Humanity's ancestral home, the planet Earth, was once located
in Sol System. Although in later centuries its importance waned,
its final destruction was a great blow to the history of the human
species. Much of humanity's heritage and many records of human
history have been forever lost. The story of humanity's quest
for the stars begins on Earth.
2012 A.D.: Starflight first achieved by Sol System scientists
(Old 1st Dominium records are coded by Earth date). The systems
of Barnard, Centauri, and Sirius were explored by starships of
Earth's world government, the Federation of States (FOS). In 2012,
the FOS included a number of nations located on Earth's moon,
on Sol IV, and in the system's asteroid field.
2043 A.D.: Colonization of planets in the three originally explored
systems is accomplished.
2047 A.D.: Colonization of planets in Centauri System and Monoc
System is begun.
2087 A.D.: Colony on Valhalla (Sirius II) achieves self- sufficiency.
2102 A.D.: Sirius, Monoc, and Barnard declare independence from
FOS. The resulting conflict cripples Earth's ability to make war
and the three victorious systems found the 1st Dominium, building
an orbital city/capitol in orbit around Asgard (Sirius III).
2106 A.D.: The 1st Dominium is consolodated when the other colonized
systems swear allegiance to the new government.
2109 A.D.: A trade embargo against Sol System cripples the system's
economy and forces the Federation of States to join the 1st Dominium.
2109 A.D.: Ships of the 1st Dominium deep space patrol, the Black
Watch, have explored all the systems within Sol Sector and pushed
spinward into Alpha and Bravo sectors. Megacorporations, anxious
to take advantage of the new territory, are not far behind. A
chain of trading cities soon links Bravo Sector with the capitol.
2190 A.D.: The Black Watch has opened up Cyclops, Hero, Siren,
and Lotus Sectors in Sol Arcsector as well as Observer, Wanderlust,
and Endeavor Sectors in Atlantis Arcsector. Black Watch officers
and crew have named or renamed most of the stars and planets charted.
2192 A.D.: The 1st Dominium, staggered by the vast acquisitions,
begins an attempt to consolidate its control. Funding for exploration
is cut back sharply and the outermost bases are ordered abandoned.
A moratorium on new city construction is imposed. Black Watch
ships returning to central 1st Dominium cities are decommissioned
and turned into insystem defense ships to help consolidate the
government's military hold on its possessions. Many Black Watch
commanders refuse to return to central cities after word of the
policy gets out. Contact with several outposts is lost.
2212 A.D.: The 1st Dominium has consolidated its gains and limited
expansion into the farther sectors is approved under contracts
to several megacorporations. Black Watch ships working out of
secret bases begin to prey on the renewed merchant traffic which
is entering the outlying areas.
2221 A.D.: Contact with a number of cities in Endeavor, Gold,
and Gateway Sectors is lost, presumably due to assault and occupation
by the Black Watch.
2230 A.D.: A genetically engineered micro-organism is accidentally
released and is carried throughout the 1st Dominium by freighters
serving the cities. The plague spreads rapidly at the slightest
contact through the life support systems of all but a few 1st
Dominium cities. The 1st Dominium is destroyed in a matter of
months.
2275 A.D.: The former capitol at Asgard (Sirius III) is decontaminated
and reoccupied. A former Dominium Navy captain by the name of
Bertram Titus proclaims himself Bertram I - Emperor of the Sirian
Empire. Fledgling governments in Sol, Altair, and Vega Systems
quickly denounce the "Sirian Empire".
2280 A.D.: The force of former Dominium Navy ships which make
up the Sirian Navy attempt to take Sol System in an attempt to
legitimize the Sirian Empire. In a series of battles near Earth
and Mars, the Solarian Federation beats back the invasion and
manages to kill all aboard Bertram's ship, the SE Invincible,
including Bertram himself. The officers of Bertram's fleet led
by the 64,000 ton SE Constellation retreat to Sol's asteroid belt
to prepare a devastating revenge.
2282 A.D.: A huge asteroid changes orbit from Sol's asteroid belt
and plummets sunward followed by 5 others. Although a massive
amount of weaponry in the vicinity of Earth is brought to bear,
5 of the 6 projectiles strike the planet breaking the planet through
its core. The resulting shock waves and secondary debris forever
change the shape of Sol System. Surviving units of the Solarian
Federation flee to Altair System with the news of Earth's demise.
2290 A.D.: The combined forces of the Vega and Altair along with
survivors of the Solarian Federation enter Sirius System. The
resulting battles cripple the forces of all the combatants but
no technological civilization remains where the Sirian Empire
once stood.
