This article is a part of the primary time-line. This article covers 2040-2077, referred to by historians as the "Pre-Colonial Era"
2040-2044 From the Brink
2040- The world stands on a knife edge as tensions between the powerful CDSU and USCAF reach a near boiling point. Cold war threatens to turn into actual war.
2041- The CDSU secretly launch their own manned mission to Mars
2042- The USCAF Mission to Mars in launched
2043-
Contact. The USCAF mission to Mars lands and encounters a Tranoan Scout party, along with "Ancient" technology. The Human race is "welcomed" into the galactic community and despite one or two early misunderstandings, the Human race awakes to see a Tranoan scout-cruiser in orbit above the Earth. There are huge political, sociological and religious connotations and there are literally thousands of suicides as a result of this news. A world-wide summit is called to attempt to form a unified response
2044- The Rome Summit- The leaders of the world meet and after six days of intense talks, they form a Terran Federation.
2044-2060 The Federation
2044: The Federation is officially formed in Rome
2045: The Interim Government elects Prime Minister H Suzuki of AEJIS as the initial Chairman of the Executive. The Terran Federation Military Executive is set up to oversee and decide on practice, doctrine and hiring for a Federation Armed Services (FAS).
2046: The Federation is able to form and apply to the Tranoans for the technology that was promised. Chairman of the Federation Armed Services, Retired General James Thuram, begins the long program of creating a multinational fighting force for the Federation. He projects it will take at least 10 years to create a force capable of using any of the technology or being combat worthy.
2047: The Member States agree to ratify the Federation Constitution and elect the first Federation Senate. The initial Senate comprises 1 Senator for every 10 million citizens in a state. 620 Senators are chosen by the States. USCAF and EU/COM both plan to hold full scale elections in 2049 to elect future Senators to 5 year terms. The CDSU directly appoint all of theirs. AEJIS appoint the first round and then intend to elect further Senators to 10 year terms. Brazil and India both plan to elect their Senators starting in 2050 to 4 year terms.
2048: The Tranoan Technology grant arrives and is handed to the Technology Board. The Technology Board begin work on making sense and integrating this technology. Project Director Martin Kharine suggests it will take four years to fully crack the technology. The Federation Senate elects Senator H Suzuki as the First President of the Senate. Former USCAF President, Senator Wexler, is named new chairman of the Executive board
2049: USCAF and EU/COM both hold full scale elections for their places in the Senate. The Federation Colonial Administration (FCA) is set up to oversee and rule on colonial exploration from the Federation.
2050: India and Brazil both hold full scale elections for their places in the Senate
2051: President H Suzuki resigns from office after clashing with hardliners in the Senate who are largely CDSU appointees. The President blames resistance from the CDSU to modernizing the Senate and that they wish to make the Senate irrelevant Senator Michael Wexler becomes inter-rim President. An election is held in the Senate to name the new President. Little known Senator Anaj Rishi of India is named President. Senator Wexler is re-elected as Chairman of the Executive
2052-2056 Faster Than Light
2052: The Technology Board announces the first successful Faster Than Light shuttle launch and the first successful use of the Van Dyne shielding technology. Extra-solar travel is now possible. The first inner-system FTL jump is a failure. The FSS “Extant” is lost with all hands near Mars. The disparate nations of Africa form the League of African Nations (LAN) to gain more strength in the Federation Senate.
2053: Using the failure of the Extant as an excuse, many CDSU and independent states attempt to wrest power and technology from the Technology Board. They are rejected by the Senate. President Rishi is rightly praised for his skillful handling of this crisis. The FAS complete successful combat exercises and announce that they are finally operational.
James Thuran retires, handing the Federation Armed Services to Lt-General Abidaye Kurai. The 2nd major FTL launch is successful. The FSS“Pursuit” is successful in making an FTL jump to and from Jupiter. The jump causes a wave of hysteria and jubilation. Taking advantage of this, President Rishi and his supporters in the Senate work to wrest more power from the States. There is much wrangling and negotiation between member states, the Senate and the Federation Colonial Administration over the development of the colonies.
