CREATION OF THE THIRD IMPERIUM

The tightly-controlled, highly-centralized Federation government was not suitable for a large interstellar state. A more suitable form would allow greater local autonomy, but maintain cohesion over large distances. Cleon decided the Federation had served its purpose.

Cleon envisioned a territory larger than a single sector. To claim all former territories of the First and Second Imperiums, Cleon founded the Third Imperium.

One of the last claimants to the throne of the Rule of Man had made Sylea his capital. Cleon traced the legitimacy of the Sylean Federation backwards through this emperor to the Rule of Man and the First Imperium.

In the 651st year of the Sylean Federation, the Grand Senate of the Federation "persuaded" Cleon to accept the Imperial crown. He was crowned Emperor of the Third Imperium and proclaimed the 651st year of the Sylean Federation to be the Year Zero of the Third Imperium.

The Imperium initially bypassed areas unwilling to join, while expanding to encompass as much former imperial territory as possible. It used a link and branch system for exploring systems, connecting worlds and societies, and establishing bases. The Imperium sponsored the links, and others created the branches.

Vilani participation in establishing the Imperium: Vland joined the Third Imperium soon after its formation. This enabled the Imperium to expand into the only frontier available: Corridor, Deneb, and Spinward Marches sectors.

The Imperium also benefited by bringing the three Vilani megacorporations (Naasirka, Makhidkarun, and Sharurshid) under the same banner with the Sylean industrial base, working to expand the Imperium and their markets. All segments of the Imperium benefitted by having three more megacorporation with which to trade.

The Vilani were heavily involved in settling Corridor and Deneb sectors, and later with the Pacification Campaigns in Gushemege and Lishun sectors. The conservative nature of Vilani society fostered intensive development of nearby areas (as opposed to more distant), while the spinward sectors were settled almost entirely by Solomani.

The Imperial Government and Nobility Established: Cleon I set down the basic policy that the worlds ruled themselves. Likewise, the rights and duties of nobility may vary between worlds and cultures. This policy naturally helped in convincing different cultures to join.

No interstellar groupings of systems was allowed within the Imperium. The Imperium controlled interstellar space: only peerage nobles (counts and higher) had interstellar authority. All nobles were made responsible for enforcing and affirming Imperial law.

In these early years, Cleon I created the system of nobility that has ruled the Third Imperium to this day. The major orders of knighthood were established in this period. Cleon I established the Order of Starship and Crown in 17, and Cleon II created the Order of the Emperor's Guard in 52.

It has been argued that Cleon I used such distinctions to distract the nobility. As worlds and splinter states joined the Imperium, they fought for honors and positions when they could have contested real political power instead.

Likewise, setting legislative authority at the sector level provided a balance to the abolishment of interstellar states. Such states initially formed voting blocs that controlled legislation. Long-term pressures in such a setting guaranteed the breakdown of such blocs as problems separated special interests.

Cleon did not create any organization larger than the sector, except the Imperial bureaucracy. Most Imperial bureaux were set up with offices in each subsector. This tended to keep blocs from forming; it also provided more opportunity for local patronage.

Pro-Sophontism Stand: In the 17th year of the Imperium, Cleon I declared, "Any sentient life form within the Imperial border, regardless of its origin, is a protected being, and thus a citizen of the Third Imperium. One may argue that an intelligent robot is sentient, but it is certainly not a life form."

Abdication of Zhunastu Line: Emperor Cleon II abdicated in 54 in favor of his chancellor, Artemsus Lentuli, and spent the rest of his life as a one-man fire brigade at the edge of Imperial expansion. Emperor Artemsus was responsible for the Pacification Campaigns and the creation of the Domains.

The Spinward Frontier: The basic link system developed here was Vland - Corridor - Deneb - Spinward Marches. The frontier moved into the Spinward Marches sector. In 50, the first contact between the Third Imperium and the Zhodani Consulate occurred. In 53, Imperial Scouts contacted the Sword Worlds.

While the scouts explored the Spinward Marches, the megacorporations established a sprawling base at Deneb. Corporations, independent merchants, and settlers set off from Deneb to worlds off the mainstream. Deneb absorbed colonization efforts for 50 years.

Imperial settlement of the Marches began in earnest when LSP sponsored settlement of Mora in 60 as a base for exploring and colonizing the sector. Others quickly developed the branch to Regina. In 75, Regina was settled. Imperials quickly settled other worlds near Regina. Increasing trade moved the center of spinward trade from Deneb to Mora.

Settlement demanded better information. Between 60 and 160, the IISS surveyed in detail Deneb and Spinward Marches sectors. In 148, scouts contacted the Darrian Confederation.

During these early years, the frontier was a peaceful place, relatively secure and stable, while the Imperial interior was racked with Pacification Campaigns and ugly little wars.

PACIFICATION CAMPAIGNS (75 TO 120)

By 75, large areas had become impediments to continued expansion and consolidation. Several approached a full sector in size. The Imperium prepared to force membership on worlds.

Emperor Artemsus created the Domains as instruments for continuing Imperial expansion. Each Archduke was to reduce resistance in his Domain. The Imperium aimed to incorporate all worlds within the former borders of the First and Second Imperiums.

A series of operations forced membership in the Imperium upon those worlds which resisted the initial efforts to annex them. Although predominantly economic and diplomatic in nature, the campaigns did see the Imperium use force when peaceful methods failed. Imperial battle fleets and ground forces rarely failed when brought to bear. Conclusion of the Pacification Campaigns in 120 marked the end of the initial phase of the Imperium's growth.

Vilani Pacification Campaign: The Archduke of Vland pacified Dagudashaag sector. This campaign targeted portions of Dagudashaag and Gushemege sectors.

Parts of Gushemege were extensively ravaged. They were resettled from Vland sector under a special program sponsored by Makhidkarun.

