Omega timeline

The timeline and history for the Star Fleet Universe is one which has been firmly established in the many years since the birth of Star Fleet Battles, and it is included here to allow you to establish a setting for your adventures. It does not follow the standard Anno Domini or Common Era system, but instead features a 225-year period that begins with Y1, when Humans had their first contact with neighboring races.

This timeline covers events in the Omega Quadrant. There is a separate timeline for the Alpha Quadrant and one for the Lesser Magellanic Cloud timeline..

Please note: The numbers and letters in parentheses, such as (SL11) or (OSH8), refer to scenarios in the Star Fleet Battles game wherein these historical events are recreated in a boardgame setting.

List of Omega Sector Scenarios

## -Y500?

Loriyill abandon their watch-posts on various galactic worlds and retreat to their colonies in what they call the Home-stars, a moderately dense starfield along the Galactic Rim.

## -Y178

Probr Revolution occurs as the Probr species rises up to destroy their creators. Nearly 200 years of intense feudal clashes begin.

## Y11

The Wallimi and Tazol (two of the founding members of the Mæsron Alliance) make friendly contact near the Tazol homeworld. The Wallimi trade information about nearby stars for certain advanced technologies.

## Y15

Probr form Supreme Council and begin intense effort to expand outward into space.

## Y16

Wallimi explorers blunder into a Vulpa colony system and are driven out by a small sublight fleet. Both species mobilize for war. Despite a growing friendship with the Wallimi, the Tazol refuse to fight.

## Y17

Colonial War between Wallimi and Vulpa marked by several attacks on minor colonies.

## Y19

Tazol develop the first warp drive and use it to mediate peace between the Wallimi and Vulpa. To demonstrate their desire for peace, they hand over warp technology along with a warning that either side could easily destroy the other (and thus themselves) if peace is not made. Treaty of Mæsra signed linking the three species in a loose trade alliance and promising no further combat. Period of expansion begins.

## Y20

Vulpa colony of Nucia rebels against Alliance, but is put down swiftly. While the Mæsrons decide what to do about the Nucians, the entire colony flees Mæsron space into a nearby, barely explored star cluster (soon renamed the Nucian Cluster).

## Y26

Mæsrons encounter Trobrin colonies. Confusion reigns, as communication proves difficult. Tentative borders are agreed upon, but rarely obeyed, especially by exploring Wallimi scout ships.

## Y29

Mæsron rim-ward colony is found strangely deserted the apparent victim of a raid from an unknown source. Warships, primarily Vulpa, are dispatched to the area. It soon becomes clear that a new, heretofore undetected species (the Vari) is at fault. Several more raids occur, and the Vulpa launch retaliatory strikes at Vari outposts as soon as they are discovered. The First Petty War lasts for two years until the fighting spills over into a neighboring Vari cell which forces the raiding cell to cease hostilities.

## Y30

A Koligahr colony is encountered and attacked by Mæsron ships seeking Vari outposts. The Mæsrons apologize, but the savage nature of the Vulpa warriors is not lost on the Koligahr, who adopt a defensive and wary policy towards Mæsron operations in the area.

## Y32

Vari encounter Hivers, capture several exploration ships, and put the crews to work as slaves. In a daring move, but one deemed necessary for the future of the species, the Hive Queen of the exploring Hive is put aboard a ship and moved close enough to the surviving captives to make mental contact. Hivers gain particle beam and particle phaser technology as a result.

## Y35

Second Petty War as two Vari cells ally and begin raiding Mæsron space, even striking deeply into previously secure territory. Massive Vulpa-Wallimi war fleet counterattacks, forcing one Vari cell into near bankruptcy. The Vizu pulls her forces from the fight, and the other cell pulls back and fortifies. The counteroffensive stalls and the war dies out.

## Y36

Nucians develop the original, type-E1 light mine and begin to deploy it on their ships.

## Y37

Branthodon, who achieved sublight space travel decades earlier, lose their first ship to a space dragon. Discovery of this new creature, able to travel at faster-than-light speeds, generates new hope in the Branth people, who had long believed FTL movement impossible. A hatchling dragon is captured soon after and bioengineering work begins.

## Y39

Third Petty War, not unlike the first two in both start and finish. As with the others, raids by one or two (it is not certain how many) cells pushed the Mæsrons too far, and only when that cell was defeated did the fighting (and raiding) end.

## Y40

Mæsrons improve tachyon missiles. Maximum explosion strength increased to explosion-12.

## Y42

To counter difficulties in battle communications, the Mæsron fleets and crews begin integrated operations. For the first time, warships contain members of all three Alliance species.

## Y44

Mirn discover the Alunda, a species of space-going creatures, and “domesticate” them shortly thereafter. Experiments begin to adapt these beasts as a form of transportation.

## Y45

Ashani mount their first expedition to Sigvirion home world. Expedition perishes.

## Y48

Ryn begin the Great Crossing to find out what lies beyond the borders of their nebula. Three ships are commissioned and sent out on the six-year journey; none are ever heard from again.

## Y49

Drex detect the first signals from the nearby Hiver species and determine the need to control a zone of space beyond the major colonies of their Drexari masters. A long-term project to obtain this objective begins.

## Y50

First Great War begins as Vari and Mæsron forces clash over yet another series of Vari blood raids. This time, however, the Tazol (also weary of the Petty Wars) do not object to letting the Vulpa and Wallimi totally eradicate the offending Vari cell; that cell’s home colony is devastated and the Vizu killed. Shocked by the (to them) unprovoked aggression and murderous genocide, the remaining Vari cells declare war.

## Y51

Ashani mount second and final expedition to Sigvirion homeworld. When the Sig peace envoy is killed by standard decontamination procedures, the Sigs rise up, capture the ship, and return in it to the Ashani home planet, which they quickly overwhelm. Last true Ashani are caught and killed over the course of the next several years.

## Y55

Of the three Ryn exploratory ships sent forth on the Great Crossing, only one survives. It encounters a Probr survey fleet, which captures it after a long chase. Probr gain quantum phaser technology as a result.

## Y56

The Vari, aware that they are being slowly pushed back, devise a trick to bring their Koligahr neighbors into the fight. Using two previously captured Koligahr ships they attack Mæsron outposts in areas where defenses are light, then retreat. The Mæsrons hasten to shore up this otherwise undefended border, a move seen by the Koligahr as overly aggressive. An incident is inevitable and soon occurs; war follows.

## Y58

Chlorophons encounter Loriyill and agree to honor their mutual borders. No combat occurs, and despite friendly Chlorophon offers to exchange knowledge, the Loriyill remain reticent.

## Y59

First Iridani (an explorer species) sloop arrives in the Galaxy followed quickly by many others.

First recorded meeting of Alunda and Branthodon, although at the time both ships thought they were fighting an unintelligent space monster.

## Y60

The Trobrin enter the Great War at the urging of the Koligahr and Vari, who manage to pass a joint envoy around the Ryn Nebula and into Trobrin space. The Vari and Koligahr make an offer to carve up the Mæsron Alliance equally between the three once victory is assured, but this is (on the surface) a weak and desperate proposal. The Trobrin, fearful of the emerging strength of carbon-based life forms, agree only as part of the first step in expanding their power to eventually control the Galaxy. First the Mæsrons, they decide, then eventually the others as well.

## Y63

First official Iridani Quest sets sail for the Omega Octant. Soon many such Quests are in progress.

## Y64

Probr send expeditionary force into Ryn Nebula to test Ryn defenses. The Ryn are unprepared for invasion, but surprise the Probr force with their unusual and unexpected technology. Only a single Probr cruiser escapes (after dropping its wings); the other ships are destroyed or selfdestruct.

## Y78

Mæsrons make improvements to tachyon missiles, increasing maximum propulsion rating to speed 24 and the maximum explosive strength to explosion-16.

## Y81

Probr make another attempt to enter the Ryn Nebula, but are kicked out by the better prepared Ryn. Probr declare the area off limits, set up a regular patrol, and avoid the nebula otherwise.

## Y87

Minor Iridani duke named Imbri attempts to set up a permanent colony (and his own duchy) in an area of space claimed, but not occupied, by the Koligahr. Koligahr patrol vessels arrive and offer the Duke the rights to the star system and several others if he will but join the fight against the Mæsrons. Unwilling to commit what little resources he has (and unable to speak for the King), Imbri refuses and his colony is summarily vaporized.

## Y89

Hivers meet Alunda for the first time. Not realizing the creature, they encountered was a starship; they attack and destroy it, touching off the First Hiver-Alunda War. (Interestingly, it is not until the war is several years old that the Hivers realize their opponents are actually being used as ships, and are not intelligent monsters.)

## Y90

Mæsrons further improve tachyon missiles, enabling the use of a phaser-W3 for the first time, and allowing the addition of the ECM-2 pod. These technologies did not lead directly to Mæsron victory, but certainly helped; the Koligahr in particular had difficulty devising new tactics to deal with these abilities.

## Y92

Weary of the Great War, and knowing they have stretched their economy and resources to their limits, the Mæsrons launch an all-out campaign to end the conflict. Known as Operation Hammer Blow, the assault involves three major fleets and elements drawn from both the Koligahr and Trobrin borders. While forces in those regions fight holding actions, the three attacking fleets drive for the home worlds of the three largest Vari cells. When those worlds fall, the Vari defense collapses. As the remaining Vari border squadrons meander about in disarray, they are surrounded and crushed, ending all Vari resistance. The victorious Mæsron fleets spend the remainder of the year destroying most Vari construction facilities and razing their bases, then turn towards the Koligahr.

