Plot Summary

PlanetSide 2s plot revolves around the planet Auraxis, which was discovered and settled by travelers from Earth and is now embroiled in a bitter war over control of its land and resources. The worlds original settlers arrived near Auraxis after attempting to mount a space faring expedition through a mysterious wormhole that appeared in Earths solar system. Though it was expected to stay open for several weeksgiving the expedition time to explore what lay beyond it and return safelythe wormhole unexpectedly closed as soon as the fleet began to pass through it, destroying one half of the group and stranding the other in uncharted space. With no way to know the direction or distance of Earth and a mere fraction of their supplies intact, the fleet desperately sought out a new world to terraform and inhabit, all while dealing with the internal strife caused by their situation. Eventually, the fleet identified a habitable planet and charted a course for it. Though the initial centuries after arriving on Auraxis were peaceful and prosperous years, lines had long ago been drawn between the emergent factions of the original settlers. Armed conflict slowly became an inevitability as ideological differences took hold. When the authoritarian Terran Republic and profit-minded New Conglomerateeventually broke out into full scale war, the borderlinecultic Vanu Sovereignty declared their independence and joined in the hostilities. Now, with all three factions vying for control of Auraxis and its resources, every soldier must declare a side and defend Auraxis from a seemingly endless stream of foes.

[edit]Detailed History
[edit]The Rise of the Republic
In the year 2426, acting upon intelligence that suggested imminent and simultaneous attacks, the Earth's six greatest nations declared war on one another. By all rights, the war's senseless violence should have been stopped by its effect on the human population, which would be cut in half within the first decade of fighting, or by its wanton consumption of the Earth's limited resources, which were all but completely extinguished by the production of weapons of war. Instead, it was something differentsomething potentially larger than humanity itselfthat ended the cycle of destruction. On March 16th of 2444, a great rift in space appeared in the far reaches of the solar system. Though it only remained open for several weeks, reconnaissance probes were successfully dispatched to its location, where their scans discovered something unexpected: More scans. Scientists were shocked to discover multispectral transmissions emanating from the wormhole in the precise direction of Earth, as if something on its far side was scanning the planet. Their shock was turned to terror mere days later when, as the rift destabilized and closed, the dwarf planet Pluto was instantly and inexplicably destroyed. When the scientists' findings were made public in December of that year, peace talks between the Earth's remaining major powers began, spurred on by the threat of a greater enemy that threatened not one nation, but the entire planet and human race. Within six months, on May 13, 2445, the Armistice was signed, bringing to an end nearly two decades of war. The ensuing decades were ones of unparalleled peace and cooperation that ultimately led to the unification of the world's disparate governments into a single entity known as the Terran Republic, signed into existence under the Declaration of Constancy. Featuring a senate consisting of all of the Earth's former world leaders and

a President elected to 4-year terms, this new government was to be voted out of or back into continuing power every ten years. For centuries, the Terran Republic would be voted back into power as worldwide peace and prosperity brought rapid advances in every area of science and technology. Even large-scale and affordable space travel became possible, but Pluto's destruction left few with the boldness to explore the solar system in person, and Earth's newfound golden age left even fewer with the desire to leave its surface.

[edit]The Explorer & the President

It was on July 3rd, 2542 that the worst fears of many came to reality: The wormhole responsible for a century of fear and the destruction of an entire planet reopened. But amidst the questions of what the rift's appearance could mean for Earthamidst the collectively held breaths the entire Terran Republicprobes dispatched to the site reported nothing. No emissions. No invading alien fleets. And, when days turned to weeks and the rift finally closed again, they reported no world-shattering after effects. The wormhole had come and gone for another 100 years, and had taken with it humanity's fear of the universe. Indeed, by the end of that century, mankind established cities and industries on every major world and moon in the solar system. In 2615, a space explorer named Thomas Connery and his crew discovered the Moon Belt, a sparsely populated sub-section of the Kuiper Belt made up of the fragments of hundreds of destroyed moonsand the shattered remains of Plutoextending from Neptune's orbit to beyond. They also discovered a strange signal emanating from a particular mile-long moon fragment, but without the proper equipment to pinpoint the signal and investigate it they instead returned to Earth, where the discovery of the Moon Belt and Pluto's remains made Connery a household name. Three years later, the Terran Republic's Vice President suffered a heart attack and the charming and charismatic Connery was asked by the President to fill the role for the remaining six months of her term. Not expecting famed explorer Tom Connery to lay down his mantle so easily, many were shocked when he accepted the position. Even more were shocked when he then ran for the Presidency. None were shocked when he was nearly unanimously elected into office. Connery served three successful terms as one of the Republic's most beloved heads of state before retiring in January of 2630 to return to his passion of interstellar exploration. Shortly after Connery's retirement from the Presidency, a summit was held by a group known only as Business Forward. A private alliance between the CEOs of the solar system's largest corporations, Business Forward was created with the intention of navigating the increasingly treacherous waters of Terran Republic restrictions on private business. Though not by any means totalitarian, the Republic had progressively been involving itself more and more in the private sector, heightening standards and intervening in business practices, allit assured its citizensin the interest of the people. At this summit, the members of Business Forward agreed it was in their best interest to monitor the activity of former President Connery in order to benefit from his explorations. The group of CEOs suspected that Connery's sudden political ambitions were little more than a means to an endan end that Connery had left safely hidden in the Moon Belt, where neither he nor anyone else could recover it without the resources only a former head of state could reasonably be expected to have. In order to not only force Connery's hand into requiring their help for his mission but also to create an entity capable of resisting the Terran Republic's mounting pressure on private businesses, Business Forward negotiated backroom deals with major banks, private security firms, and powerful labor unions across the solar system. This multi-industry consortiumdubbing themselves the New Conglomeratewould prove to be very effective in their aims, though not in a way they would

