Imperial Archieves

Takimora Clan Archieves (Pre SAC)

An In-Character History of Key Events that shaped the Takimora Empire and Takimora Independent Fleet Command

A Brief OOC Introduction 

The story of the TIFC is a relatively short one in terms of years RP wise, but its story is one of great expansion, one of massive reform and political change, and of the rise of the Takimora Empire as it is now known.  This history covers the role-played history of the Starship Avalon Continuity, and touches on the major RP events that have shaped the timeline and current events used in our RP.  Please keep in mind these events took place inside the Starship Avalon Continuities in the past three years of active RPing, all actively portrayed in game through roleplay and are not prefabricated.  This history does not cover that of the Takimora Clan, the SAC’s initial parent group.  Those histories are located here. Below, you’ll find the various chapters of the History.  Academy Cadets!  You will be quizzed on this material.

The Collapse of the Typhosian Empire

Some may ask why the history of the Imperial Armed Forces would begin here.  It is common knowledge that Marshall Lee’s arrival at the Takimora Clan, along with then Vice Lord of the Takimora Clan Gerolkae’s fascination with space travel and expansion is the direct result of the TIFC’s creation.  Lee had once been the Lord Chancellor of the Typhosian Empire (TE), a relatively small but powerful nation existing in what is known now as the Viridian Universe.  During this time, the Takimora Clan still existed inside the Temporal Nexus it was trapped inside, before the Reconstruction (discussed in detail in Official Clan Histories).  As the Clan existed then, it needed no space program, but let us get back on the topic of Typhos…

Lee had risen to power only a few centuries after the TE had been created, the product of Lee’s father, Robert. His father had brought the Draconian people to Typhos IV, the Empire’s homeworld, to settle after freeing themselves from their Sith masters.  After his father was assassinated, Lee came to power and the TE plunged into a terrible civil war.  During an engagement near the frontiers with the Rebels, Lee’s ship pursued a fleeing enemy vessel into what appeared to be a Nebula.  They soon found out the truth…

Lee’s ship, the Avalon, had by chance been drawn though a temporal seam into the Nexus in which the Mansion, as the Clan’s “world” was known, existed.  The Avalon was nearly destroyed in the passing, the enemy vessel never being seen again.  Lee and his crew thought the mansion to be a small world, and soon was in orbit overhead.

Lee and a small party soon discovered life on the world, and quickly beamed down to the world.  They were greeted by the ruling members of the Takimora Clan, High Lord Ronin-Kai, and Vice Lord Gerolkae.  Lee explained who he was, of the situation facing him, and the state of his crew.  Ronin agreed to allow Lee’s ship and crew to biovauc while they did their best to effect repairs to their ship.  Ronin and Gerolkae also vowed to do all in their power to return Lee to his time and place, but could not say when or how this would be possible.

Several weeks passed as Lee and his crew tirelessly repaired the wounded vessel.  During this time, Vice Lord Gerolkae spent a lot of time with Lee and the crew.   Gerolkae, fascinated by the concept of space travel and exploration, soon stuck up a strong relationship with Lee, and after Lee’s departure, would use this encounter to found the Takimora Space Corps, the organization predating the TIFC.

The Clansmen soon learned of a way to return Lee and his ship to the Viridian Universe, and they bid the Clan farewell.  Spirits were high as the passed back through the rift…finally once again on their way home.

They returned to Typhos IV to find the world under siege by a huge rebel fleet.  They ran the blockade, desperately trying to get home but it was to no avail.  Unable to find any other friendly ship’s in the area, they retreated to try to ascertain why this huge fleet had suddenly appeared.  They found out soon enough.  They encountered Admiral Thrawn, an ally of the TE, and he explained that here in the Viridian Universe, Lee and the Avalon had been missing for 3 years.  Without Lee’s leadership, the Empire had crumbled under ever growing pressure, and that Typhos was the last free world in the Empire.

Determined to save his family, Lee and the Avalon set out to run the blockade, succeeding through sheer luck and landing on Typhos.  The rebel leader, Sirious, was preparing to detonate a weapon that would boil away the atmosphere.  Learning of this, Lee made to stop him.  Sirious kidnapped Lee’s family, which had been in hiding, and threatened to kill them and detonate the weapon if Lee didn’t abdicate the throne.  Lee agreed, however, Sirious activated the weapon anyways, and destroyed Typhos.  Lee’s son, Casius, chased after Sirious, and was killed.

The Return to Takimora 

His nation destroyed and his family thought dead, Lee and a ragtag group of survivors from around the TE fled back to the Nebula where the Avalon had been drawn into the Nexus.  Their last hope was to flee to Takimora if they could survive the passage.  A determined Rebel force nipped at their heels, finally catching up with them at the Nebula.  A fierce battle ensued, destroying half of the group as Lee and the last ship’s of the line staved off attack while the civilians fled.  One by one, the last TE Warships were destroyed, till only the Avalon remained.  They fell back into the Nexus, and much like the previous time, was nearly shredded apart.  Out of the 45 vessels that had retreated, only 15 remained intact on the other side, either destroyed by the rebels or torn apart in the Rift.

Lee quickly contacted Lord Ronin and Vice Lord Gerolkae, once again explain the situation only this time it was desperate.  Lee and his survivors were without a home, without a purpose, and nearly dead.  Ronin agreed to allow those aboard ships that couldn’t be maintained or kept on functional ships could be placed temporarily in the Mansion, while Lee’s “fleet” worked to repair the few ships that were still functional.

During this period, Lee met frequently with the Clan leadership as to figure out what he and his people were going to do.  Ronin and Gerolkae offered them a place inside the Clan.  At first glace, the Typhosian’s were skeptical.  The Mansion was already burgeoning with Clan members, and the strain of the nearly 5000 Typhosian’s was evident.  Lee knew that his people needed a world to recolonize, and returning to the Viridian Universe and extermination was not an option.

The Takimora Space Corps 

Lee and what was left of his senior leadership met with Vice Lord Gerolkae on a daily basis.  Lee frequently asked about the small space station that orbited the small rock the Mansion was then located on.  After Lee’s last visit, Gerolkae had convinced Lord Ronin to allow him to found the Takimora Space Corps.  A long standing dream of the Vice Lord, he knew that soon the Clan would need to find a way to expand beyond the random Nexus if they were to truly prosper.   However, this program was given meager resources, however, they made a terrific breakthrough shortly after the Typhosian’s returned.

Gerolkae finally met privately with Lee and revealed this breakthrough.  The Program had discovered that the Nexus in which they were trapped existed beyond the rift in a physical area of space, and that a wormhole existed between the Nexus and this physical universe beyond.  However, the Takimora Space Corps did not have the means of building a ship that could carry the device used to open the wormhole.

Gerolkae knew that he was new to the stars and had much to learn of spacefaring, and offered to Lee the position of Commander in Chief of the TSC.  Lee, having already accepted a lower position in the Clan, had learned of how it’s political and military matter’s were dealt with.  It was in his personal opinion that the Clan leadership was weak in the areas of military organization, and he began coordinating with Vice Lord Gerolkae as to how exactly the TIFC, as it would soon be renamed, would be organized and commanded.

The Early Days of the TSC & The Discovery of Atlantis

Upon assuming command of the Takimora Space Cops, Lee knew the first task would be finding a suitable star system from which to base exploration activities.  With assistance from the Big Red Corporation, a close clan ally,  the TSC’s first true, in house shipbuilding operation was established at Takimora Prime.  However, given the sparse resources available, they were only to produce an exteremely small number of ships.  Once again, the Avalon was named Lee’s flagship, her old Typhosian markings removed, and the ship redesignated Starship Avalon, with the TSC registry system, NCC-20206.   As soon as the logistics and plans were in place, Lee and the Avalon, along with Vice Lord Gerolkae, led the first manned exploration mission outside of the Nexus.

They had a pretty good idea of what was directly outside the Temporal Nexus the Mansion was trapped in.  One of the TSC’s first initiatives was to conduct hundreds of probe missions through the Rift, into what had been dubbed the Nexus Galaxy by TSC scientists.  They had found the first glimpse of what could have been a habitable world in a nearby system, and with the Clan’s blessing, the TSC set out on it’s first expedition.  The Avalon, along with 5 other vessels of mixed class, set out to find what they hoped would be a new home.  It was a long shot…the probe results showed a planet that was nearly 12 days travel from the Rift exit with the current technology.  The TSC has been hoping to find a system much closer, but the Clan wanted results.  The TSC moved the mission forward, and after fourteen days of travel, they arrived at Atlantis.  The planet then, was known merely as PX-2117, but Avalon and her crew were excited they had found the probe readings to be true.