Ilelish Pacification Campaign: Ilelish Domain was easily incorporated into the Imperium for two reasons. First, the populace welcomed a successor to the Rule of Man. Second, the region was still fragmented and disorganized from the effects of the Long Night.

The Archduke of Ilelish pacified Ilelish sector and the Darmine region in Zarushagar. This cultural region, suppressed by the First Imperium, had been independent throughout the Long Night.

The Sylean Pacification Campaign: The Emperor, as Archduke of Sylea, pacified in Fornast and Delphi sectors.

In 100 IISS scout ships reached the Solomani Rim sector.

The Antarean Pacification Campaign: Antares Domain was only partially absorbed into the Imperium. Most of it had not been part of the Rule of Man, and it was not seriously affected by the Long Night.

The Archduke of Antares pacified much of Lishun sector. In 89, the Antarean Pacification Campaign annexed the Antares Cluster, twelve worlds lying rimward of Antares. The Imperium failed to incorporate the coreward sectors of Meshan, Mendan, and Amdukan sectors.

REDIRECTION (120 TO 175)

After the campaigns were declared over, efforts turned to integrating and developing the acquired worlds. Exploration was directed at improving knowledge of territories within the frontiers.

Rydel expeditions (153 and 160): Inesh Rydel led expeditions seeking a usable jump route across the Great Rift from Corridor (rimward) to Deneb. A viable rift route would make the frontier sectors "behind the claw" much more accessible, cutting travel and communication time dramatically. The first expedition originated from Sinta (Corridor 2037) and eventually arrived by various routes at Ashishinipar (Corridor 0931). Nearly a year was spent trying to find a way to go further but to no avail.

A second attempt, made by a different route, ended on Ishirdu (Corridor 0338). This proved closer, but not close enough to Yoma/Vast Heavens (Deneb 3031), the closest possible world in this area of the rift.

THE JULIAN WAR (175-191)

The failure to annex Meshan, Mendan, and Amdukan sectors was the biggest failure of the pacification campaigns. Martin I, frustrated after nine years of negotiations, mobilized the Imperial fleets in 175 to annex those sectors.

In 178, Imperial forces captured Lasla, the capital, and several important industrial worlds deep in Meshan sector. The populace refused to concede. Sporadic fighting along the Meshan and Mendan borders characterized the fighting until 185.

In 185, concentrated forces of the Julian Protectorate crossed the rift of the Empty Quarter in an end run against Antares sector. Long range raids virtually destroyed the Depots in Antares and Ley sectors. The Imperium withdrew fleets from the frontier to defend interior communication lines.

Protectorate fleets concentrated against the Antares Cluster. Relatively undefended, it fell to a brief campaign. Using it as a base of operations, the Protectorate carried the war into the Imperium.

After narrowly losing several battles to regain the Antares Cluster, Emperor Martin I agreed to peace terms. The Antares Cluster was organized into the League of Antares, and given autonomous status within the Imperium.

ANTEBELLUM

After the bad experience with Antares, the Emperors returned to peaceful expansion and colonization as the primary means to increase the number of imperial worlds. Antebellum, the period 210 to 604, was characterized by Imperial expansion, large-scale colonization efforts, integration of numerous regions into the Imperium, and an overall mood of growth and exploration.

Vargr Campaigns (220 to 348): Martin II recognized the growing importance of Deneb and the Spinward Marches. He began the Vargr Campaigns to clear the routes connecting the frontier districts to the main territories of the Imperium.

The expanding Imperium met established Vargr states of varying sizes. The period encompasses wars, encounters, conflicts, and disputes between the Imperium and various Vargr states in Vland, Corridor, and Deneb sectors along the Imperium's coreward edge.

These sectors required heavy Vilani involvement. Meanwhile, other coreward areas rebuilt fleets and armies used up or drained during the Julian War.

The major Imperial expansion and settlement of the Spinward Marches occurred between 200 and 400. Regina and six nearby worlds joined the Imperium in 250. Still, the area remained a frontier. Even in 326, many worlds were at low tech levels. Travel between the few high technology (and well-settled) worlds was a dangerous undertaking.

New megacorporations: In 221, Lucienne Hortalez founded Hortalez et Cie. this insurance house specialized in loans to planetary governments and underwriting large-scale projects.

Schunamann founded SuSAG in 252, with money from new techniques for refining psionic drugs. SuSAG used Schunamann's techniques to process other drugs. It engaged in a wide variety of chemical, pharmaceutical, and gene engineering activities.

Sternmetal also grew to megacorporation size in this period. It has always been primarily a mining and manufacturing entity, making power generation and food synthesis equipment.

These three grew by filling basic needs of new settlements: financing, medicine, energy, and food.

Cleon the Mad (244-5) Cleon III ascended the throne in 244, and quickly proved himself a homicidal maniac. He marched suspected traitors off the sky palace's many terraces. When his advisors contradicted him, he had them shot or shot them himself.

Cleon refused to abdicate, and personally shot those who asked him to step down. The dwindling cabinet agreed that he had to go. A secret meeting of the Moot approved the decision in advance.

The Duchess Porfiria, Minister of Justice, performed the deed. The gunfight lasted less than three minutes. Porfiria's heroic action and position was sufficient for the Moot to confirm her as Empress. This action also established precedent for succession by right of assassination.

Imperial Guard committed to Vargr Campaigns: In 250, artillery and cavalry units were added to the Imperial Guard, converting it from a ceremonial unit to a highly effective jump division. It was used extensively in the Vargr Campaigns in Corridor until 348.

Solomani Rim reached: Around 300, rimward Imperium expansion reached the edge of the Solomani Rim sector.

Technology and Expansion: Around 300, Imperial technology reached a widespread tech level 13.

In 311, the Gem of Fornol, using the new TL 13 meson screens landed on Sabmiqys/Antares and returned. Prior attempts to contact this world had failed because the race had a well-developed meson gun technology. During this and subsequent visits, scouts disappeared with depressing frequency.