## Y93

Koligahrs are defeated as a massive horde of Mæsron ships smashes through the border defenses and savages any attempts at defense. Meanwhile, in an attempt to relieve pressure on their allies, the Trobrin begin their own offensive and push deeply into Mæsron territory, but not fast enough. The Koligahr surrender unconditionally within two months, and the bulk of the Mæsron invasion force begins a long journey towards their core-ward border.

## Y94

Main thrust of Trobrin offensive is halted in its tracks as the Mæsron relief fleets begin arriving on the scene; it falls perhaps six months short of reaching the Vulpa homeworld. (While this in itself would not have ensured victory, it most certainly could have let the Trobrin sue for peace from a position of strength.) As it is, the Trobrin fleets are driven back, first to the original borders and then well beyond them.

## Y95

Paravians arrive in the Omega Octant and settle near the edge of the Void, core-ward of Trobrin space, where they remain undetected for decades.

Mæsron counteroffensive stalls and Trobrin sue for peace, acceding to a new set of borders and relinquishing all territory lost during the war. The Great War, and the First Cycle, comes to an end.

## Y96

Mæsrons begin consolidating their new territory, subjecting Koligahr captives to virtual enslavement and destroying virtually all shipbuilding capability. Scattered fighting continues in Vari space as “police patrols” locate and destroy remaining ships and bases, reducing most cells to powerlessness. Elsewhere, border treaties are signed with the Probr and Alunda.

First Hiver-Alunda War ends by sheer exhaustion.

## Y97

Mæsrons discover Drex outposts in a star system formerly claimed by the Vari. Mæsrons insist this is now their system by right of conquest; Drex disagree. Several battles occur, but outright war is not declared. Eventually, after fortifying several other nearby systems and placing observation posts in the area, the Drex surrender the contested space. During this undeclared war, the fleets searching for Vari outposts are recalled, allowing two Vari cells to remain undiscovered and untouched by retribution.

## Y98

Probr discover Qixa civilization, which has just recently developed warp travel. The Qixa live within a huge shell of expanding gases called the Qixavalor Nebula, within which any weapons fire can cause concussive feedback from the resulting reaction, and the Probr decide the Qixa are not worth conquering. Instead, they sign a trade agreement.

## Y99

First of several Mæsron-Nucian incidents.

Hivers and Drex meet for the first time.

Bolosco Merchant Guilds arrive in the Omega Octant and set up shop in a sparsely populated area between the Probr and Trobrin, purchasing the rights to this territory from the two empires. Bolosco begin setting up trade routes between themselves and the two neighboring nations.

## Y100

Hivers send expeditionary force to Drex border to probe its defenses, which are considerable (the Drex are prepared for this). When the fleet attempts to penetrate an apparent weakness, they are surrounded and wiped out, with only five fighters escaping. The Hivers guard the border, but do not seek vengeance.

## Y101

Eager to expand, Mæsrons covet several mineral rich systems owned by their new neighbors, the Chlorophons. A Vulpa admiral, known for his hot-headedness, provokes an attack by Chlorophon ships; while he does not survive the
battle, the war he wanted so much becomes reality.

## Y102

Second Hiver-Alunda War begins, as the two empires cannot agree over which side controls a particularly valuable system.

Nucians develop armor shell for their light mines.

## Y103

Sigvirions discover one of the Qixa colonies in the Qixavalor Nebula and invade, capturing it. Confused by what is happening, the Qixa call on the Probr for help. The Probr find combat in the nebula difficult, and the Sigs avoid direct combat, choosing instead to land on planets (even sacrificing their ships in some cases). By the time the Probr discover what is going on, the Qixa civilization is defeated and destroyed. A few pure Qixa survive and are evacuated to Probr worlds, saving the species itself from annihilation, but the Qixavalor Nebula falls to the Sigs.

## Y104

Chlorophons attempt to convince Probr to intervene in their war, citing Mæsron atrocities, but the Probr are too busy trying to save the Qixa from the Sigs.

## Y105

Mæsrons defeat Chlorophons, absorbing most of their space along their former border with the Probr. During the final phases of the war, some Sigvirions begin infiltrating Mæsron ships.

## Y106

When the last Chlorophon shipyard is destroyed, the Mæsrons turn towards the Sigvirions, more out of fear than a true desire for conquest. The Probr, by now armed with a vaccine that protects themselves, refuse to join the attack.

## Y107

Nucians develop type-E2 light mine.

Zosman Marauders first encountered by Mæsrons and Probr as they begin raiding convoys. A brief attempt to locate this new species fails as raiding areas begin to slowly spread.

## Y109

Second Hiver-Alunda War ends with little change in borders.

## Y110

Mæsrons improve tachyon missiles. Armor-16, explosion-20, and ECCM-2 pod now available.

Alunda begin expansion drive and enter Branthodon space, which they believe is the breeding ground of space dragons. To their surprise, the Branths respond with intelligent and strategic defense, defeating the Alunda in several battles. Realizing this is a new empire, much like themselves, the Alunda retreat and consider their options, some among them believing the Branthodons a kindred people.

Drex make attempt to convince Nucians to attack Mæsrons while the Alliance is busy with the Sig War. A fleet is formed, but before it can sail to the attack, its members attack each other, touching off a minor civil war that lasts two years.

## Y111

Following the Alunda retreat, the Branthodons invade Alunda space and savagely destroy several outposts and colonies, touching off the First Alunda-Branth War and proving to the Mirn leadership that no alliance with the space dragons is possible.

Mæsrons capture the Qixavalor Nebula from the Sigs in a decisive victory.

## Y112

Mæsrons defeat the last major Sigvirion offensive and begin to push their forces back towards the Void and the Rim, eventually splitting Sig space into two sections. The victorious fleets begin devastating any Sig-controlled world they discover, trying to eradicate the Sig virus once and for all. In their genocidal frenzy they unknowingly eradicate the Sigvirion’s vast storehouse of knowledge when they destroy the Je’shar. Several small colonies (most on hostile worlds not thought to support life) escape discovery, and a few Sig ships flee into the fringes of the Void, where they wait for years until the Collapse.

## Y113

Bolosco set up trade routes into Mæsron space and attempt to form a route into the Ryn Nebula. Their trade ships sent there do not return, and the nebula is declared off limits.

## Y114

Mæsrons discover the first of many Zosman bases, destroying it and several raiding ships that attempt to escape the area. In a gesture of peace to the Probr, with whom they now share a long border, they pass along information on how to locate the previously undetectable Zosman installations.

First Alunda-Branth War ends. Treaty of Li-Shada forms neutral zone between the two nations in an area of mostly dead space.

## Y116

Previously unknown Vari cell rises up and attempts to seize control of several systems from the relatively weak Mæsron defenders. They succeed, but do not hold on to these colonies for long. When defeat is inevitable, the Vari flee into Alunda space and their ships are interned. Mæsrons demand return of the ships and crews for justice, but are denied. Mæsrons begin massive buildup on the frontier.

## Y117

An Alunda captain, certain that war is imminent, crosses the Mæsron border and destroys a small fleet in dry-dock. The captain’s instincts were wrong (the Mæsrons had not planned to attack until a few months later), but at least forced the Mæsrons to commit to war before they are fully prepared.

## Y118

Hivers invade Alunda space, sensing weakness, and encounter a Mæsron fleet in a recently conquered system. Afraid this is an Alunda trick, the Hiver admiral orders an attack. The Mæsron fleet is wiped out, and the Mæsrons declare war shortly thereafter.

## Y119

Mæsrons and Hivers fight to a standstill, but not until the Mæsron forces have forced themselves into a wedge between the Hivers and Alunda, thus providing a buffer zone to keep the two from cooperating.

## Y121

Mæsrons improve tachyon missiles, enabling a phaser-W3 to be added without removing the basic explosive module. The negative tractor missile pod is also developed, but with significant limitations.

## Y120

Mæsron-Alunda war stalls and borders solidify. Mæsrons attempt to attack Drex, pushing them back somewhat but never achieving complete success. Meanwhile, Nucians develop type-C2 light mine.

## Y122

Minor Vulpa coup establishes clear Vulpa dominance of Mæsron Council. Mæsron Empire declared. Hostilities on the Hiver and Alunda front are halted as ship captains wait to see what will happen in the political arena, giving the other empires time to fortify their borders.

## Y123

War between Alunda and Hivers ends as both empires consolidate their new holdings. Numerous incidents occur in neutral zone between Alunda and Branthodon as the Alunda sweep the zone searching for hidden Hiver “listening posts”.

## Y125

Nucians develop light probe mine.

Zosmans now observed to be in operation in most regions of the Omega Octant, with the sole exception of Iridani space.

## Y126

Ymatrians cross the Wasteland (a gulf between spiral arms of the Milky Way Galaxy, virtually devoid of star systems and planets) and discover outlying Drex watch-posts. Ymatrians assemble a vast war fleet and sail to attack.

## Y127

Ymatrians invade Drex space and take the defenders by surprise, forcing them back almost all the way to the Drexari home colonies. Drex pull back fleets to the defense, an opportunity the Hivers do not miss, attacking and seizing several previously contested systems.