2301 A.D.: A renewed outbreak of 1st Dominium Plague sweeps through
the Altair System. The news reaches the other systems and all
starships out of Altair are destroyed on sight. The young Altairian
Republic crumbles.
2312 A.D.: The few remaining survivors of the Solarian Federation
decontaminate and colonize the city of Fleetstar in Centauri System,
renaming it New Athens.
2335 A.D.: New Athens puts out a general call inviting all homeless
war and merchant ships to make port at the city. Many Black Watch
ships respond.
2339 A.D.: The loose union of ships based at New Athens declares
ownership of Centauri System and declares New Athens as the capitol
of the Centauri System State. The Centaurian Parliament has a
powerful Black Watch faction.
2349 A.D.: Recolonization of Sol System begun by Centauri System
State.
2361 A.D.: Recolonization of Altair System begun by Centauri System
State.
2367 A.D.: Joseph Bazav, a former Black Watch captain, takes over
as chancellor of Centauri System State.
2374 A.D. (Imperial Date: 01-000): Chancellor Bazav seizes power
over Centauri System State with the backing of the Centaurian
Navy. He proclaims the formation of the Sapien Empire and declares
himself Joseph I, its first emperor. The Centaurian parliament
is disbanded.
Note: Endeavor Date = Imperial Date + 33
06-000: Centaurian Navy is reorganized as the Imperial Royal Navy
(RN) as Joseph I consolidates his hold over Centauri System.
02-001: Joseph I proclaims Sol System to be an Imperial protectorate
under the direct control of the Empire. He further proclaims Altair
System to be the Altair System State and chooses his close friend
Val Anders, a Royal Navy captain, to be the first governor of
that territory. Anders swears Altair's fealty to the Empire.
09-008: The tiny human community in Barnard System declares fealty
to the Sapien Empire and becomes Barnard System State. Veronica
Trevare becomes the first governor of Barnard System State.
07-019: Royal Navy ships along with a small squadron from Barnard
System State invade Sirius System, which is claimed by the Vegan
Confederation. Resistance is heavy and a number of ships are lost
on both sides. Imperial Forces succeed in taking the system.
01-020: Blockade of Vega System begins as Joseph tries to force
Vega into the Empire.
02-021: Altair System State attempts overthrow of the Empire and
Joseph I is assasinated by agents of Governor Anders. Anders takes
the throne as members of Joseph's family flee to Sol System.
04-021: Royal Navy forces loyal to Joseph I return from the Vegan
Blockade to retake Centauri System. Altairian Forces are quickly
overcome and Joseph II is placed on the throne at the age of 17.
Governor Anders is executed.
08-021: A punitive expedition to Altair brings that system back
into the Empire. Many leading Altairian citizens are executed.
09-021: Vegan forces attempt breakout from their system. Forces
from Barnard System State are largely destroyed.
11-021: Vega retakes Sirius System.
01-035: Imperial ships complete the re-exploration of Sol Sector.
A small colony in Arcturus System is admitted to the Empire as
Arcturus System State. The Sapien Empire is now composed of the
Imperial holdings of Centauri and Sol, plus Altair System State,
Barnard System State, and Arcturus System State.
04-046: Forces of the Vegan Confederation invade Barnard System
State. The local governor holds long enough for a counter-strike
by Imperial forces against Sirius System. The Vegan forces withdraw
to their own borders.
10-046: Imperial invasion of Sirius System begins in earnest.
The Royal Navy takes heavy losses but refuses to retreat. The
smaller Vegan force is eventually beaten.
07-048: Invasion of Vega System is a total failure. Forces from
Barnard System State and Altair System State are decimated.
02-051: Sirius is proclaimed Sirius System State by Joseph II.
09-051: The Sapien Empire and the Vegan Confederation sign a peace
treaty.
01-073: Joseph II is killed in a space-yacht mishap.
02-073: Joseph III is killed on the day before he is to assume
the throne. The assassin commits suicide and is never identified.
Joseph III's younger sister Felicia becomes Felicia I, Empress
of the Sapien Empire.
06-074: Felicia breaks the treaty with Vega by launching a large
coordinated invasion of that system. Royal Navy ships are joined
by a contingent from every Imperial system state.
10-074: Vegan campaign ends when the last survivors in the system
capitulate. All civilization in the system lies in ruins.
09-078: The Bazav Dynasty ends with the Death of Felicia I. Felicia
had no offspring.