2054: The USCAF and India both agree to cede more powers to the Federation in their own legislative elections. President Rishi successfully puts down a revolt of CDSU lead members who work with Brazilian Senators. The Federation Colonial Administration agrees to allow colonization of Mars. There is a legal challenge to the Federations rights to the planet which is upheld. None the less, the Federation is the only polity able to reach Mars. President Rishi and Senator Auden successfully defuse a stand off with the rest of the Senate over Mars.
2055: The FAS have completed their first FTL capable ships. The FSS “Intrepid” and FSS “Corwin” are both unveiled to a very impressed public. Lt-General Kurai announces that keels have been laid down for 2 more ships. The FAS gives an audit to the Senate Committee on Armed Forces and is given a thumbs up.
The first experimental extra-solar jump is made. The FSS “Preistley” jumps 4.2 light years and conducts experiments for two days before returning. The ships commander, Captain Ross McCone, is briefly a massive hero. There is intense politicking in the Senate as President Rishi reaches the end of his term. He has been hailed as a superb President.
Rishi chooses Senator Richard Kassenbach to succeed him as President. The EU/COM and Indian Senators begin attempting to get enough support to see him named as the next President.
2056-2060 Scandal
2056: Election fever freezes the Senate and little actual achievement is made during 2056. Senator Michael Wexler is considered by many to be the front-runner but he is rejected by the CDSU senators who back their own candidate, Senator Peter Lien. The EU/COM candidates are Senator M Reilly, Senator Richard Kassenbach and Senator Penelope Cassano. India is unable to back a candidate but support Kassenbach and Cassano. AEJIS are also forbidden to nominate someone and most of them fall in behind Kassenbach or Wexler. The LAN support Lien and Cassano. Brazil becomes the swing vote, after initially supporting Senator Oliver Borgetti, they get strongly behind Richard Kassenbach.
Senator Kassenbach of the EU/COM is named the new President of the Federation. Michael Wexler steps down as chairman of the Executive and concentrates on a bid to become chairman of the FCA. Penelope Cassano wins the position of vice chair and Senator Andrew Auden is named chairman of the executive. The FAS announce successful exercises in deep space maneuvers and combat. Lt-General Kurai announces his intention to retire at the end of 2056.
2057: There is a terrorist attack against the Senate building in Rome and three senators (two CDSU and one Brazilian) are killed. The terrorists appear to be religious fundamentalists. President Kassenbach attempts to defuse the situation. The CDSU make retaliatory bombing attacks against Syria and Iran.
The FCA announces the laying down of the first nine colony ships but that there currently isn’t enough money available to fund a full 12 ship mission. They also announce the formation of a Federation Scout Service (FSS) which will begin cataloguing these worlds. The FSS is placed under the control of the FAS. The FAS name Chinese General Law Huang Hu as the new chief of staff of the FAS. The FAS also announce the laying down of two new keels for FAS ships. They also unveil the completed scout ships for theFSS. Six small ships with FTL capability will be deployed in 2058.
2058 The Federation votes to send ambassadors to the Tranoan Empire. There is an intense political clash over who should be the ambassador to the Tranoan Empire. President Kassenbach narrowly survives a vote of confidence (begun by CDSU and USCAF senators). The ambassadors are chosen and sent to the Tranoan Empire on the FTL capable ship FSS “Preistly”.
The FSS begins making scouting runs to the nearby star systems. Largely overseen by the military, there are complaints that the information is being censored and hoarded. Chairman Wexler begins an oversight hearing into the FSS.
2059 Chairman Wexler’s investigation causes a huge controversy in the Senate as it reveals patronage and insider dealing between FAS chairman Law Huang and many corporate contractors. It also reveals widespread corruption among the Senate and the executive. Chairman Andrew Auden resigns to clear his name and Senator Penelope Cassano announces her candidacy for the chairmanship. She is beaten to the chairmanship by her fellow European Senator Matthew Reilly who is seen as a reformer of the Senate.
