[center][h2]A War's End[/h2] [hider=An Important Note] Anyone looking at this thread would be mistaken for thinking the RP is dead, and for a time, we very nearly were. Writing a galactic war like what was planned is a massive undertaking, and understandably, things stalled and lost a lot of momentum. For the past few months, we've been working on the Discord to summarise the war and move on past it, giving us a change of focus and hopefully breathing some fresh life in here. This summary will be followed by a timeskip to the post-war period. Thanks to everyone for the wait! [/hider] [/center] [hider=Ishtar's War] [list] [*] The immediate aftermath of the full-scale invasion of New Ishtar by PUNT forces results in approximately 42,300,000 civilian dead and 713,000 CNIGF dead, most of these killed in direct nuclear strikes by the PUNT Navy. Further strikes and armed conflict result in an additional 8,100,000 civilian dead, and 139,000 military dead before emergency synapse nodes can be constructed to store consciousnesses of the deceased in war zones. [*] Ishtari bioweapon caches are unlocked for the first time since the Great Xenocide. Under utmost secrecy, captured PUNT soldiers are forcibly rewritten and used as living vectors to detonate neurovirus warheads within PUNT clean zones, or as vectors for the spread of highly deadly transmissible infections. The launch of weaponized super-plagues against the main bulk of New Terra is considered, but decided against. [*] The personal intervention of Star Mother Tiamat results in significant casualties to PUNT forces. Though no footage of actual combat is available, Star Mother Tiamat is seen to wait in ambush as a large column of enemy troops and armour move by. When combat begins the video feed is consumed by static, capturing only a grainy shot of something large darting between what looks to be two enemy vehicles. When the video resumes, the entire enemy force lies wrecked and smouldering with dead littering the ground. Numerous such engagements are recorded. [*] After heavy fighting on the surface of New Ishtar itself CNI ground forces, recovering from the initial devastation and destruction of numerous key facilities in nuclear bombardment, launch major counter offensive that kill or capture three fourths of enemy personnel on-planet, with the remainder successfully evacuating to orbit. [*] The surviving CNI navy, in concert with that of the CoA and FEU, launched a concerted joint CNI-CoA-FEU offensive. PUNT forces that are not destroyed or captured are forced into defensive positions around the Ishtar Gateway, though are unable to utilise existing CNI defence infrastructure due to technological incompatibilities. [*] Work begins immediately on reconstruction and decontamination efforts on New Ishtar, with captured PUNT personnel performing much of the work. Deceased PUNT soldiers have their identities recorded before being rendered into biomatter for use by Ishtari individuals. [*] Destroyed or damaged CNIN vessels are repaired in the surviving orbital shipyards and rapidly used to pad back out the badly mauled CNIN fleet. The CNIN fleet carries out a full-scale offensive using all available assets, destroying the bulk of the PUNT fleet within Ishtari space. Surviving Ishtari ground forces assets still in space are immediately moved to standoff positions for incursion into PUNT space. The full energy of the nation is put into the expanding and repair of its orbital dockyard network and new ships are constructed in record time to make up losses and bulk up the fleet. [*] With a beachhead established by Coalition forces, the CNIN make use of the bridgehead, launching a full-scale military invasion. Most CNIGF assets lifted into space remain intact following orbital conflict and are rapidly moved to jumping points by the Gateway as the CNIN launches attacks on New Terra itself, carrying out orbital bombardment in designated landing areas to clear the way for ground assault. [*] The first Coalition boots on the ground of New Terra are a contingent of the six-month-old CNIN Marine Assault Infantry. Dropping to the surface and acting fast to secure landing points the CNIN and CNIGF rapidly overrun enemy forces in the landing areas through a combination of surprise, speed, and sheer overwhelming firepower. Though lacking in heavy weapons initially CNIGF aircraft are some of the first assets dropped to the ground along with the MAI assault unit. Breaking from the established plan of action before the war, large scale orbital bombardment is used to annihilate concentrations of PUNT ground forces, albeit inflicting significant collateral damage on the surface of New Terra. Civilian casualties calculated at over 1,700,000, though many sources contend the actual casualties are several times higher. Objections by