General History of Laurasia, 1150-1200

This is Part VI of the General History of Laurasia, covering the wars, political upheavals, barbarian invasions, and social turbulences of the second half of the twelfth century AH in the Caladarian Galaxy. This is a continuation of the General History of Laurasia, Part V.

=History of Laurasia, Part VI=

Barbarian Invasions and Collapse of the Dasian Khanates (1080-1253) cont.
====Review of the Galactic Situation in 1150; The Conspiracy of In'sara; Death of Tokugaistus II; Death of Wrangia Althia; Attila's Invasion of the Homidinian and Huntite Khanates; Rechiar of the Jarjanics wages war in Barsar Regions; Theodoric and Bodi Aligh ally against Attila; Battle of Catalaunia; Death of Theodoric I; Attila's Retreat; Brestord War with Penda (1150-1151)==== On 1 January 1150, New Year's celebrations throughout the Caladarian Galaxy were conducted. The Galaxy was now in the middle of the twelfth century, and at this point, the Dasian Khanates, 323 years after the death of Genghis Khan, 256 years after the death of Kublai Khan, and 145 years after the death of Timur the Devastator, were still among the most prominent powers of galactic civilization. All of them, however, were now in a severely atrophied and weakened state. The weak Homidinian Khanate, which was in the last year of the reign of Khan Tokugaistus II, was a de facto vassal of the Brestord Kingdom, having paid tribute to that state for the past several years. It still had 103 years to live, however. The Brestord Kingdom itself, under Attila, was probably the most powerful of the extra-galactic "barbarian" kingdoms established in the Caladarian Galaxy, extending its dominion from Scanlan and Etti in the Burglais Arm, all the way to the Muggal Cluster and Galactic Barrier in the Galactic Borderlands. Attila was by now nurturing ambitions of annexing the Homidinian Khanate, and even, of conquering the Huntite Khanate. The Amelianian kingdoms of Hengist, Marcia, Lavella, Kthexox, and Nordania controlled the majority of the Galactic Borderlands, with the exception of those northern Billian, Donnian, and Latrician regions seized by Attila. Marcia, under Penda, who was in the last half-decade of his reign, was the most powerful of the Amelianian kingdoms.

In the Core Regions, the Kazanian Khanate, spanning from the outskirts of Roxuli and Abraham across to Leopoldia, Big Twinny, and the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, was extremely weak, dependent upon Laurasia and with little cohesiveness. It was to meet its death within two years. The Venasian Khanate too, was weak, although it was less under Laurasian influence. The Venasians however, simmered under Dasian dominance, and being strong-minded women, yearned to reestablish their female-dominated Consortium. The Venasian Khanate was to meet its demise within another six years. The Crimeanian Khanate, having lost its founding Giray dynasty, was under the rule of the Huntite Supreme Commander Bodi Aligh. It had suffered much from the wars with Laurasia, Genseric's invasion, Bodi Aligh's own campaigns, and various civil uprisings. The Polonians desired to reestablish their independence, and were to get it within the first half of the 1150s. Goldaria, Schaueria Prime, and Murphy were minor states at this time, all three of them being helpless vassals of Laurasia. Laurasia itself was the most powerful state in the Core Regions. Immune from the ravages of the Brestords, Kuevians, Ashlgothians, Jarjanics, and other barbarian peoples, and at peace with the Amelianians, it seemed that she was destined to remain in a strong position for a long time to come. Only seventy years had passed since the end of the Dasian Yoke, and yet Laurasia had reclaimed her ancient position of predominance. Within Laurasia however, there were the ambitious Solidaritan mercenaries, who desired to establish their own state. Briannia too, yearned to establish herself. Laurasia's position was to be seriously weakened during this decade.

Kuevia and Ashlgothia, the neighbors of the Huntite Khanate, were both powerful barbarian states, having established themselves at Dasian expense. Genseric of Kuevia, although his most recent war against the Huntite Khanate had ended in a stalemate, was still a formidable and potentially dangerous monarch, who still desired to annex the Robertian Worlds, the Crimeanian Khanate, and Roastafaria. Theodoric of Ashlgothia, on the other hand, was more peaceful, harboring no hostile intentions by this point towards the Huntite Khanate. He was wary of Genseric and his ambitions, and wished to check these. Rechiar of the Jarjanics, as has been noted, was ambitious and determined to bring all of the Barsar Regions under Jarjanic rule. He was thus willing to ally himself with Genseric. The Alexandrians and Devianiani Confederacy of the western Barsar Regions were both allies of the Huntite Khanate, although they still desired full independence, as well as more territory. The Donguarian Stellar Empire, which had been established in the seventh century, still managed to linger on, although its demise as a independent state was to take place shortly. Donguaria's neighbor, Merlita, had, following its wars with the Amelianian kingdoms earlier in the century, retreated into isolationism. Already the oldest continuous independent state in the Caladarian Galaxy, it was destined to last for another 324 years. Finally, there was the Huntite Khanate itself, the largest and most populous of the remaining Dasian Khanates. The Huntite Khanate had suffered most from the Barbarian Invasions of the past hundred years, having lost the Western Barsar Regions, the Dasian Middle Territories, parts of the Robertian Regions, and the far-western Trans-Kimanian Regions. Bodi Aligh was at the helm of affairs, having acted as de facto ruler (with one exception) since 1125. Wrangia Althia was still a major influence in the state, although her death was soon to take place. Khan Dost was as helpless as ever. His sister, In'sara, a beautiful temptress, was now nurturing ambitions of her own. The Huntite Khanate was now twenty-six years away from its death.

We shall first describe the events in the Huntite Khanate, for the years 1150-55 were among the most decisive in the history of the Caladarian Galaxy. Bodi Aligh, as has been noted, was, at the beginning of 1150, the unchallenged ruler of the Huntite Khanate. Over the past twenty-five years, he had managed to defend the Huntite Khanate and preserve her existence, although being forced to yield territories in the Barsar Regions, the Middle Territories, and the western Robertian Worlds. The Supreme Commander/Crimeanian Khan was now drafting plans for a series of more decisive offensives against Genseric and the Kuevians, determined to recover Shenandoah, Vickis, Uris, Choir, Hoohshikk, Meris, Beharis, and the other lost worlds in that direction. His attention however, was soon diverted by other matters. The dying Wrangia Althia was concerned about the affairs of her daughter In'sara, who had to this point, at the age of 32, remained unmarried. The former Regent of the Huntite Khanate believed that her daughter needed a husband, so that she could produce heirs to continue the dynasty, as it was highly unlikely that the widowed Khan Dost would ever be able to have children.

As such, and after consulting Bodi Aligh, the Khaness Dowager announced, on 22 March 1150, that her daughter was to marry Borgai (1104-58), who was a Dasian Prince of Samarkand and one of the members of the Huntite Senate. Borgai was pleased at the prospect of marrying In'sara, renowned for her beauty and intelligence. In'sara, however, did not wish to marry Borgai. She had been involved in a affair with Arsulus, the Laurasian chamberlain of her personal household. In'sara also did not wish to lose her independence, for remaining unmarried had allowed her privileges unknown to married Dasian women. The Princess now pleaded with the Supreme Commander, imploring him, in a private audience on 26 March, to change the mind of her mother. Bodi Aligh, however, who was in agreement with Wrangia Althia's plans, refused to do anything for In'sara and said that "she should submit to the will of her mother", according to Gibbeoneous. On 29 March, In'sara, although she considered her brother to be weak and indolent, nevertheless appealed to him. Falling to her knees, the Princess implored "His Majesty to look after your sister, your precious, darling older sister, so that she may not be humiliated." Dost, however, refused her pleas, declaring his support "for what Mother desires on this matter."

In'sara, who was desperate, and especially so after her mother announced on 4 April that the Princess was to be married to Borgai on 1 June, now considered her other options. She began to develop ambitions of her own, ambitions of power and glory. This she considered obtainable only if she appealed to a foreign monarch. In'sara had heard stories of Attila, of his prowess and his intellect. The Princess herself held no love for a barbarian monarch, but thought that putting on the pretense of being in love with him would help her achieve her aims. On 10 April 1150, she sent a secret Holocomm message to the King of the Brestords, explaining her predicament and expressing her desire "to escape from such a horrendous situation." Thereafter, In'sara offered to marry the King of the Brestords, and promised as her dowry, one-half of the Huntite Khanate (that is, the remaining Robertian Worlds, Iego, Gabriella, and Sheldonia). Attila, when he received this message, was "most pleased", according to Gibbeoneous. Although the Brestord King did not particularly desire another wife (since he already had 100 wives and 700 concubines, the most extensive harem in the Caladarian Galaxy), he nevertheless saw this as his opportunity to assert himself over the Huntite Khanate.

On 12 April, the King of the Brestords sent a secret response to In'sara's message, promising to assist "your venerable Highness" in all that she required and pledging himself to marry her. Five days later, he summoned the Huntite ambassador to his court, Ragibagh Quanli, to his presence, demanding that In'sara's welfare be protected and that she not be forced into anything which was against her will. Quanli promised to communicate Attila's demands to the Huntite Government. Bodi Aligh, Dost, and Wrangia Althia received word of Attila's demands on 14 April, while they were holding a official conference of the Huntite Senate and Council of Bazaars. Upon receiving the message, the Khaness Dowager immediately called for a end to the ceremonies. She, the Supreme Commander, and her son then withdrew to deliberate on the matter. On 15 April, they sent a response to Attila, stating that what they were doing for In'sara "was for her interests and the interests of the Huntite Khanate." Attila was most displeased by this response, and 20 April, he humiliated Quanli before his courtiers, lambasting him for "his inability and his ignorance as regards to the situation."

It was then on 24 April that Attila sent a further demand to the Court of Jasonia, stating that In'sara "was a beautiful Princess, who hath should be spared from marriage to such a man as Borgai." It was then that he demanded Iego, Sheldonia, Gabriella, and the remaining Robertian Worlds as a dowry, and asked for "the hand of your illustrious Princess in marriage." The Huntite Court was alarmed by this demand. Bodi Aligh, who had been suspicious of all of Attila's moves, now ordered his agents to find out if In'sara herself had been behind Attila's actions. On 29 April, the agents of the Supreme Commander discovered that In'sara indeed had sent a message to Attila imploring for his assistance. On 3 May, the Khan was informed of the revelations. He was also told of his sister's affair with Arsulus. Sent into a rage of fury, the Khan shouted down all of his advisers, hustled his mother out of the official chambers, and boxed Bodi Aligh's ears. A day later, he sent out orders for the arrest of his sister. In'sara was taken into custody, ironically just as she was in bed with Arsulus. Attila was informed of In'sara's arrest on 7 May, shortly before the news of this was released to the public. Dost, refusing to hear the pleas of his advisers, issued a venomous proclamation on 10 May, accusing In'sara, Arsulus, and Attila of a "heinous plot" and announcing his intention to have his sister executed at the end of the month.

Wrangia Althia, hearing of her son's plans, was sent into a panic. She steeled herself, however, and on 14 May, defying her son's orders to remain at a distance from him, entered his chambers and fell on her knees before him. "With the most vigorous tears which a woman, of any species or race, could muster", she implored him, as his mother, to "find mercy in your heart" and spare the life of his sister. She also implored him "to secure the state" and maintain the stability of the Imperial Family. The Khaness Dowager was soon joined in her pleas by the Supreme Commander, who believed that In'sara's execution would enrage Attila to a considerable extent. It would be better, in his eyes, to exile her and compensate Attila financially then to execute her and risk war. Dost, shaken by their pleas, then burst out into tears and cries, imploring "the Spirits of our Great Ancestors, of the great Genghis, Ogedei, Mongke, Kublai, and Timur", to guide him on the right path.

After several days of meditation, during which he kept to himself, the Khan revised his earlier decision. On 24 May, he announced that his sister, instead of being executed, was to be deprived of her imperial titles and position, banished from the court of Jasonia, and sent to exile in the Homidinian Khanate. He offered to pay Attila a considerable financial indemnity, to support his takeover of the Kazanian Khanate, and to agree to any of Attila's non-territorial demands in the future. On 27 May, Tokugaistus, despite threatening warnings sent by Attila and his Government, agreed to receive In'sara as a non-royal exile on Chalassia, where she was to be assigned to work as a nun of the Monastery of the Faithful in the Dasian Lords. On 4 June, In'sara arrived at Chalassia and was placed under custody. Attila, watching all of these events, was enraged. He refused Dost's demands on 10 June and stated that he was determined to "claim what is rightfully mines." Five days later, the King of the Brestords threatened the Homidinian Khanate with war unless if Tokugaistus turned In'sara over to him. The ailing Tokugaistus decided to submit to Attila's demands. In'sara was turned over to the Brestords at Syr-Daria on 22 June, and five days later Attila announced her presence at his court. Dost was enraged by this, and on 5 July, condemned Tokugaistus for giving in to Attila's demands.

Bodi Aligh, who was becoming more and more alarmed at what was transpiring, began to implement emergency preparations for the Huntite military forces. Wrangia Althia, on her part, was heartbroken, even though her daughter still lived. On 11 July, she suffered a serious stroke, and was taken to the Hospital Quarters of the Khan's Palace, where she was heard murmuring about her daughter and her two deceased husbands (Argatu and Athaulf). Khan Tokugaistus had also lost his strength, and on the same day as Wrangia Althia, also suffered a stroke. On 16 July, Wrangia Althia and Tokugaistus both entered into a coma. Attila, in the meantime, began to issue a series of new demands. On 20 July, he sent a communique to Khan Dost and Bodi Aligh, offering to return In'sara if in turn, he was allowed to acquire the Homidinian territories of the Larkian Way and maintain his overlordship over Tokugaistus's successor. Bodi Aligh, who was suspicious, now deliberately dragged out negotiations, which continued until October. Then on 28 July 1150, Khan Tokugaistus II of the Homidinian Khanate died on Chalassia, after a reign of forty-two years. He was buried at the Khan's Chapel of Chalassia two days later. Wrangia Althia's condition continued to worsen, and she remained in a coma, although managing, for the time being, to survive.

Upon the death of Tokugaistus II, further events occurred in the Homidinian Khanate. At the time of his death, Tokugaistus had no surviving children, for his daughter Khulan, who had married Khan Dost in 1137, had died childless on 7 January 1145, aged 26. Tokugaistus's sister, Jaethong, who had been regent during the first several years of his reign, was now determined to establish herself as the Khaness of the Homidinian Khanate. Arrogant, selfish, and ambitious, the Princess believed that it was within her power to change the condition of the Homidinian Khanate and elevate it to a higher status. She was determined to reverse the decline of the Khanate and recover territories lost to the Brestords. Nevertheless, she knew that the government and military of the Homidinian Khanate would not tolerate her as being the sole ruler. As such, she announced on 5 August 1150 that she would govern as Khaness-Regent for the next two months, while conducting, at the same time, a search for a husband who would become the next Khan of the Homidinian Khanate. This declaration appeased those in the ranks of the Dasian Government who feared that she would be imposing herself as sole ruler. During those two months, Jaethong proved herself to be a able ruler, secretly drafting plans for the overthrow of Brestord overlordship. Attila, who was aware of her motives because of his spies, and who was still playing for time with Bodi Aligh, decided to allow her to continue.

Eventually, on 3 October 1150, the Khaness Regent announced her engagement to the Dasian General Yulan, who had served in the Brestord-Homidinian Wars and had considerable military experience. Yulan was relatively popular with the Government and nobility. No opposition was posed to their marriage, which occurred on 12 October. A day later, Yulan assumed absolute authority as Khan of the Homidinian Khanate, but his new wife retained extensive influence in the state. Attila sent his congratulations on 15 October, but was now, with his advisers, drafting plans for disarming and annexing the Homidinian Khanate when the time would come. On 22 October, Attila down-scaled his demands towards Bodi Aligh, offering to return In'sara in exchange for Greyson, Mocktrialis, and the lower Corporate Trade Corridor. These would be far less extensive territorial gains then he had previously demanded. He also promised to maintain Homidinian territorial integrity and independence in the future (a promise which would not be kept). Bodi Aligh accepted his offer on 26 October, and three days later, the Treaty of Vandross was signed, confirming these arrangements. In'sara was handed over to Huntite officials on 1 November, and was dispatched to Hunt Minor, where she was forced to marry Borgai (2 November 1150). Afterwards the former Dasian Princess was consigned to relative obscurity, but the matters relating to her were not yet concluded.

On 4 November 1150, King Pharmond of the Salarian Melorkians died after a long illness, and upon his death, a succession struggle emerged in that barbarian band. Pharmond had two younger brothers, Clovis and Merovech. The Melorkian King had neglected to leave behind a succession testament as regards to his throne, and as such, there was uncertainty among the Melorkian officials, elders, and military commanders as to who was to become the next ruler of their hordes. Clovis, believing that as the elder brother he should be King, assembled his units at the Melorkian bases of Rasti, Obathia, and Resmania. On 8 November, after several days of preparation and of this continuing uncertainty, he declared his intention to impose himself as the next Melorkian King by force. A vigorous conflict now ensued, as the fleets of the two brothers clashed throughout the Melorkian dominions. For the next several days, much of Roastafarian Space was engulfed by this civil conflict. Bodi Aligh and Khan Dost, watching these events from Jasonia, became concerned. The Supreme Commander believed that the Melorkian situation could undermine the borderland security of the Huntite Khanate. On 10 November, he sent a command to Clovis and Merovech, ordering them to terminate their struggle.

His message was ignored. King Genseric of the Kuevians, on his part, sent secret letters of encouragement to Clovis, urging him to take action to "also overthrow the overlordship of the Huntite Khanate." Theodoric, on his part, urged both sides to come to a agreement. Attila, watching these events as well, and informed of the occurrences by his spies, supported the claims of Clovis. On 6 November, this aroused a ultimatum from Bodi Aligh, who threatened to impose his own officials in the Homidinian Khanate unless if Attila pledged neutrality. Attila stepped down, still preparing his military forces for a future conflict. On 14 November, Merovech, receiving units from the Huntite Supreme Commander, defeated Clovis in the Battle of Roastafaria Minor, and five days later, was acknowledged as King by the Salarian Elders. Clovis fled into exile to the court of Genseric on 23 November, who granted him asylum.

On 27 November 1150, the suffering of Wrangia Althia finally ended as the Khaness Dowager, former regent of the Huntite Khanate, and widow of Khan Argatu and Ashlgothian King Athaulf, expired in the Hospital Quarters of the Khan's Palace on Jasonia, aged 70. Bodi Aligh, who had governed under and alongside Wrangia Althia for the previous twenty-five years, was stricken by grief and remorse at her passing. Although they had troubles in the past, and although Wrangia Althia never really liked Bodi Aligh, both had come to develop a trust for each other and had come to realize that their continuing cooperation would insure the stability of the Huntite Khanate. The Supreme Commander knew now that it would be harder to control the Khan without the assistance of the Khan's mother. Khan Dost, however, who was aware of the intensifying troubles with Attila and the Brestords, and who continued to be frightened by the threats of Genseric and Rechiar, decided to support Bodi Aligh for the time being.

Letters of condolence about the death of Wrangia Althia arrived from Yulan and Jaethong of the Homidinian Khanate, from Genseric (although he remained hostile towards Bodi Aligh and Khan Dost), from Rechiar, from Theodoric, from Honorius II of Laurasia, and even from Attila, as well as King Penda of Marcia, among other monarchs. Wrangia Althia would be buried on Jasonia on 5 December. After her death, events continued to proceed. On 2 December, Clovis departed from the court of King Genseric, reaching the dominions of Attila through use of secret hyperspace routes two days later. Attila greeted the Melorkian leader on Sernapasia. On 10 December, Clovis entered the Brestord service and was secretly promised future control over the Melorkian territories in return for aiding Attila in his invasions. Bodi Aligh sent diplomatic protests to the court of the Brestord King, but these were mostly ignored.

As 1150 came to its close, diplomatic intrigues commenced at the various courts. Attila, who over the previous three years had vastly expanded and reorganized his military forces, now began to move forth with his planned future campaigns and offensives. He decided to send overtures to those species or kingdoms who held their own ambitions and who hated the Huntite Khanate and its Supreme Commander. On 17 December, Attila exchanged correspondence with Genseric, declaring how "both of us hate the vile Bodi Aligh and wish for his dominion to be engulfed in flames." Genseric responded by declaring "that I shall endeavor to encourage rebel tensions against the same Supreme Commander, so as to strain his resources, in light of your future invasion." Bodi Aligh was ignorant of these communications, as the Kuevian Intelligence Agency encrypted the communication codes so that the Huntite spies and computer machines could not detect them. On 22 December, Rechiar of the Jarjanics sent a message to Genseric, expressing his hopes for the dismemberment of Huntite territory in the Barsar Regions. Then on 27 December, he and Attila opened secret negotiations on the matter of a alliance, directed against the Huntite Khanate. On 1 January 1151, the Treaty of Beverly Hereidu was signed, by which the Jarjanic King agreed to cooperate with Attila in all military campaigns against the Huntite Khanate.

Five days later, Attila sent a communication to the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy, offering them control of the Durant Cluster, Skye I, and the Huntite consulates in turn for assisting his military efforts against the Huntite Khanate. The Council did not respond to his message until 20 January. The Treaty of Lesia was eventually signed on 5 February 1151 between the two barbarian states. On 11 February, Theodoric received a message from Attila, by which he was also offered a alliance against Bodi Aligh. The Ashlgothian King, however, refused to respond to the message. In fact, on 16 February, he informed Bodi Aligh of Attila's offer. The Supreme Commander was now alarmed, and he sent out instructions to his military forces on 25 February, warning them about Brestord plans. On 3 March, he signed the Treaty of Yutzy with Yulan and Jaethong of the Homidinian Khanate, by which military access and aid arrangements were made. Then on 11 March, Bodi Aligh forced the Alexandrian horde leaders, Yaseric and Maclevius, to sign the Treaty of Ramant, by which they pledged to assist the Supreme Commander "against any foreign threat, foe, or hostile force."

On 29 March, Attila assembled units at Sernapasia, Karakorum, Vandross, Scanlan, Etti, Greyson, and Glassia beyond the Corridor, having decided to launch his campaigns against the Homidinian Khanate by the middle of April. This would provide him a juncture by which to then penetrate into the Huntite territories. That same day, Genseric promised to remain neutral in any Brestord conflict with the Huntite Khanate and offered to pay Attila compensation for his military mobilization efforts in the future. On 31 March, Bodi Aligh secured the homage of the Melorkians, who promised to continue assisting their overlords. Then on 2 April, he opened negotiations with King Penda of Marcia, who held ambitions of reconquering territories lost to the Brestords in the Galactic Borderlands. Penda proved receptive to the negotiations, and on 5 April, the Treaty of Hypasia Major was signed, by which Marcia pledged to declare war against the Brestord Kingdom if Attila posed a major threat to Huntite interests. On 7 April, Honorius II of Laurasia sent mercenary units and financial subsidies to the Huntite Supreme Commander to bolster his war effort.

Then on 11 April 1151, Attila, seeking a excuse to be used in justifying his war, sent a final demand to the court of Jasonia. In this demand, which was given in the form of a Holocomm, the Brestord King claimed that In'sara should be "rescued from her condition" and that her earlier proposal was valid. He demanded that Bodi Aligh return her to Brestord custody and promise to never again engage in any action which was harmful to Brestord interests. Bodi Aligh and Dost, recognizing that this was Attila's ploy, refused to even answer to his demands. Thereafter, Attila nullified all previous peace agreements and friendship pacts signed with the Huntite Khanate. On 13 April, he issued a formal declaration of war against both the Homidinian Khanate and the Huntite Khanate. Attila's forces, which were battle hardened because of the earlier campaigns in the Galactic Borderlands and the Homidinian Khanate, now hurled across the Corporate Trade Corridor.

On 15 April, Attila stormed and conquered Coronadia, driving away Homidinian units. Mackenzia Major (16 April); Edmundia (17 April); English Star (18-22 April); Jacobs I (24-29 April); Mary Lou (30 April-1 May); and Mackenzia Minor (2-6 May) fell to the Brestord forces in succession. Bodi Aligh immediately dispatched a collection of Jageronian, Huntite, Robertian, Kimanian, and Gabriellian units across the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, seeking to bolster his Homidinian allies. He now suffered a reverse however, as Rechiar revealed his alliance with Attila on 9 May and issued a declaration of war against the Huntite Khanate, denouncing the overlordship of Khan Dost. By 16 May, Messalina, Chobania, Leo's Redoubt, Riley, Abshire, Strongstine, and Kimanis Mooria had all fallen in quick succession to Jarjanic forces, as Huntite units in those regions were weak. During those days, Attila repelled Homidinian counteroffensives and advanced towards Calms, Ian, and Gibbs-to-Lester. Calms fell on 16 May, followed by Ian two days later. Gibbs-to-Lester resisted however, and did not fall to Brestord forces until 27 May. In the meantime, Attila had subdued Brlla (19-20 May); destroyed the Homidinian fleet of Yutzy (21 May); and sacked Dion (22-23 May).

On 25 May, Homidinia itself was harried by a Brestord expedition. Two days later, a surprise Brestord offensive secured Gwendolyn and isolated Markis Prime, disrupting Homidinian defenses. Rechiar, in the meantime, had besieged and conquered Kimania (20-27 May 1151), expelling the remaining Huntite forces from the Barsar Regions. Bodi Aligh was now desperate. Vigorously organizing what units and formations were available to him, the Supreme Commander left Jasonia on 28 May. He was joined by Merovech and his units a day later. He managed to halt further Jarjanic offensives across the Kimanian Trade Run, obtaining a minor victory at Filorean (30-31 May 1151), but was unable to prevent the Devianiani Confederacy's declaration of war on 1 June. By 3 June, all of the Durant Cluster and Skye I had fallen to Devianiani forces, who quickly overwhelmed the paltry Dasian defense units. On 4 June, Homidinia was finally subdued by Attila, who then breached the Lacian Cluster. By 7 June, Englestrom, Sonny, Dromund, and Shaelynn had all been conquered by the Brestords, who ravaged the cluster and breached all defenses. On 9 June, Yulan and Jaethong were forced to flee from Chalassia. Attila entered in victorious procession onto that world on 11 June. He then destroyed the final Huntite fleet in Homidinian territory at Lacia (12-14 June 1151) and firmly consolidated his conquests. Attila announced the formal annexation of the Homidinian Khanate into his dominions on 15 June 1151.

With the Homidinian territories under his control, Attila now crossed the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route into Huntite territory for the first time (16 June 1151). His vast force was comprised of Brestord, Satian, Halegothican, Armane, Melorkian, Jarjanic, Kuevian, impressed Homidinian, and various other barbarian units, mercenary formations, and militia groups which had been recruited or conscripted from throughout his dominions. The Great King of the Brestords (as he now called himself), was now determined to complete the destruction of the Huntite Khanate. Hearing the news of Attila's invasion, the Alexandrian leaders Yaseric and Maclevius rejected the overlordship of the Huntite Khanate (17 June 1151) and announced their intentions to cooperate with Attila from then on. Genseric was by now seriously contemplating entering the war directly. He decided to see what Attila could manage to accomplish, however. On 19 June, Attila's forces besieged and conquered Meredita, inflicting severe damage on the world. According to both Monompahalaus and Gibbeoneous, the Brestords acted with great brutality. Contemporary sources described how neither "man, woman, or child was spared." Walters, Hasselbeck, Robert, Jeanne, Sheldonia, Gabriella, Samarkand, Leah, and Lorna now became victims of the Brestord hordes, being sacked in succession to 27 June 1151. Bodi Aligh, who was in dire straits, now conducted a guerrilla strategy, attempting to harry Attila's supply lines. Attila and his hordes, however, plundered thousands of star systems, inflicting severe devastation and terrifying the local inhabitants.

