Eternal Wars

1. Eternal Wars

Eternal Wars
Date	Year 27 — Ongoing
Location	Multiple sectors including Qiilura, Callia, Hewett, Saijo, Quiberon, Qiiberon, Morobe, and Inat
Result	Ongoing
Belligerents
Eternal Empire	Kumquat Coalition Hydian Expanse New Republic
Commanders and Leaders
Bork Shalas (Khagan, Eternal Emperor) Dax Owok (High Justice)	Various Kumquat Coalition, Hydian Expanse, and New Republic commanders
Casualties and Losses
Unknown	Unknown
Battles
Attack on Inat Major

The Eternal Wars are an ongoing conflict waged by the Eternal Empire against forces that threaten their own existence. Following its creation and the aftermath of the Shadow Wars, the Eternal Empire sought diplomatic relations to end the cycle of raids and battles. However, efforts to achieve peace with several groups were sabotaged by the Kumquat Coalition and the Hydian Expanse through public denouncements and continued hostilities.

The Eternal Wars represent the Eternal Empire's struggle for survival against those who view its rise as a threat to their influence. What began as a quest for peace has evolved into a defensive and expansionist war, forcing the Eternal Empire to secure its borders and protect its citizens from hostile forces.

Background

Following the conclusion of the Shadow Wars, the Son-Tuul Pride transformed into the Eternal Empire, seeking to abandon its criminal origins and establish itself as a legitimate galactic power. The Sable Accords abolished crime and slavery within its territories, and the new nation pursued diplomatic relations with former foes.

However, these efforts were met with opposition. The Kumquat Coalition and Hydian Expanse viewed the Eternal Empire's creation as an attempt to bypass responsibility for the raids and atrocities committed by the Son-Tuul Pride during the Shadow Wars. From their perspective, the Eternal Empire was simply the same criminal organization with a new name, seeking to avoid accountability for its past actions.

Conversely, the Eternal Empire viewed the Shadow Wars as their revolution, a necessary struggle against established powers that sought to keep them subjugated. They saw the hostility of the Kumquat Coalition and Hydian Expanse as a direct threat to their very existence, a continuation of the same oppression they had fought against.

In a public statement, several Kumquat Coalition members declared:

• "The Eternal Empire would have you believe that legitimacy is demanded and declared. Legitimacy is earned, and there can be no legitimacy without accountability. Accountability for the atrocities of the Son-Tuul Pride. Atonement for the crimes of its hordes and their leader. The Eternal Empire claims a clean slate, yet they continue to peddle falsehoods in their propaganda. A choice that suggests indoctrination remains more precious to them than the truth."*

The Hydian Expanse pressured the Eternal Empire by sabotaging peace treaties with other groups and demanding credits and surrender terms. The New Republic also declared the Eternal Empire a terrorist organization and threatened to continue the war, bringing the New Republic once again into direct conflict with the Eternal Empire. These demands and declarations were quickly declined and dismissed by the Eternal Throne, forcing the empire to retaliate.

The Eternal Empire's expansionist agenda saw its forces target territories belonging to these groups, establishing Star Fortresses and forward bases in contested regions such as Morobe and Quiberon. From the Eternal Empire's perspective, this expansion was necessary for survival; from the perspective of their opponents, it was further evidence of the empire's aggressive intentions.

The Surrender Request

In an attempt to formalize peace, Talak Kasra, on behalf of the entire Hydian Expanse, sent a surrender request to Bork Shalas. The request made it clear that the Hydian Expanse did not accept the Eternal Empire's transformation as legitimate:

• "Alright Bork, I now come on behalf of the entire Hydian Expanse to attempt to formalize peace. Now we want to make it clear that we do not accept the farce that simply changing your name and swearing off past actions wipes the slate clean. As far as we are concerned you are still Son-Tuul Pride of the Shadow Dominion and we are still at war with you in which you are the antagonistic party. To that end, in order to formalize anything, the war needs to end. The only way we can see that occurring is if you surrender. We certainly aren't surrendering and given that, again, you are the antagonist in our war, we think it's entirely fair that you paid suitable war reparations to us before we can move forward. The terms apply to the Eternal Empire and any parties allied or subservient to the Eternal Empire which are seeking peace with the Hydian Expanse."*

The surrender terms demanded by the Hydian Expanse included:

• Immediate release of all prisoners held in prisons, prison ships, or any other place of incarceration captured under the banner of the Shadow Dominion
• 1 billion credits paid out to each Hydian Expanse faction, totaling 5 billion credits
• All assets currently held within the Khuiumin and Morobe sectors, to include but not limited to stations, ships, vehicles, weapons, NPCs, etc.
• An immediate cessation of operations within the Khuiumin and Morobe sectors and barring any future operations or presence within the same
• 1 Cumulus class Corsair named "Tuul's Razor" to Czerka Corporation
• All assets held by Shadow Dominion within Hydian Expanse territory (Corliss & Co, Czerka Corporation, Matukai Dragons, CIS, and Krath)

The Eternal Throne declined these demands, viewing them as an unacceptable attempt to dismantle the Eternal Empire and return its people to subjugation.

