. The spending drive inside the Federal Senate was openly pushed by the energy guilds and Agate which demanded more protection, at least that was the official story. **(Source: Prelude to the Federal Civil War and Pro-Vonari Separatists)**

The Alliance High Command was perturbed by these defections but didn't bother to question their decision. The two powers were at peace and the officers left behind their commands, fleets or squadrons. All it did was hurt the Alliance Command structure as many new officers had to be recruited in a less rigirous and more accelerated manor. The standard for commanders in the academies dropped a bit. Besides, the Alliance already had begun to develop and deploy a new type of super carrier. These massive spacial platforms could host up to twenty squadrons at once, turning them into behemoth of combined arms in space and tactical bases of operation for harvesting resources, repairs, forward outpost construction and longterm deep space deployment.**(Source: Arvoch Conflict Missions / The Phantom Project)**

The taxes and income continued to pour out of Sierra and Agate, but the Mercenaries and local Federal Navy had become a bit tight-lipped. A long hedged plan was about to come into motion and those Mercenaries opposed to it would simply disappear. Their profession wasn't safe and no one would doubt a few losses. Fueled by their new wealth and equipment the loyal Mercenaries spread through Evochron and returned to their former homes all over the region. All of them were waiting on the right moment. Many of the former Alliance officers also requested to be placed in the northwest to support the colonial effort. The Federal Senate agreed and unwillingly signed its own doom. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict; Pro-Vonari Rebel Missions)**

With the new officers in command of modern ships and the Pro-Vonari faction now in positions of power in the government and executive of both powers, the stage was set. The Vonari mercenaries were in position all over the region and the return of the Vonari was imminent. The Vonari hadn't disappeared from Sierra and Agate, they never left. Instead they bribed and enticed humans of all strides in northern Evochron to join their side with technology, resources or promise of power and influence. Most of these meetings were done in dark space in secret. Due to the extreme stereotypes about the 'barbaric Vonari' in the south, the civil exchange between the people and the Vonari quickly lead some of them down a rabbit hole to question their own history and truth about what happened a century ago. Unaware, the fortuneseekers and ambitious people were groomed into a united Pro-Vonari faction that would flourish alongside them once the Vonari would rule all of Evochron. It is unknown if the proposal of the Vonari to integrate and uplift humanity in their empire was serious and heartfelt out of respect earned in former wars or just another pawn in their scheme to divide humanity. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict; Pro-Vonari Rebel Missions)**

## Arvoch Conflict (2402)

### Evochron Blockade

The Arvoch Conflict started on January 7th 2402 when Federation forces threw up blockades in the northern Evochron sector, leading to renewed tensions between Alliance and Federation. Alliance High Command decided to give the Federation the benefit of doubt and considered this an insubordination by the former Alliance officers and rebels. Sapphire, however, was too important to lose. To make sure they kept Sapphire safe, they dispatched the experimental Phantom carrier lead by Commander Shores and two state of the art cruisers. They were dispatched together with large numbers of Wraith and Evoch fighter squadrons to protect them. Their mission was to regain control of the situation. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

The initial mission of the Phantom in Sapphire was to reestablish order and ensure the Federal ships followed Alliance rules while there. It was unheard of that Federal ships controlled and stopped Alliance or civilian ships in Alliance territory, but a peaceful show of force might convince them to retreat. The goal was still to keep the peace and to intimidate the unruly officers. First they wanted to see how they react to the presence of the Phantom and the remaining battlegroup. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 1)**

The Federal forces rejected any attempt to communicate and when finally met face to face opened fire on the battlegroup. They came prepared to fight a carrier and its fleet, but didn't expect the rapid deployment of over twenty squadrons of fighters. Overwhelmed and quickly destroyed by the might of the new generation of super carriers, the Federal forces withdrew from the planet Sapphire to regroup with another bigger Federal battlegroup to strike at the Phantom again. To ensure victory in the coming confrontation, the Phantom squadrons were tasked to clear any nearby mines that could endanger capital ships that would jump in to reinforce the perimeter, while some of them were tasked to defend the cruisers from any stealth ambush or hidden attackers. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 2)**

With the mines near Sapphire cleared, several capital ships jump in to reinforce the important colony. One of them further off had been intercepted by Federal forces and the Phantom send the Evoch squadrons to rescue the cruiser Phoenix. Due to the fast engagement the Federation fielded mostly their new Aries scout-fighters which had no chance against the Evoch. The Phoenix was saved. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 3)**

With Sapphire retaken but the system still disputed, the goal switched to a defensive perimeter to construct a forward command post for a prolonged engagement. Several shield casters were build and combined into a giant shield sphere to protect the location and allow damaged ships to retreat and repair. The Federal troops tried to sabotage the establishment of this perimeter, but were ultimately unsuccessful. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 4)**

The Phantom had succeeded in breaking the blockade of northern Evochron and Alliance High Command was still convinced the troops that were engaged with them were Federation rebels and traitors as many of their commanding officers were already seen as traitors by the Alliance as well due to their defection. Disloyalty was chronic. To find out more about the current situation in the unresponsive Federation, the Phantom was next deployed to Orion to spy on nearby diplomatic and military transports for any messages regarding the Evochron Blockade and to study their current military outfit. Any equipment could give information about their intentions.**(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 5)**

The collection of intel continued but was cut short as the 184th Wraith Squadron was ambushed. One of the pilots escaped and had to eject after it escaped and the Federation was closing in. The mission was delayed to save the pilot as the squadron had a very critical covert operation in Federal space and might know more about the current events. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 6)**

### A Sundered Galaxy

Based on information provided from Lieutenant Carson of the 184th and recon information obtained from the other scans of the enemy cruisers, several high ranking officers in the Alliance Navy and Federation Command Force had jointly defected and they'd taken many of the forces with them. They immediately began to secure the regions beyond Virgo and Deneb, which if successful, would block the Alliance from leaving Sol or Alpha Centauri. Both superpowers now openly faced insurrection and a potential civil war. It was unclear if the Federal Senate was still alive, but Alliance High Command would finally be rewarded for its paranoia. The entire Sol, Argus and Alpha Centauri fleet did not defect. They had a fighting chance. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 7)**

The Rebel Alliance did not know that Alliance High Command was now in possession of this critical information and they also knew that all engagements with the Phantom and the Evochron Blockade were merely distractions for the new flagship of the Alliance fleet to hide the coup. The Phantom was needed at the real frontline and thus their withdrawal had to be masked accordingly. In a blaze of glory the Phantom squadrons cleaned the nearby area of space from any remaining Federal pilots. Only when none were in sensor range did it finally engage its drive into dark space to hide its target; to Alpha Centauri and then on to Deneb! From the cover of the Silva Nebula in Deneb they would find out the truth about this insurrection. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 7)**

The first pan-galactic civil war had begun and the Federation had been split in three, the Alliance in two. Several months after the Phantom had left Orion it finally reached Alpha Centauri and later Deneb. It was too dangerous to travel through occupied and hostile space so the gate was off-limit and it was unclear who were friend or foe inside Federal territory. The Alliance had little trouble to hold on to their core system as the Rebel Alliance was content to trap them in the south while Argus held the frontline between Sirius and Orion. The north around Lambda and the Federal Command Center was held by a Federal splinter group loyal to the Federal military, the Richtons, which considered the Alliance an ally in this conflict. There were several reports of survivors of the old Federal Government as a third party which tried to push back on the rebellion, but Orion and Thuban had already been lost. Meanwhile the eastern frontline for the Alliance ran through Rucker. **(Source: The creation of Richton right after the war owning the Federal Command Center / The time it takes to travel through dark space from Sol to Orion is 6 weeks - Arvoch Alliance)**

From inside the Silva Nebula the Phantom observed movements of fleets with drones. It soon discovered mysterious events. The local Rebel Alliance was disassembling a new type of capital ship of alleged Vonari origin. How they came into possession of such technology was unclear, but it was crucial that the Alliance would gain data on the ship and its information. The fighter squadrons were sent out on a dangerous mission to rush into the perimeter held by several Rebel Alliance cruisers to get a scan, snatch any type of data or blackbox the Vonari vessel might hold and get out of there. If the Vonari had any new plans or tricks up their sleeve, even beyond the scope of the current civil war, it would be information of highest priority. Commander Shores made the call and the Phantom decided to break its shroud and succeeded in acquiring critical information. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 8)**

With their cover blown the Phantom despite its superior firepower would not last long. The Rebel Alliance would now send its worst arsenal to remove this dangerous leak and destroy the new flagship. An entire battlegroup consisting of two heavy cruisers and accompanied with an advanced force with the newest superior heavy strike bombers 'Neptune' prepared to take out the Phantom once and for all. The Evoch squadron took down the Neptune bombers and the cruisers had to fall back swarmed by its many squadrons. However, reinforcements were on the horizon. With the cargo secured and the immediate enemies pushed back, the Phantom began to engage the jumpdrive to make the long and arduous journey back to civilization and friendly territory. The Phantom had escaped. The preliminary analysis of the Vonari ship computer on the way back to Alpha Centauri implied the ship had been peacefully acquired. The Alliance began to realize something was off...
**(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 9)**

The Phantom slowly returned to Sol through Alpha Centauri and resupplied on the way. Once in Sol, Commander Shores was commended for his quick decisions to secure the Vonari data and the return of this valuable information alongside his other successes against incredible odds. The Phantom had proven its terrifying potential and Shores was lauded. While the ship restocked new supplies and fighters and exchanged some of the crew, worrisome news arrived from Sapphire. The Rebel Alliance had begun a major offensive and the forces requested immediate reinforcements. Without delay the Phantom left as soon as she was ready. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 10 Prelude)**

The time it took for the Phantom to finally return to Sapphire felt like ages, but the local fleets and reinforcements from Argus managed to hold the Rebel Alliance off for long enough. When the Phantom returned to the system in early 2403 most of the system had been lost again. The Alliance was pushed back to its last line and major bridgehead in Sapphire the Phantom helped prepare in early 2402. Worse, a Rebel fleet was attempting to overwhelm it with Fulcrum Torpedos. There was little time to plan the campaign. Without question the pilots ran to their fighters to prepare a lift off. Commander Shores gave a clear order: "We can't afford to give up any part of this system and this base is the most critical element of our presence here. Failure is not an option. If we lose this base, we lose our ability to remain in this fight." Twenty squadrons of Evoch and Wraith would face the new Lamprey multi-role fighters and a swarm of Neptune heavy strike bombers. The battle of Sapphire was the true test to the might of a second generation super carrier. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 10)**

After a protracted battle with many premature explosions of Fulcrum weapons the command station remained operational and the battle was won. However, the many small hits and near miss fulcrum explosions had severely damaged several parts of the operation. The Phantom was the right ship at the right time. Equipped with massive production and combat facilities to be self-relient, mining equipment, ore processing and a manufacturing plant was one of it. The fleet immediately set out to acquire the needed resources to bring the station back to full power and to prepare for the next assault. The squadrons moved out to clear the nearby asteroid field from Rebel forces.**(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 11)**

During the repair process Alliance Intelligence had scouted the system and found several tactical locations the Rebel Alliance did launch its attacks from. To ensure no surprises once the Phantom left in the future, all had to be taken out. The mission of the Phantom and its crew was now to take out their local headquarter and mission control which was hidden on Sapphire itself, right under their nose. The strike bomber team was assembled to be escorted by the Evoch elite squadron. The Rebels would defend the headquarter at all costs and a tough and dangerous atmospheric battle was ahead. There was a risk to loss from anti-air installations and due to limited dogfighting capabilities of the Evoch. The pride of the Evoch was its speed and agility, the planetary atmosphere cut down its combat effectiveness tremendously. As such the Wraith squadron was included on the mission. The leader of the Evoch Elite squadron personally delivered the main payload to end the headquarter, shortly after it went up in a massive explosion.**(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 12)**

Due to the successful destruction of several tactical positions and their local headquarter, the Rebel forces in Sapphire soon crumbled before the might of the Phantom and new Alliance reinforcements. Sapphire had been secured and the Phantom was reordered to return to Alpha Centauri to quickly resupply and return to deep space longterm reconaissance in Deneb. Reports circulated of active Vonari in the region and nothing would throw a wrench into the current civil war than the first Vonari incursion in southern Evochron in over 75 years. The Alliance prepared for the worst. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 13 Prelude)**

### Third Vonari War (2404-2409)

Both, Federal rebels and the Vonari have been seen in Deneb. While the civil war with the Alliance rebels was expected, this developement implied a much grander coalition at work against both the Federation of Thuban and the Alliance of Sol. This coalition of civil war factions seemed to work together with the Vonari to destroy the two powers in an attack from without and within. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 13 Prelude)**

The Vonari in Deneb were using Alliance codes and encryption methods to communicate with the local rebels in some of the most modern patterns. Not only did this imply a breach of Alliance Intelligence and perhaps involvement in this grand coalition, the general attitude of the Vonari surprised even Commander Shores. The story of the barbaric Vonari that shot first and conquered later were not a propaganda tool, but the current narrative even down to the military brass. They thought it was true. This seed of doubt was abused by the Vonari to tear humanity apart. Shores wanted to make sure and decided to engage a cluster of new Vonari fighter ships, dubbed the Vonari-F, and Federal fighters to see if they would jointly attack the Evoch-E squadrons and they did. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 13)**

This new grand coalition of the Rebel Alliance had to be relayed back to Alliance High Command, including a buildup of massive fleets of Vonari and Rebel forces aimed at Alliance territory. Between Deneb and Pearl massive reading spikes appeared on the drones and implied a massive invasion fleet already on the move and taking out lesser colonies outside the gate network. At this time, due to the little testing maneuver, the Vonari had discovered the Phantom. A swarm of massive, heavy fighters of the Vonari were sent to destroy the super carrier before it could jump out of the system. These terrifying major multi-role fighters would later be dubbed the Vonari interceptors, Vonari-I for short, which would be the backbone of the new Vonari fleets with tremendous bioregenerative plating and shields. They also carried their most devastating new weapon, the self-replicating rocket platform, codename Excalibur. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 14)**