On 1 July 1151, King Penda of Marcia issued a declaration of war against the Brestord Kingdom, honoring his promises to the Supreme Commander of the Huntite Khanate. Marcian units stationed at Hypasia Major, Bach Dang, Valeris V, Thang Long, Angelica, and Kelvania, swiftly advanced into the Tof Borderlands. They conquered Bad'sai (2-7 July 1151) and subdued the worlds of the Tof Borderlands Route (10-11 July 1151). Their offensive, however, now bogged into inactivity, as Attila had organized his defensive units in those regions effectively. These units destroyed Penda's main offensive fleet in the Battle of Latrice (12 July 1151) and forced him to withdraw from his conquests in the Tof Borderlands. Penda was thus unable to make any more territorial gains. He did however, prevent Brestord forces from advancing into remaining Marcian territories, and he was able to dispatch units to the Huntite Khanate, under the command of his general Edgar, to assist Bodi Aligh in his stand against the Brestord invaders. Bodi Aligh, during those first days of July 1151, had managed to hold back Attila's forces. Attila however, now received assistance from Rechiar, who launched a vigorous offensive against Constipex and Millard (8-11 July 1151).

Bodi Aligh again had to divert units to the Kimanian Trade Run, allowing Attila to conquer Hunt Minor (12 July 1151); subdue Gedrosia Max (13-14 July 1151); and harry the Mauryan Worlds (15-16 July 1151). On 17 July 1151, Bodi Aligh sent a plea for assistance to Theodoric, imploring the Ashllgothian King to join him in stopping the Brestords. Theodoric, who was growing more alarmed about Attila's offensives, and who soon feared that he would become a target, responded to Bodi Aligh's plea. On 19 July, after two days of deliberations with his advisers, the Ashlgothian King signed the emergency Pact of Allison with the Huntite Khanate, pledging his units to assist in stopping Attila. On 20 July, King Theodoric and his two sons, his subordinate commanders Thorismund and Theodoric, at the head of a large Ashlgothian armada, joined Bodi Aligh and his forces. On 21 July, Rechiar declared war against Theodoric and sent units against Ashlgothian Roastafaria. He was unable to make significant advances, however.

Attila, determined to inflict a severe blow on the Huntite Khanate, and hearing of Theodoric's new alliance with the Huntite Supreme Commander, launched a major offensive against the Huntite stronghold of Constipex on 23 July. Attila believed that if he conquered Constipex, it would allow him to link with Rechiar and impose a vise on the remaining strongholds and bases of the Huntite Khanate towards Jasonia and the upper Kimanian Trade Run. The Brestord force, upon reaching Constipex, suppressed all supply lines to the star system, blockaded the system's satellites and space stations, and placed ships above Constipex's shields. Over the next four days, the star system resisted fiercely. On 26 July, Bodi Aligh and Theodoric received a plea from the System Commander, the Kimanian General Kimuvan, imploring their assistance in repelling the Brestord marauders. A day later, just as Attila's fleet was on the verge of destroying Constipex's defense shields, the combined Dasian-Ashlgothian armada appeared in the star system. Attila found himself at danger of being cut off and was thus forced to withdraw from his siege with his troops. He and his main force were now pursued by the corps of Bodi Aligh and Theodoric, all the way north to Hunt Minor and Timur's Star.

In the meantime, Melorkian, Alexandrian, Rudorite, Amelianian, and Jageronian units under the command of Merovech, Edgar, Sanigban (a Armane mercenary in service of the Huntite Khanate), and Thorismund reconquered Lorna (28-29 July 1151) and destroyed the Brestord-Jarjanic fleet of Gardiner (1-2 August 1151). On 4 August, Bodi Aligh wrecked Attila's secondary transport fleet at Nikki Lowell, and six days later, he penetrated all the way to Joey, clearing Brestord units away from the vicinity of Jasonia. Rechiar, in the meantime, launched further offensives into Ashlgothian territory, assaulting Nandia, Greg, Larkin, and Emily Deuistiania without success (5-10 August 1151). On 13 August, Theodoric's son, the younger Theodoric, destroyed a Jarjanic armada in the Battle of Bookman, forcing Rechiar to terminate any further campaigns in that direction. On 16 August, the Alexandrian leaders Yaseric and Maclevius were overthrown and killed by their chief military subordinate, Gondioc, who restored the alliance with the Huntite Khanate. On 18 August, Bodi Aligh and Theodoric, having reconquered Samarkand and the Sk'atha Cluster, came to the decision to lure Rechiar and Attila into a trap. They chose Catalaunia, a obscure world in the outskirts of the Huntite Wild Marshes.

Using their superior knowledge of the hyperspace routes and travel highways of the Huntite Khanate, Bodi Aligh and Theodoric lured Rechiar from Leo's Redoubt on 19 August, fooling him into believing that Jasonia was defenseless and exposed to any offensive which he could launch. Rechiar, however, was diverted by the probes into Catalaunia. Attila himself, having received false messages from probes sent by the Supreme Commander and the Ashlgothian King, was also tricked into conducting a hyperspace jump with his forces to Catalaunia. Bodi Aligh, in the meantime, commanded Gondioc, Sangiban, Edgar, Thorismund, and Merovech to join his forces. They did so during the early hours of 20 August, bringing considerable mercenary and barbarian units. Some hours later, Attila conferred with his chief military commanders, ordering that his battleships, destroyers, and cruisers engage the enemy forces in combat. A Brestord priest predicted that "one of the enemy leaders will see his death this day." Attila believed that it would be Bodi Aligh. Afterwards, the battle commenced, as the Brestord squadrons launched a offensive against the Huntite and Ashlgothian enemy positions, which were forwarded by the Armane units of Sanigban.

Sanigban was forced to fall back, but inflicted severe damage on the Brestord command drones. Soon however, Thorismund launched a surprise offensive against the Brestord flank, forcing Attila's cruisers and dreadnoughts to retreat towards the Outer Catalaunian Belt, while Bodi Aligh annihilated the starfighter units which were harrying Sanigban. Theodoric now ordered for a surprise offensive to be launched against the Jarjanic command lines, in the hopes of isolating Rechiar from his ally and crunching him into a vulnerable pocket. Although the Jarjanics were isolated from the Brestords, Theodoric's command ship, the IANS Eye of Theodoric, was assaulted by Jarjanic Calxuh-class starcraft, which disrupted the ship's forward defenses. Theodoric and his command officers were seriously wounded when the shields gave out, causing a explosion which decimated much of the ship bridge. Theodoric died two hours later in the arms of his son Thorismund. Thorismund, who now became the supreme commander of the Ashlgothian forces as a result of his father's death, ordered for a offensive against Rechiar's command force and to the lines of Attila's outer flank, while Merovech launched a offensive against Attila's household and supply units. Bodi Aligh, in the meantime, mopped up Jarjanic and Devianiani units at Catalaunia.

Attila himself now found his main formation assaulted, and the King of the Brestords was forced to flee from his command bridge, which was severely damaged by Ashlgothian and Huntite starfighters. Most of the Brestord officers on the bridge were killed or seriously wounded, having no means of escape as was provided to their master. Attila's escort starships, disoriented and weakened by the earlier frontal assaults, were driven away, surrounded, and either captured or severely damaged. Rechiar, in the meantime, ejected from his ship in a escape pod, but was soon captured by Huntite and Melorkian starfighters. The King of the Jarjanics was presented before Bodi Aligh on the Huntite command ship, the Ancestor's Wedge, who commanded for him to be bound in chains. Attila himself, weakened by the severe damage inflicted on his supply lines, and the disorientation of his main fleet, was forced to retreat to the outskirts of the star system. He was unable to escape because Alexandrian, Rudorite, and Kimanian units blocked the path of his flagship to the hyperspace juncture. Thorismund, however, pursued a further assault against Brestord couriers, and with a landing party, embarked on the chief one. In the combat which followed, he was wounded. His men managed to take him back to the command ship, where he recuperated from his wounds.

Bodi Aligh subsequently called a halt to the day's offensives, so as to allow his units to reorganize. Attila still had a sizable force of destroyers, dreadnoughts, and couriers, as well as a force of transports and marauders left, although it had been shorn of its supply, escort, and Jarjanic formations. The following morning, the deceased King Theodoric was honored in a ceremony of mourning by the Ashlgothian elders and military commanders, a ceremony attended by Bodi Aligh. Gone was another who had been one of Bodi Aligh's contemporaries. Bodi Aligh by this time had come to respect Theodoric for his military prowess and sincerely mourned his loss. Thorismund, enraged by the death of his father, now demanded that a offensive be launched against the Brestords to completely annihilate their ranks. Bodi Aligh however, vetoed that demand, fearing that if Attila was captured or killed, nothing could stop the Ashlgothians from then exploiting the new state of affairs. He did however, agree to a blockade to be imposed on Attila's transport and marauder units, which thus were cut off and forced into a isolated pocket. These units were eventually forced to surrender by the middle of the day. Attila himself, his dreams of conquest collapsing, nevertheless still refused to acknowledge defeat.

Bodi Aligh now decided to allow Attila to escape with his remaining offensive units and flagship squadrons, as he did not wish for the Brestord hordes to be destroyed completely. He encouraged Thorismund to return quickly to the Ashlgothian dominions, upon the expulsion of remaining Brestord forces from Huntite territory, so that he could secure his possession of the Ashlgothian throne. Thorsimund agreed to do so. Attila himself, whose force had been seriously weakened by the major defeat of the Battle of Catalunia, was now compelled to retreat to the north. Bodi Aligh quickly recovered Hunt Major (21-23 August); Sheldonia (25 August); Gabriella (26 August); Hasselbeck (27 August); Walters (30 August); Iego (1 September); Robert (2 September); and the upper Huntite Worlds (3-5 September). Rechiar, in the meantime, was forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Catalaunia on 7 September 1151. By the terms of this agreement, he conceded all of the Barsar Regions with the exceptions of Plath, Skold, and Jarman back to the authority of the Huntite Khanate.

He severed all ties with Attila, pledged himself as a vassal to Khan Dost, and promised to never again wage war against the Huntite Khanate. Two days later, the Treaty of Plath restored peace between Ashlgothia and the Jarjanic Dominions. Thorismund, in the meantime, secured his position as King of Ashlgothia (8 September 1151), which he was to hold for the next two years. Bodi Aligh, on his part, found himself unable to advance across the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route (September-November 1151), as Attila's defensive forces in those regions repelled his offensives and assaults. Attila too, needed time to recuperate from his extensive losses. As such, the Truce of Iego was signed on 4 December, providing for a termination of hostilities until May of the following year. Attila signed a similar truce with Penda of Marcia on 9 December.

====Attila's Invasion of the Crimeanian Khanate; Indecisive Conflict with Penda; Assassination of Attila; Restoration of the Homidinian Khanate; Civil War among Attila's Sons; Revolt of Valamir and Ardaric; Battle of Nedao; The Destruction of Brestord Power; Assassination of Thorismund and Ascension of Theodoric II; Conspiracy of Dost and Khorchin; Assassination of Bodi Aligh; Downfall and Assassination of Dost; Usurpation of the Huntite Throne by Khorchin (1152-1155)==== Bodi Aligh subsequently focused his efforts on recovering from his losses in the campaigns against the Brestords, assembling financial and governmental resources from throughout the dominions of the Huntite Khanate, and preparing for future conflicts with the Brestord Kingdom. On 8 December 1151, the Huntite Supreme Commander returned to Jasonia, where he was greeted by Khan Dost. The Khan saluted the Supreme Commander and gave him his thanks for "insuring the continued existence of the Huntite Khanate." He subsequently declared his hope that Bodi Aligh would continue to preserve Huntite interests. Attila, on his part, engaged in further negotiations with Genseric, so that he could obtain his revenge against Bodi Aligh. The King of the Brestords now considered the possibility of campaigning in the Crimeanian Khanate, Bodi Aligh's personal dominion. This would drain Huntite resources and expose the Robertian Regions to renewed Brestord offensives. After months of negotiations, the Treaty of Way'tosk was signed between Kuevia and the Brestord Kingdom on 5 February 1152. By the terms of this treaty, Genseric granted rights of military passage through his territories to the forces of Attila. Attila, on his part, promised to secure Roastafaria, Crimeanian Eutagia, Hooper, Sanegeta, and Podrac for the Kuevian King. With this agreement thus made, Attila and his military commanders resumed their plans for war.

Finally, on 4 May 1152, Attila declared a resumption of hostilities with the Huntite Khanate and also issued a declaration of war against the Crimeanian Khanate specifically. Brestord units, stationed at Elijahana, Meris, Beharis, Shenandoah, Vickis, Choir, Uris, and Acamaria (with the permission of the Kuevian King), immediately launched a series of swift offensives into Crimeanian territory. At the same time, Brestord and Kuevian units pushed towards Robert, Iego, Hasselbeck, Walters, Garnett, Ber Bachman, and Prestley. As regards to the Crimeanian offensives, the hordes of Attila immediately gained a string of victories. Hooper was conquered (5-7 May); followed by Sanegeta (10-11 May); Drennan (10 May); George (11-15 May); Podrac (16-19 May); Eutagia (20 May); Mormon (21-22 May); Chapelle (24 May); Jared (26 May); and Osiana (27-28 May). In the Robertian Regions, Robert fell to the Brestord forces (9-17 May), but Bodi Aligh managed to halt Kuevian offensives against Samarkand, Leah, Lorna, and the Sk'atha Cluster. He then defeated a Brestord auxiliary fleet in the Battle of Gargonia (20-25 May 1152). The Huntite Supreme Commander now commanded Rechiar to dispatch him military assistance, so that he could pursue renewed offensives against Kuevian territory. Genseric had issued a formal declaration of war against the Huntite and Crimeanian Khanates on 27 May.

Rechiar, however, who had maintained correspondence with Genseric, and who still desired to recover lost territories, refused the Supreme Commander's demands. On 29 May, he declared war against the Huntite Khanate and rejected the overlordship of Khan Dost. On 1 June, Offshora was conquered by the Jarjanics, followed by Afdari two days later. Abshire was besieged and conquered on 6 June. Bodi Aligh was now forced to dispatch units to the Orion Cluster, Christopher, Bookman, Kimanis Mooria, Kimania, Messalina, and Samantha, to shore up the Huntite position in the Eastern Barsar Regions. On 11 June, shortly after the Brestord conquest of the Nathanliete Borthani systems, Bodi Aligh sent a plea for assistance to King Thorismund of the Ashgoths. Thorismund, although he agreed to support the Huntite Khanate, refused to send units to assist the Supreme Commander in the Crimeanian Khanate.

By the end of June, Nathaniel and Denver had both fallen into the hands of the Brestord hordes, while Genseric, mustering his units from Majoria Schall, Hoohshkikk, Pockaria, Vickis, Uris, Choir, and Shenandoah, advanced into the Huntite regions. He besieged and conquered Hunt Minor (1-9 July 1152), which was followed by the conquest of Samarkand (10-11 July) and the Sack of Natzadha (12-19 July). Bodi Aligh, however, managed to protect Hunt Major, Sheldonia, and Meredith from assaults by the barbarian coalition. King Penda of Marcia, hearing of the Supreme Commander's plight, resumed hostilities against Attila on 22 July. Marcian forces stormed Bad'sai (24-29 July 1152); subdued Billy (30 July-2 August 1152); and secured Amaya (3-9 August 1152), before penetrating to the Galactic Frontier Route. Substantial Amelianian reinforcements also arrived in Huntite territory. Bodi Aligh was able to launch a series of counteroffensives from 12 August. He secured Hasselbeck (13 August) and stormed Walters (19 August), before defeating Genseric's main offensive fleet in the Battle of Leon (20-22 August).

On 25 August, Attila clashed with a Marcian-Nordanian force dispatched through Donguarian space at Pressburg, and suffered a humiliating defeat. Amelianian task forces subsequently drove Brestord units away from the Murphian Trade Spine (August-September 1152), while Genseric retreated from Samarkand, the Sk'atha Cluster, and Hunt Minor. Then on 7 October, Bodi Aligh sent a peace offer to Attila. He offered to recognize Brestord control of the Homidinian Khanate and Kuevian control of Hooper and Eutagia, in exchange for a termination of hostilities. Attila, who wished to turn his attention to the threat posed by Penda in the Galactic Borderlands, and who was alarmed by dissensions simmering in his Homidinian territories, accepted the offer on 11 October. Genseric, however, attempted to hold out, and only a Huntite offensive against Shepherd and Meris compelled him to ask for peace on 25 October. On 29 October, the Congress of Iego was opened. The Treaty of Iego was eventually signed on 8 November 1152, confirming Bodi Aligh's arrangements with the two barbarian monarchs. Attila now withdrew his hordes from the Crimeanian and Huntite territories, retreating back to his own dominions.

During November and December 1152, the King of the Brestords waged a vigorous conflict with the King of Marcia in the Tof Borderlands, the Satian Regions, the Hypasian Regions, and along the Galactic Frontier Route. Although he managed to recover Tof and Latrician territories lost to the Amelianian forces, he was unable to breach the Muggal Cluster or advance into the central Galactic Borderlands. Penda, on his part, grew increasingly exhausted by the conflict, for it imposed a severe burden on his financial resources. Eventually, on 27 December 1152, he sent a request for peace. The Treaty of Kaigay was signed on 1 January 1153, restoring the status quo ante bellum between the two monarchs and their territories. Subsequently, Attila focused his attention on crushing uprisings and revolts which erupted on Calms, Buranti, Brlla, Gibbs-to-Lester, Homidinia, Coronadia, Jacobs I, Xilania Major, Xilania Secondary, and Calrissan (January-February 1153).

Bodi Aligh, during those months, conceived a plan to finally get rid of his great Brestord rival. In a secret session of the Huntite Senate on 21 January 1153, the Supreme Commander suggested to Khan Dost that they could exploit Attila's known fondness for women. Dost at first refused to follow through with this suggestion, as it reminded him of what had transpired with his own sister, who was still living under her forced marriage with Borgai. Eventually however, after much persuasion had been applied by the Supreme Commander and his subordinates, Dost approved the plan on 3 March. Two days later, the Huntite Khanate dispatched a new ambassador to the court of Attila on Chalassia (which he had established as his new capital world), the Dasian diplomat Ligden (1091-1154). Ligden was honored by Attila in a greeting ceremony on 7 March.

Among those within Ligden's entourage was a beautiful Robertian woman, Ildico (1121-53). As the Ambassador participated in the welcoming ceremonies at the Brestord court, the servants and escorts which he had brought with him acted as servitors to those who were entertained in the ceremonies. Attila's eyes alighted immediately upon Ildico, who waited upon his personal table. According to Priscus Mersaria (1113-91), a Laurasian officer and space-traveler who served on the Staff of the Laurasian Ambassador to the Brestord Court, Eugenius Marcus (1099-1171), Ildico's "form, enchanting way of speech, charm, alluring eyes, and way of conduct" were what brought in Attila's attention. Ildico, however, although she put up the appearance of such, did not "bear any sort of affection or love for the King of the Brestords, for her view towards him was one of anger, vengeance, and sheer cruelty." Ildico had cause for her personal attitude towards Attila: her family, which had resided peacefully at its homestead on Jamaia III (a Robertian colony world), had been slaughtered by some of Attila's Brestord troops during his invasion of the Huntite Khanate, in June 1151. Ildico herself had barely managed to escape with her life, and was soon taken in by a kindly Sheldonian space navigator onboard his personal transport.

In September 1151, however, the navigator was killed in a skirmish with Jageronian pirates near Dickinson, and Ildico fell into their hands. She remained in their captivity until 22 October 1152, when Huntite patrol units dispersed the pirates and rescued their captives. Ildico immediately fell under the notice of Bodi Aligh, who visited Dickinson (2-5 January 1153) to compensate those who had suffered losses at the hands of the Brestords. The Supreme Commander noted her ways of deception, and decided that she would fit perfectly into his plans. He also took note of her startling resemblance to En'dara, Attila's first wife, who had died shortly after childbirth in January 1135. Subsequently, the Supreme Commander took the young woman under his wing, training her in what he intended and telling her that she would have the revenge for the deaths of her family which she sought. Thus it was on 5 March that she was placed in the entourage of Ambassador Ligden when it was dispatched to Attila's court.

During the days following his first encounter with Ildico, Attila spent more and more time around her, paying Ambassador Ligden a considerable financial compensation for allowing the young woman to enter his personal Brestord household. The King of the Brestords, who held the memory of his beloved En'dara dear, and who desired another wife to add to his collection, soon decided that he wanted Ildico as his new chief wife. Ildico, on her part, did not resist his ventures, and instead encouraged them, telling him that she loved him (which was not true). On 1 April, after further weeks of this game, Attila announced to his advisers that he intended to enter a engagement with Ildico, in preparation for a marriage. His advisers, especially his Halegothican secretary, Orestes, were skeptical of Ildico and her ways, warning the King of the Brestords that she may not be what she seemed. Attila, however, refused to listen to them, and on 6 April, announced his engagement to Ildico. Bodi Aligh and Dost were pleased at the progress of their plans, of which they had informed Penda and Thorismund, who both concurred. Then on 7 May, the King of the Brestords and Ildico were married in a lavish ceremony at the Great Estellan Sanctuary of Chalassia, a ceremony attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers.

That wedding night, again according to the account of Mersaria and to surviving holosecurity records from the time, Ildico offered Attila a drink before they were to consummate their marriage, claiming that it was the "custom of my bloodline." Attila, who knew nothing of the customs and traditions of the Robertians, fell for this ploy and took the drink, which Ildico had mixed with the fast-acting neuro-rhyllite salt, a poisonous toxin provided to her by the Ambassador on Bodi Aligh's orders. Drinking it down, Attila then proceeded to lay Ildico on the bed. It was then however, that he was stricken with a great pain. Ildico then pushed him off her and declared that she was doing this "to gain revenge for my family, whom you, acting in the name of the Cretsos (i.e. the Robertian Devils), slaughtered and scattered." Attila clutched his throat as blood oozed from his face. He was suffocated and then died afterwards, calling out her name and the name of the Devil before dying. Ildico, pleased that her enemy was dead, then waited for Orestes and his men to burst into the quarters. Orestes, seeing her lying next to the body of his deceased master, took his vibrosword and cut her throat. She died without fear, telling Orestes before he killed her that "she welcomed the embrace of the Agent of Death."

News of Attila's death filtered out from the Khan's Palace of Chalassia. Bodi Aligh and Khan Dost, who were on Hunt Major to supervise the annual Maily Ceremonies, received word of the death of the King of the Brestords during the early hours of 8 May. According to contemporary accounts, Bodi Aligh was supposed to have leaped from his command throne and fallen to the ground, thanking the Lords of their Ancestors most fervently for "allowing us to dispose of one who has so long harmed the safety of the Dasian Khanates and of other states in this Galaxy." Dost, on the other hand, remained restrained. He was already formulating plans of his own. Thorismund received word of Attila's death shortly thereafter, as did Rechiar and Genseric. His reaction was also in a positive fashion. Rechiar however, whose war with the Huntite Khanate had finally ended in April 1153 with a return to the status quo ante bellum, was said to have cried and screamed, mouthing obscenities at those around him and cursing all in Creation. Genseric on his part, remained restrained, but remarked, in a strikingly prophetic way, "the Huntite Khanate has suffered severe damage, great casualties, and considerable strains. She will drown in the flames of Death in no more then three decades, maybe two." Penda of Marcia, for his part, praised the death of Attila, and on 10 May, ordered his subjects to celebrate Attila's death until the end of the year. After several more days passed, Attila was buried at Chalassia on 16 May. Orestes and those others in attendance wailed pitifully, sincerely mourning "the loss of the great monarch."

With the death of Attila, the Brestord Kingdom lost its strength and cohesiveness. Attila had added the Homidinian Khanate and most of the northern Galactic Borderlands to the Brestord dominions during his nineteen-year reign, but had failed to subdue the Huntite Khanate or conquer the Crimeanian Khanate. His severe defeat at the Battle of Catalaunia had disheartened his military commanders, and his inability to chase Bodi Aligh into surrender had convinced many that the Supreme Commander would always overcome any challenges which were posed to him. Attila had also left behind troubles, which were soon to wreak havoc upon the succession to his realm. At the time of his death, the King of the Brestords had 150 wives and 800 concubines, including the traitorous Ildico, who had actually been elevated to the position of his chief wife. He had 50 sons and 70 daughters. Of those, however, only the three eldest sons, Ellac, Dengizich, and Ernakh, were in the line of succession, according to Brestord law. Ellac, who had served as his father's chief military subordinate during the last four years of his reign and had participated in the wars against the Homidinian, Huntite, and Crimeanian Khanates, now looked eagerly towards becoming the next King of the Brestords.

Attila had implemented a succession law in 1149, which provided for Orestes and the Ark'lag to hold the regency for two months after his death, so that all the arrangements for the occupation of his throne could be consolidated. The proper formal homage ceremonies would also be arranged during this time. Orestes, who was sworn in as Chief Regent on 17 May, made it clear to Ellac that it was within his power to determine all of the succession arrangements. Ellac simmered, and began collecting secret units at Norah, Xilania Major, Lacia, Greyson, Lawson, and other strongholds. His two brothers also began to assemble their own personal units as well. From the beginning of June, new uprisings against Brestord authority erupted on Scanlan, Buranti, Etti, Theodore, Andrea Doria, Mackenzia Major, and Edmundia, forcing Orestes to delay his handling of the succession arrangements. Ellac now saw this as his opportunity, and on 9 June, declared his intention to assert himself. Five days later, he advanced upon and occupied Chalassia with little resistance. On 22 June, a hastily summoned session of the Ark'lag proclaimed Ellac to be the new King of the Brestords, in violation of the Succession Law of 1149. Ellac was formally hailed as King on 26 June.

Orestes received word of these events at Outpost 389, where he was engaged in confronting Edmundian and Whoopiee pirate bands who had threatened Brestord military outposts and garrisons in that particular region. The Halegothican General knew that he had little chance of bringing his master's son to order, and as such, decided to not resist. Ellac, who was angry for Orestes for making it harder for him to ascend to the Brestord throne, declared the Halegothican General a outlaw of the State on 1 July, deprived him of all his titles and positions, and confiscated his properties. Orestes's own fleet officers turned on him, and on 3 July, he was forced to flee in a unmarked transport. Evading capture by Brestord task fleets, the Halegothican General managed to cross the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route two days later. He hurried to Hunt Major, being received by a surprised Bodi Aligh and Khan Dost. Orestes at first suggested that he be given a force so that he could go to Brestord dominions, to reassert his position. Bodi Aligh, however, who perceived that Ellac would soon be confronted with major issues of his own, and who did not want a powerful figure in control of the Brestord Kingdom, restrained him.

