This article covers the primary timeline from 2099 to 2149 and is sometimes referred to by historians as the "Middle Era"
2099-2104 The Golden Age Ends
2099.With the Senate gridlocked and fierce schisms breaking out, the end of the Jaywant administration was in sight. The President called for an early election in 2100 and began the process of an orderly hand off of power. Privately he backed Exec Chairman Archie Gibbs but publicly stayed out of the race. The President was seen as one of the weakest in the history of the Federation and a major political millstone to carry
Meanwhile the JOZ descended into even worse bloodshed as Karkouri troops openly began to raid Federation, Rorn and Gannid outposts. Mercenary forces fought a very bloody urban battle, killing 2,300 Salborians and Karkouri.
A new galactic crisis emerged also in 2099 when Vatu forces engaged Karkouri border patrols, attempting to assert their authority over the old Karkour colonies they controlled. Using this as a pretence for a declaration fo war, the Karkour went to war with the Vatu and the two fleets clashed three times in 2099. The newly re-armed and re-trained Karkouri fleet stunned the Vatu with three successive victories and drove them back into Vatu space. Karkouri ground forces began the long job digging the Vatu out of their old colony worlds
On Earth the Federation was rocked by the construction of a new major space-station. A joint project between China, Brazil, India and some of the "Big Five", this major space port was seen as a blatant threat to the hegemony of the Federation. The Chinese premier and the Brazilian President both snubbed visits from the Federation President in 2099
The field for the critical 2100 election began to form. Executive Chairman Archie Gibbs was seen by most as the front runner. His principal opponents appeared to be Federalist Senator Robin Whitlock and Hawkish Senator Lucas Veculli. There was also a dark horse challenge from Vice President Peter Lieberman..
2100 The "Manhiem Trial" goes ahead and badly bloodies the reputation of the Federation and the Senate. Federation Prosecutor Andrew Donnowitz goes for the maximum penalty and is able to tie Senator Manhiem to a number of sordid business deals and corrupt alliances. Senator Manhiem is found guilty in a 7-2 decision of the court and sentenced to death. However the death sentence is commuted by President Jaywant. However Sygir Manhiem ends up serving a life sentence at a Super-Max facility in Texas
A set of major political reforms are voted through at the tail end of the Jaywant administration. The office of the Presidency is strengthened and Presidents were allowed to seek re-election. The President would also no longer be able to be removed by a simple vote, it would require impeachment in the Senate. Senator Robin Whitlock is elected President in a fierce election. He chose fellow Federalist Senator Annasly Keates as his Vice President and ascended to the highest office with more power than any previous President. Senator Sotaru Sasuke was elected Chairman of the Executive and Senator Lucas Veculli was named Leader of the Opposition
The newly elected Federalist administration took power and the President busied himself with trying to heal the rifts in the Federation. The Vice President was given authority to go after banking and finance reform and began to pull together a strong committee, comprised largely of Federalist Senators
The Karkouri complete their victory over the Vatu, recapturing their old colony worlds. The Karkouri Regime turns its attentions to its old colonies within the JOZ
2101 Increasing pressure on the JOZ sees the body count increase from 1,000 casualties per week to nearly 1,750 per week. President Whitlock gave orders to Rear Admiral Verekker to try and crack down on Salborian resistance.
The banking reform committee completes its reforms which, in the opinion of many Liberal Senators, dont go far enough
2102 The Tazzyn Empire began to withdraw its forces from the JOZ, surprising most with this climb down. The Federation and the Gannid are the two remaining Empires inside Karkouri space.
Major political clashes between the President and the Opposition Leader, Lucas Veculli, reach a critical mass. Senator Veculli is soundly out fought in pure political terms and Senator Veculli steps down as Leader of the Oppsotion. Russian Senator Piotr Roskov is elected Leader of the Opposition
2103 The Karkouri Empire insists on the Federation withdrawing from the JOZ. The President agrees to begin withdrawing FAS forces from the JOZ, over the objections of several high ranking FAS admirals. FAS Chief of Staff Ramseur draws up Operation Jupiter, which slowly withdraws all FAS forces from the JOZ. Salborian attacks continue.
New leader of the Opposition Piotr Roskov is far more successful than his predecessor. He begins drawing up his committee and staff to run for President in 2105
2104 All Federation Forces are withdrawn from the JOZ. In nearly ten years of occupation, there were more than 51,000 casualties including 17,000 dead. President Whitlock commisions a Veterans Hosptial to be based in Houston, Texas and then a momument to the dead to be built in Delhi, India.