PX-2117 was covered mostly by water, the land only compromising 25% of the planets surface.  The air was breathable, and was totally clear of pollution, except over small continent in the south.  The small ships in the force were unable to get a clear reading past the radiation, other than sparse vegetation and animal readings.   They knew they could not move forward with colonization if they’re were any intelligent life signs on the planet, and here was the only area they were unsure.

Lee ordered an away mission to be launched to the continent.  Vice Lord Gerolkae; along with Lee, a small security contingent, and an engineering crew; piloted two shuttlecraft to the planet’s surface.  As they descended, their sensors began to clear, and were astounded at what by what they saw.

The continent was indeed inhabited, at least, at one time.  It was covered by large cities, all laid out in neat, Romanesque style patterns.  They could find no trace of pollution, in fact, it appeared as if the former residents had taken great pains to keep their environment clean.  The teams decided to land just outside the centermost city on the continent, finding what appeared to be a small spaceport.

The civilization was indeed once a spacefaring one, they soon found power generators, housing, and other signs of advanced civilization, all of which painstakingly placed to keep the planet clean.  Immediately Lee ordered follow on expeditions to join them.  Two weeks passed uneventfully as the TSC explored the continent.  Finally, on the third week, the explorers finally made contact, by mistake, with the native Atlanteans.

A New Home & Early Expansion

The contact was a peaceful one, and soon the TSC learned the Atlanteans were a dying race, their numbers down in the thousands after centuries of combating a vicious disease.  The Atlanteans were not the ones who had built the cities however, they were the result of their ancestors, who had learned of the new ways but tried to hold to their belief in the preservation of nature as well.  After the introduction of the virus to their society, a religious sect came to power, all of their knowledge and resources went into trying to find a cure for their disease..  Over the centuries, their numbers slowly dwindled, soon their spacefaring activities stopped, and the Atlanteans chose isolationism as they prepared for extermination, and had created and kept the pollution screens to cloak the last of their society.

Terran scientists were able to obtain tissue and other samples from the Atlanteans, though; they were skeptic as to how they could help.  After all, the Atlanteans had spent the better part of three centuries trying to do the same.  Meanwhile, the Atlanteans agreed to allow the TSC to begin colonizing the Western Hemisphere of the world, and they understood the Terrans were looking for a new home, and they’re hopes of finding a cure were dwindling fast.

After nearly a year of research, TSC scientists learned that the strain of virus that was killing the Atlanteans was a genetic mutation of the human Flu virus, only one that slowly mutated inside it’s host, before finally killing them in their mid 30’s usually due to a weakened immune system.  And, a cure for the human version existed, and with a little backwards engineering from the mutated strains, the Terrans were able to find a cure.  It was immediately given to the Atlanteans, and ever since, the Atlanteans have been proud to consider themselves Imperials.

The Atlanteans agreed to allow permanent colonization of their homeworld, and entered into an alliance (soon followed by willing annexation).  Now with a solid base of operations outside of the Rift, the TSC immediately began massive construction efforts, aided by the Atlanteans, and founded the City of Atlantis.  It here today where the Imperial Capitol is located, as well as TIFC and various service headquarters.

The End of the TSC

With Atlantis firmly settled, the TSC continued its exploration/colonization operations.  Aided by the BRC; which provided a ship building base from their home at Zanaburr, and the Atlanteans, who had provided a starchart covering most of what is now Imperial Space, the quickly began expanding out into the stars beyond the rift.  Large colonies were founded at Rejavik, Tyron VII, Caprica, Cirious, Alpha Promis, & Nariha in the first three years after Atlantis was settled.  The Clan also became more involved with the colonization efforts.  The Mansion, already burgeoning, began seeding it’s members into the stars as well.

Seven years passed, and soon the Clan’s influence had fallen upon 15 colonies, as well as several other friendly races who’d entered into alliance with the Clan.  It wasn’t until the introduction of the Sha’lestan Confederacy to the Clan did the birth of the TIFC give rise.

Then Vice Admiral Lee was pleasantly surprised to find an old friend alive and well, now by the name of Th’rahn (Thrawn).  Lee had been unaware that Thr’ahn’s people, though having fought side by side with the Typhosians, were really from the Nexus Universe.  Thr’ahn explained to Lee that the political climate at home had drawn him back after Lee’s disappearance, and things were becoming progressively worse.  Eventually, Thr’ahn and the senior Military leadership would lead a citizen back coup.  Thr’ahn pledged that his people would once again serve under Lee in the TSC.  The TSC, now with a multitude of ships thanks to massive efforts by the BRC and allied races, was no longer just a small program.  It was growing into a professional force, and Lee knew it was the time to enact his plans.

During its explosive initial growth, the TSC had come into contact with the hostile race known as the Orion.  They soon learned the Orion was the dominating force in the Galaxy, controlling nearly 3 of it’s 4 quadrants, and held sway over thousands of races.  It was also common knowledge in the Galaxy the Orion had long had it sights on the area of space now controlled by the TSC.  Lee felt the Clan leadership looked down upon all unblooded Clansmen, which now compromised the vast majority of the population, and would do little of the event war were to break out.  Thus, he began final organization of what would become Takimora Independent Fleet Command.

The Birth of the TIFC 

Lee, in his own opinion, felt the tradition of Honor in Blood that held such dominance in the Clan was too limited in scope, in that the Clan itself had little in the way of organization and leadership since it’s upper echelon considered all “unblooded” clansmen to be lesser, thus, judging one’s skill by their status in the clan, instead of just true skill.  Lee disagreed with this strongly, himself being a believer in True Honor in One’s Actions.  So, before he met with the Clan leadership, he secretly met with the leadership of the Allied Nations.  Already a strong bond had grown between the Nations and the Colonies, driven by common goals and beliefs, knowledge exchange, and trade.  Never before had they known such prosperity, and we’re willing to unite under a command banner to defend it.  This unity would later form the backbone of Takimora Empire, and the source of its strength.

Lee’s plan was simple:  The current alliance would stand, however, the Nations would be protected and would support a common military force, Takimora Independent Fleet Command, that would function independently from the various political/military influences.  This force would compromised of the current TSC force, as well as the National forces.  They would be controlled only by the TIFC leadership, and would serve as both a police force and offensive/defensive armed forces against combined domestic/foreign threats.  The plan was accepted by the Nations, and was taken to the Clan Leadership.

Lee knew the Clan had a long tradition of usurping others to gain power, and had suspicions the Leadership would react defensive.  It was only through the rabid support of Vice Lord Gerolkae and the Clansmen living and serving in the TIFC did the Clan agree to support the action, and on (real time date Feburary 5th, 2005), Feburary 5th, 2394, was the TIFC was officially created.

The Beginning Years of the TIFC

Initially, the TIFC was only a small sized force (compared to the Orion and other powers in the Galaxy), only fielding around 400 mixed technological ships.  The Alliance was willing to increase ship building operations, and the initial material buildup began.  Manpower was no issue, however, Lee faced a daunting task in selecting and placing officers in various departments of the Fleet.  You not only had the language barrier, but the technological barrier as well.  An answer to this problem would soon present itself.

The Takimora Clan ordered the consolidation of the BRC into the TIFC.  The Big Red Corporation, based out of Zanabuur, had already been working closely with the TIFC and when the integration was ordered, it went smoothly.  The majority of the BRC research, scientific, and ship building operations were turned directly over to TIFC control.  The BRC security forces, along with the remaining BRC operations with the exception of Zanaburr, and the Alliance ground forces, were reorganized into the Takimora Marine Corps.  The Corps, in turn, answered to the TIFC, and served as its domestic security and offensive intraplanetary force.

With the consolidation completed, the TIFC created the Atlantis Research & Ship Design Bureau (later to become the Imperial Tactical Research & Design Bureau).  Its job was not only to provide a base for future TIFC ship designs; but to design ships that could be created and used by all the TIFC forces, establish a common technological exchange between the TIFC and allied reaseach programs, and to create designs that could be constructed by all member worlds.  It is from this Bureau, that all current Imperial ship designs are created.

The Bureau quickly went to work after it’s creation, it’s first creation being the Nova Class Starship.  The first ship of the Nova Class was chosen to be the new flagship class, and soon, a new Starship Avalon (NCC-20206-A) was constructed, the former decommissioned and scrapped, though sections of the legendary ship are in display in the Atlantis Memorial Space Exploration Museum in the city of Prauge.