On 9 July, the Supreme Commander ordered for Orestes to be secretly confined at Prestley. He was now proved right in his assumptions about Ellac, as a civil war began to flare in the Brestord territories. Dengizich and Ernakh, who had wished to divide the Brestord Kingdom among themselves as their personal dominions, now combined their military units. On 11 July, they entered into a state of rebellion against their brother. They immediately stormed and conquered Greyson (12-19 July 1153); harried Lacia (20-25 July 1153); and subdued the worlds of the Kledis Var Trade Line (July-August 1153). Ellac was now forced to pull units from the Homidinian regions to defend the Lacian Cluster and the Northern Territories. Throughout August and September, he engaged in a vigorous conflict with his brothers, as Chalassia, Alyssa, Chalassion, Dromund, Gwendolyn, Markis Prime, Mocktrialis, and Capone were threatened. Neither was able to make any decisive advances, however.

Bodi Aligh, taking advantage of anti-Brestord tensions which simmered in the occupied Homidinian Khanate, now decided to restore the ousted Khan Yulan and Khaness Jaethong to power. They had resided at the court of Jasonia as diplomatic guests since their deposition by Attila. On 3 September, Yulan and Jaethong were sent with a considerable fleet of their own to reclaim their position. They swiftly occupied Brlla (4-5 September 1153); subdued Dion (9-12 September 1153); and secured the loyalty of Homidinia (13-19 September 1153). On 21 September, a force sent by Ernakh to halt their advance was defeated in the Battle of Ian, and two days later, they penetrated into the Lacian Cluster, reaching Dromund. Ellac was forced to retreat from Chalassia on 29 September. On 5 October, Yulan and Jaethong made a victorious reentry onto Chalassia, reclaiming their positions as co-rulers of the Homidinian Khanate. Jaethong, however, who was exhausted by the campaigning, and whose health had been in decline for the past several months, entered into a coma on 10 October. Yulan was acknowledged as sole Khan of the Homidinian Khanate on 16 October, shortly after the imperial doctors confirmed that the Khaness was beyond hope of recovery.

Jaethong died on Chalassia on 22 October 1153, and was buried in the world's chapel six days later. Yulan now launched further campaigns against the Brestords, forcing Dengizich to abandon Kledis Var, Gwendolyn, and Markis Prime (1-9 November 1153). He was unable to advance beyond Ian and Gibbs-to-Lester into the Burglais Arm, which remained in Brestord possession. On 16 November, he sent a offer for peace to Ellac, offering to assist him against his brothers if he in turn acknowledged the restoration of the Homidinian Khanate in the territories that it had retaken. This would allow the Brestords to retain the Burglais Arm and the territories north of the Lacian Cluster. Ellac at first refused the offer, but eventually accepted on 21 November, when Yulan threatened to ally himself with the King's opposing brothers. The Treaty of Jaycee was signed on 25 November 1153, confirming these arrangements. Afterwards, Yulan sent reinforcements to Ellac, who now managed to conquer Houston (26 November); Tyson (27 November); the Oirat Complex (29 November-3 December); Glassia (5 December); Vandross (6 December); Sernapasia (7-10 December); and Karakorum (10-15 December) from his brothers. By the end of 1153, Dengizich and Ernakh had been forced to retreat to Coronadia, Edmundia, and English Star.

Bodi Aligh, who was pleased that Brestord power had been held back by the restoration of the Homidinian Khanate, spent the last months of 1153 and then the early months of 1154 reorganizing Huntite military units, expanding the Huntite treasury, and cultivating the resources of the Crimeanian Khanate. Thorismund of Ashlgothia, who had become unpopular with his governmental officials and military commanders, was in the meantime deposed and murdered by his younger brother Theodoric (20 December 1153). Theodoric was acknowledged as King of Ashlgothia two days later, as Theodoric II. The new King of Ashlgothia decided to remain peaceful with the Huntite Khanate for the time being however, knowing that it was in his best interests. On 22 December, he was recognized as King by Khan Dost, who promised to continue positive relations with the Ashlgothian Government. Two days later, the Treaty of Brooke One was signed, by which Theodoric, in return for a perpetual military pledge by the Huntite Khanate, revoked the earlier demands of tribute for access to Crimeanian territory. Penda, in the meantime, signed new treaties with Bodi Aligh, Theodoric, and Yulan (23-29 December 1153), confirming earlier alliance arrangements. 1153 thus ended with the Huntite Khanate at peace. Events continued to transpire in the Brestord Kingdom, however. Ellac, Dengizich, and Ernakh grew gradually exhausted by their constant conflict.

In January 1154, Ellac defeated Ernakh in the Battle of Mocktrialis, and subsequently advanced to the vicinity of Etti, but was unable to penetrate into the Burglais Arm. At the same time, Xilanian, Calrissian, and Nandi rebel bands stirred up trouble for his garrisons at the Galactic Frontier Route and across the Western Regions, forcing him to divert units. This allowed Ernakh to recover his position at the lower reaches of the Corporate Trade Corridor and to seize Karakorum (February-March 1154). By the end of March 1154, Ellac had managed to crush the rebellions, and a series of further skirmishes at Belkadan, Vandross, Xilania Major, Tak, and the Highway of Camar drove down the will of both sides. Finally on 17 April 1154, after more indecisive skirmishes and ambushes, Ellac sent a peace offer to his brothers, offering to share his throne with them as a co-King. Dengizich and Ernakh, realizing that they could not subdue their brother through military force, accepted his offer on 25 April. The Treaty of Werther was signed on 1 May, establishing these arrangements. On 6 May, the three brothers were crowned co-Kings of the Brestords on Munist and embraced each other publicly, as was Brestord custom.

A new and more dangerous rebel threat to Brestord authority now emerged however, directed against all three of the brothers. It was posed by the various barbarian auxiliaries and hordes under Brestord command. The Halegothicans and Armanes, who had simmered under Brestord dominance for the past several decades, were the two primary groups which yearned for their independence. The Halegothicans at the time were led by their barbarian King Valamir, who had become the commander of the Halegothican auxiliaries for the Brestord forces on 22 September 1147, and was then elevated to the rank of a vassal king by Attila on 22 March 1151. Valamir had served in Attila's campaigns against the Homidinian Khanate and Huntite Khanate, being one of those who fought under him in the Battle of Catalaunia. He managed to escape the grasp of Bodi Aligh and his allies, fleeing with Attila away from the battlefield. In 1152, Valamir had then led his Halegothican bands in battle during the Crimeanian campaigns, becoming known for his prowess and tactical brilliance, although the Brestords still ended up withdrawing from that conflict.

Now with Attila dead, with the Homidinian Khanate restored, and with Attila's brothers having exhausted themselves through their extensive civil war, Valamir spotted his opportunity. On 20 May 1154, the King of the Halegothicans convened a secret military conference of his commanders at Andrianne, a world along the Galactic Frontier Route which had been assigned by Attila to the Halegothicans as their colony-world. At the conference, Valamir declared that continuing subjection to the Brestord hordes was "a insult to our honor" and stated his wish to establish a new barbarian kingdom in the Galactic Borderlands. Six days later, he signed a secret agreement of cooperation with the King of the Armanes, Ardaric, who had held his position since 1148 and had been another vassal of Attila. Ardaric had also been present at the Battle of Catalaunia and had served in his master's Huntite/Crimeanian campaigns. Ardaric, too, wished to secure independence for his people.

On 2 June 1154, Valamir and Ardaric erupted in formal rebellion against their Brestord overlords at Houston, having swiftly moved their hordes there in preparation for their campaigns. They quickly conquered Karakorum (3-9 June 1154) and harried Syr-Daria (10-15 June 1154) before securing Theodore (16 June); Buranti (17-19 June); Andrea Doria (22 June); Scanlan (23-24 June); Tyson (25 June); the Oirat Complex (26-29 June); and Sernapasia (1 July). Ellac, Dengizich, and Ernakh, who were surprised by the sudden outburst of this revolt, now moved their forces to the Corporate Trade Corridor. They were determined to maintain Brestord authority over the various vassal peoples. Valamir, however, destroyed a Brestord fleet in the Battle of Glassia (2-9 July 1154) and then secured the worlds of the Corporate Sector (10-15 July 1154), before seizing Mary-Lou in a surprise offensive (17 July). Ardaric, on his part, inflicted severe damage on Brestord military posts and garrisons at the Larkian Way, shredding through the supply lines of Ellac and Dengizich. Nandi Diri was subsequently conquered (18-21 July 1154) by the rebels, who thus confiscated one of the largest Brestord military bases. Ellac and Dengizich attempted to bring the rebels to heel by launching surprise offensives against Karakorum and Belkadan, which failed (22-29 July 1154). By 5 August, Valamir and Ardaric had secured the whole of the former Northern Khanate, and began advancing towards Lawson, Greyson, Mocktrialis, and Capone. Ellac now sallied forth to stop the rebel forces. He intercepted them at Nedao on 7 August.

In the battle which followed, Valamir and Ardaric brought their superior organizational skills and their higher level of morale and will to bear. The Halegothican and Armane squadrons broke the command lines of the Brestord fleet, penetrating all the way to Ellac's flagship. The Brestord transports, starfighters, and couriers were trapped in a isolated pocket and soon annihilated. Valamir then severed all supply lines to Nedao, preventing Dengizich and Ernakh from coming to the assistance of their brother. Afterwards, Valamir and Ardaric personally led a boarding party to Ellac's flagship, whose shields had been disarmed. Battling their way through Brestord warriors, the two allied monarchs then reached the flagship bridge. Ellac had been urged by his subordinates to abandon the ship, but he, conscious of his honor, refused and declared his determination to fight. He therefore drew his honor blade and engaged Valamir and Ardaric in combat. The odds of course, were completely against him, and although Ardaric was slightly wounded, they soon disarmed Ellac and plunged their blades through his stomach. Ellac fell to the ground. Grunting, he told Valamir and Ardaric that "he had died for the glory of his race." They retorted by gloating at their achievements and mocking Ellac for not living up to the level of his father. Ellac died shortly thereafter. Subsequently, the remainder of the Brestord fleet was either captured or scattered, and the Battle of Nedao ended in a complete victory for the Halegothicans and Armanes.

Following the Battle of Nedao, Valamir and Ardaric consolidated their position within the territories of the Brestord Kingdom. On 9 August, they besieged and conquered English Star, scattering Brestord units out of that sect of the Burglais Arm. Two days later, they destroyed a fleet dispatched by Dengizich in the Battle of Taraning, securing that stronghold for their forces. By the end of August, Coronadia and Edmundia had also been subdued, and the majority of the upper reaches of the Burglais Arm had been conquered. On 1 September 1154, Valamir and Ardaric received diplomatic recognition of their rule of independent kingdoms in the northern Outer Borderlands from Khan Dost. Two days later, Homidinian Khan Yulan, who realized that the independence of the Halegothicans and Armanes would deal a severe blow to the Brestords, accorded diplomatic recognition. He was then followed by Penda of Marcia (6 September); Honorius II of Laurasia (8 September); the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (10 September); Theodoric II of Ashlgothia (11 September); the other Amelianian monarchs (12-13 September); Rechiar (14 September); Torchaldio II of Merlita (14 September); and now even Genseric (15 September), who stated that his alliance with the Brestord Kingdom had been terminated by the death of Attila.

On 16 September, Kaleb was secured by the Halegothicans, followed a day later by Mackenzia Major. Dengizich and Ernakh, realizing that they could not recover their territorial losses in the Burglais Arm, and alarmed by the possibility of a new conflict with Penda, decided to make peace with the rebels. They sent a offer for such on 17 September. After two days of negotiations, the Treaty of Branston was signed on 19 September 1154. By the terms of this Treaty, the Halegothicans obtained independence as a kingdom encompassing the worlds of the Burglais Arm (Edmundia, Coronadia, Jacobs I, English Star, Mackenzia Major, Mackenzia Minor, and the Corporate Sector), while the Armanes became a independent kingdom encompassing what had once been the Dasian Northern Khanate. With the Treaty concluded, Dengizich and Ernakh returned to Munist on 20 September, humiliated.

Major events transpired in the Huntite Khanate, in the meantime. By July 1154, Khan Dost had begun to nurture ambitions of wielding absolute authority over the Dasian state completely by his own effort. As such, he had begun to turn against Bodi Aligh. The Supreme Commander had won further acclaim from the population of the Huntite Khanate as a result of his victories over Attila, Rechiar, and Genseric during the conflicts of the past three years. Although further territory in the Crimeanian Khanate had to be yielded, the Supreme Commander had managed to recover the majority of the Eastern Barsar Regions for Huntite authority. And yet he was despised by many within the Huntite court and government. The Khan himself was at the center of those who wished to now remove the Supreme Commander. It was another official, however, who pushed the Khan towards moving against Bodi Aligh: the Huntite Senator, Household Chamberlain, and Br'aar (Brigadier) General Khorchin. Khorchin was a ambitious figure, who eventually intended to supplant the Khan himself and become the new ruler of the Huntite Khanate. He was further motivated in this goal by a horrific action committed by the Khan. On 22 July 1154, the Khan summoned to his court Khorchin's beautiful wife, the Robertian woman Iladio, who had been married to the General just a month prior. She was soon surprised to find herself having dinner with the ruler of the Huntite Khanate.

It was then that Dost pushed her off the table, knocked her down to the ground, and came over her. Although she resisted, he managed to overwhelm and rape her. Iladio, who had been humiliated and ashamed, went and told her husband, cursing all the Lords of the Ancestors and imploring that Dost be punished for his deeds. Khorchin thus decided to move against Dost, both in light of this and in light of his natural ambition. He knew however, that only with the death of Bodi Aligh could his plans be fulfilled. Khorchin had served on Bodi Aligh's staff since 1143, and as such, had eventually become one of the Supreme Commander's chief administrative subordinates. He thus had a intimate awareness of his master and his household. Subsequently, Khorchin, hiding his knowledge of what the Khan had did to his wife, held numerous secret audiences with Dost during August 1154. In these, he communicated his intentions to Dost, knowing that the Khan wished to be rid of Bodi Aligh. Dost, unaware of Khorchin's greater motives, decided to acquiesce to a assassination plot, in which he was supported by Tolui, his personal steward and Household Master. Bodi Aligh, on 7 September 1154, received reports of a plot aimed against him: who it was that was plotting against him, his agents said, was a "figure of importance". The Supreme Commander decided to ignore the reports, declaring that they were "based on false grounds" and that the Khan himself would continue to protect him, obliging by his promises to insure Bodi Aligh's legal immunity.

Then on 21 September 1154, Dost summoned the Supreme Commander to his presence in the Great Hall of the Golden Palace of Jasonia. In his summons, the Khan claimed that it was for the discussion of military levies for 1155. Bodi Aligh had been summoned to such meetings before, and as such, he thought it was another routine session. He was however, ordered not to bring any weapons with him. The Supreme Commander quaked, but decided to oblige, for his position had been built on the image of him remaining subordinate in public to the Khan. The Supreme Commander, when he stepped into the chambers with his entourage, noticed that Khorchin and Tolui were on each side of the Khan's throne, and that both of them had venomous looks on their faces. Khan Dost then spoke, stating that the session was not for the purpose of a financial discussion but that instead, he had uncovered evidence that the Supreme Commander was engaged "in heinous, despicable, and covert actions against this Khanate, so that its stability, strength, and unity may be undermined." Bodi Aligh attempted to defend himself, pointing out that he had only sought for the "preservation and maintenance of Huntite interests" over the previous twenty-nine years. Dost then shouted him down and declared that "the righteous will prevail." The Khan drew his vibroblade and rushed from his throne, lunging at the defenseless Bodi Aligh.

Bodi Aligh now attempted to flee the chambers, and in one last desperate call, he reminded those present that Dost had guaranteed his immunity from legal punishment. Dost however, said that did not save him from punishment by the Khan's hands, and that the decree was thus inapplicable in this case. He then plunged his vibroblade into Bodi Aligh's stomach. The Supreme Commander clutched his throat and fell to the ground. Bodi Aligh's final words were: "You have severed your right hand with your left. You have doomed our race." He then died. Dost, whose robes were covered with blood, then got up and ordered his guards to take Bodi Aligh's body away. Two days later, the Khan announced that Bodi Aligh had died of "a heart attack while presenting his statements to me in my chambers." This was false, however, and by the end of September, sources within the Imperial Household had released information to the Holonet about what had actually happened. Dost, seeking to prove the wrong to these rumors, ordered for Bodi Aligh to be given a official state funeral on 6 October, himself acting as chief mourner. By now, however, few believed that the Khan had not killed Bodi Aligh. The reaction to Bodi Aligh's death was universal. Yulan, Theodoric II, Penda, Honorius II, Ardaric, Valamir, Rechiar, and Genseric all expressed their deepest sympathies for the Supreme Commander, although the last two rejoiced the fact that his death had removed their last formidable Dasian enemy. Even Dengizich and Ernakh expressed their deepest condolences for the Huntite Khanate on the loss of Bodi Aligh. All of these monarchs, through their spies, knew that Bodi Aligh had been murdered by Khan Dost, although they took care to deny that fact in public.

The death of Bodi Aligh proved to be a major blow to the Huntite Khanate. For nearly twenty-nine years, Bodi Aligh had been the one who had preserved the Khanate and protected it against its enemies. He had fought and held back the Kuevians, Brestords, Jarjanics, Jageronians, Rudorites, Melorkians, Ashlgothians, Alexandrians, Devianiani, Armanes, and a variety of other barbarian peoples, rebel bands, pirate armadas, and criminal gangs. Although the Supreme Commander had been forced to yield Huntite and Crimeanian territories, and was never able to fulfill his goal of completely destroying Genseric and his kingdom, he had managed to maintain internal security by crushing the only major internal challenge to his authority, by Kaidu in 1132-33, which had briefly deposed him from his position. Bodi Aligh also gained everlasting fame for his victory over Attila in the Battle of Catalaunia, for contemporary historians labelled him "the savior of the Dasian Civilization and the terror of the Barbarians." As Stilicho had maintained the existence of the Huntite Khanate against the threat of Alaric during the 1090s and 1100s, Bodi Aligh had done so during the 1120s, 1130s, 1140s, and 1150s, against Genseric, Theodoric, Attila, Rechiar, Cholodio, and Jurgunia, among others. However, at the time of his death, the Huntite Khanate was even more impoverished and weak then it had been when he first became Supreme Commander.

Bodi Aligh had bled the financial resources of the Khanate dry to maintain the military forces and the governmental bureaucracy. Per capita income within the Huntite Khanate, which had been €100 trillion dataries (in eighteenth century Laurasian currency) per star system with a population greater then one billion in 1125, had declined to just €35 trillion dataries in 1154-1155. The population density had fallen from about 5 million per star system in 1125 to just 1 million in 1154-1155. Unemployment rates, even with military mobilization and conscription efforts, had skyrocketed because of the destruction or severe damage inflicted on commerce, hyperspace routes, manufacturing, agriculture, and shipbuilding, among other industries, rising from 6% in 1125 to nearly 17% by 1155. The Huntite military was truly deficient of Dasian-bred soldiers by 1155, who now comprised only about 15% of the total forces. The rest was comprised of Robertians, Huntites, Sheldonians, Gabriellians, Mauryans, Gedrosians, Kimanians, Barsarians, Huttiles, Jageronians, Rudorites, Jarjanics, Brestords, Amelianians, Melorkians, Ashlgothians, Halegothicans, Laurasians, mercenaries, and other non-Dasian units. Finally, Bodi Aligh had been unable to prevent the loss of the Denveranian Trunk Line regions to the Jarjanics, parts of Hooper and Eutagia, as well as the Middle Territories and the western Robertian Worlds, to the Kuevians, and parts of the Kimanian Trade Run to Ashlgothia. Nor had he been able to prevent the reduction of the Homidinian Khanate's size, even with its restoration.

We shall now chronicle the events to March of 1155, to the assassination of Khan Dost, and will then turn our attention to affairs in the Core Regions, as transpired with Laurasia, the Kazanian Khanate, the Venasian Khanate, and the Crimeanian Khanate. Those events were also important for the Caladarian Galaxy. The Khan, after assassinating the Supreme Commander, now declared himself the Supreme Commander of the Huntite military forces and finally assumed all the vestiges of autocratic authority which he had supposedly possessed since 1137. Dost however, proved as incapable and foolish a ruler as he had been when he was little more than a puppet monarch. Moreover, he was unable to command the loyalty of Bodi Aligh's barbarian troops, who in November 1154, learned of the true reason for their master's death. From 20 November onwards, large numbers of Armane, Rudorite, Jarjanic, Jageronian, Melorkian, and Amelianian units began to desert from the Dasian military and return to their colony-worlds, which Bodi Aligh had allocated to them. The Khan attempted to halt these desertions by implementing new and harsh disciplinary measures, but these proved unsuccessful. By 8 December, his army and navy had been reduced to less then one-half of their previous size. Then on 10 December, Theodoric revoked his alliance agreements with the Huntite Khanate and refused to allow Huntite forces to reach Crimeanian territory any longer.

Crimeania was engulfed in its own troubles by this point, which will be described with more detail below. Genseric also grew increasingly hostile towards the Huntite Khanate, and on 15 December, banished the Huntite Ambassador from his court. Homidinian Khan Yulan also revoked military alliance arrangements with the Huntite Khanate and drove Huntite consuls off Chalassia. Dost, encountered on all sides by these new issues, proved unable to handle them. He also found new troubles for himself at the court. Ever since Bodi Aligh's death, Khorchin had petitioned the Khan for the right to become Bodi Aligh's successor as Supreme Commander. Dost, however, who wished to wield all authority by himself, and who was told by Tolui that no one should be allowed to become as powerful as Bodi Aligh had been, rejected his petitions. On 23 December, the Khan proclaimed that the position of Supreme Commander was "forever abolished" as a independent office from that of the Khan. Khorchin now moved towards the final stage of his plans, as he was now fully determined to become Khan in Dost's place. He spent the last weeks of December 1154 formulating his first strategies, being encouraged by his wife, who wished for Dost to die because of what he had done to her.

The year 1155 opened with the typical New Year's celebrations. The Khan Dost, ignoring the issues which were now multiplying for him, and believing that his position as sole ruler was fully secure, contented himself with these celebrations. Events continued to transpire however. On Nikki Lowell, Newman Victoria, and Cox, Khorchin had begun to assemble his private units and squadrons, so that he could quickly secure control of the Barsar Regions once assassinating the Khan. He also conducted a secret correspondence with Genseric, who on 27 January 1155, declared that he hoped that Khorchin would be successful with his conspiracy. On 2 February, the Khan's sister, the miserable In'sara, died at her husband's redoubt on Pensagass, still bitter about what had transpired in the past. Rumors spread that she had committed suicide, but this was vigorously denied both by her husband and by Khan Dost.

Eventually, in 1756, the Laurasian archivist Sir Stylus Apollinarius (1709-97), who was working through the Archives of Leah, discovered the secret autopsy report of 9 February 1155, issued for the Huntite Court, which stated that In'sara had indeed "taken her own life." Khorchin proceeded with his plans. On 21 February, he established contact with two Brestord military guards, Optilla and Thraustila, both of whom had fought under the command of the Supreme Commander. The two Brestords had been in his service since 1136, and developed a great loyalty to him. As such, they stayed by the side of their master when he was confronted with the threat of their very own species, led by Attila. Khorchin knew that the two wanted revenge on Dost, whom they believed had been solely responsible for the death of their beloved master. Thus, when Khorchin approached them about joining his plot to assassinate Dost, they had no qualms about doing so.

On 27 February, Khorchin secured their appointment as the Khan's personal escort. Dost, who knew nothing of the intrigues, was led to believe that the two men had transferred the oath of homage (a Brestord custom) to him upon the death of Bodi Aligh. In reality, however, they were plotting against him, learning about his security detail and discussing how they would kill him. Eventually, after weeks of being in Dost's personal presence, the two launched their plot on 16 March 1155. On that day, Khan Dost departed on his personal craft from the Palace of Jasonia, intending to visit Sheldonia, Downs, and Upper Morsia. He was escorted by Tolui, who was another target of Khorchin's plans, as well as by Optilla, Thraustila, and their men. Once the craft had went into hyperspace, Optilla and Thraustila turned their blasters on Dost and Tolui, who were enjoying themselves in the thermal bath, along with a bevy of concubines who were entertaining them. Dost, when he saw those blasters pointed at him, demanded the reasoning for "their heinous actions." Optilla then announced that Dost had been responsible for the death of the "Saintly Commander, Bodi Aligh, who will forever be honored by the Lords of your Ancestors and our Gods of the Blood."

The women around the bath were then told by Optilla to head out of the room, which they did so quickly. Optilla then came up to Dost and pressed his blaster against the Khan's temple, knocking it across his face. Dost screamed in pain. Thraustila then used his blaster to kill Tolui by shooting him in the head, causing his brains to scatter about the room. Dost grew scared, but he now attempted to disarm Optilla. Optilla however, brought himself out of the Khan's way and set his blaster on the highest level, firing it at Dost. Dost died instantly. Afterwards, Optilla and Thraustila directed their men to take command of the ship's piloting chambers, and brought the craft back to Jasonia. Once at the Golden Palace of Jasonia, they stepped off the craft, having robbed the body of Dost of its robes and diadem. They then went to Khorchin, who was in his personal office, and presented him with the Khan's accouterments.

Khorchin now proceeded to announce the news of the Khan's death. He claimed, in a official proclamation to the subjects of the Huntite Khanate, that Dost had died because his thermal bath had suffered a overheating issue, which caused it to burn through his skin and that of Tolui, incinerating them. Khorchin then declared that the Khan had left a personal testament, supposedly issued on 29 January 1155, which granted Khorchin the permission to summon a assembly of the leading government, court, ceremonial, diplomatic, and military officials so as to decide the succession to the Huntite throne. The Brigadier General, after making these statements, then secured possession of Dost's personal craft and the bodies of the Khan and Tolui. The Palace Guards and Auxiliary Regiments of the Khan swore allegiance to Khorchin. Khorchin however, now encountered some opposition. Factions at the Huntite Court and within the Government supported the claims of Hasan Yurlurg to the throne.

Hasan Yurlurg, who had been Bodi Aligh's former personal bodyguard, and who claimed to be a descendant of the Kimanian Khan Hasan Burzurg, of the tenth century, was supported by the Primary Guards of the Military. The future Khan Dayan, who had been Bodi Aligh's Chief of Staff during the last years of the Supreme Commander's dominance, was supported by the Planetary Forces of Hunt Major, Hunt Minor, Samarkand, and Robert. Khorchin, however, had secured control of the Household and the majority of the nobles, who had been attending a assembly on Jasonia at the time of Dost's murder. He also had the support of the remaining mercenaries in Huntite service and of the Huntite Senate. On 17 March, the nobles, government officials, and Huntite Senate, in a special session on Jasonia, formally proclaimed Khorchin the new Khan of the Huntite Khanate. Hasan Yurlurg posed no opposition to the new Khan and quickly submitted. Dayan, however, did not pay homage to the new Khan until 26 March.