President Kassenbach dismisses Law Huang but the CDSU senators do not recognize his power to do so without a vote in the Senate. President Kassenbach pushes the issue and narrowly wins the vote. Several hard-line CDSU, Brazilian and even European Senators leave the floor. President Kassenbach holds talks with the Senate and the new Executive and then announces his resignation as President. He suggests that the atmosphere requires a clean slate and a neutral broker. This also provokes a constitutional crisis over whom holds the Executive Power of the Presidency while there is no President.
The FSS, despite the tumult surrounding them catalogue the first half a dozen worlds. They lose one ship, the FSS “Alundra” is lost with all hands visiting CM01 in Canis Major. The FAS appoint American retired Admiral Howard Bayard as the new Chief of Staff of the FAS. Bayard announces a wide spread look at the composition and procurement policy of the FAS. Eventually the political crisis calms down and Senator Michael Wexler succeeds to the Presidency. This draws much complaint from the CDSU hard-liners who see him as the architect of the fall of President Kassenbach.
2060-2063 The Wexler Administration
2060: President Wexler works closely with Chairman Reilly and Vice-Chair Cassano to expand the scope and powers of the Federation, whilst also sweeping away much of the old corruption. He attempts to expand the powers of the Supreme Court but is defeated in the Senate. President Wexler gambles his nascent presidency on a vote of no-confidence linked to a new vote on the scope of the Federation and wins.
The President negotiates with Senator Bulgarin, the leader of the CDSU faction, to appoint Senator Kim Romanov as the new chair of the FCA. Kim oversees more modernization and more corporate partnership working. She becomes famed in the Senate for her skilled negations. Former pilot Ross McCone is elected to the Senate as a USCAF Senator.
The FAS unveil newly completed ships, the FSS “Howard” and the FSS “Ulysses”. Chief of Staff Bayard also announces his intention to see a massive program of recruitment in the FAS. The FSS finish their scouting missions of the nearby colonial worlds. They also announce that there are, in fact, 14 worlds not 12 that have a breathable atmosphere and that all 14 would be suitable, if not easy, to colonies.
2061 The Federation suffers from political in-fighting for much of 2061 and the previously unofficial post of “Leader of the Opposition” is recognized as an office of the Senate, given an increased wage and staff. CDSU Senator Alexyi Kanev is named as the Leader of the Opposition. His deputy is none other than former President Richard Kassenbach. The FCA announces the laying down of five new colony ships. These have been paid for largely by partnership working with outside bodies (like the states and the corporations).
The FSS are given four new ships. Chief of Staff Bayard also announces that the FSS “Alundra” may have been destroyed by a hostile starship. The Senate Armed Services committee announces an oversight investigation into the loss of the “Alundra”. Meanwhile the CDSU continues to batter Arabic nations in its quest for revenge. This leads to massive terrorist attacks against Volgagrad and Beijing. Hundreds are killed.
2062 President Wexler suffers a heart-attack and is unable to function as president. The Crisis worsens when it is pointed out that the “deputy” to the Presidency (and de-facto Vice President) is a member of EU/COM and unable to be President. Chairman Reilly resigns as chairman of the Executive to avoid a constitutional crisis. Little known Ghanaian Senator Billay Kutai is named new chairman of the Executive. Billay, a member of the Liberal Wing, becomes “acting President” while President Wexler recovers. Senator Kanev and Senator Kassenbach both lead a motion to dismiss the Wexler Presidency but they are unable to get enough Senators to join them. They go after the chairmanship of the previously a-political technology board and dismiss long serving scientist Stefan Kurzek. They replace him with conservative USCAF Senator Oberon Telman.
The FSS begin a major refit of their fleet but complain that the ships are already suffering badly from overuse. The FAS chairman lacks the ability to find them any more money or resources to remedy this. The FCA announce that the first two colony ships, bound for Mars, are complete and begin the long and arduous process of filling out these colony ships. Both are designed to be broken down and become the colony habitation for the initial colonies on Mars.
