Recent Events
Major events of the last ten years:
5731
035 Ozawa Lines jumpship Titan departs Vauclain, carrying HIS Cataphract, the last Halowon Empire ship to be removed from the Battle of Vauclain in 5729.
132 Strict protectionist regulations on patents on Callisto strangle technological progress on that world.
310 Troy’s Rock exceeds one thousand personnel.
333 The FRN commissions the first of a new class of courier, FRS Crocus.
346 Santander is diplomatically recognized by the Principality of Svetlana. Svetlana becomes the first interstellar power to enter sovereign diplomatic relations with the tiny state. The act, although widely decried, adds an element of legitimacy to Dominitrix Michela Marko’s rule.
5732
022 Nightshade Inc. vessel Nightmare is declared overdue on a run from Perseus. She is declared missing six months later.
045 FRS Greatsword misjumps from St. Croix to Tahahorol (Halowon 2110).
062 In general elections on Espiaux, Liberty’s fortunes rebound, collecting 42% of the popular vote. The other parties do slightly worse: FSP 41%, Alliance 12%, and young IRP barely manages to muster the minimum 5% in their second general election. Alliance overplays her hand, resulting in Liberty and FSP forming a ‘Grand Coalition’.
149 In the wake of an industrial pollution scandal, the Crown Prince of Svetlana promises the people government action to clean up the mess. The resulting bill totals nearly a half a billion credits.
192 While on a state visit to Titania, King Ignatius I of Antioch suffers some sort of seizure. He is rushed to a Titania state hospital where he may be misdiagnosed and given the wrong treatment. Wrong treatment or not, within a few days he is dead.
202 FRS Greatsword arrives insystem Espiaux to great fanfare. Analysis of FRS Greatsword’s experience in Aslan space leads is classified. A xeno-strategic panel recommends a multi-ship expedition within five years to investigate and report.
249 A private group called the Committee for the Reclaimation of Nestor, heavily backed by, and loyal to, the Halowon government, re-establishes an outpost on Nestor.
275 ROS Bolivar fails to arrive from Wellesly. She is later declared lost.
281 Prospectors from Svetlana establish a small base on Nikolishin.
330 Svetlana establishes a refueling outpost on Redstone.
365 Somerset is reclassified tech level seven.
5733
032 Following a private meeting with Field Marshal Jarrett on Halowon, Vice Commander of the Imperial Navy, Admiral Velazquez, announces her retirement. Her deputy, Vice Admiral Leland, who performed well in the Vauclain war, is promoted to her position.
084 Following the official pronouncement of Somerset’s advance to tech level seven, Field Marshal Jarrett retires, abdicating the throne in favor of his daughter Gabriella.
086 Gabriella Jarrett is crowned Empress Gabriella the First at her coronation on Halowon.
175 General Count Cassius Ulrich issues an edict as Royal Regent to the Court of Antioch. The edict significantly curbs the political power of Antioch’s nobles. Rebellion begins almost immediately.
211 Ozawa's population exceeds ten thousand.
268 At the advanced age of 97, Morgan Ozawa dies on Espiaux. His death leaves a vacuum in Ozawa Transport’s strategic vision. Although mourned, he lived to see his dream of the founding of Ozawa as an independent, functioning colony.
313 Prime Councilor Kyela Wengis of Vauclain dies. With the last voice of restraint silenced, the rest of Vauclain’s Council turn Vauclain into an armed camp.
365 Alsace is reclassified tech level ten.
5734
001 Civil war rages on Antioch as Genral Ulrich attempts to force the nobles to his will.
164 Star Concepts Unlimited trader Komet Northern is reported six weeks overdue to Alsace from Troy’s Rock. It is later speculated she has turned the pirate under the name Overdue Revenge.
255 With the connivance of two ship’s captains, Dana Ataa leads an uprising against Michala Marko on Santander. In extremely bloody fighting, Michela Marko is killed.
