Chapter 17 - 2421 to 2450: The Invasion
The former Thimoid systems are placed under occupation, in the new Thimoid Occupation Zone. To connect the Federation's home territories to this new expansion, construction of a gateway in Beta Caeli is ordered, with another one ordered to be built in Saqqis.
The Federation peacefully exists for another 6 years. Suddenly, in 2427, scientists across the galaxy detect a sudden power surge of massive proportion. Nothing like it has ever been seen before, and the Federation scientists are ordered to look into it more in depth.
The source of the power surge becomes clear when reports of the "Unbidden" reach earth. Supposedly, a tear in reality in the Molsir system has led to an unending stream of hostile beings dubbed the Unbidden. They attack all they encounter. This is the beginning of the Invasion. Molsir is not far from the Thimoid Occupation Zone. As a precaution, Erad Station and 3rd Fleet are restationed to the TOZ to deter possible invasion into Federation territory.
At first, the Unbidden did not seem like much of a problem. The neighboring systems fell fairly quickly, and then the unbidden wait some time. Being so far from the home systems of the Federation, the public showed no signs of worry. By 2430, the true threat of the Unbidden is clear. By now, a dozen systems are under their control, and more and more extradimensional fleets are showing up.
"What the hell are those things?" the President yells, just having finished watching a video of the attack on Cyteen I during his debriefing. The Unbidden wiped out nearly 10 billion lives in just weeks, then moved on as though nothing happened.
"We're not sure, sir," his Science Officer Scarge answers. The President seems on the verge of true panic. He gets out of his chair and starts pacing.
"Well, uh... What... What are we doing about this"?"
Scarge and the Defense Secretary glance at each other. Then the Def Sec speaks. "Right now, we're monitoring the situation---"
"You're monitoring shit!" the President interrupts. "No. I want to know what exactly these things are, and I want to know soon. Find out any weaknesses before they kill us all." He stops pacing and looks at Scarge. "Go!"
Scarge scurries off in a hurry. Everyone else in the room stays quiet. "And you," he points his finger aggressively at the Def Sec. "I'll approve increased funding for the Fleet. Get a 4th Fleet under construction, and upgrade all ships. Also, start the second phase of Project Saqqis."
The Def Sec nods, then says "Understood." He leaves.
Thousands of ships fleeing the Unbidden Invasion begin arriving to the Federation. It appears that, once they reach a populated planet, the Unbidden mercilessly bombard it until the planet is beyond recognition. Already, an estimated 15 billion citizens of the Jibru Cooperative and 25 billion of the Tebbran have been slaughtered.
Then, the worst happens. The Unbidden reach a wormhole in the Aslund United Republic, where an Unbidden fleet enters it. They come out in Cartel territory. It is time for action to be taken. Erad Station begins its slow journey toward the Cartel.
In 2437, Erad Station arrives in Hithram. Immediately, thousands of missiles pour out of the moon and barrel toward the enemy fleet. For the first time ever, Erad's main weapon is fired. It is the Omega Annihilation beam. That, along with the swarm missiles and dozens of strike craft, destroys the enemy fleet. They do not attempt to flee.
The first battle with the Unbidden is a victory, but Erad Station has taken significant damage to its structure. Whatever the Unbidden use as weaponry disintegrates anything that comes in contact with the beams. Erad Station turns back for repairs, half its armor in shambles. To keep watch over the wormhole, 3rd Fleet is deployed there, as well as the new 4th Fleet.
But before 3rd Fleet can arrive, three more Unbidden fleets arrive in Hithram. One moves up into the Starmagg system, and the Cartel fleet there jumps to safety.
As soon as 3rd and 4th Fleets are in position, they jump to Starmagg. They enter the system to find a fairly small Unbidden fleet. 19 Federation ships are destroyed, including two battleships, but the majority of the Unbidden are killed. The rest jump away.
"Mr. President," the Def Sec says, walking into his office. "Update for you." The President motions for him to sit down, and he puts down his console. "The Galactic Defense League is growing."
"Remind me again what that is, I've been getting a lot of information," the President says, rubbing his eyes. He is much calmer than during his debriefing a couple months before. His desk console is full of new messages and incoming calls.
"It's the Kalaxenan-run alliance, whose goal it is to stop the Unbidden Invasion," the Def Sec says, with a hint of annoyance in his voice. "As I said, it's growing. The Steel Bank is now a member, and the Jibru, the Cartel, the Garganan, and the Tebran are all associates."
"And who else are members?" the President asks.
"The Vissari State is the only other full member, but the Kalaxenan also loosely rule over the Lilarobius Triad, the Kirillian Empire, and nearly half a dozen other small states. In fact, nearly every empire not in the Hlilje-Mandasura-Jonus Star Entente is in or associated with the GDL" He takes a seat. Obviously he has more to say.
"What is the Star Entente's position with the GDL?" the President asks.
"They're currently fighting a war with the Jibru, the Garganans, the Tebrans, and the Nagyari, but the two alliances are not at war entirely" he answers.
"They're fighting a goddamn war during this shitstorm? Alright, and what does this have to do with the Federation?"
"Well, there have been many who express their belief that Earth should join," the Def Sec says, carefully phrasing his words. "It makes sense. The threat is real and it is universal, sir, and joining a coalition to stop it would benefit the entire galaxy, including the Federation."