Not until 326 was the technology developed that allowed exploitation of worlds with insidious atmospheres (code C).

PEACE ONCE AGAIN (348 to 418)

By the end of the Vargr Campaigns, the First Imperial Survey was well under way, having begun in 318. With the increasing amounts of survey data, the scouts needed a place to store it. In 399, the Scouts refurbished the research station on Reference/Core as the repository for survey data.

End of the Aslan Border Wars (380): Episodic, but continuing, struggles between Aslan clans and human settlers had gone on for a millennium. Gradual Imperial annexation of the regions led to a series of peace treaties (Peace of Ftahair) with the clans involved. These established a thirty-parsec wide buffer zone between the Imperium and the Hierate.

Many worlds had been incorporated into the Imperium by then. As a gesture of peace and mutual respect, the Aslan Guard regiment was formed from Aslan native to the Imperium and stationed at the Imperial Palace.

ILELISH REVOLT (418-435)

Imperial expansion aimed at increasing the number of worlds under Imperial authority led to reduced priority for the problems of high population member worlds. In 399, several high population worlds in the Ilelish sector began negotiating for an autonomous region in their sector. They felt that greater control over their own interstellar trade was the key to greater profitability.

In 418, the world of Ilelish declared its independence from the Imperium. Twelve other high population worlds joined it in the following year. By 420, the revolt had spread to six subsectors.

Martin II imposed a blockade around the revolt. Massed Imperial fleets enforced the blockade, and, one by one, cowed the rebellious worlds into surrendering without any actual large-scale violence. Ilelish surrendered in 435. Its equatorial zone was evacuated, and then blasted into sterility. Dlan, a loyal high-population world became the new sector capital. It was hoped that this would put an end to such rebellion.

FRINGE EVENTS

In 420, the Scout Service released the first astrographic and demographic survey of the Imperium. This publication, more than a century in the making, made the Imperium's records available for public use.

Ancient sites: Many new Ancient sites were found during the century-long First Survey. The obvious example is Antiquity/Corridor, the only functioning site ever discovered.

The Deneb, Spinward Marches, and Trojan Reach sectors are the regions in which the largest number of Droyne worlds and Ancient sites were found. The Imperium discovered over 200 sites; the Regina subsector alone has three sites. Of these, the two earliest sites discovered were Yori and Beck's World. The other site, on Efate, was discovered in 354.

Spinward Frontiers Coalesce (c. 460): In 421, Aslan explored the jump-4 route between Riftspan Reaches and the Spinward Marches. In 461, Zhodani traded with Aslan in the Trojan Reaches.

Terra Annexed: In 426, the Imperium incorporated the Easter Concord, an interstellar state in the Solomani Rim sector. In 588, the Imperial border reached and incorporated the Solomani home world. A subsequent scientific expedition proved the truth of the Solomani Hypothesis, the theory that all human races originally came from Terra.

SEEDS OF DISCORD (435 TO 589)

In 475, Empress Nicholle and her immediate family were assassinated. Cleon IV is believed responsible. Claiming that Nicholle had been too weak to govern, he ascended the throne. He based his claim to legitimacy on a distant relationship to the Zhunastu dynasty.

He did have strong supporters among the nobility. The blackmailed Moot elected Cleon emperor, but he was generally regarded as an interloper. He afterward kept the Moot at bay by threatening violence against its members.

In 555, Emperor Cleon IV was assassinated. Jerome ascended by right of Moot election. In 582, Emperor Jerome was assassinated.

Empress Jaqueline ascended by right of Moot election. She implemented new policies based on cost-effectiveness that led to expansion of the Imperium's rimward fringe.

Beginnings of the Frontier Wars: The deviousness of non-psionic human races repels the Zhodani. They felt that the Imperium sought to hamper Zhdant's slow, conservative expansion by preempting the best planets.

Imperial expansion between 200 and 500 expelled the minor Zhodani settlements in the Spinward Marches. By 500, Imperial settlement reached the edges of the Zhodani settlement. In 500, the Imperium began exploring into Zhodani territory. By 550, the two empires had intermingled their settlements, sharing systems in some cases. Mutual differences heightened tensions, bringing conflict and then open warfare.

The original Outworld Coalition formed in the early 500s as the Zhodani rallied some of the Vargr in Gvurrdon sector to their side. Memories of the Imperial campaigns against Vargr states in Corridor sector swayed some Vargr into joining with the Zhodani. The coalition's early history was of continual struggle for organization. Establishing and maintaining Vargr governments in power continually occupied the Zhodani.

Imperial alliance with the Darrian Confederation alienated the Sword Worlds. They cite the 470 absorption of most of Vilis subsector as another reason they, too, joined the Outworld Coalition against the Imperium.

FIRST FRONTIER WAR (589 TO 604)

According to the battle plan of the Coalition, the Vargr were to harry the coreward edge of the Spinward Marches, especially Regina and Aramis subsectors, while the Zhodani took Cronor and Jewell subsectors. Initial Zhodani attacks (well planned and executed with speed, accuracy, and precision) easily expelled Imperial settlements from Zhodani territory in Foreven/Iakr sector. The Vargr's dismal failure, however, caused the Outworld Coalition to collapse. Fortunately for the aggressors, unpreparedness and communication lags caused the Spinward Marches to fight the war on its own.

Raids against high population worlds deep in the sector characterized the next fifteen years of fighting. The Zhodani confined their commerce raiding to the Imperial worlds in the eight coreward subsectors of the Spinward Marches. Extensive commerce raiding lasted until 597.

The Darrian Confederation allied with the Imperium during the war, after Zhodani ships penetrated the Confederation's coreward borders.

In 604, Grand Admiral Olav hault-Plankwell inflicted a massive defeat on an expeditionary Zhodani/Vargr fleet at Zivije following its raid against Jae Tellona. Tremendous losses crippled both sides ability to fight. The war ended as a military stalemate.