those within the military and civilian apparatus or by Coalition forces are ignored or simply receive video footage of the nuclear fireballs over Ishtari cities in reply, as the CNIGF continues its full-scale invasion, dropping ever more materiel, ordnance, and a seemingly unlimited quantity of soldiers onto the surface. [*] Video footage from Ishtari ground forces showing the brutality of the fighting on New Terra reaches civilian networks and results in a widespread backlash against the harsh tactics employed. Though many support the brutalization of the enemy, the majority have been subject to an extensive effort to demonize not the PUNT civilians but rather the dictatorship, in an attempt to set the stage for the invasion to be viewed at home as a liberatory war rather than one of aggression and expansion. Correspondingly, distressing footage of PUNT civilians being caught in the crossfire of CNIGF and PUNT heavy weapons or shot by anxious Ishtari soldiery creates an uproar that seeps back to the troops on the ground. New waves of additional deployments carry this sentiment as well. CNIGF forces, under orders from Star-Mother Tiamat, create humanitarian corridors, evacuation zones, and refugee camps. Effort is taken to reduce collateral damage, though the efficacy of these measures is questioned. [*] Word begins to spread of reprisal by CNIGF forces against high-ranking PUNT officials and high-ranking military officers. Though nothing can be officially confirmed, few of these individuals are taken captive alive by CNIGF forces. [*] CNIGF forces pushing into the Dercy region suffer collateral damage from Azulvistan orbital bombardment and raise complaints with the Azulvistan military command- Azulvista promptly dismisses these complaints as the cost of assaulting a city under direct orbital bombardment. CNIGF soldiers are ordered to evacuate civilians from the area but not to enter bombardment range, while the CNIGF prepares a build-up at the edge of the bombardment zone to rush the city once the bombardment ends. [*] CNIN Marine Assault Forces prepare in concert with a large detachment of CNIGF mechanized infantry, moving to jump off positions to complete the final assault on Dercy. Orders from on high are to be the first ones to raise a flag over the enemy capital building. [*] Dercy finally falls, with CNIN forces raising the Commonality's flag over the center of PUNT's government. New Terra capitulates soon afterwards. [/list] [/hider] [hider=Azulvista's War] [list] [*] The first major strike back against PUNT began in Americana, with a joint FEU, GRA and FRA force pushing PUNT out of allied space. [*] The first direct assault on PUNT territory comes from the GRA’s main fleet, helmed by the [i]Escudo de Libertad[/i] and Almirante Isabella. Using slimline cruisers to launch an opening volley of neutron torpedoes, immediately followed by an overwhelming assault by much of Azulvista’s naval capacity, the PUNT Gateway’s defences are broken, allowing the allied fleets their first chance to strike at New Terra’s homeland. [*] Azulvista begins its ground campaign, although the majority of the fleet does not engage in orbital bombing. Typical operations involve rapid sub-orbital deployment by gravtroopers and ISOC forces, followed by lightning assaults to capitulate defenders and neutralise key positions. The Azulvistan Army soon follows, along with propaganda teams, men-at-arms for civilian pacification and industrial interests eager to scout the ground for reconstruction. [*] As Azulvista’s ground-based gains increase in size, GRA-occupied territory begins to be linked up. With an increasingly large number of PUNT citizens now under territory controlled by the Azulvistan government, the Senate elects Marquesa Leonor Lourdes y Sierra as the provisional governor of Occupied Terra. The rest of the provisional government are assembled, although will not make the crossing until the war’s conclusion. [*] With much of the planet now pacified, efforts shift towards the New Terran capital of Dercy, over which the primary elements of Azulvista’s navy have been stationed. Although it has heavy orbital defences, the GRA resolves to batter the door down, regardless of how long it takes. An extended orbital bombing campaign begins, with efforts focused entirely on destroying Dercy’s ability to resist orbital insertion. [*] With the end in sight, Azulvistan forces begin to mass in preparation for their assault. The marine contingent has only been matched by the one prepared for the Reconquista of Grandiamon, and it is buoyed by countless jettrikes, aircraft, special forces and a large contingent of jetknights. [*] Azulvista's assault on Dercy is a lightning attack, designed to capture as much of the city as possible for leverage in post-war negotiations. Because of