311 Nikolishin exceeds one hundred inhabitants. Nikolishin harbor reclassified `D’ starport.
315 A new type of starship, the boat tender, is commissioned in Svetlana. Named SRNS Tarantul, she is capable of carrying a division of four 400ton Pauk Class SDBs on two consecutive jump ones. Her ability to deliver four powerful SDBs to the battlefield attracts the attention (and, for some, alarm) of naval personnel throughout the subsector.
329 After almost a century of faithful service, FRPS Pina is decommissioned and turned into a museum piece on Alsace. Her replacement, FRPS Sonne is commissioned a month later.
5735
001 Corvette Captain Zoe Puzegi retires from the Free Republic Navy at age thirty eight. After twenty years of exemplary service, including heroism while assigned to FRS Flamberge during the First Battle of Fortin, she decides to enter politics and will be Liberty’s candidate for Chancellor in 5737. She is an exemplary leader, committed to technology, industrialization, and colonization.
125 Halowon Lines Free Trader fails to arrive on a jump from Somerset to Tupolev.
278 SRNS Terjets destroys two alleged pirate vessels in the Santander system.
361 An era ends with the decommissioning of FRPS Jeleis, the last pre-Plague ship in active service with Espiaux. She joins the starfaring museum on Alsace.
365 Halowon Highport Yard expands to one thousand tons per year construction capacity. Halowon immediately lays down a new class of armored frigate.
5736
125 Cassius Ulrich finally succeeds in defeating the nobles on Antioch. They are executed, their families imprisoned, and their estates burned. General Ulrich installs himself as dictator.
154 Dr. Bennett Dykuis takes control of Chelou’s technological research programs, displaying an uncanny ability to fund research which produces results.
178 After an unusually brief rule, Gabriella Jarrett abdicates in favor of her second daughter Gina on Halowon. Gina proves to be a spectacular ruler. Although initially politically naïve, she is brilliant, charming, and learns quickly.
258 SRNS Tarantul enters Olga yard for repairs to stress cracks found in her structure.
314 Svetlana Royal Naval vessels begin exploration of the Jakhontsk (subsector J - immediately rimward of Halowon) subsector.
320 Independent Fat Trader Marcello is declared lost from Callisto.
350 Kalvin Ajun, Captain of Overdue Revenge, seizes power in a coup on Santander. He has the captains of Nighthawk and Nightshade assasinated and declares himself Lord of Santander. Nightshade Inc’s power over the planet is broken and the company is dissolved.
358 SRNS Loshad, first of a new class of colony riders, commissions over Svetlana.
365 Espiaux completes expansion of Espiaux Highport Yard to retain its industrial edge over Halowon.
5737
079 In general elections in the Free Republic of Espiaux, Zoe Puzegi, Liberty’s candidate, is elected Chancellor. Her diplomacy and leadership are directly responsible for winning Alliance over into coalition with Liberty rather than the FSP.
085 Jarrett Belt reaches one thousand total population.
107 A horrific earthquake and subsequent tsunami shake Svetlana. By the time the catastrophe is over, one hundred thousand people are dead.
254 HIS Redoubt, the most powerful military starship built in Halowon sector since the Plague, is commissioned over Halowon. Although undergunned and slow, she is heavily armored and represents a leap forward in Halowon's naval architecture.
357 Corvus Corporation begins overhauling starships at Corvus Corporate Downport on Oberon. The starport is officially reclassified by Gateway to Class `B’, though the port still lacks any construction facilities.
5738
071 Nine ships, FRPS Pioneer, FRPS Pathfinder, FRPS Sonne, FRPS Gautheaux, FRS Glaive, FRS Peregrine, FRS Nighthawk, FRS Lilac and FRS Flamepetal depart Espiaux for Aslan space. Senior Captain Yvette Pascal (formerly of FRS Greatsword) is selected to command the mission.