01-079: Altair's Governor Geralt attempts to claim the Imperial
throne but Sirius System State and Barnard System State unite
to put Barnard's Governor, Duke Julian Everett on the throne.
Julian I becomes Emperor.
05-087: Julian II is born.
02-088: Vega is granted full status within the Empire and becomes
Vega System State. The Empire enters a 20 year period of peace
and prosperity.
12-108: Julian I is assassinated by Altairian radicals.
03-109: Julian II comes to power and immediately places economic
sanctions on Altair System State until such time as Duke Woodskell
can find a remedy for the guerillas operating from the system.
08-109: Economic sanctions are lifted after the base of the Altairian
radicals is obliterated by Duke Woodskell's forces.
11-109: Duke Woodskell, Governor of Altair System State, dies
a shuttle crash while on his way to inspect Altairian troops.
Royal Navy commanders loyal to the Duke claim the accident to
be an intentional Imperial plot to remove the popular leader.
They make an alliance with their former enemies, the Altairians,
and declare the Altairian Rebublic.
02-110: A secretly built Vegan rebel fleet strikes at RN/C Yuma
in Sol System but is dealt heavy damage by ground based defenses.
The flagship, the VS Valley Forge, is destroyed. Some of the smaller
units escape the system for deep space.
04-110: Julian II outlaws the entire Vega System State. When several
of his advisors express shock over the move, he has them executed
as Vegan sympathizers.
05-110: Royal Navy and Altairian Republic forces trade a number
of raids. Little damage is done by either side.
08-110: The OL Star Ripper, fleeing the defeat of the Vegan rebel
fleet in Sol System discovers a large planetary sized artifact
in Cyclops Sector: a Dark Singer. The Star Ripper transmits astrogational
coordinates for Sol System to the artifact and tapes of the battle.
09-110: Julian II orders that the entire populations of Altair
and Vega systems be executed.
11-110: The Altairian Republic lands expeditionary forces in Centauri
System. Heavy ground fighting breaks out on several planets.
01-111: The Dark Singer arrives in Sol System.
02-111: RN ground based space defenses on Triton attack the Dark
Singer. The rider forces and RN/C Yuma are destroyed in a single
round of combat. Triton itself is destroyed soon after.
03-111: All contact with Sol System is lost.
05-111: Vegan terrorists possing as Monoc System State diplomats
reintroduce 1st Dominium Plague into a number of cities and settlements
in Centauri System, including the Imperial capital city of Julianus
Magnifica. The emperor is one of the first casualties.
06-111: The Empire effectively ceases to exist as plague spreads
though the core systems.
01-112: The remnants of the Royal Navy sign a treaty with Vega
System State. VS/C Vega Prime is the only known operational city
in the sector. The RN fleet begins disposal of all contaminated
ships and space habitats, making extensive use of nuclear weaponry
to "purify" the region.
08-112: A scoutship, the RN Pi Caroli, enters Sol System. It manages
to transmit a scan of almost complete planetary devestation before
transmission is abruptly cut off. The Pi Caroli is not heard from
again.
03-115: Royal Navy ships begin exploration in an attempt to discover
lost colonies and bolster the sagging population of Vega System.
The entire population of the system is estimated at less than
12,000 including all remaining ship crews.
08-116: RN Voidrammer, returning from extended patrol, turns on
the Vegan natives, destroying a vital manufacturing settlement.
09-116: The RN Voidrammer is destroyed in a joint RN/VS effort.
04-117: RN and VS begin plans to abandon Vega System. A colony
ship, the Snagglepuss, is prepared for a journey to set up a base
closer to the newly discovered civilization flourishing in Atlantis
Arcsector.
11-117: Vega System is abandoned.
The Sapien Empire was ruled by the Emperor, who had absolute power
over the central Imperial government, and by the regional governors
who were each responsible for the governing of their system state.
Regional governors were answerable to the Emperor in all imperial
matters.
The Imperial government as a whole was divided into three broad
areas: The Imperial Throne, the Imperial Bureaucracy, and Regional
Government.
Imperial Throne
The Imperial Throne consisted of the Emperor himself as well as
his closest civilian and military advisors. The Emperor had absolute
control over the central Empire: Centauri System and Sol System,
as well as complete control over the Imperial Bureaucracy. The
Emperor exercised his control through the Royal Navy, which answers
directly to the Emperor in all matters.
The Emperor also acted as the final arbitrater of all criminal
and civil court cases. If citizens of the Imperium felt that they
had been wronged, and that their regional governor had not taken
reasonable action to correct the situation, they could make a
petition directly to the Emperor who would review the case. They
were well warned however, that having an Imperial Petition go
against you could be uncomfortable if not fatal.