====Conspiracy of Rolamarie and Soloymbinka; Final Laurasian War with the Kazanian and Venasian Khanates; Exploits of the Solidaritan Commander Erutugul; His Efforts secure Victory; Revolt of Erutugul against Honorius the Terrible; Concessions to the Solidaritans; Solidaritan Invasion of the Kazanian Khanate; Defeat and Deposition of Yadegar Mohammad; Establishment of the Solidaritan Sultanate; Revolt of Mameshbirde; Economic Measures of Honorius the Terrible; Rise of Vathanius; Briannian War of Liberation; Revolt of Kennatha; Overthrow of the Venasian Khanate and Establishment of the Neo-Venasian Consortium (1150-1156)==== Having provided such extensive detail about the affairs of the Huntite Khanate, the Brestord Kingdom, the Homidinian Khanate, as well as Ashlgothia, Kuevia, the Kingdom of the Jarjanics, and Melorkia, we must now turn our attention to events which transpired within the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. The 1150s were also eventful years for Laurasia. During that decade, two of the three Dasian Khanates in the Core Regions would be destroyed completely, while the third would be severely weakened. Briannia, Polonia, Solidarita, and Venasia (restored to native rule) would emerge as new states within the Core Regions and as challengers to Laurasia. We shall turn our attention to how the Solidaritan Sultanate emerged. As mentioned above, Honorius II of Laurasia had neglected to honor and recognize the accomplishments of his Solidaritan units under the command of Erutugul, who had obtained victory for Laurasia in the Safarite Rebellion. Erutugul, as has been stated above, was angered by this, and as such, decided to draft plans for asserting the independent position of his species. His opportunity came with the outbreak, ironically, of yet another Laurasian war against the Kazanian Khanate.

Khan Safa Giray had died on 29 December 1149 at his Palace on Kazan, and was succeeded by his three-year old son, Utames Giray. Utames Giray was obviously too young to govern, and as such, the affairs of the Kazanian government and state came under the control of Khaness Dowager Soloymbinka (1120-59), his mother. Soloymbinka had been appointed by her husband in his will to govern during their son's minority. She formally assumed her position on New Year's Day 1150. Soloymbinka proved to be a relatively effective Regent. Soon, however, her ambitions widened. The Regent of the Kazanian Khanate fell in love with one of her Councilors, the handsome and energetic General Genghis Rolamarie (1108-51). Rolamarie, who was a half-Dasian half-Michaelite, nevertheless had risen to a high position within the Dasian Government. He was ambitious and determined to extend the power of the Kazanian Khanate at the expense of Laurasia. He believed that continuing subjugation to the authority of the Laurasians was humiliating to the honor of the Dasians.

Gradually, the General converted Regent Soloymbinka to his views. By November 1150, he had become the Regent's lover and was soon appointed as the new President of the Regency Council, second in rank and position only to the Regent herself. The Regent now began to draft plans to overthrow Laurasian overlordship and reassert the full independence of the Kazanian Khanate. She also became determined to recover territories which had been lost to the Laurasians, including Alexandra, Frederickslandia, Leopoldia, Big Twinny, Masssanay, Sassanay, Deanna, Michael, Wendy, Coen, and others. Quanna, Leronn, and Sheryl, which had remained in Kazanian possession, now became assembly bases for new Kazanian task forces, as did Kazan itself. Attila, who had not yet launched his major campaigns against the Homidinian and Huntite Khanates, signed the secret Treaty of Abraham with the Kazanian Regent on 22 December 1150, offering the Regent and President financial subsidies, Brestord mercenaries, and Brestord military weapons for their use in their planned campaigns. The Regent also sent overtures to the Venasian Khan, Yamghurchi Khan, who had ruled since his accession to the Venasian throne on 21 September 1144 and had until this point remained at peace with his neighbors, despite occasional border clashes and skirmishes with King Genseric of Kuevia. Yamghruchi, however, now desired to recover the former Venasian worlds of the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, and he also wished to acquire Decapolia, Selena, Archleuta, Colsonia, Ipsus V, Tyleria Perea, and Jessica Perea.

As such, in January 1151, the Khan responded to the messages sent by the Kazanian Court, offering a military alliance with them, to be directed against Laurasia. A month later, on 6 February, the secret Treaty of Monderon was signed, by which the Venasian Khanate pledged to cooperate with the Kazanian Khanate in all military campaigns against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Two months of military mobilization and preparation now followed, with Honorius II still unaware of what was transpiring. Finally, on 11 April 1151, Soloymbinka and General Rolamarie rejected the overlordship of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and issued a declaration of war. Kazanian forces overran Massanay (12 April 1151); destroyed a Laurasian expeditionary force in the Battle of Sassanay (14 April 1151); and subdued the lower reaches of the Kazan Capital Region (15-22 April 1151). On 23 April, Yamghruchi of the Venasian Khanate issued his own declaration of war against Laurasia. His military mobilization efforts had been delayed however, because of his weak financial standing and the severe dissensions against his rule emanating from the Venasians, who were by now itching for independence. As such, a Venasian offensive against Permi failed (24-27 April 1151), while a Laurasian force, based at Decapolia Major, destroyed the Venasian shipyards of Lister (28-29 April 1151). Meanwhile, however, the Kazanian forces had subdued Coen (25 April); Wendy (26 April); Methasulah (27 April); and Leopoldia (28-29 April).

King Honorius, who was now alarmed by the advances of the Kazanian forces, and who was somewhat alarmed by the declaration of war from the Venasian Khanate, a state which had been relatively isolationist since the end of the Second Great Goldarian War, now decided that he himself would take command of his military forces. The King however, had no prior military experience, and what he had learned of the military had been acquired through games and simulations within his royal quarters, when he was younger. Archbishop Sylvester and Councilor Alackavius both attempted to persuade the King to remain at Laurasia Prime, and to find another military commander who could lead the counteroffensives against the Kazanians. Honorius, however, refused to heed their advice. On 3 May 1151, the King of Laurasia conducted a military review in the Ceremonial Square of Christiania, which was located adjacent to the Celestial Palace. He was attended by Pope Macarius, his wife Queen Consort Anastasia, Archbishop Sylvester, Councilor Alackavius, and the other members of the Royal Council, as well as the leading officials of the Royal Court and Household. The King himself was dressed in full military uniform. Two days later, he departed from Laurasia Prime with his force, which was comprised primarily of the 1st Laurasian Fleet and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Support Squadrons. Honorius reached Katherine, where he took command of Laurasian starfighter and cruiser squadrons which had been mustered there. Then on 6 May he advanced northwards towards Durglais, which was now threatened by the Kazanian forces.

The following day, he obtained a surprising victory over the Kazanian fleet, repelling their offensive against Durglais and capturing a number of enemy cruisers, battleships, dreadnoughts, and destroyers. Honorius now hurled into the lost territories, and on 8 May, he reconquered Michael, disrupting the Kazanian supply lines. Over the next several days, Deanna (9-10 May); Coen (11 May); Impania (12-15 May); and Wendy (16-19 May) were recovered. General Rolamarie, however, was planning a series of counteroffensives, and on 22 May, he sent a major task force against Briannia, Nystadia, and Alania. These worlds, which had been stripped of their garrisons to provide advance units for the retaliatory Laurasian force, proved a easy prey to the Kazanians. All three of these worlds had fallen by 26 May. Then on 27 May, he conquered Ipsus V and scattered a Laurasian fleet at Shawnie, which had been a Laurasian assembly base. On 29 May, Honorius attempted to intercept Rolamarie at the Belts of Mantin, which were along the lane to Quanna, which had become a Laurasian target. Rolamarie however, outflanked him, and soon cut off Honorius's supply lines emanating from Rebecca. On 4 June, Michael was reconquered by the Kazanians, who then drove past Coen and destroyed Laurasian bases on Wayland, Emma, and Dennis. On 6 June, Honorius was defeated in the Battle of Massanay, and two days later, that world and Sassanay were both retaken.

Assuming a new confidence because of the victories obtained by the Kazanian Khanate, Yamghruchi Khan now decided to step up his offensives, and to prove that the Venasian Khanate could still exert itself militarily. On 8 June, the Venasians defeated a Laurasian force in the Battle of Smithia and overwhelmed that world's shields, plundering its cities and causing severe damage to the famed Scientific Institute of Smithia. Two days later, Archleuta was conquered, and that world, which was even more renowned for its educational facilities, also suffered the disgrace of a plunder. Yamghruchi then annihilated a relief force dispatched by Honorius from Dorothy in the Battle of Brent (10-13 June 1151). He now overran Selena (14-19 June 1151); subdued Tyleria Perea (20 June); Jessica Perea (21 June); and Decapolia Major (22-23 June). On 25 June, the Venasians reached Schaueria Prime and easily persuaded its Grand Duchess, Asthalia (who had ruled since 22 January 1150), to switch sides and pledge herself as a vassal to the Venasian Khanate. On 26 June, Yamghruchi besieged and captured Greenia. Two days later, the defenses of Hordania were breached, and Laurasian units at Dorothy, Anusia, Compost V, Hammenor, and the remains of Bristalai were placed on alert.

During all of this time, General Rolamarie repelled repeated counteroffensives launched by Honorius and secured Frederickslandia (20-29 June 1151), destroying the last of the Eastern Laurasian Strongholds. Honorius was now desperate. On 1 July, a revolt commenced on Courdina V, whose native inhabitants believed they had the chance to establish their independence. Courdina V was occupied by the rebel movement entirely by 4 July, who, under their leader Anul Hanin, encouraged tensions on Gordasis, Metallasia, Scout, Andriana, Mercedes, and Chloe. Honorius was forced to divert units from the other fronts to crush these rebellions, which were not fully subdued until 8 July. In the meantime, Rolamarie conquered Meaganian (4-9 July 1151) and sacked Reese (10 July), before threatening Capital, Tommy, and Arias (11-15 July). On 16 July, he defeated another force sent by Honorius in the Battle of Manil. On 17 July, Yamghruchi conquered Dorothy and drove towards Compost V, forcing Laurasian units in that region to retreat.

Honorius now turned to his hope of salvation: the Solidaritan units. On 19 July, after the Laurasians had suffered a further defeat in the Battle of Stoughton, the King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians sent a humble request to General Erutugul on Patsy, asking for the Solidaritan band-leader to "muster his honorable units in battle, so that the dominion of your master may not be overwhelmed and destroyed." Honorius bid Erutugul to use his forces against the Kazanian Khanate and reestablish the advantage for the Laurasians in that area of space. Erutugul was still extremely bitter over the matter of his humiliation, a year and a half earlier. At first, he refused to respond to the message sent by his overlord, and on 22 July, privately joked with his officers that the head of Honorius "would soon be dancing upon a electro-pole." As he reconsidered the situation, however, Erutugul changed his mind. On 25 July, after Honorius lost Tommy to the Kazanian fleet, Erutugul sent a response to the King's message, declaring that he was willing to come to the assistance of his overlords. In his response, however, Erutugul demanded that the Laurasians pay him and his men compensation for their efforts as well as pay a financial tribute of $30 trillion dataries every year for the next fifteen years. He also wanted to be recognized as "Sultan of Solidarita", which would thus elevate him to a rank almost equal to that of his overlord.

Honorius bristled under these demands, but as his situation continued to deteriorate, he finally yielded. Sylvester, in fact, was the one who was able to finally guide him towards accepting Erutugul's demands, stating that if the King did not do so, he would be "damned to all eternity for causing the ruin of our species at the hands of the Dasians for a second time." On 27 July, Honorius accepted all of Erutugul's demands. Erutugul subsequently agreed to serve in the military campaigns against the Kazanian and Venasian Khanates, and on 28 July, Honorius restored him to the command positions which he had held previously. Pursuing his policies of superior speed, deception, and use of knowledge on space, Erutugul recovered Tommy (29 July-1 August 1151); drove the Kazanian fleet away from Capital (2-3 August); and reconquered Meaganian (4 August). Thereafter, he destroyed a Kazanian fleet in the Battle of Chancia (5-9 August) and moved towards Nystadia, which was recovered five days later. Reese was then recovered (17 August 1151); followed by Briannia (18 August); Alania (19 August); and Ipsus V (20-22 August). All of this was transpiring as Attila and Rechiar clashed with Bodi Aligh and Theodoric at Catalaunia.

On 24 August 1151, Erutugul annihilated the chief Venasian force in the Battle of Bristalai. The following day, he recovered Dorothy and severed Yamghruchi's supply lines to the blockades of Compost V and Bluegaria. On 27 August, he recovered Smithia in a surprise offensive and isolated Schaueria Prime from outside trade. On 30 August, Grand Duchess Asthalia sent a request for peace to the Solidaritan General. On 4 September 1151, the Treaty of Shiloh-to-Schaueria was signed, by which the Grand Duchy of Schaueria Prime again submitted itself to Laurasia as a vassal. On 5 September, Erutugul recovered Hordania and drove the Venasian units away from the borders of the Outer Core. During these days, he repelled Kazanian counteroffensives launched along the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route and maintained his re-conquests in that region. On 8 September, he drove to Uber-Commerce and Decapolia Minor. Two days later, Yamghruchi was crushed in the Battle of Archleuta, and was forced to withdraw his units still remaining in Laurasian territory. The Venasian Khan was now suffering severe internal pressures and troubles at his court. On 13 September, he sent a request for peace to the Solidaritan General. The Treaty of Millia-in-Core was signed on 16 September 1151, restoring peace between Laurasia and the Venasian Khanate on the basis of the status quo ante bellum. With the Venasian Khanate out of the war, Honorius and Erutugul could now turn all of their attention towards the Kazanian Khanate. On 18 September, the Second Battle of Stoughton resulted in a decisive Laurasian-Solidaritan victory. Methasulah was reconquered two days later.

On 22 September, Big Twinny and Kristiania were reconquered by Erutugul, who drove a wedge into the eastern Kazanian territories. On 29 September, General Rolamarie was defeated in the Battle of Coen and was forced to yield that world back to the Laurasians. He launched a counteroffensive, directed against Rebecca, on 3 October, which was defeated two days later. On 7 October Michael and Deanna were recovered by Honorius. Two days later, Frederickslandia and Alexandra were occupied by Erutugul, who now threatened the eastern reaches of the Kazan Capital Region. On 12 October, General Rolamarie launched a offensive from Wendy, aimed towards Dennis, Cuoko, and Emma. This was defeated by Erutugul and Honorius five days later. On 22 October, Massanay was reconquered by the Laurasians, followed by Sassanay (26 October) and Cibourney (29 October). On 2 November, Honorius sent a offer for peace to General Rolamarie and Regent Soloymbinka, offering a return to the status quo ante bellum. The General, however, who still held grand ambitions, refused the peace offer in the name of the Regent on 4 November. Honorius and Erutugul now intensified their campaigns. On 5 November, they won a victory at Mantin, and two days later, Quanna was besieged and captured. Large stores of Kazanian military equipment, including Brestord weapons, shields, and armor, were seized. On 10 November, Laronn and Sheryl both fell to the Laurasians, thus shattering much of the Kazanian war effort. Leopoldia, which was firmly recovered on 12 November, became the new Laurasian base for a new offensive into the Kazan Capital Region.

On 15 November, Kazan itself was besieged by a Laurasian-Solidaritan fleet. For over a month, the defense fleet and garrison of Kazan resisted the Laurasian invaders fiercely, as General Rolamarie was determined not to surrender. He even had his mistress, the Regent, bring out her son from the Palace and present him to the population, to remind them who they were fighting for. Eventually, however, the defenses of Kazan were breached, and the world was finally overrun on 20 December 1151. General Rolamarie, Regent Soloymbinka, and Utames Giray were all captured by Erutugul and his men, who led the landings in the Kazan Capital District. They were transported to Laurasia Prime two days later and presented before King Honorius, who gloated over them and lambasted Rolamarie for his failure to respond to Laurasian "graciousness". He then ordered for the General to be taken and executed on the Station of Jadia. Rolamarie was thus incinerated on 25 December, shouting down curses upon Laurasia and her people before dying. As for Regent Soloymbinka, she was allowed to enter a monastery of Dasian Mysticism on Katie, where she remained until her death on 11 February 1159. Utames Giray, who was still a young toddler, was now given the titles and rank of a Laurasian Prince, and placed in the household of the Count of Ietas, to be raised as a Laurasian nobleman. He ended up living a very long life, witnessing numerous events, including the Horacian War, the wars with the Solidaritan Sultanate, Honorius's domestic oppression, the reigns of Theodosius the Feeble and Eurymaschus Gadavarnius, the Time of Laurasian Troubles, and then the reign of Leonidas. He eventually died at Darcia on 12 January 1242 at the age of 96.

On 26 December 1151, Honorius, seeking to truly bind the Kazanian Khanate to Laurasian subjection, restored Shahghali, who was still alive and had adapted himself to the life of a Laurasian nobleman in the years since 1146, to the throne of the Kazanian Khanate. Shahghali however, was forced to sign the Pact of Kazan, by which he pledged absolute fealty to the King of Laurasia, promised to submit to governmental and court supervision of Laurasian officials and consuls at his court, and agreed to turn over all Kazanian archives, intelligence information, and confidential governmental data to the Royal Laurasian Government. The Khan was to be allowed to have only a token military force and could only declare war against a non-Laurasian power with the approval of the King. Honorius would be permitted to station garrisons in the Khanate, which was restored to its post-1149 territories. Laurasian subjects would have extraterritorial privileges in Kazanian territory. For crimes committed in Kazanian territory, they had the right to be tried by Laurasian courts. They were exempted from all Kazanian tariffs, levies, and taxes; allowed to traverse across Kazanian territory without any harassment; and exempted from following Kazanian laws on non-criminal matters. The Laurasian Ambassador to the Kazanian court was granted protector-ship over all foreigners in Kazanian territory. Finally, Laurasia was granted a right of unlimited intervention in Kazanian affairs, when rebellion, civil war, or economic dissent threatened. These terms were harsh ones for the Kazanian Khanate to follow.

Honorius returned to Laurasia Prime on 29 December 1151, and was again greeted by the population of the capital world with a variety of parades, banquets, festivals, military displays, and other such celebratory ceremonies. The King, when reviewing the formal Military Parade from the balcony of the Celestial Palace, was attended by Archbishop Sylvester, Councilor Alackavius, Erutugul, the other members of the Royal Council, Pope Macarius, the leading Cardinals, Metropolitans, and Archbishops of the Almitian Church, Queen Consort Anastasia, the members of the Queen's family, the leading nobles and courtiers, and the chief household officials, among others. A spirit of jubilation and celebration existed on Laurasia Prime, and in his New Year's proclamation of 1 January 1152, Honorius declared to his subjects that "Laurasia will always repel threats from her foes." By this point, he was already secretly formulating plans for finally annexing the Kazanian Khanate directly into the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Other events however, were to take place, that would result in Laurasia not gaining the former Kazanian territories until the early fifteenth century. Honorius was now reminded by his advisers and ministers of his undertakings with General Erutugul.

This time, the King of Laurasia was told that he should not violate them. As such, on 3 January 1152, Erutugul and his men were formally recognized for their efforts in securing the Laurasian victory over the Kazanian and Venasian Khanates. Then on 7 January, Honorius compensated Erutugul financially for his efforts on behalf of Laurasia, paying him $11.7 trillion dataries. Erutugul now pressed for his recognition as Sultan of Solidarita. After several more days, Honorius honored that condition. On 15 January, he issued a royal edict which allowed Erutugul to claim the title of "Sultan of the Solidaritan Sultanate", as a vassal-monarch to the King of Laurasia. Erutugul was formally elected as Solidaritan Sultan by his commanders on 21 January, and was crowned as such on 27 January. It seemed that little more of turbulence would take place, at least for the time being. Indeed, the Core Regions did remain at peace during February and March 1152, as Honorius focused his attentions on expanding the Royal Court and consolidating his earlier reforms.

Within the Kazanian Khanate, which was now (unbeknownst to all at this point) in the last year of its existence, there still existed a severe anti-Laurasian sentiment. Shahghali was as despised and hated a ruler with the Kazanian Court and Government as he had been in his two earlier reigns, even after the elapse of nearly thirty-four years since he had first been selected as Khan of the Kazanian Khanate by King Arasces III of Laurasia. The Kazanian nobles and magnates still held ambitions of restoring their Khanate's glory, although they were aware of the military's weakness, the Khanate's economic instability, and its loss of cohesiveness, because of the concession of the Eastern Strongholds and the Southern Worlds to the Laurasians. The person who now emerged to take advantage of the situation was a Kazanian magnate and noble, Yadegar Mohammad, who had ironically, served in the Royal Laurasian Army as a mercenary from January 1142 to June 1150. This experience, however, had given him a knowledge of Laurasian tactics and military organization. Yadegar Mohammad, from his strongholds on Deserlia and Rastaborn, assembled his own private fleet. These preparations however, came to the notice of the Laurasian Royal Intelligence Agency on 8 April. Honorius II now ordered for a task force from Cibourney to advance, to subdue the noble and his force. Yadegar Mohammad, however, outflanked this Laurasian response. On 11 April, he formally declared himself to be in a state of rebellion and announced his intentions to restore Kazania's position as a completely independent state.

Five days later, he was joined by the majority of the Kazanian governors and magnates. Yadegar Mohammad subsequently conquered Cibourney (19-22 April 1152); destroyed the Laurasian task force in the Battle of Ablincoln (25-29 April 1152); and secured the Laurasian consulate of Doris (1-3 May 1152), before securing Quanna and Leronn (4-9 May 1152). On 12 May, he conquered Frederickslandia, disrupting Laurasian command lines. On 16 May, he secured Massanay and then advanced to Finch, Grunch, and Daramia. On 19 May, Shahghali begged Honorius II to spare him from a third deposition. Honorius now dispatched a considerable force north from Wendy, which was outsmarted and scattered by Yadegar Mohammad in the Battle of Candlewell on 22 May. On 27 May, Yadegar Mohammad seized Methaulsah, and on 2 June, he advanced into the Kazan Capital Region. Shahghali now attempted to muster his personal units to defend the capital world. His efforts failed however, and the rebel fleet appeared over Kazan on 6 June. After three days of skirmishing, Yadegar Mohammad overwhelmed Kazan's planetary defense shields on 11 June and sent his troops onto the world, who quickly broke the resistance of the Khan's forces. Shahghali himself was captured on 13 June, after a two-day search. He was brought before Yadegar Mohammad, who insulted him in the presence of his commanders. Yadegar Mohammad then ordered for him to be executed, which was carried out on 16 June. On 17 June, Yadegar Mohammad was acknowledged as Khan of the Kazanian Khanate by the Kazanian Government. He was the last Kazanian Khan, as it turned out.

Honorius II, who was alarmed by the final deposition and death of Shahghali, now decided to prepare a further expedition to Kazanian territories, to re-impose Laurasian overlordship over the Kazanian Khanate and depose Yadegar Mohammad from the throne. Naturally, he decided to turn to his Solidaritan commander, Erutugul, whom he considered to be the only one capable of bringing the campaign to a fully successful conclusion. On 20 June, he dispatched a Holocomm message to Erutugul, who was then engaged in a series of parades and festivals on Patsy, O'Neal, and Dullum. In this message, the King of Laurasia implored his "loyal vassal and ally" to again come to his assistance by leading another campaign in the Kazanian Khanate. Honorius promised to pay the military tribute for 1153 in advance, on 7 September 1152, and to pay Erutugul compensation for his mobilization efforts, for this new campaign. Erutugul, when he received the message, decided to see how far Honorius was willing to go in making concessions. On 22 June, after two days of deliberations with his Generals and Viziers, the Sultan of the Solidaritans sent a response to Honorius's message.

In this response, Erutugul demanded that he be granted Patsy, O'Neil, Dullum, Metallasia, Scout, Courdina V, Gordasis, Chloe, and the other Western Worlds as his own personal dominion, that Honorius revoke the terms of vassalage for the Solidaritans in the future, and that he pay a tribute so that the Solidaritans would not turn against Laurasia directly. Honorius however, was alarmed by this new series of Solidaritan demands. He did not wish for Laurasian territory to be reduced or the position of the state weakened. Archbishop Sylvester encouraged the King to resist these new demands and stated that Almitis would "stand with His Majesty", in doing what was right. On 27 June, Honorius refused Erutugul's demands, labeling them as "unacceptable" and demanding that Erutugul fulfill his obligations under the earlier arrangements.

Erutugul, however, who now saw the chance to finally establish the Solidaritan Sultanate as a territorial state, declared his intention to "establish his species by force, as they should have been established when they first entered this Galaxy." On 1 July, he erupted in rebellion against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, rejecting the overlordship of King Honorius. With his efficiently organized, well-trained, and well-disciplined forces, Erutugul launched swift offensives from Patsy and O'Neal. He besieged and conquered Kelby (2-3 July 1152); Chloe (4 July); Jenny (5-6 July); Courdina V (7-10 July); Metallasia (11 July); Gordasis (12 July); Merandaz (14 July); the Constantine Star Cluster (15-17 July); Andriana (18-22 July); Mercedes (24 July); Scout (25 July); and Andriana (26-28 July). A force dispatched by King Honorius, under the command of General Athanasius Masius (1095-1156), who had been one of the fleet commanders in the Safarite Rebellion, briefly managed to drive the Solidaritans from Americana (29 July-3 August 1152) and destroyed their outpost on Brown (4-5 August 1152), but was then defeated at Paradine (6 August 1152). On 10 August, Erutugul conquered Dearton's Gateway, followed two days later by Maroni. Solidaritan bands ravaged throughout the western reaches of the Laurasian PurseRegion, threatening Americana, Charasia, Darcia, Katherine, and Ralina Vixius. On 14 August, Erutugul besieged and conquered Chancia, cutting off Laurasian units at Blackria, Martina Mccasia, Nezbit, Durglais, Katherine, and Rebecca. On 17 August, he destroyed another force under General Masius in the Battle of Ellen, and five days later, even sent a survey probe to the very outskirts of the Laurasia Prime star system.

By the end of August, Americana had been occupied by the Solidaritans, who had also secured Janesia and were beginning to enter the northern Central Core. On 5 September, the conquest of Palimisiano by a Solidaritan task force forced Honorius, who was in the depths of despair, and who knew that he could not subdue Erutugul, to come to the realization that the Solidaritans were beyond Laurasian control. On 7 September, he sent a request for a armistice to Erutugul, who was planning a offensive against Caladaria and Darcia. Five days later, a conference was opened on Conservan. At first, Erutugul demanded that he be conceded all of the territories (the Western Worlds, Reaches of the Laurasian Purse Region, and Northern Melarnarian Districts) that he had conquered. Honorius however, with the assistance of Alackavius, who now proved his skill as a diplomat, was able to persuade him to other means. On 18 September, Alackavius proposed that, in exchange for abandoning his conquests within Laurasia, Erutugul be liberated from the terms of overlordship, acknowledged as the ruler of a independent state, given Patsy and O'Neal, and granted unbridled rights to campaign against the Kazanian Khanate, which was to be replaced by the Solidaritan Sultanate. Erutugul, who had long yearned to destroy the Kazanian Khanate completely, accepted this offer on 22 September.

On 26 September 1152, the Treaty of Conservan was signed, by which these arrangements were sealed. Honorius himself attended the signing ceremony. The King of Laurasia was humiliated and ashamed about the fact that the Solidaritans had broken loose of Laurasian dominance, but was nevertheless grateful that Alackavius had managed to preserve the Laurasian Western Territories for their master largely intact, with the exception of Patsy and O'Neal, which bordered the Kazanian territories in any case. Erutugul, who also attended the signing ceremony, was on his part very pleased, for he could now establish the independent Solidaritan Sultanate and vanquish the Kazanian Khanate. The following day, the bond of homage, which made Erutugul a vassal of the King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians, was broken in a ceremony on O'Neal, attended by the King, the Sultan, and their respective courts. Erutugul, now the Sultan of a independent Solidarita, began receiving diplomatic recognition from other states. The first foreign monarch to recognize him as Sultan was Penda of Marcia, who accorded his recognition on 28 September. He was followed by Dost (29 September); the other Amelianian monarchs (30 September); Genseric (1 October); Thorismund of Ashlgothia (2 October); Attila (3 October); the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (4 October); the Alexandrians (5 October); the Donguarian Stellar Emperor Botha II (1134-56) (6 October); Rechiar (7 October); Bodi Aligh as Crimeanian Khan (8 October); Torchaldio II (8 October): and Yamghruchi (9 October).