2063 President Wexler resigns from office after being defeated in a vote of no confidence (but not by 2/3rds of the Senate). President Wexler attempts to broker a deal to see an orderly transition to Senator Kutai as President but this is shot down by the Senate. There is a long period where the Senate is unable to act and Senator Kutai becomes acting President in this period. The FAS chief of staff Howard Bayard announces his retirement and is replaced by Israeli officer Peter Lieberman. Peter continues to follow up the work of the previous COS.
The FCA announce that whilst the colonies will be protectorates of the Federation, there will be 6 colony worlds made open to private investment. The colonies will belong to the Federation but be developed privately. The Federation is then rocked by its first truly galactic political event as a Vatu warship penetrates the Sol system. The warship gets as far as Mars before it is challenged by the FSS “Preistly” and FSS “Howard”. The Vatu warship makes no reply to challenges but then makes a jump out of the system. The Senate vote to send ambassadors to the Vatu (who it turns out are Terran neighbors!) and to the Tazzyn (who are a close by race). These two ambassadors are chosen quickly and efficiently.
2064-2068: The Collapse of the CDSU
2064 There is much chaos as the Senate fights over a new Presidential election. Senator Kutai has gained much credibility but is still considered to be too green to be President. Senator Alexyi Kanev becomes the front-runner but is rejected by the liberal and moderate Senators. Moderate CDSU senator Yakov Tannant is considered to be the compromise choice. Meanwhile Brazilian Senator Julia Hernandez becomes a major contender too.
Senator Penelope Cassano attempts to amend the constitution to remove the clause stopping the Presidency from going to the same state more than once in 4 terms. She fails (narrowly) but then succeeds to amend the constitution to specify that it is 4 terms not 20 years.
Senator Yakov Tannant is named President and promises to be a moderating influence. He backs USCAF Senator Andrew Auden as the new chairman of the Executive and sees Alexyi Kanev named as vice chair. To spread the power, he replaces Kim Romanov as chairwoman of the FCA with Indian Moderate Senator Deepak Asseem. EU/COM moderate Penelope Cassano becomes leader of the opposition
The technology board chairman negotiates a deal to build clean-hydrogen power plants in countries for member states, in return for a large financial contribution (and the eventual ceding of more power to the Federation).
The world watches the departure of the “Bradbury” and the “Merlin” to Mars to begin the first extra-Terra colony. This project is expected to take a decade to truly become successful. The Colony ships take 8,000 colonists of varying stripes. New colonists will depart in 2067 to follow up.
2065 There is a major civil war in the CDSU and the CDSU senators are largely called home. President Tannant is forced to spend the first year of his presidency working closely with his opposition. Former President Kassenbach is considered to be the power behind the throne. Technology board chairman Oberon Telman resigns from the Senate to an incredibly well paid private sector job. He is replaced by Liberal Senator Cris Tellar
The Federation makes contact with the Vatu and Tazzyn, sending ambassadors to both races. The Federation also announces that it will begin building a new capitol building in India, in Delhi. The capitol will be home to the Executive, the Senate and the alien embassies. The FAS and FCA will remain in Rome
The Bradbury and Merlin colonies are established on Mars as a pair of small colonies with the basic mining materials. They find life under shielded domes very difficult and there are a number of deaths. The FCA appoint Greg-Allen Petersen as the first governor of Mars.