## Y128

Drex surround and destroy invading Ymatrian fleet, allowing not one vessel to escape. While the Ymatrian homeworld awaits word on their triumphant invasion, the Drex form an invasion fleet of their own, reasoning that nothing they can do will stop the Ymatrians from making future attacks.

## Y129

Drex fleet crushes Ymatrian resistance and methodically destroys all installations and outposts on every world in Ymatrian space, effectively bombing the species back to the Stone Age. Unwilling to try to hold onto this territory across the vast Wasteland, Drex forces return to their home space, leaving the region unoccupied.

## Y130

During a final sweep for Ymatrians, who may have survived the recent war, the Drex encounter the Worb. This relatively new civilization poses no threat to the Drex, who leave them in peace, but not without a stern warning against aggression.

Cosmic storm sweeps Federation colony of Aurora into Mæsron space, near the Ryn Nebula in what was once Trobrin territory. The colony remains unnoticed for years.

## Y132

Mæsrons develop ATG system for tachyon missiles.

Nucians develop the type-E3 mine and ECM shell.

Federation CL Leinster leaves Aurora (now the Federal Republic) on a mission to return to Federation space if at all possible. Avoiding star systems when it can, it leaves Mæsron space without incident before passing beyond the range of Federal scanning equipment. The ship is never heard from again.

## Y133

Ryn colonization fleet leaves the Ryn Nebula and begins searching for a suitable world to settle on. The world they choose is uninhabited but is claimed by the Mæsrons, who (unbeknownst to the Ryn) have a colony ship on the way. The ship arrives to find a fortified Ryn outpost, which opens fire, destroying the ship and killing all hands aboard.

## Y134

Mæsron war fleet arrives at the new Ryn colony and attempts to salvage the situation diplomatically. Ryn demand rights to the world and offer nothing in return, a deal the Mæsrons refuse to accept. They attack, destroying all the ground installations and damaging the orbital base, but are forced to retreat with severe damage. By the time reinforcements have arrived, they find the base and colony abandoned. The base self-destructs when boarded, killing several boarding parties and damaging a nearby ship.

## Y135

Worb launch expedition into the Wasteland to search for Ymatrian relics. Over the course of several years, they locate numerous wrecks, which they examine carefully, acquiring several new technologies, among them antiproton phasers.

Ryn colonization fleet skirts the edge of the Ryn Nebula, arriving in Probr space and founding a new colony.

## Y136

Bolosco trade routes reach Chlorophon and Koligahr space.

Probr discover new Ryn colony and dispatch a fleet to deal with it. The Ryn attempt to parley, but the Probr will have none of it, remembering what happened to their earlier expeditions. They attack and utterly destroy the colony.

## Y137

Two Mæsron fleets attempt to invade the Ryn Nebula, but are defeated and forced to depart. Ryn capture a frigate mostly intact during the fighting, and attempt to learn the secret of warp travel, but a crewman has destroyed the dilithium array and they cannot make the drive function. In their attempts to rig an alternative, they cause a catastrophic warp accident, destroying the ship.

Federal Republic fields their first new ships (a CM and FF) from their recently completed shipyard.

## Y139

Koligahr and Mæsron forces squabble over a star system near the Loriyill border; the Loriyill intervene and kick both fleets out of the area. Koligahr retreat while Mæsrons make short lived offensive into Loriyill space, ending only when the desired system is firmly held. Declaring victory, the Mæsrons attack and destroy several Koligahr outposts in the region in retaliation for “inciting” the Loriyill to fight. The Koligahr retreat further towards the Rim, surrendering several otherwise useless systems to Mæsron control.

## Y140

Iridani galleon, outfitted with cargo modules and a tiny crew with maximum supplies, flies around the rim of the Galaxy, entering the Alpha Octant in Tholian space near the end of Y142. Believing it to be a Seltorian scout, the Tholians attack and destroy it without warning.

Unarmed Mæsron freighter blunders into the vicinity of the Federation colony of Aurora. Not sure where the new star came from, they investigate and are surrounded and captured by Federal Republic ships, setting off a fury of debate in the Federal Senate about what to do with their new “guests.”

## Y141

Hivers develop Barb-2 fighter.

Mæsrons make a new breakthrough enabling them to counter Zosman Stealth Fields and discover their bases. Mæsrons, momentarily at peace with all empires except the Marauders, go on a “pirate hunt” and eliminate nearly all Zosman bases from their territory.

Federal Republic releases the Mæsron freighter along with a diplomatic team to discuss their status within the Empire. Mæsrons respond favorably, noting the good treatment given their freighter crew and the technological benefits of alliance with this new people.

## Y142

Bolosco attempt to set up a trade route with Iridani through Quest ships, but fail due to the distances involved. Trade continues on a dealby- deal basis.

Mæsrons offer full membership in the Alliance to the Federal Republic, but the Senate is deadlocked on the matter. Federals request a five-year delay for their decision (hoping to acquire as much information as possible about the Empire before deciding); the request is granted (a fact for which the Federals are most grateful, considering the state of the Empire five years later).

## Y143

Exploring space near the Rim, the Koligahr find a small space-faring empire but fail to establish communication. The avian people, known only as the Singers, communicate entirely through musical notes. The Singers possess nothing larger than a light cruiser, and are easily conquered by the Koligahr.

Bolosco learn of the Federal Republic and establish trade relations, exchanging information in great detail. The Merchants are intrigued by the idea of the Federation, and begin to assemble a mission to cross the Void to contact them, promising to send word of Aurora if they are successful.

Koligahr develop ACG refit, allowing that weapon to store up to six points of energy.

## Y144

Sigvirions develop a new mutation, which can defeat Probr antibodies and begin a new wave of invasion (but a subtle one). The Probr learn of this only by accident. A new vaccine is quickly developed, and the Probrs begin a new campaign to stamp out the Sig threat, completing this operation by Y150. Some Sig ships and colonies still manage to escape discovery. One Sigvirion vessel flees along the Void edge and reaches Bolosco space, where it crash-lands. The survivors go into hiding.

## Y145

Mæsron Emperor dies under mysterious circumstances. Several potential successors begin arguing over who should take over the post of Emperor. Wallimi and Tazol seize the opportunity to reinstall the power of the Grand Council and denounce the Empire.

Bolosco send envoy (among which are several FRA advisors) through the Void to attempt to reach Federation space. Their fate is never determined.

## Y146

Short-lived Grand Council control of Alliance begins to unravel as newly declared Vulpa Emperor orders his people to ignore the dictates of the Council. Fighting begins to break out on all worlds, and even among starship crews. Some ships begin to fight each other; the Mæsron Civil War has officially begun.

## Y147

While fighting continues between Vulpa and Tazol- Wallimi forces, a Council assassin kills the newly declared Emperor. In retaliation, a Vulpa commando squad destroys the Council building, killing the entire Grand Council. Fighting elsewhere intensifies.

## Y148

Seizing the opportunity offered them; the Trobrin, Koligahr, and Vari begin invading Mæsron territory. Resistance is light; soon Mæsron space has been reduced to 50% of its former size.

Zosmans make an improvement to their Stealth Field and begin a new wave of raiding and piracy.

## Y149

Mæsrons begin to realize their error and reorganize their forces, but slowly. Ships of each species retreat to their own colonies to protect them against invasion. The Tazol wind up facing the Trobrin invasion fleet, the Vulpa confront the Vari, and the Wallimi fight the Koligahr.

Trobrin encounter Federal Republic during their push through Mæsron space. Believing the FRA to be a heretofore unknown Mæsron ally, the Trobrin fleet attacks and is savagely mauled by the defenders, who insist they are not part of the Empire. Intelligence sources later prove the truth of this (the Federals wisely chose not to join the Empire after the Collapse began) and the Trobrin simply leave the Republic behind as they drive deeper into Mæsron territory.

## Y150

Trobrin and Vari have an opportunity to push through and smash the Vulpa homeworld, but argue among themselves over whom should have the glory of finally defeating their most hated enemy. Soon they begin fighting each other, allowing the Vulpa time to rebuild.

## Y151

Fresh from their defeat of the Sigvirions, Probr begin to sweep through the last remnants of the former Chlorophon territory claimed, but only barely occupied, by the Mæsrons. Soon they encounter the rapidly expanding Trobrin and Koligahr borders and begin fighting for dominance in the area.

## Y152

Tazol scientists create the propulsion-28 tachyon missile improvement, but do not hand it over to their former allies until Y156, by which time it is too late to stop the Collapse.

Bolosco assemble another expedition to Federation territory using a single cruiser outfitted for long range travel. This ship leaves the galaxy, attempting to bypass the Void the long way around. It never reports back and the Bolosco decide to give up these unprofitable efforts for the time being.

## Y153

Koligahr fleet attacks and devastates Wallimi homeworld, but the Wallimi had already determined this was inevitable and relocated their capital. Koligahr declare victory, consolidate their borders, and shift most of their forces to deal with the Probr threat.

## Y154

Vari-Trobrin and Probr-Trobrin-Koligahr wars begin to intensify, leaving Mæsrons alone for the moment. A brief attempt to revive the Empire is crushed by Council loyalists.

Trobrin, briefly fighting three empires simultaneously, pull back from Mæsron-controlled territory to fight their two-front war. During the pullout, they leave the Federal Republic an uncontrolled pocket of space, which the Federals act quickly to seize, desiring a buffer zone for protection in the post-Collapse period.