The TIFC also renewed research into the Gate program during this time as well, led by the Shal’estans.  This research had initially been started by the Typhosian Government, though, early in the Typhosian Civil War, the bulk of the research was handed over to Thr’ahn and his people. (discussed in detail in the Gate Program History under the Academy section).  With the discovery of Gates on 27 of the then 70 member worlds serving under the TIFC banner, people and materials moved at an unprecedented rate throughout the Alliance. The Gate was strictly controlled by the TMC and not allowed for civilian use for the most part initially.

United under a truly common goal, a common banner, and the Alliance growing ever stronger with the renewed trade and knowledge exchange, the TIFC steadily grew in numbers and strength, but would soon find itself once again too small to support the ever growing population.  Colonization efforts were pushed ever forward, with the Terrans working side by side the Alliance, and after 3 years over 30 new worlds had been colonized, and the addition of 7 other independent nations to the TIFC was starting to stretch ever thinner.  It was also during this time Takimora Prime, the new world that contained the Mansion, was brought out of the Rift by the Clansmen after the original Mansion was destroyed (check Clan Histories for more information), and allowed ships to freely pass to and from the Clan home without specialized equipment to pass through the rift.  The Alliance was now focused on trade, the threat of the Orions willingly forgotten in favor of trade and colonization.  It was only until the first contact with Species 8472 and events leading up to the Orion War would the Alliance finally unite and give rise to the Takimora Empire.

First Contact with Species 8472

Due to the political state of the Alliance, the TIFC during this time was focusing the majority of its resources into exploration, particularly the exploration & mapping of unknown space.  While conducting mapping operations in Sector One-Five, Starship Avalon received a distress signal from the Loki Mk. 1, commanded by former Captain Cipher.  Cipher would later go on to join the TIFC and serve on Avalon as its Chief Tactical Officer.

The Loki reported it had located and traveled through an area of “fluidic” space that breached the Galactic Barrier in the Sector.  During its travels into this breach, they had encountered a race of aliens known as Species 8472, and its sister ship, the Loki Mk. II, was missing.  The Mark II was commanded by Herr Captain Rotkappchen, a renown Clansmen, scientist, adventurer, and former head of the Big Red Corporation.  He would also later go on to command the TMC for a short time.  In any respect, Cipher reported the 8472 were hostile, would soon be arriving in the Sector.  Rotkappchen had discovered a means of closing the breach, but had gone missing before a device could be make for the Mark I.  On top of matters, a single hostile ship was already known to be in the Sector as well.

Determined to find the Mark II, and an unknown hostile force coming into the Galaxy at any time, the Avalon and the Mark I set out on their task while searching for a way to close the breach their selves.  A small TIFC task force was dispatched to the sector, but the bulk of the forces couldn’t be mobilized fast enough to stop an armada of superior ships.  The Mark II eventually caught wind of the ships searching for her, and broke communications blackout to inform them of her location.  The Mark II was in dire straights, and was being hunted by the 8472 ship already in the system.  They had minimal shields and weapons, but their engines were fully functional as well as the device needed to close the breach into fluidic space.  The break in communications would have tipped off the hostile ship in the area, and the Mark II needed Avalon and the Mark I to cover her escape.

They rushed to rendezvous with Captain Rotkappchen.  They found the Mark I already engaged with the pursuing hostile ship. The Avalon was the best the TIFC could field, and she quickly found herself outgunned and outmatched, the 8472 ship vastly superior.   They were able to fend off the attack for a short moment, however the Mark II was now nearly mortally damaged, and the device needed to close the breach would no longer function aboard the ship.  The device was hastily moved to the Mark I, the Avalon incapable of fusing the device into their technology.  The Mark I lacked the radiation shielding needed to protect it’s crew from the device, and her crew abandoned to the Avalon.  The Mark I was left behind as Avalon and the Mark II fled the sector.  The device exploded successfully, closing the breach, but Rotkappchen informed the TIFC that Species 8472 could possibly posses the technology to once again open the breach into their Galaxy.  With this new serious threat known, the “Imperial” movement began its rise to power inside the Allied Governments.

The Rise of Imperial Movement and the Birth of the Takimora Empire 

The reaction by the Alliance to the discovery of the Species 8472 threat was near chaotic.  Trade and political connections broke down, member worlds contemplated leaving the Alliance in favor of returning to internal protection once again.  The Imperials, wanting to unite the Alliance under a single government, slowly began consolidating power inside the member nations.  They did this by gaining positions of power inside the Alliance, as well as the Takimora Clan.  Vice Lord Gerolkae and Admiral Marshall Lee, by far the most outspoken and influential Imperial members, also began holding rallies and public gatherings inside the Alliance and Clan Worlds, preaching the cherished values the Takimora Clan had been founded on.  They spoke of the ways of Love, Life, and Honor; and of the strength of standing together as one people.  To cherish & preserve time-honored traditions, yet shed the long standing political, language, & culture barriers that had long stood between them, and unite as one.

The biggest example used by the Imperials was the creation of the TIFC.  It itself had already broken down these barriers, the men and women of the Fleet had already learned to shed the barriers that stood before them less than a decade before.  They pointed to the prosperity that had come since its creation, of the peace and stability, and how swiftly it had been accomplished.  Afterall, the TIFC was supported in whole by the member worlds, and if they could form a common military, then why not go the extra step to form a unified government.  Most of all, they reminded the Clan and the Alliance in the face of threats such as Species 8472, and the still docile but strong Orion Republic, only a stronger unified people would stand against such a threat.  The bounds of the Alliance alone would not be enough.

Their words fell on eager ears.  The Imperials did prove a strong point.  The majority of the population was not colonized, and depended more on the TIFC for survival than their home planets.  The choice was soon clear, in the Fall of 2399, Imperial members held the majority of the Allied Council after common elections were held (with the exception of certain worlds controlled by dynasty’s, they instead sent appointed representatives).  The common consensus was to form an Imperial Government, but there was still one hurtle left to bound.  How would this government exist?

The Creation of the “First” Takimora Empire

The Takimora Clan, as you know, was not run on any sort of democracy as the Alliance operated on.  However, as the founding member of the new Empire, it’s new government was based closely on select areas of it’s old traditions.  Basically, this is how the new Imperial government would be created and maintained:  

Lord Ronin-Kai, then High Lord of the Takimora Clan, would act as the new head of state.  The Vice Lord Position would continue to be held by Gerolkae.  The new Imperial Council served as the law making body; however, they could be vetoed by High Lord or Vice Lord directly.

The TIFC would continue to operate for the most part under it’s original charters, however, the Imperial Council would now directly control allocation of funding and resources to the Fleet.  It would also still operate independently of direct control of any acting Imperial Head of State, this allowing the TIFC to check the power held by the Lords.  The TIFC would also continue to serve as the Empires domestic police force, and it’s Civilian Judge Advocate Generals Office servicing Imperial Courts.

In 2400, just after the 25th Century Celebration, the Takimora Empire officially came to power.  In the nearly 8 centuries of recorded history in the Nexus Galaxy, never had the people of this quadrant of space stood together.  It was also the creation of the Empire that indirectly trigged the bloody coup that would overturn the old Orion Republic, and eventually the Orion War.

The Annexation of Dakaris 

The new Imperial Government, though fraught with initial struggles, soon fully consolidated its power.  The creation of the Empire was not a huge event inside it’s own borders, but across the Nexus Galaxy.  Namely, the founding of the Empire and subsequent increase in TIFC activity attracted the attention of the Orion Republic.  The Republic had just underwent a revolution of its own, its military leadership leading a coup against the centuries old Olympic Circle.  The Circle was a collection of dynastic leaders which shared power among themselves.  This power was absolute, controlling everything directly from agricultural projects to military decisions.  The military, once held in high revere but had grown incredible corrupt while rotting away behind its borders, decided to assume power by force.  

Shortly after the Empire was founded, the Imperial Ambassador was expelled from Orion.  He returned with news of a bloody coup led by General Cet’ham Virious, the former Orion CIC.  He’d been removed from command after allegations of corruption by the Circle.  This infuriated the Orion Military, and they launched their coup, killing all of the Circle members and declaring a new military dictatorship in power.  Almost immediately, the Orion set their eyes upon claiming the last area of the Nexus Galaxy still not under their rule, the Takimora Empire, and began a massive military buildup.  This buildup was unseen by the TIFC until it was too late.

