The Ceasefire

Casualties continue to mount, as public support for the war continues to fall. Anti-war protests on Mars turn violent, and the Mars garrison has to be mobilised to quell the riots.   When an ERC suicide mission succeeds in penetrating defences at Omicron² Eridani and cripples a UEAF taskforce orbiting Eridanus with great loss of life, voices inside the General Assembly begin to call for a negotiated ceasefire with both groups of rebels. On 1st May 2260, thanks in part to the negotiating skills of the Chrislamic Church, an uneasy ceasefire is established with both of the remaining pockets of rebellion. No peace treaty is signed with either group.   Blockaded by the UEF, the separatist colonies in the Herculis Cluster declare themselves the Free Worlds Alliance. As promised, Eli Navarro devolves government to individual colony worlds, with all colonies agreeing to help maintain an FWA militia.   A 1 parsec DMZ is established between ERC and UEF space.