The Fall of the Terran Empire

This article covers the primary timeline from 2476 to 2499 and is referred to by some historians as the "Fall of the Terran Empire".    

2476 - The Jovian Disaster

2476- Empress Aurora Valane and Emperor Colamere Tancredo are both evacuated with a skeleton staff on marine shuttles. In a truly shocking moment, both are killed when their shuttles are destroyed by automated defenses around the Jovian belt, apparently due to faulty transponders.   The Empire reels from the shock of the death of both Rexes. The Lord-Chancellor assumes power and states that there will be a conclave held in 2480. Many members of the Council initially withdraw, stating their fear that the Empire will fall into chaos. The Empire enters into an unprecedented regency   The Council of Governors debates what action to take regarding the roaches but are facing a huge roach fleet which is more powerful than anything previously seen. Lord Horus Inkerman calls for the Empire to "show some backbone" and fight back but there are many that state the war cannot be won and peace must be sought.   2476- The Regency Begins The Lord-Chancellor organizes a major cabinet reshuffle, replacing Alexius Solarin as Lord-Marshall with Lord Horus Inkerman and breaking up the Ministry of Communications.   Lord Desper Valane, Lord-Governor of Mars, calls for a full inquiry into the disaster that claimed the life of his sister. This was backed by Lord Crayl van Teufal, Lord Azrael Krane and many more governors. Minister of Communications Lord Maddox Collingwood agreed to make CIS resources available to begin an inquiry. However, this is overruled by the Chancellor.   There is an intense political stand-off between the Chancellor and the Council of Governors. Lord Elyon Maquessa calls for a vote of No Confidence to be taken in January of 2477 in the Chancellor.   Kotek Grumman is handed over to CIS and goes to trial on multiple charges, including Embezzlement, corruption and most crucially, the assassination of the Rexes. He is also implicated in the funding of the Terrorist movement which is linked to more than A$5 billion divested out to radical terrorists across the Empire.   The first prosecutor, Hailey DeMont, is killed in an apparent assassination. The new prosecutor, Erland Cyranno, takes over the case which, on a matter of state security, takes place behind closed doors. Kotek Grumman is found guilty on all but one charge and sentenced to death.   His defense lawyer, Javinder Bulworth, calls for an appeal and the Court of Appeals reject a bid by the government to restrict his right to a trial in open court on the basis of national security, in a tight 4-3 decision.   A Special Operations Division task force of four frigates successfully got past the Zzenddi fleet around New Carthage and carried out a daring raid on the planet, rescuing 105 scientists, engineers and civilians.   There were twenty-one casualties and one frigate took heavy damage but the task force was able to escape and return to the Sol system.   Josephine Osmore, a prominent and popular playwright from New Corinth was named a life peer in Emperor Colamere's will.   2477 -The Disputed Regency The Imperial Council passes a vote of No Confidence in the Chancellor, with only two votes supporting the Chancellor and two abstentions. Lord Elyon Maquessa, leading the vote, calls on the Chancellor to resign. The Chancellor rejects the outcome of the vote. On the back of this dozens of AI civil servants, followed by another hundred or so biological civil servants quit in protest.   The Imperial Council then moved to call for a conclave, with the civil service divided on a legal technicality. Chancellor Eleutheria then ordered a marine brigade deployed in orbit over Dhaka to land and "evacuate" the council. Lord August Solarin, governor of Earth, resisted the landing and when the marines refused to back down, the Dhaka downport defenses destroyed the marine transport in orbit.   