expect.

[edit]The Artifact
Connery's return to the Moon Belt was not made alone. With him, he took a discreetly assembled team of tech experts, engineers, and scientistschief among whom was the young but brilliant xenobiologist Henry Briggswho were told they would have a hand in changing the course of human history. And while Connery may have had a penchant for hyperbole, he was no liar: When the crew returned to Earth, they did so with the first alien artifact ever discovered in hand. The very existence of this delicately carved alien figurine was the catalyst for a far-reaching space exploration boom; but after scouring the Moon Belt and exploring the solar system up to twice the distance of Pluto's former orbit, no additional artifacts were found. Though some took this as an opportunity to question the original artifact's authenticity, there was never any doubt in the mind of Henry Briggs. Standing beside Connery when it was first excavated, he had been the first to touch the artifact after it was located in the mile-long moon fragment Connery had left behind more than fifteen years earlier. When he picked it up, Briggs, who suffered from an anti-social form of autism known as Asperger's, was given a vision; a vision of his past, his future, and the effects of his actions on others. For the first time, he felt the sensation of empathy for those who had tried to care for and about him, and when he snapped back to reality, he was left with only a single word ringing in his ears to explain his newfound awareness: Vanu. In Briggs' mind, it was Vanu who had shown him this visionwho had changed his life for the betterand it was Vanu, not the team who discovered the artifact, that would fulfill Connery's promise of changing the course of human history.

[edit]The Wormhole Expedition

In 2636, two years after the artifact's unveiling, Tom Connery approached the Terran Republic Senate and petitioned them for the funds to mount an exploratory mission through the wormhole, which, now predicted to open for about two weeks every 98.3 years, was scheduled to reopen on October 20, 2640. Though they doubted his ability to prepare for and reach the rift within four years, and even the wisdom of such an expedition at all, the Senate agreed to pay for the reconditioning of up to 200 shipsif Connery could produce the signatures of at least 75,000 volunteers for his mission within three weeks' time. More than a week ahead of schedule, Connery walked into the senate with over 300,000 signatures. They were the signatures of Terran Republic military enlistees looking for adventure; New Conglomerate executives, enforcers, and laborers looking for fame and fortune; and tech experts, engineers, and scientistsincluding Connery's close friend Henry Briggs looking for the truth about alien life. On May 13, 2638, the anniversary of the Armistice that brought about the Terran Republic, Mission Commander Tom Connery and his fleet of 128 ships crewed by 75,000 volunteers launched from Earth, bound for the far side of the wormhole. As predicted, the wormhole did indeed open on October 20, and Connery's expedition fleet was expecting it. What they weren't expecting was the wormhole's massive gravity wellas it took shape, the rift pulled the fleet's first wave into its depths and deposited them on the other side before its ships could even engage engines. As subsequent waves attempted to follow, however, the rift began to destabilize, and only some were able to pass through safely before the gravity well, closing completely, destroyed those ships still near it. In all, only 40,000 people of the initial expeditionary crew survived the ordeal. It didnt take long for the survivors' relief at being alive to be quickly overshadowed by the realization that they were trapped on the far side of the universe

with a mere fraction of their original supplies. And the wormhole, if it was to reopen at all after the stress placed upon it by the fleet, was not likely to make a return for another 98.3 years.