The negotiated armistice left the Zhodani in control of the Cronor subsector of the Spinward Marches, but established extensive Imperial claims elsewhere in the sector. It was acclaimed an Imperial victory. Admiral Olav Hault-Plankwell simultaneously castigated the central Imperial authority for its lack of support during the war.

The Imperium was ousted from Foreven/Iakr sector. The Zhodani had achieved their aim of stopping the threatening pace of Imperial expansion.

The Frontier War brought a desire for cooperation to the Sword Worlds that led to the first unified Confederation in centuries, the Second Dominate. Later annexation of four worlds started the continuing conflict with the Darrian Confederation.

THE CIVIL WAR

Outbreak: The First Frontier War threw off the spark that started the Civil War. The lag-time in interstellar communication, reduced expansionist tendencies, rivalry for power among major military commanders, and the diverse background of the Imperium's many constituents all combined to fan the Civil War into full flame.

The power struggle lasted through eighteen years and eighteen Emperors. The "Emperors of the Flag" were all naval officers of flag (admiral) rank. All were genetically pure Solomani. Seven were assassinated, ten died in battle, and one survived - Arbellatra.

The Nature of the Fighting: A succession of pretenders appeared, each commanding a battle fleet that tried to gain control of the Imperium. The fleets and squadrons that resisted them often did so without leadership, instead defending the idea of the Imperium.

Battles were of two varieties. Fringe battles occurred throughout the Imperium as rival factions took bases and recruited forces. Once any power bloc built up enough strength to make victory seem possible, its forces moved to the Core to seize control of the Imperial bureaucracy or wrest it away from someone else.

The major battle fleets were jump-3 capable, although some select squadrons were jump-4 capable. Travel from Rhylanor/Spinward Marches to Capital/Core required 58 jumps. News often travelled even more slowly.

Olav I's reign: Grand Admiral of the Marches Olav hault-Plankwell found solid support for a new government. Dissatisfaction with the lack of support during the recent frontier war was widespread in the Spinward Marches. After jumping his war fleet to Capital in 606, he forced an audience with Empress Jacqueline I, supposedly for recognition of his war effort.

Plankwell's assault forced most of the Imperial Guard to surrender. The Aslan Guard fought until it was virtually destroyed, gaining fame and its reputation as one of the toughest and most loyal of the Guard regiments. This gave Jaqueline's Escort Force time to prepare its last ditch defense. It died to the last man defending her.

Plankwell personally murdered the Empress. He proclaimed himself Emperor by right of fleet control. His fleet gave the Moot no choice but acquiescence.

Plankwell disbanded the Guard: it was not reformed until after the Civil War was over. It had so decimated his marines and ship's troops, however, that he did not have enough loyal troops to retain control.

In 609, Ramon, Olav's chief of staff, convinced large portions of the fleet to attempt to overthrow Olav I. In the Battle of Tricanus 5, Ramon's forces were apparently defeated. In a final closing action, however, Olav's flagship was destroyed with all hands. The lack of enough marines aboard Plankwell's flagship led directly to his death in a last minute boarding action.

The Moot elected Ramon emperor.

The First Cosmic Scramble: Ramon inherited none of Plankwell's strengths and greater weaknesses. The weakness of his position (as an almost defeated pretender) and losses in the War Fleet made a challenge inevitable. The disturbed times, however, prevented any successor from gaining a majority in the Moot.

Constantus murdered Ramon I later in 609, and claimed to be emperor by right of assassination. The Moot did not accept his claim. The fleet sided with Constantus in his attempts to find a power base in the core.

Nicolai defeated and killed Constantus in 610 at the Battle of Rakakaka. The remnants of Plankwell's troublesome War Fleet scattered. The Moot elected Nicolai emperor: he ruled for two years.

George murdered Nicolai in 612. The Moot again did not acknowledge the right of assassination, and George was murdered in 613.

The Second Cosmic Scramble: Between 613 and 615, numerous emperors ruled fragments of the Imperial Core, but the Moot supported no one. The Sylean Home Worlds formed a temporarily autonomous state. Historians hold that there was no break in the continuity of the Imperium, because the bureaucracy continued to function.

Cleon V rose to prominence and in 615 subjugated the Sylean Home Worlds. Later that year, a close vote in the Moot finally proclaimed Cleon V emperor. Upon receiving news of the Second Frontier War, he appointed Arbellatra Grand Admiral of the Marches for the Domain of Deneb.

In 618, radical nobles in the Moot instigated an uprising. Joseph attacked Cleon V, and killed him in the Battle of Markatch. The Moot proclaimed Joseph emperor by a very close margin. Many nobles refused to swear allegiance to him.

The Third Cosmic Scramble: Joseph was defeated and killed later in 618 by Donald in the Battle of Arakoine. The Moot denied Donald's claim: the radicals held enough influence to deny him recognition. He was the only emperor to defeat his predecessor in battle and still fail to gain the Moot's support.

Emdiri assassinated Donald still later in 618, but she also failed to gain the Moot's support. Donald had begun a program against the radicals in the Moot, but Emdiri's opportunistic power play failed to gain even their support. She was the last claimant unsupported by the Moot.

619 - the Year of Five Emperors: Catharine murdered Emdiri, but was later murdered by Ramon II. In the Battle of Nivzhine Belt, Jaqueline II defeated Ramon II. In the Second battle of Arakoine, Usuti defeated Jaqueline II. None of the five ruled longer than three months.

620: Marava defeated Usuti at the Third Battle of Arakoine. After a brief siege, her forces destroyed the Grand Sky Palace of Martin II. Ivan subsequently defeated Marava in the Battle of Sulgami.

621: Martin VI defeated Ivan in the First Battle of Zhimaway. He was murdered by Gustus, who then took the throne.