Many governors fled the capital or went to bunkers as a period referred to as "The Contested Regency" began. Chancellor Eleutheria fled from Sol with the garrison fleet under Admiral Sordell, leaving Earth essentially unprotected in space.   The Council moved to consolidate behind Deputy Chancellor Cabbot Brahms who was elevated to the title of Lord-Chancellor, Pro Tempore. He called together a new cabinet and Chancellor Eleutheria was declared a terrorist and orders for her arrest were sent out.   Chancellor Eleutheria, who would be subject to many assassination attempts, would move the Navy that had sided with her to Nova Terra, executing a swift and bloody purge to consolidate control of the West Fleet. The "rebel" Fleet also came under attack from the drone swarm defending Nova Terra, destroying six ships and killing more than 3,000 navy personnel.   Former Lord-Chancellor Kotek Grumman admits to his guilt in assassinating the Rexes, claiming that this had been done for revenge. He also claimed that the terrorist attacks were carried out with agreement with the late Empress Aurora   The Zzenddi moved again, capturing the planets Gaia, St Lawrence and Nova Terra. Most of these worlds surrendered with only token resistance.   2478 - Chancellor's Brahms and Eleutheria entered into a long period of negotiations to try and find a way past the impasse as the East Fleet has sided with the Council and the West fleet with Eleutheria.   The CANDL allies initially refused to enter the conflict if there was a divided leadership of the Terran Empire. However, after intense negotiations, the Ganndi Chancellor agreed that the Gannid Commonwealth's Navy would stand with the Terrans, regardless.   The Zzenddi fleets moved on again, overrunning Whitworth and Eden. The Zzenddi fleet then moved on the Sol system.   The Imperial East Fleet, under the direct command of Admiral Pavantarr, was joined by a Gannid Task Force and other allies, including corporate ships, PMCs and even the Yakuza. The line in the sand was drawn around Mars and the Zzenddi fleet was baited into battle, caught in Mars's gravity well.   A desperate battle was fought, with the allied Fleet losing two ships for every Zzenddi ship destroyed. the super-carrier Arasai was destroyed with 16,000 hands lost and the Gannid flagship "Hammer of Zhand" was also destroyed.   However, the timely arrival of the West Fleet under Admiral Sordell turned the battle into a double envelopment and the Zzenddi fleet was wiped out. When the battle ended, the allied fleet had lost nearly 300 ships and over 100,000 lives.   The Zzenddi had also landed on Mars and been defeated in the landing by Marines, militia, PMC;s and even Mars's police force but 65,000 people had been killed during the fighting.   There was a moment of pause as the Empire began another round of negotiations   2479 - The intense negotiations ended with a complex and unwieldy command structure. All strategic command was to be run through the Gannid commander, Admiral Duhzankan who would be seen as a "neutral party". This allowed the other CANDL allies to join up with the new combined fleet.   Admiral Duhzankan then lead the combined fleet to defeat the divided Zzenddi fleet near Eden, again with the lost of around 200 ships and 75,000 lives.   The remaining Zzenddi task force withdrew to defend its Star-gate. The Zzenddi occupation has so far claimed the lives of at least 6 million imperial citizens.   Seven worlds remained occupied and the reported death toll from the occupied worlds was now in the millions. Lord-Chancellor Cabbot Brahms suffered a stroke and never recovered, dying in 2479.   The Imperial Parliament agree that it is not practical or fair to hold a parliamentary election with worlds under occupation. Parliament's election is held over until 2485, with a vote to be held on whether the next election will be 2490 or 2495.   The Tazzyn Emperor was killed, apparently assassinated. His brother assumed the throne but the Emperor's bastard son, referred to as "The Golden Prince" also claimed the Throne and the Tazzyn Empire sunk into a civil war.