2066 The CDSU effectively collapses. The Chinese government withdraws to fight against its own rebels. The Russian government stabilizes but is then subject to a terrorist nuclear attack against Minsk which kills 115,000 people. The world is pushed to the brink. The Federation President uses his legislative skill to assume more powers. The USCAF President resigns in protest but the Vice President immediately ratifies, handing more powers to the Federation. The Senate also passes a new act that will mean that each Senator must be elected to the Senate for a fixed term of 10 years. The nature of these elections will be down to the member states but in another 10 years, they must all be elected in the same way. President Tannant loses his vice chairman as Alexyi Kanev is forced to resign and return to Russia to fight in the civil war. He asks for a new vice chair and veteran Senator Richard Kassenbach is named as new vice chairman of the Executive
2067 The Senate begins to stabilize but is still short by around 90 members as the former CDSU states continue to be busy elsewhere. The President has gained massive respect as a moderate voice and has commanding respect from all parties in the Senate. Andrew Auden resigns as chairman of the Executive and is replaced by Senator Richard Kassenbach. There is much friction between Kassenbach, Cassano and the President. Senator Keisha Morse is elected as vice chair of the Executive
FAS Chief of Staff Peter Liberman announces that four new ships have had their keels laid down. He also oversees refits of the existing fleet. A new FTL engine is perfected and is more efficient than the original one.
The follow up wave of colonists are brought to Mars on the FSS “Preistly”, the FSS “Howard” and the FSS “Pursuit”. The total population on Mars is over 10,000 already. The population continues to adapt to the harsh lifestyle. Former President Suzuki Hitomori dies. There is a Federal funeral. He is hailed as the original leader of the Federation and given much plaudits. Former President Michael Wexler delivers a powerful eulogy, calling on the Federation to embrace his vision.
Technology board chairman Cris Tellar continues to make deals with states and corporate bodies, agreeing to oversee production on faster than light ships for them in return for HUGE investments of capital and further concessions. The Brazilian government becomes the single largest investor into this technology, followed by AEJIS.<
2068 The Senate is frozen again by elections. Senator Kassenbach argues (unsuccessfully) for recognition of Senator Kutai’s year as acting President to be recognized as a complete “term” AEJIS Senator Marco Wire becomes the front-runner. Whilst he is reasonably corporate, he’s also considered to be a moderate voice in the senate and has achieved much as chairman of the Senate Finance oversight committee. He is opposed by Indian Senators Deepak Asseem and Priya Pratima. The outsider choice is Senator Billay Kutai. Kutai is seen by many as a powerful choice but he withdraws from consideration in respect of a place on the Executive. Brazilian Senator Oscar de Marquez is also a contender.
The Senate votes and elects Marco Wire of Australia as the new President. President Wire promises to continue in Tannant’s stead and offers to work closely with Senator Kassenbach’s wing of the Senate. Senator Penelope Cassano steps down as Leader of the Opposition and is replaced by Senator Deepak Asseem. He is, in turn, replaced by Senator Pratima as chair of the FCA. The Mars colony suffers its first major setback as a new cavern is subject to a gas fire which kills 315 colonists. Never the less, the colony industrial output is about five times the level it would be on Earth. With increased corporate interest and offers of incredibly cheap land, the interest in “Wave 3” is intense the FCA set even more stringent rules.
The Terran Ambassador to the Tranoan Empire successfully agrees the first trade deal between the two empires. The Tranoan ambassador arrives on Earth with trade goods and technology. Tranoan shipboard technology is given over to the technology board. The Tranoan’s request a sampling of Terran animal life.
2069-2071: The Corporate Years
2069 The Senate is granted some legislative power for the first time and is able to pass laws of its own. The Supreme Court rules on the case, “the Federation Vs Kassenbach” in favor of Senator Kassenbach, allowing him to consider Billay Kutai’s run as a term. Senator Kassenbach announces his intention to seek the Presidency when President Wire’s term expires. The FAS unveil their four newest ships. The “Gallant”, the “Reprise”, The “Juliet” and the “Extant A”. The FAS also unveils its new state of the art space station, in orbit around the Moon. This facility is known as Fort Vigil. The FAS chief of staff, Peter Lieberman, oversees some final preparation and then announces his retirement as chief of staff. He also announces that in future, the chief of staff will be a serving member of the Federation Fleet Arm. This is passed in the Senate. The new chairman is Vice-Admiral Matsumoto Kaneda.
The Technology board also has a change in chairman as Senator Oscar de Martinez becomes chairman. He oversees a massive overhaul of the investment procedure and more articles of incorporation. The Technology board is renamed and reorganized as the Federal Technology Corporation (FTC).
