0600 Hours, 22nd of Duolan, 0124 PEU, 500,000km from the New Vasini Colony
A lone Ship cruised through space. This ship was the ECS Constitution, a Steadfast-class Escort Frigate of the Eridian Commonwealth Fleet. Its blockish, angular frame cruised through the void of space as it continued to perform its patrol of the system.
Aboard the Constitution, the ship's commanding officer, Commander Chris Perkins entered the CIC, built deep within the ship and protected by layer upon layer of Armour plating.
"Captain has the conn." Said the ship's Executive Officer, Lieutenant Senior Grade Edward Salter.
"Alright, what do we have today, Salter." Chris asked.
"Nothing much, sir." Edward said in reply.
"Sir! We have an energy spike just off our bow." One of the ship's several sensor operators yelled out.
"What?" Edward said, the two officers approaching the Operator's station.
Unknown system
The Weeping Starlight exits Hyperspace. She was one of a dying breed of ships in an era of increasing conflict meant specifically for exploration, charting out new Hyperspace routes.
"Where are we?" Said the ship's commanding officer, Captain Gil Circinius to the 100m long ship's Navigation Officer.
"Sir, we're a few hundred lightyears away from Bakura." The Nav Officer said.
"Alright, do we have comms? Sensors?" The captain said.
"Coming Online now." Said another member of the Bridge Crew.
"Sir, Unknown vessel to our front!" Said one of the sensor operators
"What?" Said Gil with surprise.
"Sir, we're being hailed. Audio only."
"Patch it through."
With that, the ship's comm officer pressed a button and a message began playing on the ship's speakers.
"Unknown vessel, this is the TCS Constitution of the Terran Commonwealth Navy. You have entered restricted space. Heave to and prepare to be boarded. Please acknowledge."
This message kept repeating itself over and over again.
ECS Constitution
"Any response?" Chris asked.
"Negative, sir. No response yet."
"Change the message. Tell them this is their last chance to cut their engines or we'll do it for them." He ordered.
"Aye sir." The Comms Officer replied.
"Unknown vessel, if you do not cut your engines now, we will open fire. This is your final warning."
"Fire 2 Missiles, EMP Warhead, Proximity detonation, one meter. Target their Engines. Fire on my Command." Said the Commander.
"Aye, sir." Acknowledged the Weapons Officer.
On the Portside of the ship, two armoured hatches open up, revealing two missiles, loaded and ready to fire.
"Tell Staff Sergeant Fernandez and his Marines to suit up. We're boarding that ship and this may get ugly." He says to Edward.
"Yes, sir." He replies.
"Sir! They're responding!" The Comms Officer yelled.
"Put it up." Chris ordered.
"ECS Constitution, this is the Exploration Ship Weeping Starlight. We're cutting our engines, Just please, don't shoot."
Twenty minutes later
The two ships were now side by side. The smaller Weeping Starlight being dwarfed by the 250m long Constitution. A long tube is extended from the Constitution towards the Starlight's Docking port. The tube successfully locks on with the Docking port with a hiss.
"Umbilical Extended and connected. We have atmo." The technician said to the waiting Marines. Each of the 4 man Team are decked out in full combat gear including helmet, body armour and their own oxygen supply. The technician was also outfitted in a standard issue vacuum suit. The airlock itself was sealed to prevent any possible contagion from harming the ship.
"Got it." Said the Marine's Commanding Officer, Sergeant Jacob Fernandez. "Constitution Actual, this is Ironside 1. Umbilical's connected. We're walking over."
"Solid Copy, Ironside 1." Said Chris. "Send a transmission to the Starlight. Tell them to open up."
"Aye sir." Said the Comms Officer. "Weeping Starlight, you are ordered to open your airlock."
"Affirmative, Constitution. Airlock is open."
Meanwhile, down at the airlock the Marines approached as the Starlight's docking port opened. At the docking port, a single man stood there.
0900 Hours, June 18, 2412 AD, Office of the President, Sevarra, Eridu
"Ladies and Gentlemen. We just got the report out of the New Vasini outpost." Said Captain He Renjie to a briefing room full of Admirals, Generals and Government Officials Including President Jack Francois.
"What's the situation?" President Francois asked.
"Two days ago, the ECS Constitution detained an unknown ship roughly 500,000km from the Planet. The vessel identified itself as the Weeping Starlight."
He pressed a few options on his data pad and an image of a ship showed up on one of the several large screens.
"However, no ship matches its design or registry within our database. Following this, the ship was detained at the Outpost, where detailed analysis was performed on the ship's own records. This is what they found."
He tapped again at the data pad before a map of the Galaxy was shown on the screen. This map was one familiar to many within the Commonwealth, of course, as it was a map of their own Galaxy. But what was interesting is that half the Galaxy, an area unexplored by the Commonwealth, was lit up, several Hyperspace routes also highlighted on the map along with planets of interest.