A major commision into intelligence services begins, lead by Senator Christian Zenninger. This wide ranging committee includes opposition Senators as well as "Federalists"
The rifts between China, India and Brazil are very much healed by the President.
2105-2115 The Time of the Federalists
2105 President Robin Whitlock announces he will seek re-election. Vice President Keates is kept on as his Vice Presidential candidate. With a new election process, the opposition look to Senator Piotr Roskov as their nominee. However former Exec Chairman Archibald Gibbs is seen as the most likely person to defeat the President in an election.
In the end, President Whitlock easily defeats Senator Archie Gibbs and Piotr Roskov.
The re-elected President announces his intentions to seek a broader and lasting peace in the Quadrant. However one of the first things he's forced to deal with is the assault on the Vanhiem colony by the so called "Nacht-Volker". This mysterious race defeat a combined Terran, Tranoan and Rorn Task Force, destroying two cruisers and four frigates.
President Robin Whitlock, along with his old mentor Takumi Sagewa and the Vice President form the "Federalist" Party which is built around the major Federalist movement. This becomes the first real political party within the Federation Senate.
see also The Federalist Party
2106 New Federation colonies are built out on the Tazzyn Border. One is Corporate funded, controlled by Sunstar. The other two are both federally mandated, though one is a pure outpost, a military instalation. The colonies are expected to be founded in 2109
There are no further Nacht-Volker raids but many Hawkish Senators call for an increase in the military budget. A 30% increase from A$1 trillion to A$1.3 trillion is agreed. FAS chief of Staff Ramseur continues to upgrade the fleet to newer warships, keeping the numbers more or less the same
The President agrees to further break up the control of FIS. The FIS budget process is changed, with an Executive Sub committee now given control of its budget. The President also instructs the FIS to begin plans to divide up its operations.
2107 Things are quiet in the Federation. The President's administration busies itself with the work of state, continuing to build up a better health care and education system.
There is a falling out between the President and the Vice President over corporate interests and the two end up with a very frosty relationship
2108 Rising tensions between the Gannid and their neighbours, the Rorn, Mor-Du and the Bl-Hud result in the Federation being forced to intervene. The Federation signs a new military treaty with both the Rorn and the Bl-Hud whilst the Mor Du are apparently protected by the Tranoans. This leads to increased tensions between the Gannid and the Federation
The newly signed triple alliance sees Federation military prestige increase.
2109 The FIS responds to increasing political pressure by drawing up plans to reduce its operational size. However the Senate Exec committee reject their plan as being unworkable.
Vice President Keates announces that he'll seek the Presidency in 2110. The President happily endorses him, despite the rifts between them. Keates faces no opposition to win the Federalist nomination. Opposition Leader Piotr Roskov appears to be his principal opponent but he also faces a liberal challenge from Senator Tkose Rudabe.
2110 President Whitlock leaves office after 10 years as President, looking much older and grayer than when he went in. He campaigns hard for Vice President Keates. Keates defeats Roskov, Rudabe and Gallet in the 2110 Election. The Federalist Party has now controlled the Presidency for 3 successive terms. Keates picks Croation Senator Svomir Vucic as his running mate and Vice President. Roskov is once again named Opposition leader.
President Keates has to react to Hawks calling for an increase in the FAS budget. This is made even worse when the Karkouri and Gannid sign a major alliance. The Quadrant is now divided into two major power blocs opposing each other.
2111 A major trade war begins as Gannid construction and mining corporations begin fiercely competing with Federation and Rorn industries. The Karkouri also engage in this trade war too.
President Keates agrees to raise the FAS budget to A$1.5 trillion. New FAS chief of staff Mattheu de Spain begins major reconstruction project using Bl-Hud technology to upgrade the fleet.
2112 The Galaxy is shaken by the death of the Tazzyn Emperor. The Imperial Royal Heir ascends to the throne but the Tazzyn Empire is badly disrupted by the ascension process.
President Keates gets narrow Senate approval to break up the FIS into four new district offices. The Central Office is the main command of it but there are also the SO (Special Operations) district, the North, East and West Districts. This should make FIS easier to control and police.
2113 Senate Hawks and Libertarians get increasingly difficult as the Trade War continues to bite. The Big Four lobby fiercely for retalitory tariffs and black-lising of Karkouri and Gannid corporations.
President Keates is able to maintain control of the Senate but the opposition gains in strength. Opposition Leader Piotr Roskov forms the "Alliance Party" to find a unified nominee to face the Federalist Party in the 2115 election.