[edit]The Stranded Fleet

Connery and his fleet immediately set out to find a habitable planet on which they could seek refuge, but weeks gave way to months as scans of nearby star systems revealed no planets suitable for the terraformation process. Within six months, an increasingly frustrated population gave birth to an insurgency movement; first supplies and weapons began to go missing, and eventually deadly fighting broke out between the mercenary and civilian labor forces of the New Conglomerate and some of the Terran Republic military patrols tasked with the order and security of the fleet. Not all aboard were complicit in the violence, however. The more intellectually minded crew memberslike Henry Briggs and his associatesgenerally involved themselves with their own, scientific pursuits. Henry in particular spent much of his time studying the artifact that had spoken to him so many years earlier, though he seldom mentioned that particular fact to anyone else aboard the fleet, and discussing it with his fellow enthusiasts. Tom Connery, meanwhile, was dealing with the delicate balance of security versus freedom aboard the fleet, strengthening curfews and intensifying military patrols against his own better judgment and desire to not control his already beleaguered people too tightly. The fleet's dire political situation boiled to a head in January of 2642, when more than fifty insurgents assaulted the weapons depot aboard the military vessel Explorer-5 and then stormed and captured the bridge. Unable to negotiate with them, Connery issued the order to retake the bridge by force. The fighting was short, but intense; 70 people lost their lives, with all but a few of the insurgents killed in their desperate assault on the military vessel. It was unclear why, exactly, the insurgents chose to take the bridge of the Explorer-5. With the arms stolen from its weapons depot, they could have easily captured any smaller vessel in the fleetbut they instead chose one of the garrison ships for the fleet's military peacekeepers. Whatever their reasoning, the effect of their actions was the declaration of martial law, and an emergency vote on security measures. To Connery's dismay, he watched as the terrified denizens of the stranded fleet voted away their few remaining freedoms to secure themselves against the insurgency: Meetings of more than three nonfamily members were banned, and military presence was again increased aboard all ships. Determined to end the senseless violence, Connery called a secret meeting with representatives of the New Conglomerate aboard the Discovery-7 to discuss a path to peace.

[edit]The Accident
The meeting took place, but what exactly was discussedor whether a settlement had perhaps been madewas never found out. As Mission Commander Connery and the other participants prepared to disembark the Discovery-7, a massive explosion tore through the ship and killed all 592 people aboard. In the wake of the disaster, Lieutenant Commander Brent Waterson was declared the Provisional Commander of the fleet, and another vote was put to the people: Investigate the disaster on a shipby-ship basis, or form a fleetwide investigation that entitled the military to full emergency control of the fleet until those responsible were brought to justice. The vote was close, but ultimately those desperate for justice prevailed. The fleet was now under the unmitigated authority of Brent Waterson and the Terran Republic military.

Though most of their freedoms had been taken away, the security offered by the military's control was appreciated by many. The New Conglomeratenever officially linked to the insurgencywas begrudgingly compelled to cooperate or have its members shown to the nearest airlock. Scientists aboard the fleet worked endlessly under the constant supervision of the military who, by the end of that year, felt justified in its methods: They had discovered a planet suitable for terraforming within range of the fleet's sensors. Charting a course for this world, which they tentatively dubbed "New Earth", the fleet began to return to a sense of normality and stability. Though the peace was kept under the watchful eyes of expert marksmen, it was a peace nonetheless, and the stranded survivors of the wormhole catastrophe, now numbering around 60,000, would eventually disembark on the surface of their new home.