The Phantom survived and was able to send the alert and warning back to Alpha Centauri and immediately made its way back to support the system during the incoming invasion. The Vonari Invasion, the Third War, had officially begun. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 15 Prelude)**

#### Vonari Eclipse (2404-2405)

Over 100 years had passed since the last major encounter with the Vonari. The Alliance had used the time to research and reverse engineer advanced alien technology in an effort to better confront the Vonari threat. The result was a new breed of their most powerful spacecraft and weapons, the second generation super cruiser Phantom, the state of the art Evoch-E fighters, the Lamprey multi-role fighter and many advanced weapon systems and rockets. **(Source: Game description, embellished / Guidebook - Fighter info)**

All their preparations were not enough. The new Vonari-Cruiser, dubbed the Vonari-C, the Vonari-Interceptor and their Vonari-Fighter decimated the human fleets all around Evochron and this time they succeeded in progressing rapidly even with the resistance of the Alliance. Due to defections and betrayal a far diminished resistance, but resistance nonetheless. With the help of the Rebel Alliance several systems were convinced to join the Vonari sphere and those that didn't either got purged or their homeworlds outright destroyed with a planet buster if a purge was too much effort. The Vonari campaign was more comparable to a blitz. Dozens of partially terraformed and defiant planets were destroyed in the early phase of the war and the Argus fleet that had to fight the might of the Vonari and the Federal traitors even with the aid of the Richton military was about to fall. The Phantom, however, proved effective. It acquired victory after victory around Alpha Centauri and Sol and soon turned out to be the key factor in winning the war in the east and perhaps the true savior of the Alliance.**(Source: E-Mails with Vice about the destruction of the war / Vice Summary, embellished)**

The fallback of the western fleet to Argus wasn't unexpected and with only one super carrier of the Phantom-Project ready for war during the invasion there was none to be deployed. When the Fulcrum Gate in Sirius got destroyed by a Rebel strike and Sol was entirely cut off from the western part of its empire, any short-term aid of small fighter squadrons was impossible as well. **(Source: System Info Sirius)**

The Phantom was bound to the east, Sol came first and Alpha Centauri was closer. Despite the deployment of the Bismarck and other ships of the first super carrier generation to Argus all of them got crippled or destroyed in the long and attrition heavy campaign in the face of the Vonari-B and Vonari-I superior firepower. The Phantom performed a heroic deed and broke the spearhead of the Vonari fleet that swarmed out of Pearl and tried to destroy Alpha-C. It shattered the will of the Rebel Alliance and the Sol fleet filled the gaps when necessary and pushed the Rebels back to Rucker. Richton couldn't do the same for Argus. **(Source: Vice, embellished / Missing historic super carriers in later games)**

#### The Death of Argus (2405)

The Federation had finally regrouped and the exile government had risen up to fight alongside the Richtons to retake Thuban and destroy the Vonari sympathizers. This crack in the supply line of the Rebel Alliance was too little too late. On a day that would live in infamy, the Vonari invasion fleet managed to break through the last line of defense of the Argus fleet and successfully activated the planet buster array of its capital ship phalanx. Whenever the prospect of this event was first conceived, Argus had begun an evacuation. As one of the few planets with billions of people in the galaxy due to its gaia properties, however, not even half of them could be evacuated, especially after the Sirius Gate to Sol broke down and the transports stopped. In mere minutes the powerful ray drilled down to the planets core, overcharged the core and then the planet broke apart under its own heat pressure. The debris and rupture took out some ships of both sides, but the Vonari had achieved their goal. The western part of the empire had fallen, the remaining battlegroups were in disarray and without a central command to contact or reorganize, a proper resistance was almost impossible. Argus and all remaining people were dead... **(Source: Historic accounts of Argus / Mercenary Intro / E-Mail Confirmation by Vice)**

The central power and authority of the region was gone, which only left the major colony of Sirius and Richton. The surviving Alliance battlegroups of the Argus genocide had to fall back to Sirius and part of the remaining fleet escaped to Richton space and regrouped around the northern military power. It was their only option for supplies to fight back or take revenge. There was little doubt Sirius was the next target to be eradicated by the Vonari fleet unless it willingly surrendered to Vonari supremacy. **(Source: Rapid growth of Richton after the war, absorbing the western empire)**

The Richtons didn't expect this cruelty of the Vonari and it caused their attitude to change. With the core territory of Thuban back under Federal control, Richton was able to divert some of its forces to protect Sirius alongside the orphaned fleets of Argus. After the genocide it was apparent that the defeat of the Vonari would take priority and together with the remnant fleet the Richtons dismantled the remaining and weakened Vonari planet buster fleet in the Battle of Sirius A. No more planets would be sacrificed to these barbaric monsters. **(Source: Sirius survived and became part of Richton)**

Over the course of the following year and at great sacrifices the former Federal Command Center would crush any remaining rebels and Vonari outposts in the west, support the refugees of Argus and restore order to the region. This shared effort and founding memory and legitimacy as protector would allow this region to reform with the Argus remnant fleet and survivors into the new official western power of Richton. **(Source: Richton division rules over the entire former western empire and outer Federal lands of Orion and Lambda)**

#### The Northern Campaign (2406-2407)

After the devastating Vonari Offensive of '05, the now three factions managed to entirely reverse the momentum. The loss of Argus was painful for the Alliance of Sol and the Alliance Council decided to keep the seat of Argus for the remainder of its election cycle. Due to the emergency laws it would see the end of the war. The position of Sirius remained unclear. Officially the system remained loyal to the Alliance and represented on the council, but the area was currently under Richton control.

All remaining battlegroups now operated to defend Sapphire, Sol and the Alpha Centauri region. A defensive perimeter was established and the Phantom got a new command. Commander Shores and his veterans would join the Sapphire fleet and local battlegroups to take out the rebellion strongholds in the north. The Phantom would be deployed to the east where the Alliance rebels where while the remaining battlegroups would push back on Sierra where the Federal rebels had their headquarter. Meanwhile Richton and the reinstated Federation would push towards Virgo, Rucker and Orion to hold off the remaining Rebel Alliance and remaining Vonari. The northern campaign had begun. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 15 Prelude)**

Thanks to the deep space operation capacity of the Phantom, the super carrier circled around the front towards Cerulean and began an approach from behind one of the planets, shielded by the systems high radiation. The goal was to cut the Alliance rebels from their Vonari support and at the same time push them from the south in Olympus. The fleets in Cerulean consisted of both rebels and Vonari and most of the mission would rely on the elite fighting capacity of the high-end Evoch-E squadrons. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 15)**

The Vonari turned out to be a harder enemy than the rebels as most of them were surprised by the dark space maneuver and the superior Evoch-E to their older Evoch-C. In short sequence several rebel capital ships and squadrons were taken down and the Phantom gave signal to Alliance High Command to start the push through Onyx on the system. Taking Cerulean was now a top priority after the successful establishment of a defensive perimeter. The Vonari weren't willing to give up Cerulean yet and send forth their reserve fleet which had a newly developed ship on board. A new Vonari heavy bomber, dubbed the Vonari-B, was deployed to finally end the dangerous legacy of the Phantom. The cruiser fleet that arrived to reinforce the bridgehead was spearheaded by the Gallannt cruiser and the Phantom had the problem of not only defending itself from the new Vonari bombers, but the Gallant battlegroup as well. A mission the elite Evoch-E pilots mastered without fail. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 16)**

The bridgehead of Cerulean succeeded and the Alliance was able to push the Vonari back out into the north with the help of the Phantom. Now alone, the remaining Vonari and rebel forces in the northeast that hid in the ungated systems nearby were to be flushed out and apprehended or destroyed; a mission the Phantom was not needed for anymore. With the progress on the Cygnus frontline slow but steady and soon reinforced on the Talison front, the Phantom was ordered to break the tie in Pisces and Pearl between the Federation and Vonari forces. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 16)**

The support from the Talison front eased up the rebel control around Cygnus and allowed the western battlegroups to push into the Aries and Merak region. This area of space was alien to the Alliance and mostly consisted of former major Renegade territory, before the Federation greenlight the expansion towards the Sierra region and then Agate. Sierra was also the staging ground for the first Vonari invasion of humanity. Due to the human element and long time since the first war in the local conflict this part did not get the attention it deserved. **(Source: See Shadows of Orion Mission Tree)**

#### Sinfall of Merak (2407)

With the Phantom out of the northern theatre and on the way to Pearl, the counter-offensive from the northern Sierra region and core world of the Vonari was unexpected. First clashes around Aries and Sierra saw more and more Vonari mix with the Federal rebels and soon the main enemy were the modern Vonari ships. Overwhelmed and unable to resist, the Sierra offensive had to fall back to the Cygnus-Merak line.

All available troops that weren't needed to prepare for the worst were called from Cerulean to Sapphire. Soon the entire northern armada would meet the advancing Vonari counter-offensive in Merak and make the battle the site of one of the largest battles of the entire Arvoch Conflict. Sapphire would not share the fate of Argus!

The Alliance did all it could to stop the Vonari armada of north Sierra, but it failed. When several carriers, cruisers and battleships went up in flame and most squadrons were shot down in the Battle of Merak, the remaining battlegroups retreated towards the nearby airless planet close to the sun. Once the superior Vonari fleet had pursued them sufficiently in hopes of a total victory the most controversial order to date was given by Alliance High Command: Activate the bombs. **(Source: System Info Merak)**

With full neglect to some of the fleets lives and the integrity of the system and people of Merak, the Alliance decided to detonate the largest fulcrum bomb in history on the airless planet, consuming its matter to charge the artifical blackhole the folding created before it would collapse and release its consumed matter as pure energy. This happened along with a perimeter of hundreds of remaining fulcrum torpedos and lesser bombs aimed at the Vonari. The system was soon alight with deathly radiation, massive gravitational distortion and the exponential spread of dangerous high speed debris. The surviving Alliance ships didn't have time to look at their creation as anyone still able to jump had preengaged their jumpdrive and upon unleashing their loads jumped out. The rest was left to die with Merak.**(Source: System Info Merak)**

The counter-attack worked, but the destruction was vast, leaving the system shattered. The inner planet was in ruins, most people on the sunside of planet Merak were dead to radiation in minutes, those on the farside dying only a few hours and weeks later as the atmosphere of the planet was ionized into a toxic blanket. Survivors were only possible in distant space or in underground shielded facilities. The burning carcasses and debris of hundreds of Vonari ships and their Alliance brethren were torn to shreds and then violently strewn about the system and many hurled towards dark space. Merak had become the sinfall of humanity. To prevent an even greater genocide in Sapphire, they had committed one of their own. It was now a system of devastation and desperation, a graveyard. Future tongues would call this an unexcuseable warcrime of an evil empire, a heroic moment and monument to humanity's and the Alliance's pragmatism or a just desserts for the traitorous former Renegade system filled with Federal rebels or sympathizers. **(Source: System Info Merak / Giant Debris Field near the Sun.)**

*Note: The creation of a short-lived blackhole with an equivalent mass of 10k tons would retain a deadly level of gamma irradiation during its 12 hour death cycle up to a radius of half the distance between the Earth and Sun. You do not want to be present. In general the bigger a blackhole is the safer it is as its decay and thus energy release happens over a longer time per mass unit with a lower spike. This makes fulcrum weapons and their micro blackholes one of the most horrific weapons in close proximity.*

#### The Riftspace Gate (2406-2407)

After the Argus genocide the interest in finding the Vonari homeworld and to strike back at these barbaric canines was not to be overstated. The only passage the Alliance knew about that didn't involve long treks or bridgehead outposts was the wormhole nexus of Riftspace. Alliance Intelligence decided to retrace the steps of the old Riftspacers and put out a call to investigate the beacons left by the Renegades on Sapphire. One particular member of the Alliance Mercenary Fleet, Michael Gerret, would answer the call and follow the old series of beacons to its origin during the northern campaign. **(Source: The Beacon Trail Questline / Vice)**

Thanks to the northern campaign's early successes, Michael could freely fly through most of the warzones. First finding a further beacon inside the rings of Glacia, he then set out to the Fauston Prime nebula and from there tracked the old beacon trail to Onyx Alpha. He passed the fighting forces of the Federation and rebels in Pisces to find the next beacon near the star and then moved to the contested region of Rucker, where a hidden wormhole brought him to a dark space region between Rucker and its northern neighbor system. Here another beacon guided him to Sirius A which had been saved by the Richtons and was now under their control. As a member of the AMF he was granted access to the planet and secured the beacon, which from there send him to Emerald, where he would finally received the key to Riftspace. **(Source: The Beacon Trail Questline / Vice)**

A gate had been constructed on a former rift that allowed permanent back and forth travel between Riftspace and its coordinates were a complex set of crossing points between several nearby systems. Clue in hand, Michael Gerret reported to Alliance Intelligence which requested he'd investigate the gate together with an Alliance battlegroup to establish a perimeter and scout Riftspace until the Phantom would return from its current deployment near Pearl. **(Source: The Beacon Trail Questline / Vice)**

#### Fight For Pearl (2407)

During the beginning of the Pearl campaign the Phantom tried to emulate their success in Deneb by infiltrating the green Malcom Nebula and to spy on the local operation before delivering a surgical strike. The Vonari had learned from Alliance maneuvers and immediately noticed the foreign jump signature that distorted the nebula during its arrival. An immediate counter-offensive was the consequence, consisting exclusively of Vonari ships and strike bomber Vonari-B. The elite Evoch-E squadron was used to fighting in dense nebula and used the local asteroid fields as strategic missile cover from the terrifying Excalibur missiles. Ultimately the Vonari force was destroyed and repelled. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 17 / Name of the Nebula is given in Arvoch Alliance)**