"This is what they consider the "known Galaxy." From what we could gather, this vast area of space is controlled by an entity known as the "Galactic Republic" with their capital located here."
The view then zoomed in on a planet located closer to the center of the Galaxy.
"This world, following interrogation and translating their written language, is called Coruscant. From what we've gathered, this is the centre of their civilisation."
"I see." President Francois said. "And what are our options in dealing with this new development?"
"Sir, we currently have 3 options before us. One is we use this data and send a fleet out to make contact. Another is we let the unknown ship return to their territory and simply reinforce any systems towards the galactic east. Our final option is we simply don't do anything." Said Admiral Solomon Yvgeny. "Even then, all these options will end in them having contact with us at some point."
"If that's the case, then we might as well do it ourselves." Said President Francois. "Admiral, I want you to assemble a fleet. I will address a joint session of Congress in a few days to announce this."
"Aye, Sir." Admiral Yvgeny responded.
"Well then, I suppose we're done here." The President said.
2 Weeks Later, ECS Kaipurn (FFE-1093)
Admiral Robert Kivern stood in the Kaipurn's command deck. Around him, many men and women scurry about, doing their duties.
The ship itself was a Steadfast-class Escort Frigate, just like the ECS Constitution. Its shape was, like most Eridian ships, blocky and angular, with around lining the sides of the ship with a series of turrets, each containing two Coilguns, located on the top and bottom of the ship. More than a hundred point defence cannons litter the ship's surface, protecting it from every angle.
The small Task Force the Kaipurn was part of consisted of four such ships: the John C. Ryder, the Gorshunov, the Somara and the Hejing along with a single Light Cruiser, the Fort Yalu. Initially, this force was meant to be larger; a standard Interstellar Action Group consisting of two Ships of the Line, two Cruisers and 10 Frigates. But this was cut down after someone in Fleet Command suggested that this might be considered too aggressive. As such. It was cut down to the 5 ships in the Task Force at the moment.
Normally, Admiral Kivern would have his flag on the Yalu but in this case, he agreed with Fleet Command and opted to have the Kaipurn be the flagship and the ship that transports the Diplomatic team.
"Admiral." Said a voice next to Robert. It belonged to the leader of the Delegation aboard the Kaipurn, Professor Phan Imawe
"Professor." The Admiral said, acknowledging Phan's presence.
"Sir, we're coming out of Slipspace." The ship's Navigation officer said. "Dropping in 3, 2, 1."
With a shake, the ship exited hyperspace and back into realspace.
"What do we have on Sensors?" Said Captain Temara Ballor, the ship's nominal Commanding Officer.
"Sir, I'm picking up thousands of contacts, mostly centered around one planet." The ship's Sensor officer stated.
"That's likely our destination then." Said Admiral Kivern.
"Aye, sir." Said Captain Ballor. "Helmsman, set a course for that planet."
With that, the 5 ships of the so-called Contact Force made their way to the planet.
While the ships did not have any traditional bridges as Commonwealth ship designs did away with such a weak point, several cameras that dotted across the ship's exterior nonetheless provided a clear image of the planet to the crew of the Kaipurn and the other ships of the fleet. Before them was a planet covered entirely by a sprawling cityscape, with not a hint of green plants or blue waters to be seen.
"Is that an..?" Robert began.
"It's an Ecumenopolis." Phan said. "A Planetwide City."
"Sir." Interrupted the ship's Communications officer. "I'm picking up several incoming messages asking us to identify ourselves."
"Well, time for introductions then." Said the Admiral. "Send over our pre recorded response."
"Aye sir." Said the Communications Officer as he selected a few options on his station as a message began to play on all frequencies. A message that, hopefully, told the people their peaceful intentions.
Four Years Later, Embassy of the Eridian Commonwealth, Coruscant
Former Professor, now Ambassador, Phan Imawe looked through a stack of papers. He had been on Coruscant for a good four years now since First Contact as, following the initial meetings between the Republic and the Commonwealth, he was promptly assigned as Ambassador of the Eridian Commonwealth to the Galactic Republic.
The Embassy itself is considered by many to be an oddity on Coruscant. Situated relatively close to the Senate building, the Embassy can be considered to be one of the few "open air" locations in Coruscant, spanning a small compound with lush green grass on the front yard of the Embassy. There was, of course, a landing pad on top of the building for an SSTO Dropship.
Phan looked through the papers, all of them containing the latest reports on the situation in the Galactic Senate. They did not look good. Most defence analysts back home on Eridu agreed that War was imminent. Not a War between the Republic and Eridu, no. A War between the Republic and a growing Separatist movement. The latest intelligence reports estimate that war would break out in less than a year. Currently, the Government in Sevarra looks increasingly like they wish to stay neutral in this situation so that's what he's upholding for the moment.