Imperial Bureaucracy
The various departments of the central Imperial government answered
directly to the Emperor. These departments conducted the day-to-day
business of the Empire and provided basic services to Imperial
citizens.
Imperial Library: A library of all human knowledge was maintained
by the Emperor at the Imperial Library. Some of this information
was available to ship captains, but some information was classified.
Ship captains could contact the Imperial Library by 3x5 card with
questions relating to government, trade, cities, or other general
subjects.
Imperial News Service: The Imperial News Service was responsible
for reporting the news of the Empire and keeping Imperial citizens
informed of Imperial decrees, petitions, laws, etc. The News Service
did this through the Imperial Record which was published monthly.
The Imperial Record would also accept news stories, classified
ads, and editorials from Imperial citizens.
Royal Navy: The Royal Navy served the Emperor to keep the peace
within the central Empire and to maintain Imperial control over
the Regional Governments. In times of war, the Royal Navy could
be commited to leading regional forces into battle as part of
a grand fleet.
Regional Government
Each system which was a part of the Sapien Empire was designated
to be a "System State" and had a regional governor assigned
to govern it. Examples of system states were Altair System State,
Barnard System State, and Sirius System State. Regional governors
were usually members of the nobility, traditionally earls or dukes.
The regional governor was completely responsible for what went
on within the system state. The regional governor acted as ruler,
judge, or military commander depending on the circumstance. The
regional governor could make laws for the system state and the
ships which belonged to it as long as they did not conflict with
Imperial law. The regional governor could also maintain military
forces to defend the system and the Empire.
If an Imperial citizen had a grievance, either criminal or civil,
he could petition the regional governor with jurisdiction to try
the case. The governor would decide who was right and make a decision.
Citizens were warned that petitioning a regional governor put
them under the control of the governor's final decision, even
if they were from a different system state. If you lost the petition,
your only recourse was a petition to the Emperor.
The regional governor of each system state was also usually the
person in control of that system state's main city.
Imperial Law
There were two types of petitions that could be filed with either
the local regional governor or the Emperor. These were criminal
petitions and civil petitions. Civil petitions dealt with breach
of leases, contracts, corporate obligations, and any noninjurious
wrong. A criminal petition would concern armed aggression, theft,
assault, and any wrong that could produce major destruction and
death.
The regional governor (or the Emperor) would make a decision in
the case and you would see the results in the Imperial Record.
The System States
ALTAIR SYSTEM STATE (AL)
Founded: 02-001
Altair System State was the oldest of the Sapien Empire's system
states and the one with the rockiest history. Although very influential
and powerful, it was always on the best terms with the Empire.
In 021 Regional Governor Val Anders attempted the overthrow the
Emperor and put himself on the Imperial Throne. The Empire always
kept a close watch on Altair after that time and Altair was always
been a focal point for intrigues of all kinds.
ARCTURUS SYSTEM STATE (AR)
Founded: 01-035
A lost colony until its rediscovery in 029, Arcturus System State
stood at the southern (coreward) edge of the Empire. After it
attained system state status in 035, it grew and prospered. Arcturian
merchants provided raw materials, manufactured goods, and services
to the Empire for many years.
BARNARD SYSTEM STATE (BN)
Founded: 09-008
Barnard System State was the second oldest of the Empire's system
states, and although it was small, it was said that it produced
the best warriors in the Empire. One reason Barnard System State
was so small is that its ships and citizens fought many wars for
the glory of the Empire, particularly against the the Vegan Confederation
from 019 through 074.
SIRIUS SYSTEM STATE (SS)
Founded: 051
Once a holding of the Vegan Confederation, Sirius was conquered
in 046 and granted system state status in 051. There were still
some strong sentiments in the system against the Sapien Empire.
Many Sirian ships and crew were lost in the wars and were still
remembered as heroes. Sirians bore particular resentment against
neighboring Barnard System State, a supporter of the Empire during
the wars whose ships invaded Sirius several times. Sirius under
the Empire was a major source of raw materials.
VEGA SYSTEM STATE (VE)
Founded: 088
The former capitol of the Vegan Confederation, Vega System was
decimated during its final conquest by the Sapien Empire in 074.
Although granted system state status in 088, Vega remained crippled
for a number of years and many in the system claimed that it was
purposely being kept that way by the Empire. The Vegans put their
resources to work in exploration, finding new freedom working
in the farthest star systems.