## Y155

Wallimi and Tazol found New Alliance against Vulpa and launch the second phase of the Civil War.

Nucians develop type-C3 light captor mine.

## Y156

Alunda attack Vari along their rim-ward border, drawing the Vari into a two-front war.

Bolosco attempt to set up a trade route into Drex space, but all entry into the area is refused. Bolosco fleet attempts to pass anyway and is driven out ruthlessly. Bolosco avoid Drex space thereafter.

## Y157

Hivers discover Worb and attack, but the Worb fight well thanks to their recent acquisition of Ymatrian antiproton phaser technology.

Vari develop probe refit, increasing their particle probe ammunition to 10 rounds per launcher.

## Y158

Vari, facing certain defeat on both fronts, offer Hivers an alliance and a chance to fight their enemies, the Alunda. In exchange they promise to return the space seized by the Mæsrons during the previous Cycle. Hivers agree, withdraw from Worb space, and send forces toward the Alunda, shoring up Vari defenses.

## Y159

Vari-Trobrin War stalls, and a tentative peace treaty is signed. Vari forces pull back towards the Alunda border. Alunda sue for peace, which the war-weary Vari eagerly agree to, against the complaints of their Hiver allies.

Federal Republic joins Mæsron Civil War on the promise of sovereignty for their pocket nation if the New Alliance is victorious.

## Y160

Hivers demand a new offensive against Alunda, the Vari refuse, ordering Hiver vessels out of Vari territory. Hivers remind Vari of their pre-war promise to return Mæsron-occupied territory to its original owner; Vari ignore this, desiring a buffer zone against Hiver aggression. Hivers contemplate war, but think better of it when the Vari-Koligahr peace treaty solidifies and former Koligahr border fleets begin shifting to the area of space now known as the “Vari Buffer.”

Probr withdraw from contested territory and sue for peace with the Trobrin and Koligahr, ending their two-front war and solidifying borders. A brief period of expansion begins for these empires and the Vari, who soon become known as the Four Superpowers.

## Y161

Mæsron Civil War ends as Wallimi and Tazol finally conquer Vulpa homeworld, smashing the last organized defense of that planet. In an announcement to the Omega Octant at large, they declare the Vulpa the instigators of all former aggression and promise not to allow such imperialism to reign again. Trobrin, Vari, Koligahr and Probr take this announcement with a well-deserved grain of salt. New Mæsrons begin the process of rebuilding their Alliance, with their territory now reduced to less than 20% of its pre-war level.

## Y162

Mæsrons (now made up of the Tazol, Wallimi, and other species that mostly stayed out of the Civil War) begin the process of rebuilding their shattered worlds and infrastructure. For several years hereafter, a state of war still exists between the Mæsrons and the Superpowers, but when fighting occurs it is sporadic and noncommittal. The Federal Republic, showing its support for the New Alliance, aids in patrolling Mæsron space and fights with distinction, earning the respect and gratitude of their de facto allies.

Second Alunda-Branthodon War begins as the Alunda (realizing they are no longer in danger of war with the Hivers) attack, driving deeply into Branth space with almost all their forces.

## Y163

A Trobrin ship, exploring space near the edge of the Void, is found drifting aimlessly, its crew dead of unexplained causes. The ship’s log reports an attack by a previously unknown empire, but gives few details. A brief search for evidence of this empire turns up nothing, and the Trobrin begin to send survey vessels further (and cautiously) into the unexplored space.

Branthodons beg Hivers for help against the Alunda invasion, which is pressing forward slowly but surely and threatens the Branth empire with annihilation. Hivers begin massing forces on the Vari Buffer border, but do not attack.

## Y164

A Trobrin ship discovers Paravian watch-post but is destroyed in the resulting pursuit battle. Paravians plant evidence disguising the wreck as a warp accident and the Trobrin fail to discover the Paravians.

Probr sign treaty of neutrality with the Koligahr and begin invading Trobrin space, a surprise to both the Trobrin and some among the Probr leadership. Investigations reveal that a previously undetected Sigvirion mutation had taken over certain key officials and started the conflict (the Sigs, unable to take over the silicon-based bodies of the Trobrin, believe this empire to be their greatest enemy). By the time the truth of this is learned (and the Sig spies eradicated), it was too late to stop an all-out war.

Bolosco establish trade routes to Hiver and Alunda space, wisely keeping these two routes as clearly separated as possible.

## Y165

Koligahr, freed of the danger of Probr invasion, begin attacking Vari bases, citing atrocities by Vari during the period of the Collapse. Vari begin to pull forces from their frontiers to face this new threat. In a somewhat hasty move, they sign a co-belligerence treaty with the Trobrin and begin to counterattack.

With little to stop them, the Hivers swarm through the former Vari Buffer and come to the aid of the Branthodons, attacking the Alunda at multiple points along the former Vari frontier. The Alunda, perhaps only a month from total victory over the Branth, withdraw to form a defensive line, allowing the Branthodons to regroup and fortify after a significant loss of territory.

## Y166

Worb begin probing the Hiver border and, finding the region poorly defended, destroy several outposts and seize certain valuable systems. As resistance proves light, the Worb become bolder and press their attack, forcing one Hive Queen to flee her world and demand aid from the others. Forces are drawn from the fighting in Alunda space and the Worb invasion stalls.

Bolosco trade ships arrive in Worb space, establishing a trade route. The Merchants are now observed to be in operation in nearly every corner of the Omega Octant.

## Y167

Small groups of Loriyill ships begin to leave their space and, for the next several years, move methodically through the Omega Octant, passing through each empire in turn as though searching for something. For the most part these ships and small fleets are left alone or looked at with curiosity, although some are attacked when mistaken for enemy vessels in war zones. The Loriyill do not attempt to explain their mission during this period.

First reported appearance of an Andromedan ship in the Omega region occurs in Probr-controlled Chlorophon space. Mistaking the ship for a Sigvirion vessel, the Probr destroy it and begin a halfhearted attempt to locate its source, an attempt they can ill afford due to their war with the Trobrin. Chlorophons, for years completely passive subjects (first of the Mæsrons, then of the Probr) offer their services and begin hunting for the Andromedans.

An Iridani duke named Tolmoi, dishonored by the actions of his family in a minor squabble, is given the Quest of finding and ending a war in the Omega Octant. Bringing with him a respectable fleet, he arrives in the Hiver-Alunda-Branthodon war zone and offers his diplomatic services in ending the conflict. The combatants, uninterested, ignore him.

## Y168

Drex, observing the escalating conflicts around them, feel the need to expand their defensive perimeter. Over the objections of the Hivers, Worb and Vari, they annex several systems around them and begin to fortify them heavily. Some resistance is attempted, but due to their ongoing conflicts, the three empires can do nothing to prevent this conquest.

Trobrin and Probr each attempt to convince the Mæsron Alliance to join them against the “other side.” Recalling their promise of non-imperialism to the Galaxy, the Tazol and Wallimi refuse to join in the fighting and declare strict neutrality. Probr begin secretly providing resources to Vulpa nationalists, who begin the construction of new ships behind the backs of the New Alliance (and strictly in defiance of the terms of their surrender after the Mæsron Civil War).

Duke Tolmoi attempts to intervene in a major Hiver-Alunda battle and is surprised when both sides turn and attack his fleet simultaneously. With nearly all his fleet destroyed, he retreats to reconsider his options.

## Y169

.... Hiver-Alunda War ends after Alunda push back Hivers to the opposite side of the Vari Buffer. Unable to make further advances, both sides simply cease fighting; bases spring up almost overnight along the new border. Alunda make halfhearted attempt to resume fighting the Branthodon, but cannot afford to pull enough forces from the long Hiver border and the attacks diminish to a series of ongoing raids and reconnaissance-in-force operations.

Duke Tolmoi declares a successful end to his Quest and returns victoriously to Iridani space, claiming his actions “convinced the warring sides to join together and bring an end to the fighting.”

During their meandering through the Omega Octant, the Loriyill encounter the Singers, now subjects of the Koligahr. The Koligahr garrison, unsure of what to do, foolishly attacks the Loriyill fleet and is wiped out. Loriyill remain in the area for several months, the only time they stopped for more than a day during their journeys.

Chlorophon ships begin to move out of their space and explore the surrounding regions, searching for Andromedans and following up leads of encounters with this new empire. During their movements, they begin to accumulate historical data from the worlds and empires they encounter. The Chlorophon have a theory about the Andromedans, but do not yet voice it aloud.

Nucians develop large and small light spearfish mines, the advanced targeting shell, and the enlarged mine catapult rack.

## Y170

Paravians begin sending scouts and raiding ships into Trobrin and later Mæsron, Probr, and Vari space, looking for information and technology.

Chlorophons develop first known dreadnought in the Omega Octant; a large (but very slow) ship designed to hold the largest space-going Phon to date.

Mæsrons field improved tachyon missiles, the products of six years of post-Collapse research. Enlarged (size-10) missiles available; also developed are armor-20, explosion-24, ECCM- 4, and endurance-10 through endurance-15.

## Y171

A Chlorophon ship encounters a Paravian cruiser in the rear areas of Trobrin space. A brief battle ensues and the Chlorophon ship successfully disengages. Believing they have found the source of the Andromedans, the Chlorophons begin to investigate and probe the Paravian border, but soon realize this cannot be the empier they were searching for and leave.