Then, with his forces prepared, and recognition secured from the other states, Erutugul declared war against the Kazanian Khanate on 12 October 1152. Yadegar Mohammad, assembling units at Methasulah, Laronn, Quanna, Sheryl, Asakan, Massanay, Sassanay, and Cibourney, attempted to thus protect his dominion from invasion. His efforts, however, were to end in failure. Erutugul hurled from Patsy and subdued Cibourney (13-15 October 1152) before destroying a Kazanian task fleet in the Battle of Yadeln (18 October). Two days later, he secured Massanay and drove Kazanian units away from the border with the Wild Marshes. Sassanay fell on 22 October. Finch and Grunch then fell (23-29 October 1152). Erutugulblunted a Kazanian counteroffensive launched towards Dennis (30 October 1152) and stormed Jubsia (31 October-2 November). On 5 November, he subdued Doris. Deserlia and Rastaborn were then secured (6-9 November), depriving Yadegar Mohammad of his earlier strongholds.

On 11 November, the Belts of Mantin were secured, and by 15 November, both Laronn and Quanna had fallen into Solidaritan hands. Erutugul subsequently ravaged the outer reaches of the Kazan Capital Region (16-19 November 1152), storming and conquering the bases of Sair, Berhamia, and Yogarnia. Then on 22 November 1152 Erutugul commenced his siege of Kazan. For the next month the planet resisted the Solidaritans fiercely, although Erutugul cut off all supply lines to the star system and destroyed its orbital defense armada early on. Yadegar Mohammad, who was desperate, sent pleas to Attila. Attila, however, who was recovering from his costly and unsuccessful wars with the Huntite and Crimeanian Khanates, and who was engaged in a fierce conflict with King Penda of Marcia, did not respond to the pleas. As such, Yadegar Mohammad was left to his own devices, as Yamghruchi refused to go to war against Erutugul, whose title he had so recently recognized. Eventually, as the blockade and siege dragged on, desperation and deprivation increased on Kazan. The subjects of Kazan now desired for their Khan to surrender, for they wished for peace. They would now prefer rule under Erutugul to rule under Yadegar Mohammad, who had been unable to maintain a stable economy within the Kazanian Khanate. On 25 December 1152, the defenses of Kazan were finally breached by the Solidaritan armadas. Erutugul and his troops now descended onto the planetary surface. Quickly subduing most of the planet, they then invaded the Kazan Capital District. Yadegar Mohammad attempted to evade capture.

On 27 December, however, he was revealed by the owners of a residence, with whom he had hid. The owners had been lured by Erutugul's offer of a considerable financial bounty to any who gave up the location of the Khan. Dragged before Erutugul, Yadegar Mohammad retained his dignity. Erutugul, who was impressed by this, decided to spare his life. Nevertheless, on 29 December 1152, Yadegar Mohammad was forced to abdicate as Khan of the Kazanian Khanate. All remaining Kazanian armies and fleets surrendered that day, and in the early hours of December 30, Erutugul was acknowledged by the Dasian nobility of the Kazanian Khanate as their ruler, as the Sultan of Solidarita. The Kazanian Khanate, which had been established by Olugh Mohammad on 9 May 1038, had thus ceased to exist after 114 years. It was the first of the breakaway successor states to the Golden Horde to disappear (the Great Horde had been the remnant of the Golden Horde proper) and the second of the Dasian Khanates, which had existed in 1095, to disappear from the face of the Caladarian Galaxy. Barely four years later, it would be followed by the Venasian Khanate. Yadegar Mohammad himself was allowed to retire to Doris, where he resided as a average nobleman until his death on 26 February 1167.

The Solidaritan Sultanate which had established itself on the ruins of the Kazanian Khanate was thus to survive until 1412, when it was completely dismembered and annexed into the Laurasian Empire by Demetrius the Fat. Throughout the remainder of the twelfth century, and during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, it was to be a major rival and antagonist of Laurasia. For the time being however, a unstable peace managed to ensue. Erutugul now turned his attention towards expanding his civil service, consolidating his newly-won dominions, and removing the vestiges of Dasian rule. On New Year's Day 1153, the Sultan of Solidarita abolished all Dasian laws and customs then in operation within his dominions, replacing them with Solidaritan laws and customs which had been introduced on Patsy and O'Neal since 1107. Five days later, he began the systematic cleansing of the Kazanian nobility, confiscating the estates and properties of various Dasian magnates, nobles, and gentlemen.

He gave these properties over to his loyal Solidaritan nobles, princes, and military commanders, who now became the leading property owners within what had once been the Kazanian Khanate. On 11 January, a firmat (Solidaritan decree) was issued which divided the Solidaritan Sultanate into districts, each of which was to have a military arkgol (general) and a administrative pasha (Governor), who was to maintain the Sultan's interests in that particular region. Kazan itself was renamed Istantius on 15 January, in honor of Erutugul's father, the deceased Solidaritan General Istan (1073-1136). By the end of January, most of the old Dasian civil service had been purged, replaced with Solidaritan officials and representatives. The military units of the Kazanian Khanate endured a significant reorganization, streamlining, and reformation along Solidaritan lines, with Solidaritan tactics, discipline, and services regulations being introduced. The main Solidaritan units were organized into the command formations of the Sultanate.

During those months, King Honorius recovered from the events which had transpired with the Solidaritans. The King was enraged about the fact that it was the Solidaritans, and not his own species, the Laurasians, who had finally destroyed the Kazanian Khanate. Although Honorius was glad that the Kazanian Khanate, which had always been a troublesome vassal for Laurasia, was gone, he also realized that the Solidaritan Sultanate would in the future be a major roadblock and threat to Laurasian interests. As such, Honorius took various measures to strengthen his military forces and to attempt to secure the borderland regions against further offensives. In December 1152, the King, following the advice of Councilor Alackavius, sent new military preparation orders to the garrisons of Chancia, Katherine, Durglais, Rebecca, Nystadia, Briannia, Ipsus V, Leopoldia, Big Twinny, Frederickslandia, Wendy, Coen, Deanna, and Michael, commanding them to hold themselves in readiness for "a future war which might eventually emerge with our new neighbors to the north of our dominions." Then by the decree of 7 January 1153, the Royal Bureau of Military Coordination was established, which became the new general headquarters of the Laurasian Military. The Bureau of Military Coordination was charged for drafting strategies and offensive plans for the military for times of war, coordinating the efforts of the various armed services in their campaigns, and communicating the King's instructions to the various garrisons and task forces. The creation of the Bureau greatly improved the command structure of the Laurasian Military.

A month later, by the decree of 8 February 1153, the Shock Corps of Laurasia Prime were established, as a primary reserve force and as a guards detachment for the Royal Household. The Shock Corps were to be comprised of garrisons which were to be kept on a alerted standing at all times, and which were to receive the most sophisticated training which the Laurasian Armed Forces could offer. The creation of this force had been suggested by Councilor Alackavius, who believed that Laurasia Prime needed a special protection force in times of rebellion, civil dissent, or war. Then in March 1153 the Statute of Regional Emergencies was implemented, by which each of Laurasia's viceroyaltes, as the local regions of governance were now called, were placed under the authority of a military district, invested with absolute authority over the deployment, finance, and discipline of all military garrisons within its jurisdiction. Each district was to have its own Garrison General Staff and Supreme Commander, who would be responsible for suppressing challenges to the authority of the Royal Laurasian Government.

Honorius, in the meantime, found comfort with his wife, Queen Consort Anastasia. On 11 October 1152, at the Hospital Ward of the Celestial Palace on Laurasia Prime, the Queen Consort had given birth to the King's firstborn son and heir. The King, who was jubilant at his birth, named his son Demetrius. Grand Prince Demetrius of Laurasia, as he became, was formally baptized by Pope Macarius and the Chaplain of the Royal Household two days later. Blessings were conferred upon him, and it was hoped that the Prince would eventually become a worthy successor to his father. Parades, festivals, banquets, masques, displays, and other forms of ceremonies were conducted throughout the Laurasian dominions, during the last months of 1152, to celebrate the birth of the Prince. In the eyes of the King and his advisers, the birth of Demetrius was some compensation for the humiliations which had been inflicted by Erutugul and his Solidaritans. In fact, in February 1153, the King commissioned the construction of the Church of St. Demetrius, to celebrate the birth of his son. Construction of the Church commenced in Constantinople, which had by this time fully recovered from the Great Constantinople Conflagration.

The course of its construction, however, was now to be marred by a further event which took place. While, during the first half of 1153, the death of Attila at the hands of Ildico plunged the Brestord Kingdom into anarchy, Honorius came to face personal troubles. In May 1153, while hunting at Darcia, the King complained of a pain in his back. Over the next several days, this pain grew increasingly worse. Eventually, on 25 May, the King was admitted to the Medical Wards of the Palace of Placenta, already at this time one of the major residences of the Laurasian sovereigns. His doctors diagnosed him with Eurslay epidermis, which weakened the spinal cords, and if untreated, could destroy the King's entire muscle system, thus rendering him a immobile vegetable. The disease could be cured however, through the performance of emergency surgeries and the delivery of cordone medicines.

On 29 May, the King submitted to the treatments, and two days later, he was placed into a stasis. The surgeries and the delivery of the medicines took place over several days, for it was a complex procedure. At times, the Queen Consort despaired of her husband, and had to be emotionally consoled by Archbishop Sylvester and Pope Macarius. On their advice, she prayed most vigorously to the Lords of Almitis and the Regents of the Universe, imploring them to aid in the recovery of her husband. Her pleas were answered, for the procedures were successfully completed on 12 June. Five days later, the King emerged from his stasis, and on 20 June, he was deemed fit enough to resume his normal duties. On 22 June, Honorius, to celebrate his recovery, embarked on a journey to the Vemay Monastery of Jenny. He was accompanied on his journey by Pope Macarius, Queen Consort Anastasia, their young son Grand Prince Demetrius, Archbishop Sylvester, Councilor Alackavius, and the other members of the Royal Council and Royal Household. A terrible incident now marred the voyage, however. On 26 June, as the King's flagship, the RMS Laurasia's Pride, approached the outskirts of the Jenny star system, the ship's emergency hatch system suffered a serious malfunction. All of the ship's dorsal release hatches were opened, causing the vacuum of space to suck into the ship. The baby Grand Prince Demetrius and his nurse were blown forth by the force of the implosion, and were sucked out into space before the computer droids repaired the system and closed the hatches.

Anastasia was sent into a fit of despair and fainted, while the King, who was terrified, ordered a immediate search for his son. The escort ships of the fleet searched the outskirts of Jenny vigorously. In the early hours of 27 June, the corpses of the baby Grand Prince and his nurse were discovered floating near the Comets of Asturnia. They were retrieved by space probes. Their condition was declared hopeless. Anastasia and Honorius wept, heartbroken over the loss of their first son. The Grand Prince's death was announced to the Laurasian public on 28 June. The voyage to the Vemay Monastery was now terminated, as the royal entourage returned hastily to Laurasia Prime. The Grand Prince was buried on 6 July at the Westphalian Cathederal. Honorius had to be restrained from leaping onto the casket of his son in sadness and despair. Afterwards, the King fell into a fit of sadness, and in August 1153, even threatened to abdicate his throne. Archbishop Sylvester, Pope Macarius, Councilor Alackavius, and Queen Consort Anastasia (herself grieving from the loss of her son) eventually managed to persuade him to change his mind. By September 1153, the King had resumed his normal routine. Anastasia herself became pregnant again, and on 15 March 1154, gave birth to a second son, who was named after his father. This boy became the joy of his father's life.

Erutugul, in the meantime, faced challenges of his own in the Solidaritan Sultanate. Despite his efforts to uproot the Kazanian nobility and remove all traces of Dasian customs, laws, and traditions in his new won dominions, centers of resistance developed against his rule. At the Rings of Primerbelt, a system which was so named for the sparkling ring systems of its largest and most important world, Primerbelt I, a Dasian noble and magnate, Mameshbirde (1103-54), began assembling his personal units and squadrons in October 1153. Mameshbirde, who held ambitions of his own, was determined to restore the Kazanian Khanate and expel the Solidaritan invaders. He deluded himself into believing that the Gods of the Dasians had invested him with the divine mission to end the Solidaritan Sultanate, execute Erutugul, and scatter his hordes. The noble himself had been antagonized by the Solidaritan Government, which had deprived him of most of his personal estates in July 1153, stripped him of his military honors, and issued a sentence of anathema against his family. Thus, his rebellious efforts against Erutugul were also fueled by concern for his own personal welfare.

Then on 11 November 1153, Mameshbirde, claiming the title of Khan of the Kazanian Khanate, sent a Holonet communique to the government of Erutugul on Istantius, announcing that the Solidaritans were "unlawful occupiers" and declaring his intention to restore the "rightful state" to power. Subsequently, Mameshbride conquered Vindictoria (12-15 November 1153), which had been granted by Honorius to Erutugul in June 1153; destroyed the Solidaritan bases on Quanna and Laronn (16-19 November 1153); and secured Diane (20-25 November 1153), before destroying a Solidaritan stronghold on Trenton (26-29 November 1153). On 2 December, Erutugul dispatched a force to repel the rebel's fleets, but this was ultimately destroyed in the Battle of Massanay (4-9 December 1153). By 12 December, Sassanay, Cibourney, and Avaria had also fallen to the rebel, who was now threatening the former Kazan Capital Region.

Erutugul however, exploited tensions among the rebel's own forces. On 16 December, Mameshbirde's leading general, his subordinate commander Toghun (1116-70), betrayed his master, surrendering the rebel strongholds of the Vindictorian Region back to the authority of Erutugul. Erutugul then cleared rebel raiding expeditions from the Capital Trade Line (17-21 December 1153) and recovered the Western Worlds (22-25 December 1153). Mameshbirde now pursued a guerrilla strategy. His fleets ambushed Solidaritan positions, attacked Solidaritan commerce and transport convoys, and harried Solidaritan supply lines. On 1 January 1154, the rebel leader even launched a offensive against Dennis and Deserlia, inflicting severe damage on those worlds. This situation continued throughout January and February 1154. Erutugul himself now pursued increasingly oppressive policies. On 22 January 1154, he offered a considerable financial compensation to any, Dasian or non-Dasian, who surrendered Mameshbirde into the hands of his authorities. Then, on 29 January, he ordered the confiscation of all remaining estates, properties, and accounts possessed by or in the name of the remaining Dasian nobles or magnates. On 2 February, the Kazanian Cult of the Faith, the Dasian religious organization of the Kazanian Khanate, was dissolved and deprived of its remaining resources, which were now transferred to Solidaritan religious orders.

On 6 February, the use of Dasian as a language was forbidden, and all those who used it as their native tongue were ordered to learn Solidaritan, Laurasian, Vindictorian, or "some other worthy tongue." Then on 11 February Erutugul ordered the mass execution of nearly 67 million Dasian men, women, and children in the Capital Square of Kazan. Solidaritan expeditions were dispatched that ravaged any star system, satellite, or space station that offered any sort of assistance to the rebel movement. Slavery was now decreed for those civilians who supported the rebel movement and fell into the hands of the authorities. Gradually, the Solidaritan forces reclaimed rebel territories. On 7 March, Quanna and Laronn were recovered, followed by Diane and Trenton five days later. On 21 March, Mameshbirde suffered a severe defeat in the Battle of Agam, and on 25 March, he was finally captured. Trundled on a transport back to Istantius, he was executed by the Sultan personally on 8 April. The last remaining leaders of his rebel movement were captured and executed before the end of April. Civil tensions, however, simmered against the Solidaritan authorities, and further revolts, uprisings, and acts of insubordination and protest would break out. Erutugul did not firmly crush all public opposition to his rule until November 1156.

Within the Laurasian dominions, Honorius II, during the first half of 1154, pursued a series of economic and commercial policies, so as to strengthen the Laurasian economy and bolster the resources of his government. By the generous manifesto of 11 February 1154, foreigners from "all other powers and states residing within this Galaxy and within its satellite Galaxies", were invited to come and settle within Laurasian dominions. The manifesto offered them financial payments, so as to cover their colonization expenses and their personal expenditures for a period of up to twenty years. They were granted freedom of religion, freedom of movement, the freedom to petition Laurasian officials for redress of grievances, and the freedom to have their own judicial and administrative officials, who were, however, to answer to the Laurasian district coordinators, generals, and officials. The Royal Bureau of Laurasian Colonization and Foreigners Affairs was established to coordinate colonization efforts and fulfill the applications of those foreigners who wished to settle in Laurasian territory.

Corporations of the Venasian Khanate, Crimeanian Khanate, Kuevia, Ashlgothia, Jarjanica, the Alexandrians, Devianiani, Huntite Khanate, Homidinian Khanate, Armanes, Halegothicans, Merlita, Marcia, and the Donguarian Stellar Empire were exempted from domestic Laurasian taxes by the trade schedule of 25 February 1154, which also reduced their export tariffs and rates. The Royal Bureau of Economic Development subsidized their activities and granted them commercial privileges on various Laurasian worlds. Honorius sponsored the establishment of new trade routes and travel highways. By the decree of 2 April 1154, implemented by the suggestion of Alackavius, all remaining tolls and internal duties collected on government-operated Laurasian routes, such as the Katherine Trunk Line, Clancian Trade Line, Metallasian Corridor, Laurasian Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, Meaganian Run, and Central Core Highway, were abolished, while private toll highways were ordered to reduce their tariffs and tolls by a sum of 20 to 50 percent. On 19 April, the Royal Bureau of Navigation and the Royal Bureau of Space were merged into the Royal Bureau of Transportation and Galactic Intercourse, which was charged with enforcing Laurasian space regulations, supervising the trade lanes, and encouraging inter-planetary commerce, travel, and transport.

Finally, Honorius encouraged the establishment of new commercial relations with Marcia. On 25 April 1154, a Amelianian diplomatic embassy arrived at Laurasia Prime, commanded by Duke Ethelred of Roger (1105-94), a Marcian nobleman and navigator who was one of King Penda's most trusted diplomats and commercial consuls. The Duke, whose personal accounts of the embassy are a valuable source for Laurasian historians of modern times, was astonished at the extravagance of the Laurasian court, the subordinate and mindful manners of the Laurasian nobles, the rich costume of those who attended the Laurasian Court, and the splendor, intelligence, and commanding presence of the King himself, who sat upon a magnificent throne made of "the great Courdinian diamonds, sapphires, and corlite stones, among the rarest and most precious metals known within the Galaxy." The Duke himself was received courteously by the King, who expressed his high hopes over the conclusion of new trade and alliance arrangements with Marcia, and who communicated his belief that all states within the Core Regions intended to "reside in peace, within the future time." The Duke then presented Penda's personal letter to the King, which expressed hopes for the continuation of positive and strong relations between Marcia and Laurasia.

Honorius responded most favorably to the letter and then invited the Duke to celebrate the commencement of the negotiations. For the next several days, a succession of banquets, military displays, parades, balls, masques, plays, and other ceremonies were held, with the Duke being astonished at all of the wealth and glories of the Laurasian court. Then, on 9 May, Honorius ordered for the formal negotiations to commence. He had, with the assistance of Councilor Alackavius, appointed twelve Laurasian gentlemen to a royal commission, to draft a formal treaty of commerce with Marcia. The Duke himself acted as the head of the Amelianian delegation, which had also been invested with the right to negotiate for the other Amelianian Kingdoms (Hengist, Lavella, Nordania, and Kthexox), who were also interested in commercial relations with Laurasia. Eventually, a preliminary agreement was drafted on 18 May, after several days of negotiation, which were conducted at the Diplomatic Palace, a seventh-century edifice dating from the reign of Constantine the Beloved (659-87). The agreement was eventually codified into the Treaty of Christiania, which was signed by the two delegations on 25 May.

According to the terms of this treaty, it was agreed that Courdina V, Gordasis, Metallasia, Scout, Andriana, Kelby, Chloe, Jenny, and Mercedes would be the chief centers of Laurasian commerce with the Galactic Borderlands, at which Amelianian vessels would have unlimited rights of docking, commerce, and transport. In turn, Malaria, Angelica, Kelvania, Moria, Warania, and Kanjur became the chief centers of Amelianian commerce, at which similar privileges were granted to Laurasian merchants. Honorius confirmed his earlier decree that granted rights of intercourse and navigation to foreign corporations, except on the further term that Amelianian merchants would be exempted from all tariffs and taxes, whether internal or external. A diploma was granted to all Amelianian merchants, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and navigators, granting them rights to visit and trade at all Laurasian worlds without molestation and without need of a passport. Similar privileges were guaranteed for Laurasian merchants, navigators, entrepreneurs, and businessmen within Amelianian space. Each side, however, pledged to obey each other's criminal, civil, and economic laws when in each other's dominions. Amelianian and Laurasian merchants were given the right to establish warehouses, trade posts, and factories in each other's territories, which, were, however, to be subject to limited duties. They were considered to be distinct from the free trade rights granted for just navigation and trade at each other's established worlds, but still under the rights of free passage and free intercourse.

Finally, it was agreed that Laurasia would pay the Amelianian Kingdom of Marcia a yearly subsidy, so as to help finance that kingdom's military, and that such payments would continue for twenty-five years (to 1179). With these terms arranged, the Treaty was ratified by Honorius on 1 June, who also extended his blessings to the Duke and his embassy at the same time, and was then ratified by Penda and the other Amelianian monarchs on 12 June, who gave their blessings to the Laurasian Ambassador on Marcia Prime, Count Licinius Quagarius of Scout (1096-1185). On 17 June, the agreed upon centers of commerce were opened for business, and on 22 June, Duke Ethelred returned to Marcia Prime, being praised for his efforts. Honorius and Penda now conducted a regular correspondence and exchanged gifts with each other. Honorius presented Penda with various Laurasian silks, mare-furs, wines, fruits, vegetables, and prizes of the household, while Penda presented Honorius with weapons, household goods, sports goods, servant ware, beers, cotton wearings, and starship components. Eventually, on 6 July, a amendment was attached to the Treaty of Christiania by the consent of both sides, stipulating for the extension of the Metallasian Trade Corridor all the way to Marcia Prime (Arachosia Prime), from its previous terminus at Kalbacha (where it had been fixed in the early ninth century by Polares of Laurasia and Guthima II (r. 796-819) of the Kalbachan Consortium of Sherry). This extension had been completed by November 1154; the Metallasian Trade Corridor was to retain this form for another five centuries, until 1697.

During the second half of 1154, new issues emerged for the King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians. These issues came from Briannia, which had been under Laurasian rule since 1096-97 and had long simmered under the governance of Laurasian officials. Honorius had encountered civil turmoil and tensions on that world before. In December 1153, he had ordered the deployment of troops into Barsoni, Briannia's capital city to suppress a protest movement directed against Laurasian occupation of the world. Two months later, news of various intrigues conducted by Briannian nobles prompted the King to command the Laurasian Viceroy of the Briannian District, Pausanias of Cledies (1109-65), to impose martial law, ensure the continued stability of Briannia, and "root out all opposition or means of hostile force directed against the authority of our Royal Majesty henceforth." Pausanias, however, was perceived as weak, and on 27 March 1154, he was dismissed from his office by King Honorius, who appointed in his place the stern General Antipater Suros (1092-1158). Suros was a ruthless, sadistic, and cruel man who was determined to ensure continued loyalty to his master. He intensified martial law in April 1154, forbidding all the residents of Briannia from venturing beyond their home or business without the permission of Laurasian authorities. He sent his agents and law enforcers among the population, rooting out conspiracies against Laurasian rule and crushing all dissent against the Laurasian authorities. He vigorously enforced the collection of Laurasian taxes, destroyed terrorist rings and groups who plotted against the Royal Laurasian Government, and imposed a strict watch over all space stations, satellites, and commercial conduits in the Briannian star systems. As a result of his vigorous measures, direct resistance and dissent by the civilians of Briannia against the Laurasians all but disappeared.

Dissent, however, now emerged in a new form. The Briannian nobleman Gusta'arai Vathanius (1096-1160) became the focus of a new rebel movement which was to overthrow Laurasian rule over Briannia and its sister star systems. Vathanius had previously won fame and honor for himself by serving in various military and governmental positions. He had served as Head of the Order of Briannian Knights from 1139 to 1145, acted as Chief Secretary to the Viceroy of Briannia until 1148, and then represented the Briannian District at the Consultative Assembly of 1149-51. Vathanius had also served in the Laurasian Armed Forces during the Second Great Goldarian War, the Kazanian War of 1141, the Safarite Rebellion, and the War of 1150-51. He thus possessed considerable military experience. Vathanius however, now opposed the measures and policies of Viceroy Suros, and decided to stand up for the rights of his people. On 3 June 1154, Vathanius submitted a petition to the court of the Laurasian Viceroy of Briannia, asking him "to scale back on your oppression and heed the ears of those who are under your authority." The Viceroy, however, was offended by the petition and refused to respond to Vathanius's requests. Vathanius then encouraged passive resistance on the part of the Briannian nobles, who now ignored all summons which were given to them by the Laurasian authorities, refused to pay their Laurasian taxes, and declined to conduct any relationship with a Laurasian in the future.

Suros was enraged by this, and on 17 June, issued a injunction to the Briannian nobility, ordering them to cease "your acts of folly and rebellion, your acts of treason and conspiracy, and to bring yourselves back to the proper place of loyalty before your masters." Vathanius, however, encouraged his fellow nobles to ignore the injunction. Thus, on 26 June, Suros sent a note to the Royal Bureau of Regional and Provincial Administration on the matter, claiming that the insubordination "had escalated to unbearable heights" and requesting for the authority to deal with the Briannian nobility. On 29 June, King Honorius, who sent his commands through the Secretary of the Bureau, Marcus Publius (1103-64), granted Suros the right to deal with the Briannian nobles and their insubordination. On 5 July, Suros declared all nobles who violated Laurasian law traitors of the State, and on 8 July, ordered the imposition of fines, service requirements, and apology requirements on those who had cooperated with Vathanius. On 11 July, he threatened all nobles with condemnation and excommunication by the Archbishop of Briannia, and on 16 July, ordered Vathanius himself to the Viceroyalty Court, to answer for his actions.

Vathanius, however, now wisely took flight on his personal starfighter, evading the pursuit corps sent by the Viceroy and arriving at his personal redoubt on Amalesia, which had become a repository of military supplies, equipment, and mercenaries for his personal armadas. In response, the Viceroy ordered the summary execution, on 22 July, of all nobles, gentlemen, and magnates of Briannian descent who were relatives and friends of Vathanius, as well as those who had ever expressed any support for his actions. Nearly six hundred Briannian nobles were affected by this decree. Laurasian troops and law enforcement agents burst onto their residences and estates, ransacked their properties, and butchered them, their families, and their servants. Such a grisly action aroused distaste on the part of King Honorius, who on 26 July dismissed Suros from his position, deprived him of all his titles and state grants, and ordered for him to be confined at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V. Suros was replaced with the more benevolent Constantine Chlorus. The damage, however, had been done. On 29 July, Vathanius was formally acclaimed as King of the Briannians by a assembly of his compatriots and supporters. That position had been vacant since the Dasian conquests of Batya in 837-40. Vathanius now assembled his personal units, provoked further rebel tensions in Briannian territories, and consolidated his position. During August, he focused himself on repelling offensives launched by Laurasian units, whose assaults against his personal bases and strongholds ended in failure.

