2520: The Union of Allied Planets, commonly called the 'Alliance', their grip on the outer planets of the System rapidly losing cohesion due to the leaking of state secrets two years prior, begins a comprehensive 'peacekeeping' program to restore control and to quell the riots and civil unrest now common on many civilized worlds.
2520: The Alliance reveals the use a new type of vehicle during peacekeeping operations on Whitefall, coined by many to be called a 'Titan.' The bipedal weapons platform is immensely effective, allowing the restoration of control swiftly, and decisively. Civil unrest across the System however, continues to grow.
2521: A general uprising erupts on Bourous, the protestors calling for, 'no more lies, Alliance, tell us what we want to know.' Local crime lord Badger is killed in the fighting. The Alliance deploys the First Alliance Titan Company to quell the riots, and civilian casualties are incurred.
2522: A series of terror attacks are unleashed across the System on Alliance science, manufacturing, and shipbuilding centers, causing massive damages and severe casualties. Responsibility for the attacks is claimed by a group calling themselves the 'Frontier Militia.' Protests continue across many civilized planets, prompting the Alliance to crack down and declare widespread martial law.
2522: The Frontier Militia step forward to formally oppose and declare war against the Alliance, Militia General James MacAllan stating in a System-wide broadcasted press conference that 'We will finish what the Independents began all those years ago. We will have our freedom, and the Alliance will not stop us this time! All of you who desire your answers, your freedom, your fair share, join us! Today, we take the first step towards freedom!'
2523: As civil unrest and recruiting for the Frontier Militia reaches a boiling point across the System, the first shot is fired on the industrial planet of Demeter. The Frontier Militia is routed by the Alliance forces, but the Militia is able to make off with several industrial components, including what some believe to be the schematics for the Alliance's Titan systems.
2524: Much of the System has now become embroiled in the conflict, with many of the outer planets rallying to the freedom call of the Militia, while the more civilized and technologically equipped planets remain loyal, or allied with the Alliance. Soldiers and Titans engage each on the ground, while the fleets of the opposing factions tear each other to pieces in space. A major Militia victory is scored on the traditionally auspicious 'Unification Day,' culminating in the capture of Ariel from the Alliance.
2525: After the overextension of their forces and the subsequent defeats, the Militia is pushed back from the Core worlds, and put on the defensive on the Rim. Several vessels of the First Militia Fleet are on the run, when they encounter a Firefly class vessel, going about her business...
