The History of the Vilani Empire - Part 1

Citizens, it is said that history is more than just a dusty book. It's a living creature, pulsating with life and with every action we take we continue to interact with it. No man can truly look ahead unless he knows what lies behind him so here I lay out the modern history of this great empire of ours. The Vilani Empire.

The empire as we know it came into existence 10 centuries ago, a millennia of history has been created between its peoples. In the first days of the empire fifteen smaller star systems joined together and formed the first galactic senate made from the representatives of those systems. Although each still ruled over their own people they have chosen to work together in this senate and follow the advice and words of the Vilani Council. 

The early days of our sibling empire were upset and painful. The Universe which was new itself was a violent place. Many of our worlds where sacked by jealous marauders. Hundreds where slain, but thousands where taken in righteous retribution.

As the empire in these early days continued to expand we offered and took in several smaller unions of star kingdoms. One such union were the PSI an honourable people whom where welcomed into Vilani with jubilation and still exists within our ranks today.

Even in these early days the first whispers of the dark times that were to come breathed down our necks. The pirates known as BORG first openly attacked Vilani at this time. Their unprovoked attacks lead to the deaths of many loyal citizens of our fine empire and we acted with righteous judgement. Those drone's that committed the crimes of attack where sought out and destroyed however further attacks continued unabated.

At this time members of the Council of Vilani received communications from several guilds already at war with BORG. They proposed an alliance between those whom have been attacked by these villains. Following heated debate in the council it was decided that Vilani would prove her honour to the universe and side with this alliance. This alliance became known as CABAL.

For the first time in our history Vilani was faced with a major war and the inexperience of our soldiers soon became apparent. Despite this we learned fast and fought with honour. More guilds joined the CABAL. The Underground Movement [TUM], The Hands of God [THoG], Sensus [3-S], Hertz [TSG], The Crimson Mercenaries [{CM}] and the Grey Swords [xGSx].

Three members of the Council, our 'Minister of War', 'Minister of Interior' and 'Minister of Intelligence' received frantic calls from their capitols. They immediately departed to head the defense of their people leaving the Prime Minister, Minister of Information and Emperor behind. Several days later reports began to immerge that something was amiss however what was still unknown. Then it was certain. Those council members whom departed had betrayed the empire. Their systems reseeded from Vilani only to join the BORG, their ships turning on the loyal soldiers of Vilani!

Intelligence was leaked from the highest levels of our operations, our current state of defence and the locations of our territories. At this time, the emperor unable to speak for rage the Prime Minister made a statement to the remaining citizens of the empire,

The intergalactic senate was recalled and the vote was taken. It was unanimous, the war shall continue. Those empires what turned their backs on their friends in their hour of need would be declared enemies of the state.

The war raged on, and in the end Vilani didn't run out of courage or honour but of ships and allies. Members of the CABAL surrendered to BORG one by one until only four remained on the battlefield. At this time Vilani was out numbered by her enemies five to one, then in this hour the allies of the BORG, The Imperium, threatened to enter the war immediately against the 'Villainous CABAL'. All hope had been lost and in the end the decision was taken to put an end to the war, surrender in all but name. The Prime Minister made the announcement,

Secret talks began in the imperial capitol to form a new alliance under the name of CABAL however not with the aim of war with BORG but defense of those alliances that formed the CABAL and fought together. The CABAL Brotherhood was born.

At this time something nobody expected happened. The Imperium, close ally of BORG declared war upon them. This followed BORGs sneak attack on another of the Imperium's allies. This situation quickly forged into the largest conflicted the universe had ever seen, most of the top 10 largest guilds involved on one side or the other. At this time communications between members of the CABAL intensified as it was decided what actions to take. We decided neutrality. Unless we were attacked we would not get involved in what we saw as a spat between allies.

An attempt to forge peace between the the Imperium and BORG failed. Following attempts by the Alpha universe leadership of Imperium to force a settlement members of the guild rose up against their leader and take control of its government separating the links between the Imperium of the Alpha and Beta universes.

Confident that the Imperium were to pull out of the war BORG attacked. Following eight separate attacks on Crimson Mercenaries the CABAL had to act and war was soon declared on BORG and her allies. Upon the declaration Hertz removed themselves from the CABAL, declaring our words lies. Despite their vile betrayal Vilani marched, a lot more prepared we made our mark on the enemy. The Imperium's new government reaffirmed their support for their allies and took up arms again. The second CABAL war was short and only lasted for three days before all sides signed a status quo ante bellum or white peace. Essentially an agreement to end the conflict there and then, everyone pulls back and the guns fall silent.

Now we have entered the third age of Vilani. We leave our infancy and wars with BORG behind and welcome the future. To our new members I would say this, welcome to Vilani and never forget your honour for it is the strongest armour you will ever wear.

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