Meanwhile, inside the Empire, the Imperials finally made contact with the Dakarians, and their homeworld, Dakaris.   Dakaris was a major trading world, but had resisted all attempts to join the Alliance, and then the Empire.  However, unknown to the Imperials, nearly a quarter of the Dakarian population were Typhosian Refugees, the survivors of ships tossed out of the rift into a different area of the Nexus Galaxy during their retreat to Takimora.  These people had learned of Lee’s survival and the creation of the Empire, and were steadfast supporters of joining the Empire.

The Dakarian Government however, didn’t see things that well, and came down on the rallying people harshly, killing several dozen people in one rally alone.  After seeing the harsh reaction by the government, the majority of native Dakarian population revolted, and the planet descended into anarchy for the most part.  A “rebel” faction of former military, civilian, and merchant marines decided to contact the TIFC and ask for their help.

The TIFC was contacted by the “rebel” faction of the Dakarian Navy.  They informed the Imperials of the state of things on their homeworld, and that unless something was done soon, the world would fall into anarchy, and most likely, into the hands of the Orions.  The rebels knew the loyalist government would soon hand the world over to them as to the Empire.  Given Dakaris’ strategic location, and the presence of a functional Gate on the surface, the Imperial Government decided to annex to world into the Empire less it fall into the hands of the Orion.  The TIFC immediately dispatched a Task Force to the system.

The Imperials did not want to use force if necessary, but the risk of having a hostile government in place along with Gate Technology was too great.  Starship Avalon, leading a 24 ship Task Force, arrived in the system.  The Loyalist Government immediately dispatched its small defense force to intercept the TIFC, but were quickly overwhelmed with minimal losses.  With space routes firmly in TIFC control, the Marine Corps followed up with large scale planetary invasion.  However, the TMC wasn’t their to engage the military support.  Shortly after the TIFC’s arrival, the Loyalist government capitulated, and the TMC was ordered in as a peacekeeping force.

Despite a few loyalist holdouts and minimal partisan activity, the TMC quickly established control of Dakaris.  A popular election was held, the first in Dakarian history, to elect its new Imperial Governor.  And despite the criticism of the Imperial Council, the TIFC for the first time had truly flexed its muscles.  Dakaris was officially accepted into the Empire, and shortly there after, the integration of its military into the TIFC was completed.

This of course immediately caught the attention of the Orion.  The Republic was still rebuilding her military at this point, but Dakaris had long been their first target in a plan to conquer the remaining areas of the Galaxy.  However, their plan had relied on the Imperial laws of non-interference with independent nations.  They had not planned on such a decisive move by the Empire.  The Orion plan now had to be modified, they had planned on seizing Dakaris before the Empire could react.  As such, the annexation of Dakaris into the Empire most likely delayed the eventual war to come for several months as the Orion reshuffled their invasion plans.  

Through a brash move by General Virious, the Orion conducted massive war games along the newly established Neutral Zone (The Sarin Treaty of 2401) shortly after Dakaris was , despite the possibility of revealing their invasion preparations.  Dissatisfied with merely building up his forces, he wanted the universe to get a taste of the new Orion military might.  Against the wishes of his senior military leadership, Virious ordered the maneuvers to take place near the Dakaris system.  The Takimora Empire now stood as the Orion Republics biggest threat, and the sole remaining organized power in the Galaxy.  These maneuvers were studied closely by TIFC Fleet Intelligence, and the results were presented to senior TIFC officers for analysis.

Precursor to the Orion War 

The results were sobering.  During their maneuvers, the Orion fielded over 400 vessels of mixed types and roles.  Those numbers would account for nearly 35% of the total combined TIFC forces to date, and the Orion Republic was a vast power.  If an Orion invasion were to come, the Empire would be overwhelmed by sheer numbers alone.  Admiral Lee & the TIFC, along with senior leadership from the Takimora Marine Corps, assembled a team of analysts to simulate an Orion invasion with estimated numbers that were obtained from the Orion maneuvers.

The simulations confirmed the worst fears of the military, all signs pointed to an Orion military buildup and eventual invasion.  Admiral Lee, along with Vice Lord Gerolkae and other senior members of the armed forces quickly presented this evidence to the Imperial Council.  

They lobbied for the council to increase resource allocations to the TIFC, in the face of this renewed Orion threat, the TIFC would be unable to stem an invasion if one were to be mounted.  The Council met this evidence with skepticism.  This was not the first time the Orion had conducted maneuvers as a show of force along the border and without direct evidence of aggression, they would not allocate the resources the TIFC was asking for.  Once again, Vice Lord Gerolkae intensively lobbied the Council for months before finally reaching a compromise.  The Council would increase resource allocations, but only by 30%.  This would allow the TIFC to construct defensive outposts and the like along the border, the Council adopting a policy of sovereign defense.  However, this small boost would not allow the TIFC to increase shipbuilding efforts as they wished.  With this in mind, the TIFC went to various Imperial Corporations seeking help.

They went initially to the three largest corporations that had been awarded ship building contracts; Zanaburr Defense Industries (the remnant Big Red Corporation), Atlantis Industrial Alliance, and Imperial Construction.  In exchange for lucrative defense contracts, the corporations agreed to cut ship building costs by half as well as additional funding for the Imperial Tactical Research & Design Bureau.  It was through this partnership with the civilian corporations (to date, over 30 have since pledged their assistance to various TIFC departments) that the TIFC slowly began a military buildup of their own.  They knew however, without direct assistance from the Council before an outbreak of hostilities would they truly be able to build a sufficient force to meet the Orion.

It was also during this time that the then High Lord of the Empire, Lord Ronin-Kai, through mysterious circumstances disappeared.  Intensive efforts were made to find the High Lord, but after a few months, no trace could be found.  Reluctantly, Vice Lord Gerolkae assumed the office of High Lord under an acting title, and continued in his efforts with the Imperial Council to begin arming for an Orion invasion.  Sadly, it would take an invasion and the loss of millions to galvanize the Empire in the fight to come.

Outbreak of the Orion War. 

General Virious, confident that the Takimora Empire would be unable and unwilling to commit to a organized defense, ordered the final invasion preparations to be undertaken.  Once again, the senior Orion military leadership questioned his motives for invasion, and pleaded that instead the new force should be applied to trouble areas within their own borders.  General Virious was known for his extreme paranoia, and he carried out a bloody campaign to remove what he believed to be traitors inside the officer cadre, believing their pleads to be “treasonous”.  It is believed in the four months before the Orion invasion; nearly 40% of the Orion officers’ corps were murdered or imprisoned for “treason.”  This loss of so much of the Orion leadership ability would plague the Orion military throughout the war with the Empire.

On June 3rd, 2402, the Orion launched their preemptive strike and attacked various outposts along the Neutral Zone.  The TIFC, having already expected the Orion invasion, had done their best to establish a line of defensive outposts along the Neutral Zone.  However, they knew this line would only buy them enough time to hopefully organize a counter-attack to stem the Orion juggernaut.  Admiral Lee and the TIFC reported the crossing of the Neutral Zone to the Imperial Council, and on June 4th, an official declaration of war was announced over the Imperial News Network.  One by one, the line of outposts fell to the Orion. Only Dakaris, which the TIFC had prepared for a prolonged siege by the Orion, stood along the Neutral Zone.  Thus, the first shots had been fired in what would become a four year bitter struggle for survival.

The Orion War – Year One 

Thanks to the initial efforts to build a temporary defensive line along the Neutral Zone by the TIFC, the Orion invasion hadn’t been a total snafu.  The line considerably slowed the initial advance by Republican forces and allowed the TIFC to mobilize its reserves.  However, the Orion had been successful in breaching the line near Caprica, and by July 15th, it had fallen under Orion control.  The Empire quickly worked to move into a wartime production economy, but if the TIFC wasn’t able to hold the Orion until the Empire could arm itself properly their efforts would be in vain.  With this in mind, the TIFC knew its first task was to stop the Orion advance before more systems fell under their control.

At the outbreak of hostilities, the TIFC could field seven fleets comprised of 800 vessels of various types and classes.  The TMC could field in all 15 divisions of combat ready troops and equipment.  Plans were made to increase this size to 14 fleets by the end of the first year of production, with numbers nearing 1400-1600 vessels, and increasing TMC numbers to 35 divisions of combat troops.  It was no small task, the Empire had since it’s induction lived on a commercial driven economy, and the smaller corporations were still timid about switching from consumerist to war material production.  

