It began with subtle shifts in their behavior. Scattered reports of their ships, rarely seen outside their own space, now observed in remote systems across the galaxy. Highly advanced scouting vessels visiting ancient, ruined worlds and refusing all attempts at hailing them. Intelligence reports claim that were recovering data caches from survey beacons and automatic scouting outposts that they left behind for their reawakening. Within their respective spaces, fleets are gathering, armies are being mustered, and ancient factories roar to life. For the first time in eons, the ancient empires have started looking outwards and beyond to the galaxy at large.
Ever since their reawakening, these ancient giants have been at odds with each other. They skirmished and jockeyed for influence, probing each others might. To the younger races, each ancient empire issued a demand to the younger races, as well as an extra demand for the United Federation of Nations to submit their Alpha technology. The Cormanthani wanted to enforce a galactic peace, the Caloctora the banning or shackling of AI, the Ugarlak seeked glorious battle, the Raxycodium to demilitarize the galaxy, the Sutharians to enslave the younger races, and the Fafossan to spread communistic democracy by force. the This has resulted in a series of terse confrontations, finally culminating in an open battle between the ancient races. The conflict quickly escalated into full blown war between each of the ancient races. The War in Heaven had begun.
Within the hour, each ancient empire sent a representative to Earth, the capital of the United Federation of Nations. They appeared before the Olympus Council and demanded the unconditional surrender and vassalization of the United Federation of Nations. That it would join in their war in exchange for opulent rewards, and promising terrible punishment should their offers be refused. Each side demanded a reply within 24 hours, a period that be known as the longest day in Federal history. Neither the Supreme Chancellor, the Olympus Council, the Federal Assembly, or the general citizenry harbored any fallacies at to the Federation's current predicament. Military analysts worked tirelessly to estimate the projected capability of each side. As the hours counted down, reports were rushed to the Olympus Council, each member knowing full the decision made here would detect the fate of he Federation and its species.
On May 25th, 2712, mere minutes before the deadline, the Supreme Chancellor appeared before the Federal Assembly. He was joined by representatives, envoys, and leaders of the dozens of sectors of the United Federation of Nations. His announcement was broadcast across the whole of the United Federation of Nations; to every ship, planet, citizen, and station, to trillions of lives.
“ In response to the demand that the United Federation of Nations capitulate; in response to the demand that the United Federation of Nations swear loyalty to new masters; in response to the demand that the federation’s armed forces be used to fight the wars of their new overlords- in response to the demand that the United Federation of Nations be governed by new overseers- Never.”
Reinvigorated by this defiance, the United Federation of Nations found itself rejuvenated for the upcoming war. The United Federation of Nations would join the War in Heaven as the 7th member.
The Conflict
Prelude
Several factors would eventually culminate into the War in Heaven.
When the United Federation of Nations would encroach and start settling systems bordering the Xani Shard, the Xani demanded that the UFN dismantle their outposts and colonies or suffer the consequences. The UFN refused, and all ultimatums were ignored. Roused by this insult, the Xani Shard declared war on the UFN.
At the same time, the UFN would colonize planets classified as gaia worlds near the Nextraxi Guardians. These worlds however turned out to be holy worlds as designated by the Netraxi. Colonizing them was an affront to the Church of Zarqlan as stated by the Augurs of the Church. Coincidentally, federal scientists have located the ancient tomb of Zarqlan and recovered his body. The revelation sent shockwaves within the Netraxi Empire. All of a sudden, the Netraxi Empire found itself split between those who insisted exterminating the federals who desecrated the holy worlds and those who recognized the Federation as heralds of the golden age.
Their dogmatic and rigid way would prove futile however against the younger races of the UFN. Disciples sent to other Fallen Empires were FIM agents who managed to send schematics and technologies for the UFN to reverse engineer and even improve upon, culminating in the Alpha level technology. With the knowledge of the innerworkings of these ancient empires and this newfound technology, the UFN was able to not only withstand their attacks but push into Xani and Netraxi territory.
The Netraxi government was overthrown by the moderate rebel faction, and a new government was installed. The Netraxi would now be a Sector under the United Federation of Nations. In exchange, the UFN would return Zarqlan's body to be preserved within the Celestial Tomb at Sky Temple.
The conflict with the Xani would end on a much bloodier letter. Pushed back to their home system, the UFN would begin invading their capital planet, the Core. Their moon, Boundary, was transformed into a massive fortress world with hundreds of billions of soldiers. Realizing that conventional tactics would not achieve victory, the UFN brought forth their trump card, a Colossus equipped with a planetary neuron ray. In just a few days, the UFNS Kingmaker bathed the surface of Boundary with neutron radiation, instantly killing every single Xani on the planet. A few hours later, the Xani unconditionally surrendered.
These conflicts would act as preludes to the War in Heaven. The other Fallen Empires were shocked that the younger races could rise up against an empire of their caliber. This, coupled with the Alpha technology, planet-killer weapons, and such sheer strength was an affront to these ancient powers who were content to remain confined within their space. They would no longer allow it. They would teach the younger races their place in the galaxy.
Before the United Federation of Nations announced that they would not comply with the fallen empires' demands, a plan was set in motion to gain the upper hand against these powerful empires. The UFN pretended to submit their Alpha technology as the first step of "compliance". In reality, the fallen empires carried singularity-14 bombs disguised as Alpha technology. When the UFN revealed its position within the galactic conflict, it subsequently detonated the bombs. Entire fleets consisting of hundreds of warships, solar stations, defense outposts, and planetary outposts were decimated within hours. Greatly weakened by this treachery, the fallen empires found themselves exposed to UFN attacks.
The War in Heaven spanned across the entire Milky Way for nearly a century. The ancient empires would stick to their old inflexible tactics, believing that superior firepower would achieve victory. On the other hand, the UFN would employ several tactics best suited for each situation. Different theaters of war demanded different strategies. Guerilla tactics were used to whittle down superior enemy forces before a killing blow was delivered. Other times, a strategic system or planet would greatly shift the balance of power. Unable to adapt, the ancient empires found themselves helpless against the UFN's superior tactics.
The War in Heaven was catastrophic to all parties; billions of lives were lost across the galaxy.
Having achieved total victory over all other empires, the United Federation of Nations was the uncontested sole superpower in the Milky Way.
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