"Joining would be counter productive to the last 40-some-odd years of policy," the President states simply. "It doesn't actually make sense to the pl--- the welfare of the Federation."
"It would be a temporary thing," the Def Sec goes on. "Earth wouldn't be announcing its unending loyalty to the alliance. It would just announce its intentions to work with other states to stop the mutual threat. After that, Earth can cut relations with the Kalaxenan."
The President thinks it over for a second. Then he sits back in his chair. "Alright. Get Secretary Hammer up here and we'll arrange a meeting to discuss the possibility -just the possibility- of involvement."
In 2440, the Federation joins the Galactic Defense League.
With the Triad's star bases so close to the wormhole, Erad Station is permanently sent into the Cartel. Once the sectors around the wormhole are cleared of enemies, the station will remain outside of the wormhole to destroy any Unbidden that come through.
3rd and 4th Fleets jump to the Lilarobius system of Lythorius for repairs. Just as they initiate the jump (to avoid the compromised system of Hithram), three more enemy fleets come through the wormhole. One moves into the densely populated Cartel system of Pentarum, while the other moves to Padjitauron, one of the Cartel's main supply of minerals. It will be another three months before either Federation fleet will be able to jump to Pentarum's aid. Still far away, Erad Station trudges toward the wormhole.
Just as the enemy fleet is closing in, and no help seems imminent from their overlords, the people of the planet Garbex of the Pentarum system declare themselves independent and prepare the defense. Still under Cartel rule are three habitats in Pentarum, one in orbit around Garbex's parent gas planet. They will eventually join the rebels in independence.
Erad Station arrives in Padjitauron a few weeks later, and the Unbidden fleet is engaged. The moon only takes minor damage before the entire enemy fleet is destroyed.
The jump drives are ready just as the bombardment of Garbex begins. Both fleets jump close to the enemy fleet, and combat begins.
At the same time, Erad Station enters Hithram, faced down by two Unbidden fleets.
The battle of Garbex ends in victory, but at the cost of 18 ships. The new Screk Bonded Merchants of Garbex are safe, for now. The Fleet waits until Hithram is cleared before they can move back into the Triad for repairs.
Erad Station destroys both fleets, taking heavy damage to its armor. Intel on the other side of the wormhole suggests that no enemy fleet is within range to get there within two months, so Erad Station and both fleets move on to clear the path to the Triad.
It is a quick and easy battle in Ulassia. Erad Station returns to Hithram to guard the wormhole, repairing what it can as it moves.
"What's the latest?" the President asks the table at large.
Secretary Hammer stands up, holding his console, and says "Not much new in the last month, sir. The Kalaxenan strikes into Unbidden territory halted a few weeks ago. They need to repair their fleets." He swipes to the next page on his report. "As for the GDL fleet, it's still weak. The Kalaxenan don't seem eager to stockpile resources and create a shared fleet."
The President slams his fist on the table. His mood swings come and go without warning these days. "What the hell is the point of an alliance if we all act like it's every man for himself?" Several people share looks. HistoryDude was one to talk. Thus far, the Federation has played entirely defensively in the Invasion on his orders. "And what about Saqqis?" he addresses to Scarge. "Any news there that won't piss me off?"
"Well," Scarge begins, also standing, or his species' equivalent to standing. "The weapons systems are close to completion. We have a long way to go, though." He pauses. "Also, there's something else to update you on. Our scientists have begun work on a new weapon that could stop the Invasion for good. Called the Nicoll-Dyson Beam. At the moment, we're not entirely sure what the effects of it could be. It will be years before we even have practical data on it, but it is worth mentioning that... that the weapon could have post-invasion applications as well."
All the anger seems to disappear from the President's face. "OK" is all he says. He turns to the Def Sec. "How is the Hithram Wormhole holding up?"
The Def Sec joins the other two in standing up and says "As before, every few months an Unbidden fleet will travel through the wormhole, but Erad Station has been very effective in stopping them in their tracks. We've figured out the best way to combat the Invasion is by using range."
"What do you mean?" the President asks.
"Erad Station keeps itself within effective weapons range, while outside of the Unbidden's effective range. By the time the Unbidden are close enough to deal any damage to the station, it's too late for them. It has been working well thus far."
"And the situation with the rest of the Unbidden?" he moves on.
"They're slowing down tremendously, sir," the Def Sec says. "Their pattern has always been to eradicate a system of sentient life, then construct a sort of base around the star some time later. Lately, they've been stalling and remaining idle in already eradicated systems. In the last year, only one system has been occupied by them."
"Why would they slow down?" the President asks.
"We have two theories. Either they are overextending themselves, or they do not have enough ships capable of constructing so many bases. They do not seem to want to delve too deep into the Galaxy, without been within two or so jumps from one of their bases. Our intel suggests they use only certain ships to build these bases, and they only have a few." The President nods his head appreciatively.
"Excellent. Excellent. Once Saqqis is complete, we can take the offensive." He stands up, indicating the meeting is over. "And I want you to expedite the Nicola-Benson... Nicall-Die... Whatever the hell it's called, I want you to expedite it, Scarge." He walks out of the room, and everyone else follows him out.
Little side note...
(Don't do that, you morons!)