2480-Emperor Azrael Krane

2480 -The 2480 Conclave   The Council of Governors are called to a conclave after acting-Chancellor Abner Grumman instructs the civil service to begin a new conclave, citing the need for unity and clear leadership. Three candidates emerge:  

• Lord Maddox Collingwood of St Lawrence
• Lord Elyon Maquessa of Nova Terra
• Lord Azrael Krane of Lightning Point

Lord Maquessa has proposed a radical plan that would end the Empire and faces a major backlash from conservatives but his radical approach draws support from the left. This has the side-effect of making Collingwood the moderate candidate but the left/moderate vote is split and the conservative governors rally around old-school conservative Lord Krane, who wins in the first ballot and is elevated to Emperor   Emperor Krane names his brother-in-law, Lord August Solarin II as the Chancellor and he puts together a war-time government with Krane's stated first priority to win the war with the Zzenddi. The Imperial military, along with its allies, agree that the best way to defeat the Zzenddi is to capture or destroy their "star-gate, located in a remote location referred to by ONI as Location Z-10.   The Imperial Navy attacks Z-10 and a huge and costly badly is begun. The Imperial Navy suffers heavy casualties, with the Battleship Emperor August and the super carrier "Natasha Tennyson" both destroyed. More than 300 ships are destroyed or crippled and 200,000 Navy lives are lost. However, the Zzenddi fleet is routed, with 50 ships escaping the combat zone. The star gate is destroyed and fragments of the huge structure are salvaged.   Operation Ocean Storm   With the Zzenddi Navy routed, the Imperial Marine corps begins a huge campaign to liberate the occupied worlds with Operation Ocean-Storm. Millions of marines land on the occupied worlds of Whitworth, St Lawrence and Nova Terra, fighting bloody and costly battles to liberate those worlds. The Whitworth campaign proves to be the worst of the three, with marine casualties passing 1.2 million in six months of ferocious fighting. Notable during this campaign was the fierce determination of an "Allied Expedition" of Vatu warriors, known as the "Greyback Legion" who fought with great skill and fierceness during the Whitworth campaign and lost 91% of their number. However, by New Years 2481, St Lawrence and Nova Terra have been liberated.   2481 - There is a call for volunteers as the marine corps has lost nearly 3 million men, making it unable to complete the liberation campaign. 2 million new recruits sign up whilst troops and mech garrisons are moved from their worlds to join up with the marines. Whitworth unexpectedly falls. The marine corps, boosted by the new troops recruited, is able to quickly win campaigns to liberate the other occupied worlds, with only 250,00 casualties suffered.   Gaia, despite not being an Imperial World, is liberated and an Imperial garrison remains to help rebuild the world. Gaia's council appear very keen to join with the Empire.   The Zzenddi war is declared over as the Zzenddi fleet has been driven beyond the rim and all occupied worlds are liberated. Emperor Krane announces a day of national celebration to be followed by a day of national mourning for the dead. Over 13 million have died during the war and extensive damage has been done to seven worlds, with major worlds of Whitworth and Nova Terra suffering extensive collateral damage   The Imperial Navy, which has lost more than 50% of its ships, begins a major rebuilding effort with the Gannid Commonwealth offering use of its shipyards on a "Loan Agreement" basis. The price for the constructed ships will be paid later. The Imperial coffers are totally empty and a bill of around A$120 billion is needed to pay for the reconstruction costs, as well as finding new homes for the tens of millions of refugees across the Empire.   