168 The first of a new type of fighter, designated Project 806, roll of the assembly lines on Svetlana. Initially assigned to a temporary Test and Development Squadron, the prototype fighters perform impressively on trials and quickly become popular with their pilots.
184 Halowon Lines Scout Rephem is declared overdue from Dekker.
197 Revolution begins on Vauclain when disaffected citizens storm the headquarters of the Council for Technological Control in New Obrok. Finding many illegal, higher technology luxury items and medical treatment items throws the mob, whose members have little to look forward to other than work and an early death, into a rage.
198 The leaders of the previous days riot are arrested and taken to the basement of the Ministry of Public Health. The next the Vauclain Vanguard the planet’s only newspaper and official mouthpiece of the Commune Council prints a virulent attack on the ringleaders of the riot and promises they will be tried and speedily executed. Calling the revolutionaries perverse monstrosities is clearly a step too far, as the populace responds with universal disbelief at the characterization of the four librarians and elderly pensioner. The next day demonstrators gather in front of the Ministry for Public Health to petition the librarians release. Police and MPH agents fire into the crowd, killing dozens, including some off-duty soldiers. The crowd rises as one and lynches two MPH agents, while the remainder barricade themselves in the Ministry.
200 The Commune Council issues a proclamation against the citizenry of New Obrok, accusing them of losing the `true path’ of the Commune and declaring the need for renewed dedication to the cause. The army is mobilized to resettle the citizenry to the countryside. As the horror of the program makes itself clear to the citizens, the bonds of discipline break down in the army.
231 FRPS Pioneer arrives insystem 1715 (Grant) and discovers a Chelou prospecting base.
252 FRS Lilac arrives insystem 1115, on her way back to Alsace via a seperate route from the main body of the Aslan mission. HIS Saracen arrives insystem on day 254. Approaching the system’s only gas giant, HIS Saracen detects FRS Lilac and closes her. FRS Lilac is destroyed.
264 The Halowon Empire issues a short statement to the press a few days later to the effect the Halowon Navy destroyed a `foreign intruder’ in Halowon space with no loss of life to the empire. HIS Saracen's captain, LCDR Ophelia Gibbons, is mildly praised for defending the empire.
268 FRS Glaive, FRPS Gautheaux, FRS Peregrine, and FRPS Pathfinder arrive insystem Espiaux while FRS Nighthawk arrives insystem Alsace. Several Aslan cultural artifacts and curios are later displayed at prominent Espiaux and Alsace museums and short clips of interactions with the Aslan are released to the media, but substantive comments of the Aslan capailities or intentions are not released.
281 Total population on Marsoui exceeds ten thousand personnel.
296 FRS Lilac is declared overdue to Alsace.
328 Incited by pamphlets distributed by provocateurs, popular revolution on Vauclain erupts in flame. The chambers of the Commune Council are stormed and burned to the ground. The Councilors are quickly tried by a `People’s Court’ and executed. Revolutionary Councils are formed in population centers around the planet, the old system destroyed, it’s supporters killed.
5739
042 Free Republic of Espiaux places the first batch of Hellcat fighters in ordinary as new Piranha fighters begin to fill the ranks.
050 HIS Haskell arrives insystem Nestor on a resupply mission to the tiny group of settlers there. Upon arrival, the settlers inform her of the independent Free Trader Zoe, registered out of Qorom but carrying an entirely Espiaux crew, refueling at a local sea. HIS Haskell, commanded by Lieutenant Georgia Gibbons (younger sister of LCDR Ophelia Gibbons of HIS Saracen) boards and impounds Zoe, taking her by prize crew to Tupolev for process of violations of Imperial procedure (to wit unpermitted refueling). Accusations of espionage would also later surface. Protests over the `Nestor Affair’ would be forthcoming from Espiaux and Qorom embassies.