this, GRA forces are not present for the fall of New Terra's government. [*] Unlike many nations, Azulvista does not engage in mass trials followed by execution. Although key military and government figures are tried, and many are sentenced to death by firing squad, the majority of ranking officials tried by Azulvista are given relatively lenient sentences, Azulvista aiming to integrate them into the provisional government. [/list] [/hider] [hider=The AFE's War] [list] [*] AFE forces focus their assault on Bludia and freeing the local alien sapients from captivity, crippling PUNT defences on the planet with precision orbital bombardment and back-line special ops operations. [*] AFE assault on Bludia is led by mass drone swarms in an attempt to minimise civilian casualties by saturating the PUNT garrisons as rapidly as possible. [*] General strategy is focused on maximal minimization of native casualties, planet is blockaded. [*] A significant number of captured PUNT officers and slaveholders captured are placed into temporary stasis to prevent flight or suicide risk [*] AFE generally condemns orbital bombardment of civilians, strongly suggests reparations to affected civilians not otherwise prosecuted for crimes against “humanity” [*] AFE begins reconstruction efforts on Bludia, approaches war participants on New Terra to permit emigration of alien, not Terran, population to Bludia. Additionally offers unconditional medical and reconstruction aid to all affected nations, primarily Ishtar. [*] Trials of war criminals and those who prosecuted crimes against humanity begin, with juries selected from native populations of the planet and the accused taken out of stasis to await trial. [*] Majority of high-ranking officers or slaveholders are executed by anesthetization and summary lethal injection, some are given life in prison [/list] [/hider] [hider=The Chosen's War] [list] [*] First major strike back against the PUNT-side of the Gateway was the infiltration team, alongside the invasion fleet sent by the Chosen with help from Hyginus. The infiltration team secured key assets from the PUNT, defectors mainly while also causing insurrection in the PUNT ranks, bringing their war machine down from the inside while the invasion fleet kept their main forces busy. The Hyginian suicide fleet as they named it, was in fact, quite alive by the end of it. Many ships were lost on all three sides but mostly all the crew of the Hyginians was saved from certain death by Templars. [*] Chosen infiltrators start breaking down the infrastructure of the PUNT cities, freeing slaves and performing acts of sabotage against key industries. [*] PUNT warships manned by Chosen spies open fire on other warships, causing confusion in the PUNT ranks. [*] Chosen troops deploy on PUNT planets, launching ground assaults with everything they have. Incapacitating viruses, toxin bombs causing rapid deterioration of armour, infamous Zealots which would detonate themselves as closely as they could reach the enemy. [*] Chosen forces can be seen saving PUNT civilians before more aggressive nations can begin their assaults. [*] Ashevelen makes an appearance on the home world of the PUNT at great risk and displeasure from her Hierarchs, inspiring the troops and on a few occasions jumping into battles that were deemed lost in order to save as many people as possible. Killing platoons on her own while Julius, her forever silent guardian, would tank missiles and whatever else that PUNT threw at the duo. [*] A massive sanctuary is hastily built on RADX-002 to host all PUNT defectors, captured soldiers and 2 high ranking officials. They are kept under guard at all times while a moderate amount of food is brought over to them. Materials are given for them to build their own houses. [*] High Hierarch Pontius becomes more vocal and as such starts gathering more and more followers in his displeasure of Ashevelen. Full battalions start to desert and return to RADX-001. Rumours about the “False Goddess” start to circulate in the streets of Chosen cities. The Rejected deployment caused controversy in the zealous ranks of Templars who weren’t used to working side-by-side with aliens & Rejected but it proved to be a successful target, making many Chosen more accepting of their flawed siblings. [*] In one of the many battles in the PUNT capital of Derby, Rejected Brutes, are deployed to assist coalition troops that were engaged in a failed retreat. The Brutes, with no fear for their lives, charged head first into a losing battle. While their whole using was eventually overcome by the PUNT defenders, coalition forces managed to retreat with minimal losses on their end. A fact which was strategically filmed and released on all major TV networks on RADX-001. [/list] [/hider] [hider=The Hyginian War] [list] [*] Hyginus