An Alternate History to 1248 - The HOT WARS grow COLD as Plotting Takes Hold.
Everyone collapses again in the canon of the 1248 timeline.
Spinward
Some Zhodani worlds did break from the community but they we're not forced into submission (1200). Zhodani reform is widespread with the elimination of the anti-psionic threat of the Imperium.
Querion subsector, Jewel subsector Zhodani and Regency worlds leave forming small governments. The Federation of Arden peacefully merges with them to create the Free Spinward Federation (1210).
Sick of corruption, 5 Sisters leaves the Regency announcing merger with the Border and Sword Worlds as negotiated by the Darrians. Numerous District 268 worlds request membership. They accept the Aware (virus) as sophonts peers. The Imperial Sword Worlds are formed (1213).
The Aslan make efforts to fortify the neighboring rift islands. The Aslan Aorlakht start a campaign of consolidation (1212).
The Darrians do not join the Regency but take some Zhodani worlds spinward which fear Aslan invasions. The Darrian Federation is born (1212).
The Free Spinward Federation merges with the Darrian Federation (1220) growing it to 100 worlds.
Aslan incursions into Regency territory and Zhodani population fears result in the mutual non-agression pack, negotiated by Darrians. This pact between Zhodani, Asan and Humanti leaves the new Sword Worlds and Darrian pocket empires as borders. Together they consider their coreward options and “the Vargr Problem” (1248).
The Regency managed to retake Glisten and some of the lost territories. Plans for a 3rd Depot near Glisten we're in progress by 1214.
The Regency was however, inaffective and corrupt. Expansion into allied Vargr territories was seriously being considered. Avery maintained control as the Regency forms the elected position of Emperor to replace the Regent. However, politics is a fulltime business. The Regency did not collapse (1248).
Zhodani finally had the ability to strengthen public projects, improve citizen morale, and move borders coreward. The Zhodani Consulate did not collapse (1248).
Incursions of Aslan across the islands are not successful (1248).
Former Imperium Core
The Ziru Sirka begin Trade with the Gushermege, Dagudashaag and Lishun sectors. Lishun Depot is taken and plans are announced to rebuild the destroyed Depot (1212).
Vland considers refitting Dagudasaag Depot believing it borders the Curtain but is unoccupied. A small invasion fleet penetrates the defenses decimating obital assets and realizing it has entered the Curtains' permiter. The Depot was rebuilt by Virus (1220). The Black Imperium destroyed the invaders and send a Scorched Vland Fleet to hurt this arrogant Ziru Sirka. This fleet badly damages Vland but is destroyed by an Ancients Battleship. Information came out of the Black Imperium in the form of the SV Fleet and Gateway scouts. The Black Imperium was working on something big. The Curtain War does not begin.
The Black Imperium was working on top secret projects (10-10,000 year timelines) and did not care to destroy Vland (1220).
The Azhanti unify under one government and spreads across their subsector capturing Antares and the Depot. Plans to control part of the Antares subsector and Empty Quarter sector are announced. The Azhanti Empire is born (1210).
The Vilani negotiated annexation of the Trade Federation into the Restored Ziru Sirka and Avery fails to block it. Together they would reinforce the line against the constant Black Imperium border skirmishes and rise in Vargr activities. The 4th Imperium, Restored Ziru Sirka, builds up strength and repairs the damage (1240).
Vland turns down the offers of the Regency to merge. Corridor Sector pocket empires are left between the 4th Imperium and the Regency as a buffer (1248). No fleet incursions would be accepted. A Vland / Regency non-agression treaty was in effect if no fleets entered Corridor, unless requested. However, worlds could be clients states as they choose and the Regency would come to aid against the Black Empire, if needed.
The Brinn Dominion, with almost 100 worlds, refused the invitation to join the Restored Ziru Sirka. Border skirmishes are frequent between the Brinn and Vilani/ humanti. The Brinn are not subjugated (1248).
The Azanti have had excellent population growth since the collapse. An alliance with the Aware places them in command of the Vargr and Humanti in Antares sector. The Azhanti Empire (a New Protectorate) forms (1248).
Rimward
The Solmani Imperium take Home, Aldeberan as a demonstration of clear intent in the region. Hostilities increase between the United Worlds, Freedom League, Terran Commonwealth and the Solomani Imperium.
Trailing
The 2000 Worlds expanded into Gateway but a great schism occurred when the first pocket empire was completely Vegan. The Virus attacks decades earlier not only destroyed older generations but eliminated meat food sources. This put some K'kree into a perplexing situation. They we're quickly convinced that the Virus was out to destroy all organic life and not meat eaters. They attacked the Virus scurge and redefined their borders. If that was not enough, Hiver fleets tested their lines as a psyciological step to hault agression. It worked and the K'kree went into long cycles of debates. Some fleets venture on their own but the Gateway Sector invasion grinds to a halt. Vegan Humanti in the 2222WT are subjugated but not killed. The 2222 Worlds of Thunder (1248) are formed.
REFERENCES
Regency Sourcebook
1248 Out of the Darkness