On August 10th, 2402, Acting High Lord Gerolkae ordered by Imperial Decree that all corporations and companies inside the Empire to conform to the newly established Imperial Production & War Materials Board.  This board, comprised of military and council representatives was tasked with controlling war production and the collection and issuance of raw goods and materials.  With war materials production firmly underway, Lord Gerolkae also enacted conscription to assist in numbers in both the Fleet and Marine Corps.

By December of 2402, Republican forces were in control of eight Imperial systems, including Caprica and Daniva, both strategically important trading worlds.  The line of battle had slowed to a halt near the Naridian and Saurus systems, and the TIFC was holding for the moment.  The TIFC, seizing the opportunity to take the offensive, launched the first Imperial counter-attack on December 25th, 2402.  Dubbed “The Christmas Offensive”, the TIFC chose to attack on a two pronged front, moving in a pincer movement around the flanks of Orion and re-concentrating at Daniva.  The plan was to outflank the bulk of the Orion forces, thus cutting them off at Daniva and allowing the TIFC to destroy the curroff forces.  The TIFC was also badly in need of a victory, both for morale among it’s own men as well as the Imperial populace.

The attack initially went extremely well.  1st Fleet, led by Starship Avalon, moved to the “left” of Orion flank and towards Caprica, while 2nd Fleet, led by Starship Vindicator, acted as the second part of the pincer and moved to the enemy’s right.  The movement was a success, catching the Orion by surprise as 3rd and 5th Fleets engaged them from the front and tied up their retreat.  However, through faulty intelligence, the TIFC was unaware that another full fleet had arrived at Daniva and was ready to meet the Imperial forces headed their way.  2nd Fleet was the first to arrive and engaged the forces at Daniva.on December 27th.  Having met fierce resistance, 2nd Fleet’s progress slowed to a halt just outside the system until the arrival of 1st Fleet on December 28th.  The combined force moved into the Daniva System, and by New Years Day, 2403, the TMC had taken Daniva IV, the first of two habitable worlds in the system.  But Daniva III still stood, and contained a substantially larger garrision than it’s sister world.  The TMC made its first landings after surgical orbital bombardment by the TIFC.  Despite the bombardment, the TMC met with heavy resistance around their landing areas.  After heavy causualties and a high loss in equipment, the Marine were able to establish a safe beachhead to allow a larger follow on operation.  

It was only until the end of March 2403 was the TMC able to declare Daniva III clear, but TMC casualties were staggering.  The Empire was able to declare it’s first victory, and put a halt to the Orion advance.  However, it was found on Daniva III evidence of terrible atrocities inflicted upon it’s civilian population, especially among its women and children.  It was learned through captured Orion prisoners that the Republic had enacted a policy of eradication of the younger members of society, so that in the face of defeat their foes could not easily repopulate their world.  The news of these atrocities spread throughout the Empire, the first images of the horrors of war shown to the population, the bulk of which were safely far from the war zones in the Core Systems.

This news acted as a galvanizing force among the Imperial people.  They saw what the Orion military had done to the Danivans, these were Imperial civilians being massacred.  No matter how safe they had felt before, that safety was shattered in their eyes.  The only choice now was to push these butchers out of their lands and protect its people at all costs.  This galvanization couldn’t have come at a better time.  When the first TMC casualty reports were released, the draft dodging rate nearly tripled overnight.  However, in the weeks after Danivia was declared under control, and the news of what the Orion had done there, volunteer rates increased by 200% by July of 2403, so much so that the Imperial Council removed the conscription rates placed upon its worlds temporarily.

As significant as the Battle of Daniva came to be, it was only a taste of what was to come.  As numbers in the TIFC grew, the Orion was still firmly in control of 7 other systems, and with each passing month, their grip on these worlds grew stronger.  The Christmas Offensive had slowed to a halt after the liberation of Daniva, with the other lines of battle remaining for the most part unchanged as the Imperial and Republican forces worked to patch gaps in their losses and prepare for the next years battles.

The Orion War – Year Two 

On June 16th, 2403, the Orion launched their second offensive of the war, focusing their attacks now on the still besieged world of Dakaris.  Dakaris, already withstanding a year of siege, was nearing it’s breaking point and it’s governor desperately pleaded for the TIFC to break through to the cutoff world.  The TIFC was unsuccessful in reaching the border world, and on August 25th, it’s starving and smoldering people finally surrendered to Republican Forces.  Immediately, the Dakarian Resistance was formed and would function until the liberation of Dakaris in 2406, and would carry out numerous partisan operations against their oppressors.  The Dakarian Resistance, unlike other partisan groups formed after the invasion, was famous for its ferocity.  Till this day, the Orion hold high bounties on the heads of various Dakarian Resistance leaders.

The loss of Dakaris was a huge victory for the Orion, and a humiliation for the Empire.  Here was yet another very important world lost to the enemy, and worse yet, the Orion’s had a score to settle with the Dakarian people.  Terrible atrocities far beyond those committed at Daniva, and rumors of this were quickly picked up by the Imperials.  However, the Imperials were able to once again stop the Orion offensive by Janurary of 2404 thanks to the efforts of the IP&WMB.  Actually exceeding production quotas and setting record shipbuilding times, they were able to exceed the calls for first year production, despite the losses incurred, and by 2403, the TIFC was able to field 15 fleets and 30 divisions of Takimora Marines.  With such a huge boost in manpower, and fielding superior technology and better trained officers and men than the Orion, the Imperials were finally able to match the Orion punch for punch on the battlefield.

By the Spring of 2404, plans had been made to launch counterattack on Dakaris, but solid intelligence had showed that due to the heavy Orion losses at Dakaris, they had moved a considerable bulk of their forces holding other areas of the Empire to reinforce there.  The decision was made to attack along the weaker areas, and on April 1st, 2405, the Imperial attack began.

Working as a series of trip hammer blows along the frontier areas, with the exception of Caprica, Dakaris, Terula, & Jaran II which were heavily defended, the plan had been to attack along a broad front applying the greatest force in the weakest areas.  Initially, they met with greater than expected resistance, until a breakthrough was made by the 1st and 14th Fleets in the Xanian System.  Led by Starship Avalon, they had achieved a stunning victory there, smashing through the stiff Orion line and racing into their rear areas.  The Battle of Xania acted as a domino effect, one by one the Orions gave way in the face of being cutoff and destroyed as they had at Daniva, and by July of 2404, the TIFC was in control of three of the seven remaining Imperial worlds under Orion control.  The Imperial offensive was slowed to allow reinforcement and resupply, however, Admiral Lee & the TIFC were preparing what soon would be know forever as “The Great Offensive”, and bring an end to the Orion War.

The Orion War – Year Three 

The beginning of the third year of the Orion War is most noted for the contact with the Xazon Collective.  After the stunning successes after the Battle of Xania, TIFC exploration forces had been searching for a passage around the “northern” areas of the Neutral Zone, figuring the Orion frontier would be an easier choice for a surprise invasion route.  However, on September 25th, 2404, Starship Relentless, along with a small task force encountered and was engaged by a small force of Xazon (pronounced KAY-ZON) raiders near Sector (fix this here).  The small hostile force was quickly dispatched, capturing several prisoners as well as a fairly intact Xazon raider.  They were brought back to Atlantis for interrogation where it was learned who the Xazon were and their organization.  For the most part, their government was a loose collection of warlords who controlled various factions.  These factions for the most part were independent; however, several of them were “puppets” of the Orion, paid mercenaries taking part in the War.  Records were located aboard the raider containing the registries of various Orion vessels being captained and manned by Xazon crews.  This intelligence breakthrough came as stunning news to the Empire, now it was forced to deploy forces along this new frontier with no idea of who or what faction may cross the undefined “border.”  This considerably slowed the offensive preparations underway by several months, it was only by Feburary of 2405 was the TIFC fully prepared to begin its next offensive.

Compared to the first two years of the War, the Orion had not launched their own offensive as had been expected.  Despite the contact with the Xazon and the discovery of their actions in the war, this was the greatest boost to TIFC operations in the early weeks of Year Three.  It is unknown why the Orion chose not renew offensive operations, intelligence clearly showed massive reinforcement along the entire line, and the Imperials had fully expected an attack in the Spring.  It is speculated that during this time General Virious was carrying out the second of his bloody purges inside the Orion military, and as such the Orion were too busy trying to replace an ever shrinking officers corps with trained men when the attack came.