Commander Shores noted this almost pure Vonari fleet implied a headquarter of their invasion was near Pearl, in Arvoch based on Alliance Intelligence, and perhaps a homeworld. For now the Phantom was under siege and the danger to the operation was too great, but a retreat equally impossible. The order was to use the asteroid field resources and carrier manufacturing facilities to establish a complex shield caster phalanx and forward base. The second generation super carrier Phantom would finally do what it was designed to do, it would be the wedge to strike into Vonari territory and establish a forward base in face of constant enemy onslaught to break their supply line and separate Federal rebels from their Vonari support. Without it, Richton and the Federation would crush their traitors. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 18)**

With the help of the Malcom base and the defensive perimeter, the Phantom managed to break the Vonari fleet in Pearl through attrition and once Federal reinforcements arrived to take over the forward base, the Phantom moved on to finally bring the war back home to the Vonari. The Phantom could always fall back to Pearl now if it had to. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 19 Prelude)**

#### War in Heaven (2407)

The attempt of Michael Gerret and the Alliance battlegroup to claim Riftspace for the Alliance and to wage a war on the Vonari in their homesystem was not well received. In truth the entirety of Riftspace was still pretty much in the hand of the Renegades, a faction declared defeated decades ago. During their time over a century ago a sprawling human civilization had estabished itself in this pocket of space in neighborhood to the Vonari on a nearby sulfur planet which 'tolerated' their existence. **(Source: Beacon Trail / Riftspace World in Legacy etc. that is far off +75 distance)**

The battlegroup did its best, but the superior numbers and not at all inferior technology of the Renegades soon pushed them back. Their active trade with the old world ensured they kept up to the developments of the Alliance. With the well established stealth tactics of the Renegades the Alliance forces quickly collapsed. They managed to hold their perimeter and defensive position until December 2407, when the Renegades shattered their last hold. Michael Gerret left a beacon in case they wouldn't make it for the Alliance to find and then made a desperate dash with the last survivors for the gate they had originally entered from. The Renegades were undefeatable with the few forces send to acquire Riftspace. The expedition was a total failure. Gerret lamented the lack of firepower the Phantom could have offered, but the Phantom was still on its important mission to Arvoch. **(Source: Beacon Trail)**

The Renegades celebrated their strategic victory and showed their will to defend their homeworld. They knew the Alliance would be back, but they would prepare for their return. What they didn't prepare for were their neighbors. The once so tolerant and honorable Vonari that accepted fate's choice of humanity to safeguard Paradise saw the invasion of Riftspace by their enemies as a risk to their homeworld. A homeworld that once already had evaded a genocide during the Fulcrum Invasion. With Sierra II and Arvoch under threat, any chance the Alliance had to acquire passage to Vonari and also endanger their homeworld would be a disaster for the war effort. **(Source: Second Vonari War / Evochron Alliance)**

The Renegades wouldn't accept the Vonari near Paradise and tried to control the Riftspace wormholes. This lack of cooperation would soon see the end of the Shadow Empire. The Vonari finally broke their century old pact and assembled their ships. To ensure full control of the Riftspace wormholes and to prevent the Alliance from gaining control of Paradise, the Vonari Riftspace fleet moved on the holy planet. But there was nothing holy about it anymore. The prophecy had come true and now it was a threat; and threats had to be removed. No stealth tactics, guerillia war or major effort could stop what was to come. The Vonari didn't plan to defeat the Renegades, they planned to remove their base of operation to ensure they had no way to fight back. The entire cluster of Vonari ships came forth to defend their capital fleet which prepared to form the planet buster array. The limited resources of the Renegades, brave or not, had no chance to destroy them in time. The planet buster drilled into the planet as it did with Argus, overcharged the core and tore paradise into shreds due to heat stress, killing all people on the planet. The battered and horrified survivors and Renegades could only do one thing, run away. They descended on the many rifts to flee all over Evochron and back to the old world, as foreign to them as any place. They were now homeless, nomads of space. Riftspace once more belonged to the Vonari. **(Source: Evochron Legends Intro - Death of the Renegade Homeworld / Giant Debris field and former Paradise next to the sun / E-Mail confirmation by Vice)**

It's unknown if the Renegades would have been able to stop the Phantom or its soon completed sister ship the Verity. Riftspace and the path to Vonari were a major boon for the war and the Alliance would have returned. Now they would return to an angry fleet of Vonari with a tactical and unknown base nearby, which would utterly overwhelm any Alliance attempt to gain control of the wormholes without the resources of Paradise. Supplying any bridgehead against a Vonari homeworld fleet with the transport gate in distant dark space was virtually impossible. Riftspace was lost to humanity.

#### The Relic (2408)

Early February 2408, on the move to Arvoch the commander still doubted the intentions of the Rebel Alliance and speculated if they only surrendered and joined the Vonari in a bid to survive all those years ago. He just couldn't give up his trust for humanity. The Vonari's devastating new weapons, their advanced ships and their sheer unlimited resources could intimidate many a man and perhaps extinguish any hope for humanity. But they were here. Despite the loss of Argus, the many lost colonies and the billions that died, they had retaken most of the north and now pushed on both origins of the Vonari in northern Sierra and Arvoch. How would this war have changed, if only the rebels remained loyal to humanity? Would Argus have survived? Would Merak be necessary? He confided in his friend and war veteran, the leader of the Elite Evoch-E squadrons. There was no need for an answer. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 19 Prelude, embellished / Corrected the mentioned time of months to years to fit the later retcon timeline of Vice for the war)**

Once in the Arvoch region Commander Shores reminded the crew that this area of space only had preliminary data and limited exploration. Most of the colonization effort had focused on Pearl with little need to expand. The Arvoch system itself consisted of three planets and one gas giant. The carrier set course and exited jump at Arvoch Delta, a frozen world Alliance High Command believed would be a perfect choice to establish a remote base on due to its abundant supply of water. The squadrons were sent out to scout the vicinity of the planet and to clear out any enemy patrols they might find. Due to the nature of Arvoch, Commander Shores warned them to look out for any interceptor or capital fleets. This was Vonari territory. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 19)**

In late February 2408, a fighter squadron of the Phantom succeeded in obtaining a nearby located object in a decaying orbit of the planet. The object was a major part of an odd Vonari-C that had been torn apart by unknown sources. To gain access to any advanced technology or information aboard, Commander Shores ordered its retrieval. The ship's computer implied it was on its way to Federal space and the odd high-energy device was declared a new Vonari weapon. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 20 / 21)**

Further scans of nearby space showed remnants of Federal and Alliance ships, identified to likely be rebels as no mission for the region was locked. They had no combat damage but somehow lay adrift. Commander Shores got order from High Command to salvage one of the Federal cruisers to find out more about the events that transpired. However, a Vonari squadron was closing in towards their position. To ensure the Phantom would gain access to whatever this graveyard held for secrets, the Evoch-E squadrons moved out to escort some marines in a transport vessel to gain access to the ship. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 21)**

With the cruiser secured, the marines set course to Alliance space to analyze it outside of danger. The Phantom meanwhile now left the bridgehead to the Alliance personal on site and moved towards the Arvoch nebula near the primary planet of the system. The Vonari pursued the Phantom that chose sublight travel to shake the Vonari network that could detect any jump signatures. Only a few dozens of interceptors and fighters managed to follow her into the particle nebula. If they were to be taken out and the Phantom continued to move, the Vonari would likely lose her. Like the Malcom nebula, the Arvoch nebula was filled with asteroids. The Phantom had taken some damage in the last battles and also had to replace a few fighters. The squadrons were tasked to both defend the Phantom from oncoming Vonari and to secure the material to get back into full combat shape to continue the Arvoch operation. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 22)**

The forward assault of the Phantom seemed to unnerve the Vonari, which called upon the Federation rebels on Alliance channels in nearby systems to come to their aid. This was odd, as an endangered Vonari position would allow the rebels to let them die if they really feared them and were strongarmed into joining them. Commander Shores had to accept the truth of the rebellion, they had sympathy for the enemy. Due to the time the repairs took, the joined battlegroup of Federal cruisers, Vonari-C and dozens of squadrons had already errected a moving barrier and blockade between the Phantom and Arvoch Prime. Commander Shores would face his toughest challenge during the entire war, as the Phantom had to fight an entire combined fleet of enemy ships with only a few cruisers to aid them. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 23)**

Against all odds and in the face of a Vonari command ship, the black ship once destroyed during the first invasion of Earth, the Elite Evoch-E squadron and the heroes of the 20 squadrons and cruiser fleet broke through the blockade and most of them survived. With full elan and the will to repay the Vonari for their deed on Argus, the Alliance fleet moved on towards Arvoch Prime. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 24)**

#### Shattering of Arvoch (2408)

For the final battle of Arvoch Prime, the Alliance had send ten more cruisers and command ships to support the fleet. It was desperately needed as the battered battlegroup would soon face the entire Arvoch Prime fleet of the Vonari. Four black capital ships were escorted by ten Vonari-C, alongside with their squadrons. The Alliance had decided to put all their eggs into one basket and mounted the relic on one of their cruisers. The device the Phantom had acquired contained a near unlimited energy source with the power of a star. Alliance Intelligence believed it to be an upgraded test version of the planet buster array which could annihilate an entire planet and the goal was to use it on Arvoch Prime. The risk of the device backfiring was considered which is why the Phantom did not use it. Afterall its original owner and nearby fleets suffered an untimely fate. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 24 / 25)**

Sucess was not an option, it was the only choice. Even if it would tear apart the Phantom, even if the fleet would be destroyed, the device had to be fired and directed at Arvoch Prime. The battle as expected quickly turned into the Vonari's favor. One Phantom just couldn't match four black ships. It didn't have to. The Vonari didn't know the device was here and the small cruiser managed to sneak into position with other alleged major threats taking heat of its tail. When the device was in position the cruiser gave a fast warning and as many Evoch-E fighters returned to the Phantom as possible to escape any fallout. The Vonari likely considered this a prelude to a retreat. Then the cruiser finally punched the activation sequence. It was the last thing the cruiser ever did as the device was set to full power. Like the Vonari-C before it, it would be torn to shreds. **(Source: Arvoch Conflict Mission 25)**

The world began to disappear from reality and an unfamiliar presence lay over the crew of the Phantom. For a second all of Arvoch appeared to hold its breath. The energy ray didn't stop at Arvoch Prime but in milliseconds engulfed both fleets and far into the Arvoch system. Then the world went to black. When reality returned to the Phantom crew, all their instruments went crazy and the area the device was used only contained the relic with the cruiser and nearby enemies gone. Most of the crew was still knocked out. Arvoch Prime was still there and many ships seemed adrift in dark space. Their pilots and crews likely shared the Phantoms fate. With disbelief a call came through the channels asking if the Phantom and Commander Shores needed help. Several Alliance battlegroups jumped into nearby orbit and began to engage the still weary Vonari black ships and disparate fleets. Shortly after the remaining local Federal fleet of Pearl was here too and began to take down the enemy remnants. The star charts and sensors pointed to a position north of Pearl, but Arvoch Prime was right in front of them. This couldn't be right! **(Source: Arvoch planets merged into the Pearl system with Gamma remaining in Arvoch and Delta renamed Serene / Evochron Legends - The Relic is an Actarian Teleporter of near infinite power / E-Mails to Vice about the device)**

The Vonari 'homeworld' of Arvoch Prime and its fleet fell that day. There were no Vonari permanently living on Arvoch Prime. Later on it became apparent that the expectation of the Alliance to finally put a nail into the Vonari's ambitions was a failure. Arvoch Prime was a bridgehead they constructed over decades to ensure an assault on the two superpowers would not risk their homeworlds and to contact the future rebels. However, Arvoch Prime turned out to be an earth-like world, ready for colonization. In the end the Vonari lost both a bridgehead, and offered a new potential Argus to humanity. In one way or another, the Shattering of Arvoch was a victory and Arvoch Delta with an already established outpost alreay had a name among its staff, Serene. **(Source: Arvoch Prime is an ELW / E-Mails with Vice about the Alliance misconception of it being a homeworld)**

#### Pyrrhic Victory (2409)

Following the defeat of the Vonari prime fleet in the southeast, most Federal rebels surrendered to Richton and the Federation. Some of them, however, decided to continue the fight for the rightful place of the Vonari or just in fear of repercussion for their treason. The southeast of Evochron would remain a dangerous area for years to come. **(Source: System Info Evochron Legends / Arvoch Conflict Mission 25)**

Meanwhile the brutal campaign to end the Vonari base in Sierra II would continue without the Phantom and it would also be unavailable for another attempt to take Riftspace. Out of commission, in desperate need for repair and in questionable health after being warped through the galaxy, the Alliance couldn't let Commander Shores and his men join the northern frontline. The Phantom had to be docked at Pearl and was to be fully checked and repaired. The relic, meanwhile, was secured and returned to Alliance Intelligence. Now that it was clear the device was some type of jump or space fold machine with the power of a star, their approach quickly changed. Even though they had lost access to Riftspace, perhaps the device would allow them to finally reach Vonari with an invasion fleet. The device was given to Commander Gregory who commanded one of the just finished second generation super carriers not unlike the Phantom when it reached Pearl. Together with the expert and veteran mercenary Michael Gerret, who had successfully escaped Riftspace, they would investigate the truth behind the device. For his deeds and bravery Michael Gerret was now an official member of the Alliance Navy. **(Source: The Fate of Scott and Michael Gerret - E-Mail exchange with Vice / Questions about the future Commander Gerret from Arvoch Alliance / Legends Questline)**