2482 - A Tranoan assistance grant of A$75 billion is received to aid with the reconstruction effort. The Empire gratefully receives this. Lord Treasurer Athos Cappotelli announces new Growth Bonds to help restart the economy, with another A$90 billion raised this way. The Hansa make offers of further loans but this is rebuffed.   Former Chancellor Eleutheria Ashpool 01 is assassinated as her shuttle is destroyed in orbit over Earth. Hailed as "The Hero of the Empire", her reign as Chancellor had been very divisive. On her death, a number of her former followers went into political exile, leaving government or military jobs, prominent among these was former Admiral Sleaydon Sordell.   Emperor Azrael Krane grants a life peerages to Hallam Tancredo, Reid Sondeheim and Lt-General Trenton Willard for their part in the war-effort.   2483 - With the war over and all worlds liberated, the Imperial Parliament votes that it will hold elections in 2485. A record number of political parties, often representing somewhat extreme fringes of the political spectrum come forward   Two prosecutors on Vanheim announce their intention to sue the Imperial government for its part in setting up Operation Coat-Hanger, which in their view was an illegal action carried out by the IIS. Lord Maddox Collingwood, whilst serving as Minister of Communications, had declassified the report and given it to the prosecutors. The case, expected to begin in earnest in 2485, has huge ramifications for the IIS.   Reports of continuing chaos in the Tazzyn Empire filter back as several contenders for the most powerful throne in the quadrant vie for control. Whilst this isn't a full-scale civil war as such, honor duels and assassinations are frequent.   2484 - There are a wave of arrests by CIS for political corruption within the Imperial Government as civil servants, government contractors and lobbyists are arrested and trials are set to take place. The Office of Chancellor sets out a new hard-line policy for dealing with political corruption   An unprecedentedly large infrastructure project reaches its conclusion on Mars as over A$12 billion is spent on projects that will construct hospitals, schools and new housing across the planet, with an emphasis on the cities away from the capital.   The quadrant is shocked by a major Tazzyn military defeat as the Hressan Independence army wins the battle of Arnback. A Tazzyn Army of 2 million soldiers surrenders and the Tazzyn Emperor agrees to an armistice. The Hressans will be able to form their own state.   Emperor Krane announces his intention to start a constitutional convention in the next five years to put a new Imperial Constitution in place, to ensure that the Empire is governed by "a code of laws" rather than arbitrary whim   Emperor Krane confers the title of "Knight of the Empire" onto more than 1,100 service personnel who took part in the war. Prominent amongst these are Admiral Everann Sickles, the new Chief of the Imperial General Staff and Major General Collier McQaid.   Moderate Judge Beaufort Lomas retires from his seat on the Court of Appeals, opening a seat on the Court. Moderate judge Stockley Shaw is then elected to the bench to fill the seat.   2485 -With huge debts to repay and massive reconstruction work to do, the Empire begins the slow process of rebuilding. Aid pours in from the Galactic Community, with more than A$100B raised by the various nations. Earth and Mars also raise A$120B to help in the so-called Solarin plan. Reconstruction efforts begin on all the formerly occupied worlds.   Gaia agrees to join the Empire, with Rehan Rivers named as their first Governor. There are concerns that the neo-pagans of Gaia will not allow AI citizens to visit the planet.   The Imperial Parliament elects 10 parties in an expensive and complex election. The major winners are the Destiny Party but the newly formed Ravenheart Coalition also did well.   A major constitutional convention begins as several notable figures begin to debate on a draft constitution, to be presented to the council. The convention includes:  