[edit]The New Earth

Details on the period between the landing of the fleet and the current conflict are currently scarce. The planet, eventually re-christened Auraxis, proved to be a hospitable new home for the wormhole refugees, with varied climates and ecosystems not unlike those of Earth. It would prove, however, to not be without its secrets: Alien ruins were uncovered on the planet, and sometime in the year 2650, Henry Briggs discovered an artifact identical to that which he and Tom Connery had found in the Moon Belt sixteen years earlier. When he did, he received another visionthis time hearing the voice of Vanu speaking directly to him. Though what Briggs heard remains a mystery, it nonetheless caused a full-scale movement to form behind him and his research. Incredible technologies would come from the dedication of his followers; Briggs himself, however, would not be around to see their achievements. For unknown reasons, Henry Briggs took his own life in 2660, on the tenth anniversary of the second artifacts discovery. In the wake of his death, the Vanu movement would flourish, keeping its discoveries secret from eyes it deemed unworthy of Vanus gifts. Increasingly obsessive over their research, the movements members were ostracized by much of society. Meanwhile, the autocratic Terran Republicnow resembling the transparent democracy of Earth in name onlyfailed to rescind the curfews they had claimed would be only temporary aboard the fleet. Though forced, the security and stability the Republic provided did help to bring peace and prosperity to the fledgling Auraxian colony. In the eyes of the New Conglomerate, however, this was not enough. The ideals of free enterprise and open markets espoused by the former executives of Earth and their hired guns and workers changed over generations into a general desire for freedom from the iron rule of the Terran Republic, which grew stronger and more possessive with each passing decade. Towards the end of humanitys second century on Auraxis, the New Conglomerates unrest began to take the form of worldwide protests against the Republic. Eventually, what began as protests evolved into riots, armed skirmishes, and finally all-out war. On June 21, 2845, peace talks between the Terran Republic and New Conglomerate fell apart amidst conflicting reports of attacks in the Kaorr desert region of Auraxis, and armed conflict broke out. The Vanu, having long watched the two factions bemusedly from the sidelines, suddenly found themselves in a dire position: Wedged between two warring empires and on good terms with neither. With their options few and their allies fewer, they declared their independence as the Vanu Sovereignty and took up arms against their long time persecutors. Conflict has now consumed the surface of Auraxis, where each factions control of territory and resources is tantamount to the destruction of its enemies. With no clear advantage going to any one side, the future of the human race on Auraxis has become as unclear as the planets all-too secretive past.

[edit]Timeline of Events
Date November 28, 2345 Event An anomaly described as a "fracture in space" is discovered. It disappears weeks later, before exploratory probes can reach it to investigate. Responding to intelligence indicating imminent and simultaneous attacks, Earths six January 18, greatest countries declare war on each other. The planet's major resources are used up in 2426 the ensuing conflict, and the fight intensifies over what little is left. The space-fracture anomaly reappears, nearly 100 years after its original sighting. This time, probes are able to reach it and identify multispectral transmissions as they exit the March 16, fracture in the direction of earth. They are believed to be some form of scan issued from 2444 the other side, and are considered by many as a clear indication of intelligent alien life that is aware of humanity. When the fracture closes several weeks later, Pluto is inexplicably destroyed. The existence of the wormhole is made public. In response to the news of an extraDecember terrestrial power that may have directly caused the destruction of Pluto, peace talks 19, 2444 between the Earth's major powers begin. World leaders sign the Armistice, bringing an end to the global war begun 19 years prior in 2426. Over the next several decades, borders fall and governments merge until all May 13, nations unite under a single entity known as the Terran Republic. Under the Declaration 2445 of Constancy, a council with representatives from every former nation is created and an executive system of elected Presidents begins. The space-fracture, now commonly referred to as the wormhole, reopens exactly 98.3 years after its last appearance. No further emissions are detected, prompting some to July 3, 2542 question the veracity of the original reports a century prior. After several weeks, it vanishes again. By June, Free from the fear of a powerful alien presence, colonial explorers have traveled the solar 2582 system and terraformed planets and their moons for human habitation. Explorer Tom Connery discovers the Moon Belt, a sparsely populated sub-section of the Kuiper Belt made up of the fragments of hundreds of destroyed moonsand the 2615 shattered remains of Plutoextending from Neptune's orbit to beyond. His team discovers a distinctly unnatural signal emanating from a moon fragment, but lacks the equipment to pinpoint and investigate it and instead returns to Earth. Terran Republic Vice President Martin Harris dies of a heart attack, and renowned May 2618 explorer Tom Connery is asked by President Sylvia Wyatt to fill the position for the remaining 6 months of her term. To the surprise of many, Connery accepts. November Terran Republic Vice President Tom Connery runs for and is elected to the office of 10, 2618 President of the Terran Republic. January Terran Republic President Tom Connery retires from office, after three successful four2630 year terms, and begins preparations to return to the Moon Belt. Business Forward, an entity co-founded by the CEOs of some of the solar system's largest February corporations, holds a summit at which the members agree to closely monitor the activity 14, 2630 of former Terran Republic President Tom Connery. The term "New Conglomerate" is coined as a reference to Business Forward's plan to July 30, unite major corporations, banks, labor unions, and private protection firms under a single 2630 banner to help combat the Terran Republic's restrictive policies towards the private sector.