Vulpa ships begin to attack T robrin outposts along the previously peaceful Mæsron front, throwing the Trobrin into a panic and allowing the Probr a noteworthy gain in territory. Trobrin ambassador to the New Alliance is recalled by his government, but violates orders and stays, believing the Mæsrons truly are not a part of this treachery.

## Y172

Trobrin threaten to invade Mæsrons, moving several fleets towards the Mæsron border between Ryn and Nucian space. Mæsrons respond by invading the Vulpa, proving their word to the Trobrin. During the attack, the Mæsrons locate and destroy two hidden shipyards and eliminate a number of ships bound for the Probr-Trobrin War, but they miss three other shipyards that continue to produce warships at a lesser and more carefully guarded rate.

Paravian foray into Nucian space results in the capture of a frigate and the acquisition of several tactical mine samples. Two vengeful Nucian destroyers of the feudalistic, and possessive, Chorrak Clan pursue the Heavy Raptor, which made the capture, for days into Trobrin space. The Paravian ship, running low on fuel, slows down in the vicinity of a Trobrin patrol ship. In an unusual three-way battle, the Paravian escapes with moderate damage and the two Nucian ships are destroyed; the Trobrin ship survives almost completely unscathed.

## Y173

Vari begin to make significant gains on the Koligahr, forcing them back. However, the Trobrin, affected severely by the Vulpa involvement in their war, call on their co-belligerence treaty with the Vari and demand aid. Three Vari cells pull back from Koligahr space and send their forces through Mæsron territory (against the wishes of the New Alliance) and attack the Probr.

Mæsrons, working together with FRA scientists, make a major breakthrough in warp technology. New cruiser designs begin to appear which provide enough power to move speed-30 under warp power.

## Y174

Paravians begin to deploy quantum wave mines, an outgrowth of the Nucian tactical mines they captured two years previously.

Loriyill send a large fleet to Singer space and demand the Koligahr release their hold on the species, which had been reduced to virtual slavery in the Koligahr regime. Koligahr do not respond, knowing they cannot afford a two-front war, but remove themselves from the area temporarily.

## Y175

Koligahr-Vari lines stabilize although fighting continues.

The forces of the three Vari cells that moved to Probr space are isolated by a brilliant Probr strategic plan. In a period of three weeks, the Vari forces are reduced to 33% of their original content and flee Probr space in disarray.

Mæsrons field the first tachyon missile with two phaser-W3s, and develop an improved guidance system similar to that used in the type-III drone.

Trobrin discover Paravians; first border clash occurs between the two.

## Y176

Ragtag Vari fleet attempts to return home through Mæsron space, but the Alliance, wishing to make a strong statement in the face of future violations of their territory, blocks the border. Some remnants of the fleet run the blockade but are destroyed; the remainder are caught and killed by Probr pursuit.

A Chlorophon exploration ship discovers an Andromedan satellite base in Vari space and investigates. The base self-destructs to avoid allowing the Phons an opportunity to make a close-range scan. The Chlorophons fail to make the connection between the base and what will soon become the Omega Octant’s Rapid Transit Network.

Trobrin shift some forces to the Paravian border, worried about this new power on their back door, and cede the initiative in their war with the Probr.

## Y177

Koligahr-Vari war ends with almost no change in their original borders. Koligahr fleet leaves the front and heads for Singer territory, arriving to challenge the Loriyill demand for Singer independence. When the Loriyill refuse to yield, the Koligahr fleet attacks the fortified Loriyill defenses and destroys most of them.

Mæsron tachyon missile tractor pods are improved to double efficiency.

## Y178

Loriyill relief force arrives at the Singer homeworld and insists the Koligahr withdrawal. Koligahr respond by threatening to devastate the planet. Loriyill promise to do the same to the Koligahr homeworld if they proceed. Koligahr attack the Loriyill, but do not devastate the planet; they are soundly defeated and driven from the area. Loriyill begin to expand their border to encompass the Singer empire.

Probr, weary of their war with the Trobrin (and regretting it could not have been stopped sooner), ask for Mæsron aid in negotiating a cease-fire. Mæsrons refuse, noting that both Trobrin and Probr attempts to enlist them in the fighting make them inappropriate for the role. Federal Republic volunteers to mediate instead.

Two Vari cells (the Vaz’kom and Vriss, who lost territory to the Drex during their opportunistic expansion ten years ago) secretly contact the Worb and one of the Umalian Hives and agree to work together to take back what they lost. In coordinated attacks along multiple fronts, they invade and annihilate numerous battle stations and other defenses on the border. Drex fall back, feigning surprise and attempting to lure the attackers into a trap, but this ruse fails.

## Y179

Trobrin-Probr war ends. The Probr, in a gesture of good faith, cede the few (and relatively unimportant) systems they captured during the war back to the Trobrin.

The combined Worb, Vari, and Hiver forces achieve the stated goals of their Drex invasion, but their victories convince them it might be possible to press on and defeat the Drex completely. Three enormous battle fleets are assembled and sent to attack the ring of starbases surrounding the Drexari colonies. Only scattered remnants of these forces survive to tell the tale. The Drex retake almost all of the disputed worlds in short order.

## Y180

Nucian Treska Clan joins Vulpa in a massive strike on the Mæsrons, taking the New Alliance completely by surprise. Later reviews of the time period by Chlorophon historians reveal this to be the spark that touched off the Second Great War.

Worb, unwilling to concede defeat, continue to attack Drex ships in disputed space. Hivers and Vari Vaz’kom cell pull out of the war, although the Vriss continue to fight for another year before giving up.

## Y181

Trobrin attempt to invade Ryn space, hoping to gain the region as a powerful base for future operations against the “carbonites”. Mæsrons protest but cannot help the Ryn due to the Vulpa-Nucian invasion. Trobrin are defeated and retreat.

Captured Treska crew units are revealed to be under the influence of the Sigvirions. Examinations of crew captured later prove the takeover is total, not merely restricted to a few key individuals. Mæsrons attempt to warn Vulpa, who are not infected but don’t care since the Treska are fighting as staunch allies. Sigvirions, aware they have been identified, cease attempts at subterfuge and send a new wave of pure Sigvirion ships out of their hidden bases in the Nucian Cluster to attack Mæsrons.

Fighting begins again on the Alunda-Hiver border. Vari attempt to re-establish Vari Buffer between the two but fail. Hivers begin to attack Vari in response, helping to confuse the situation.

Trobrin form secret alliance with Sigvirions and begin invading Mæsron space. Federal Republic stands with Mæsrons and aids in the defense, calling on the Probr for aid.

## Y182

Probr declare war on Trobrin in defense of the Mæsrons and out of respect for the FRA. Two of the three Vari cells that aided the Trobrin during the Superpower Wars declare war on the Probr-Mæsron side and move to attack Mæsrons. Koligahr attack Vari in response after formally ceding Singer space to the Loriyill. The Second Great War is now in full swing.

## Y183

Chlorophons reluctantly join the Great War on the side of the Probr, Koligahr, Mæsrons, and Federals (now calling themselves the United Alliance).

Alunda sign mutual defense pact with the Vari and move to attack Koligahr while integrating forces with the Vari against the Hivers. Treaty of Kadaza results in formation of Imperial Bloc made up of Trobrin, Vari, Alunda, Sigvirions, Vulpa, and Nucian Treska Clan.

Worb finally give up attacking Drex, although they have managed to recover most of the disputed systems.

Ryn add a second set of reloads for transporter emitter missile racks.

## Y184

Small Bolosco fleet joins the war against the Probr, but are soon discovered to be manned by Sig-controlled crewmen.

Mæsrons attempt to convince Nucians to join the war specifically for the purpose of fighting the Treska Clan. Nucians view this with suspicion until the ambassador provides an anti-Sig vaccine to the Clans, which exposes dozens of spies among their own people. In a rare show of cooperation, three clans send ships to the fight, on the condition they be allowed to eradicate the Treska. Within the Cluster, other clans fall upon the Treska and destroy their forces utterly.

Andromedans make first documented effort to penetrate the Ryn Nebula.

## Y185

Vari envoy skirts Drex space and navigates the Wasteland, offering the Worb a chance to join the Great War against the Hivers. Worb agree on the promise that when the war is over, the Vari will send their full military force to aid in crushing the Drex. Worb join the Imperial Bloc.

Hivers call upon the Branthodon to repay the favor done for them during the last Alunda invasion. Branth join United Alliance against the Alunda and begin integrating fleets with Hiver forces.

## Y186

Paravians, noting steadily weak defenses along their border, begin attacking and annexing Trobrin-controlled territory, but do not formally join the Great War. Instead, they hold back, gathering their forces for their Jihad.

Joint Mæsron-Federal fleet locates primary Sigvirion base near the Vulpa border and eradicates it, destroying most of the defending Sig ships and scattering the others.

Andromedans make a strong attack on the Ryn Nebula and are very nearly victorious.

New Singer ships begin raiding Koligahr space.

Zosmans now observed to be operating as mercenaries for most of the empires.

## Y187

Alunda withdraw from Koligahr border and begin the Genocide Operation against the Branthodon.

Worb begin to make significant gains against the Hivers, attempting to link up with the Vari around Drex space.