SECOND FRONTIER WAR (615 TO 620)

The Outworld Coalition reformed in 609, wishing to reverse their defeat in the First Frontier War. The Second Frontier War began with an attack on Cipango (Spinward Marches 0705), and then expanded to engulf three subsectors. Although the Vargr again failed to take any territory permanently, their performance as a whole was considerably improved. This time the Coalition took portions of Jewell subsector.

The fierce initial battles strengthened local resolve, and drew the fighting out. With meager local and Imperial forces, Grand Admiral of the Marches Arbellatra fought a holding action accompanied by raids into enemy territory in the Jewell subsector.

The Darrian Confederation allied with the Imperium after Zhodani ships penetrated its coreward borders. It hired large numbers of Aslan at this time. There are unconfirmed reports that the Zhodani withdrew from Darrian space after uncovering evidence that the Darrians were investigating the possibility of inducing sub-nova flares in several nearby systems.

After three years of holding the enemy, the Imperium had again assembled large forces to face the Coalition. The completion of several dreadnoughts in local shipyards and the arrival of reinforcements from trailing sectors enabled Arbellatra to fight a decisive battle. Losses crippled both sides, and forced a stalemate.

Arbellatra secured a peace treaty by ceding more territory. The Imperium lost Cronor subsector. A dozen systems in Vilis subsector asked for and received released from their allegiance to the Imperium. The peace did establish reasonably secure borders, which would stand for 350 years.

The Imperium occupied 11 worlds of the Sword Worlds Confederation for five years after the war. This only aggravated anti-Imperial feeling on these worlds.

END OF THE CIVIL WAR (620 TO 629)

Arbellatra, like Olav, jumped her fleet to the Imperial Core. After several months of cat-and-mouse maneuvering, she defeated the putative Emperor, Gustus, and the remnants of the Central Fleet at the Second Battle of Zhimaway. She did not seize the throne, but instead held power in trust for a rightful successor.

This act, giving the image of patriotic responsibility, brought the first trickle of legitimacy back to the Iridium Throne. Her selection as Regent ended the Civil War.

Arbellatra granted an Imperial absolution for all military actions fought during the Civil War. She also replaced the Archduke of Antares with Admiral Soegz, for the treason of not supporting her as Regent. This unopposed act ended organized dissent against the Regency.

The search for Jaqueline's heir continued for seven years. Stability during the Regency impressed the government and enabled Arbellatra to build a broad power base. Ultimately, the Moot approached Arbellatra to take the throne herself.

STABILITY (629 TO 760)

In 629, in one of her first acts, Empress Arbellatra reformed the Imperial Guard, drawn from all regions of the Imperium. She began a third floating Grand Palace which was finished in 633. Its sheet magnitude, a one-kilometer sphere, was meant to signal that a new era of power and progress had begun.

In 660, the Imperium stabilized at its present size. The Imperium turned more attention inward, devoting resources to internal development and consolidation. Renewed efforts to develop existing Imperial territory provided a new focus for the bureaucracy.

In a sense, the Ilelish Revolt had finally succeeded. The Imperium focused on the problems of member worlds instead of continued expansion. It is, however, true that post-war policies ended the unstable period which began with either the Ilelish Revolt in 418 or the assassination of Empress Nicholle in 475.

Post Civil War Trends: In the stability following the Civil War, several trends emerged.

Vilani resurgence: In the troubled Civil War period, Vilani leaders and industrialists began to challenge Solomani dominance of the Third Imperium. The reaction was the formation of the vocal Solomani Movement.

Solomani Movement: Solomani influence at court peaked after the Civil War, and then began to decline. In 679, Emperor Zhakirov married Antiama Shiishuginsu, and banished the more vocal Solomani from the Imperial court.

Following rifts at court, the Imperium established the Solomani Autonomous Region (or Solomani Sphere) in 704. It then ignored the region, allowing it to develop independently while the central government concentrated on its coreward frontiers, the Spinward Marches, and Gateway sector.

Domains de-emphasized: The post-war emperors de-emphasized the Domains. The Domains ceased to be a level in the naval hierarchy, and the title Grand Admiral of the Marches became obsolete. This reduced the power of the Archdukes, but was also motivated by belief that the domains had served their function of bringing territories into the Imperium.

Psionics: After 650, Psionics underwent a tremendous boom in popularity. It reached its peak in the latter half of the 700's. In the 790's, however, the crest of popular opinion broke with the revelation of scandals within the Psionics Institutes.

Technology: The Imperium attained tech level 14 around 700. In 711, Makhidkarun developed the first TL 14 robot brain.

XBoat network: In 624, Arbellatra established an express boat system to enhance government, commercial, and private communication. It covered the entire Imperium by 718. Typically, communication routes connect, or pass within three hexes of, worlds with A or B starports.

Battle Riders: In the 700s, the Imperial Navy largely converted to battle rider squadrons. Between ships of equal tonnage, the one without jump drives (and tanks) will mount more armament and protection. A BatRon of Riders will inevitably defeat an equal tonnage squadron of jump-capable battleships.

The initial concept focused on the number of line ships, usually around 10 per battle squadron. Consequently, initial squadrons consisted of three carriers with three riders each or five carriers with two riders each.

Two new Megacorporations: In the post Civil War years, two new megacorporations emerged.

General Products formed from the merger of several smaller manufacturers shortly after the end of the Civil War, it produced mainly spacecraft at first. There was a boom time for shipyards after the Civil War. Merchant and military losses were replaced, the XBoat system was being established, and there was a general economic rebuilding. General grew to megacorporation status through timely diversification.

Instellarms was founded by Axel Murdoch. He used contacts in the Imperial military to purchase excess equipment cheaply, but he still had to have raised billions somehow. Instellarms came to dominate the interstellar mercenary arms trade throughout the Imperium in two centuries, mainly because of the risks it was willing to take.