After the destruction of the Vonari prime fleet of Sierra in the massacre of Merak the resistance towards their local homeworld mostly stemmed from more rebels trying to keep their allies safe. Ultimately the Alliance with the aid of Richton managed to break through the Federal rebel lines and took out the industrial forge, shipyard and homeworld of the Vonari in the north of Sierra II by destroying it with fulcrum weapons. Not many information about this operation was kept on record. People don't tend to document their genocides. Yet, it had the intended effect. The Vonari had to retreat from the northwest and would not be able to mount another major invasion on humanity. The Third Vonari War was over. **(Source: End of the Third War / System Info Renegades & Legends for Sierra / The giant debris fields of Sierra II / The homeworld log of Vonari-C cruiser wreckages showing Sierra and Vonari with none left in Sierra or Sierra II, but Sierra II being their preferred warzone / Arvoch Conflict Missions - Goal to nuke a homeworld)**

### The Experiment (2409)

The Vonari War was won and the canines were bested and driven out of human space, but their patrols still harassed transports and minor incursions threatened civilians all over Evochron. They weren't gone. Checks on Riftspace confirmed the fall of the Renegades and destruction of Paradise. It also confirmed the Vonari's continued presence and control. The Alliance couldn't invade Riftspace without the local logistics and resources of Argus and the Vonari control of the wormhole nexus meant a permanent threat to humanity wherever they would strike. The new drive experiment became an absolute priority. Commander Gregory would from now on continue the experiments and find out a way to reach Vonari. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline / Vonari Incursions mentioned in Beacon 1 - 5 years later still ongoing)**

After some study of the device, the scientists, Michael and the crew had identified strange marks which did not align with the general aesthetic of the device. By accident they activated the device and provoked a warp of the carrier into the atmosphere of Erato II. They caught the ship before a catastrophic descent and had to repair the minor hull damage near Sapphire. The original marks matched famous stellar constellations and star charts which seemed to control the teleport or warp, the others did look entirely foreign. Once Alliance Intelligence was informed, they forwarded their hidden clues and knowledge about the Vonari language they had compiled over the century and requested further tests by Commander Gregory. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 2)**

The next use of the device transported them to Fauston and their odd presence quickly attracted the attention of some Federal rebels that were still active in the north after the Alliance expedition fleet returned to Sapphire. To avoid any critical damage to the ship or the device, they quickly reengaged it and jumped out, unplanned and thus random, this time they came a bit further and reached Pearl. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 3)**

With some thought and several deliberations, they now tried to fine tune how much energy was given to the device and where it was directed. This approach worked and the device only activated a small warp to the not so distant system of Rucker. Since Rucker was still part of the Rebel Alliance sphere and not entirely pacified by the Federation or Alliance, the carrier hid in the asteroid field and began some needed repairs, as it considered its next jump and experiment. The carrier then refueled near the star. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 4)**

Now that the carrier had been repaired and refueled, the next jump took them to a distant system thanks to a higher energy output in a general direction. They could control the pathway north, but not exactly where, so they ended up in South Sierra. This proved that they could manage to jump the distance to Vonari if needed. All that was missing was the precision. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 5)**

At this point the scientists and the crew finally realized that their choices aligned with effective star types and specific locations with some stars being linked with each other for easier warp or perhaps a central arrival point. Both Sierra and Rucker were blue-white B type stars and during their jump they used the same configuration. They switched what they perceived to be the star type and aimed the direction to the south of Evochron while once again supplying enough energy for a longer jump. This was a success and the carrier arrived in Orion. The scientific team aboard the ship and the crew celebrated their first near planned jump. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 6)**

After some further study of the Vonari symbols, they noticed that the star chart had odd markings along the gate network of humanity. The Vonari had already precharted their systems on the device for easier use against them. To confirm their suspicion, the crew and scientists set the star symbol and location to Deneb as highlighted by the Vonari and tested their theory. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 7)**

Once more their theory proved true and they arrived in Deneb, this time with an entirely planned jump. The experiment was a full success! Alliance High Command was very enthusiastic and a third group of symbols far outside of the area they identified as the Evochron quadrant raised their hopes to find the homelands of the Vonari race or entirely new quadrants to colonize and claim. They encouraged Commander Gregory to go on with the experiments and to engage some of the closer foreign and far distant symbols. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 8)**

Their initial experiment yielded surprising and exciting results. The closest of the foreign symbols took them to Vonari, the homesystem or at least currently alleged homesystem of the canines. It took them a few weeks, but they managed to hide in the nearby rings and established long range communication with the Alliance. Earth was happy and pushed them to use the carriers abilities to construct a deep space stealth cloaked outpost in the ring for new personal to monitor the Vonari. While they would build it, the Alliance prepared and send a transporter with cloak technology to meet them at the agreed coordinates for the outpost in a few months. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 8)**

After the new crew was ready to take over the listening post, Commander Gregory, Michael Gerret and the scientist crew went on to test another symbol much further away from the Evochron quadrant. This would be their most ambitious test yet and due to the Arvoch event they had to do so outside of the range of the listening post to not endanger it. Everything that happened after the energy of the device was released relies on the report of the listening post. A major distortion formed which sucked in the carrier, similar to the Arvoch event, but much smaller, yet still massive. After it had pulled them in any contact with them disappeared and the stellar event soon collapsed into what would be known as the Vonari blackhole. This event of course alarmed the local Vonari and they swarmed the new blackhole that had formed but couldn't find anything without risking their own death. After a while the Vonari lost most interest in the event, but the carrier did not return. Commander Gregory, Michael Gerret and the crew were now offically MIA. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 9)**

With the loss of the artifact, one of their three new second generation super carriers and barely a listening post to show for it, the Alliance could only attempt to monitor Vonari communication to stop and interdict some of the incursions into Evochron space. The true counter-offensive was now out of their grasp and the drastic effects of the broken infrastructure and losses of life began to weight on their logistical networks. Soon any major offensive would likely be impossible. The empire was too exhausted to continue. **(Source: The total dissolution of any imperial possession in Renegades)**

### Fallen Empires (2409)

The fallout of a lack of patrol ships and fleets slowly began to engulf the north. Purged or destroyed, depopulated and without protection, most of northern Evochron fell to piracy and the prosperity of Sapphire and Olympus quickly declined. The once prosperous border quickly deteriorated to an ungovernable mess filled with deceit and an occasional Vonari incursion. Soon everyone was only out for themselves and in and around Sierra small pockets of pro-Vonari rebels survived and endangered anyone who dared to return to reclaim it. The navies of Richton and the Alliance would only move out to fight off any major Vonari fleets but otherwise stood down. It couldn't handle anything else. **(Source: Economic map of Renegades + Legends / System Infos)**

Richton was still in the process of absorbing the remnant systems Argus once controlled and began to build up a new government for itself. Additional it constructed more fleets of its own with more science programs aimed at reverse engineering the new Vonari tech to more efficiently fight their new guerillia tactics, preferably with the new self-regenerating Excalibur missile system derived from the new Vonari version. **(Source: Richton growth and size in Legends / Richton-Tech)**

The Alliance did protest the annexation of the Argus region, but their defected fleets that had joined Richton and Richton's heroic defense of Sirius weakened the Alliance's claim and popular support tremendously. It was a situation the burned out Alliance couldn't truly intervene in. Even if the Sirius-Sol gate wasn't destroyed, they themselves had no resources left to fight the only other power that emerged from the war. Thus the seat of Sirius on the Alliance Council was left empty while the seat of Argus was kept as an honorable memory as a permanent member. **(Source: System Info Sirius / Renegade and Legends Map)**

The Federation itself had been torn asunder. Richton had become an amalgam of Alliance and Federation forces and people, aligned with the Feds by heart, but not at home with them either. Meanwhile the former exile government and reformed Federation fought from Thuban, Pices and Virgo to push back the still hostile Federal rebels in Rucker, Pearl and Deneb. The entire region was considered a warzone and no one was supposed to enter. The former southern lands were not pacified at all and only the Alliance rebels of those that survived truly surrendered. The area was still very much no man's land. **(Source: System Info Renegades + Legends)**

Over time the situation in Pearl deteriorated so much that the Alliance declared it lost and ordered even the Phantom and Commander Shores to retreat to Sapphire. There was no way the Alliance of Sol would also give up Sapphire after it had lost one of its founding members in Argus. If they ever wanted to regain the north, Sapphire was more important than Pearl. And so the empire retreated to regain strength and rebuild to the Aquila line. They still controlled the heart of the empire and the powerful earth-like colonies in Sapphire and Alpha Centauri with their new and extended second generation super carrier fleet, including the new A.C.S. Evader defending Alpha Centauri and the Verity fighting the Vonari remnants from Agate. Yet, the empire had fallen and without their guardians Evochron returned to anarchy. A dark age had begun.**(Source: Renegades + Legends Map / System Info / Federal Rebel control)**

## Evochron Renegades (2410-2415)

### Foundation of the IMG (2410)

The Alliance ensured Sapphire remained safe, but the ongoing civil war in the south inside the Federation and the total decline of the north practically ended the old Mercenary Guild. It was near impossible to find public employment or to keep track of the ever changing landscape in galactic politics. Many guild offices were lost, contacts in government and private sectors dead or unreachable and the many books and data of former mercenaries empty, dead or unresponsive. It was time to start anew and the guild decided to start from scratch and without the superpowers directing its policy. A call was issued to all remaining offices that had contact and an offer extended to all those rejoining in the future. A meeting was to be held in Sapphire. The result was the reformation of the abandoned guild into the 'Independent Mercenary Guild' with a board of directors, one of each branch the guild would open or had preestablished, to decide on new policies, important guidelines and general offers for cooperation and contracts. Any new branch had to be approved by the others and the votes would be by majority. This step, to restart when there was no one to lead, was what would kickstart the Northern Renaissance. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

Circa 2411, after the formation of the Independent Mercenary Guild, it became obvious to the IMG Board of Directors that trade within the known star systems was beginning to stagnate. Both the Federation and the Alliance had abandoned exploration and colonization. Worse, the relationship between IMG pilots and governmental entities remained problematic, forcing mercenaries to spend too much of their precious time building a good reputation in far too many areas of space before they could safely conduct their business. **(Source: Vice)**

### Scott Gerrett's Expedition (2415)

After the Alliance had given up on the relic and the super carrier of Commander Gregory, Michael's brother Scott Gerrett finally secured the funding to strike out on his own with a new spaceship. He had repeatedly asked the Alliance to follow the trail of his brother and to find the lost ship or at least its wreckage, but they never elaborated about what had happened. In 2414 he began a hunt for his brother based on messages he send him during his time on the carrier despite the top secret protocol. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 1)**

Scott decided to leave clues for others to follow him, but decided to encrypt the messages through complicated protocols only a human would know or gain access to. He didn't want the Vonari to follow and stop him or to gain access to the relic his brother helped research. He also didn't necessarily expect to survive his journey. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 1)**

After Scott traced his brother's whereabouts and trail to the Vonari homesystem and the newly formed Vonari blackhole, he had to prepare for the most daring maneuver any pilot could ever undertake. By this time several people had picked up on his quest and decided to follow him. This expedition comprised of several smaller freighters and some fighter escorts. These mercenaries, despite the warnings that it might kill them, dived into the blackhole and used an old legend of pinpoint precision jumps into the heart of the anomaly by overriding the ships safety and changing the exit point ahead of the target. They barely managed to enter the lasting path the relic had torn into spacetime before their ships sustained critical damage. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 10)**

Scott and the expedition found his brother and most of the super carrier crew and Commander Gregory alive and in good health. The ship was entirely wrecked, but still sustained life support and basic shielding. They had to ration their food and water supplies and tried to grow new ones by harvesting resources from the asteroid belt and stellar ice. While their fighters could fly, the escape shuttles for most of the crew were not resistant to the still ongoing radiation the relic send into the surrounding area of space. It remained in a semi-active state for all those years. They repaired the damaged freighters that came with them and moved the crew to the many smaller expedition ships. The wreck of the super carrier and the relic were left behind for now. There was no way to transport the massive object in a small civilian ship by activating the relic from the outside. They left a last beacon and tried their theory. The maneuver soon worked and brought them home. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline - Beacon 10)**

For his bravery in the face of the impossible, his discovery of the first system of the Andromeda galaxy and the rescue of the crew of Commander Gregory, Scott Gerret was officially lauded and rewarded. His companions in the ragtag expedition received compensations in proper ammount and were offered a place in the famous Alliance Mercenary Fleet. The secret of the galaxy would soon be known to most mercenaries as Scott left the beacons and thus it was declared an unnecessary effort to collect all of them. **(Source: Evochron Legends Questline)**

Scott himself was now set for life, but also got another offer from the Alliance Navy. For his ability to lead a group through sheer impossible challenges and odds, he was asked to join the navy proper alongside his returned brother to undergo officer training. He agreed, but only if the Michael and him would serve on the same ship from then on. The stories of the Andromeda expedition of Scott Gerrett and the Riftspace mercenary Michael Gerret would become the legends of their time. **(Source: The Exploits of the Family Gerret / Commander Gerret of the Nova, Son of Scott Gerret - Confirmed by Vice)**

Due to the risk to capital ships by the small anomaly in Vonari, the relic was surrendered and declared lost. Nobody expected to salvage it and it remained in Andromeda. **(Source: Crashed on the planet in Evochron Mercenary)**

## Evochron Legends (2416-2427)

### Recolonization Project

The reform of the MG to the IMG was not only a success, its reputation and influence and new central contacts rekindled the era of mercenaries in the north. Consequently, with membership in the IMG increasing at every cycle, the trading pie had to be shared by a greater number of mercenaries. Meaning, each mercenary’s share got smaller and, therefore, the potential to get rich dwindled. As a solution, the Board decided to establish new colonies. They directed mercenaries to build facilities in areas of space which were outside the boundaries of the known star systems and to reconnect with the lost or depopulated colonies in the deep dark. To ensure the Mercenaries compliance and motivation a bonus was added to each new successful endeavor and recolonization with the guaranteed control and near full share of its initial and early revenue by the IMG. This bonus applied for each newly scouted and established sector of the galactic tradenetwork that was successfully integrated into the IMG services. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