The rest of the FCA colonial fleet is completed and the process of selection of colonists and testing begins. The FCA announces that two ships will be used to expand the Mars colony; the other 7 will go to the other colonies. They will be followed up by another wave two years on. The Tranoan Empire continues to trade with the Federation, even offering manufactured goods. Tranoan levitation and anti-grav technology becomes one of the must have objects. President Wire also becomes the first Terran President to visit the Tranoan home systems, along with most of his senior leadership.
2070 The Federation faces another internal crisis as there is an intense nuclear stand off between India and China over Vietnam's right to “self determine”. President Wire is criticized widely for his inability to solve the issue. India refuses to blink but in the end, the crisis is narrowly averted.
The President is then defeated in two of his efforts to modernize the colonial procedure and to open the asteroid belt up to corporate exploration and exploitation. The President survives a vote of no confidence. He successfully dismisses several members of the executive. Senator Richard Kassenbach steps down as Chairman to begin his campaign for President. Vice-Chairwoman Keisha Morse also steps down. The new chair of the Executive is Senator Billay Kutai and the vice-chair is former pilot, Ross McCone
The FSA lay down keels for another four ships and five new scout ships. The FSA also begin fleet-wide exercises which show a lack of doctrine. Chief of Staff Kaneda organizes a wide spread training program. There is also the first private FTL jump (in system) by Corporate cruiser, the “Agile”. There is another civil war in Russia> but this one is put down successfully by the elected government.
The colonies on Mars are now much more successful and self reliant. Vast wages are paid to the average employee and Pyramid Industries is one of the most powerful new corporations to come through. The Technology Corporation also begins a major dig at the pyramid complex in Cydonia but is unable to get direct access to the pyramid.
Former President Michael Wexler dies of a heart attack. There is another state funeral and he is held up as a great visionary leader of the Federation. His son, Thomas Wexler, is a newly elected Senator and delivers the eulogy.
2071 President Wire’s presidency comes under increasing attack as Senator Kassenbach’s wing of the Senate replace Senator Aseem’s wing as the opposition. Senator Aseem agrees to work with the President to hold back Kassenbach.
Former FAS chief of staff Peter Lieberman is elected as a Senator and becomes a sterling voice on the militarism of the Federation. He warns that the Federation has become an overtly military organization and suggests the Senate must watch for the growing power and confidence of the military. The FCA announces that the first colony ships will leave the system for their colony worlds in 2080. They begin vetting for appointments and the competition is fierce.
The Vatu Empire exchanges ambassador’s with the Terran Federation and begin trade talks. The war-like Vatu are impressed with the perceived militarism of the human race.
2072-2076: The Second Kassenbach Administration
2072 The final year of President Wire’s Presidency sees his administration utterly paralyzed and he calls for an early election, so save the Senate from failing to move forward. Senator Kassenbach is the front-runner, facing opposition from Senator Oscar de Martinez and Senator Deepak Asseem
Senator Holly Maguire makes an impassioned speech during the hustings to avoid handing so much power to Senator Kassenbach. He rebuts with a promise that he will be the best choice for President and that power is given to him because he is fit to lead. He will promise to be a moderating voice.
Senator Kassenbach wins the Presidency, becoming the first two-time President. He is only narrowly elected and other votes in the Senate go badly for his party. Deepak Asseem becomes leader of the opposition again and USCAF Senator Keisha Morse becomes chair of the Executive. Chinese Senator Zhong Diang is named Vice-chair. Thomas Wexler is elected as chairman of the FCA, following in his father’s footsteps.
The Federation completes a new trade agreement with the Tranoan’s that will see the two continue to trade. The Tranoan’s establish a trade mission in Delhiand are granted some rights outside of the ambassadorial compound. Tranoan ambassadors visit several world leaders.
2073 President Kassenbach begins his first major attempt at legislative overhaul, agreeing a new procedure to officially designate the Chair of the Executive as the Vice President. This passes in the Senate. He then increases the pay and staff to chairmen and the leader of the opposition.