MINOR WARS

Gashikan: Between 750 and 825, fierce wars occurred which resulted in the unification of the Second Empire of Gashikan on the Imperium's coreward border. Imperial and Julian influences are probable, but not acknowledged.

Kamurinmur Rebellion (760): This rebellion, in Gushemege sector, was suppressed by the Imperial Navy.

Darrian War (788): A short war between the Darrian and Sword Worlds Confederations resulted in the Darrians recovering four worlds lost in the First Frontier War. Resulting outcry caused the collapse of the current Sword Worlds Confederation, and led to governmental instability until 852.

RISING PUBLIC UPHEAVALS

Droyne Proved to Be a Major Race: In 790, Imperial scientists confirmed through archeological evidence that the Droyne had used jump travel before the modern dominant races entered space. Subsequent cross-checking pushed the date they had jump travel farther and farther back. It is presently accepted as at least -7,000.

This contributed to categorizing races as major or minor. The "Six Races" concept appeared independently (but vaguely) in Aslan, Vargr, and K'Kree sources. It had been accepted that these six "important" races must be major races; now the "Six Races" concept supported division of races in major and minor category. Classifying the Droyne as a Major Race, and counting the "major" branches of humaniti as one race permitted the accepted identification of six major races.

Discovery that only these races appear on Droyne coyns validated making this distinction. Why these races appear on coyns up to 75,000 years old is unresolved.

Psionic Suppressions (800-826): The revelation of scandals, financial and ethical, at the Psionic Institutes led to widespread suppression of psionists. Psionics had been increasingly popular in the Imperium: public opinion now became strongly anti-psionic.

In 800, psi drugs were declared illegal, all plants engaged in their production within the Imperium closed, and all stocks were confiscated and destroyed. A general order to the realm "suppressed" the psionic institutes. Over the next ten years, 65 suppression orders temporarily revoked their charters specifically, and then 65 more revoked the charters.

Solomani Declare Independence: In 871, the government of the Solomani Autonomous Region reorganized itself as the Solomani Confederation. The Imperial government at first ignored this virtual declaration of independence. The Solomani asserted authority over all worlds within 60-parsecs of Terra, regardless of the population's composition.

By 900, reports that the Solomani rule of many client worlds within the sphere was over-bearing and heavy-handed forced Empress Margaret to reassess the situation. In 940, by proclamation, she dissolved the Solomani Sphere and reintegrated it within the Imperium. The Solomani resisted reintegration.

Significant Imperial fleets supported Solomani client worlds that wanted to reclaim allegiance to the Third Imperium. Ambassadors pressed other worlds to decide to declare for the Imperium. Solomani control was gradually pressed back toward Terra.

Spinward events: Imperial expansion resumed, working around the Sword Worlds and Zhodani borders into the rimward subsectors of the Spinward Marches. Five Sisters subsector drew Imperial military and scout attention, as occupying it preempted Zhodani expansion from Querion to close off the expansion effort.

Serious Imperial colonization in the Five Sisters subsector began c. 740. It was halted in 800, with the disturbances of the Psionic Suppressions. (Activists argued continued colonization would provide a way for psions to escape Imperial justice, and provide a fifth column for Zhodani to exploit.)

The Zhodani remained committed to restraining Imperial expansion. The weak Sword Worlds Confederation broke up in 848. In 852, Gram seized control of the Sword Worlds Confederation (reportedly with substantial help from Zhodani money and advisors).

In 941, District 268 (Spinward Marches) was opened for colonization. One reason was to develop an alternate route to Five Sisters subsector.

THIRD FRONTIER WAR (979 TO 986)

The long period of uneasy peace between the Imperium and the Zhodani Consulate erupted into war in 979. After years of saber-rattling, Zhodani battle fleets struck simultaneous blows in the Querion and Jewell subsectors. The Coalition directed its major effort at Efate, Boughene, and Pixie (all in the Regina subsector) in an effort to cut off Jewell subsector. This was essentially the same strategy used in previous wars.

Imperial reaction was deficient initially, although reinforcements were soon brought to the battles. Emperor Stryryx, an ex-marine, was more concerned with the Solomani than with the Zhodani hordes.

After several months, the Coalition launched a subordinate drive through the Vilis and Lanth subsectors, across the Abyss, supported only by a narrow string of bases. The Zhodani hoped to reduce Rhylanor, and establish a major stronghold, before the Imperium could respond. They gained a foothold at Jae Tellona. From there, both Rhylanor and Porozlo were put under siege. Major forces took Porozlo, and it provided a supporting base for the siege of Rhylanor.

The salient threatened the rear of the entire Imperial defense for eleven months. The diversion of large portions of the Imperial Fleet from their main engagement in the Regina subsector brought the war to a stalemate. Rhylanor was the scene of several battles, but neither side could advance. Substantial reinforcements from Sabine subsector finally forced the Zhodani salient back.

By 981, the war was back on an even footing. Subsequent naval actions were concentrated in Regina and Vilis subsectors. Hostilities continued until 986 with little gain.

Fighting focused on planetary sieges less than in previous Frontier Wars. Commerce raiding, deep thrusts by cruiser squadrons, and harassment of civilian shipping dominated events. Civilian losses and lack of progress led to disaffection with the high command.

The Armistice heavily favored the Zhodani. It ceded systems in the Jewell subsector and allowed Zhodani occupation of several within Querion subsector. Moreover, the Imperium withdrew from their previous positions, creating a demilitarized zone through much of Vilis subsector.

POST-WAR (986 to 990)

The Dienne Coup: In the Imperium there was widespread dissatisfaction with the handling and outcome of the Third Frontier War. With the support of the Imperial General Staff and most of the Imperial armed forces, the Imperial Guard under General Dienne staged a palace coup in 989.