### Hour of Legends

After the fall of Paradise some surviving Renegades in Evochron return from the shadows and join together to aid humanity's and the IMG's struggle to shake of the Vonari incrusions and to restore order and prosperity in a quest for a new home and revenge. To help in this endeavor they reconnect with their old contacts and allies in the dark of Evochron in Cerulean, Aries and Wolf and help establish new bases and outposts in the deep dark of the no man's land of Deneb and Pearl. Together they establish a new consolidated network of high-tech development and production for modern weapons and equipment. With the superpowers still recovering and unwilling to part with most of their cutting edge technology, this allows the members and Mercenaries of the IMG to combat the enemies of freedom and their common enemy, the canine Vonari, on favorable ground. Their support slowly ended the remnant Rebel Alliance insurgency in Pearl and Deneb, but ensured the system would be de facto under their rule and thus semi-independent. **(Source: Legends Intro / Pearl Unknown / Deneb Unknown / System Info Pearl / System Info Deneb)**

Over the course of their endeavors they gained control of the Shefeld Gate in Rucker, moved it to a secure location in the east of the asteroid belt and aimed it at a gravity source in the deep dark of East-Evochron where one of the Wolf fulcrum drones had made an interesting discovery. A system of planets was circulating a lesser blackhole. The ancient Shefeld Gate tech of Rucker had been in use by the Renegades and the Wolf Exile's for over a century and they knew how to handle this antique. Novachron, or Lost Rucker as invited visitors would call it, would not only serve as a great place to hide from public eyes, but also help to further research fulcrum weapons and technology in their fight for Evochron thanks to the proximity to a permanent blackhole. Once a forward outpost was established and a return gate was build, the Renegades finally saw the birth of their new home. Their primary quest had ended. **(Source: Novachron (Lost Rucker), the hidden high-tech hub and independent system like Wolf aligned with the hidden high-tech worlds.)**

### The People of Evochron

#### A House Divided

The ongoing civil war in the Federation had caused the capital system of Thuban to become unstable. While not many still called for a war in favor of the Vonari, many didn't consider the still in power remaining emergency government as legitimate and fought to carve up this once proud and influential system into smaller pieces. **(Source: System Info Thuban)**

Even with the total defeat of the western Pro-Vonari rebel forces, Lambda was torn in loyalty between the new power of Richton and its old home of the Federation. It had already lost its place as the Federal Military Command Center to Fauston and thus little reason to join either side. Ultimately the people of Lambda decided to become a neutral border, guaranteed by Richton, between the two powers until the day the two might find common ground again. **(Source: System Info Lambda)**

The now well-armed people of Virgo that had been occupied by the Rebel Alliance for a shortwhile during the Arvoch Conflict have now regained their old autonomy and quasi independence. The Federation renewed its guarantee and respect for the people of Virgo to conduct life and business as they themself chose. **(Source: System Info Virgo Legends)**

With the retreat of the Alliance from the former rebellious territory, the Federation officially took control of Rucker, Pearl and Deneb. Rucker hurt the Alliance the most, but its defiance due to Renegade influence and demand for freedom was nothing the Alliance could control during its repair and rebuilding phase, especially with its committment to the Vonari front and sheer unlimited supplies that bled in from Lost Rucker for the Renegades. **(Source: Rucker belongs to the Federation Legends + Mercenaries)**

Regardless of either claim, Deneb remained a de facto autonomous system like Virgo. Renegade influence didn't stop the Alliance's repeated attempts to take back the isolated region, but it failed several times. This slowly began to weaken and bleed out the Alpha Centauri fleet which repeatedly tried. The Federation didn't even need to intervene. **(Source: System Info Alpha Centauri Mercenaries Navy / Deneb)**

Onyx remained a partial no man's land. The industries that try to exploit it and gain control of the rich asteroid fields constantly fight off pirates and other rebel elements as well as rogue clans. Their efforts don't seem very coordinated, but their sum makes Onyx near ungovernable for the time being. **(Source: Onyx System Info Legends / Legends Map not an aligned territory)**

#### Vonari Front

Even though the Arvoch Conflict has ended, many former Pro-Vonari rebels still remained, now more focused on their own independence than their own survival. Their general ability to resist the Federation, however, has been broken in the recent battle of Sierra during which the Vonari homeworld in the northern Sierra region got destroyed. The Federation now keeps tabs on the former traitors, but didn't fully commit to Sierra's reintegration yet. The civil war in the south took precedent. **(Source: System Info Sierra)**

The Alliance had stationed one of their new second generation super carriers, the Verity, in Agate, due to its relative proximity to the ravaged Vonarian sectors in northern Sierra. There have not been any reports of Vonarian sightings since the war, however, leading to the belief the Vonari are not aware of the renewed exploitation of the Agate system and the pacification of most of the rebels. Agate was not fully colonized and integrated into the gate network for several more years. **(Source: Agate System Info / The Verity)**

Talison had declared its independence from former Federal control and supplied the Alliance with most available resources in their fight against the Vonari incursions and guerillia efforts in the north. Their civilian ships didn't have full clearance as of yet. **(Source: Talison System Info Legends)**

## Evochron Mercenary I & II (2427-2452)

### Receding Shadows

#### Path to Reunification

Richton was granted a seat in the war senate of the Federation and undertook operations alongside the Federation to crush the rebels and eastern Pro-Vonari rebels in Pearl, Rucker and Deneb, with a bit of help by the Renegades. Most of the lesser civil war parties and former Rebel Alliance were now defeated. However, it would still be years if not decades until the rift of the Federation would finally be mended and new universal elections were called. **(Source: System Info Thuban, instability / Remerging of both powers in the future and the Richton station)**

With the consolidation of the intermediary Richton government, Lambda began to align itself with Richton. While it still remained mostly independant it recognized Richton and Federal fleets as official law enforcement in local disputes as both still adhered to Federal law from before the civil war. **(Source: System Info Lambda Mercenaries)**

Fauston still defied any attempt of the Alliance to gain full control of the north and the IMG and mercilessly defended the independence and freedom of the northwestern systems by denying access to most of the Sapphire fleets with the exception of any joint navy ships that are needed for the northern frontline as agreed in the renewed Evochron Accords. It is fiercely loyal to the Federation and was one of the first systems to return to it after the end of the civil war together with its loyal brother Cygnus. **(Source: System Info Fauston Legends + Mercenaries)**

Even though it is considered a Richton territory, Iota citizens consider themselves to be independent from any major government or military faction. Shortly after the system was colonized, the colonies asked for independence. Richton leadership initially denied the request, but due to their inability to enforce their rule as a result of the ongoing Federation war at the time, Iota was allowed to govern itself and has remained an independent system since that time. Now that it has grown a strong economy and an advanced industrial manufacturing complex, it provides one of the most high paying systems in Richton and has been admitted to the gate network for both sides to profit from this new developement. The independent Iotan navy has become known as the second strongest independent force in Evochron and the Federation and Richton always prefer to enlist their pilots when possible. **(Source: Iota System Info)**

#### Changed Realities

Pearl and its massive population slowly shifted to a more chaotic but aligned semi-independent area of space. It was too massive to be truly controlled by the Renegades and thus it became an autonomous region of the still instable Federation and a dangerous but rich area many mercenaries risked to make a living. **(Source: System Info Pearl changes)**

Despite the conflicts between Renegades, local clans and other planetary factions, as well as Alliance incursions and skirmishes, the system of Deneb had slowly come to terms with its new economic situation. By now the energy and food production had been fully realized and its semi-autarchy had been achieved. It still remained a dangerous system for outsiders but accepted Federal support and treaties in return for guaranteed autonomy. **(Source: System Info Deneb Mercenaries vs Legends)**

The Talison system's economy has fully adapted to supply the war effort and with the new Evochron Accords now also allows all kinds of Alliance ships to freely pass through the system. The Vonari menace is all of humanities problem. **(Source: Talison System Info Mercenaries)**

Merak is a system of devastation and desperation. It is the site of one of the largest battles against the Vonari where victory came at an immense cost and warcrime in the Arvoch Conflict. Now only a handful of the population remains and often fights each other for the few scraps of resources left. Those lucky enough to find passage on a ship often escape to other systems. The few that remain here, call this system home, determined to restore it to its former powerful status. It a cruel twist the rich debris fields of destroyed Alliance and Vonari ships ensured the construction of a gate network to Merak to dismantle and repurpose as much as possible. Mostly pushed by the economic guilds and less by any government, this might lead to its economic recovery, but is a lasting mockery to its role as a sacrificial pawn to protect Sapphire. **(Source: System Info Merak)**

After many years of extensive IMG contracts and tactical developement, Onyx has been pacified to a point that its main danger of rogue elements falls to outsiders and visitors. The companies and the IMG have a fully working partnership to export the resources to Cerulean and Olympus. **(Source: Onyx System Info Mercenaries)**

#### New Tensions

A civil war in Virgo between the isolationists and some of the clans that aided the progressives had led to a massive loss and decay of their military fleet. Even though they won the civil war and the rebel remnants escaped to Vega, their former proud and influential position among the free systems of Evochron is severely damaged. **(Source: System Info Vega / System Info Virgo Mercenaries)**

With Virgo winning their civil war, the opposition forces fled and recently invaded the system of Vega in an attempt to control its
resources. They achieved significant gains in Vega since the local population was not equipped to defend themselves from attack. Distress calls were sent to the Alliance and Navy forces were dispatched to fight off the Rebels and to protect the system. Due to their personal responsibility for their rebel elements and with Alliance support, Virgo helped build a fulcrum gate to Vega. This ultimately allowed a fast and efficient response to any rebel incurion. The future of this system remains uncertain, as it's currently still considered an undefined territory with its only access through the neutral system of Virgo. The gate, however, makes it a more tempting target for either superpower to annex. **(Source: System Info Vega)**

Although a known star system for many years, Capella wasn't colonized until recently due to an apparent lack of resources. In their efforts to expand, Clan colonies from nearby Rucker decided to terraform and liquify water on the nearby planet to establish a base of operations in the system. Since then, security issues have resulted as attacks by clan forces from Capella to Rucker increased. This has resulted in an almost constant state of conflict in the system with Navy forces from Rucker trying to eliminate the Clan threat. To achieve this goal, the Federation went as far as to build a fulcrum gate to allow constant patrols and quick counter-offensives in Capella. Mercenaries are suggested to stay clear of the system. **(Source: Capella System Info)**

### The Joint Navy

In the late 2420's the Alliance, Richton and Federation agreed to sponsor and supply high-end military equipment to joint operations to slowly reduce the incursions and damage by the Vonari skirmishes during the long on and off cold war and border skirmishes. Veteran Mercenaries and heroes of humanity in the war against the Canines were given private access to high class and near cutting edge technology of the military shipyards and tech-forges of all empires. One other major part of the Joint Navy Treaty was the reinstated Evochron Accord. Even though it didn't renew any territorial claims due to Richton being left out for either party, it accepted the IMG as neutral mediator and truchsess in the north during interfaction disputes and to hand out official navy contracts. The second Evochron Accord further dictated that any hostility that was initiated by a third party against any pilot of their own would give the right to access airspace and defend their people. This decision meant that all military personal of all three powers could freely access the entire Evochron galaxy to aid their pilots and Mercenaries or to engage the Vonari with reckless abandon. **(Source: Free roaming capital ships and armies in Mercenaries I & II / Huge catalogue of military ships earnable in super carrier shipyards)**

To supply the new draft and joint operation the system of Atlas had been connected to the gate network and served as a military refueling and resupply outpost for the Alliance. Several military drills and tactical operations are conducted here to prepare the squadrons for the dangerous Vonari space on the cold war borders. **(Source: Atlas System Info - Navy)**

### Rise of the Clans

Ten years after the RC-Project began it went awry and the IMG began to fragment. Once controlled and protected by the Alliance, Evochron is now a largely independent region of space with ambitious treasure hunters travelling between its systems in search of opportunities to obtain their fortunes. The abundance of its resources provides an almost endless supply of materials for trade and commerce and new powers to rise. **(Source: Playguide Text Intro / Vice)**

Some pilots spent most of their time and nearly all their credits in the exploration and development of previously undiscovered star systems in northern Evochron. Then, after all the real work was done, other mercenaries moved in to exploit the now-fertile trade of each new system. Separate guilds formed within IMG and eventually split off. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

As trade expanded, these rogue guilds and rebels began to infiltrate the new areas of space. Subsequently, authoritarian elements followed, in pursuit of these bandits and to bring order. Then the Navies arrived, some of them apparently operating under the guideline of shoot first and ask questions later to ensure galactic law was upheld. Soon the IMG got pushed even further out. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

Nonetheless, guided by the General Council, the IMG continued to pursue a course of expanding its trade via exploration and development of uncharted star systems. It was the Council’s aim to defend IMG territory, whether through politics, diplomacy or the aggressive defense of its assets. Only the best and most successful mercenaries, operating under the direction of the Council, would reap the rewards of IMG for the following decades. Interlopers were no longer tolerated and the IMG went into a state of cold war to the clans and partially the superpowers that did not comply with their own charta. **(Source: Vice, embellished)**

### Guardians of Andromeda

The exploits of the Renegades and the Gerret family quickly became legends among the clans and Mercenaries of Evochron and many among them sought to emulate their achievements. Many made their way to the hidden high-tech ports of the Renegades, some survived the adventure of Wolf and Riftspace, but few of them succeeded or survived diving into Vonari. To find the legendary system of Andromeda was the true goal of any daring adventurer, especially those that frequented Al's Quay and Al G.'s infamous bar. Vonari became a dare and treasure hunt, one the Vonari gladly repaid in kind. Many lost their lifes. **(Source: System Info Vonari / The Exploration of Andromeda)**

The few that made the perilous track to Andromeda didn't find the infamous 'blackhole generator' some people claimed exists and were satisfied scavenging the broken super carrier for rare tech to sell for a high price. Others sold star charts of the Andromeda galaxy to their peers at home and then a select few actually made contact with the people of Andromeda. Some of them found the Actarians. **(Source: Actarian-Human shared colonies in Evochron Mercenaries & Legacy / The vanished super carrier wreckage in Legacy)**