2114 The Keates administration is plagued by serious allegations of "unreadiness" and a lack of strength. He brings in long time ally Emily Warrington as Executive Chairman to help maintain some control of the Senate.
The new Tazzyn Emperor is known to be a major fan of the Federation. The President visits the new Emperor and begins to forge closer ties to the Tazzyn.
2115 President Keates wins renomination by the Federalist Party and stands for re-election alongside Vice President Vucic. The "Alliance" party nominate German Senator Christian Zenninger to face him. Radical conservative Senator Desmond Odeffi also runs as an independent candidate.
In the end, Senator Zenninger narrowly wins the election and becomes the new President, ending 15 years of Federalist domination of Federation politics. President Zenninger hopes to form a broad ranging coaltion government. Senator Jon Muntarri is elected Vice President and sir Hugh Attwater is named Executive Chairman. Mexican Senator Adin Rodriguez is named Opposition Leader (and thus de-facto nominee for the 2120 election).
2116-2130 The Middle Kingdom
2116- A Nacht-Volker raid destroys the colony on the world Alice in the Lalande Star System. A Federation lead Task Force is deployed to track and engage the Nacht-Volker. This time the force doesn't contain any Tranoan warships.
President Zenninger agrees major corporate tax cuts and allows further involvement in the colonies. He attempts a partial privatization of the FSS (Scout Services) but this motion is rejected in committee.
2117 The Federation Task Force 33 engages three Nacht-Volker battlecruisers in the Proxima Centarui System. The task force contains 22 ships (including four Rorn warships). The battle is very one sided and the Task Force is routed, losing twelve ships destroyed. This causes shockwaves across the Federation. The President passes an emergency powers bill and increases the FAS budget to A$2 trillion. FAS Chief of Staff Matheu de Spain suggests a major deployment.
The trade war, meanwhile, has settled down but the Federation economy has suffered
2118 The FAS Task Force 71, under direct command of FAS Chief of Staff de Spain engage the Nacht-Volker in the Vega system. A major battle is fought and the newly upgraded fleet are able to better hold their own against the Nacht-Volker ships. However their superior technology once again is telling and the Federation lose a staggering 22 ships. The Nacht-Volker then destroy the Fort Darwin colony.
2119 President Christian Zenninger loses control of the "Alliance" Party and insists he'll run for re-election with or without their nomination. The Federalist Party begin a primary election which sees Russian Senator Lidyia Kostova win the nomination ahead of French Senator Pierre Kastevezz. She choses American Senator Joshua Bronte as her running mate. Zenninger narrowly wins the "Alliance" nomination but there are two other "Alliance" candidates, Kazuya Shen and Jang Ryang.
There are no further Nacht-Volker raids and news arrives that the Tranoans had engaged them in a major battle in 2119, destroying one battle cruiser (at the cost of four of their own cruisers)
2120 President Christian Zenninger makes a strong account of himself during the 2120 electiom. Widely considered one of the smartest men in Federation politics, he wows the Senate with his ambitious plans for his 2nd term. However the organisational strength and unified voice of the Federlaist Party gives them the edge and Senator Lidya Kostova is elected President in 2120.
The newly elected Federalist Administration take over control of nearly every office of state. Senator Adin Rodriguez is named Executive Chairman.
2121 The trade war sparks up again as the Karkouri dump billions of tonnes of Gannid goods into Federation and Rorn space. The Federation respond with black listing and attempt to fight back in this trade war.
President Kostova visits the Tazzyn homeworld. While she's away Vice President Bronte leads the Senate in a vote to increase the welfare state, helping to get social justice caught up with the 2120's.
2122 The Senate passes the "Federation Trade Act 2122" which sees major trade exemptions for the corporations. The Big Four begin to police their own trading routes better but are sorely pressed and there is talk of a possible merger between Sunstar and Ironworks.
Vice President Bronte visits the Tranoan homeworlds.
2123 FAS spending actual increases to A$2.2 trillion. Senate doves decry this, including the vice President but the Senate seems fairly well in agreement. However the Federations GDP and trading deficit is really begining to cause serious pain to the Federation.
The new colonies are suffering badly and there is talk of one of them being abandoned
2124 The merger between Sunstar and Ironworks is blocked by the Senate Anti-Trust committee. The two corporations begin an appeal to the Federation Supreme Court.
The Bl-Hud agree to a new alliance but down grade their involvement in miltiary affairs.