The IISS bodyguard had to be killed in a brief firefight with the Aslan Guard regiment. Styryx was found cowering in his personal fresher. He abdicated in favor of his eldest son Gavin at the point of General Dienne's gauss pistol.

Sol Domain disrupted: In 982, Archduke Ovalle of Sol dreamed about a war involving his domain in the near future. He ordered his court moved to the planet Torrel. However, Ovalle died three months after Styryx's abdication. Archduke Klaxaen, his successor, immediately ended the transfer operation, stranding a billion transferees on Torrel.

Some speculate that the dislocation of Sol Domain contributed to Styryx's downfall. This may be overstating, but the disruption did positively contribute to the Solomanis' subsequent actions.

SOLOMANI RIM WAR (990 TO 1002)

The Solomani hoped to profit from Imperial preoccupation with the Third Frontier War, and the disorganization following the abdication of Emperor Styryx. In 989, they reasserted their claim to the entire Solomani Sphere, including those portions reabsorbed into the Third Imperium. The Imperium declared war in 990.

The war affected all parts of the Imperium. At Capital, the Solomani Rim Guard regiment was disbanded, because of doubts about its loyalty. Even in the Spinward Marches, Solomani exiles were apprehended and put in detention camps.

The Solomani Confederation was equipped mostly at TL 13. The Imperial Navy was equipped mostly at TL 14, but the Imperium attained a marginal tech level 15 around 1000, during the war.

The initial phase went very well for the Solomani Confederation, because the Confederation's massed fleets were superior to the Imperium's sizable border fleets. The Solomani regained most of the border worlds lost in the last 50 years, and occupied some worlds outside the Solomani Sphere.

Solomani fortunes were checked in 993 when a large invasion fleet attempted to regain worlds in the Old Expanses sector. Near-fanatical resistance repulsed it with heavy losses.

The period from 993 to 998 was one of stalemate. The Solomani abandoned further expansion to rebuild their forces. Inflexibly defending every border world, however, constantly drained their resources. The Imperium's greater industrial base made its power felt as the Imperial Navy achieved strategic dominance by 998.

The last phase of the war, 998 to 1002, consisted of a near-continuous Imperial advance into the heart of the Solomani Sphere. The Imperials attacked along two parallel axes of advance, while task forces spread out to create a huge pocket. The Solomani were unable to halt the main advances.

Liberation of the Vegan District in 1001 gave the Imperium a secure base in Terra's subsector. The Solomani made a desperate gamble. They united their remaining naval forces into a single fleet, and put their best admiral, Ivan Wolfe, in command.

Wolfe struck at the 17th Imperial Fleet first. After inflicting a major defeat on its advance guard at the Battle of Agidda, he then struck at the Imperium's 1st fleet advancing out of the Vegan District. The quick reorganization of the 17th Fleet and its timely arrival at Dingir was decisive. At the Battle of Dingir, in early 1002, the Imperial fleets scattered and substantially destroyed the Solomani Grand Fleet. Wolfe collected the remnants of the Grand Fleet and retreated deeper into the Solomani Sphere.

The Solomani fought on fanatically. In 1002, a little-known commando raid eliminated Inthra (Old Expanses 0607) as an Imperial supply source. The planet's environmental controls were concentrated in relatively few control areas. The Solomani commandos shut down those controls, killing billions in a few short hours.

The Imperial high command decided it had to invade Terra to end forever claims of Solomani superiority and use of Terra as a rallying standard. Assembling an invasion force ended pursuit of the defeated Solomani fleet.

The Imperium committed 14 battleship squadrons and five corps to capture Terra. The invasion began in the second quarter of 1002, and fighting lasted until nearly the end of the year before the Imperium conquered the planet. The Battle for Terra consumed so much Imperial strength that the Imperial Admiralty felt they lacked sufficient strength to resume the advance into the rest of the Solomani Sphere.

The Solomani military commanders, glad for the opportunity to regroup their remaining forces, agreed to a temporary armistice. Both governments, concerned by the strain of the protracted war on their economies, informally agreed to extend the armistice indefinitely. Thus the war ended.

Although scholars debate the wisdom of invading Terra, the war was a major Imperial victory. The Imperium reabsorbed 25% of the Solomani Sphere, set up a vigorous Vegan District to oversee its interests, and largely discredited the central tenet of the Solomani Movement.

AFTER THE RIM WAR (1002 to 1082)

The navy, which had used battle riders since the 700s, largely converted to battle riders after these wars. Replacing war losses and rebuilding the battle line at tech level 15 provided the opportunity to make the change-over.

The improved capabilities allowed by the achievement of tech level 15 contributed to the decision that battle riders had come of age, and were the configuration of the future. It was now possible to make tender-battlerider combinations where one rider could carry 8-10 riders in a squadron, and the riders could stand in the line of battle.

Meson Rebellion: Khikaba/Shuna (Lishun 0829) revolted in 1020. The Imperial navy took twelve years to restore order, in part because fleet assets were tied down in the Spinward Marches and on the Solomani border.

Phoenix Project suppressed: The Solomani had made contingency plans for supporting a guerilla movement on Terra. A massive Imperial counter-guerilla effort in 1040-45 was directed at discovering and destroying military caches and arresting the families entrusted with their secrets. In 1045 Imperial intelligence reported penetration of the project command, with subsequent compromise of its basic plans and dismantling of its structure.

Second Survey completed: The data from the first survey of the 400s was badly out of date, and the current data needed to be corroborated, so the Scout Service started the Second Survey. In 1065, the Scout service released the second comprehensive survey of the Imperium. It had taken 70 years to compile, went to greater lengths, and included more world data and more complete astrographic data.

Strephon becomes Emperor: In 1071, Strephon became the forty-third Emperor of the Third Imperium. He was then 22.