In the time between the initial expedition of Scott Gerret and the Mercenary and clan expeditions the original relic had crashed on the nearby dwarf planet and pseudo-moon. However, some people found more similar relics in Andromeda, leading to very specific places back in the Evochron galaxy. For the disappointed, the relic would lead them back to Rigel... for the promising and chosen ones one of them would lead them to Actarius. Here the chosen among the humans, be it Renegade, Merck or Clansmen, where allowed to see the truth of the galaxy. They were offered to live with them to learn and understand and to watch alongside them over the races that fought to destroy each other. Only the chosen that showed promise and character on their pilgrimage were invited to Actarius. All those that would enter it illegal would only find death. **(Source: Actarians are 100% hostile yet have human colonies on their planets / The multiple relic teleporters in Andromeda in Mercenaries II)**

## Era of Reconsolidation (2452-2468)

### Awakened Empires (2452)

The clans always were a means to an end for the true powers of the galaxy. Over time what started as a dream of independence and a new beginning turned into a proxy game of chess and influence between the three great adversaries of Richton, the Federation and the Alliance. All the while their rise slowly undermined the power and influence of the IMG. In the end some of them were not even anything short of puppets of the three major powers, created to sway others to their cause. By integrating certain military clans into their own national battlegroup inside their fleets, offering them lucrative positions inside their political systems, just outright paying them for land or by simply appealing to their patriotism, the great powers began to reabsorb them, their planets and ultimately their spheres. A major re-centralization effort was under way. Divided and betrayed, the age of clans would ultimately fall... **(Source: Evochron Legacy / Arvoch Alliance - The End of Clans)**

The IMG that had once helped to rekindle the economy and expansion of humanity finally came to an end. It wasn't abolished but now entirely replaced the older and former Mercenary Guild. It had come under sway of the superpowers and their old policies began to erode what the IMG considered to be their independent agenda. It was now mostly independent in name only. **(Source: Evochron Legacy / Arvoch Alliance - The End of Clans and the downfall of the IMG)**

### Vonari Retreat (2457)

Alliance forces had long held the line against the Vonari with their new wave of super carriers in Agate, Talison and Cerulean while the Federation put its fractured and civil war torn husk back together. The IMG itself respected as a fourth indirect power helped restore the region and galaxy itself. **(Source: Mercenaries Super Carriers and Lore)**

With the Federation at peace, most rebels suppresed and the eastern systems fully reintegrated both empires were back in power and they agreed to a joint venture to end the Vonari incursions once and for all. Their brutal and efficient patrols and new developements in jump drive capabilities ensured a quick end to the menace in the north and after a long and attrition filled campaign for the Canines, the Vonari retreated from central Evochron, not to be seen for years. The combined might of the reawakened empire was too much for them to handle.

However, even after their retreat, the joint navy operation continued to monitor the north for several years in case new Vonari would appear. Yet, surprisingly even the small harassment attacks inside of Evochron from Riftspace stopped. The Vonari had completely given up their will to fight humanity for the time being. **(Source: Arvoch Alliance - the 20 year Calm)**

With the final end of the cold war and border conflict with the Vonari, the people and outposts on the frontline began to turn into proper settlements. Foremost Arvoch Gamma, the marvelous gaia world that remained as the only planet in the Arvoch system after its shattering was now finally able to be fully colonized. It's colonization would give a major economic boost to Pearl and the region. **(Source: Arvoch Gamma is Colonized in Evochron Legacy and the Calm is the right time for it)**

### End of a Dream (2464)

Sirius with its massive population and historic influence always remained an outlier in the Richton Confederacy and the most influential and prominent member, scarcely followed by Emerald with its recent finished terraformed earth-like world. Most of the other systems followed the ideal of fight together and stay alone. Most of their people lived in space, on stations or in domed cities. This independent spirit couldn't work forever and those holding it together were the heroes of their past. Their children had long set new ambitions and the old Richton leadership had tried to ensure their prosperity and freedoms beyond their grave. **(Source: Richton Sphere System Info)**

Richton had already rejoined the Federation years prior as an autonomous division with clear numbers for their voting weight inside the newly elected Federal Senate and a guaranteed presidential candidate from their region each election. All of this accounted for the systems in their sphere and if it would break apart each of them would have a place inside the Federation beyond its own existence if they so wished. The deal was already made. This naturally gave major weight to Sirius but also far less than it had among Richton. During its time in Richton, Sirius practically had veto powers. The Federal laws slowly became dictated and changed by Thuban, Olympus, Pearl and Arvoch. The population centers of the Federation far outnumbered the lonely planet in the far west and thus its interests quickly became less of an issue. **(Source: Makeup of the Federation Population centers)**

In the end Sirius seceded under the Federal statue of self-determination in a legal and peaceful contract at the end of the 2464 senate term. In a special referendum later that year the system voted to rejoin the Alliance of Sol, which gladly welcomed its old member back and reoffered it their rightful seat on the Alliance Council of Planets, a true Oligarch of the Empire. Without Richton and thus over half its GDP and most of its population, Emerald became the center of the confederacy and also later that year Richton officially disbanded and uniformly joined the Federation. The dream of a neutral third power, was dead. **(Source: Arvoch Alliance - Richton is gone in 4 years!)**

### The R'n'R Crisis (2465)

The unproblematic and open welcome of the Alliance for their old member in full standing without issue came not without cause. The influence of Sirius in the west would allow the Alliance of Sol to push for the return of its adjacent regions which were rightful part of the Empire before the Arvoch Conflict. Rigel would have none of this! It requested the aid of the Federation to uphold the guarantee of autonomy and the Federation did answer in kind. The fleets entered the Orion's and Rigel's border, threatening a conflict. The Rigel crisis would see the first major military stand-off in decades and the deployment of the newly built second generation super carriers of the Federation and the old veteran fleet of the Alliance. The Evochron Accord was suspended. **(Source: Richton isn't part of Arvoch Alliance / E-Mail by Vice - likely scenario)**

With the Alliance unwilling to give up Sirius' claim on Rigel and also demanding the return of Deneb and full access to Orion and Rucker beyond the Evochron Accord, the situation slowly begun to deteriorate. As both economies looked for new suppliers and logistic chains inside of their own spheres, this separation was a clear sign of what was about to come. Both sides were fully aware that these severed ties prepared them for a war. **(Source: Richton isn't part of Arvoch Alliance / E-Mail by Vice - likely scenario)**

In a war of attrition and resources, those that strike first may win, but future may see them as the villian. The Alliance had no such qualms. In 2468 they finally gave the command to invade and their first and primary goal was to seize Rucker to reduce enemy and bolster their own supply of ore. It would also allow them to quickly push into Pearl, which was the next goal alongside Deneb. Sirius would soon follow and push on Orion and Rigel. The Alliance had finally made its move! **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Wreckage of Alliance holding Rucker vs Federation. Only wreckage openly describing the Dissolution War. System was Federation beforehand, thus the Alliance invaded.)**

The north began to count heads with the IMG taking no side. Olympus, originally a Federal system and economically tied to Sapphire decided to stay with their brothers and sisters in the Federation despite the economic backlash. No tie to Sapphire was worth betraying a just cause. Fauston and Cygnus didn't even need time to decide. Most of the north quickly declared allegiance to the Federation except Sapphire and Cerulean which remained Pro-Alliance. Talison, Onyx, Aries, Sierra and Agate remained neutral. **(Source: Fauston/Cygnus Federal fleet fights in Arvoch Alliance / Olympus on Fed side in the war)**

Roughly ten years after the last Vonari had been purged from the upper Evochron quadrant a new Alliance-Federation war had finally begun. The united threat by the Vonari and balance of power of Richton were both broken. With the new supplies and technology of Richton now part of the Federation, the powerful faction had the clear superiority in this conflict by numbers alone. All the Alliance could boast was its experience, veteran fleet of super carriers and their new Fleet Admiral and masterful tactician, Admiral Shores, the hero of Arvoch. **(Source: Richton isn't part of Arvoch Alliance / E-Mail by Vice - likely scenario)**

## Arvoch Alliance (2468-2481)

### The Dissolution War

Wreckages and fuel converter supplies of the later Vonari war that overlapped this conflict allow to date the beginning of the Dissolution War to around 2468 and the end of the Vonari war to around 2481. **(Source: Wreckage from Evochron Legacy / E-Mail Confirmation by Vice)**

After ten years of setbacks and painful losses, the Alliance was down to the wire. It began to recruit reserves among its people and send out pilots with little to no complete training. Among these greenhorns was the future leader of the Alliance tactical squadron and hero of the Fourth Vonari war.

Their first mission was a hidden invasion from Sol to Orion. When it was finally greenlit the idea was to cut the Federations control of the southern Evochron gatenetwork in two and to regain a new bridgehead in former Richton space. This darkspace maneuver took several weeks of flight from Sol to Orion, aboard the A.S.C Nova carrier, accompanied by two transport ships, one named in honor of the old flagship A.B.S Becker which got destroyed in the first Vonari war; the A.C.T. Becker. Another command ship was also part of the fleet, the A.C.B.S. Hawk. Despite the similar name, it was unrelated to the super carrier of the same name aside of being from the same "Hawk-Class" and thus of similar design. The leading commander for the entire operation was Commander Gerrett, son of navy pilot Scott Gerrett who saved his brother Michael Gerret and the surviving crew back then in Andromeda.

Ultimately a Vonari assault on Orion cut the invasion and capital ship battle of both factions short. The battle of Orion Prime ended in a massacre of the Federation battlegroup and the Alliance immediately called off the invasion of the now occupied Orion system with an immediate ceasefire with the Federation in 2478.

### Fourth Vonari War (2478-2481)

#### Behind Enemy Lines

The A.C.S. Nova found shelter in the nebula of Thuban and had little time to confirm the first hostile contact with the Vonari in 20 years. The canines had improved their ships and technology, now more resilient and deadly. The new improved Vonari-C cruiser tore their capital ships apart with little effort. Nonetheless the 92nd squadron took up the fight to defend humanity. Sol pulled back any reinforcements and left the carrier stranded alone with the squadron as refugees in Federation space which was now in an all out war with the Vonari.

The A.C.S. Nova returned to Orion Delta to resupply fuel near the star and then jumped into Sapphire to rejoin the main Alliance fleet's 5th battlegroup, but found the 5th battle group entirely missing for hours upon arrival. The A.C.B.S Arcturus and one surviving destroyer met the Nova and the 92nd squadron heavily damaged with the 5th group nearly wiped out and the super carrier A.C.S. Evader destroyed in action. The timely intervention of the 92nd squadron utlimately saved the "Arcturus-Class" flagship from the same fate, but came too late for the other capital ships of the battlegroup. The loss of the A.C.S. Evader of Alpha Centauri was a major hit to the war effort. The A.C.B.S. Arcturus, just like the A.C.B.S. Hawk is not the same ship as the super carrier of the same class. **(Source: Arvoch Alliance - Losses / Evochron Legacy - No Evader, it was replaced)**

In response of their achievements Admiral Shores promoted the until then unknown new trainee and now leader of the 92nd squadron to be the leader of the 88th tactical fighter wing in the coming Vonari war as the super carrier Newport rejoined the Arcturus. The Alliance had already lost two super carriers and three cruisers barely deploying to Sapphire.

Standing their ground, the Alliance created a new forward base at New Hope to push the Vonari out of Sapphire as the system had become occupied. Afterwards the 3rd and 9th battle group were sent from Sol to support the warfront and push the aliens back.

#### The End of the Dissolution War

Due to massive loses by the formerly superior Federation to the Vonari it had no choice but to agree to turn the ceasefire with the Alliance in the 10 year long ongoing war into a permanent peace. Further, the two weakened nations decided to join forces as both were too weak to stand against the Vonari alone. This time the two would have to fight together once more.

In the following weeks the fleets moved towards Arvoch where the Vonari were building up their forces to attack the heart of the Federation and dismantle the southeastern quadrant. Together with the 7th Federation fleet of Fauston the Alliance battle group jumped near Arvoch for a joint offensive, destroyed the forward production facility on Arvoch Prime the Vonari were building and pushed the Vonari out of Arvoch.

During the Arvoch campaign the 88th tactical squadron of the Alliance managed to capture a new Vonari fighter intact and reverse engineered it in a hidden mobile carrier inside the atmosphere of the gas giant Arvoch Beta. With the help of the captured fighter they managed to sneak past the defenses of a new Vonari Capital-C in the Malcom Nebula to scan its new abilities. Armed with this new knowledge about their enemy and how to defend against them, they finally neutralize their bridgehead in Arvoch and ensure the safety of the lower Evochron quadrant and the Federation.

Now on the retreat, the Vonari had begun to amass in Olympus and the two fleets decided to follow them. In a show of goodwill the A.C.T. Legend attempted to evacuate colonists on Olympus Prime to prevent a civilian massacre by the Vonari and a shared force of Alliance and Federation protected it. The evacuation of Olympus Prime served as a major event to strengthen the inter-factional bonds after the decade of war.

The Vonari didn't hesitate and pulled together their combined fleets after their retreat and regroupment. Both sides would meet in Olympus to decided the fate of the upper quadrant. The 12th Federation battle group joined the fleets while the sector got fortified with tactical defense structures. Soon the united fleets of Federation and Alliance were engaged in the massive battle of Olympus.