March 4, 2631

Former Terran Republic President Tom Connery discreetly recruits noted xenobiologist Henry Briggs for his mission to the Moon Belt under the guise of a dog sitter position. Former Terran Republic President Tom Connery and xenobiologist Henry Briggs locate September an alien carving emanating strange signals in the Moon Belt. Briggs touches the idol and 2632 claims to have received a vision that greatly changes him, but retains only one distinct memory from the event: the word "Vanu". Former Terran Republic President Tom Connery's second Moon Belt expedition returns to Earth and announces the discovery of an alien artifact: A delicately carved figurine. This May 2634 discovery ushers in a new space exploration boom, bringing with it a host of advances in spacefaring technology and the exploration of the solar system up to twice the distance of Pluto's remains. No additional artifacts are found. Tom Connery petitions the Terran Republic for resources to mount an exploratory mission through the wormholewhich scientists predict will reopen in 2640 and remain January 21, open for at least two weeksusing a volunteer crew. The Senate agrees to fund the 2636 expedition if he can enlist the requisite 75,000 volunteers within three weeks, by February 12. Tom Connery presents signed affidavits containing more than 300,000 volunteers to the February 3, Terran Republic Senate. He is granted resources to recondition up to 200 ships for his 2636 mission through the wormhole. An exploratory fleet of 128 ships, crewed by 75,000 volunteers and led by former Terran Republic President Tom Connery, launches from Earth, bound for the wormhole with the May 13, intention of exploring its far side. The fleet consists of Terran Republic military 2638 peacekeepers; New Conglomerate-affiliated corporation executives and their their hired enforcers and civilian labor force; and many scientists, engineers, and tech experts eager to learn more about the possibility of alien life. Exactly as predicted, the wormhole reopens. The first wave of Connery's fleet, caught by the fracture's gravity well, is deposited on the far side of the wormhole before even October 20, engaging engines. Subsequent waves attempt to pass through but most are destroyed or 2640 unable to reach it as the wormhole destabilizes and closes. Ultimately, about 40,000 peoplejust over half of the initial forceare trapped on the far side of the wormhole in uncharted space. March 2, Mission Commander Connery intensifies military patrols on board all vessels as insurgent 2641 activity aboard the fleet begins to escalate. December Mission Commander Connery institutes strict curfews as the insurgency grows bolder and 22, 2641 several deaths occur due to fighting. A group of 53 insurgents assaults the weapons depot aboard military vessel Explorer-5 and uses the stolen arms to take the bridge. Commander Connery orders an armed January 2, response, reclaiming the bridge at the expense of 70 lives. In response, martial law is 2642 declared and an emergency vote taken on security measures. The vote to extend military presence and ban gatherings larger than three people passes. Immediately following negotiations between the fleet's leadership and representatives of the insurgency, the ship on which they are meetingthe Discovery-7is destroyed, January 6, taking the lives of all 592 aboard including Mission Commander Tom Connery and 2642 Colonel Richmond Morgannis. Lieutenant Commander Brent Waterson is named Provisional Commander. January 7, A vote is again taken on security measures to be enacted. The vote to give the military

2642 April 10, 2642 2643 2650 2660 June 21, 2845 TR

emergency powers and full fleet control passes by a margin of 2%. Provisional Commander Waterson assumes full military authority over the fleet. A planet capable of terraformation is discovered by fleet scientists. Dubbed "New Earth", the fleet charts a course toward it with an estimated arrival of January, 2643. The fleet, adrift for roughly 3 years and now numbering around 60,000 people, arrives at New Earth and begins the process of terraforming and colonizing the world. Xenobiologist Henry Briggs discovers an alien artifact identical to the one he discovered alongside former Terran Republic President Tom Connery in 2634. He receives another vision and becomes the first human to be directly spoken to by an alien species. For unknown reasons, xenobiologist Henry Briggs commits suicide. The Terran Republic and New Conglomerate begin full-scale war after peace talks are interrupted by confusing reports of armed conflict in the Kaorr desert region. The followers of Vanu declare themselves an independent Sovereignty and declare war on all those who oppose their views.

JAKE DUFFY, Terran Republic Quartermaster, AMP Station Gamma. June 21, 2845. Duffys voice could be heard through the walls of his Plexi-enclosed office. What the freakin hell are you standing there for, Jones? You playing with yourself? I told you to get those !%$#$@ weapons to the loading dock-Anow. He glanced at the manifest, then glared at Private Genny Jones, quaking in fear, a tiny, little thing, no more than five feet one, if even that, with shoulder length flaming red hair and a temper to match. She had been assigned to weapons supply only two weeks ago when they were still at relative peace with the New Conglomerate and they thought shed have time to learn her job while the two sides tried to reach some tentative compromise. Nobody expected those idiots to start shooting at each other before dawn the very next morning.

115 Mini chain guns. We need two crates of bolt drivers. Theyre also going to need cyclers and
repeater pistols. And dont forget the dome blasters. You got all that, Jones?