Terula was chosen as the first target by Imperial forces.  The plan was to take each world individually, applying overwhelming force in a single area while the rest of the fleet drew off Orion reserves.  The tactic had worked well in the past and the TIFC hoped to apply it here as well.  On April 2nd, 2405, The 1st-7th Fleets attacked Terula en masse, supported by the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.  Marine landings began in earnest by the morning of April 4th.  The intraplanetary operation had the tough task of clearing the feared J’em Haadar Legions that held the world.  They were know for the ferocity in battle, their ability to withstand prolong periods without resupply or direct naval support, and an unwillingness to surrender.  It would take the 1MEF nearly six months to clear the Orion soldiers from the world.

While the liberation of Terula continued, the TIFC continued it’s pressure on the Republican spacefaring forces.  A brilliant victory led by Starship Vindicator and the Shal’estan 2nd Imperial Fleet at Jaran opened up that world to liberation by end of August 2405.  Follow on operations by the Takimora Marine Corps had control of the world by January of 2406.  Again, pressure was kept upon the retreating Orion forces, leading up to the liberation of Caprica.

Caprica was chosen as the third target to allow the reopening of the direct shipping lanes to the battle zones from Atlantis and the Core Worlds.  Having been the first world to fall to the Orion invasion, it was also the most heavily defended, and eight fleets and over six million troops garrisoned on the world, as well as a division of the vaunted J’em Haadar Legion.  The Imperials knew it would be a tough nut to crack, and cautiously prepared for the invasion.

The TIFC’s first task was to cutoff support from Dakaris and the lanes running to the Neutral Zone.  Deploying four of it’s reserve fleets, the TIFC quickly began attacking shipping and resupply along these lanes, even employing for the first time in history legal privateers to prowl less defended zones.  The privateers, seizing on the loose structure laid down by the Imperial Council, began prowling in areas far beyond the zones established by the TIFC, and accounted by war’s end for nearly 40% of the total shipping/resupply tonnage destroyed by Imperial forces.

With control of the lanes established by April of 2405, the TIFC slowly encircled and pushed in the Orion forces defending Caprica.  A fierce battle just outside the system inflicted heavy losses on the Imperial Forces, and delayed the final attack by several weeks while they reinforced.  By the end of May 2405, the TIFC had established orbital control and allowed for follow on Marine operations.  Again, well dug in and battle hardened Orion forces would put up a tough fight, it would take 3 three months to clear the last of the garrison there.  During the liberation, the resistance forces were rumored to have carried out their own “justice” upon the retreating Orion forces.  It was not released by the Government exactly what sort of reprisals the Caprican Resistance Forces carried out on the Orions, but stories of grim torture and murders of Orion families stationed with the soldiers have been brought to a few Imperial Courts, though no convictions have ever been made.

The TIFC now turned its eyes upon the last target, Dakaris.  Hoping to capitalize on their growing momentum, the TIFC called upon all its reserves for the liberation of Dakaris.  Having pursued the Orion back across the Neutral Zone along all areas of the frontier except the Dakarian System and its surroundings, the TIFC & privateers began raiding areas inside Orion space by July of 2405.  The tide of war was now swiftly changing in the direction of the Imperials as they made preparations to push the last of the Orion from their borders.

The Orion War – Year Four 

Having lost a considerable number of it’s forces during the ongoing offensive operation, the TIFC knew it would need a new battle plan for the liberation of Dakaris.  They simply could no longer wage the war of attrition the Orion preferred to fight, doing so would endanger it’s ability to defend against another Orion offensive.  But Admiral Lee and the senior TIFC leadership knew they held the initiative, and opted to strike with its reserves now as to wait for the Orion to reinforce themselves.

On November 8th, 2405, Operation Ahara, as it was called, was launched from Atlantis.  Compromised of the 1st-3rd, 5th, and 12th-18th fleets, the TIFC would attack the bulge formed around the Dakarian System, and work to encircle the world and cutoff its resupply routes.  Attacking along three fronts, the Fleet first drove in the outer defenses around the world, and much like Caprica, send forces to the rear to cutoff the lanes leading to Orion space.  Unlike Caprica however, the TIFC was met with stiff resistance, and only after a series of vicious battles around Dakaris did the Imperials break through and begin to lay siege to Dakaris.  The infamous Dakaris Incident occurred shortly after siege began in December.

The Orion had been for several months been constructing a warp conduit at Dakaris that would allow for rapid transit of Orion forces from the far reaching Republic, but could also function as a weapon.  The conduit was able to focus energy to a specific point and could be fired across sectors of space.  Learning of this threat, Starship Avalon and the first fleet broke off from the attack at Dakaris and moved to destroy the conduit before it could go active.  Heavily defended, the facility put up a brisk fight.  Personally leading a Marine boarding party from Avalon, Lord Gerolkae was able to take control of the control facility but was gravely wounded, nearly killing him.  However, before the conduit could be shut down the Orion were able to fire a 30% burst at Dakaris, obliterating its southern most continent and killing millions.  

After another week of static battle around Dakaris, the TIFC firmly established control of the system and cleared follow on Marine operations.  Spearheaded by the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Force and the vaunted 501st Marine Battalion, landings were made around the Capitol City on Janurary 22nd, 2406.  After a series of bloody battles around the city, it was declared clear on Feburary 2nd.  Fearing reprisals by the civilian population, several Orion units began surrendering to Imperial forces less facing the wrath of the Dakarians.  However, it was still by Mid-May of 2406 were the last of the holdouts cornered and eliminated, and by June of 2407, the planet was declared open.  The last Orion stronghold in Imperial space had been liberated.

After the defeat at Dakaris, General Virious came down harshly upon his General Staff, blaming them for the defeat.  Fearing another bloody purge in the military, the senior leadership successfully assassinated him several weeks later after the battle, as TIFC forces began surging into Orion territory.  After the Battle of Cerex IX, and the loss of the strategic Cerex asteroid field, the TIFC had begun to lay siege to Cassia and Morovia.  The new Orion leadership, under a Brig. General Eraya suddenly sent a message to the Imperials asking for an immediate cease fire.  Along with the cease fire, the Orion would open negotiations to end to war after the cease fire was signed.  The Imperial Council voted to accept the cease fire, and on August 14th, 2406, the cease fire went into effect.  

The Orion War was over…. 

The Atlantis Treaty and Reconstruction 

With the cease fire now in effect, the TIFC pulled back to positions just across the Neutral Zone, abandoning its siege of Cassia and Morovia.  However, they still held the Cerex Fields as well as a few non-aligned worlds located in the Neutral Zone.  They quickly began solidifying these positions in the possible threat of renewed hostilities.  However, this threat would never make itself known.

On December 7th, 2406, the Atlantis Conference was held as a peace discussion between the Orion Republic and the Takimora Empire.  As part of the peace agreement, the Orion would cede New Kilrah (located in the Neutral Zone) and the Cerex fields.  In return, the Imperials would open limited trade with the Orion and would immediately remove all forces still located within Orion space.  The new Neutral Zone was established, and by Janurary of 2408, the treaty went into effect.

The TIFC was returned to a peacetime level of 17 fleets and 25 Marine Divisions by late Spring, considerably higher level than pre-Orion War levels.  By early summer, martial law had been lifted from all liberated worlds and the Imperial Government began funneling resources into the war ravaged areas.  Thus, the former warriors that had arisen from the populace returned to their lives, their jobs, their homes, and the Empire fell back into its peacetime state.

New Kilrah, the newest member of the Empire, elected its first representative to the Imperial Council and its star was added to the banner by Janurary 2407.  Having previously been unaligned, the Kilrah people after the end of the war had appealed to the Imperial Government to allow them into the Empire, less they fall into the hands of the Orion.  The Kilrathi still stand as the newest members into the Takimora Empire. (Section pending)

The Three Days Revolution – Causes & Events (Part One)

This event in Takimora Imperial history is known by several different names; such as the Third Takimora Civil War, the Fundamentalist War, & the FM Conflict.  However, most modern historians have agreed upon the name “The Three Days Revolution”, so named for the events occurring in the three days after the Janus Peace Summit.  No matter the name, the record of events is the same, and stem from the so called Fundamentalist Movement.

The Fundamentalist Movement was actually a loose collaboration of Takimora Clansmen and like minded members that since the creation of the Takimora Empire, had preached a belief in returning to the former isolationism and traditional beliefs that held reign before the Empire.  Initially, the movement was only compromised of older generation of clansmen and various member world political members that had lost a considerable amount of money and power when the new political framework was established under the Imperial Government.

