This article covers the history of the primary timeline from 2077-2098. Historians often refer to this as "The Colonial Era"
2077-2081: Heading Forth
2077 The election of 2077 is very bitter indeed and sees widespread protests on the streets at the lack of direct representation. These riots and protests do not turn overtly bloody but in India and Brazil they are put down with a fierce response.
Senator Billay Kutai stands as the liberal/reformer but isn’t given much chance. Senator Ross McCone stands as the hawk/conservative and Senator Bras Domingues of Brazil stands as the moderate candidate, hoping to offer a reasoned approach. Senator Peter Lieberman also stands, his campaign is managed by veteran Senator Cris Tellar and he is backed by exiting President Richard Kassenbach.
The vote is acrimonious and there is much consternation as McCone wins the vote but is unable to form a ruling coalition. McCone decides to take the Presidency, even if it is a neutered one. Deepak Asseem is voted in as chairman of the Executive and Peter Lieberman is voted in as vice chairman. Politically, Richard Kassenbach returns to be leader of the opposition but he begins to look for a long-term successor. He continues to tout Peter Lieberman as the logical choice to succeed him in the long term.
The ongoing border crisis with the vatu flares up again. A vatu force is spotted in Ross 359 and the fleet is once again deployed to stand them off. The two fleets close to within 500,000 miles before the Vatu fleets once again break off. FAS chief of Staff Montoya unveils a massive new recruitment program and lays down the keels for 9 new starships. She is also there for the decommissioning ceremony of the FSS “Preistly” which becomes a museum ship.
The Martian colonies continue to grow, financially and gain more political clout than they are able to wield. The Martian colonies worth is nearly that of the entire USCAF.
2078 President McCone sends ambassadors to the Karkouri Empire and also sends ambassadors to Bl’Hud and Mor-Du Empires. He also holds a hard line against the Vatu aggression on the borders. The Tranoan’s suggest that the summit between the two would be successful but President McCone refuses to surrender any territory to the Vatu.
Meanwhile the Senate sees a new opposition leader emerge as Senator Sagewa Takumi becomes opposition leader. A noted Senator and legislator, he works closely alongside the former President Richard Kassenbach but also along side moderate leader Bras Domingue.
The FCA announces wave 4 of colonists for the Jovian belt and Mars. This wave has lower standards than the previous ones as there is an increased financial input and the FCA can afford to make the colony ships more accessible. The FAS begin major exercises and an improvement to ship to ship battle doctrine. They have integrated much Tranoan technology into their ships and feel more confident than ever of their chances against the Vatu.
2079 The Senate rejects President McCone’s bid to increase FAS spending (by 50%!) and the Senate rebuke the President and his allies for attempting to hot-wire the Senate. President McCone then attempts to use his executive orders to force the spending bill through but this is rejected by the Executive committee. Chairman Deepak Aseem resigns and returns to the backbenches
The FAS continue to put pressure on their allies in the senate to support them and also begin to exert influence in the States to elect hawkish Senators.
The FAS chief of staff is forced to resign after she writes a memo that becomes infamous for its rhetoric in suggesting that the FAS is the true backbone of the Federation. Moderate Admiral Stravos Etharios is named new chief of staff.
The Karkouri embassy is established. The Karkouri offer trade alliances and this alliance begin to bear fruit by the end of the year.
Mars receives a massive arrival of workers and laborers and a two tier society is formed, with the original “Martian’s” being much wealthier than the newly arriving citizens. Mars population reaches 175,000. The newly built Jovian colonies find life very difficult and a colony on Sinope is utterly destroyed by a shield failure. The FCA comes in for much criticism but avoids the blame.
2080 The Federation faces another crisis as there is an intense civil wa in India as the Pakistani people go into revolt against the occupation of the Indian Government. President McCone takes a dim view of this and threatens economic sanctions. He also deploys a Federation peacekeeping force to Pakistanto oversee the new demarcation.
The FAS unveil new ships, taking the fleet up to 12 modern fighting ships and a moth-ball reserve of another 9. The FIS reveal that their information shows a massive disparity with the fleet-arms of the Tranoan, Tazzyn and Vatu Empires. This report is classified and buried.
The FCA load their first ships for extra-solar colonization. These huge “Whale” ships will carry a massive payload of citizens to these colonies. Work has been done in preparation of their arrival and expensive space-stations have been established in each system. A large percentage of the cost was passed to the corporations.
The technology corporation sees a major overhaul in its makeup and the chairmanship remains a Senate appointment. However the board of directors now holds a huge amount of private power over the technology.