Souldra ships begin to arrive in the Omega Octant along the edge of the Void, attacking Bolosco and Paravians without warning. Paravians call a halt to their Trobrin raids and chase this new menace from their territory. Bolosco are slow to react, as most of their ships are heavily involved in wartime trading efforts.

Three Iridani dukes, combining their efforts, arrive in the Galaxy along the Rim and begin forming a joint series of colonies, which they dub the New Kingdom.

Trobrin break through Probr border and begin to attack Chlorophon space, forcing Phons to recall forces to defend their worlds.

Mæsrons and FRA produce first Omega Octant war cruiser and war destroyer hulls, an advancement they will soon put to the ultimate test against the Vulpa.

## Y188

Loriyill ships begin leaving their territory and heading towards the Void, passing through the Koligahr-Chlorophon war zone without any attempt at intervention. Koligahr, noting this, begin to respond to Singer raids with retaliatory counterattacks, but find the Singers quite well defended.

Mæsrons and FRA encircle Vulpa space and begin to slowly crush the aggressors between them. Mæsrons attempt to link up with the Hivers, but Drex intervene and begin attacking Worb and Mæsron forces. Worb cease their operations on the Hiver border and begin to focus on the Drex exclusively.

Branthodon call on Hiver allies for help in the face of overwhelming Alunda power. Hivers attempt to send a relief force, but Vari intercept it.

Andromedans make final attack on Ryn and discover the Ryn Nebula is completely deserted; the Ryn have apparently fled for parts unknown. Andromedans move in and begin to construct a battle station and other fortifications.

## Y189

Alunda complete Genocide Operation and smash the last-ditch defense force at Branth. A few Branthodon ships and people escape, but with their cloning and genetic facilities destroyed, the Branthodons cease to be a power in the Omega Octant.

Mæsrons defeat Vulpa, locating and destroying the last of their hidden shipyards. Vulpa refuse to surrender, swearing to fight guerrilla wars for as long as needed on their worlds. Mæsrons respond by not attempting to invade Vulpa or its major colonies, merely bottling up the aggressive species on its planets.

## Y190

With the Vulpa defeated, the Mæsrons begin serious attacks against the Trobrin, moving into joint operations with the Probr and pushing the Trobrin back significantly.

Souldra launch massive invasion of Bolosco space, forcing the recall of most of the Merchants’ trade fleets. Several of the Union and Bloc empires, highly dependent on trade shipments, begin to slow their attacks.

Andromedans, who had primarily been operating as nuisance raiders much like the Zosmans, begin to alter their patterns and attack military targets.

## Y191

Loriyill forces arrive in Bolosco territory in an attempt to halt the Souldra invasion, but are far too late to halt the inevitable outcome. Within the year, the main Bolosco forces are defeated, their worlds drained and lifeless, and those Merchants who survive are never able to recover.

Andromedans attack Iridani colonies with a Dominator-led force and eradicate the New Kingdom entirely. Desiring a base for future operations from outside the Galaxy, they turn their attentions towards the Iridani Cluster.

Second Great War ends as Mæsrons and Probr sue for peace with the Trobrin and Vari. Fighting continues on Koligahr-Vari, Vari-Alunda, Hiver-Alunda, and Drex-Worb fronts.

Loriyill make wide-band announcement warning all the Omega Octant empires about the danger from the Souldra, whose invasion is only just beginning.

## Y192

Souldra begin invasion of the Omega Octant, attacking from the Void, Wasteland, and Galactic Rim. Loriyill reveal that the Souldra are an ancient enemy long thought to be extinct, and attempt to unite the Octant against them.

Vari and Hivers begin to mak e significant advances, pushing Alunda back towards the Rim and into the path of the incoming Souldra invasion.

Andromedan Invasion now in full swing, with the Ryn Nebula as the primary staging point for attacks.

## Y192

Koligahr and Chlorophons end their war.

Sigvirion refugee ship reaches Alunda space and approaches Alunda with a surprising offer (to take over and control their living ships). Alunda agree out of sheer desperation.

Souldra attack Worb in great strength, forcing the Worb to cease fighting the Drex and turn their attentions toward the Wasteland.

Loriyill forces in Bolosco space are isolated and fight holding action against large Souldra fleet. Cut off from the homeworld, this group begins to form its own independent collective mind.

## Y193

Mæsron fleet enters Wasteland and discovers Souldra base, destroying it and bringing some relief to the embattled Worb.

Andromedans defeat Iridani and begin installing bases in the Cluster. Dozens of Quest ships, recalled to defend the now-conquered home colonies, begin to gather near the Rim.

Andromedans begin major offensives in Hiver and Vari space. In one noted operation, a Hiver Queen is killed; destroying an entire Hive with one fell swoop. Hivers end their war with the Alunda and attempt to unite, but are kept off balance by repeated Andromedan raids.

## Y194

Souldra invade Singer space, hitting Loriyill ships where their defenses are thin. Singer home world is soon drained of life. Singer refugees flow into the Loriyill home territory.

Andromedans attempt to invade Federal Republic but are repulsed.

First Terminator mauler makes an appearance in the Omega Octant, attacking Mæsron base at a Wallimi colony.

Andromedans now attacking nearly every empire in the Omega Octant simultaneously.

## Y195

Mæsrons discover Andromedans now own the Ryn Nebula and attempt to mount an offensive there, but are soundly defeated.

Federals develop interceptor concept, but object to them on moral grounds. Their Mæsron allies have no such compunctions and begin to field these units in large numbers.

Chlorophons, Paravians, and Hivers realize defeat by the Andromedans and Souldra is inevitable and begin to pull back to their fortified interiors, ceding vast areas of space, which the invaders can use with impunity.

Souldra and Andromedans observed doing battle in the Nucian Cluster, ending speculation about a Souldra-Andromedan team effort. Mæsrons propose Operation Concentrated Strike at Andromedan base in the Ryn Nebula, believing this to be the main source of Andromedan power in the region, but cannot convince their neighbors to send forces to help.

Iridani Grand Quest begins to retake the Iridani Cluster; disrupting Andromedan attempts to build a Desecrator starbase in the area.

## Y196

Loriyill forces in Bolosco space (now known as the Splinter Collective) begin to make forays into the Void to attack Souldra fringe outposts.

Souldra defeat Worb and seem likely to annihilate them, but unknowingly overrun an Andromedan-controlled world. Andromedans attack Souldra forces in the area, giving the Worb time to flee.

Mæsrons break through and destroy most of the Souldra fringe bases in the Wasteland, enabling the Worb refugees to link up with the Mæsrons.

Andromedans soundly defeat Trobrin and Koligahr in major battles, forcing them to go defensive.

Andromedans throw two Dominators at the Federal Republic, inflicting horrendous damage before one of the massive ships is destroyed. Federals pull their fleets back to Aurora and the other colonies.

## Y197

Andromedans victorious in battles against every major power in the Omega Octant except the Drex. Only the Mæsrons and Probr continue to conduct offensive actions or counterattacks against them. Andromedans begin final operations to separate the two empires from each other and end all resistance in the Octant.

Loriyill Splinter Collective begins major invasion of the Void against Souldra, eventually locating the black sun system where the Souldra hid for so many centuries.

Joint Mæsron-Probr fleet makes full-scale attempt to knock Andromedans out of the Ryn Nebula, but fail utterly.

Iridani Questers retake Cluster and clean out all Andromedan forces from their space. During the operation, they discover the purpose behind satellite bases. Hasty Quests are formed to return to the Galaxy and eliminate these bases where they can be found, but this is only a nuisance to the Andromedans.

Mæsrons deploy first PF flotilla.

## Y198

All Omega Octant empires are either totally defeated or reduced to small heavily fortified pockets.

Mæsrons develop the first steps of X-technology, although their X-cruiser is not as highly advanced as those in the Alpha Octant Empires. In an attempt to save the Omega Octant from certain destruction, they pass this technology (and the tech needed to build fast patrol ships) on to their neighbors, who begin to construct X-ships and PFs almost immediately.

Andromedans begin huge campaign to penetrate and crush the Drex Unity.

Loriyill Splinter Collective throws everything it has at the Souldra Black Sun and is victorious. Souldra invasion ends abruptly.

## Y199

Iridani Crusade Quests begin.

Mæsron envoys evade Andromedans and provide PF and X-tech to Worb, Hivers, and others.

Andromedans destroy one of the Hive Queens, sending the Hiver Empire into panic as the other queens argue whether to fight or flee.

Andromedans invade Jindarian Freehold.

## Y200

Drex are driven back to inner fortresses but defeat all Andromedan attacks launched against them.

Andromedans defeat Vari Vushakh cell and capture their homeworld; relief forces forced to retreat.

Iridani Crusaders defeat a huge Andromedan fleet, saving the Federal Republic of Aurora.

Loriyill ships avoid engaging Andromedans and retreat within their borders. Other empires accuse them of a secret treaty with the Andromedans, but this is never proven.

Hive Queens decide to stay and fight, except for one Queen who leaves with her entire hive.

## Y201

Andromedan ships reach the Drexari Colony Worlds, the only empire to get that far into Drex space.

Scouts from the previously unknown Echarri enter the Omega Octant near Branthodon space, saying that they are fleeing from an Andromedan invasion of their own octant.

Andromedan fleets attack but are repulsed from the home-worlds of the Koligahr, Probr, Wallimi, Trobrin, Worb, and two Vari cells.