• Lord Elyon Maquessa
• Lord Maddox Collingwood
• Lord Hallam Tancredo
• Leander Ashpool
• Lord Abner Grumman
• Avram TEO (representing ADVANCE)

Lord Maddox Collingwood quits the convention after a series of drunken outbursts. He later abdicates in favor of his son, Decius Collingwood.   2486 - The CANDL agreement is renewed though the Rorn decide not to renew their agreement. The new CANDL alliance consists of the Terrna Empire,t he Gannid Commonwealth and the Bl'Hud Primacy.   The Terran Envoy to the Galactic Council formally recognizes the new Hressan Independent Republic. The Ttranoan Empire, the Vatu Empire and the Mor-Du Republic had also done this. Following their recognition of the newly emerged state, the Gannid Commonwealth, Bl'Hud Primacy and the Rorn Republic all follow suit.   2487 - The Empire celebrates its centenary with a day of holiday and celebrations. Several historians point to the relative stability and success of this polity, opposed to the rancor and corruption within the Federated States or Confederacy. Still, there are voices that call for democratic reform and an end to the oligarchic rule of the "great houses".   The Imperial Council agrees a tax cut on corporations taxes to last ten years after considerable political pressure from the Hansa. Lord-Chancellor August Solarin fights a lonely battle to oppose the Hansa but is unable to find a working coalition in the council to back him up.   Parliament passes The Inheritance Act, which bans TND technology from being manufactured or sold. Those who already have TND tech will be allowed to continue using it.   There is increased skirmishing on Mars between Red Mars and Security Forces.   2488 - The Indirian nomads who aided in the war are permitted to choose a colony from the current prospects. It will then be jointly funded by them and the Empire. Several corporations also agree to help fund the new colony.   Prospero appoints retired General Gosmay as its Governor. He becomes the first Jaradino to be a Governor.. The council's liberal faction bemoan the addition of another conservative to the council but are argued down by the court.   The court of appeals narrowly agrees that the actions undertaken by IIS in Operation Coat-Hanger were illegal.   2489 - Another Tazzyn Emperor, Torihoff van Pall, is assassinated. His bastard nephew, Prince Astevorr van Pall, the so-called Golden Prince, assumes power but does not have the backing of any of the other major houses, leaving the Tazzyn Empire weak and divided.   There is an attempt to assassinate Lord Marshall Elyon Maquessa carried out by Burning Path which fails.   The Constitutional working group present for consideration the draft constitution.   TND's founder and Lord-Governor of Technopolis Abner Grumman is found "deactivated".   Court of Appeals Judge Raylee Porter announces her retirement from the court. Conservative New Corinth judge Hallam Fenwick is appointed to replace her.   Admiral Everann Sickles is named a life peer by Emperor Azrael Krane. He also confirms his equerry, Harrow Morgan, to a life peerage.   TND, having suffered a major downturn in their fortunes and a massive loss in their stock price, announce they are moving their HQ and operations to the world of Al-Ahily, which lies outside the Empire.   2490 -The Imperial Council begins a long and contentious debate on the constitution as laid out by the panel. The Emperor makes it clear that in its current form, it will be vetoed outright. The convention debated various amendments, removing several clauses that appeared to be causing the most issues.   The Council votes to include the controversial "separation of church and state" element. Governor Rehan Rivers of Gaia makes it clear that on his planet, church and state are one.   2491 -The Karkouri -Rorn Invasion: the Karkouri Regime launch a lightning invasion of the Rorn Republic, overcoming all military resistance in just six weeks. They occupy six worlds, leaving the rest to form a "rump" Rorn Republic state. Whilst the Karkouri are censured int he galactic council and subject to embargoes, no race offers to intervene after the Dhau Empire makes it very clear they will attack any race that intervenes against the Karkouri.   The Council of Governors agree to implement the new constitution which becomes active law in June of 2491.   2492 - Prince Alexius Krane marries Princess Indigo Valane in a lavish ceremony on Mars. There are thousands of attendants including the best and brightest across the Empire.   The Karkouri ship millions of Salborian soldiers to the occupied worlds, as well as shipping tens of thousands of Rorn back to Karkouri space as slaves.  