declares war on PUNT and launches a surprise strike against the PUNT’s gateway defences with the support of the Chosen, the suicide fleet creates much chaos but does little actual damage. The Chosen allies are able to infiltrate PUNT and start operations behind their lines, and thanks to the Chosen Templars most of the suicide force is able to survive the battle. [*] A second attack is sent, this time with the help of Ishtar and the Chosen they manage to break PUNT’s gateway defences and finally reach their worlds, the Hyginian fleet will remain behind to protect the gateway while Ishtar and AFE begin their planetary invasions. Hyginian troopers are sent to aid other nations with their planetary invasions, anyone with an invading force on PUNT’s main planet received the Hyginian offer of help in their operations, this includes Ishtar, Azulvista, the KDD and a guy named Joe who arrived from an undisclosed ship. [*] Hyginus realises their purely space-focused fighters have trouble in the heavy atmosphere of PUNT’s world, this results in the acquisition of cheap airplanes from Azulvista and the creation of the first Hyginian air force made to operate in a dense atmosphere. [*] With the main assault successful, Hyginian forces would mostly remain as support for logistical and rear echelon duties as most nations poured more resources into their operations, Joe’s invasion is [REDACTED] and results in [REDACTED]. [*] At the end of the war Hyginus demands war reparations, but not territorial concessions. [*] All PUNT officers captured would be executed as “Enemies of Humanity” and are executed by firing squad. Non officers would eventually be released after a lot of discussions with the intergalactic community. [/list] [/hider] [hider=Kamenyir's War] [list] [*] The KDDN launches an attack on the PUNT naval forces around Ishtar in conjunction with the surviving Ishtari fleet. Several ships are crippled or destroyed on both sides, the KDDN forcing a PUNT retreat after high-profile boarding actions. Using this window of opportunity, the KDD’s ground troops drop on the planet and establish bases of operation. [*] The KDD deploys several ‘Superschwere Mechanisierte Artillerie II’ or ‘SUMA’ near front lines on Ishtar. After losing several heavy shuttles to the SUMA’s Super-PPC, PUNT command determines that large troop landers face too great a risk, throttling PUNT supplies and reinforcements. [*] The first NACAS sees operational use during combat. Mixed results lead to the development of an improved neural implant for NACAS operators. [*] The KDDN participates in the counter-invasion of the PUNT system after Ishtar restores control over its own. [*] During ground operations, the KDD realizes how much of a disadvantage their lack of light infantry and artillery is. Several regiments of the newly formed Kamenyan Uhlans Corps are raised with industrial aid from the GRA. [*] The KDD focuses its effort on capturing relatively isolated but strategically significant population centres, mostly on the coastline and on the islands dotting the planet’s oceans. [*] KDD doctrine focuses heavily on building a rapport with the local population. Several operations are conducted in cooperation with New Terran freedom fighters and criminal organizations. [*] The KDD announces that it would not annex any territories, instead creating a provisional government with KDD occupation forces present, with the aim to, in time, create a protectorate which would in turn eventually become a free and independent nation. Although the KDD does prosecute numerous PUNT officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity, some of them are allowed to put their expertise in service of Kamenyan interests in exchange for lighter sentences. [/list] [/hider] [center][h2]A Treaty Signed[/h2] (A large-scale collaboration.)[/center] It was a warm, clear day in Dercy, and among the ruins and rubble of a city that had withstood bombs from both orbit and air and brutal, hand-to-hand fighting, armies from across the galaxy now stood, their guns fallen silent. The focus of the day was the hastily-erected stage, several flag posts raised behind it, with a small detachment of what was left of New Terra’s administration languishing in defeat, surrounded by a detachment of armed guards. Camera drones swarmed around the stage, trying to snatch a photo of victors and losers alike. “Beautiful day for an unconditional surrender, isn’t it?” General Matías looked out over the assorted throngs before him. The city stunk of destruction and death- the rain a few days prior had come down black from smoke, leaving streaks of soot against faces and facades. No doubt it would continue to do so for quite some time; Dercy’s skyline looked less like that of a city, and more akin to a mouth full of broken teeth. “Aye. Could