As the end of the McCone Presidency is now in sight, the various challengers begin to build up their campaigns against him. Peter Lieberman has the backing of a large number of moderate and dovish Senators. True moderate Bras Domingue also puts his name forward again, suggesting that a new slate needs to be drawn. Indian Senator Davades Rishi also puts his name forward, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his famous uncle, Anaj Rishi.
2081 President Ross McCone begins to wind up his administration. He avoids a vote of no-confidence by agreeing a small 5% increase in FAS budget. He is defeated by Senator Sagewa over circumventing the budget process once again.
The Executive sees Chairman Billay Kutai retire from the Senate (to an appointment as Governor of the LAN). Senator Peter Lieberman steps up as chairman and Senator Thomas Wexler becomes vice chairman. Thomas Wexler, unable to run for President, concentrates on a bid to become chairman of the Executive.
The FAS continue to build up their readiness for a perceived border war with the Vatu. The classified report on comparative fleets is leaked to the FAS and the chief of staff hangs onto the report but makes sure that key Senators see it.
The Tazzyn Empire is almost provoked into a war when a Tazzyn Imperial Aide is arrested in New Dehli for his part in an honor duel. The Tazzyn insist that the Aide is immune to Terran law and insist that being held is an act of war. The Terran ambassador on Tazzyn is able to calm the situation down and the Tazzyn accept an apology.
The colonial ships for the Extra-solar colonies begin to arrive……
2082-2087 The First Colonies
2082 The Senate goes into a new election and recently elected Senator Akash Sanjiy is elected President. As a Federalist, President Sanjiy is expected to lead the drive for increased Federalism. Presidential rival Bras Domingue is named leader of the opposition, a coalition of moderates, conservatives and anti-federalists.
The Senate clashes with the FAS repeatedly and there are some fierce diatribes from Hawk Senators and their allies in the FAS. The FAS budget is kept at its current level but only two new ships are paid for, including the first ever Federation Cruiser, the “Perseus” and another new frigate. The Senate directs the FAS to build more orbital structures, including a new orbital shipyard at L-5 point and a network of orbital defense satellites.
The FSS benefits as well with a massive expansion of the Scout field, with 8 new scout ships constructed and put into service as a courier boat network. The scout ships are deployed at the new colonies.
The Colony ships arrive at their destinations, setting up the initial colonies who endure difficult first years but expose amazing potential in the colony worlds that were “handed” to the Federation.
Newly named FCA chairman Senator Davadas Rishi agrees to sublease two new orbital worlds to the corporations. Pyramid Industries become the sole owner of one colony, the first one to be completely owned by one corporation.
The Federation Senate passes a landmark piece of legislation, offering massive farm subsidies to the new colonies, offering tax breaks and incentives for “extra-solar trade” (which is subject to a strong attempt by Senator Domingue in derailing it) and setting out a new foreign policy (which is even more unpopular with Opposition Senators)
FAS Chief of Staff Etharious is replaced by hardliner Vice Admiral Eiirk Andersen of Sweden Andersen is a fierce opponent of the current administration
The Federation begin pulling things together to host a massive trade summit on Mars. The Federation make a deal with the Tranoan’s to get the Tranoan Emperor to attend!
2083 President Sanjiy leads a major trade summit on Mars which is lauded far and wide as a major success. The Tranoan Emperor attends, drawing major players from all over the quadrant. The Karkouri Chancellor, the Tazzyn Imperial Heir and the Vatu First-Lord all attend the conference. The Federation sign trade compacts with the Rorn and Bl'Hud, as well as negotiating a major new trade agreement with the Tranoans. President Sanjiy is hailed for his leadership and briefly the Federation is seen as a shining new power.
Elsewhere the Senate continues to be fractious and fifficult. President Sanjiy's administration fails in nearly all its attempts at major overhauls of the electoral policy and then faces a vote of no confidence lead by Hawk Senator Otmin Katlego. Senator Ovid Matharu helps put the rebellion down and President Sanjiy survives.
FAS begins a new program of ship building after some bitter confrontations between Senate hawks and doves. Senator Bras Domingue calls for a major renewal and investment in FAS and gains a massive amount of support. The Sanjiy administration caves in to his demands.
Senator Piotr Roskov is appointed new chairman of the Technology Corporation and leads more major investment by VENTRISS, West Corp, Sun-Star and IRONWORKS into colonisation. Two more colonies are allowed to be opened up by the Corporations
2084 There is a critical leak from within the Senate as to Federation Armed Services level of readiness, compared to the Vatu and Karkouri. This causes major consternation to President Sanjiy and sees Chief of Staff Erik Andersen resign (who is almost instantly elected to the Senate in his native Sweden).