## Y202

On the eve of total victory over the remaining empires of the Omega Octant, the Andromedan attacks suddenly drop off. Unbeknownst to the Omega empires, Operation Unity has succeeded. While the Andromedans are in disarray, Iridani Quest ships explain the purpose of the Andromedan satellite bases. Omega powers begin effort to locate and destroy the RTN, quickly reducing the remaining Andromedans to nuisances.

Hivers surge outward in an attempt to recover the space they lost to the Andromedans. Fourth Alunda-Hiver War begins almost immediately.

Some Alunda ships now observed to be utilizing Sigvirion intelligence, neatly countering the new X-ships operated by some of the Hives.

## Y203

Andromedans attempt to regroup in the Ryn Nebula, their only major base remaining in the Galaxy. Andromedan ships from the Omega Octant and Alpha Octant Empires begin to gather there before the RTN is completely eradicated.

Loriyill First Collective locates and destroys Souldra fringe bases outside the Galaxy while the Splinter Collective takes out the surviving bases in the Wasteland, ending the final threats posed
by the crystalline invaders.

Nucians, who lost over 75% of their clans during the Andromedan Invasion, attempt to organize into a single government. Civil war breaks out, throwing the Nucian Cluster into chaos.

Vulpa (separated from the rest of the Mæsrons by the invasions) finish building new shipyards and begin reconstructing battle forces.

Mæsrons realize the Andromedans are gathering in the Ryn Nebula and begin to form Operation Concentrated Strike, collecting units from Probr, Trobrin, Chlorophons, Koligahr, and FRA into a huge ragtag counter-invasion force.

## Y204

Operation Concentrated Strike. United Omega fleets drive into the Ryn Nebula and soundly defeat the Andromedans, destroying their battle station at a loss of almost 90% of their forces. The last major Andromedan base in the Galaxy (and their final chance to resume the invasion) is eliminated.

Omega Octant empires begin the process of rebuilding and consolidating what they have left. A brief period of peace (except for the Hiver-Alunda War) ensues, heralding the Mæsron Renaissance.

## Post Y204

Mæsron Alliance: The Tazol and Wallimi possess perhaps the strongest economy remaining in the Octant, but are extremely weak following Operation Concentrated Strike. The Vulpa, separated from the Alliance, begin to carve out their own nation, the Vulpa Confederacy.

Koligahr Solidarity, Trobrin Empire, Probr Revolution, Chlorophon Association, Worb Technocracy, Qixa Amalgamate, Jindarian Freehold, Federal Republic, Nucian Clans: Essentially reduced to small pockets of territory in the areas near their homeworlds.

Vari Combine: Of the four largest Vari cells, one (the Vushakh) has been completely destroyed by the Andromedans. Two of the others were reduced to their homeworld and its fortifications. The fourth, the Vriss (near Drex space), survived mostly intact due to their reliance on a strong defense. Most other Vari cells were wiped out or driven underground by bombardment.

Loriyill: After the Invasions, the Loriyill retreated to their home space (now back to its pre-Singer borders), making no attempt to absorb the Splinter Collective, which now occupies much of what had been Bolosco territory.

Alunda Host and Hivers: Although significantly weakened by the Invasions, both sides attempted to retake lost territory immediately after the Andromedan collapse in Y202. They are once again at war, two tired prizefighters continuing to pound on each other despite the fact that both are ready to drop. Drex Unity: Currently frantically attempting to rebuild their defensive lines before a nearby enemy attempts to invade.

Paravian Jihad: Isolated during the Invasions, they survived thanks to the help of the Splinter Collective. They are now expanding into nearby space in the hopes of resuming the Jihad.

Iridani Questers: With the Invasions over, their forces are once again scattered through Omega territory (and elsewhere) on individual Quests.

Branthodon Regime: Defeated by the Alunda during the Genocide Operation, the surviving dragonships fled across the Omega Octant, seeking sanctuary.

Bolosco Merchants: Their home space lost, their survivors now roam the Octant as independent traders.

Singers: Destroyed by the Souldra. Any surviving Singer vessels have disappeared from Omega space.

Ryn: Mysteriously vanished in the early days of the Invasions, never to return.

Zosman Marauders: As prevalent as ever, and raiding almost without opposition due to the huge losses incurred by military forces during the Sixth Cycle.

Echarri Dynasty: This mysterious new power first appeared in the Omega Octant during the last days of the Invasions. Little is known of their motives.

## Y205

Nucian Clans erupt in a massive civil war, as several warlords attempt to seize the power vacuum that lingered after the devastation of the Invasions.

Huge convoys begin to arrive in what was once Branthodon space, ferrying in colonists and mobile infrastructure from the Echarri Dynasty. With most of their forces occupied against the Hivers, the Alunda are unable to resist and pull back, unwilling to start a war against this new and unknown opponent.

Sensing weakness, the Worb begin attacking the Drex before they can complete their multiple rings of space fortresses. Although unable to achieve a breakthrough, the Worb disrupt Drex fortification efforts for years.

## Y206

Lord Amrag of the Nucian Yaskitor (Bloodfang) Clan declares victory over the remaining Clans. Unwilling to accept this verdict, the other clans fight on, and the civil war continues unabated.

Paravians discover Ymatrian homeworld. The superstitious Ymatrians, upon seeing the avian sky-dwellers, believe them to be angels. Seizing the opportunity, the Paravians begin taking over Ymatrian society, using their godlike status to make the Horde submit to their will.

Vari Vriss cell begins to assert its power over the surviving cells, subverting them to their will within the space of two years. For the first time in history, Vari society is fully united.

Echarri Dynasty forms a formal border with the Alunda and begins to expand coreward, towards Hiver space.

## Y207

In a stunning move, the Vulpa Confederacy announces the annexation of the entire Nucian Cluster. Lord Amrag and the Bloodfang Clan announce their complete cooperation and begin integrating forces, revealing that this deal had been in the works for years. The remaining Nucian clans declare independence, but the combined Vulpa and Bloodfang forces begin assaulting each one in turn, attempting to conquer them piecemeal.

Paravians discover buried Ymatrian technology and begin adapting it for their uses.

Hiver-Alunda war completely stalls. Both sides are simply unable to continue due to lack of resources. The Alunda economy hovers on the verge of complete collapse.

## Y208

Facing defeat by the Vulpa, several small Nucian clans call on the Mæsron Alliance for aid. Worried about the specter of a Vulpa-Nucian power bloc, the Mæsrons come to the aid of these Clans and begin building up forces in the Nucian Cluster area. Sporadic fighting occurs between Vulpa and Mæsrons, but outright war remains undeclared.

Echarri encounter the Unihive, a fragment of the Hivers who fled Hiver space in Y200 to escape the Andromedans and Souldra. Echarri scouts quickly learn how weak the Unihive is, but avoid attacking them for fear of inciting the other Hives.

Paravians begin raiding Trobrin and Probr space.

## Y209

Still fearing the growing power of the Vulpa, the Mæsrons offer the Federal Republic full membership in the Alliance. The FRA counters this with a modified proposal permitting them complete autonomy in their own space and the ability to continue constructing their own ships. Mæsrons agree, and formal integration of space forces begins.

Alunda attempt to seize a portion of the Jindarian Freehold, desiring certain excellent feeding grounds for their living ships. The sheer size of the Jindarian response staggers them, and they retreat quickly. Jindarians begin placing warning beacons outside the asteroid cloud to report on future incursions.

Ymatrians become a slave state under the control of the Paravians, and begin appearing on their ships as ground forces.

Intercepted communications convince the Echarri that the Unihive is totally on its own and no part of Hiver territory. Without warning, they attack in force and crush the weak Unihive fleet. Unwilling to accept slavery in the Dynasty, the Unihive Queen commits suicide after ordering those forces who survive to seek their own futures. A surprising number of ship captains go rogue and continue to harass Echarri forces for years, some operating out of Hiver bases.

## Y210

Vulpa are victorious in the Nucian Cluster, completing their annexation of the Bloodfang Clan and other conquered clans. Over a dozen surviving clans flee the Cluster into the arms of the Mæsrons, where they are quickly integrated into the Alliance. Reluctantly, the Mæsrons are forced to recognize the Vulpa Confederacy's annexation of Nucian space in exchange for a peace treaty. The specter of war is averted.

Alunda Host economy, teetering on the edge of disaster, now collapses in the wake of the Jindarian disaster. The Hivers contemplate an invasion, but are afraid to commit themselves with the new and unknown Echarri now menacing their borders, and the opportunity for a final victory over the hated Alunda passes quietly.

Koligahr and Chlorophon establish a firm border. Koligahr begin to expand to spinward, quickly encountering elements of both the Mæsron and Vulpa exploration forces.

## Y211

Vulpa and Mæsrons begin a policy of rapid expansion in all directions, capturing territory lost during the Invasions and moving into space once controlled by their neighbors.

Qixa declare their homeworld a free market, open to any trading vessels but not warships. Bolosco, Iridani, and Mæsron ships begin making regular stops in the Qixavalor Cloud for supplies.

First recorded wormhole discovered in Koligahr space. Koligahr begin exploring and come into contact with Lyran forces in the Alpha Octant. The wormhole destabilizes after several weeks, before anything other than diplomatic contact can be established.