have been much worse.” Almirante Isabella’s expression was stone-faced, not giving anything away. Their Triumph would come when they returned home- for now, it was time to share the glory. She scanned the other dignitaries and commanders on the stage. The AFE’s delegation was perhaps the largest, at least in terms of variety -- the sheer variety of species that made up their impromptu gathering made representing every single one without crowding the stage impossible, but a great variety [i]were[/i] represented, nonetheless. At the head of the delegation was [i]Strasbourg[/i] itself, the distributed AI that commanded the AFE’s fleets in the invasion; on this occasion, a comparatively mundane, humanoid shape, though clearly marked out as not baseline by its four arms and matte, metallic skin. It stood not at the head of the assembled AFE delegation, however, but beside one of the more perhaps expected participants: a tan-skinned, hooved, tauroid Takola male, dressed in the bright red-and-yellow cloth of the traditional dress of his people, and a large hydroponic rig, bearing a thick copse of beige-green motile grasses; one example of the sapient grasses the Terrans had enslaved, their species simply choosing to be dubbed the ‘People of the Plains’, as their language was impossible to verbally approximate. Elsewhere among the delegation were the tall, spindly raptorial insects originally native to new Europa, and a duo of vaguely humanoid, mechanical forms, so heavily modified that it was difficult if not downright impossible to distinguish those humans from a purely artificial being. “[i]Could have been better.[/i]” [i]Strasbourg[/i] whispered without moving its mouth, just loud enough for the other delegates to hear. It did nothing else other than scan over the Terrans with an icy glare, its implication clear: it’d be [i]better[/i] with their leaders hanging from nooses. “Then what.” Isabella raised an eyebrow towards the AI. Above them, the [i]Escudo’s[/i] own ship mind was quietly contemplating the war in only the way a mind that was both not truly ‘intelligent,’ yet phenomenally more powerful than a human’s could. “Would you [i]like[/i] us to fight guerrilla after guerrilla, each claiming that our executions were nothing more than a violation of their rights? Best to placate them now, save the steel fist for if it should be needed.” “They would be given a fair trial, and dealt with appropriately. Those who would blame us for giving perpetrators of genocide their fair due are too far gone. At least, they should never again be permitted the light of day.” Matías suppressed a barking laugh, managing to turn it into a cough. The hardened general had spent a long time away from the orderly halls of the Cortes. “And you think they’d care that we bothered to bring them before a judge before they swung? Take it from those who fight rebels- they are irrational peoples, prone to flights of fancy and martyrdom for no good cause. Besides… Thanks to [i]some[/i] armies here, we’ve already lost plenty of officials to ‘accidents’ and ‘crossfire.’” His eyes skimmed across the Ishtari delegation. The Ishtari delegation was a [i]large[/i] one. Having formed the largest component of the ground forces that took part in planetary operations, the Ishtari brought a similarly impressive contingent with them now. Comprised of both civilian representatives from the affected areas of New Ishtar, as well as numerous commanding officers standing in full dress uniform, accompanied by representatives of the CNIN Marine Assault Infantry in full battle gear - though their rifles were left strapped to their backs and unloaded. Together they formed a curious rainbow array of colours and dimly glowing bioluminescence, watching the other delegations with an eclectic mixture of expressions. Some seemed wholly unreadable, others seemed simply relieved the war was over, others watched those around them with suspicion or anger, and others simply stared into the far distance. Glowing irisless eyes met the Azulvistan General’s own as one of them, a Tiamat Strain, spoke. “Your insinuation is noted, General. However, the ground forces of Ishtar have provided ample documentation and evidence of the unfortunately unavoidable deaths of these individuals. A shame that it was not an official execution, for certainly the legal proceedings that await would find them worthy of death. We accept our own faults in the apprehending of these individuals, and will certainly work towards improving our protocols for the capture of wanted individuals in combat situations.” She returned her hands to their folded position in front of her with an easy, gentle smile, “I am sure those who are present here will be more than suited to face full justice.” “I would remind you that these prisoners are captives of Azulvista, and