President Sanjiy heads into a confrontation with Senate Hawks under Bras Domingue. His main supporters are political scions Otmin Katlego and Judson Wikheiser. When they fail to unseat the President, there is a major political crisis which sees troops invade New Zealand (home to one of Sanjiy's main allies, Senator Harker). Meanwhile a car bomb kills Senator Ovid Matharu in New Dehli. The world ends up on the brink of war. President Sanjiy meets with Senator Domingue and they beat out a compromise.
President Sanjiy resigns after just two years as President and Senator Domginue is "elected" by the Senate (facing no actual opposition). However he is forced to form a limited coalition to run the Senate. Many Senators protest the "coup" of the Hawks and call for Senator's Katlego, Wikheiser and Roskov to be impeached.
Federation prestige falls a little and this sees Indirian Frigates begin to raid Federation space
2085 The new Domginue Administration fails to get any major legislation through the Senate. Senator's have blocked every piece of legislation emanating from his office in committee or filibustered it on the floor. New leader of the opposition, Senator Takewa, proves to be unsumountable in direct political confrontation.
The Senate Judiciary committee meets to decide on sanctions against Senator's Katlego and Wikheiser. Both are forced to resign within a year. In the corporate world, the Matharu's and Harker's are able to drive the Wikheiser's out of the boardrooms of most of the major companies.
Meanwhile the border skirmishing gets worse as Federation worlds are forced to protect themselves. New FAS Chief of Staff Robert Stansfield calls for an increased deployment to the frontier.
The Federation also meets in diplomatic talks with the Tranoan's, the Rorn and the Bl'Hud. A new Military Alliance is signed with the Rorn which will see technology exchanged and lead to some fleet integration. This leads to a cooling of relations between the Federation and the Karkouri
President Domginue is also able to get a compromise bill past the Senate to gradually increase the FAS budget from A$400B per year to A$1200B over three years
2086 The new colony ships have left Earth and begin to open up half a dozen new corporate run colonies. FCA Chairman Davadas Rishi has been able to wring more exchanges out of the corporations and their allies.
President Domingue survives a major attempt by Senator Takewa to force him out of office and begins a series of meetings with Senate Moderates and centrists to try and keep the peace. At one point it is strongly suggested that he will resign but in the end he is able to formulate a major deal to keep the power of the Presidency
The Tomahawk War, as it is known, sees the Federation deploy its fleet and armed forces to confront Indirian raiders all over the frontier. There are four or five major battles, most of which see the Federation suffer heavy casualties. However, General Lucas Veculli is able to win the war in a year and drive the hostile Indirians ships out of Federation space. President Domginue and General Veculli are hailed as heroes. Federation's political prestige is greatly improved but the reputation of the Federation is somewhat darkened by their bloody-handed attitude towards the war
The fleet is upgraded to include Rorn technology and will, hopefully, see Federation warships able to compete with their enemies. The Federation is finally offered diplomatic ties to the enigmatic Taur'Lei Empire
2087 President Domingue enjoys a political honey-moon and pushes through some minor legislation to ease life for the corporations. The FAS continue to build new and larger ships and begins to reorganise the fleet a little. General Lucas Veculli, promoted two ranks above the current FAS chief of staff, ends up Commanding Officer of the Fleets by default.
As agreed with Senate moderates, President Domginue replaces his ally, Senator Kunnai, with Senator Grissom as chairman of the Executive and is able to exert a little more power in the Senate. Meanwhile candidates have begun to emerge for the Presidency which is not expected to last beyond early 2088
Meanwhile new colonies are founded on Van Diemen's World, Fort Kurzon, St Lawrence and Whitworth. All of these are at least part owned by major corporations.
2088 President Domingue is succeeded by Senator Helen de Michelle who forms a war-time coalition with Vice President Takumi Sagewa and Executive Chairman Adlai Kimov. They begin a massive increase of the FAS budget, a full A$1.2T increase in the space of one year, against the objections of the Senate doves. The Federation sees the worlds of Furnace and Whitworth evacuated and occupied by the Karkouri. However, renegade colonists wage a resistance war against the new occupiers
2089-2091 The Four Empires War
2089 War finally breaks out with the Four Empires War as the Karkouri invade the Sol system, engaging the Federation in two large fleet actions and closing to within one AU of Earth. However attention is drawn from this battle by the Vatu attack on both empires. The Vatu were able to take the Stark and Furnace colonies from the Federation and another 3 colonies from the Karkouri.