FAS Chief of Staff Matsumoto Kaneda retires (early) and is replaced by a more moderate officer, Vice-Admiral Jack Hughes. Admiral Hughes agrees to some budget cuts but resists any cut in procurement or personnel. He skillfully defends the current mission of the FAS.
The Mars “Wave 3” arrives and integrates with the population. There is a Martian gold rush for rich mineral deposits and the planet sees its nascent economy boosted massively. Mars ends 2073 with a population of 52,000.
The Technology Corporation agrees to license the exploration of the Asteroid belt and the Jovian belt of moons for corporate and private development. Huge Corporate board “Neeson/Willis” beat most of the others to it and briefly become pre-eminent in the Asteroid belt
2074 President Kassenbach agrees to the opening up of the Jovian and Asteroid belt and negotiates further concessions to allow more corporate and private FTL construction. These ships, however, are all still built by the Federation.
The FAS are annoyed at this and begin pressuring the hawks in the Senate to back FAS expansion in 2075. Senator Ross McCone quickly becomes the figurehead for this and uses it, wisely, to boost his chances of being President in the next election
The Technology Corporation chairman is replaced Senator Oscar de Martinez begins to work out his own Presidential campaign also, working closely with the conservative Senators under former President Marco Wire. The new corporate chairman is Billay Kutai who arrives as a reformer
The FCA launch a colonial operation towards the Jovian belt, using new anti-grav technology acquired from the Tranoan’s. The FCA also agrees to an FAS request to make Titan an FAS training and command base.
There is another extra-solar crisis as a pair of Vatu ships arrive in the system. This mission is a training program, according to the Vatu but the FAS take a hard-line and stand off with the larger Vatu warships. The Vatu ships are able to evade with ease and leave. The FAS is humiliated but successfully hush this incident up.
The diplomatic corps exchanges ambassadors with the Tazzyn Empire who are not impressed with the Terran Federation’s slow and bureaucratic style of Government.
2075 The Federation adopts a hard line with the Vatu as they begin to make claims against the unoccupied Terran colonies on Ross 359 and Lalande. The President agrees to a summit with the Vatu but also requires Chief of Staff Hughes to deploy the fleet ready to move to these two star systems. The Senate votes a new procurement program.
The FAS rush through production of three new starships to add to the fleet. The FAS are keen to see what they can do in actual combat. Privately, Chief of Staff Hughes is not at all confident of their chances against massively superior Vatu warships
Senator Ross McCone becomes leader of the opposition with support from the hawks and conservatives. He forms a coalition with the Presidency in mind. Senator McCone calls Senator Kassenbach a power hungry veteran and calls on him to face a vote of no-confidence. President Kassenbach easily defeats the motion.
Senator Keisha Morse steps down as chair of the Exec and is replaced by Zhong Diang who is a hawk but not part of McCone’s party. President Kassenbach gets former opponent Deepak Asseem onto the exec as vice chairman and begins to talk openly about who will succeed him. He backs Senator Peter Lieberman as his successor.
2076 All talk of the election is temporarily halted when there is a stand off with the Vatu in Ross 359. The entire terran fleet is deployed and the 11 warships are able to force the Vatu ships to withdraw without a shot being fired. President Kassenbach works with the Tranoan ambassador to talk a truce with the vatu.
The Terran’s also make first contact with the Karkouri Empire who are disdainful to Terran chances of making it alone. They offer the Terran’s to become a protectorate but the Terran’s reject it The FAS replace chief of Staff Jack Worth with Admiral Helena Montoya. She is a young officer (only 41) and more hawkish and aggressive. She backs Senator Ross McCone’s bid for the Presidency. She also formats the Federation Intelligence Service (FIS) as the internal intelligence gathering force.
President Kassenbach uses the last of his political clout and capitol to agree further concessions from the states. Many of the states no longer elect President but instead now appoint Governors and will cede more legislative power to the Federation.
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