since we have all seen fit to conduct our own trials and abide by their decisions, you should perhaps consider your own insinuations.” Isabella eased her shoulders back a little as she spoke, her tone perfectly even and pleasant despite the implications. As the generals and dignitaries of the other nations were doing their thing on Dercy, The Chosen agenda was getting more and more busy. Arrangements of the PUNT refugees to be settled on RAD-X002, the casualties suffered by the Chosen and hundred more small issues but that didn’t stop Ashevelen, Julius, William and Catherine to make an appearance on the planet itself. It was, after all, the first major galactic war and while it was pointless, it needed to end. This was the last thing that needed to be done to finally end it and enter a new era. A post-war era. While knowing that her status as a Goddess was a sham and very badly seen by pretty much all the other nations, the Chosen, allies of Ishtar, had to make a proper entrance. One fit for a Goddess but also one that appealed to the others. As such, using all the data they could find about their counterparts, Ashevelen had the Chosen make a mix. A combination of the best, golden songs from each nation and something from Earth. Probably forgotten by everyone but the oldest. As her dropship approached, the music started to blast. A military parade song for Azulvista, some Trailerhead for Tiamat’s people and a number of other songs played in succession for each nation present. Then and only after the music ended, the dropship landed and the Chosen made their entrance. Julius walked forward, acting as a human meat shield, their armour golden shining in the sun of Dercy. Ashevelen followed up after him, dressed in similar fashion with a golden robe and a perfect smile on her face. Catherine and William walked side by side behind the Goddess, checking every face in the crowd for threats while keeping a friendly demeanour. Ashevelen walked straight to the Tiamat strain who was in conversation with two others and gave her a smile. “[color=gold]Greetings generals. Tiamat strain, you seem to be in trouble. I’m assuming, your leader was somehow too preoccupied with other problems? [/color]”, Ashevelen said with a smile before turning to the other two, towering over the Azulvista’s general, bending slightly and offering her hand to shake. It may have been Matías that Ashvelen’s hand reached out towards, but it was Isabella who reached for it. Azulvistan politics were complex at the best of times, and war was hardly the best of times, and although most of the time the Navy and the Army worked smoothly together, there was a pecking order here that superseded age and rank. For her part, Isabella’s face was impassive and neutral. Here she was, face to face with a human that had reforged themselves into a deity, and all she could think about was the fact that a dozen camera drones had descended on the group to capture this historic moment. Shifting to the side for a better angle, she shook Ashvelen’s hand firmly, then took a disciplined step back into line. [i]Strasbourg[/i] simply watched Ashevelen with an expression approaching cold disdain - not only someone claiming dictatorial domain over their people, but one who did so with pomp and circumstance. Still, its expression conveyed mute tolerance, at least, whereas the Azulvistan delegation was treated with more appropriately open dislike. The Hyginian delegation was much smaller compared to the AFE’s mix of aliens, Ishtari crowd or the Chosen display of music and colours, despite this the presence of both Star Admiral was proof enough of the importance Hyginus put on the meeting, among them were diplomats, generals and various assistants. The Chosen arrival would make quite the impression, with their display of music and military while under the sun being a sight never seen on Hyginus. Avetien, the second SA, would welcome the Chosen delegates shortly before looking back at the parade, Reecka however welcomed Ashevelen and gestured her to join in, hoping to ease the tension between her and the other delegations. “Is everyone prepared then? I believe we are here to end a war, rather than pose for photos.” "We'd almost forgotten," [i]Strasbourg[/i] dryly joked, straightening itself. "But, yes, let us get on with business." “The fine engineering of your nation on display” Matías retorted with a wry expression, before the pair of patricians instinctively slipped into more diplomatic stances. “We are here today, August 18th, 2602 UST Earth, to bear witness to the signing of the Instrument of Unconditional Surrender of the People’s Union of New Terra, and the formal dissolution of the aforementioned state as a consequence of that treaty.” An aide set a document out in front of PUNT’s Chief of Army- the third one