President Kostova orders the FAS to deploy a task force to patrol the borders and to interdict Karkouri traffic where possible. This military action causes a flare up in the border and the spectre of war rises again
President Kostova announces her intention to seek re-election. She is unopposed for the Federalist nomination and stands as their nominee once again. There is talk that Bronte will be dropped from the ticket in 2125. The "alliance Party" has ceased to exist as an effective force so she faces several opponents, Senator Antonio Cappa, Senator Kazuya Shen and Mars Governor Callum Browne are her main competition
2125 The Presidential election is close but the Federalists are just about able to edge the other candidates. Opposition Leader Antonio Cappa calls for an Opposition Party to be formed and it forms around him, too late to stop President Kostova from winning her 2nd term. She swaps running mates, changing over to hawkish Senator Eirik Andersen.
The Tazzyn Emperor intervenes the Karkouri/Federation stand off and helps to ease the pressure. Tazzyn trading policies help to cool down the economy of the Federation and the Rorn
2126 The new administration begin a major program of building new ships and FAS facilities. The President allows VENTRISS UDC and WestCopr to buy up former FAS warships.
A major program of helping the colonies begins.
Mars lobbies hard to be given Senate representation and the Senate begins debating the political role of the colonies
2127 The Supreme Court rejects the merger between IronWorks and Sunstar. This sees Sunstar collapse as a corporation and eventually forced to go into administration. The shockwaves of this cause a major fall in GDP and a major recession strikes the Federation.
President Kostova is forced to reduce the FAS budget to A$1.8 trillion.
2128 Separatist terrorists in Russia set off a dirty bomb in St Petersburg, killing 70,000 people. The President leads the Federation through this crisis. The TSA successfully capture several members of this terrorist cell.
2129 President Kostova collapses during her "State of the Federation" address and is briefly succeeded by Vice President Andersen. She resumes the office after about a week. She announces that she will not seek a 3rd term.
The recession begins to ease up and the signs of recovery are seen
2130-2149 Turbulent Times
2130 An outbreak of so-called "K19" virus on the colony world of Hollis spreads out to four other colony worlds which are eventually kept under a quarentine. The Federation is then shocked to see the K19 virus mutate into the mucn more lethal K20 virus which has a lethality of more than 70%. Emergency powers are granted to the new President and the Federation acts to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
A quarantine is even placed over the entire Sol system which ultimatley saves lives. Bl'Hud scientists crack the code and are able to manufacture a cure and a vaccine. The final death toll of the K20 virus is nearly 2,000,000 people.
Newly elected President Joshua Ramis is widely credited for his skilful and calm handling of the crisis
2131 The President deals with the aftermath of K20, including the possible consitutional violations in Thailand. A Senate committee investigate the violations but are able to aquit the issue successfully.
The clean up sees two entire colonies utterly emptied
2132 FAS complete a test progam of AI warships and unveil the A-31 "Arrow" and the A-39 "Solo" which are AI war-drones. These drones will supplement the existing fleet. A test fleet is constructed, with IronWorks winning the contract worth more than A$400B
The FAS budget is very gradually reduced after much discussion within the Senate. The President makes a personal appeal to do more for "social justice" within the Federation and makes this one of his key issues.
A new political forms up, comprised of Pro Corporate moderates. The so called "Community Party" had begun out on the Frontier.
2133 New Political reforms are rejected by the Senate. Mars Governor Callum Browne accuses the Federalist Party of "tyranny".
2134 The Federation has finally finished tidying up after the K20 Virus. Federation trade has suffered badly.
2135 President Ramis defeats Governor Browne for re-election. The Federalists can look forward to their fourth consecutive term in the Presidents office.
A Nacht-Volker raid near Alpha Centauri forces the FAS into action. FAS chief of Staff Langdom works with former FAS chief of staff Rear Admiral Marinna Richards to draw up a plan to deal with this highly advanced race.
2136 A joint summit between the Tazzyn, the Tranoans and the Federation narrowly fails to get the two superpowers to form a joint task force to take on the Nacht-Volker. The Federation turn its attention to the Vatu and gain their support to take on the Nacht-Volker. A joint Tranoan, Vatu, Rorn and Federation task force of more than 100 ships is formed under the command of a Tranoan Admiral.