On 7 September, Yamghruchi of the Venasian Khanate, whose own position was weak, recognized Vathanius as King of Briannia. Two days later, he issued a declaration of war against Laurasia. Venasian units, assembled in the last effective military campaign of the Venasian Khanate's history, conquered Ipsus V (10-11 September); overran Bolgrahay (12 September); and drove Laurasian units from the Venasian Triangle (13-17 September). Yamghruchi himself then launched a major offensive against Millia, Selena, and Colsonia. He secured Millia (18-25 September 1154) and conquered Selena (26 September). On 1 October, however, the Khan was struck in the heart by a blaster shot, on his flagship, which derived from Laurasian starfighters. Mortally wounded, he collapsed and was taken to medical quarters. On 6 October 1154, the last effective ruler of the Venasian Khanate died after several days of agony, and was succeeded to the Venasian throne by his cousin Dervish Ali, who was destined to be the last Venasian Khan. Dervish Ali concluded the campaigns by storming Colsonia (7-11 October 1154) and destroying a Laurasian force in the Battle of Rashid (14 October), securing the Venasian gains and establishing a direct supply line to Briannian rebel forces.

Vathanius, who was now feeling more confident, began to make more decisive advances against Laurasian forces. On 16 October, he conquered Nystadia in a brilliant surprise offensive and captured nearly 500,000 Laurasian Shock Troopers, of the formation which had been established by Honorius himself. Five days later, he besieged and conquered Halkar, cutting off Laurasian supply lines to the vicinity of the Briannia star system. Vathanius now pursued a harrying and plundering strategy. He sacked Laurasian bases; harassed Laurasian convoys; established minefields at the juncture of major systems; and posed a constant threat to Laurasian interests in the region. By 16 November, Vathanius had secured the allegiance of the Briannian Order of the Faith, which now proclaimed him to be the rightful ruler of Briannia. He then won a brilliant victory in the Battle of Alemeda (17-22 November 1154), annihilating a Laurasian expeditionary force dispatched against him.

On 27 November, Honorius dispatched a force under the command of General Mark Anthony (1110-54) against the rebel forces. Anthony managed to penetrate to the Belts of Barton (28 November-5 December 1154) and briefly secured Briannia from a rebel offensive (6-11 December 1154). He also cleared Venasian raiding expeditions away from Reese, Meaganian, Capital, and Tommy. Vathanius, however, blunted a offensive launched by Anthony against Nystadia (12-19 December 1154) and then wrecked his main supply fleet at Vardar (20-25 December 1154). Then on 29 December, Anthony was cornered at Trama, and was handed a decisive defeat. The General himself died when his flagship was stormed by Briannian troopers. No more resistance was now posed to Vathanius in his efforts to liberate Briannia.

Mopping up the final remnants of Laurasian defensive units in the Briannian District, Vathanius advanced to Briannia on New Year's Day 1155. Five days later, the Briannians rose up in revolt against the Laurasian garrison and forced them to surrender. Vathanius entered Briannia in victorious procession on 6 January and was fully acclaimed as King. Now in control of Briannia, Vathanius liberated those remaining nobles, whom the Laurasians had imprisoned during the last days of their rule, and issued a proclamation stating that Briannia "was free of the oppressive grip of the Laurasian mongrels." Later that month, Honorius launched one final offensive, aiming to suppress the rebellion, but this was stopped by Vathanius in the Battle of Imania (20-25 January 1155). Thus on 6 February, Honorius requested for peace negotiations to commence with the King of Briannia. After over a month of arduous negotiations at Malmo, a Briannian resort world, the Treaty of Malmo was finally signed on 11 March 1155. Vathanius ratified the treaty on 12 March and Honorius on 25 March.

By the terms of this treaty, Laurasia recognized the independence of Briannia and agreed to return to the Briannian King, all Briannian resources, goods, and properties which had been confiscated or impounded by Laurasian authorities. In turn, Vathanius, now King Gusta'arai I of Briannia, agreed to allow continued Laurasian free passage through his dominions and to support Laurasia in the recovery of territories lost to the Venasian Khanate. With this treaty signed, the Laurasians turned their attention to the Venasian Khanate. In a series of hard-fought offensives (March-May 1155), the Laurasians recovered Ipsus V, Colsonia, Selena, Archleuta, Millia, Bolgrahay, the Venasian Triangle, and the other lost worlds, forcing Dervish Ali to eventually concede defeat. The Treaty of Ruttum was signed on 25 May 1155, establishing peace between Laurasia and the Venasian Khanate on the basis of the status quo.

Honorius spent the latter months of 1155 recovering from the fiasco of the Briannian War of Liberation, as the conflict became known in later centuries. Indeed, Briannia, in its restored form as a independent kingdom, was to survive until 1364, when it was finally re-annexed into Laurasian dominions by Antiochus the Great. By then, the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia had become the Laurasian Empire. During the remainder of the twelfth century, and throughout the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries, however, Briannia was to be a major rival and enemy of Laurasia. It was to engage in bitter conflict with Laurasia in the ensuing Ivorian War, intervene in the Laurasian Time of Troubles, and clash with Laurasia under Seleucus the Victor in the Great Briannian War, which ended with Laurasian victory and the establishment of the Empire. For the time being however, Gusta'arai turned his efforts to reorganizing his military units, organizing the Briannian civil service and government administration, and solidifying his rule. He repealed all Laurasian laws and decrees within his territories, established a set of Briannian administrative bureaus, and opened diplomatic relations with other galactic powers. By the end of 1155, all galactic powers with the exception of Marcia had acknowledged the independence of Briannia. Marcia was not to grant recognition until 1167, during the reign of Offa the Great. Honorius, justifiably bitter at the loss of Briannia, now developed new strains of irrationality, and it was only with the greatest of efforts that his wife, Archbishop Sylvester, and Pope Macarius kept him under control.

Turbulent events now transpired in the Crimeanian Khanate. The death of Bodi Aligh in September 1154, who had become the Crimeanian Khanate's ruler and had been so since 1146, dealt a severe blow to the Crimeanian state. Bodi Aligh had not named a successor to his position as Crimeanian Khan, and Khan Dost, who was concerned about his own personal pleasures and who himself would soon be struck down at the hands of a assassin, did not care much for Crimeanian affairs. Thus, governance of the Crimeanian Khanate passed to the Council of State, which Bodi Aligh had organized to supervise the Crimeanian domains during his absence. The Council was unable to agree on any replacement to Bodi Aligh as Khan, and as such, the Crimeanian Khanate slipped into economic depression, civil dissent, and social anarchy. Uprisings on Polonia, Wronzaz, Galicia, Voldomoria, Legnica, Nathaniel, Jared, Denver, Horacia, Theresa, Donald, Levinston, and other worlds (September 1154-June 1155) symbolized the nationalist tensions which existed within Crimeanian territory. Genseric of Kuevia, encouraged by the vacancy in the Crimeanian throne, launched harrying expeditions from his new territories in Sanegeta, Hooper, and Crimeanian Acamaria, causing much damage to outlying Crimeanian star systems. In June 1155, the Venasian Khanate even seized Podrac, although that Khanate was experiencing severe civil tensions of its own. That month, however, on Polonia, emerged a new patriot determined to restore the independence of his species: Vladislaus Augustus, Count of Kaiden (1120-72), who now saw his opportunity to take action. Ironically, the Count of Kaiden received embassies and financial subsidies from Honorius, who believed that the weakening of any Dasian Khanate was beneficial to the interests of Laurasia.

Finally, on 2 July 1155, Vladislaus raised his standards at Lublin and was formally proclaimed King of the Polonian Commonwealth by a assembly of Polonian nobles, government officials, and notables. He quickly secured Wronzaz (3-5 July 1155), destroying the massive slave market there which had operated for the past 314 years, having originally been established by Batya upon his conquest of Polonia and Galicia in 841. Vladislaus then destroyed the Crimeanian garrison of Chapelle without opposition (6 July 1155); conquered Kaida (7-10 July 1155); and secured Dragulli (12-19 July 1155). Polonia Minor defected to him on 22 July, and on 26 July, he secured Chemeri, which had been the site of a major victory for Generals Baidar and Kadan in March 841. Samoutiz then fell on 29 July, and Crimeanian units were driven northwards into the Outer Core. Then on 6 August, the major prize, Polonia Major, fell into the hands of the rebel, who was cheered by the population of that world. Wolbroz was then subdued (7-10 August 1155), which was followed by the destruction of a expeditionary fleet dispatched by the Council of State in the Battle of Tursk (12 August 1155). Then on 18 August, Vladislaus secured revenge for the earlier loss at Legnica by utterly annihilating a Dasian defense armada there. Repelling further Crimeanian counteroffensives, Vladislaus secured the remainder of the Polonian regions (August-September 1155) and drove into the Outer Core.

He now began receiving recognition from foreign monarchs. Honorius acknowledged him as King on 2 September, followed by Gusta'arai of Briannia (3 September); Penda (6 September); Yulan of Homidinia (7 September); Ardaric (8 September); Torchaldio II (8 September); Valamir (9 September); Genseric (12 September); Theodoric II (19 September): Rechiar (22 September); the Devianiani Confederacy (23 September); Gondioc of the Alexandrians (25 September); Merovech (26 September); and the troubled court of the Huntite Khanate (27 September). Then on 1 October, he defeated the Crimeanian Defense Armada in the Battle of Galich Majoria, conquering that stronghold. Galicia, Voldomoria, Mormon, Jared, and Denver then fell in successive offensives (5-21 October 1155). By the end of October, all of the Galician and Polonian provinces were under his control. The Council of State was forced to sue for peace on 2 November, and five days later, the Treaty of Daala was signed, negotiated under Goldarian and Laurasian mediation. The independence of the Polonian Commonwealth was recognized by the Crimeanian Khanate, which pledged also to compensate Vladislaus for the costs of his uprising, liberate all remaining Polonian and Galician slaves held by Crimeanian nobles, government officials, or merchants, and grant Polonian merchant fleets rights of free passage through Crimeanian territory.

The balance of power in the Core Regions had now shifted considerably. Laurasia, which had entered the 1150s as the unchallenged major power of the Core Regions, had now been severely weakened by the establishment of the Solidaritan Sultanate, the creation of a independent Briannia, and the reemergence of the Polonian Commonwealth, which had been a major rival to the Laurasian state during the seventh, eighth, and early ninth centuries. 1156, however, opened peacefully for the Laurasians, as King Vladislaus now concentrated his efforts on organizing his military forces, consolidating his dominions, and setting up a formal government civil service. Similar concerns still occupied the rulers of Briannia and the Solidaritan Sultanate. In the Venasian Khanate, however, new issues emerged. As was previously stated, the Venasians desired for their independence and hated the fact that they were still governed by the Dasians. A small Dasian elite of no more then 1.5 million individuals (according to the census of 1154-1155, the last on Venasia to be conducted under the Khanate) governed a population of nearly 50 trillion Venasians, Podracians, Permians, Decapolians, Ruttorites, and other such beings. In January 1156, protest movements emerged on Venasia Secondary, Monderon, Ruttum, and Venasia Prime itself against the Dasian authorities. These protest movements however, were soon dispersed by the troops of Dervish Ali. The Khan, enraged by the acts of insubordination, ordered for martial law to be imposed and for all those who had engaged in the protest movements to be imprisoned or exiled. He placed a strict surveillance over the Venasian press, installed his agents within Venasian households, and forbade the Venasian noblewomen to travel or make any monetary transactions without his permission. The Venasians simmered under these conditions, especially Princess Kennatha of Tyrania (1101-59).

Kennatha was determined to restore the Venasian Consortium and expel the Dasian overlords. As such, she began assembling units at Tyrania, Colla, and Ka, to pose resistance to the Dasians. Then on 12 February 1156, at the Palace of Charmania, she proclaimed herself Queen Mother of Venasia, a proclamation which was ratified by a assembly of the leading Venasian noblewomen and figures of prestige. Kennatha now conquered Ruttum (15-19 February 1156); harried the Dasian supply lines leading to Maxiliana, Schell, and Phyllis (February-March 1156); and destroyed a Dasian patrol fleet in the Battle of Doja (3-6 April 1156). Dervish Ali attempted to muster together his units to halt the rebellion, a act which required him to depart from Venasia Prime. On 12 April, Venasia Secondary defected to the rebel movement, overthrowing its Dasian bey and his court, and accepting the rule of Kennatha. Five days later, Kennatha defeated Dervish Ali in the pitched Battle of Pinkett and subsequently moved her units towards the Matriarchal Worlds. Maria, Arna, Tarai, and Desulima all fell in quick succession to the Queen Mother (April-May 1156). Then on 2 June 1156, she advanced into the Venasia Prime star system itself.

Dervish Ali was unable to head back to his capital in time, and on 11 June, it capitulated to the Queen Mother. Kennatha advanced in victorious procession onto Venasia Prime, being hailed as the "savior of the Venasian race and customs." On 16 June, Dervish Ali and his last remaining fleet were cornered and defeated at Lar. The Khan himself was captured two days later. Presented before Kennatha on 21 June, he conducted himself with arrogance and haughtiness, laughing at the idea that any state could be governed by women. Kennatha, angered at his insolence, ordered for him to be tortured to death. Treated thus at the Dungeons of Asar, Dervish Ali succumbed to the injuries inflicted upon him (25 June 1156) and died. The following day, Kennatha was acknowledged as ruler of the Venasian Consortium by all of the territories of the former Venasian Khanate. With this, the Venasian Khanate, which had been established by Qasim Khan on 7 March 1066, had ceased to exist after 90 years. There were now three Dasian Khanates in the Caladarian Galaxy: the Huntite Khanate, the Homidinian Khanate, and the Crimeanian Khanate.

====Reign of Khorchin; Genseric Declares War; Genseric's Campaigns and the Second Sack of Hunt Major; Capture and Death of Khorchin; Avoch Secures Aid from Ashlgothia; Avoch's Campaigns in Huntite Territory; Peace with Genseric; Rechiar's Final War with the Huntite Khanate; Defeat and Capture of Rechiar; Suicide of Rechiar; Rise of Dayan and Ricimer; The Two Generals revolt against Avoch; Deposition and Death of Avoch; Accessopm of Dayan; The Reign of Dayan; His Governmental, Economic, and Military Reforms; Wars with Kuevians, Ashgoths, Alexandrians, and Devianiani; Ascension of Maldras to Jarjanic Throne; Maldra's war with Huntite Khanate; Defeat and Death of Maldras; Peace with Jarjanics under Framar; Failure of Expedition against Genseric; Ricimer Seizes Power; Deposition and Execution of Dayan (1155-1161)==== Having thus chronicled the affairs of the Core Regions to 1156 in such detail, we must now turn our attention back to the Huntite Khanate, the Homidinian Khanate, Ashlgothia, Kuevia, the Jarjanics, Devianiani, Alexandrians, Armanes, Halegothicans, and other outlying galactic powers. Khorchin, upon his usurpation of the Huntite throne, sought to consolidate his position. As such, he decided to reward Optilla, Thraustila, and his other supporters within the Huntite court with the grant of titles, estates, financial allocations, trade and commercial privileges, and rights of free conduct throughout Huntite dominions. Khorchin purged all of the officials and subordinates of Khan Dost, replacing them with the officials of his own household. By this, he attempted to secure his grip on the Dasian civil service. The Khan took Dost's concubines for himself and placed them within his household. Then on 26 March 1155, he revoked all decrees and proclamations which had been issued by Dost since the assassination of Bodi Aligh. On 29 March, Khorchin revealed to the public that Dost had a hand in the murder of Bodi Aligh, something which most had suspected for a long time in any case.

On 4 April, Dost and Tolui were cast into the Pit of Traitors, as Khorchin declared that they were not worthy of the right to a formal state burial. The new Huntite Khan now attempted to secure diplomatic recognition of his accession to the throne. He sent repeated messages to Yulan, imploring the Homidinian Khan to extend recognition. Yulan, however, insulted the envoys at his palace on Dion, and on 9 April, declared that the Huntite throne was vacant and that Khorchin was not the rightful ruler of the Huntite Khanate. He was followed by Ardaric (11 April); Valamir (15 April); Dengizich and Ernakh (17 April); Penda (21 April); Honorius II (23 April); Torchaldio II (25 April); and Rechiar (26 April), who all refused to acknowledge Khorchin as Huntite Khan. Theodoric II, the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy, and Gondioc proved exceptions to the rule, however, as they acknowledged Khorchin's title. They refused, however, to reestablish military alliance arrangements with the Huntite Khanate.

Khorchin, who now sought to impose his own rule over the Crimeanian Khanate, and thus to strengthen his own military resources, attempted to reason with Theodoric. On 1 May, after several days of deliberation with his advisers, the Khan appointed his personal household general, Avoch, as the ambassador of the Huntite Khanate to the Kingdom of Ashlgothia. Two days later, Avoch departed from Jasonia with orders to come to a agreement with Theodoric. Arriving at Ashlgothia during the late hours of 3 May, Avoch was greeted in a lavish ceremony of welcome by Theodoric and his court, who then treated him to various banquets, parades, plays, and festivals over the following seven days. Then on 10 May, Avoch commenced negotiations with Theodoric. The Dasian envoy attempted to persuade Theodoric that the continuation of earlier arrangements, which had been established while Bodi Aligh was Supreme Commander, would maintain the integrity of the balance of power and insure a continuation of peace. Theodoric however, pointed out that the treaty had been signed with Bodi Aligh alone, and that its terms had stipulated that upon the Supreme Commander's death, the barbarian signatories could choose to cancel their adherence to the agreements.

Theodoric had merely acted upon the arrangements of the treaty. Avoch's attempts to change his mind over the next several days resulted in failure. In the meantime, Genseric, seeking to take advantage of the situation, decided to extend recognition to the Huntite Khan and commence his own negotiations on the possible marriage of his son, Huneric, to the Dasian noblewoman Lakai, one of Khorchin's cousins. On 17 May, the Kuevian King recognized Khorchin as Khan of the Huntite Khanate, and two days later, opened negotiations with the court of Jasonia through his envoy, Hilderic. Hilderic and Khorchin held a number of sessions on the matter. Khorchin, however, who had only agreed to negotiations to put up the pretense of cooperation, announced on 23 May that marriage between Huneric and Lakai was now impossible, since he had "discovered" that Lakai had a premarital agreement with the Dasian Prince Mongke. Hilderic pointed out that no such agreement had been announced before, and expressed his anger at Huntite "perfidy". Negotiations were terminated on 25 May.

Then a day later, Avoch ended his negotiations with Theodoric II, and prepared for his departure from Ashlgothia. On 27 May, Genseric, who now grasped the opportunity, recalled Hilderic back to Shenandoah and issued a ultimatum to the Huntite court, demanding that Robert, Hasselbeck, and Walters be conceded to the Kuevian Kingdom. Khorchin refused to respond to the Kuevian demands, equating them to those of the "demons of our Ancestors". Thus, on 28 May, Genseric issued a declaration of war against the Huntite Khanate and hurled his forces from the Middle Territories. The Kuevians quickly overran Hasselbeck and Walters (28-29 May) and penetrated all the way into the Huntite regions, plundering and ravaging all star systems through which they passed. Khorchin, now mustering himself from Jasonia, attempted to organize a resistance to the Kuevian invaders. On 30 May, he issued a proclamation to his subjects, imploring them to unite together against the Kuevian savages. Avoch, however, who had nurtured ambitions of his own for power, encouraged new tensions at the Huntite court and among the Huntite subject worlds. Khrochin was by now unpopular with the population of the Huntite Khanate, and many yearned for his deposition. On 31 May, he arrived at Samarkand to establish a base of operations there against Genseric, whose fleet had conquered Robert that day. Samarkand's garrison, however, refused to admit Khorchin.

Afterwards, his own personal fleet turned against their master, forcing him to flee in a starfighter. His starfighter, however, was soon encountered by Kuevian escort vessels, which were scouting out the region for Genseric. He was captured and presented to Genseric, who mocked him and called him the "foolish little Khan, unable to prevent the demise of his species." Genseric them hacked him to pieces with his own ribosword. Khorchin's body was dumped into open space. Following this, Genseric conquered Samarkand (1-2 June 1155); stormed Leah (4 June); Lorna (5-6 June); the Sk'atha Cluster (7 June); Gargonia (8-10 June); Timur's Star (11 June); Iego (12-14 June); Sheldonia (15-19 June); Downs (21 June); Gabriella (22-25 June); and Meredith (26 June). On 27 June, the Huntite Senate sent a plea for peace to Genseric, as the throne of the Huntite Khanate was now vacant. Genseric, however, ignored the plea, and on 29 June, he besieged and conquered Hunt Minor, Clathabourne, and the Reels of El'kai, slaughtering many millions of Huntite, Dasian, and Amelianian civilians.

On 1 July, his force approached Hunt Major. Two days later, the Huntite Senate, cut off from supplies, surrendered, and Genseric's troops landed on the world. For six days, Genseric and his forces sacked Hunt Major, inflicting far more damage then had been inflicted by Alaric forty-five years earlier. Nearly half of the Huntite population was slaughtered, while another 10% were enslaved and 20% more dispersed from their homeworld. Genseric and his men bore off with all of the Huntite treasures, including the Relics of Boonta, the famed 1st-century BH memorials set up in honor of Boonta, the celebrated Huntite victor over Ximar of the First Robertian Empire. Genseric however, spared all religious properties on Hunt Major, such as the Tomb of the Gracious Lamars and the Almitian Church of St. Augustine. He also recruited the barbarian inhabitants of Hunt Major with martial skills into his forces, and brought merchants, government officials, Almitian religious missionaries, and financial administrators onto his personal staff. Finally, on 8 July, Genseric and his force departed from Hunt Major, leaving it a desolate wasteland. Avoch, hearing of Genseric's ravages, had returned to Theodoric's court, imploring the Ashlgothian King to assist him.

On 12 July, Theodoric finally answered to his pleas. He demanded, however, that the Ashlgothians be granted Nanking and the Orion Cluster as military outposts, that they gain unlimited privileges of access through Huntite territory, and that Ashlgothian merchants be exempted from all Huntite taxes. Avoch had no choice but to agree. On 17 July, these arrangements were codified in the Treaty of Allison. Two days later, Avoch and Theodoric hurled their forces into the Huntite territories. They subdued Kimania (20-22 July 1155); Kimanis Mooria (24 July); Nikki Lowell (25 July); Henderson (26 July); Gardiner (27 July); Filorean (28-29 July); Constipex (30 July); Newman Victoria (1-2 August); Riley (3 August); Abshire (4 August); Strongstine (5-8 August); Messalina (10 August); Samantha (12-15 August); Offshora (16 August); and Chobania (17-19 August). By the end of August, all of the Barsar Regions had submitted to the authority of Avoch, while Theodoric had harried Kuevian positions in Eutagia, Hooper, and Sanegeta.

On 2 September, Avoch progressed to Maurya and Gedrosia Max, which acknowledged him as Khan. On 6 September, the Huntite military coordinators acknowledged him also, and five days later, he drove Genseric's units away from the vicinity of Jasonia. On 14 September, however, Genseric conquered Dickinson, completing his subjection of the entire Robertian and Iego Regions to his rule. On 18 September, he sent a offer for peace to Avoch, who accepted the offer two days later. Theodoric, who had received the same offer from the King of Kuevia, accepted it also on 22 September, the same day Avoch made his entry onto Jasonia. On 25 September 1155, after two days of negotiations, the Treaty of Jeanne was signed. By the terms of this agreement, Genseric withdrew from the Huntite, Iego, Sheldonian, and Gabriellian regions which he had occupied. He also recognized Avoch as Khan of the Huntite Khanate. Avoch, in turn, confirmed the concession of Robert, Hasselbeck, and Walters to the authority of the Kuevian Kingdom. Theodoric, for his part, received confirmation of his acquisition of the Orion Cluster and Nanking.

Both Theodoric and Genseric were to be compensated financially by the Huntite Khanate. Peace had thus been reestablished. Avoch spent the remainder of 1155 consolidating his position. He rewarded his supporters for their effort, removed the favorites of Khorchin from their positions, and revoked all laws or grants issued by Khorchin during his short reign. The Khan also reorganized the Huntite military forces, and in October 1155, signed a agreement with King Valamir of the Halegothicans, by which, in exchange for commercial privileges and exemptions that were to be granted to Halegothican merchants, he gained the right to use a corps of Halegothican mercenaries. In November, he secured the diplomatic recognition of the Alexandrians, Devianiani, Jarjanics, Amelianians, Laurasians, Briannians, and Polonians. Then on 6 December, Avoch appointed the Dasian general Dayan and the Jarjanic general Ricimer as the joint Commanders of the Huntite armed forces. 1155 then came to a peaceful close.

King Rechiar of the Jarjanics, however, still yearned to bring the whole of the Barsar Regions under his governance. Simmering at the conditions of being a vassal to the Huntite Khanate, the Jarjanic monarch began to reorganize and expand his military units in January 1156. He managed to keep information about this secret military buildup secret from the Huntite and Ashglgothian intelligence services, by enforcing strict discipline on all officials and members of the military who were involved with his projects. During the first half of 1156, as the Venasian Khanate collapsed in the Core Regions, the Huntite Khanate experienced troubles of its own. Ricimer and Dayan had to focus their efforts on crushing rebellions against the Khan's authority, especially outbreaks of civil dissent on Sheldonia, Upper Morsia, Downs, Gedrosia Max, Maurya, Hunt Major, Hunt Minor, Samarkand, Leah, Lorna, Garnett, Ber Bachman, Gardiner, Riley, Abshire, Offshora, Kimania, and numerous other worlds. Also in March 1156, Avoch attempted to stabilize the Huntite currency by issuing a new set of silver coins for the Dasian mark, but this effort caused unemployment to rise to 30%. Troubles then began to intensify with the Kuevians again, as Genseric now probed Huntite strengths and weaknesses. In June 1156, Kuevian task forces began to raid Huntite Roastafaria, Leah, Lorna, the Sk'atha Cluster, Gargonia, and the upper reaches of the Huntite Home Region.

Avoch, enraged that Genseric was breaching the peace arrangements, sent a demand to the court of the Kuevians on 25 June, imploring them to halt their harassing operations. Genseric, however, ignored the request. On 2 July, he issued a declaration of war against the Huntite Khanate. Kuevian fleets conquered Leah (2-9 July 1156) and subdued the Huntite strongholds of Sarjur, Ber Bachman, and Meddleman (10-15 July), before raiding and sacking Samarkand (16 July); Lorna (17 July); and Iego (20-25 July). By the end of July, Kuevian fleets were penetrating to the Wild Marshes. Jageronian garrisons, stationed on Gabriella, Roman, and Valle, erupted in revolt on 3 August and joined the Kuevian task forces. Avoch now dispatched Ricimer north to launch a counteroffensive against the Kuevians. Ricimer fortified Hunt Major (5-9 August 1156) and defeated a Kuevian expedition dispatched against Gandalione (12-17 August 1156), but was unable to save Meredith, which fell victim to a Kuevian raiding expedition on 20 August. Five days later, however, Ricimer relieved Samarkand, and on 27 August, managed to defeat Genseric in the Battle of Oxfaline. On 1 September, he recovered Leah, and on 6 September, Ber Bachman and the other strongholds. On 10 September, he launched a offensive against Meris, reconquering the world and reestablishing a Huntite foothold near Robert. Offensives against Beharis, Walters, and Hasselbeck failed however (11-17 September 1156). On 20 September, Genseric requested a peace. The Treaty of Loaharnia, signed on 22 September, restored the status quo between the two states, with the exception that the Huntite Khanate recovered Meris and the upper parts of the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route.