Yessir, she shouted back. I gathered them soon as I saw the manifest this ayem, sir. And theyre
already loaded onto the Galaxys. I was just waiting for coordinates to dispatch them, sir. Duffy looked her over. Two weeks on the job and she nailed it. Damn. Good work, Private. Punching them in now. And one other thing, Jones.

Yessir? Im the Quartermaster, not an officer. Call me that, or Q, or Duffy. Not sir. Sorry, wont happen againDuffy. Make sure it doesnt private. Now get on board. Youre with Booth and Erickson.
She was already on the move. The troops took their places in the Galaxy and braced for lift-off. Two minutes later Duffys voice

crackled over her head-armor earphones. The brass just told me to relay your mission. So, listen up, soldiers, Im not repeating it. Two platoons of T.R. soldiers are trapped on the volcanic island of Searhus, under fire by ^&%# New Conglomerate dirtbags. Appears they took control of Mount Lavastorm on the mistaken belief were gonna let em free their captured forces from the Kane Prison Compound. If they succeed, the N.C. armies would be equal to T.R. forces. Our jobs to make certain that will never happen. You got that? Genny Jones joined the chorus with a loud, Understood, Quartermaster Duffy. Understood. As the Galaxy sped across Auraxis toward Searhus, Jones mentally catalogued what she had been taught about the enemy. The New Conglomerate were originally from three very different groups who came together for their mutual benefit. First and foremost there were the businessmen. They may not have been the highest of the muckety-mucks, but they ran the most powerful companies back on Earth and the Terran colonies and were sent to establish a foothold on the other side of the universe to exponentially increase company profits. They were the VPs and managers of the original conglomerates and now they were going to control the new businesses. Of course, Jones realized the bosses werent expecting to do any of the hard labor by themselves, so they brought along the civilian workforce, men and women paid to join the mission to build the new cities, factories and more. Once done they would return to Earth to collect their creds. Finally, because the businessmen never went anywhere without protection, they brought along the third group that made up the N.C.s: the highly paid and highly dangerous mercenaries. Unlike the bulk of Connerys crew who intended to colonize and live on the new worlds they discovered, these groups were in it for creds only. They planned to return home as soon as they could. They had no loyalty to Connery or the mission. All they cared about was what they could get out of it. The New Conglomerate, as they came to call themselves, were always willing to work with them. But, Genny remembered reading that once they found themselves on the other side of the wormhole with no way to return home, meaning no way to get their creds, they slowly moved apart from the others. Genny remembered her Sergeants words, drilled into her squad of new recruits. You wanna know the difference between us an them, he shouted. Once those N.C. bastards landed on Auraxis, they came to the high n mighty conclusion that the Terran Republics laws, which they had followed til then, were suddenly incompatible with their own selfish needs. They could never accept that the laws were enacted to protect all the people, seein we were so many lightyears from home. Like always, those N.C. buttholes only thought about themselves an nobody else. She took out her tab and flipped through the vids of her family back on Cyssor and hopefully safe. Her mom smiled at her and blew her a kiss. Her Dad looked at her like he always did. To him she was still nine years old and in pigtails. Her sister, Lea, mouthed the words, Be safe, sis, which made Genny grin. Sandy, her older brother, just waved solemnly. He was the one who fought the most with her not to join the T.R. army. Sandy, a theoretical physicist, was caught up with the Vanu cultists and was against some of T.R. laws but those Vanu nuts were nothing compared to the N.C.traitors. They argued endlessly over who was right and who was wrong, and she recognized that he made some good points, but ultimately she had to fight for the cause she most believed in. Still, she loved him and knew he loved her, and they both prayed that war would not divide their family as it was doing to Auraxis. Back in his office, Quartermaster Duffy watched the Galaxys take off for Searhus. Before they took off he had done his traditional one last walk through. He saw the shock of red hair in the back. Genny Jones was talking with Billy Pelz, a recent recruit no older that eighteen unless he had lied

about his age. A lot of the kids did these days. They talked excitedly about going off to war. Idiots. They got no idea what war is all about, Duffy thought before giving a silent prayer that they all came home again. He turned away and scanned the news vids looking for any word whether the group that was now calling themselves the Vanu Sovereignty was remaining neutral, taking sides or launching their own offensive. So far nothing. He prayed they would stay out of it. Life on Auraxis had suddenly gone to hell and Duffy didnt need another conflict to make it worse. He shook his head wondering how it had come to this. By the time they found Auraxis and landed, the people had joined together for mutual protection. They tamed the savage planet, terraformed it, grew food enough for everyone, built cities and fortifications, and worked together so they could survive together. So much changed in 175 years. He sighed, breathed in a deep breath, then called in Ben Davids, yet another new kid who joined up only this past week. What the freakin hell are you standing there for, Davids? Duffy shouted. You playing with yourself? I told you to get those !%$#$@ weapons to the loading dock-B now.