#### Shadows of the Past (2480)

With the victory of Olympus the Vonari were retreating to Cerulean and the combined fleet decided to hunt them down. In further battles the Vonari were driven out of Emerald, Lambda and Sapphire, securing the western frontline and the entirety of the lower Evochron quadrant. Yet, massive losses were incurred in Sierra, Aries and Cygnus. In a last and daring stand for Sapphire, the A.C.S. Eclipse sacrificed itself to hold the Vonari fleet on the Cygnus line. The Vonari had now fortified their position in the northwest. Worse, the Vonari set near perfect trap and ambush in Cerulean and countered the entire combined fleet, leading to massive loss in life and equipment for the combined navy. Quickly rumors of traitors made the rounds and the combined navy retreated to Atlas to regroup. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Eclipse is dead and was replaced)**

As the frontline weakened and grinded to a halt, covert operations of the joined navy in Federation territory identified rebels that decided to use the joined navy as cannonfodder by telling the Vonari where they would meet and fight them. This destroyed the joined navy fleets in the counter-offensive of Aries and Cygnus, lost many lives in the defense of Fauston and Onyx and was the reason for the failure of shattering the enemy in Cerulean. The Vonari soon regained control of most of the upper quadrant.

The rebels didn't sympathize with the Vonari, but instead planned to break away from the Federation and seek their fortune and survival outside of the Evochron quadrant. They wanted to use the time for the two groups to murder each other to reach the Pegasus quadrant undetected and unopposed and start anew. In an effort to stamp out this dangerous rift in humanity, the Alliance High-Command dispatched the A.S.C. Titan to lead the charge against a major fleet of the traitors that was still in contact with the Vonari near Cerulean inside a nebula. No traitor was left alive and this scrupelous example ensured the remnants compliance until the end of the Vonari war.

#### The Battle for Sierra (2481)

After the joined navy had finally regrouped and restored coherence to its frontline, the Vonari had already turned Sierra into one of their strongholds. They were determined to hold it and the goal was now to take it back and shatter their local operation headquarter with the aid of the 7th Federation fleet. The united navy acknowledged the value of Sierra for the Vonari, but only as a resource system and not as a historical important area. It decided to risk a final confrontration with all its might to prevent their forces any further entrenchment and military buildup.

As the battles of Cygnus and Aries caught the enemies attention, the 7th fleet and the A.C.S. Nova and A.S.C. Titan made their way into Sierra. The Titan carried a special deadly weapon the Alliance had little incentive not to deploy as Sierra had already been depopulated. Similar to Merak in a former war, the Vonari headquarter would meet the Alliance famous fulcrum bomb. The dangerous load, however, had to be protected from dangerous damage and G-forces to prevent a premature massacre among the combined fleets. The task fell to the undefeated 88th tactical wing of the Alliance which performed without flaw. And so the initial greenhorn and young trainee sent to take Orion and help stage an invasion against the Federation would be chosen to carry the superweapon to the system of Sierra II and save not only the Federation they set out to conquer, but all of humanity.

When the system of Sierra II was shook by the event horizon explosion of the miniature black hole, the dreams of the Vonari to retake their important system of Sierra were over and the joined navy soon scattered and destroyed the remnant Vonari capital ships that didn't escape. The Vonari had to evacuate the upper Evochron quadrant and return to Riftspace and their home.

Humanity had won once more and the two superpowers were finally at peace. It would take a long time to rebuild what was lost, but with a spirit of comraderie and friendship, at least for one or two generations, the galaxy would know peace.

A lesser known victim of the Arvoch Alliance War was the Renegade planet and blacksite near Pearl. It was destroyed by Vonari entering Pearl through Andromeda close to it. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - No planet there / E-Mail with Vice - Yes it doesn't exist anymore)**

## The Void Centuries (2482-2770)

Most recorded history of this era was lost in the fires of the Insanity War. It is unknown how the borders after the Dissolution War were set or how long the peace and unity of the two factions after their victory in Sierra II lasted.

Over time both factions were back on near peak power and the Vonari were long-forgotten. The feeling of comraderie from the Arvoch Alliance began to fade as new small disagreements and border disputes led to one thing and then another. The old friends had long died, with no stories to be shared among them or their children of the great victory in Sierra. At some point a now unknown potentially minor spark would reescalated a new war.

## Evochron Legacy (2770-2880)

### Return of the Vonari (circa 2770-2780)

About 100 years prior to the events that would lead to the destruction of Cerulean's inner system, the Vonari had returned in full force to the Evochron galaxy and challenged the two superpowers to a new war. The early phase and intensity of this war is unknown and the records of them are sparse to none. All that is known is the victory of the two superpowers, the famous stand of Federal forces in Sierra to hold the line and the return of the Vonari to harassment and guerillia tactics after their invasion was repelled by the two healthy powers. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Sierra Wreckage Quest Info + Cerulean Wreckage Quest Info)**

The Vonari managed to sow dissent between the two powers, be it by successfully convincing one of working with the other by mostly damaging them or just by a dispute over reparations and resources after the war. Regardless, this invasion and following skirmish and cold war managed to break down the relations between the two superpowers and led to the creation of the first fulcrum gate plans in centuries, the Atlas Project. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Atlas Wreckage History)**

### The Atlas Project (2810-2820)

Following the first and maybe second or further waves of Vonari invasions, the relations between the superpowers had deteriorated so far that the Evochron Accord was suspended. Without access to Olympus or Fauston for the Alliance citizens, the pocket of Cerulean-Atlas-Onyx was cut off from the rest of the Empire for all smaller vessels. This would soon begin to hurt their economy and claim to the region. It's pure speculation who caused the accord to end and it is unlikely the Federation pushed for starving the northeast. They never had shown any ill will towards separatists and allowed them to become autonomous. As such this clearly was no push for annexion. **(Source: Federal Autonomy - Virgo System Info + Rigel System Info + Iota System Info)**

The Alliance Council agreed to construct a gate between Sapphire and Atlas and offered all supplies and ships necessary for this endeavor. There was no open hostility between the two powers yet. Once in the system the teams went to work to scan the system and start the needed stellar charts and calculations to create a safe and permanent fulcrum gate. This was done in parallel in Sapphire. What neither side expected was sabotage. The Atlas crew would never report back after it vanished in February of 2820 and any crew sent after them were also declared lost. This, however, was the deed of the Vonari, who not only had different plans for Atlas, but also used this to sow dissent in the strained relations of their united enemies. It worked.**(Source: Evochron Legacy - Atlas Wreckage Info / Hypergate Questline)**

### The Insanity War (circa 2820-2875)

The failure of the Atlas Project and the clear hostile nature of the loss of their scouting fleets put the Alliance on the spot. In what would become a heated exchange over access to the northeast and perhaps older important claims in the south - likely the Argus region up to Lambda - neither side gave in. The Federation would never sell out their people to appease the Empire and the Empire would never endanger itself and its access to people and resources. In a conflict of stupidity and pride, the final victor would be no one. The great galactic war that followed would correctly be described in the future by survivors as insanity. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Aftermath)**

#### New Age of Warfare (circa 2820)

During the rising tensions of the prior decade and with knowledge of the coming conflict, both sides had invested into the new and promising technology of permanent wormholes which operated without a gate that could be destroyed in a tactical strike. The technology was long known but not understood. The Vonari had used it against humanity since the First Vonari War to deploy their fleets from Vonari or Sierra II and later to establish a bridgehead in Arvoch to strike from in safety. Originally it was a concept of a two-way wormhole as pioneered by the Vonari, but the Alliance and Federation had no such plan. Their efforts would soley focus on one-way wormholes to prevent the incursion of counter-offensives through a two-way wormhole as done by the Alliance Mercenary Fleet against Vonari in the Second Vonari War. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Tutorial Quest in Emerald/Orion)**

Alongside the creation of new permanent one-way wormholes, the creation of an energy generator and matrix to make a temporary one with limited range was also in consideration. This would allow quick temporary deployments of major fleets in theatres of operation. These later called jump casters would see their first use in the later phase of the Insanity War. Initially the Alliance were first to complete the wormhole project and were about to bring down Sol's entire economic force on Pearl with a permanent one-way wormhole from Sol. The jump caster would not see major prominence until it was used to supply the dwindling Federal allies in the west around Emerald and Iota.**(Source: Invention of Jump Casters / The blitz and minor damage invasion of Pearl)**

#### The Siege of Thuban (2840-2844)

While the borders around Aquila and Rucker were being devastated and the Thuban-Orion line held with massive losses to minor systems and colonies, the Federal fleets were ill-prepared to expect a full invasion with no deep space warning right inside of Pearl. The Alliance was first to succeed in the new wormhole technology and with their main forges of war in Sol, Alpha Centauri and Sirius, they had also chosen a better location with Sol. The Federation conducted their operation remote, in secret and with low urgency in Emerald. They had full gate access to all important regions. The Alliance did not. **(Source: The Sol Wormhole to Pearl / The low damage and losses to Pearl / Massive losses of structures in Aquila, Rucker and Alpha Centauri from Mercenary II to Legacy - Warfront)**

The blitz of Pearl was devastating to the eastern theatre and the easy way for the Alliance to now resupply their push on Rucker from Sol alongside Alpha Centauri would quickly lead to a domino effect of fallen systems and a rush for Thuban. Arvoch fell shortly after and so would Pisces. Damages to Virgo and loss of cities on the planet also implies a brutal subjugation of the independent system to gain a pincer on Thuban. There was no honor in the Insanity War and the Alliance didn't recognize neutrality. Virgo was conquered just as any other system. **(Source: Virgo - Mercenary II vs Legacy Assetts + Neutral system conquered by Alliance / Fall of the First Federation)**

Thuban fought to the last and no one can ever claim the First Federation didn't stand its ground, but the full siege from all gates after the fall of Orion in the south weighed heavily on the system and led to the quick destruction of battlegroups and entire fleets with little way to escape from highly mobile enemy carriers. The Federation began to crack under pressure. Yet, Thuban didn't surrender. In a display likely not less impressive as the stupidity of the Alliance to not make concessions and go to war in the first place, Thuban resisted and Thuban got bombed into oblivion. What would remain after the long attrition filled war for Thuban was nothing short of a genocide. The entire tri-star system slowly got reduced to rubble, including nearly all cities and stations. Anything that helped the Federal warmachine was a legitimate target, be it people or facotries. Thuban's main legacy was the massive damage the also stubborn Alliance received. This push for total victory would cost them dearly. **(Source: Thuban - Near empty former capital, devoid of colonies or stations aside of the few in the inner core / Fall of the First Federation.)**

#### The Price of Freedom (2844-2848)

When the news of Thuban's brave defiance but likely fall was more and more realistic, the few surviving cities and people began the evacuation of as many civilians by the hand of the remaining and famous main fleet of Fauston and Cygnus which held the line and retreated through dark space to the north where it still held the Sapphire border. The plan was to reform in the resource rich region of Agate to push for a reconquest of their soon lost homeworld. During this time the fiercely independent people of Rigel still held back the Empire as the Alliance had pushed all it had for a decisive victory on Thuban outside of a token force holding the Sirius-Rigel border. **(Source: Evochron Legacy: The Iota Gate Incident)**

The Alliance began to send first expeditions towards Fauston after the Fedral forces had to retreat their bridgehead in Sapphire and planned an expansion into the northern system to gain access to Talison and then Cerulean and to push on the last colonies. Their attempt to take down the powerful and fortified system of Olympus up to this point had failed and cost them a lot. They needed a pincer attack. The Fauston expeditionary fleet was met with all the northern Federation had to offer and subsequently was brutally expunged from their systems. The Alliance wouldn't be able to push on the north until they could call on their entire fleet to do so. And they still had all the southwest to content with which made this idea too risky.**(Source: Evochron Legacy - Wreckage and blackbox of the failed push for Fauston)**

The core systems of Evochron at this point had been reduced to ashes with many logistic chains crumbling and hunger spreading among the entire occupied regions. One system that had remained mostly independent but fought bravely along Thuban until it finally fell in the mid 40's would defy the Alliances slow victory in the southwest and in Rigel. The Alliance had moved all fleets that weren't needed to pacify their occupied territory to the western front or to hold the Sapphire line. Faced with overwhelming odds, Rigel quickly began to falter. After a few more painful guerillia attacks by the elite Iotan squadrons, a group of their bravest remained in Rigel to destroy the fulcrum gate and reject any Alliance claim to their system. The system of Iota had only one thing to declare to the Alliance, they would not submit. They would await them in the dark of space and demand a toll in blood for their star. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Iota Gate Incident)**

A lesser known victim and target of the Insanity War was the second Renegade homeworld in Lost Rucker. Defiant and unwilling to surrender to the Alliance after their reconquest of Rucker, a long and painful siege for the Alliance ultimately ended with their orbital bombardment and total destruction of all Renegades that didn't surrender or tried to escape. All planets were purged and their homeworld Novachron officially struck from star charts to hide it and its hidden technology. **(Source: Evochron Legacy vs Mercenary - Entirely depopulated planets now)**

#### Sirius' Fall (2848-49)

Humanity was as divided as possible and the Alliance as weak as one could hope. Before it would have a chance to consilidate its new territory and resources to crush the west and push the north, their useful tool against the Federation had a surprise for them. Not only did the Vonari avoid to harass the two superpowers to make them feel safe during their war, they themselves had prepared a new one-way wormhole that led directly into Sirius, one of the three beating hearts of the Alliance. The Vonari invasion fleet would target Sirius and the Riftspace fleet would target Sol. The Alliance was not prepared... **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Vonari + Wreckage on Sirius A / The destruction of Outer Sol and Mars - Evochron Mercenary to Legacy)**

On the 10th July 2848, a battlegroup of Alliance ships met a forward expedition fleet of Vonari cruisers. While they were able to down some of them in the skies of Sirius, the remaining cleared the pathway and secured the bridgehead. Shortly after the entire invasion fleet would jump in. The western Alliance troops immediately recalled their troops in Rigel and near Iota as well as Sapphire to come and aid Sirius. Regardless a second call came from Sol. Earth was under attack! Split between two allegiance, Sol was put first. While the western fleets would engage the Vonari in Sirius, all available fleets in the north and Alpha Centauri would aid Sol as fast as possible. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Vonari + Wreckage on Sirius A / The destruction of Outer Sol and Mars - Evochron Mercenary to Legacy)**