Rechiar, however, now decided that it was the time to launch his offensives into the Barsar Regions. On 25 September, he violated his terms of vassalage and homage with the Huntite Khanate, issuing a declaration of war against Khan Avoch. He subdued the Huttile systems (26-29 September 1156); conquered Offshora (30 September 1156); and sacked Chobania (1-2 October 1156), before securing Samantha and Reading (3-5 October). Dayan, however, managed to secure Abshire, Riley, Strongstine, and the lower Wild Marshes from further Jarjanic offensives, although Jarjanic raiding expeditions penetrated to the Kimanian Trade Run. Avoch now sent a further plea to the court of Theodoric. On 9 October, the Huntite Khan offered to concede further territory in the Barsar Regions to the Kingdom of Ashlgothia, and to recognize Ashlgothian rights to campaign against the Devianiani Confederacy, if Theodoric in turn sent troops to deal with the Jarjanics. Theodoric responded to the offer on 15 October, accepting Avoch's request. On 19 October, the Treaty of Trebek was signed which codified the new arrangements. The Ashlgothians were to become the overlords of the Jarjanics. On 22 October, Theodoric hurled his hordes into the Barsar Regions.

Linking up with the units of Dayan, he crushed Rechiar in the Battle of Taning (25 October 1156) and then drove his units away from Leo's Redoubt (25-28 October). Then on 5 November, Dayan and Theodoric isolated Rechiar at Paxron, a isolated desert world about fifty light years east of Skold. Rechiar, despite all his attempts, was unable to break free, and he was handed a crushing defeat. The King of the Jarjanics himself fell into the hands of the Ashlgothians, who boarded his flagship and overwhelmed its defenders. Rechiar was presented before Theodoric and Dayan the following day, who humiliated him and mocked his hordes. Theodoric subsequently announced that Rechiar was to be trundled on a transport throughout Ashlgothian and Huntite dominions, to be shamed and presented to the population of the various worlds as a defeated foe. Rechiar, determined to avert this humiliation, committed suicide on 6 November, using a cyanide pellet concealed within his mouth.

On 17 November, Jarman, which had become the Jarjanic capital world three years earlier, was conquered by Theodoric. Theodoric installed one of his own commanders, the Jarjanic captain Aioulf, as the new King of the Jarjanics on 20 November. Aioulf was forced to sign the Treaty of Jarman with Ashlgothia and the Huntite Khanate on 22 November, by which he recognized the overlordship of Ashlgothia, surrendered all booty and captives captured in the Jarjanic campaigns, and promised to pay a annual tribute to both Ashlgothia and the Huntite Khanate. With this treaty negotiated, Theodoric returned to Ashlgothia on 26 November and celebrated with his people. Dayan, in the meantime, restored Huntite garrisons in the Barsar Regions, received the first tribute payment, and reorganized his units. He returned to Jasonia on 7 December, receiving a joyous and jolly reception from Khan Avoch and his court. Both Avoch and Theodoric indulged themselves in celebrations, which continued for the remainder of December. 1156 thus came to a end, but with Dayan and Ricimer developing further ambitions of their own. The popularity of Avoch now reached new lows. The Khan proved unable to compensate his subjects who had suffered financial and family losses at the hands of the Kuevian invaders, for his remaining reserves had been depleted to dangerously low levels. The Khan had to pay the Ashlgothians for their assistance in helping him to obtain his position.

In fact, on 15 January 1157, Theodoric and Avoch signed the Treaty of Millard, by which a tribute schedule was arranged. The Huntite Khanate agreed to pay Ashlgothia a annual tribute of $40 trillion marks per year every year to 1167. Five days later, the yearly transaction for 1157 was made by the Huntite court into the Ashlgothian coffers. To raise this amount, Avoch was forced to reduce funds directed towards healthcare, education, and social welfare. The Khan also faced difficulties in maintaining his Halegothican, Amelianian, and Jarjanic mercenary corps, who in February 1157 refused to serve the Huntite Government further unless if they were paid their dues. Avoch extorted from the merchants of Sheldonia, Gabriella, Downs, Gedrosia Max, Henderson, Gardiner, Leo's Redoubt, and Filorean to raise the necessary funds. The merchants were angered by this, and simmered against the rule of the Khan. In the meantime, Homidinian Khan Yulan entered his final illness, for his health had declined since the beginning of 1156. Yulan had no children of his own, and as such, a crisis emerged over the matter of the succession to the Homidinian throne. On 14 January 1157, the Khan was persuaded to select General Altan as his successor. Yulan died the following day at the Palace of Chalassia. Altan, who did not want to drain his resources by propping up the Huntite Khanate, refused to aid Avoch any further with financial payments.

Avoch became even more desperate with each passing day, as his subjects now came to despise his rule. The inhabitants of Hunt Major, Hunt Minor, and the other Huntite Core Worlds, in particular, were brought to the greatest heights of poverty, as the Huntite Government was unable to compensate them for the injuries inflicted upon them by Genseric through his military campaigns and predatory expeditions. Throughout February and March 1157, a series of riots, strikes, and uprisings took place against the Dasian military garrisons and authorities of those worlds, as the citizens protested their plight. Avoch employed force to contain these shows of civil dissent, but made himself seem weak in the eyes of the Caladarian Galaxy. Dayan and Ricimer now began to formulate plans of rebellion against him. On 11 March, Dayan held a secret conference at Kimania, for all who opposed Avoch and his rule. This conference was attended by many Huntite military commanders, noblemen, court officials, government officials, and Dasian Beys, among other notables.

The conference suggested that action be taken to "rescue" the Huntite Khanate from its predicament. On 16 March, Dayan informed the garrisons of the Barsar Regions, who despised Avoch, of his plans. They decided to offer him their unconditional support. On 22 March, Ricimer secured the loyalty of his Jarjanic and Melorkuab formations, who pledged their assistance in overthrowing the "hated Avoch". Altan and Theodoric II both became aware of the rebel plots, as did Genseric, but none of those three monarchs did anything about it. In the cases of Genseric and Theodoric, this was fueled by the hope that a civil war would seriously strain the Huntite Khanate's remaining military, economic, and political resources. Altan, on his part, despised the fact that the Huntite Khan had been installed by a barbarian monarch.

On 28 March, Dayan and Ricimer rejected the authority of Khan Avoch, launching a full-scale rebellion against him. The Barsar Regions declared their support for the rebel leaders the following day, thus providing the co-Supreme Commanders with considerable resources to employ against Avoch. Filorean, Constipex, and Christopher were captured without a struggle (29 March-2 April 1157). On 3 April, the garrison of Kimania capitulated to Dayan, who then used it to effortlessly storm Kimanis Mooria, Leo's Redoubt, and Gardiner. Dayan then gained a major victory in the Battle of Kougar (4 April 1157) and destroyed the Khan's garrisons on Cox and Banks (5-9 April 1157), advancing into the Gedrosian regions. On 15 April, Narra and the remaining worlds of the Trans-Kimanian were conquered. Gedrosia Max welcomed the usurper on 17 April. Then on 19 April, Dayan and Ricimer crushed a Amelianian mercenary army at the Battle of Horne. Jasonia itself was conquered two days later, with Avoch barely managing to evade capture. The Khan now retreated to Gargonia, expecting help from the Huntite Core Regions. He was now disappointed however, as the Huntite Senate declared its support for Dayan on 23 April. On 25 April, Gargonia itself defected, and Avoch was driven off the world. Dayan now summoned a session of the Huntite Senate and the leading Dasian civil, court, governmental, military, and religious officials.

They unanimously proclaimed him Khan of the Huntite Khanate (26 April 1157), elevating him above the assembly. Dayan was to prove to be the last strong Khan of the Huntite Khanate, for he would, during the next four years, launch vigorous campaigns against the Kuevians, the Jarjanics, the Ashlgothians, and the Alexandrians, among others. On 29 April, Avoch himself was cornered and captured at Meredith. Trundled on a transport, he was brought back to Jasonia, being presented as a prostrate prisoner before Dayan on 2 May. Dayan refused to listen to his pleas for mercy, forcing Avoch to sign a formal declaration of abdication on 4 May. By 7 May, all of the Huntite Khanate's worlds acknowledged Dayan as Khan. Avoch himself was, on the advice of Ricimer, allowed to retire to Anna Yunia, ironically the same world where the rebel Khan Subutai of the Barsar Regions had briefly been allowed to retire to in June 1111. Avoch lived on for a few months, but then died under mysterious circumstances (13 July 1157). It was claimed by historians of the time that the Khan himself had sent agents to poison him. It was not until the late seventeenth century that evidence was discovered linking Ricimer or one of his subordinates to Avoch's death.

Dayan, now established as Khan of the Huntite Khanate, instigated a series of measures to reorganize the Huntite economy, strengthen the Huntite administration, and consolidate his rule. Instead of purging the officials of the civil service and imperial household completely, as Avoch and Khorchin had done upon their respective accessions to the Huntite throne, Dayan ordered for extensive examinations to be applied to these officials. By the end of June 1157, nearly 50% of the lower officers who had served directly under Avoch had been retained, while 20% were reprimanded and the remainder dismissed from duty. By this process, Dayan was determined to maintain those who would have skills that would allow him to govern the Huntite Khanate efficiently and fairly. Ricimer himself, respected for his tactical abilities and disciplinary methods, was retained in his position, and became the new Khan's Supreme Commander (restoring the position once held by Bodi Aligh). Dayan cleared out abuses from the imperial household. He liberated all Huntite eunuchs and concubines, releasing them back to their families and compensating them financially. He cleared out waste by eliminating costly entertainments and imposing a austere routine on the ceremonies of the Dasian court.

By these methods alone, he managed to eliminate nearly 15% of state expenditures within the matter of a few months. The Khan himself maintained the habits and lifestyle he had held while a military general, conducting himself plainly and without gross extravagance. Next, the Khan ordered a extensive reformation of the Dasian taxation system in July 1157. The princely ty'naa, planetary levies, and local capitations were all reorganized, eliminating inefficient categories and destroying exemptions for all but the most privileged officials. This decree affected nearly 60% of the Dasian nobility and 30% of the Dasian clergy, obliging them to pay new duties into the Huntite Treasury. As a result, Huntite income almost tripled. Dayan, however, lowered direct levies on the common civilians, and he eliminated the enslavement requirement for debtors, instead requiring that they work in military foundries and volunteer freely to support the Huntite war effort.

The Khan pleased his mercenary corps by providing them with their fees, using the revenues gained from the expansion in income. He vastly expanded the Huntite military forces, incorporating new units of Melorkians, Jarjanics, Rudorites, Jageronians, Armanes, Brentarks, Brestords, Halegothicans, Amelianians, Alexandrians, Devianiani, and other such barbarians. Ricimer was assigned to maintain firm discipline and close military coordination among these units, thus streamlining the Huntite forces. New shipyards at Gardiner, Leo's Redoubt, Kimanis Mooria, Christopher, Breha, Narra, Chobania, Offshora, Gedrosia Max, Filorean, Constipex, Millard, Henderson, and Newman Victoria produced new vessels for the Huntite navy, while the Khan also strengthened garrisons in the Barsar Regions and within the Jageronian Worlds. In August 1157, having secured the recognition of Theodoric II, he managed to make new arrangements with the Ashlgothians, giving them the right to make their tribute demands from Crimeanian instead of Huntite territory. To ensure these requirements were met, he was able to persuade the Ashlgothians to the necessity of allowing renewed Huntite access to what remained of the Crimeanian Khanate.

On 2 September 1157, Dayan installed his loyal personal general, Galdan, as the new Khan of the Crimeanian Khanate, to hold his position as a vassal of the Huntite Khanate. Galdan was formally crowned as Khan of the Crimeanian Khanate on 11 September and paid homage to Dayan in a ceremony at Nathaniel. Dayan then turned his attention to repairing the Huntite regions of their ravages. He ordered for all those deprived of property by Genseric's hordes to be compensated from state emergency revenues, exempted all affected nobles, businessmen, and clergymen in the Huntite regions from taxation for a period of ten years, and exempted civilians from these taxes for a period of two years. Recovery camps, emergency restoration outposts, and distribution centers were established on the affected worlds. On 27 September, the Huntite Senate was commanded to establish a committee to handle the affairs of those worlds affected by the disasters, which was to sit for the next three years. This commission was created on 1 October. On 3 October, the nobles of the Huntite aristocracy praised Dayan for his efforts in a collective group proclamation, calling him the "most saintly ruler ever elevated over us in recent times."

On 11 October, Dayan secured the recognition of Altan, who had long held back. By the end of October, even Genseric had recognized Dayan as Huntite Khan. By the end of November 1157, all of the galactic powers recognized Dayan as Khan of the Huntite Khanate. In December 1157, Dayan declared his respect for Bodi Aligh and Stilicho, who had "long preserved this Khanate against its outside enemies." He had Stilicho's remains removed from the Pit of Traitors and buried next to Bodi Aligh at the Mausoleum of the Dasian Dead on Jasonia in a lavish ceremony on 15 December. On 6 December 1157, Aioulf of the Jarjanics died, and with the agreement of both Theodoric and Dayan, his brother Maldras became the new King of the Jarjanics. Then on 28 December, Dayan was formally crowned as Khan of the Huntite Khanate on Jasonia, a ceremony which was attended by dignitaries of the Ashlgothians, Kuevians, Homidinian Khanate, Crimeanian Khanate, Melorkians, Jarjanics, Devianiani, Alexandrians, Donguarians, Polonians, Laurasians, Solidaritans, Venasians, Merlites, Brestords, Armanes, Halegothicans, and Amelianians, among others. 1157 thus ended with the Huntite Khanate possessing a vigorous and effective ruler.

Dayan continued and intensified his economic, governmental, and civil reforms during the early months of 1158. The Khan allowed himself no rest. He was the most vigorous Khan to sit on the throne of the Huntite Khanate since Tokugaistus the Great himself. In the late eighteenth century, Gibbeoneous and Baron Monompahalaus would both praise the Dasian Khan for his efforts. Gibbeoneous cited him as a "noble character, imbued with the spirit of his great ancestors, who sought to revive the fortunes of the Huntite Khanate and maintain the authority of the Dasian species over their dominions. He put all of his effort into insuring that the name of the Dasians would not die. Although his reign had a shameful end, he nevertheless deserves the title of being the last great Dasian Khan in galactic history." Dayan continued to reform Dasian finances. In January 1158, he canceled all tax arrears which had been accumulated by the Dasian government officials and nobles, thus allowing the credit of the Dasian household and nobility to stabilize. The Khan removed vexatious tax charters which had been implemented during the reign of Dost by Bodi Aligh, freeing up tax collection agents for gathering up the new levies which Dayan, with the assistance of his advisers, had imposed.

Dayan also curbed the abuses of the nobles, who by the Dasian labat of 27 January 1158, were forbidden to accumulate further tax farming profits from beyond their estates. This had long strained the efforts of tax monitoring agencies. Dayan and his council then prepared a new code for property and estate taxes, intent on reforming the levies imposed upon those who possessed property and on increasing the revenues of the state at the same time. This law, the Code of the Estates and Properties of the Huntite Worlds, was implemented on 11 March. By this decree, all tax arrears accumulated for landed estates, businesses, and merchant enterprises were suspended, while a new set of regulations were implemented for the filing of tax papers, the reporting of tax accounts, and the declaration of proper tax revenues. The same decree cracked down on tax fraud, tax corruption, and tax evasion, ordering for the punishment of all administrators and tax assessors who engaged in such practices. This eliminated much abuse from the system and allowed for the Dasian Treasury to regain status with galactic bankers and moneylenders.

On 4 September 1158, another decree, the Code of Defraudation, was implemented, directing at allowing judicial generals greater leeway in punishing those who violated the Dasian tax regulations. Then, from February 1158, the Khan ordered the restoration of the coinage on the basis of its content of 1125, which thus reduced prices and rates, allowing for the economy to recover from overpriced balances resulting from Bodi Aligh's extortion efforts. Coins issued during Dayan's reign depict the Khan in traditional Dasian gear, with a bal'ar (or sword of honor), a mace, and a ax of the Vengeance. Dayan also sought to repair local administration. On 8 May 1158, he decreed the restoration of the office of the local sub-bey, who was responsible for answering to local petitions, coordinating local agencies, and communicating the wishes of the higher officials. Five days later, the Law of the Yarnans was issued, reorganizing that institution which had existed ever since the time of Kublai Khan. Yarnans were now forbidden to conduct any of their actions without thorough overview and examination of the case which they handled by hand-picked government officials, who were to report directly to the Khan and his council on criminal, civil, and litigation matters. This reduced corruption, blackmailing, and fraud. Dayan also pursued new policies with the various religious orders.

On 11 March 1158, he confirmed religious toleration but forbade religious officials from extorting from their properties unduly. They were also affected by the new decrees requiring for the payment of new tributes to the state treasury. On 25 March, all special privileges possessed by the clergy over the financial punishment of civilians were abolished. Two days later, the Church lost it right to adjudicate in wills and disputes, a privilege which had earned it a considerable income at state expense. Those revenues now reverted directly to the State Treasury. Dayan then purged the Imperial Household of officials who held religious status, declaring that men at work needed to be dedicated solely to the cares of the State. On 4 May, the Decree on Widows and Forced Nuns granted women who had been forced into religious orders the right to inherit property the same as their brothers, and abolished the ineffectual widow's tax, which many had evaded. The same decree also forbade widows and mothers from joining a religious order unless if they absolutely needed to do so, thus freeing up more directly taxable income for the state.

To address the problem of declining population within the Huntite Khanate, Dayan forbade women between the ages of 18 and 35 from joining a religious order at all, unless if they were physically disabled, under severe financial pressure, or in a position to prove that they had family members belonging to religious orders or monasteries in the past. The Khan also relaxed restrictions on interspecies relations and genetic modifications, which aroused much distaste from the traditionalist Dasian elites. Nevertheless, he presented these changes as necessary to encourage population growth. These same elites, moreover, were placated by being constantly rotated in ceremonial and civil position, a action that Khorchin and Avoch had failed to conduct. Thus, the majority of the upper ranks of the Dasian aristocracy remained loyal to Dayan until almost the end of his reign.

All historians are agreed that Dayan's extensive reforms prolonged the existence of the Huntite Khanate by another two decades. The Khanate, indeed, had been at the verge of collapse during 1155-1156, and might have been destroyed then, had not certain circumstances coalesced to prevent that from happening. Having consolidated his position as Khan and having strengthened the Huntite state itself, Dayan could now turn his attention to matters of war and diplomacy. In particular, new troubles began to emerge with the Kuevians once again, who were threatening the security of the Huntite borderland regions. Genseric himself, however, was not directly involved with these expeditions, instead allowing his brother-in-law, Gunther, to lead operations against the Huntite Khanate. These operations reached a new extent in June 1158. Gunther, at the head of a vast Kuevian expeditionary force and transport armada, violated the territory of the Huntite Khanate and the agreements of the Huntite Government with Kuevia by crossing deep into Huntite territory. He besieged and conquered Samarkand (2-9 June 1158); harried Leah (11 June); and occupied Meris (12-15 June).

He then harried the systems on approach to Iego, Sheldonia, and Dickinson (16-21 June 1158), inflicting severe damage on Huntite positions within the region. Dayan however, now effectively organized his military units for a counteroffensive. Employing counter-tactics against the Kuevian marauders, he defeated Gunther in the Battle of Ikkadia (22-25 June 1158), preventing the Kuevians from progressing into the Huntite regions. Three days later, he repelled a Kuevian offensive against Iego. Dayan then reinforced Huntite positions along the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route and prevented Kuevian expeditions from penetrating into Homidinian territory. On 6 July, he recovered Meris. Five days later, pushing towards Samarkand from Prestley and Lorna, he drove Kuevian raiding expeditions almost to the border of the Middle Territories. Samarkand itself was recovered on 9 July. On 12 July, Gunther suffered a severe defeat in the Battle of Toyania, on the very border of the Huntite Khanate with the Kuevian Kingdom. He was forced to request for peace. On 20 July, the Treaty of Beharis was signed with Kuevia, by which raids on the part of the Kuevians into Huntite territory were outlawed. Any breach of this treaty was to be considered grounds for the renewal of conflict.

Having successfully repelled the Kuevian raiding offensives, Dayan then turned his attention to reinforcing the defenses of the Huntite Regions, the Jageronian Worlds, and the Eastern Robertian Worlds. July and August 1158 saw the Khan visiting all of the strongholds and military bases of the regions in succession, bolstering military garrisons, issuing new emergency attack and readiness orders, and replacing commanders whom he thought were ineffectual and hampering the cause of the Huntite Khanate. Dayan placed some of his most powerful military units in the region and assigned Ricimer with duties to ensure that the area remained under control. Finally, Dayan ordered for the establishment of a new shipyard on Kattina, which was to produce new sophisticated classes of Dasian destroyers, cruisers, transports, and starfighters which would eventually be employed against the Kuevians in the future. The establishment of this shipyard was kept a secret from all but the highest military and governmental officials of the Huntite Khanate.

Ricimer was ordered to deal harshly with any who penetrated the shipyard's defenses or attempted to reveal its secrets. Having thus dealt fully with those affairs, Dayan turned his attention to other matters at the beginning of September 1158. Uprisings on Filorean, Kimania, Kimanis Mooria, Nikki Lowell, Kougar, and Leo's Redoubt had broken out against the Khan. By 22 September, Dayan had suppressed all of these revolts, imposing severe methods of punishment on those who had been responsible for provoking them. He also increased the military garrisons installed on those worlds. Dayan received intelligence on 26 September, indicating that Theodoric II of Ashlgothia had been responsible for provoking new rebel tensions within the Huntite Barsar Regions. Believing that he had something to do with the revolts, Dayan sent a message to the court of Ashlgothia on 30 September, demanding the reasoning for Theodoric's actions. Theodoric however, denied the charges and claimed that he remained "fully in support" of the Huntite Khanate.

On 3 October, however, a Ashlgothian mercenary officer within Dayan's corps, who was in the pay of the Ashlgothian King, was arrested while attempting to send a message to Theodoric about Huntite battle strategies. He confessed that Theodoric indeed had supported the revolts and that he had been engaged in actions for the past several months to undermine the Huntite Khanate. Dayan now decided to punish Ashlgothia. On 8 October, he issued a declaration of war, declaring that Theodoric had violated "his honorable obligations" towards the Huntite Khanate by acting in such a manner. Theodoric, enraged at the declaration of war, launched his units from Beverly Hereidu, Armenia Major, Nanking, and the Orion Cluster. He conquered Narra (10-12 October 1158); subdued Breha in a surprise offensive (13-19 October 1158); and cut off Huntite supply lines to Christopher. Dayan however, destroyed a Ashlgothian transport armada in the Battle of Afdari (22-26 October 1158) and conquered the Ashlgothian command post on Ricohoran V (29 October 1158). He then repelled Ashlgothian offensives against Kimanis Mooria and Celestia (1-4 November 1158). On 11 November, the Khan launched a offensive against Orion III and IV, breaking Ashlgothian units there and forcing Theodoric to terminate his planned offensive against the Melorkians of Roastafaria. On 15 November, the Khan recovered Narra. Five days later, he annihilated a Ashlgothian expeditionary force in the Battle of Aldea.

Theodoric now prepared his units for a decisive clash with the Huntite forces. On 26 November, he advanced towards Arelate, a Huttite colony world in the vicinity of Reading. Dayan, however, had organized effective defenses there. When Theodoric launched his attack, the Khan received immediate notice of it. The Khan hurried to Arelate, where he cut off the Ashlgothian supply lines and sent Theodoric with his personal fleet into flight. Theodoric subsequently lost the remainder of the Orion Cluster to Dayan as a result of this disaster (28-29 November 1158). On 3 December, the Huntite Khan reconquered Nanking and expelled the remaining Ashlgothian units from the Trans-Kimanian Regions. Five days later, he executed a offensive towards Bookman and Armenia Minor, compelling Theodoric to retreat northwards. The King of Ashlgothia, realizing that his campaigns had ended in failure, requested for a armistice on 11 December, which was signed two days later. On 17 December, a conference was opened at Rolle. On 22 December 1158, the Treaty of Rolle was signed. By the terms of this agreement, Theodoric conceded Nanking and the Orion Cluster back to the Huntite Khanate, besides acknowledging Huntite authority over Bookman, Rolle, and Melorkian Roastafaria. He promised to pay Dayan compensation for military mobilization costs. The Ashlgothian King also surrendered his rights of free access for his officials through Huntite territory. In turn, Dayan confirmed Ashlgothian suzerainty over the Jarjanics.

Having thus secured a peace agreement with the Ashlgothians, Dayan redirected his attention to consolidating Huntite control over Nanking and the Orion Cluster, clearing out criminal and pirate bands who festered in the outskirts of the Barsar Regions, and reorganizing the military revenues of the Huntite State, using the tributes provided by Theodoric and the levies whom the Khan himself had imposed upon the Huntite nobility and population. 1158 thus closed with the Huntite Khanate having defeated the Ashlgothians and maintained its rule in the Eastern Barsar Regions. Dayan however, soon encountered new troubles. In the Western Barsar Regions, King Gondioc of the Alexandrians simmered under the terms of Huntite overlordship. The Huntite Khanate held renewed possession of the Durant Cluster, including its outpost worlds of Hamacaki Barka, Sharon Alfonsi, Miller, Pocket, Hannibal, and Stewart. Gondioc desired possession of these worlds and also wished to expel the long-established Huntite consulate of Skye I, on his own capital world.

As such, after consulting his advisers, the King of the Alexandrians sent a message to Dayan on 5 January 1159, stating that the Alexandrian kingdom "hath not be a vassal of a Khanate which should not hold authority over the state of another species." The Alexandrian King thus announced that he was terminating any sort of arrangement which had been established with the Huntite Government. Dayan was enraged by this, and was sent into a flurry of action by the Alexandrian declaration of war on 17 January. Gondioc quickly destroyed the Skye I consulate (17-18 January 1159); conquered Sharon Alfonsi (20-22 January 1159); and annihilated the defenses of Hamacaki Barka (25 January). Dayan dispatched a relief force through Devianiani space, but this was intercepted and destroyed at Hospallia Major by the Alexandrian King (26-29 January 1159). Gondioc then secured Miller on 2 February and drove Huntite units away from the vicinity of the Western Lesian Systems. On 4 February, Pocket and Hannibal were both subdued. Stewart, however, held out, resisting the Alexandrians for the remainder of the month. This allowed Dayan time to prepare a second relief force.

Finally on 6 March the Huntite Khan launched a surprise counteroffensive, driving the Alexandrian fleet from Stewart. On 8 March, he defeated Gondioc in the Battle of Bledsoe. Two days later, he recovered Miller and disrupted the Alexandrian supply lines to the Upper Durant Cluster. Gondioc then launched a series of vigorous counteroffensives, penetrating even into Devianiani space, but these were stopped by Dayan by 20 March. On 22 March, Dayan recovered Sharon Alfonsi and pushed toward Hannibal Barka, which fell to him five days later. By 5 April, Pocket and Hannibal had also been recovered, and the remaining Alexandrian units were expelled from the Durant Cluster. On 8 April, Dayan defeated Gondioc again in the Battle of Teutonica, bypassing Skye I. He then ranged all the way to the Alexandrian border with the Amelianian kingdom of Nordania, destroying Alexandrian positions on Borgia, Meridu, Ghaza, and Hakura. By the end of April, Huntite troops began to approach the Skye systems. Gondioc was forced to sue for peace on 6 May.