2493- Cobalt Attack

2493 - A lethal computer virus, referred to as Cobalt, decimates the Empire, killing 80% of all AI and shattering the Terran economy. There is a major economic crash and the Empire suffers a massive loss of research and security planning.   CIS launch Operation Resolve, attacking Burning Path bases across the Empire backed by the Marine corps. There are dozens of small skirmishes as well as three pitched battles on Vanheim, Avalon and New Corinth in which over 1,200 marines are killed. Over 48,000 Burning Path prisoners are taken. the courts are jammed with tens of thousands of suspects and no means to break the back-log   2494 - The Imperial economy continues to falter with Allied West, Sarissa Arms, Kapek R&D and Mosovia all reporting heavy losses. A reduction of Imperial taxes is agreed to help slow the bleeding.   With cobalt now isolated, the surviving AI are able to emerge, reporting that nearly 80% of all AI or over 40 million AI have been "killed". Media corporation Empirical Media is caught up in the CIS investigation and many of its top directors are arrested, pending long court cases as they claim to know nothing about the attack.   Justice Emma Sutherland, a moderate judge from Earth, is appointed to the Court of Appeals to fill Justice Sirtis Ardmore's seat. This is the first significant change in the balance of the court since its formation.   The Emperor's equerry, Lord Harrow Morgan, steps down and is replaced by lawyer Redvers Gallen.   Emperor Krane elevated former EDN CEO and foreign Minister Istfvan Vermier to a life peerage for his services to the corporate world and the government.   2495 - Former Lord Elyon Maquessa flees into Gannid space with stolen intelligence and research data. The Gannid refuse to hand him back, citing fears over his safety and his request for asylum. Lord Arden Maquessa is briefly exiled from council but readmitted after a vote in Council   Former Chancellor Hallam Tancredo fights a duel against Lord Gael Grumman and is defeated and retires from public life.   There is a major Valtinist Convention on New Corinth where Prince Clay Tancredo attempts to bring together the faction under Lidia Hassir and Powell Hamlyn.   2496 - The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Admiral Gnaes Calqvist, dies. This is initially thought to be a heart attack but it is later ruled an assassination, likely perpretated by the Karkouri Regime.   The Court of Appeals rules in the decision in Rowchester that TND is not considered to be a life saving treatment, as per the constitution in a landmark decision. TND continue to operate from Al Ahily.   2497 -There is a major uprising on Mars by Red Mars with major battles fought across the planet. A Red Mars militia briefly take and occupy Sancrist City but after two weeks of bloody fighting, the Marines recapture the city. The whole campaign, over two months of fighting, see 3,750 marines killed and 15,000 wounded. More than 10,000 Red Mars militia are killed.   Minister for State Justice August Solarin attempts to get emergency powers to expedite the trial backlog but this is voted down by the council.   An attempted IIS operation in Gannid space fails and is intercepted   The Imperial Court of Appeals rejects the notion that TND is life-saving technology in their decision in Rowchester v Imperial Parliament  

2498-The Fall of the Empire

2498 -After numerous threats, the Karkouri Regime invades Terran space. The Terran navy suffers a catastrophic defeat in the Battle of Vanheim, losing 230 ships and nearly half a million sailors and marines.   The Karkouri Navy, having won a spectacular and lop-sided victory, occupy Stark, New Silesia and Vanheim. They move on the Sol system and sweep aside the token resistance. The Imperial Council votes to surrender but Emperor Krane vetoes this. The Council force overturn the veto. Emperor Krane suffers a heart attack and dies in the Council chamber.   Various Governors announce their worlds will secede from the Empire including Governor Brahms in New Carthage, Governor Grumman in Technopolis and Governor Maquessa in Nova Terra.   The Imperial Parliament refuse to accept the surrender and order the dismissal of the Council. The Imperial Government, acting on muddy authority, officially surrenders and the Terran Empire officially ceases to exist   2499 - The Karkouri dismember the Empire, creating several new states:   Several worlds, with Vanheim chief amongst them, will be in an Occupied Zone which will be administered by Terrans but overseen by the Karkouri with a garrison fleet. This state was later renamed as the Hassal League Several more worlds, Avalon and Al Ahily included, fall into the Buffer Zone which will not be garrisoned but will have Karkouri supervision, essentially becoming a Karkouri puppet state. This state was later renamed as the Dragonfish Protectorate (see Hassall League )   Several worlds are placed under the fiefdom of St Lawrence and House Collingwood, who were implicated as traitors to the Empire The St Lawrence Compact is an independent state (see St. Lawrence Compact   The worlds of the new Frontier are all annexed by the Dhau Empire   The remaining worlds are unincorporated and free to govern themselves whoever they wish Most worlds are governed locally and there is no functional supra-national government, though the Imperial Parliament declares the creation of a Terran Republic, though this is more of a state in theory that a state in being   The Karkouri do not interfere with the Hansa and allow them to continue to operate but the Terran economy, already crippled, suffers further convulsions with several worlds struck by famines and outbreaks of previously controlled diseases. The fall of the Empire also sees small scale rebellions on several worlds and looting and raiding take place. Estimates are that more than 1,25 million die during that year alone.