VS

SANDY JONES, Vanu Sovereignty, Chief of Research and Development. Jones looked up from his computers to the bank of monitors lining the wall above where he sat. He had been warned that morning by his sister, Genny, a Private in the Terran Republicmilitary, that something big was going down on the volcanic island of Searhus.

Why are you doing this, G? he asked her. Theres no reason you have to join the military. Theres
no reason you have to take sides. Theyre both insane, you know, the Terran Republic andNew Conglomerate alike. Theyre going to kill each other and take down a lot of innocent bystanders. Genny laughed. Unlike you Vanu lunatics? You believe in the magic powers of some alien God

Not a God. Just an alien. We know they existed. Weve excavated their cities. Weve analyzed their
artifacts. And ever since what happened to Briggs weve gotten sporadic telepathic feedback. Vanu and his people were real.

Operative word, Sandy, is were. They died off a zillion years ago. And dont dare correct me. Five
hundred years or a zillion dont make a hell of a difference when theyre dead. Look, I get it, brother. You scientists dont take sides. You analyze. You poke. You rip the atoms out of whatever the hell youre researching just to see what happens. Then you do it again and again to see if the results are the same.

The scientific method. Its worked since the dawn of science. I know. And I love you for your dedication. But those of us who dont hide our emotions behind test
tubes and equations get excited about things. Weve only been on this world two hundred years. Thats not enough time for mankind to want to wipe everyone out again. We need peace. I believe in that so much I want to be part of the process.

Sandy gave her that look he knew she hated that said, Im now going to speak sense into you, kid, so youd better listen. Which is why Im telling you that you should stand aside and let both sides blast each other until the idiots are dead and stay dead. Then this planet will belong to the rest of us who believe in peaceful research. Besides, you do know your Terran Republicfriends arent all sweet innocence and light. Theyre dictators of the worst kind. He saw her face flush red with anger. And the New Conglomerate are any better? Theyve worked against the colonies since day one. They refused to do their jobs unless they were paid and when there was no way theyd go back home and get their creds, they took off. The T.R. wants us to work together Sandy leaned in and interrupted. Under their rules and draconian laws. And if you disagree, you are either arrested or executed. Genny talked over her brother as if he hadnt said a word. while the N.C. went off and built their damn underground cities and let the rest of us rot.

Exactly. For them its all or nothing, my way or the highway Sandy said. Which is why I stay
neutral. Its why I and the rest of us refuse to get involved with that insanity. Sis, all I want is for you to be safe. Look, why dont you let me take you to our camp. See what I see. Understand what were about. When youre shown the truth of Vanu, I know youll want to join us.

Sandy, come on, be serious. I love you. Really. And because I do I read about Vanu. I understand
him. And thats why I am not going AWOL to watch your friends talk their mystic gibberish.

Gibberish? Genny, youve only read T.R. and N.C. propaganda. You have no idea what Vanuis about.
Please. Let me show you. Genny gave her brother a dismissive kiss on the cheek. Im sorry, but no. I cant and I wont. Besides, you and I both know it wont come down to war. Theyre talking. Theyll find some compromise. They always do. Were all stuck on Auraxis so ultimately well have to work together whether we want to or not, she said as she gave her brother a kiss, and promised shed be back in time for Wednesdays family dinner. It was Gennys birthday and Sandys wife, Elayne, was preparing Gennys favorite, Turkey faux. She gave one parting grin, flicked her brothers earlobe as she always did, then left. Tomorrow was going to be one helluva day. Sandy looked up at the live news feed that scrolled across the monitors. The reporter, Richard Morgannis, named for his great, great, great grandfather, Richmond, and the great grandson of the still beloved Jessicana Morgannis, looked serious as he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

Representatives of both the Terran Republic and the New Conglomerate report that all peace treaty
meetings have been cancelled.

Theres no way we can reason with those traitors, said George Harris, the T.R. spokesman.
New Conglomerate spokesman Diane Draper responded by saying, We didnt walk from the peace table, George. Your side did. Harris face filled the screen again. We left because your people ordered your mercenaries to attack T.R. settlements in the Kaorr desert region.

No, you marched in and slaughtered dozens of settlers. Draper responded. Settlers? They were building weapons of war out there, Diane, and dont act like you didnt know it!
You terrorists were intending to use them against innocent citizens of the Terran Republic! Harris yelled. Morganniss face replaced the two feuding representatives. T.R. officials say they deny all N.C.claims and that unless the N.C. leadership is willing to Morgannis touched his earpod; he was receiving new information.