in as many months, if Isabella’s memory was correct, alongside a pen. The official didn’t bother to read through the document in detail- its drafting and the fact that PUNT would agree to all the terms was a foregone conclusion. Instead, he turned to the fifth and final page, sighed heavily, and brought nib to paper. A quick scrawl later, and he slid the document across to the man next to him, who did much the same, and then the third PUNT official filled in the final line for the PUNT side. Army, navy and civilian government, all now gone with the swipe of a pen. An absolute surrender in every meaning of the word. Isabella and Matías stepped up next- these were their prisoners, and they’d insisted on the honour of accepting the surrender first. Taking the pen off the last official, Isabella first signed, and then as Matías did the same, the aide passed over a small pot of melted wax, which the admiral carefully poured out, then lifted out a golden seal delivered direct from the highest office of the Senate for exactly this purpose. One firm press, and the Gran Republic’s presidential seal now adorned the paper, the two Azulvistans stepping aside for the rest of the nation’s representatives to sign. The document then passed to the Hyginians who, despite helping on multiple fronts, didn’t ask to occupy any land or extreme concessions, limiting themselves to just economic reparations. First Star Admiral Reecka signed first, fittingly, after giving a quick read but not bothering to read the whole document, then to Avetien who, looking at the defeated Terrans with a slight smile, signed and then stamped the Federation’s official sigil. For a moment Avetien looked for the second document, a copy perhaps, as was Hyginian custom, then realising and passing the papers to the next representatives. The Americanan delegation, like their Hyginian counterparts, was a rather small group, their contribution in the invasion was token at best compared to other members of the coalition, the 3rd Expeditionary providing whatever support it could during the campaign, unlike the others, they did not plan on an occupation, as the resources for such an endeavour would prove…. difficult for the current war effort against the Yulzan. Admiral Drayk, along with his top officers were to serve as the FRA’s face in the signing of the Treaty. He took the documents in stride as he made a cursory look, and signed it. It was a good feeling, helping to put an end to a war, something he’d thought would never happen in his life time, and yet, here he was. Hopefully someday this can be repeated on Columbia soon enough, when the Americana System will be made whole again. Once the document was signed, Drayk hand it over to the next representative. It was a custom that the AFE representatives followed -- though they weren't the ones to sign the surrender document. Rather, the Bludians signed the documents under the approving gaze of the Europeans, the Person of the Grass directing its counterpart through a specialised implant designed to transform its thoughts into audible words, its signature likewise a completely alien collection of lines and symbols. Only then did the Europeans themselves move to sign, the disgust they felt for the Terran generals so palpable it could be cut with a knife. Bringing an end to the procession of allied forces, the Ishtari delegation’s representative stepped forward. Sister-General 1-430 Ivaris Wields the Flaming Sword of Righteous Fury Against the Demons of the Night stood in full regalia, flanked by representatives of the nuclear-impacted world and by veteran soldiers from the conflict. She stood over the former New Terran general, looking down on him with a haughty, imperious sneer, before taking the pen in hand and signing her own name with a flourish. The civilian representative, clad in less overt attire, did much the same, visibly restraining an urge to say something in the process. The Ishtar delegation as a whole seemed to relax just a hair afterwards as the representatives returned to their ranks. This war, at least, was over. There was only one thing left to do. The various dignitaries turned to the back of the stage, various soldiers moving to each of the flag posts that had been set up for just this purpose. To the sonorous sound of a bugle, the flag of the People's Union was lowered for the final time, and in its place went up the new flags- of the occupations, of free Bludia, of the future. Isabella turned and looked at the rest of the delegations. Here they stood as allies- as members of a Coalition that had seen millions dead in order to bring down a regime of madness. It would not last. It [i]could[/i] not last. When the bugle finally fell silent, they were allies no longer. The galaxy had been thrown into disarray. Now it was time to reforge it.