The Conflict

Declaration and Escalation

The Eternal Empire declared the Kumquat Coalition a terrorist organization and escalated the war with the Hydian Expanse. The New Republic's declaration of the Eternal Empire as a terrorist organization brought the Republic back into the conflict, expanding the war on multiple fronts.

The empire's new defensive and expansionist doctrine resulted in the expansion of Eternal Empire territory within Hydian sectors. The Hydian Expanse frequently complained of Eternal Empire advances in Morobe, where several Star Fortresses were built on hidden grounds located within Hydian territory. These fortresses serve a dual purpose as forward bases and decoys, projecting power deep within enemy territory.

CIS Dissidents and the Goratak Vanguard

The Eternal Empire's influence extended beyond direct military confrontation. A group of dissidents within the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS), a member of the Hydian Expanse, broke away from their leadership and joined the Eternal Empire. These dissidents became the Goratak Vanguard, creating a civil war within the CIS and weakening the Hydian Expanse's internal cohesion. This strategic move demonstrated the Eternal Empire's ability to undermine its enemies through political and ideological influence rather than direct military force alone.

The Attack on Inat Major

Orbital defense stations construction supervised by Horizon Guard.

The conflict escalated significantly when the Horizon Guard led an assault on Inat Major and seized control of the Inat system temporarily. This allowed the Eternal Empire to build a series of combat stations and labour camps on the planet, converting it into a Star Fortress and a foreign prison camp for Eternal Empire prisoners deep within Hydian territory.

In a speech to the Eternal Empire and its allies, Bork Shalas declared:

• "We only wish to exist. We only wish for peace. But your masters will never allow it. It was never about us being pirates or criminals. It was about our rise. The threat of our ascension. They do not fear our methods. They fear our success. They fear that if we can break our chains, others will follow."*

Imperial Seal of Marque

The Imperial Seal of Marque, granting authority to privateers and mercenaries of the Eternal Empire.

As the Eternal Wars intensified, the Eternal Throne issued the Imperial Seal of Marque, a formal decree authorizing privateers, mercenaries, and loyal subjects to engage enemies of the empire. The Seal reads:

• "By the authority of the Eternal Throne*

• Issued by, Bork Shalas, Eternal Emperor of the Eternal Empire, Sovereign of Zakuul, and Protector of the Eternal Throne.*

• To all who sail the void under the banner of the Eternal Empire, and to all privateers, mercenaries, and legionaries of the Empire, greetings.*

• Whereas the enemies of the Eternal Empire have committed acts of aggression against our territories, our people, and our interests;*

• Whereas diplomacy remains the foundation of our foreign policy, and we do not seek conflict with those who respect our sovereignty;*

• Whereas it is the right of every sovereign power to defend itself against those who would see it fall;*

• Be it known that: I hereby grant full authority to all privateers, mercenaries, and loyal subjects bearing this letter of marque to seek out, engage, and seize the vessels, assets, and territories of those factions and powers formally designated as enemies of the Eternal Empire.*

• By the Emperor's Hand,*
• Bork Shalas*
• Eternal Emperor of the Eternal Empire*

• Witnessed by:*
• High Justice Dax Owok"*

The Imperial Seal of Marque represents the Eternal Empire's commitment to defending its sovereignty through all available means, while maintaining the diplomatic principles that guide its foreign policy.

The Defensive and Expansionist Doctrine

The Eternal Empire's war doctrine emphasizes both defense and expansion. The empire focuses on defending its borders and securing its existence against those who would see it destroyed, while simultaneously expanding its territory through the establishment of Star Fortresses and forward bases in contested regions.

The Eternal Empire's military forces, including the Knights of Zakuul, Scions of Zakuul, and Horizon Guard, have been deployed to defend imperial interests and project power against hostile factions.

See Also

• Eternal Empire
• Shadow Wars
• Kumquat Coalition
• Hydian Expanse
• Horizon Guard
• Knights of Zakuul
• Scions of Zakuul
• Bork Shalas
• Attack on Inat Major