The Federation fought off the Karkouri during the so called "Sol Campaign" which was waged by the Federation Combined Fleet. The Combined Fleet was defeated in the Battle of Mars but then held off the Karkouri in the Battle of Falling Stars. The Federation counter offensive won the Mars campaign and Jovian campaign, driving the Karkouri Task Force out of the home systems
President de Michelle's wartime government called up all reservists and pressed all suitable warships into service, adding another 30 ships and more than half a million personnel at a stroke. An emergency bill passed the Senate 581-39 to raise the military budget from A$1T to A$2T. The Federation began producing warships at a phenomenal rate.
2090 The Federation replaced it's commander of the combined fleet as Major General Daniel Lau replaced General Lucas Vecuclli. Lau planned and lead Operation Pinwheel, with an assault against both the Ross 159 and Alpha Centauri systems. The Federation were able to retake both colonies, allbeit with heavy casualties. This lead to the Tazzyn Peace accords of 2090 where Vice President Takumi Sagewa successfully negotiated an end to the Karkouri element of the Four Empires War.
President de Michelle was able to get the Federation Executive to agree to hold back some of the Production budget, forestalling her fears about a millitant and aggressive Federation using the new fleet as a weapon of aggression.
Federation diplomats finally visited the Taurlei homeworld in the first official diplomatic exchange with the ancient power
2091 The Four Empires War against the Karkouri is ended and the Federation are able to concentrate their affairs against the Vatu Empire. Most of the year is spent refitting the fleet and preparing the fleet and marine forces to retake the lost colonies from the Vatu. Major General Lau plans "Operation Arc-Light" to retake these lost colonies. The plans are initiated in May of 2091. The Operational plans are a success, defeating the Vatu with huge casualties and ending the Four Empires War.
Meanwhile, the Karkouri Empire collapses into civil war as the military overthrow the ancient Imperial House. The entire Royal House, chancellor, Emperor and his two sons are all executed. The military leadership settle the war with the Vatu and agree to honour their previous treaty commitments. The surviving noble houses (largely two powerful merchant Houses) prepare to fight a long and bloody civil war. Surviving nobles flee to Tazzyn and Federation space and are harboured by both powers.
The Federation exchanges ambassadors with the Taurlei Empire after long and rather cryptic talks
President de Michelle surprises most by calling an early election. Vice President Sagewa edges out Senator Grant Grissom to be elected the 13th President of the Federation
2092-2098 The Rewards, The Post War Years
2092 Newly elected President Sagewa brought forward a plan to revolutionize the FAS by downsizing the large wartime fleet from 141 ships to just 40. Newly sworn in FAS chief of staff and war hero Peter Lau was charged with performing this task, over his own and other admirals objections. 30 warships were sold to the Rorn, Mor Du, Bl'Hud and Gannid Governments. Another 90 ships were mothballed (and around 20 of those were scrapped or sold off to private industry)
President Sagewa introduced several federalist measures to strengthen the arms and institutions of the Federal Government. He added the FRS (Federal Ranger Service) to the FSS as a police force able to operate between worlds (even in space). This organisation was met with some resistance in the Senate but the vote was passed. The President then successfully added Senate oversight to corporate financing and decreased the military budget from A$2T to A$1T
Senator Santiago Peretz made a contreversial suggestion that the Federation should take over the former colonies of the Karkouri Empire but this plan was defeated before it was brought to a vote.
2093 President Sagewa continued to expand the reach and power of the Federation, reducing the ability of Russia, China and India to self govern. The Indian Government was fairly satisfied with the state of affairs as they are major players in the Federation. The growing rivalry between President Sagewa and Chairman Grissom looked like it might paralyse the Senate but Sagewa was often able to out fox his rival.
President Sagewa and Senator Deepak Asseem worked out a new Trade Summit that included the gutsy plan to jointly settle and govern the former Karkouri colonies. This plan called on the Mor Du, Rorn, Bl'Hud and Gannid to take on the ambitious project. FIS began back channel overtures with the Tazzyn Empire to help out and take control of the Karkouri Empire. The Tazzyn were struggling to get a unified government support for the operation into Karkouri space
Meanwhile the military faction finally won the civil war, rounding up and killing the remaining Merchant Faction leaders.
Vice President Roskov resigned his office, claiming that he wasnt given anything to do and was "wasted" in that role. His successor was chosen, Senator Keisha Morse. Then President Sagewa was able to remove his rival, Grant Grissom, as chairman of the executive. A clever political ploy was pulled together by Ryu Honda who then resigned as Chief of Staff to protect the administration. Dallas Breen was promoted to Chief of Staff in his place.
2094 This was a major wedge between the Federation and their longtime allies the Tranoans. The Federation begun major talks with the Bl'Hud, the Mor Du, the Rorn and the Gannid about a mutual trading bloc that might evolve into great alliance. This was also a symbolic moment of the Federation moving away from its pro-Tranoan axis towards a more Tazzyn orientated foreign policy.
