Time of Troubles

In the year 2010 mankind began exploring the solar system. The foremost runner was what was called The United States of America. This ignited a new space race as countries raced to find and exploit the vast resources available. The United States joined with Japan and various European countries and established a colony on Mars. Various third world countries used the riches provided by their own resources to purchase the technology and established their own colony on Mars. Not willing to be undone, India led a campaign to establish a colony supported by some of the poorer countries. By 2035, every nation on Earth had established a colony on Mars. The United States began preparations for further expansion into the solar system as the other Mars colonies began to fail. The U.S. Mars colony was barely self-sufficient and they were unable to assist the other two colonies. The rest of the world assumed the U.S. lead coalition was refusing to assist in order to gain advantages on Mars. This lead to increased tensions among the nations of Earth. Some Middle East Nations began a new wave of terrorism across the world in an effort to save their citizens on Mars. By 2042 the other colonies failed with no survivors and this event nearly started War World 3. In fact, salvos of nuclear missiles were fired by the country know as Iraq but a secret but operational weapon system developed by the U.S. destroyed the missiles safely before impact. This was kept quiet until the U.S. Government could determine a course of action against Iraq. A counter-strike would have ignited a World War and the U.S. was unwilling for destruction on that scale.

The United Earth Alliance

June 5, 2042 everything changed. As the U.S. Congress debated what would come of Iraq, the U.S. Navy Survey ship Renaissance, under charter by NASA, transmitted to Earth the discovery of a large round alien device far beyond the orbit of Pluto. The device was large enough to allow a small moon to pass through. NASA released the information to the world as they received it. Every man, woman, and government official forgot about personal and national concerns as they watched the Renaissance examined the unknown device. Every telescope and eye looked to the skies as a sense of wonder and curiosity overcame the world. Captain Richard of the Renaissance overcame his initial fear and brought his ship closer in effort at gaining samples of the materiel used to construct the structure. The Renaissance passed into the circular portion of the device, the ship disappeared as a form of energy enveloped the ship. Within seconds, every nation of Earth assumed their highest state of military readiness and directed it not at each other but outwards, toward whatever force that destroyed the Renaissance. Within another few minutes each Nation agreed to set aside all differences in the face of an enemy that could destroy a ship so thoroughly as not leave any debris behind. For the first time in known history, the entire Earth was united under one cause, survival. Sixteen agonizing minutes passed without incident until a flash of light emerged from the alien device. The world held its breath until the Renaissance came forth from the light. Captain Richard’s first transmission went unheard due to the overwhelming cheering coming from his bridge crew. The second attempt was more successful as the Captains excited voice came through. "We… We were at Alpha Centari. We actually visited another Solar System!"

The national leaders knew that if mankind were to meet a hostile race, it would mean certain death unless Earth was united under one leader. So intent on getting ready for a first contact, the nations of Earth took only 29 days to establish the United Earth Alliance. Since the U.S. had lead the Earth in Solar exploration and discovered the Star Gate, President Jackson became the first President of the U.E.A on July 4, 2042. Within six months of the U.E.A., hunger and war had become extinct on Earth. The only hostile threat the Earth would ever have to deal with would come form the Stars. This enabled resource normally diverted to war with other nations to be diverted elsewhere. The Golden Age of Man had begun.
 
 

Into the Stars

Within 300 years, man had colonized every habitable planet within 5,000 light years. Man controlled over 600 planets in over 550 star systems. The Alliance had grown too fast and large for the government to handle emergencies in a timely matter. President Romanez divided the Alliance into four equally sized sectors, controlled by a Governor. This proved to be an unpopular decision as the Governors were not elected officials but assigned by the President. He countered that he was elected to run the Alliance and in order to do the job he was charged with, he needed the Governors. The Planetary Governments would now report to the Governors and the Governors would report to the President. Outrage soon faded as the Governors and their appointed assistants quickly addressed concerns and requests.

Double-edged Sword

The increase in efficiency did not make up for an unforeseen side effect. The Governors wanted more power. Within 15 years, each sector had established it’s own military and in turn, declared itself a separate entity from the U.E.A. All out war soon followed. The U.E.A attempted to restore its former holdings, and each Governor attempted to add to their territory. Within months, a million soldiers died. On Dec 30, 2399; Governor Daiken’s forces conducted a surgical strike against Earth and the U.E.A. Nuclear weapons devastated the Earth killing President Romanez. Vice-President Clark, who happened to be visiting Mars, assumed leadership.