Eternal Fleet Command
Crisis Over Belsavis
While the Second Great Hyperspace War begins to heat up within the galactic-north, yet another conflict threatens to boil over from a developing crisis over the planet of Belsavis. Over the past few centuries, Belsavis was ruled by a constitutional monarchy which provided its citizens with a level of peace and stability. As the Confederacy of Independent Systems began growing more and more unstable prior to its total collapse, a growing collective of noblemen and military hardliners began to see for themselves an opportunity to potential seize power for themselves. This quickly led to a full scale civil war within days of the CIS’s collapse between those who supported the monarchy, and a nationalist movement known as the ‘Belsavan Unity Front’; who sought to oust the ruling dynasty and impose a military junta on a planet-wide scale, as well as to nationalize the economy under the pall of potential financial upheaval given the events framing the aforementioned collapse.
For nearly four years thereafter, Belsavis was separated from the events of the galaxy at large as it became a microcosm of the bloodshed capable of being inflicted on society by virtue of modern technology. Millions were killed in the fighting, including almost all of the members of the royal family, along with many key members of the ‘Unity Front’ movement. Eventually, the treasonous nobles and military leaders would prevail, forcing the last surviving member of the monarchy - a woman by the name of Sarillia - to flee into exile within the Elysium Empire.
As she attempted to gain support for her cause to liberate the people of Belsavis from the totalitarian rule of those who murdered herfamily, Sarillia would soon learn about the advancing tide that is the Eternal Empire’s war machine descending upon the shattered remains of the former CIS. After pleading her case vehemently before the court of King Rex Valhoun himself, she would soon depart Elysium space at the head of a hastily assembled armada - with the hopeful queen desperate to rush to the defense of her people. Despite the efforts she expended to do so, they would be in vain as she would witness the vanguard of the Eternal Fleet establishing a blockade over her world upon the Elysium Armada’s arrival into the system - with both fleets arraying themselves in a state of readiness against each other.
This has given rise to a potential crisis, with both Empires becoming embroiled in a standoff over the fate of Belsavis, and likely the future of its people. Would it join the Eternal Empire’s ever-expanding CIS territories, or would it remain free?
As the Eternal Empire finishes establishing a blockade around the planet, the Elysium Empire’s fleet assembles on the outskirts of the system. Senior representatives of the Eternal Empire have invited a delegation from both the ruling Belsavan Junta and the Elysium Empire to supposedly resolve this developing crisis diplomatically- with the meeting slated to take place aboard the Eternal Fleet’s appointed flagship for this operation - the ENS Retribution. Much hangs in the balance at the prospect of this meeting, including either the peaceful transition of sovereignty of the planet into the fold of the Eternal Empire, or what would likely amount to yet another bloody encounter above the historically beleaguered planet.
While negotiations proceed aboard the Retribution, the situation is beginning to deteriorate planetside. Needless to say, the Belsavan Unity Front is resistant to the idea of foreign occupation, with the people themselves adopting a mixed viewpoint overall. Many amongst the populace long for the days of the former monarchy, as well as a return to the freedoms they once enjoyed. Naturally, the nobility and corrupt military officials would refuse to give up their recently acquired power over the planet, and still others comprise a minority of those who believe things would be better under the stability and relative peace of the Eternal Empire.In preparation for what would likely be a bloody takeover of the planet at large, the Unity Front has begun taking extensive measures to fortify themselves against the overwhelming might of the Eternal Fleet. Intelligence centering around the deployment of additional surface-to-air defensive emplacements, and the conscription of citizens into forced military service have arisen to the notice of STRATCOM, as well as the Elysium Empire’s representatives.
Given the sensitive nature of the developing situation, contractors within the Black Sun and specialist operatives within Blackwatch have been deployed to infiltrate the planet below, with directives to disable and subdue whatever measures they can, and eliminate key figures of the Junta’s ruling party so as to ease the eventual deployment of the Eternal Empire’s occupation forces.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Elysium Empire have been able to successfully bypass the blockade in secret, with a missive from Sarillia herself to secure the exfiltration of key figures loyal to her cause who have gone to ground, so as to prevent potential ‘unforeseen casualties’ or ‘convenient disappearances’ affected by either the Eternal Empire or the Junta’s vengeful death squads. Neither side knows that the other is deployed upon the planet, and if possible - neither side wants that to change.
At the outset of the Eternal Empire’s deployment of their orbit-wide cordon, Belsavis’ orbital defense station hastily opened fire upon the first few vessels that approached to establish the blockade. While military action is being postponed upon Belsavis itself until the meeting has drawn to a close, the hostile intention of those manning the orbital defenses is beyond question given they have refused to respond to any hailing attempts by either the Eternal or Elysium Empire’s forces. Elite Ultranaut units have been deployed with support from Wardens of the Shroud to eliminate all hostile forces aboard the station and seize control.
While the station contains significant orbital defenses, it is not exclusively a military outpost - as it contains a normally-bustling starport that hosts thousands of civilian travelers on any given day. Although Eternal Imperial forces have received the strictest of orders to avoid civilian casualties, and have recently established a reputation in doing so; Elysium forces have also clandestinely deployed on the opposing side of the station with orders to evacuate any civilians and non-combative military personnel aboard the station with the utmost of haste.
The rules of engagement for both sides are to avoid any overt military actions against one another if it can be helped. But with the chaos surrounding the action taking place within the station, both skirmishes and confusion are likely to abound nonetheless. Proceed with caution, lest a war emerge through a simple misstep.
Whether it be subversive actions, political maneuvering, economic capitalization, or a story involving the Elysium Empire’s actions on Pamarthe; conflict begets opportunity. How will you take advantage of this situation?