Paravians sign secret deal with the Trobrin Empire. In exchange for an end to all raiding and the promise of peace, a trade deal is set up and borders are firmly established. Both empires begin constructing bases along this frontier. Paravians and Trobrin both begin rapid expansion to spinward, each on the other side of the established border edge. The Trobrin also begin moving forces from the Paravian to the Probr border.

Noting the Trobrin buildup to coreward, the Probr sign a border agreement with the Mæsron Alliance and begin moving fleets to the Trobrin frontier.

## Y212

Mæsron Alliance begins fighting Koligahr over border arrangements, allowing the Vulpa to accelerate their growth.

A new wormhole appears in Drex space, near the core worlds. Drex forces react in strength to seize control of the opposite side, where they encounter the Old Galaxy Tholians. A huge battle for control of the wormhole erupts, but ends when the Drex learn how to destabilize the wormhole with concentrated weapons fire. Shortly thereafter, the wormhole collapses permanently.

## Y213

Vulpa encounter the Vari, and several battles occur between their scouting forces. Incensed by “atrocities” involving the consumption of Vulpa captives by the Vari, the Vulpa declare war. Fighting is sporadic at first as each side probes the other’s territory, unsure of their opponent’s strength.

Mæsron-Kolighar border war intensifies.

## Y214

Eager to avert war, the Probr agree to a peace conference with the Trobrin at one of the Probr bases along their mutual border. The Trobrin use this opportunity to launch a sneak attack, destroying the base. The Trobrin follow up with a massive invasion at multiple points along the border, but find the going tough. Paravian raiders harass the Probr relentlessly, but mysteriously leave the Trobrin alone, but the Probr are powerless to halt this obvious collusion.

Echarri pursue Unihive rogue ships into Hiver space and are engaged by Hiver forces, whereupon they retreat after a fierce battle. Hivers and Echarri begin massing for war, much to the relief of the Alunda.

Paravians begin raiding Drex and Worb space across the Wasteland.

Another wormhole is discovered near what was once Ryn space. Mæsron explorers make contact with the Federation, and communication between the FRA and UFP is set up for the first time in over a hundred years. The wormhole lasts a month before collapsing, during which time a wealth of information is exchanged, and the GSX Sakharov, manned by a crew of volunteers, arrives in the Omega Octant to survey this new region of space.

## Y215

Echarri and Hivers declare war on each other. Echarri, aware that they are still not fully established in the Omega Octant, begin secret negotiations with the Alunda for an alliance against the Hivers, but the Host is still attempting to recover from their economic collapse. In exchange for an influx of cash and the return of certain occupied systems, the Alunda agree to a treaty with the Echarri, but do not yet begin fighting the Hivers.

Vulpa-Vari war becomes vicious and bitter. Neither side gives any quarter to the other, and suicidal attacks become common, especially by the Vari. The Vulpa begin to push the Vari back, slowly but steadily.

Drex take advantage of the Vari-Vulpa war to extend their rim-ward territory and establish a firm line of border fortresses.

Mæsrons and Koligahr finally end their border war, establishing a firm line that permits both to expand towards the Rim. Expansion begins immediately, but Mæsrons soon run up against Vulpa space and are unable to continue. Koligahr eventually almost surround the Loriyill Collective, extending through the devastated zone that was once Singer space.

Federation GSX Sakharov fights several small battles, defending itself against Zosman Marauders, Koligahr patrol ships, and Vulpa picket forces as it explores the Omega Octant rim-ward of the FRA.

## Y216

The Probr begin to fall back in the face of the Trobrin invasion, still supported by Paravian raiders. Probr spies learn of the secret Trobrin-Paravian alliance and report it to the Mæsrons, asking them to intervene in the war lest this powerful alliance eventually sweep across the Omega Octant. The Mæsrons demur, despite FRA arguments in favor of the Probr view.

GSX Sakharov is met by an Iridani Quester, who appreciates the Quest-like nature of the Federation ship’s exploration mission. To fulfill his own Quest, the Iridani captain escorts the Sakharov to the Iridani Cluster, where they are received warmly as ambassadors.

Vulpa ships, pushing the Vari back steadily, reach Alunda space. Several incidents occur, but neither side wants war, and a peace agreement is eventually reached.

First Alunda ships begin attacking the Hivers under the Alunda-Echarri agreement.

## Y217

Trobrin drive through Probr space and isolate many systems. Trobrin spearheads soon reach Chlorophon territory, where they are repulsed in several battles. To preserve their own security, the Chlorophons begin sending ships into Probr space to “keep an eye on” Trobrin advances.

Against the will of the Alliance, the FRA begins intervening in the Trobrin-Probr war on the Probr side. The Mæsrons protest, but when the FRA threatens to resign from the Alliance, they are allowed to continue. The Mæsrons issue a statement declaring strict neutrality for all non-FRA Mæsron forces, a neutrality the Trobrin are careful to observe.

Vulpa are victorious against the Vari, accepting their surrender at the Vriss homeworld. Under the terms of the armistice, most of Vari space is ceded to the Vulpa, and the consumption of Vulpa citizens by the Vari is prohibited in perpetuity. Vulpa begin consolidating their captured territory and fortifying their new Alunda border.

## Y218

Echarri suddenly and without warning invade the Alunda Host, catching them completely by surprise. Showing a surprising amount of understanding of Alunda operations, the Echarri disrupt communications by showering Host territory with confusing and false messages, all using the proper codes. By the time they recover, half of Alunda space has been lost, and the Echarri advance proves unstoppable. Within just a few months, the Alunda concede defeat and flee into Vulpa territory, where they join the Confederacy. The Hivers seize a large quantity of Alunda space during this period, and continue to battle the Echarri at every turn.

FRA forces begin to turn the tide against the Trobrin. As the Imperial ships pull back towards their space, the Chlorophon return to their own territory, refusing to participate further in the war.

Trobrin attempt a long-range strike against the FRA, but find the Republic well defended despite the fact that a large percentage of their combat ships are in Probr space. Mæsron ships located in FRA territory take no action to defend the Republic, insisting on neutrality, which annoys the FRA leaders. A motion in the Senate to dissolve the FRA-Mæsron alliance is narrowly defeated.

Paravians begin attacking the Worb from across the Wasteland. The Worb, unable to locate any bases or targets to strike, take a totally defensive posture, and the war quickly degenerates into stagnation.

## Y219

Federal Republic comes under attack again by a Trobrin attack force. Angered by continued Mæsron neutrality, the FRA demands assistance. Unwilling to stand by and watch an allied world come under attack, the Mæsron fleet commander on the scene violates the neutrality declaration and joins the battle, routing the Trobrin. (The admiral was sacked over the incident, but his record was later cleared and his rank restored.) In protest, the Trobrin foolishly declare war on the Mæsron Alliance, which reluctantly reciprocates and begins sending ships to the Probr-Trobrin front.

Paravians begin raiding Mæsron space in support of their Trobrin allies. Some of these raids involve huge reconnaissance-in-force squadrons, the savagery of which forces the Mæsrons to leave large garrisons on their border worlds, weakening their support to the Probr.

A new wormhole appears in the Wasteland, but is not discovered by the Paravians until it has been in the area for weeks. Exploration of the passage reveals it leads to Romulan space, from which an attack on their hated ancient enemies, the Gorns, might be launched. The Paravians assemble a fleet to make the attempt, but do not enter the wormhole for fear that if their attack fails, they will be forewarning their foe. Before a decision can be reached, the wormhole collapses and the chance is lost.

Federation GSX Sakharov is led back to the Alpha Octant by the Iridani, entering the galaxy near Tholian space and returning to the UFP after five years of exploration. Using information gained during this mission, the Federation begins to seek a way to set up permanent communications with the FRA and extend its influence into the Omega Octant.

## Y220

Trobrin-Probr War begins to sputter as both sides weary of the conflict. The Mæsrons, forced to join the war against their wishes, begin to mediate peace negotiations. Although the Paravians wish to continue the war, the Trobrin agree to the terms and peace breaks out near the end of the year. The pre-war borders between all forces involved are restored.

The Paravians refuse to recognize the armistice and continue raiding Probr and Mæsron space, retreating through Trobrin territory where they cannot be pursued. None of the empires realize the true strength of the Paravians or that these raids are preludes to the coming Jihad.

Echarri realize they cannot defeat the Hivers at present and sue for peace, forming a border from Vulpa (formerly Vari) space to the spinward edge of the Omega Octant. Echarri return to expanding to rim-ward, eventually occupying all space not already claimed by the Vulpa.

Omega Octant enters another period of relative peace, as most of the recent wars have ended or stalled. New attempts are made to eradicate the Zosman Marauders by most empires, especially the Mæsrons, Vulpa, and Hivers.

## Y221

Paravian raiders begin attacking Vulpa, Drex, and Hiver space, continuing to gather information on these powers, including valuable technological information. Raids on Mæsron space lessen, leading the Alliance to believe the threat has nearly ended, but in fact it is only beginning.

## THE FUTURE

The Eighth Cycle, detailing the Paravian Jihad, the Echarri Expansion, the Wormhole Wars, and the Scon Threat, was originally scheduled to appear in a Module Omega #5 that was to include those empires. Instead Module Omega #5 was used to integrate fast patrol ships (the playtest rules for which were in Captain’s Log #22) into the Omega Octant. It is not currently known when the Eighth Cycle and its empires will be published, as the outside designer lost virtually all of the data in a series of computer crashes.