They knew, however, that without a base of followers they would not be able to attempt a bid to regain power.  Utilizing a mix of nationalism, propaganda, and strong religious overtones, the Fundamentalists began holding small rallies.  They called upon a return to the former “glory” of traditional beliefs, calling the advances made by the Empire “heresy”.  During the years leading up to the Orion War, the Movement gained little in the form of numbers, however, they did gain a great deal of wealth.  It’s founding members still retained a great deal of wealth, and this would prove one of their greatest assets.  Using this wealth, they were able to usurp a great number of local Imperial representatives and offices of power.  With local interference nil, the Movement was able to begin larger operations.

The Orion War brought the actions of the Movement within to a standstill.  Preoccupied with the war their words fell on deaf ears for the most part.  It was only until the third year of the Orion War did the Movement really begin to gain power inside the Empire.  The leaders of the Movement, most of them owning or having a share in various companies that flourished during the War, had made several contacts within the TIFC and the Imperial Council.  Brandishing large sums of money and lucrative government contracts, the Fundamentalists were able to buy out or turn several Imperial Council seats, so many, that by the end of the Orion War nearly a third of the total council seats were held by Fundamentalist backed representatives.

With the end of the Orion War and the reopening of trade with the Orion, the Movement saw a huge surge in numbers, due to the new recruiting campaigns being undertaken.  Aiming especially towards professional TIFC officers and returning Imperial volunteers, they preached about the failures of the Imperial Government to protect its citizens, and blamed the TIFC General Staff for slaughtering millions.  Going public for the first time in the Spring of 2407, self proclaimed leader of the Movement Reverend Marcus Allende held public hearings and discussions on the matter during a whirlwind tour of the Empire in April and May of 2407.

The Movement, hoping to gain full public support, instead met with harsh criticism from the majority of the Imperial population.  They had worked hard to protect and build the Empire, and believed strongly in Acting High Lord Gerolkae.  Gerolkae had gained great notoriety as a “Man of the People” and as a warrior, having led several battles during the Orion War.  

Choosing to keep its representatives in the Council secret, the Movement continued it’s public recruitment efforts, but on a much smaller scale and using it to draw attention away from the main effort.  It returned to more subversive means of gaining members, realizing that only the determined effort of a few would be able to achieve their goals.  T

he Movement had also established several contacts within the Orion Republic and the Kazon Collective during the War, and would use these to begin the first “open” act of aggression towards the Takimora Empire after the failure of it’s public campaigns. 

The Three Days Revolution – Causes and Events (Part Two)

The months between March and August of 2407 would see the “Xazon Conflict”, a relatively short but intense series of small engagements along the Xazon frontier between Fundamentalist backed Kazon mercenaries and the TIFC.  The hostile Xazon factions were ordered to focus their attacks on Imperial civilian traffic by the Fundamentalists.  They would use this to spread fear in the general population and place further blame on the TIFC.  Utilizing their infamous ambush tactics, the factions began raiding along the frontier by late March.

The TIFC was still occupied in downsizing their forces and taking care of returning volunteers early in 2407 and was slow to respond.  Dispatching only a small task force to the system in early April, the TIFC believed the scattered reports of civilian raiding to be the act of rouge privateers still prowling after the end of the War.  However, on April 13th, Task Force 7, led by Starship Imperious, was engaged in the Nurian System.  The Xazon ambush had been perfect and they lanced through the Task Force’s flanks.  The Imperious and three other vessels managed to escape intact and reported the engagement to Fleet Command.

The attack came as alarming news to the Imperial Council.  The Orion War still very much on their minds, and reconstruction efforts going forward, the Empire could not afford to go to war once again.  The council ordered the TIFC to respond to the frontier areas along the Xazon frontier believing the Collective to be merely capitalizing on the new trade in the area.  The TIFC quickly organized patrols through the area.  June and July saw a series of bitter engagements between Imperial regulars and Xazon raiders along the frontier, including the infamous “Pierson Turkey Shoot” in which TIFC forces were able to destroy a 23 ship Xazon raiding force without a single ship damaged in the process.  

It was also during these months that terrorist activity by the Movement increased dramatically.  On June 17th, FM forces on Takimora Prime bombed the TIFC headquarters there, killing 8 people and two Imperial Council members.  Later in the month, similar attacks occurred on Atlantis, Dakaris, Shal’en, & Caprica.  The TMC Special Police, the new organization established to oversee planetary police forces, founded the Shra’Zen, a special anti-terrorist unit, but was unsuccessful initially to pin down various FM cells scattered throughout the Empire.

It was only until mid August of 2407 was the TIFC able to begin to meet the new militant stance taken by the Fundamentalist Movement.  Thanks to a massive domestic intelligence program initiated by the TIFC during the Orion War, the TIFC was able to name and charge several high caliber FM leaders.  Charges were officially filed and the accused sentenced of treason.  On August 15th, 2407, after only a two day trial, they were hanged for treason on the Mansion Grounds, Takimora Prime.  Two days after, the FM retaliated by attacking Outpost 42 along the Xazon frontier.  Led by FM backed Xazon once again, the mercenaries quickly overwhelmed the small outpost, its denizens surrendering quickly.  The outpost was flooded with kerizine gas by the FM forces, killing all 700 of it’s inhabitants, both military and civilian.  Only 5 crewmen, on assignment to the asteroid field the outpost was defending, survived the incident by hiding their small shuttle inside an asteroid.

The Imperial people, enraged by the attack and believing the Collective as a whole to be behind the attack, demanded immediate retaliation.  The TIFC, still unaware that the attacks were the work of the FM and paid mercenaries, quickly dispatched Starship Avalon and the 1st Imperial Fleet to the Karious System, a known trading world deep within the Fen’weir Clan Faction territory.  On August 31st, the Battle of Karioius took place just outside the system.

The Fen’weir were a neutral clan, refusing to work for the Movement, and were unaware of the fury about to befall their home system.  Tipped off through information fed by the Fundamentalists to the Fen’weir leadership, they hastily formed all of their military to meet the coming Imperial armada.  The FM plan had worked flawlessly, and they watched as the Imperials moved into the system.

The 1st Imperial Fleet engaged the outer ring of Fen’weir forces early August 31st around 6am AMT (Atlantis Mean Time).  Quickly overwhelming the small pickets scattered in their way, the battle soon became pitched as the Imperials met the main line of Fen’weir resistance.  The Fen’weir fought gallantly, stopping the Imperials cold outside the system until early afternoon, when the main Imperial force broke through and raced into the system.  Despite orders to take prisoners, the majority of Imperial vessels continued to engage the now retreating Xazon, destroying a majority of their defense force before it could arrive back into the system.  Fearing they would be slaughtered in such a fashion as their fleet had been, the Fen’weir leadership surrendered to the Imperials before they invaded their homeworld.

The Three Days Revolution – Causes and Effects (Part Three) 

On September 6th, 2407, Starship Avalon was returning to the 1st Fleet at Karious when it’s crew was contacted by a delegation from the War’nog Clan.  The War’nog, a powerful but neutral clan within the Collective, came forth with evidence that Movement had been funding rouge Xazon factions to attack the Imperials.  The War’nog were preparing a campaign to unite the Xazon factions once and for all, and had rallied the majority of the Collective to their banner already.  Fearing continued offensive operations inside Xazon controlled areas of space, and embroiled in internal conflict, the Xazon agreed to turn over the evidence in exchange for open peace negotiations with the Xazon.

The information presented by the War’nog described in detail the link between the Movement and the Xazon factions raiding the Imperials.  It also directly linked several high ranking Imperial government officials, Imperial Councilmen, senior military advisors, and even an Imperial Govenor to the Movement and funding and ordering attacks against the military and Imperial civilians.  Most importantly, it proved that the Movement had been meeting with the Orion Republic, going as far as brokering a deal to hand over a great portion of the Empire to the Republic in return for leaving them the core worlds and a non-aggression pact.  Armed with this information, the TIFC & namely Admiral Marshall Lee knew that presenting this information to the public would cause mass outrage, upheaval, and possible civil war given the scope of how deep the Movement had become embedded into the Imperial government.

Avalon quickly returned to Atlantis with news of the encounter and the TIFC secretly began planning & carrying out clandestine operations in preparation for the dissolution and re-election of the Imperial Council.  Admiral Lee along with Commodore Allen Shazar, one of few Phoenican’s serving in the Fleet, began meeting with trusted leaders inside the Empire and the TIFC.  It was agreed that another common election should take place, but a common elected Head of State was needed in place of the former dynastic succession in place.