123 SRNS Yellowjacket and SRNS Komar jump insystem 1618 and detect an emergency beacon from Santander based scout Viper. The crew of Viper claim to have been conducting legitimate salvage on a derelict vessel when they were attacked by the independent trader Zijus They allege they had to destroy Zijus in self-defense, but suffered irrepairable damage themselves. Although skeptical of Viper’s crew version of events, the Svetlanans transport Viper’s crew to Santander.
167 Independent Free Trader Selrik Dawn collides with a Halowon Lines Slow Boat, returning from a supply run to the base on Duglach, in Tupolev system. The collision damages Selrik Dawn’s cargo hold, but breaches the Slow Boat’s bridge, killing two crewmembers. Although Selrik Dawn is a stateless vessel, her captain is from Espiaux and Halowon press treats it as a wanton act of recklessness and disregard for safety by an Espiaux ship. The captain, Celene Hubert, is arrested for murder.
231 Halowon Lines trader Halowon Progress is boarded by Free Republic Kirin class SDB, PB20, while approaching Alsace on an unscheduled run. Declaring health concerns, the Free Republic Navy places Halowon Progress in quarantine for two weeks. While in quarantine, the ship is subjected to an extensive counter-espionage search. Unable to find any evidence of espionage, Espiaux is forced to release the vessel. The quarantine and search are strongly protested by the Halowon Consul on Alsace. Espiaux responds by declaring the Consul persona non grata and expelling him from the planet. He returns to Halowon, where he is given a hero’s welcome.
345 SRNS Skorpion and SRNS Riag deliver six Cutters to Antioch as part of an arms transfer.
365 Titania is reclassified tech level eight.
5740
029 Corvus Corporation on Oberon presents the Republic of Janus with six Svetlana-built Falcon fighters for planetary defense. One is already inoperable by the end of the year and is cannibalized for parts.
044 Titania begins construction of Trinity system’s first highyard.
060 Independent Free Trader Zoe is released from impound, but only after her captain pays an extortionate fine. She departs Tupolev under military escort.
074 An unusually powerful storm over a gas giant damages FRS Framea. She limps home and spends three weeks in drydock over Espiaux. Two starmen are wounded. Uncharacteristically, the FRN refuses to comment on FRS Framea’s location or nature of her operations at the time of the accident.
094 Callisto and Prothero sign an economic understanding treaty.
109 Principality of Svetlana announces the establishment of an outpost in the Jakhontsk subsector.
230 Gateway News Agency breaks a story on Ozawa about the FRS Lilac incident and a subsequent, secret transfer of survivors from FRS Lilac to the Free Republic in exchange for Halowon agents. There is immediate public outrage in Espiaux, while official Halowon organs are mute.
237 An Antioch Cutter is bombed on Damascus in an attack by the Damascus Liberation Front.
292 A Council of Transition is announced on Vauclain which quells the violence of the revolution and puts Vauclain society on a path toward reconciliation.
342 Amidst great fanfare, FRS Desaix is commissioned over Espiaux. She is both the largest starship and the largest warship in the sector. It is a tribute to Zoe Puzegi’s bipartisan political skill that the FSP offers only mild criticism of her cost and size.
358 FRPS Consul transmits a patchy distress signal to Antioch. Although heavily jammed, the signal says FRPS Consul is under attack, though by whom is not clear. Nothing further is heard.
5741
001 On New Year’s Day, theRevolutionary Council on Vauclain peacefully transfers power to a Council of Public Welfare, which promises to institute stable, and relatively liberal, government on Vauclain.
065 News of the FRPS Consul attack reaches Espiaux.
108 Princess Raisa celebrates her eighteenth birthday on Svetlana.
140 A fusion powerplant suffers catastrophic failure on Kieran, killing eight thousand people.
212 Volcano induced tsunami kills sixteen thousand on Caliban.
219 A blown cargo seal damages cargo on FRS Bayern and requires shipyard repair.
350 NOW
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:17, Fri 07 Jan 2011.