President Sagewa was hailed for his state-craft in delivering such a large overhaul of foreign policy and for opening up six new colony worlds (as part of the deal that the Tazzyn offered). The Major Corporations were forced to each sell around 15% of their assets to open up proper and fit competition, diluting their collective power. Meanwhile the Federation was able to increase its powers at the expense of its member states.
Many political pundits believe now that the next election (2096) would be the most crucial one for more than 20 years. Another Federalist may be able to cement the authority of the President and the Senate over all citizens of the Federation and all the smaller polities may begin to phase out.
Meanwhile the Federation began a major rebuilding process of its fleet and ground forces. The "Caesar" Project was funded to offer better protection to Marines and soldiers. Meanwhile the mothball reserves would be called back to activation.
2095 President Sagewa continued to exert more power, building up the TSA (terran Security agency) and other Federal agencies. The President overcame the Leader of the Opposition in funding attempts for FAS and other projects.
The President also began to wrap up his affairs and begin to set up his successor, Senator Robin Whitlock, as the front runner for the election. However after nearly 10 years of Federalist rule in the Senate, the libertarian "lobby" believed it was time for a change
A merger between Bradbury Industries and Pyramid Industries to create Bradbury-Pyramid created a fifth Mega-Corporation to compete with the "Big Four".
2096 More Federation marines die in Karkouri space, raising to an average of 150 per week and another 350 wounded. The ongoing attacks continue to cause damage and havok. FIS's belief that the Karkour military regime was secretly behind it.
The Federation also worked towards trying to build lasting ties with the Gannid, Rorn and other smaller powers but the ongoing warfare between the Federation and the occupied Salborians.
The 2096 Election was a shock, this most critical of elections saw young Indian Senator Shiva Jaywant win the election in one of the most one sided elections ever. The young President was sworn in alongside Santiago Peretz Veteran Senator Archie Gibbs was promoted to Executive Chairman and became a hugely powerful and influential figure in the new Senate. President Jaywant proceeded with the JOZ in Karkouri space
2097 The Federation re-organises its military efforts in Karkouri Space. A major act of the Senate allow the "Big Five" to begin setting up their own operational zones and even gradually build up their own military forces. A major review of the Intelligence Services was made by retired Admiral Robert Stansfield alongside Senator Jang Ryang. Admiral Stansfield was determined to run the investigation with as little Government interference as possible and often clashed with Senator Ryang, Senator Domingue and the Vice President
The fighting in the JOS continued but the FAS was directed to reduce its defensive posture. The FAS suffered more casualties, amounting to nearly 10,000 casualties in 2097. Admiral Verekker organised "Operation Cyclone" to try to break down the organised resistance.
The Federation enjoyed a huge economic boom, seeing average GDP increase by 2.5% and a massive reduction in unemployment. This allowed President Jaywant's administration to reduce the "Welfare State" in a tight vote and to increase corporate supports. Opposition Leader Robin Whitlock was muted in his criticism but liberal Senator Espara was searing in her criticism of the Government
2098 Admiral Verekker launches "Operation Arc-Angel" where FAS forces, working alongside mercenaries and corporate units attack all over the JOZ including into Karkouri sovreign territory. The Karkouri Military regime is outraged and insists that no further violations of their space will be allowed. Verekker was not seriously reprimanded but a Rorn Vice Admiral was given overall strategic command in the JOZ. This caused a major political backlash against the President
Meanwhile there are a couple of major political clashes as the President's chief of staff, Aleksandr Koburn, steps down. The President began to distance himself from the Vice President as their relationship continued to worsen. Executive Chairman Archibald Gibbs gained more executive power and was hailed by many as "The Real President"
Retired Admiral Robert Stansfield handed in the "Stansfield report" on FIS and intelligence services. The report was damning of the political interference and claimed that FIS had not been supportive or open to the investigation. The President welcomed the report but the Senate did not. Senate Exec members Pavel Sforza and Leonard Vermier were both hugely critical of the report and FIS and called for a cut in the FIS budget. This lead to a showdown between the President and the Senate. The President threatened to veto any reduction in the FIS budget.
The Senate was then rocked when Vice President Santiago Peretz died. At first it was thought to be a natural cause but was later revealed to be an assassination. This lead to Brazil threatining to withdraw from the Federation, taking India and China with them. The President was able to defuse the crisis but the Senate Hawks and other Brazilians repeatedly held up the Senate, filibustering nearly any piece of legislation until a truce was called.
Veteran Senator Peter Lieberman was appointed Vice President in 2098 to fill out the remainder of the term.
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