Phan sighed as he put the papers down before rubbing his temples. Suddenly, the Comms terminal on his desk lights up. It was the front gate guard.
"Sir, a Senator Organa is here to see you." The guard said.
"Ah yes, let him in." The Ambassador replied.
"Yes, sir." Said the guard as Phan stood up and began walking to the building's front entrance to greet Senator Bail Organa.
Senator Organa approached the building dressed in his usual attire that included a blue top and what seemed like a turtleneck to the Ambassador.
"Senator Organa, welcome to the Eridian Embassy." Said Phan in a welcoming voice.
"Thank you, Ambassador Imawe." The Senator replied.
"Shall we head to the conference room?" Said Phan.
"Of course."
Once they got there, the two of them sat down on opposite sides of the conference room's table.
"So what brings you here on this fine day, Senator?" Phan asked.
"I came to you today to ask for something rather simple." Said Bail.
"Well, I highly doubt it will be simple then considering it comes from a Politician." Phan joked, letting out a chuckle which Bail responded with his own little laugh.
"No, I suppose not." Bail said. "As you know, the situation in the Galaxy is spiraling out of control."
"Yes, the Separatist crisis."
"Exactly. I came to you today to ask if Eridu would support the Republic should the worst situation come to pass. Would the Commonwealth back the Republic?
"Well, I'm not exactly in a position to determine something like that. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Senator, but as far as I can observe our government back on Eridu is looking increasingly for neutrality. I'm sorry but it would seem we likely won't support the Republic."
"I suppose I should've expected as much." Said Bail with a bit of a resigned face. "Then again, your neutrality is better than helping the Separatists so I should be thankful for that."
"Is there anything else you wished to discuss, Senator?"
"A few more things…"
One year later, Presidential Residence, Sevarra, Eridu
It had been more than five years since the Commonwealth made official First Contact with the Galactic Republic. The Battle of Geonosis had occurred mere months earlier, marking the beginning of the Clone Wars. As soon as war broke out, the Commonwealth declared its neutrality.
President Francois slept soundly in his bed next to his wife when the door burst open with two members of his security detail, waking both him and his wife.
"Sir, please get up, we have a situation."
Within minutes, the President and several members of the Eridian Commonwealth Military High Command as well as the members of Cabinet and the Integrated Military Intelligence Command (IMIC) were all gathered in a bunker buried deep beneath the Residence. This Bunker was used as the Interstellar Emergency Command Center (ISECC) of the Eridian Commonwealth.
"Gentlemen." A member of IMIC said, gathering everyone's attention to the screen.
"Three hours ago, an explosive device was detonated in the city of Samareno, New Vasini. The explosion destroyed Samareno City Hall and killed 300 civilians."
"A few minutes later, another two dozen bombs were also detonated across the colony, namely the Samareno Spaceport, the Iknihos Tower and several others. Final death toll is in the thousands." Said another member of IMIC. "After that, dozens of news stations across the Commonwealth and the Galaxy received a message from a group calling themselves "Children of the Freed". They're a previously minor group who have ties with the Confederacy of Independent Systems. They claim the attack was in response to the Commonwealth's, quote, "inaction and indifference to the plight of the Independent Systems"."
Another IMIC Agent spoke up. "Our sources indicate that this group is in fact supported by the Confederacy and, from what we can ascertain as of this moment, this was a sanctioned attack."
The President listened quietly as the IMIC representatives presented their briefing.
"What are our options?" He asked the people in the room.
"Sir, currently one option is to request for an apology and compensation from the Confederacy but that won't sit well with our own people." Said General Igor Strauss. "Eridian blood was spilled today and our people will call for blood in exchange."
"Sir, the General is right." Said Secretary of State Kana Yoshikawa. "Our people will call for war."
"Then that settles it then." Said President Francois. "I'll address a joint session of Congress at noon. Ready the fleets. We're going to war."
Yesterday, on the 23rd of Decilai, 0129, a date which will live in infamy. The Commonwealth of Eridian Republics was suddenly and deliberately attacked by a terrorist organisation supported directly by the Confederacy of Independent Systems…
These attacks, that ended in the deaths of more than 3,000 innocent Civilians, cannot be forgiven and it never will be until those responsible and those who had given them support have been dealt with…
As such, I ask that this Congress declare that since this cowardly and unprovoked act on the 23rd of Decilai, a State of War had existed between the Commonwealth of Eridian Republics and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
-President Jack Francois's speech to Congress on the 24th of Decilai, 0129 Post Eridian Unification (PEU), declaring War on the Confederacy of Independent Systems