They also agreed that it would take time to police the Imperial worlds in the face of such massive political reform, and force would need to be in place to hold order over the Empire while the new government could be established.  It was agreed that Acting High Lord Gerolkae, held in revere since taking power & helping to establish the Empire, and for his actions in battle during the Orion War, was the likely choice to continue in power until the elections could be held.  Lord Gerolkae, agreeing that a more democratic form of government was the best for the Empire agreed with the plan.  The TIFC began positioning forces to assist in police action and FM aggression, and it was agreed that the evidence would be presented to the people during the Janus Peace Summit.

The Summit was slated for October 1st, 2407, at the Janus Fleet Station orbiting Atlantis.  In order to preserve secrecy and keep the Imperial Council in the dark, the meeting with Xazon was kept secret.  It was only two days before the summit when the information was released to the public.  Lord Gerolkae announced a breakthrough in the Xazon Conflict and a resolution of peace with the warring Xazon factions, and that the peace summit would be broadcasted on all Imperial bands and channels on the 1st.  This would assemble the Imperial Council, and the entire Empire would be watching as the evidence was presented and arrests made.  The Fundamentalists, realizing their true cause would be revealed, scrambled to stop the Peace Summit.

Task Force One, led by Starship Avalon and supported by elements of the Elite Order (of which Fleet Admiral Marshall Lee and Commander Gerolkae are rumored to be members of, see Clan Histories for more information), met to escort the Xazon delegation on September 31st.  Deploying eight decoy task forces to draw off Fundamentalist attention, they met secretly near the Rovian System.  However, tipped off by a planted crewman aboard Avalon, the Fundamentalist’s were able to rally a small force to attack the convoy, engaging them a few hours after the rendezvous at Rovian.  Aided by a handful of TIFC vessels commanded by Movement believers, the Fundamentalists nearly trapped the convoy.  Task Force One narrowly escaped and safely delivered the three Xazon vessels to Janus Station.

The Janus Peace Summit began on October 1st with the TIFC Senior leadership, Lord Gerolkae, the Xazon Delegation, the Imperial Council, and various high ranking leaders “invited” to attend.  These certain invites were those would be indicted during the telecast at the end of the peace conference.  The summit began with the recognition of the new Xazon government, established and recognized the new borders between the Xazon and the Empire, and the sovereignty of the new Xazon government within those borders.  Just before the agreement was signed, the damning evidence that would spark the first day of the Three Days Revolution would be presented.

Admiral Marshall Lee, in front of the assembled council and the entire Empire, announced the discovery and investigation of information retaining to the Xazon Conflict.  He pointed out that it was not the Xazon Collective as a whole acting against the Empire, but the actions of the few paid by the Fundamentalist Movement.  Names were read and the indicted Council members were publicly arrested.  Lee announced a state of martial law would exist throughout the Empire and the current Imperial Council would be dissolved until a common election could be held to replace the vacated seats in the Spring of 2408.  Lord Gerolkae would be placed as Acting Lord Chancellor until the Elections would be held, and the TIFC would retain overall authority of the government until then as well.

Gerolkae, in a moving speech, accepted the position and announced to the people that he would immediately stand down after the Election, calling upon the time honored traditions of Love, Life, & Honor, and asking his people to once and for all end this conflict that had weakened their beloved Empire to a state of Revolution.  In a similarly moving gesture, the TIFC drew their swords and announced their loyalty to the Empire, to it’s people, and vowed to uphold the power to be placed in the hands of those people.  The treaty was signed shortly after this declaration.  Minutes after it was signed, a Fundamentalist assassin burst into the council chambers and attempted to assassinate Lord Gerolkae.  Admiral Lee was severely wounded in the gunfight that erupted, but saved Gerolkae’s life.  The next seventy-two hours, the three days that would forever go down in Imperial history, would threaten to tear the Empire apart.

The Three Days Revolution – The Rise of the Second Takimora Empire 

The Fundamentalist Movement reacted immediately after the Janus Peace Summit was closed.  Just a few hours after the Treaty had been signed, attacks against TMC garrisons on Takimora Prime, Cordis, Veriah, & Marion were launched. With a declaration of martial law on all Imperial worlds, the Movement had no choice but to fully open hostilities against the government. The fighting on Takimora Prime, long considered the greatest Fundamentalist stronghold and base of support, was so ferocious that the TMC Garrison at the Mansion was forced to evacuate the facility until the “liberation” of Takimora Prime two days later.

Despite the attacks, the TIFC reaction was just as swift. Acting on plans already in place, the 2nd Imperial Fleet, led by Starship Vindicator with support from Starship Avalon and Task Force One, immediately setup a blockade around Takimora Prime and the Core Systems, closing any escape routes for fleeing Fundamentalist officials and supporters. Very few Movement supporters were captured, the majority of them choosing to stick it out on the Core Worlds and await the TIFC.

With the blockade in place, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, supported by elements of the 22nd & 13th MEF, began operations the following morning on October 2nd, 2407. The Fundamentalist Governor on Veriah surrendered without further hostilities. He would later go on to testify in the infamous Atlantis Trials against his former comrades in exchange for lesser sentences. The Imperial forces on Cordis and Marion were able to regain control of those worlds by the end of the next day, though casualties and collateral damage were high. But, by the end of the day on October 3rd, 2407, with the raising of the Imperial Flag over the Governor’s Hall on Cordis officially ended what has become known forever as the “Three Days Revolution.”

It was the fighting on Takimora Prime, with it’s great numbers of Fundamentalist supporters and numerous planetary strongholds that would prove most troublesome and costly. Bolstered by the defeat of the garrison at Takimora Mansion, the Fundamentalists on Takimora Prime vowed they would never surrender, and fight till the last man. This vow would by kept by the Movement; the TMC engaged and destroyed the last FM positions on November 17th, 2407 with the final Secure declaration on the following day.

Despite the blockade of the Core Worlds, the new government was officially declared on October 2nd, 2407, with Gerolkae acting as Lord Chancellor until the elections that would follow in the Spring. Local elections, however, on nearly all Imperial member worlds were held by November. These initial elections were used to replace local officials suspected of being in the pay of the Movement. The TIFC Fleet Intelligence Bureau also was largely responsible for bringing the greatest majority of government officials belonging to the Movement to trial. Relations with the Xazon also continued to improve, working in hand with the TIFC in stopping Movement activities along the border.

With a small return to normalcy by December of 2407, martial law was lifted from all Imperial worlds with the exception of Takimora Prime. The number of Movement terrorist attacks also decreased to near nonexistence, the TIFC able to fully pursue suspected terrorist cells to the extent of the law without Council interference. On December 8th, 2407, Atlantis was finally declared the new Capitol World of the Takimora Empire. Construction of the new Imperial Senate Building and the Executive Mansion was began on the same day. A final date of June 30th, 2408 was established to fill the empty Senate seats and the new Lord Chancellorship position.

By early May, Imperial forces had ended nearly all FM activity inside the Empire. The last of the holdouts, having retreated into the growing chaos that was becoming the Orion Empire, were soon pursued by covert TMC Forces under the command of Captain Rotkappchen and 1st Special Korps. In June, in a last ditch effort to thwart the upcoming elections, a group of FM soldiers attacked Starship Avalon while holding a grand banquet for the newly elected Lord Chancellor Jake Pike. While their efforts were in turn stopped thanks to the efforts of Avalon's crew, their still remain a few active FM cells that have gone deep into the Orion Republic.

On June 16th, 2408, all the members of the Imperial Senate, the Lord Chancellor, and various high level appointed officials were sworn into office, and by June 20th, the Senate had begun it's 1st General Session. Although enacting an entirely new system of governement in the Empire, the transition was realatively smooth, thanks to efforts of the local Imperial Planetary Assemblies having been in place since the previous November. The TIFC, having already been alarmed by the deteroriating seituation in the Orion Republic, began to build up border defenses and fleet presense along the Neutral Zone as the Empire now turns it eyes once again outward...

The Saga Continues – An OOC Endnote

The next chapter in this history has been played out in the last months of Role Play aboard Starship Avalon and the other member ships/stations of Starship Avalon Continuities, and as time goes on, these adventures will be added to this comprehensive history. If you have any questions, or might be interested in working in conjunction with Admiral Lee on writing histories about specific times that could be added to this area of our website (such as key battles, events, etc), please contact him via email. We thank you for taking the time to read the proud history of our Guild, and hope this has shed some list as to our history.