[Sonny]

Here is Part 2. Part 3, the final episode, will be posted here soon.

Storm clouds (2795-2836)

"As political leaders, of course we preferred negotiation. But when a people are desperate their pleas for help are ignored and repressed, how can you expect them to sit quietly? So no, I don't condemn the actions of my people during the protests." Paul Macklin, president of the New Conglomerate, 2838

2795 - 2836

The Auraxian people now number three million. The colonies extend across every continent on the planet.

Resource shortages of Auraxium start to become acute. With dropping production, several mines are closed, and major companies file for bankruptcy. New Conglomerate-supporting regions are hit the hardest. Many become jobless, poor and angry.

Demonstrations begin. Protesters demand jobs and greater support from the rich, Terran Republic-dominated cities. Their cries falling on deaf ears, the pockets of political resistance unite under the flag of the reinvigorated New Conglomerate, and there are calls for complete independence. They blockade Auraxium transport routes from the mining towns to the cities.

Terrified of the prospect of Auraxium shortages destroying the modern way of life in the cities, the Terran Republic-led government violently represses the protests. Military forces are posted to guard the supply routes from the mines. The peaceful protests are quickly stamped out, but the simmering resentment is not.

Based on discoveries from the wreckage of ancient spacecraft, Vanu scientists uncover what appears to be a blueprint for a beam device to permanently open the wormhole to Sol. Galvanised by the tantalising possibility of permanent access to their homeland; Auraxis turns its limited remaining resources to the construction of a prototype vessel in time for the next wormhole opening in March 2837.

Great ships are prepared to travel through the wormhole, each large enough to hold twenty thousand people. The Bastion, Aurora and Orion are unveiled as the pride of the Terran Republic, New Conglomerate and Vanu respectively. A planet-wide ballot is opened up for lucky Auraxians to be the first passengers aboard the fleet.

The Wormhole Incident (2837-2844)

"It is my terrible duty to announce to you, that the Orion and the Aurora have been lost... It is estimated that thirty thousand have perished. Let us pray for their souls. Let us not allow this tragedy to tear us apart; we must remember the common threads that bind us together!" President Daniel Mallory, 30th president of the Auraxian congress, 29th March 2839
27th March 2837

The tri-factional fleet approaches the wormhole. For two days, the plan works as expected, and the prototype beam vessel holds the wormhole open.

On 29th March 2837, there is a massive explosion, and the fleet is torn apart. The New Conglomerate and Vanu colony ships are obliterated.
The Terran Republic ship, the Bastion, survives the blow, and limps back to the planet with the survivors. The wormhole slams shut. Auraxis is alone for another 98.3 years.

The recriminations upon the return of the Bastion to Auraxis are fierce. The Terrans blame the New Conglomerate for a terrorist attack upon the fleet. The New Conglomerate and Vanu accuse the Terran Republic of staging the 'terrorist attack' in order to win supremacy of the skies. The true story is never revealed.

2837 - 2844

In the aftermath of the wormhole incident, protests in the New Conglomerate-held regions erupt again. The Terran Republic responds forcefully to quell the protests.

Not willing to give up so easily this time, well-prepared New Conglomerate supporters begin violent resistance in several the mining towns. There are several simultaneous attacks at regional Terran police stations and on Auraxium convoys in the borderlands. New Conglomerate political and business leaders deny any connection between themselves and the insurgents.

Sensing the storm clouds of war, the leaders of the Vanu feel that following the restricting edicts of the Terran Republic is holding them back, and will never be loosened. Now is the time to lead their people off Auraxis. They begin construction of a giant spacecraft called the 'Ark', in which the entire Vanu people can escape Auraxis and colonise a new world together. They also commence secret research programme in the wastes of Esamir to prepare their people for the journey, including work on rebirthing and human augmentation technologies.

Prelude to war (2844)

"You have the technology. But why are you hiding it from us, from the Auraxian people? Why? Because you are preparing for war!" Congressman Finch, Amerish 47th district

"What do you expect when you attempt to kill our great President? You are murderers, terrorists!" Congressman Paul, Indarian Capitol, 5rd Ward
The final session of Congress, February 2845

2844

Suspicion and anger between the factions increases by the day. The tension is punctuated by bombings and insurgent assaults in the metropolises, which the Terran authorities blame on New Conglomerate 'terrorists'.

March 2844

Through a newly-discovered artifact, a team of Vanu, Terran and New Conglomerate scientists discover the 'missing link' to rebirthing technology at Xenotech labs. Mammal subject appear to be able to remember lessons learnt in previous lives. Large-scale trials to confirm the findings begin immediately.

April 2844

An explosion in the Amerishian capitol - the Terran Republic president barely makes it out alive. Terran representatives in Congress are enraged.

Despite their denials of all involvement, several high-profile New Conglomerate politicians and business figures are arrested and imprisoned in the maximum-security prison compound in the Kaorr desert. Curfews and restrictions of assembly are implemented across Terran territory.

The flow of Auraxium from the mining towns is severely disrupted by roving bands of armed rebels, and the cities begin to ration basic services. The New Conglomerate refuse to re-open the flow of resources until the Terran government steps down and holds new elections.

Ignoring their calls, Terran Republic forces annex several mining towns in order to provide their own flow of resources to the city.

May 2844

All of the Conglomerate scientists are mysteriously barred from Xenotech labs. Several disappear en route back to their home town, suspected to have been abducted by Terran authorities. Work continues on rebirthing technology between the Terran and Vanu scientists.

October 2844

Bombings and terrorist attacks intensify within the Terran cities. Many more New Conglomerate sympathisers are arrested, including several members of congress. Conscription is instated by the Terran authorities, supposedly to maintain law and order, but soldiers are soon seen raiding properties of high-profile Conglomerate sympathisers. Several global corporations are shut down, with several 'revealed' to be fronts for munitions factories and weapon stores for the rebels.

Scientists at Xenotech finally discover a method to rebirth humans so that their memories and knowledge remain fully intact. However, the press conference to announce this great discovery is cancelled just minutes beforehand by Terran officials without explanation. The scientists locked down within the facility are allowed no further contact with the outside world.