The Rachelean Revolts: The Rachele Society, a secret Vilani supremacy group, fomented a major uprising on Pretoria (Deneb/Pretoria). The group favored genocidal policies. An attempt at nuclear blackmail ended in a nuclear explosion that killed 26,000 people and resulted in the imposition of martial law. Although regarded as a local, if violent, event at the time, the incident has since been cited as evidence of rising militancy among Vilani citizens. Most pro-Vilani (or anti-Solomani) groups advocate violence.

Joyeuse balkanized: In 1078, civil war broke out on Joyeuse in the Sword Worlds Confederation, and balkanized that world. Fighting has continued off and on since then. Joyeuse had been one of the dominant worlds in the Confederation, but now has little influence.

THE FOURTH FRONTIER WAR (1082-1084)

An incident near Quar/Cronor unintentionally began the war. A series of battles ensued in the Jewell and Cronor subsectors. Neither side was prepared, and the war was little more than a skirmish-compared to earlier conflicts.

Esalin (Jewell 0204) fell in the opening weeks. The Vargr and the Zhodani jointly assaulted Jewell and Regina subsectors, but the initial assaults stalled at the borders. Most of the later fighting occurred in Jewell subsector.

The final battle, the Battle of Two Suns, was fought midway between Yres and Menorb. Losses on both sides were heavy, but the Imperium held the field. Had the battle gone the other way, the loss of both Yres and Menorb would have forced the evacuation of Efate and the collapse of the coreward end of the Regina subsector. Instead, lengthening supply lines prevented further outworld advances.

Emperor Strephon had delegated war powers to Norris, Duke of Regina. This brought a speedy end to a conflict that otherwise could have been hampered by long delays in communications between Capital and the front. An armistice ended the war after 18 months of fighting. Instructions and reinforcements had not reached the Marches from the Imperial capital.

The war resulted in some realignment of accepted boundaries, but in no real gains for either side. The Imperium lost Narval/Chronor, but it regained two worlds from the Sword Worlds. Esalin/Jewell shifted from Imperial control to neutral status. A joint communiqué by the Imperial and Zhodani governments declared Esalin a neutral world in 1098.

THE RECENT PAST (1084 TO 1107)

The Fourth Frontier War demonstrated that the Imperium could no longer achieve a clear superiority at all points along the frontiers. Naval policy had favored a "crust" strategy, with major fleet elements well forward in potential trouble spots such as the Spinward Marches. This strategy worked for decades due to the Imperium's tremendous technological and material lead over its neighbors.

The Admiralty re-examined the Imperium's fundamental naval policy, and evolved an elastic defense posture. Colonial forces in the frontier areas were strengthened and centered around "islands of resistance": high population, high technology worlds capable of withstanding protracted sieges. Colonial fleets and armies now formed the Imperium's first line of defense.

The Admiralty reduced fleet assets in border areas, but created much larger reserves. Imperial border fleets were to delay hostile advances and disrupt sieges of key worlds, until major fleet reserves intervene and re-establish the status quo.

The Imperial Admiralty concentrated all Rider BatRons in the strategic reserves, and filled the frontier forces exclusively with ships. Rider BatRons suffered disproportionate losses during the early weeks of the Fourth Frontier War. When facing superior numbers, they were unable to withdraw.

Domains re-emphasized: After the Fourth Frontier War and the communication problems it presented, Emperor Strephon decided a strengthened Archduke position could enable the imperium to respond more quickly to attacks. He reestablished the Domain as a level in the Imperial Navy, and returned to the Domain the right to collect taxes. Later, he gave the archdukes the right to legislate and enforce the emperor's desires on a local level.

Other events: In 1103, the Rachelean Society resurfaced in Lishun sector. In a power play at the Dynam Naval base, Zid Rachele and his followers attempted to steal several mothballed warships. They were quickly defeated, and Rachele's vessel destroyed.

In 1104, Emperor Strephon appointed Dulinor, one of his closest friends, Archduke of Ilelish. Dulinor has actively, and vocally, attacked conservative institutions. He instituted a universal draft, established policies for disseminating technology, and advanced his subject's standard of living.

In 1106, the Islands Clusters (Reft sector) erupted into general warfare.

THE FIFTH FRONTIER WAR (1107-1111)

Following several years of unrest and provocation, Zhodani forces attacked across the Imperial borders, while previously placed guerilla units on selected Imperial worlds began uprisings. Vargr and Sword World forces allied with the Zhodani also participated.

In 1107, the Zhodani launched a sneak attack on Regina/Regina. Jewell was besieged, as other worlds in its subsector fell to the Zhodani. Like previous wars, initial Outworld successes faded as Imperial resistance stiffened.

The Zhodani provincial governor had assumed that Jewell would surrender when isolated. It did not, and tied down major forces. The Zhodani maintained the siege, but moved ships out of the area in 1108 to prepare another move.

In 1109, Imperial forces defeated first the Vargr, then the Sword Worlders in secondary campaigns. Meanwhile, the Imperial and Zhodani reserves met.

In early 1109, the Zhodani 40th Fleet struck in Vilis subsector. It aimed for Rhylanor. In last ditch defensive battles at Rhylanor and Porozlo, the Imperial Corridor Fleet defeated the 40th Fleet. The Zhodani were forced to withdraw behind the Abyss.

The situation had bogged down to a stalemate. Faced with the prospect of a long war of attrition, the two sides agreed a negotiated settlement. The war ended with a return to the pre-war status quo.

Although the Imperium eventually triumphed, military experts are critical of the war's direction. Admiral Santanocheev has been widely blamed, but some feel a wider look must be taken at the entire command structure.

CURRENT EVENTS (1110 TO 1116)

In 1113, Imperial forces soundly routed several Vargr corsair fleets at the Second Battle of Anarsi (in Vland sector). On receiving word of the battle, Baroness Sessoi of Deneb/Usani stated, "Only villains and criminals dare challenge the Imperium's authority to rule the space lanes."

1. ^1. Solomani, p. 8.