The Battle of Barnards Star sees a large Nacht-Volker fleet (more than 20 ships) engage the huge Allied Fleet. The battle is incredibly fierce and the Federation and Vatu ships are battered, losing nearly half of the ships deployed. Even the Tranoans lose four cruisers to the Nacht-Volker. However Vatu ramming tactics bring down a Nacht-Volker battle-cruiser. Tranoan cruisers take out three smaller Nacht-Volker ships and the Vatu also take out another. The FSS Hercules destroys a Nacht-Volker frigate with a spinal mounted laser weapon. The battle is won at a great cost.
2137 The Federation begins planning a major trade summit, inviting all the major powers of the Quadrant to Earth space. The initial response is much weaker than expected with only the Federations close allies willing and interested to attend. President Ramis begins personally courting the leadership of other races to get them to attend
2138 Major social reforms on Earth begin to take effect. The general standard of life on Earth and Mars increase radically
President Ramis forms the OSB to keep an eye on the TSA, FIS and ONI. The Senate find this to be an overreach and do not approve but Ramis is able to get just enough support..
2139 FAS Chief of Staff Peter Langdom steps down as he will not have enough support from the new administration. He is named head lecturer at the FAS fleet academy. President Ramis announces he will not seek a 3rd term, keeping with the tradition of President's only seeking two terms. He names Vice President Pierre Kastevezz as his chosen successor.
The Libertarian Party rally around Exec Chairman Matti Sugiharu for the 2140 election with the rallying call that "Four Terms was enough!"
2140 The Libertarian Party finally retake the Presidency when Matti Sugiharu is able to sweep Vice President Pierre Kastevezz aside to be elected President. This ends more than 20 years of Federalist Control of the Presidency. However the Exec Chairman is a Federalist, Pierre Chancier.
FAS Chief of Staff Helton Weiss personally promotes Tomegku to Captain and gives him command of the FSS Pursuit A. He is the first Rorn officer to be given an independent command within FAS and to be given the rank of Captain.
2141 The Social Reforms of the Ramis administration are finally fully enacted. There is now universal health care across the Federation (at least in the core systems). There is also very good low cost education. Former President Ramis's popularity spikes hugely and there are even some calling for him to run again in 2145.
2142 A series of major corporate oversight committees begin putting new safeguards and watchdogs in place over the big four. President Sugiharu vetoes the most extreme of them, risking a possible veto override by the Federalist Majority in the senate. He rides his luck and is able to just about tow the line.
2143 The Federation economy begins to slow to a crawl again as the Corporate reforms, along with aggressive Gannid practices, cause a slowdown.
2144 The long planned Federation Trade Summit on St Lawrence takes place. President Sugiharu is lukewarm in his support for it and leaves most of it to Vice President Jang Ryang. The Tranoan send their Warden, the Rorn and the Bl-Hud send senior leaders, as do the Mor-Du. The Gannid and Karkouri both send trade emissaries but the Tazzyn only send a couple of nobles. The summit is a dismal failure.
2145 President Sugiharu wins renomination for the Libertarian Party but faces an energized Federalist Party which nominates Russian Senator Adam Miranov. Independent candidate Andreas von Falkenhayn runs too. In a truly shock result, President Sugiharu pulls off a victory and is narrowly re-elected President, the first Libertarian to earn a 2nd term.
The Quadrant is forced to react to the "Great Dhaugosk Migration" as more than 600 million Dhaugosk begin to arrive in the Quadrant. Many attempt to settle in Tazzyn space but are moved on, aggressively. They settle in the end on two Federation colony worlds, along with worlds in Tranoan, Karkouri, Mor-Du, Bl'Hud and Vatu space. Only the Tazzyn seem to want to resist this large scale migration. President Sugiharu skirts a tricky line with this.
2146 The great alliance with the Bl'Hud and the Rorn is finally broken as the Bl;Hud withdraw from the renegotiation talks. President Sugiharu passes the buck, very well, to the Federalist opposition under Senator Adin Rodrguez.
A series of successful financial reforms are passed by the Libertarians that see the corporations able to get back to old profit levels. The corresponding injection of money sees the economy moving forward again. President Sugiharu takes the plaudits
2147 Former Vice President Pierre Kastevezz is re-elected to the Senate and is named new Opposition Leader. He seems all but certain to be the Federalist nominee in the 2150 election.
2148 The Karkouri Gannid military alliance finally ends, leading to the gradual slow down of the "Trade War" that has lasted for nearly thirty years.
There is much trouble in the Tazzyn Empire as two great houses go to war. The Emperor is forced to intervene to stop the Tazzyn Empire from sliding into actual civil war.
2149 War breaks out between the Vatu and the Karkouri
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