We are now getting reports that a large scale battle is taking place on the island of Searhus, in the
vicinity of the Kane Prison Compound. Both sides have sworn that the battle will not stop until their opposite numbers are all dead. Our reporters on the scene are replaying information indicating that weapons of mass destruction are being used and that the death toll on both sides is quickly rising. They say wait Im no longer connected with our people on Searhus. All Im getting is static. It appears communications are... Sandy Jones stared at the monitor screens alive only with static. Genny was somewhere in that warzone. He had to know what was happening.

Sandy, a voice coming from behind him called his name. He turned to see Chairman Willis Scott
enter the room. Those fools did it. This planet is now at war.

Were staying neutral, sir. Arent we? Sandy asked.

Scott shook his head. Were not siding with either of them, if thats what you mean. But we also cant stay on the side any longer. To save the world that Vanu once ruled, in order for humanity to reach its full potential, we must take up arms and destroy them both. We must eradicate all that stands against us. Today we have declared our Sovereignty, a Vanu Sovereignty. Only one force can live on Auraxis, and it must be us.

NC

JOE WALSH, New Conglomerate Master Sergeant, Searhus. June 21, 2845. Walsh watched helplessly as Privates Ken Edmund, Jr. and Adira Sullivan, both doing their best to hold Lavastorms south ridge, fell dead to the ground, Terran Republic bullets penetrating their chest armor then exploding inside them. Although he didnt know Sullivan, Walsh had been friends with Bens father from their Academy days. These kids were good. Walsh would make certain the T.R. murderers paid.

Miller. Cohen. Move into their positions. You see any T.R. scum, take them out. The two scrambled
over the crusted lava field and filled the empty spaces. In place, Sarge, Miller shouted, and ready. The Terran Republic had been the single political force on Earth since the Armistice and the formation of the new Government. They had set up an open and transparent Government that kept the peace for nearly two hundred years. Walsh had no problem with them, but he certainly did with the current crazies who used their name to rule over Auraxis, not as a democracy but as a harsh and cruel dictatorship. Strict curfews, which had been put into place during their travels when discipline needed to be maintained, were not rescinded after they landed on Auraxis. In fact, they were made

more harsh.

Dont worry, the T.R. council told the people, we have a planet to reshape, cities to build, and we
dont know what the hell might be out there. As soon as we can, all restrictions will be lifted, but for the safety of our 60 thousand citizens, we have to keep all rules and laws in place." But what really clawed Walshs ass was that the people voted with the T.R.; they voted down their own freedoms. In a move directly planned to keep the New Conglomerate from resisting Terran Republiccontrol, all political gatherings were banned. Groups of more than three, unless they were a family, were not permitted the right of assembly. Refusal to follow T.R. laws were punishable by imprisonment, and in some cases death. N.C. officers were rounded up and imprisoned without proof of wrongdoing or even a trial. The N.C. pleaded for the return of all personal freedoms, but the T.R. refused. They were trying to work a compromise when both sides walked from the table and war broke out. So much for Thomas Connerys belief that men could work together in peace. Walsh and his unit grabbed their heavy gauss rifles, tri-barreled jackhammer shotguns and carbines and carefully moved down Lavastorm. Walsh knew the T.R.s tactics. They hid behind realistic 3D holo-boulders, lying in wait until N.C. soldiers passed. Walsh held his jackhammer close and fired it in a wide arc as they passed all possible hiding places. But when he heard gunfire erupt just behind him he knew he screwed up. The T.R. were hiding in a real crevice, large enough for a half dozen men. When Walshs unit moved past they leaped from their spots and opened fire. Nine of his boys died. Three were wounded and captured. Return fire only killed four of their ambushers. Walsh and his men scrambled for safety behind an outgrowth of rock. They had high ground; theyd be safe, if only for a few minutes. He gave the signal and Miller, Cohen and the Dorsey twins revealed the seven Phoenix missile launchers they had hidden along the volcanos rim.

Now! Walsh screamed. Jimmy Dorsey fired launcher one. His brother set off Launcher two. Walsh
and the others set off the rest. Rockets careened down alongside Lavastorms wall and exploded. Four T.R.s, broken and lifeless, were thrown from cubby holes. Through his binocs Walsh could see two of the T.R. bastards. One, a kid, probably 19. Screw you, moron for picking the wrong side, Walsh shouted. The other looked like a girl, a little older, with flaming red hair.