Some of the northern Sapphire fleets tried to push through the nearly fallen system of Lambda and pushed further into Emerald on their way to Sirius to aid them. The Emerald fleet, solely under the mission to hold the ground and to continue the wormhole research quickly responded to this incursion. Several Federal battleships surrounded them and destroyed the battlegroup on the 8th December 2848. No one was allowed to find out about the soon completed jump caster or the Atlas wormhole project to circumvent Ceruleans powerful defenses at the outer gates. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Emerald Wreckage + Tutorial + Atlas Wormhole)**

The Alliance prevented any planet buster phalanx from forming initially in either system, however Mars got heavily bombed and nearly exterminated instead and most stations in Outer Sol got destroyed and devastated. Outside of Earth, Sol had been near entirely devastated when the Alpha Centauri fleet finally came to lift the siege of Earth. In Sirius the fleet could only prevent the capital ship phalanx from destroying Sirius as well. The massive numbers of cruisers and ships coming from Vonari ultimately overwhelmed the western front and once they had superiority they switched to purge Sirius A and all its cities through orbital bombardment and destroyed the space station. Even when reinforcements finally arrived to save the lesser resource colony on Sirius B, Sirius A had already been sacrificed for Earth. Sirius' had fallen and most of its loyal fleet went down with their homeworld. **(Evochron: The complete destruction and depopulation of Sirius A - Mercenary vs Legacy / Wreckages about the Invasion)**

#### The Second Federation (2850-2852)

The loss of Sirius, Outer Sol and Mars and major parts of their fleets had entirely crushed the momentum of the victorious Alliance after the Fall of Thuban. Yet, the Federation didn't retaliate upon this chance. They themselves had barely fought off an invasion of Sierra by the Vonari again and the battered Cygnus and Fauston fleet were now even weaker. Regardless the Vonari had ultimately given them a chance to reorganize and rebuild. In less than two years the Federation had reformed itself under Lambda, Fauston, Cygnus and Olympus with Sierra and Agate by its side. At the same time the research of the still secret Emerald branch finally led to a breakthrough and the creation of the Federal jump caster. With its aid the fast and reliable resupply of all frontlines down to Iota was assured. The fight was not lost! A new system of deep space convoys was created which used the new technology to harvest all materials needed to fuel the forges of Agate and Sierra and to bring the war industry back to speed in Olympus and Fauston. The Federation was back. **(Source: The Second Federation - Evochron Legacy Map and Tutorial Quest / Defense of Sierra)**

The Alliance hadn't given up on Iota and now more than ever suffered the painful guerillia attacks from dark space by the Iotan elite squadrons that had gotten the jump caster technology of the Federation. To expunge this thorn on their western flank, the Alliance prepared the Iota Gate project to restore it. Their first attempt to reconstruct their half of the gate began in May 2852 and ended in failure. It had been successfully sabotaged by Iotan forces. Repeated attempts to do it were met with similar losses. The delay tactic worked long enough until the Federation could send major fleets to defend Iota. Once the new gate was finally constructed, the Alliance squadrons were met with a major Federal fleet of cruisers, destroyers and agile carriers which jump casted into and around Iota. Faced with unbeatable odds, the Alliance had to retreat. Now their secret plan had become a gift of the Alliance to Iota. With the new gate they could pincer Rigel from north and east to liberate their old allies and independent friends. The Rigel border quickly grinded to a halt and permanent border skirmish. Lambda too, refused to fall. Now both sides had a supply line and the attrition of the war began to slow down the Alliances push for complete dominance. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Iota Gate Incident)**

It took the Alliance several decades to recover from the fall of Sirius and the ruin of Sol and several years to reverse engineer the jump caster technology for its own purpose. The jump casters were a boon and a curse. Suddenly all dark space regions and systems were easy targets and the war soon found the smallest crevices of Evochron. No one was safe anymore and all semblence of reason was gone. If the target was strategic, it had to be bombed. If the people aided the enemy, they had to be purged. Many lesser systems of low strategic value thus found themselves on the 'easy way out' for the occupation forces. They got purged. **(Source: Evochron Legacy Dark Space Reset - No colonies + Jump Caster Development + Attrition of the War)**

When the Alliance finally had enough fleets to push on the reformed Federation in the north for good to secure Olympus and Fauston, they also struck Talison from Cerulean. On the 25th Semptember 2870 the Cerulean forces struck Talison with a major fleet and ruined half the system before the Federation could repel them. With the Federal fleet split and sensing their momentum to have finally come, the Alliance pushed on Fauston and Cygnus to take the weakened front. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Talison Wreckage)**

#### The Destruction of Cerulean (2872)

Yet, at the precipise of Alliance victory as their Fauston push finally took momentum towards Cygnus, the Vonari finally returned in full and invaded the Alliance once more. Prior to their major invasion the Vonari led scout operations around 14th March 2872 to destroy several Alliance ships. The goal was to make it appear like Federal Talison forces had done this to distract them. In truth the Vonari scouted the system. The Vonari had retuned their one-way wormhole in Vonarion onto Cerulean and the small scouting fleet led by a battleship that found a derelict Vonari cruiser didn't realize it was a failed scout that got crushed by the wormhole during a test. The following ships arrived intact and quickly destroyed the fleets near Cerulean and pushed to the high-tech hub of the Alliance. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Wreckages)**

The push on Talison and partial destruction of the Cerulean fleet would now come at a high price. Overwhelmed and pushed back, several battlegroups got destroyed and when the glassing of Cerulean began, the Alliance made a dangerous call. They commanded their navy forces to abandon the northern colonies to their fate and let the Vonari wreck Olympus and the Federation in Talison and Sierra where they also had struck. Nearly no member of the remaining Cerulean fleet followed this order and even several super carriers of the northeastern fleet outright rejected this call. Onyx, Atlas and Cerulean would not be left to die for the chance the Vonari might cripple the Federation and allow the Cygnus push to succeed. **(Source: Evochron Legacy vs Mercenary complete depopulation / E-Mail from Vice, the northeast was WILLINGLY abandoned)**

Cerulean began to die and the fleets could do nothing but take as many Vonari with them as they could with tactical strikes and guerillia maneuvers. The planet was already lost. The northwestern fleets had now openly revolted against the Alliance and asked to join together with the remnant fleets of the First Federation to repel the Vonari invasion. Among the defectors and traitors to the Alliance were several super carriers like the A.C.S. Nova, famous for their involvement in the Arvoch Alliance on behalf of the Alliance High-Command several centuries ago. Sol would abandon the north, but the navy would not. Humanity came first. They had not forgotten the fate of Sirius and now Cerulean. The Federation, grateful for their decision, quickly reinforced Atlas through the wormhole project of Emerald and held the line at the Atlas Gate and Talison. Onyx meanwhile barely managed to push the Vonari back after the south of the system got devastated once they had finished destroying Cerulean with the last defenders giving their life to protect the northern system. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Historic Super Cruisers now fly for the Federation + The Destruction of southern Onyx near the Cerulean gate since Mercenaries)**

The Vonari once more pushed on Sirius and Arvoch, which forced the Alliance to recall part of their fleets meant to push on Lambda and Emerald. Meanwhile the Federation fleet was fully committed to fighting the Vonari with all its former surviving and new former Alliance super carriers at the northern frontline alongside the Alliance rebels. Their main concern was to barely hold the Alliance at bay in Cygnus and Olympus and maybe one day regain control of their lost homeland and Fauston. The Federation prioritized to fight the enemy of all humanity, the Vonari. At least the Federation and Alliance navy had made a clear choice while the Alliance of Sol stationed their most prestigious and famous military super carrier shipyard in Sapphire to stage a devastating push and invasion on Olympus and Cygnus. The A.C.S. Phantom was ready to strike. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Warzones + Super Carriers Phantom)**

The current situation, even with their former troops defected, was still in favor of the Alliance. Sierra and Talison got heavily damaged in the invasion and the southern protection had become weak. While Olympus was hard to take, Cygnus would be a prime milestone on their way to take Sierra. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Intro Quest + The Battle of Cygnus during the Vonari Invasion)**

#### The Battle of Cygnus (2874)

Faustons battlegroup had to evacuate its system for a time and joined their sister system of Cygnus and its primary fleet. The Alliance had begun an all out assault on both of them. All super carriers were needed against the Vonari in the north for humanity to survive and their orders were very simple. Hold the line! The following battle of Cygnus would see all loyalist fleets the Alliance could still muster and spare facing the famous 7th and 8th battlegroups of the Federation. This battle would decide the fate of the Second Federation and even if the Vonari were repelled, a loss here would spell the end. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Intro Quest + The Battle of Cygnus during the Vonari Invasion)**

The fires over Cygnus never ceased that night and smaller skirmishes went on for weeks. The Alliance had bet on the wrong target. In a pure show of defiance and will, the Federation was not only unwilling to die this day, but like they did fighting for Thuban no quarter was given. The 7th and 8th fleet would go down in history as their relentless battle and full spirit slowly overcame the superior Alliance with their people's weakened morale. Perhaps the loyalists felt bad for what they did as the Federation fought the Vonari and reflected on what the Alliance had ordered them to do. Or perhaps the Cygnus and Fauston fleet and their Iotan and Emerald support were simply better. The invasion force was crushed, their reinforcements scattered and the damaged A.C.S. Nova forced to retreat back to Sapphire. **(Source: Source: Evochron Legacy - Intro Quest + The Battle of Cygnus + Still Owned by the Federation)**

While the Alliance had consolidated their power and economy in the ruins of the old Federation, the new Federation had build up the tactical and resource rich backwater system of Sierra into a sizeable economic power. With the defectors on their side against the Vonari, it began to surpass the Alliance that had been crushed by the Vonari in three major invasions now and humbled by the Federal fleet in Cygnus. **(Source: Evochron Legacy - Map Mercenaries vs Legacy)**

Pushed back to Sapphire and with Fauston fully retaken, the Alliance finally had to give in, willing or not. It had to concede its ambition to gain control of all of Evochron after the defections and the shame of Cygnus had taken away their ability to do major battles outside of system control. Worse, the Vonari attacks on Sirius and Pearl intensified and Pearl had become their new administrative headquarter after Sol got devastated a few decades ago. The Alliance finally swallowed their pride and agreed to a shaky partial truce. Everyone that signed up to fight the Vonari menace would be considered a non-target and all efforts of humanity and to be focused on the now overwhelming Vonari threat. The tool had become the crisis. The Alliance was forced to stand with the Federation on this. Their defected fleets, alas, had already broken with them, several even lost their home in Cerulean. There was no going back, the navy stayed with the Federation.**(Source: Evochron Legacy - Neutrality for Factions in Warzones)**

#### Lifetime of War (2880)

The entire conflict of the 29th century destroyed most of the galactic infrastructure and planetary colonies and burned entire generations of people with devastation, hunger and war... and massacres of fulcrum weapons alike. All the while the Vonari flew invasions and incursions to purge further humans. No one ever got the other party to stop. This so-called "Insanity War" reached its most cruel and gruesome peak between 2840-2870, when the Alliance completely crushed the Federation's heartlands in the southern systems and reabsorbed them into their "empire" without regard for autonomies or independent systems and later on when jump casters allowed major purges and access of deep space colonies with little effort.

Ultimately the Insanity War ended in the total annihilation of the First Federation, with Sol regaining control of the systems from Pearl to Thuban and retaking full control of Sapphire. The war only ever lost momentum when the Alliance got assaulted from the Riftspace and Vonari one-way wormholes. It wasn't the still rebuilding and retreating Federation around Fauston and Cygnus, but the Vonari that did them in ultimately. The loss of Sirius was the worst that happened to the Aliance since the destruction of Argus. The Vonari had already returned during the Insanity War but with minor skirmishes on the frontlines were a welcome way to weaken the other side, especially the Federation. This time there was no Arvoch Alliance. Instead the Alliance had taken to the idea to defeat the Federation once and for all. Consequently it had to face the Sirius Invasion of 2848 alone, lost its major pseudo-gaia colony and longterm loyal council member. Then they went on to defeat the Vonari whenever they appeared at horrible costs until they lost in Cerulean. There never was a peace between the superpowers due to the crimes committed and impossible demands from either side. Most people didn't even remember a time of peace; even if many were exhausted more yet remained filled with hate. The Alliance was too proud to repay their gruesome deeds and the Federation too resentful to let the Empire keep the south and their old home. Despite the new Vonari-Accord, the Insanity War had now transitioned to an eternal slow and attrition filled conflict for resources and supremacy.

The year was now 2880 and military point jump and jump casters had now become widely accessible to civilians and mercenaries alike as smaller systems now fit even the most basic shipframes and could easily be deployed. This new development threatened the old status quo of the Vonari-Accord of the last years and might move the paralyzed borders established by the gate network long ago. Now temporary wormholes are not for military capital ships only, but for all spaceships.

This power shift threatened the shaky truce the Vonari invasion had created. The conflict was about to get hot once more as civilians are drafted into the Civilian Reserve Fleets of either side to bolster the weakened powers. Meanwhile in the depth of Sapphire a weird energy signature began to frighten the special operatives of the Federation and the Alliance. Something was coming...

### The Hypergate (2881-????)

**The Questline of Evochron Legacy, please enjoy. If a future game after 2881 is released, the quest will be told here.**

## Historic Sources

Developer Vice: History by Vice

EvoClopedia Writer: History by Tha Rami

Evochron Map during Mercenary and pre Arvoch Alliance: https://evochron.junholt.se/

Star Wraith 1 Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjOOi\_jtRbI

Star Wraith 2 Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtRTOAjm7a4

Star Wraith 3 Intro: Shadows of Orion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re1V8ZbWXAU

Star Wraith 4 Intro: Reviction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlwLhN4vcDE

Evochron Riftspace Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIWWA9QSrwE

Mercenary 2 Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fg0xCWbflI

Arvoch Conflict Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWQktoknhj4

Arvoch Alliance Guide (Developer Let's Play): https://www.starwraith.com/arvochalliance/strategyguide/strategyguide.htm#1

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