On 11 May 1159, the Treaty of Lugdunda was signed. By the terms of this agreement, Huntite control of the Durant Cluster and of the consulate on Skye I was acknowledged. Huntite forces were to occupy Teutonica, Meridu, Ghaza, and Hakura for the next two years, until the Alexandrians raised a massive tribute to pay into Huntite coffers. In turn, Dayan returned all Alexandrians captured in combat back to their families and compensated those who had suffered injuries at the hands of the Huntite troops. Having secured Huntite overlordship over the Alexandrians, Dayan hurried back across the Denveranian Trunk Line. He was then surprised, however, by the revolt of the Devianiani in May 1159. The Devianiani, from their positions on Lesia Major, Lesia Minor, and Mrpath V, launched offensives against Bookman, Samantha, Messalina, Riley, and Abshire. It took until September for Dayan to crush this revolt, which seriously threatened Huntite control of the eastern Denveranian Trunk Line. The revolt was indeed crushed though, and the Devianiani were forced to sign the Treaty of Elak on 21 September 1159, by which they paid a substantial tribute to the Huntite Khanate.

Following the conclusion of that campaign, Dayan prepared for a series of offensives against the Kuevians. He desired to fulfill the goals of his deceased master Bodi Aligh, who had sought to destroy the Kuevian Kingdom and restore Huntite dominion in the Middle Territories. The Supreme Commander, however, had always been blunted by the Kuevian King and was never able to complete this task. Dayan was determined to do better. The secret shipyards of Kattina, whom he established, have already been mentioned. The Khan intensified the construction efforts, directing his efforts towards producing ships that could effectively resist the weaponry and military sophistication of the Kuevian vessels. Vast sums from the Huntite treasury were diverted towards this enterprise. The Khan, however, would have further concerns to deal with in the Barsar Regions. King Maldras of the Jarjanics had been engaged in secret discussions with his overlord, Theodoric II, who decided to use his vassal as a means through which to attack the Huntite Khanate. In June 1159, he had provided the Jarjanic King with a substantial number of Gregian, Nandi, and Larkianite units and mercenaries. This was besides military equipment and supplies, based on Ashlgothian models, that the Jarjanics also received. Maldras also conducted secret negotiations with Genseric, who in the note of 7 August 1159 encouraged the King of the Jarjanics "to deal harsh blows to the Huntite Khanate and weaken the power of that respective state."

Maldras now believed that he could finally accomplish the goal of Rechiar by bringing all of the Barsar Regions under Jarjanic dominion. He trained his military forces extensively, intending to defeat and humiliate the Huntite Khan. On 29 September 1159, Maldras, in a session of his personal war-council, declared his intention to avenge himself upon the Huntites. Two days later, Theodoric announced his neutrality in any new war which would arise in the Barsar Regions. On 5 October, Genseric provided Maldras with Kuevian, Shenandonanan, Melarian, Millian, Vickian, and Robertian units, which the King of the Jarjanics could use in his campaigns. Finally, on 9 October, Maldras renounced the Huntite Khanate's share in the overlordship over his kingdom and launched a series of offensives into Huntite territory. Abshire was quickly stormed (10-11 October 1159); followed by Strongstine (12-15 October 1159) and then Susan (16-19 October 1159). On 22 October, Maldras destroyed a Huntite fleet dispatched against Plath. Two days later, he secured the Huntite stronghold on Mireuya. Dayan, however, repelled a Jarjanic offensive against Messalina (25-29 October 1159), although he could not prevent the fall of Samantha to Maldras on 2 November. On 6 November, Maldras subdued Taning, cutting into the heart of the Huntite Barsar Regions. By 15 November, he had secured the Huttile star systems and the former Rudorite colony-worlds as well, penetrating all the way to the outskirts of Leo's Redoubt, Gardiner, and Cox. On 21 November, Darrell, a Huntite outpost world on the juncture to Chobania, was subdued. Two days later, Chobania itself was conquered. By the end of November, Maldras was sending fleets that penetrated all the way to the Kimanian Trade Run.

Dayan however, having aroused himself from Jasonia, now organized his forces in the same vigorous and energetic fashion that he had employed before. Determined to repel the Jarjanics and to subdue them under the might of the Huntite Khanate, the Khan organized new units at Nikki Lowell, Newman Victoria, Banks, Henderson, Gedrosia Max, Gardiner, Leo's Redoubt, Nanking, Narra, Breha, Christopher, and Orion, with which to hurl into the Barsar Regions. Leaving Ricimer behind to supervise the Trans-Kimanian territories in his absence, Dayan established his command headquarters at Kimania on 6 December. Two days later, Maldras launched a offensive against Dorothea, but this was repelled by the Huntite Khan. On 10 December, Dayan destroyed Jarjanic advance positions established at the Winds of the Void, located on the outskirts of the Wild Marshes directly across from the Galactic Void. Five days later, he pushed towards Chobania and cleared Jarjanic units away from their positions towards Reading. Maldras, however, ravaged the systems around Offshora and posed a severe threat to the Jamanian systems, penetrating almost near to Armenia Major. Dayan however, soon stopped those offensives and then recovered Samantha (20-22 December 1159), although Maldras managed to briefly conquer Preena. On 26 December, Dayan executed a offensive towards Taning, driving away Jarjanic units and capturing a large number of military supplies.

Many of these supplies were discovered to have been manufactured on Ashlgothia. On 27 December, Dayan sent a message to King Theodoric, demanding why he was assisting the Jarjanics. Theodoric however, now disowned Maldras, for he knew that the Jarjanic King was destined to failure. The Ashlgothian King claimed that he knew nothing of Jarjanic plans and hinted that Genseric had long been provoking tensions with Huntite vassals. Genseric, when confronted by Dayan's ambassador on Shenandoah with those claims, denied them, and on 28 December, declared that he wished for peaceful relations with the Huntite Khanate to continue. This just fueled Dayan's determination to get rid of the Kuevian Kingdom. On 29 December, Darell was recovered. Then a day later, Plath was captured in a surprise offensive, threatening Dominguez, Ranell, and Novina. Maldras now pursued a guerrilla strategy, harrying Huntite positions and avoiding direct combat. He launched a series of predatory raids into Huntite territory, ravaging hundreds of star systems and causing terror to millions. 1159 thus ended in such a matter. On 1 January 1160, New Year's celebrations, as were the custom, were conducted throughout the Caladarian Galaxy, as the galactic powers welcomed the coming of the 1160s. Once the campaigns of Dayan have been wrapped up, after which Ricimer's usurpation of power occurred, and once further events in the Core Regions have been described, the state of the Caladarian Galaxy in 1160 will then be provided.

On 7 January 1160, Maldras launched his most ambitious raid into the Huntite Khanate. Jarjanic predatory expeditions penetrated all the way to Filorean, causing damage in a wide swath of territory, disrupting Huntite positions, and posing a threat again to the Huntite military position. After several days of this, during which the Jarjanics took much plunder and followed a policy of rapine, massacre, and devastation, Dayan finally managed to recover the Huntite positions. He drove the Jarjanic raiders all the way back to the Denveranian Trunk Line and terminated any further offensives by their arms into Huntite territory. By 15 January, the last remaining Huntite strongholds that had fallen into Jarjanic possession had been recaptured, and the Khan was moving his troops head-on into Jarjanic territory. Maldras still attempted to evade direct combat, but Dayan outmaneuvered him, following intelligence reports of Jarjanic positions and destroying Jarjanic military fortifications. Dominguez was conquered on 18 January, followed by Ranell two days later. Novina was besieged from 22 January, but did not fall until the end of the month. During that time, Dayan pushed towards Jarman and Skold. On 25 January, Jarman was conquered in a swift surprise assault, as Maldras failed to halt the Huntite fleets. On 29 January, Skold was isolated. Then on 31 January, Novina was finally captured, and Dayan consolidated his position in Jarjanic territories.

On 4 February, Skold fell to the Huntite forces, and Maldras was pushed to the border with Devianiani space. He refused to surrender however, a action which angered his commanders, who did not wish to die. Dayan had offered a pardon to all Jarjanic soldiers who surrendered on their own will, without being forced to in any further direct combat. On 11 February, the officers of the Jarjanic fleet, led by Maldras's flagship commander, Frumar, launched a conspiracy against their master. Seizing control of the flagship bridge, Frumar and his associates then sent out instructions to the Jarjanic fleet, claiming that Maldras had died and that it was his wish for final peace with the Huntites to be made. They quickly secured the loyalty of the fleet, who tired of war. Maldras himself was taken by Jarjanic troopers and butchered to death in his personal chambers. Frumar was proclaimed King of the Jarjanics the following day. On 14 February, just as Dayan began preparing for a offensive against James, the last remaining significant Jarjanic stronghold, Frumar offered to surrender. Dayan accepted his offer. On 17 February, the Treaty of Plath was signed. Frumar was acknowledged as King of the Jarjanics by the Huntite Khanate and gained control over pre-war Jarjanic dominions. He was obliged, however, to acknowledge Dayan as his chief overlord, to pay compensation to the Huntites for their mobilization efforts, and to terminate all relations with the Kuevians. Theodoric, hearing of these conditions, trembled, but was then placated by a amendment passed on 22 February, by which his position as overlord of Frumar was confirmed, in a joint co-position with Dayan. Frumar pledged to pay Theodoric a annual tribute and to provide him with Jarjanic mercenary units.

Having dealt with the Jarjanic threat, Dayan turned his attention towards Genseric and the Kuevians. On 28 February 1160, the Huntite Khan arrived at Samarkand, which was to become his chief command headquarters for the offensives against the Kuevians. He dispatched military readiness orders to all of his units and sent instructions to Ricimer to insure that the Huntite forces maintained proper organization, coordination, and discipline during the campaigns. On 5 March 1160, he sent a note to the court of King Genseric on Kuevia, seeking a justification for the war which he was about to launch. This of course was not stated directly to the Kuevians. Dayan instead demanded that Genseric restore Beharis, Walters, Hasselbeck, Robert, Uris, Vickis, Uris, Choir, and Hoohshkikk back to the authority of the Huntite Khanate, that he restore to Galdan Hooper, Sanegeta, and his parts of Eutagia and Acamaria, and that he pledge himself as a ally of the Huntite Khanate. Genseric was insulted by these demands, and on 8 March, declared that he would not humiliate himself before the Huntite Khan in such a manner. He then made a counteroffer on 11 March. He promised to align himself with the Huntite Khanate "forever more" and to restore to Galdan Crimeanian territories taken by Kuevia. In turn, however, he "requested" that Dayan provide Meris, Iego, and Dickinson to the Kuevian forces, as "strongholds of security". Dayan subsequently proclaimed that Genseric was "hostile to the act of making peace" and on 16 March, recalled his ambassador from the Huntite court. Genseric did the same on 21 March, terminating all diplomatic and economic relations with the Huntite Khanate.

On 25 March, Khan Dayan issued a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Kuevia, and immediately launched offensives into Kuevian territory. He besieged and conquered Beharis (26-27 March 1160); stormed Hasselbeck (28 March); Walters (29 March-5 April); and Shepherd (6-10 April). A offensive against Robert on 12 April failed, as Genseric sent units which disrupted the Huntite squadrons. The Kuevian King himself ordered for plundering operations to be directed into Huntite territory. The Kuevians harried Timur's Star (13-19 April 1160) and penetrated all the way to the Spear of the Jewel, a famed Huntite treasure world (20-25 April 1160), before approaching Gargonia on 27 April. Dayan, however, now mustered his new squadrons from Kattina, whose shipyards had completed production of the first batch on 25 April. On 28 April, he destroyed a Kuevian fleet dispatched against Jeanne. Two days later, pushing forth from the strongholds on Benjamin, Hunt Minor, Gargonia, Meris, and Leah, he isolated Kuevian units at the world of Katilin, terminating their threat to Huntite space.

Then on 4 May, he finally subdued Robert, pushing Kuevian forces back into the Middle Territories. On 10 May, Uris was secured in a surprise offensive, followed by Vickis six days later. Genseric was now truly worried, especially as Galdan was considering entering the war on the side of the Huntite Khanate. On 9 May, Crimeanian intelligence forces began probing Kuevian defenses within the Millian star systems. The King of the Kuevians, therefore, decided on a surprise gamble. On 12 May, he opened contact with Jarjanic, Ashlgothian, and Halegothican mercenary commanders within Dayan's forces, offering them a considerable financial bounty and rights of settlement in the Robertian Systems if they in turn sabotaged the Huntite military forces. These men, lured by the prospect of booty and fame, accepted Genseric's offer on 16 May. On 21 May, they planted automated self-destruct codes within the computer systems of the Kattina Fleet, as Dayan's specialized warships were known. Five days later, they planted similar codes at the Shipyards of Kattina themselves.

On 29 May, Dayan launched a offensive against Hoohshikk and Saloria, attempting to use these as bridgeheads for a offensive against Choir. His offensive however, suddenly ended as his mercenary commanders turned on him, activating the codes. Most of the Huntite armada was annihilated, while Kattina itself suffered the loss of its shipyards. Dayan was forced to terminate the offensive. Genseric, having regained the upper hand, incorporated the mercenary corps into his forces on 2 June and launched counteroffensives. He recovered Vickis (3-5 June); Uris (6-10 June); and the Systems of the Eastern Wind (11-15 June), before reconquering Robert in a surprise offensive (17 June). Hasselbeck and Walters had been recovered by 22 June, while Kuevian task fleets penetrated all the way to the Wild Marshes, causing severe damage and plundering numerous star systems. On 29 June, Dayan managed to halt a Kuevian offensive against Meris, but was unable to advance back into Kuevian territory. Enraged by the defection of his mercenaries, and needing to rebuild his main military units, the Khan sent a request for peace on 6 July. Negotiations opened at Dion on 10 July, being mediated by Khan Altan of Homidinia. The Treaty of Dion was signed on 20 July 1160, after over a week of arduous negotiations. By the terms of this agreement, Shepherd and Beharis were returned to the Kuevian Kingdom, while Genseric, on his part, recognized Huntite rule of Meris, Iego, and the Route Regions.

He also promised to pay the Huntite Khan compensation for the defection of his mercenary corps. Peace then ensued for the remainder of 1160. Dayan focused his efforts on consolidating his reforms, recovering from his losses in the campaigns against the Kuevians, and maintaining internal order. Ricimer, however, began to develop further ambitions. By now, the Supreme Commander yearned to establish himself as the predominant figure in the Huntite Khanate, as his mentor and predecessor Bodi Aligh had been. He even held ambitions for the Huntite throne, although, as a barbarian, he could never obtain that position. Thus, he became determined to establish himself by other means. In October 1160, Ricimer began stockpiling military supplies and equipment at his private strongholds. Two months later, he opened secret contacts with Theodoric II and Genseric, who agreed to pose no resistance to his plans. Dayan himself remained unaware of Ricimer's intrigues. In fact, a peace which fooled many descended during the majority of 1161 as well. 1161 opened with the typical New Year's celebrations, as the Khan presided, with all of his customary energy and vigor, over the New Year's celebrations at Jasonia. Ricimer bid his time, continuing to make his plans. All the way to August 1161, there was a sense of deception prevalent in Huntite dominions. Minor disturbances took place in the Barsar Regions, but these were suppressed relatively quickly.

Finally, in August 1161, Ricimer launched his long-awaited conspiracy. On 2 August, uprisings and revolts broke out on Filorean, Constipex, Gedrosia Max, Leah, Lorna, Hunt Minor, Kimania, Kimanis Mooria, Leo's Redoubt, and Gardiner. The garrisons of all these worlds had been bribed by the Supreme Commander to become lax on their duties and to allow local nationalist and rebel movements on these worlds to launch their actions against Huntite authority. He intended for these uprisings and revolts to distract Dayan from what would be going on at the Huntite Court and within the Huntite Government. He knew that the Khan always preferred to deal with uprisings and revolts personally, and that he used Ricimer as a official to govern over the Huntite dominions whenever he was absent. Ricimer proved correct in his reasoning, as Dayan indeed announced his intentions to leave Jasonia, on 4 August, to subdue the uprisings. As was expected by the Supreme Commander and his co-conspirators, Dayan appointed Ricimer as the Regent of the Huntite Court, to preside over the court and the government until the Khan returned from his military offensives. On 5 August Dayan departed from Jasonia with his personal armada. Ricimer now seized upon his plans. Gathering his own personal units together from his private strongholds, the Supreme Commander summoned a session of the Huntite Senate, upon his authority as Regent, on 7 August. He told Dayan that this session was merely to review the Huntite military forces, so as to make plans for a reaction against uprisings or revolts in the future. Dayan believed what his Supreme Commander had told him.

Once the Senate had gathered on Jasonia, on 8 August, Ricimer came into the chambers, conducting himself as if was heralding a new era. He delivered a speech to the Senate, whose chambers were surrounded by his loyal personal guards and troopers. In his speech, Ricimer claimed that Dayan was "tired of the cares of state" and that a new Khan was needed to assume the governance of the Huntite Khanate. He stated that the failed offensives against the Kuevians pointed to the fact that Dayan could no longer shoulder the state's requirements, and that only he, Ricimer, acting as the adviser to a new Khan, could maintain the Huntite Khanate. The Senators, imitated by Ricimer's troops, and presented with a testament supposedly written by Dayan himself, submitted. On 9 August, just as Dayan was moving against rebel bands at Leo's Redoubt, the Senate formally declared that Dayan had abdicated the throne of the Huntite Khanate and that Ricimer was the Guardian of the Huntite State until a new Khan was to be chosen. Dayan received word of this on 12 August. Enraged, he now determined to organize his units to depose Ricimer and reclaim his position. On 15 August, however, the garrisons of the Barsar Regions defected to Ricimer, rejecting Dayan's authority as Khan. The rebel bands, all of which had been bribed by Ricimer with promises of monetary compensation and local autonomy, also accepted Ricimer's authority.

Dayan was forced to flee to Canderwall, the last remaining stronghold which remained loyal to him. Ricimer now set out from Jasonia, and on 17 August, declared that Dayan had violated his own testament by attempting to reassert himself. The inhabitants of the Huntite Khanate, with whom Ricimer was popular, chose to believe him. On 22 August, Ricimer and his personal force besieged the Khan at Canderwall. Dayan resisted for several days, but on 29 August, he was finally forced to surrender. On 1 September, Ricimer forced his former friend and master to sign a abdication declaration. Dayan was then allowed to retire to Anna Yunia, again a ironic paradox. Ricimer, however, had no intentions of allowing Dayan to live. On 8 September, he declared that Dayan had been engaged in a plot with Genseric, of all people, to attempt to undermine the stability of the Huntite Government. Saying that Dayan had violated his testament again, Ricimer ordered for Dayan's arrest. Dayan was brought to Gabriella, where he was interrogated and tortured for several days. He died of his injuries on 15 September. Ricimer had his body cast into the Pit of Traitors. Thus, the last strong Huntite Khan had died.

Ricimer now faced new challenges to his position, as there was some within the Huntite Khanate who refused to believe that Dayan had conducted such heinous actions. The Crimeanian Khan Galdan, who owed his position to Dayan, rejected the overlordship of the Huntite Khanate on 19 September 1161, and refused to provide the Huntite military with any mercenary or auxiliary units thereafter. On 22 September, he signed the Treaty of Osriana with Genseric, by which, in turn for promising never to have any relations with the Huntite Khanate in the future, he recovered control of Hooper, Sanegeta, and Eutagia. Galdan refused to recognize Ricimer as Guardian and Supreme Commander of the Huntite Khanate, vowing to continue to respect the memory of Dayan, Bodi Aligh, and Stilicho. His example was soon followed by that of the Dasian General Berke, who served as the commander of the military garrisons of Iego, Dickinson, Jeanne, and Meredith. On 29 September, Berke issued a declaration of secession, refusing to recognize Ricimer as the ruler of the Huntite Khanate. Two days later, he signed the Treaty of Brlla with Khan Altan of the Homidinian Khanate, acknowledging his authority over Iego and the Mereditan Regions, alongside the Jageronian Worlds. Altan, on his part, also refused to recognize Ricimer's control of the Huntite Khanate and expelled the Huntite ambassadors from his court on Chalassia. Ricimer was unable to deal with the Crimeanians, as Theodoric II refused to grant Huntite forces military access through his territories.

Genseric of Kuevia, who declared that his treaty arrangements with Dayan on the matter of border security had expired with the Khan's deposition and death, again sent expeditions which harried the Huntite Robertian Worlds and the Huntite Core Regions. October and November 1161 were occupied by a series of Kuevian ambushes, raiding operations, and harrying expeditions, which severely harmed Huntite citizens, outposts, and interests in those areas. Leah, Lorna, Ber Bachman, Garnett, Meris, Sheldonia, Gabriella, Hunt Major, Hunt Minor, the Sk'atha Cluster, Samarkand, and the Huntite Chief Worlds were all placed on a status of emergency, as Ricimer attempted to organize defenses against the Kuevian assaults. This did not fully succeed, however, and by the time Genseric terminated those assaults on 2 December 1161, he had inflicted hundreds of trillions of marks, perhaps quadrillions, of marks of damage upon the Huntite Khanate. In the meantime, on 19 November 1161, Ricimer finally installed a puppet Khan on the throne of the Huntite Khanate, the throne having been vacant since Dayan's deposition from power. As Khan, the Supreme Commander had chosen Darasanug Khulan, a Dasian aristocrat and Huntite Senator who was very religious and pious, yet a weak and easily manipulable figure. Ricimer himself remained the actual ruler, as Darasanug, at his coronation on 12 December 1161, acknowledged that "the great Commander of our forces possesses authority over government, political, military, and economic affairs in my name." Ricimer maintained this power until his death in 1172.

====Establishment of the Ivorian Order; Laurasian Intrigues in Ivorian Affairs; Laurasian Annexation of Goldaria; Third Laurasian-Solidaritan War; Beginning of the Ivorian War; Death of Queen Consort Anastasia Cassanova; Disgrace of Alackavius and Archbishop Sylvester; Briannian Annexation of Schaueria Prime; Venasian Diplomacy; Death of Pope Macarius (1156-1163)==== The affairs of the Core Regions must again be covered, for during the late 1150s there began a conflict which was to seriously weaken the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, while at the same time enhancing the position of Polonia, Venasia, Solidarita, and Briannia. The origins of this conflict must be described at first, as well as the domestic events which transpired within the Laurasian Dominions. After the reestablishment of the Polonian Commonwealth, new events transpired within the southern Central Core. In July 1156, Ivoria, which had previously been under the governance of Goldaria, revolted with the assistance of the Polonian Commonwealth and Briannia. Goldaria, which was ruled by the weak King Agold, who had held the Goldarian throne since 1143, was unable to halt the Ivorian revolt. By the end of September 1156, the Ivorian Order had been established. The territories of Ivoria spanned from Constantia and Stenbock in the central parts of the Central Core all the way to the Horacian Systems, embracing Horacia, Zennethia, Zutagia, Denver, Levinston, Donald, Theresa, John, and other former worlds of the Crimeanian Khanate. The Ivorian Order was governed along religious lines, for the Ivorians of that time period were heavily religious and obliged by the rules of the Esoteric Cult. The head of the Ivorian Order was known as the Burgermeister, a ancient Ivorian title. He was the highest priest of the state and the leading officer of the government, chosen by all the religious and state officials of Ivoria. Below the Burgermeister was his Council of Pontiffs, who handled routine administration and implemented his laws. Finally, each Ivorian star system had its own "local meister" with his own council and officials, while the religious priests of the Escoteric Cult held a monopoly on commerce, shipbuilding, and various other vital industries. The Ivorian Order was a vassal and protectorate of the Polonian Commonwealth to its south.

During the first year of its existence, however, the Ivorian Order faced a severe civil conflict within its boundaries. Power over the Order was disputed between the Burgermeister, Dasagai Vallanius, and his chief military commander, Inglores of Maschinga. In August 1156, Inglores of Maschinga erupted in formal revolt against the Burgermeister and from his strongholds on Mascinga, Micenta, and Storgath, he made major gains against the Burgermeister's forces. For the remainder of 1156 a vigorous struggle ensued over who would dominate the Ivorian Order. The Polonian Commonwealth, under King Vladislaus, personally supported Burgermeister Vallanius, as did Goldaria, Schaueria Prime, and Briannia. Laurasia, however, under Honorius II, declared her support for Inglores of Maschinga. In November 1156, the Treaty of Williams was signed by the delegations of Laurasia and the Ivorian rebel forces. By the terms of this agreement, the King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians agreed to supply Inglores with Laurasian mercenaries, military equipment, military supplies, and financial subsidies.

On his part, Inglores agreed to eventually make arrangements that would transfer protectorship of the Ivorian Order to Laurasia once he secured his position. With these units, Inglores managed to battle it out with the Burgermeister for several more months. King Gusta'arai of Briannia eventually learned of Laurasia's support of the Pretender. Seeking to establish a reasonable treaty with Honorius over the Ivorian matters, and also pursuing his own ambitions for Briannian territory and prestige, the King of Briannia dispatched a diplomatic communique to the Laurasian court on 29 December 1156, indicating to the Royal Laurasian Government his knowledge of Laurasia's support for Inglores of Maschinga. The King then stated that "peaceful agreement" could be made about the spheres of influence for Briannia, Laurasia, and Polonia within the Central Core and Outer Core. He expressed his wish that Honorius would be open to negotiation.

Honorius, who sought to gain the advantage from this, sent a response to Briannia on 2 January 1157, indicating his willingness to convene a diplomatic conference on the matter at Caladaria. Five days later, King Vladislaus of the Polonian Commonwealth sent messages to the Governments of both Laurasia and Briannia, describing his willingness to also engage in negotiations over the Horacian question. Then on 18 January 1157, Honorius ordered Councilor Alackavius, who held charge of the Royal Bureau of Royal Correspondence and Foreign Embassies, to begin making preparations for a congress at Caladaria. Gusta'arai, on his part, ordered his Foreign College to begin drafting plans for the Briannian embassy to be dispatched. Vladislaus of the Polonian Commonwealth also made similar preparations. The Congress of Caladaria opened on 11 February 1157, with Laurasian interests being represented by Councilor Alackavius. The Briannian Ambassador, Hans of Soles (1103-65), represented the interests of his master, while the interests of the Polonian Commonwealth were represented by Ambassador Gensius of Wronzaz (1109-72). Two months of arduous negotiations then ensued, as each state argued vigorously for its own interests and its own ambitions.

Eventually however, the compromise Treaty of Caladaria was signed on 25 April 1157. By the terms of this Treaty, Laurasia agreed to terminate all military and financial aid to Inglores of Maschinga. Polonia was to remain the suzerain of the Ivorian Order. In exchange, however, Briannia would be allowed to assert suzerainty over Schaueria Prime, a privilege which had previously belonged to Laurasia, while Laurasia itself would be allowed to incorporate Goldaria into its dominions. Both Briannia and Laurasia were to be allowed to exact a tribute from the Burgermeister, however, for a period of twenty-five years, and their merchants would have unlimited rights of passage through the Horacian territories. Such a agreement, it was hoped, would maintain the balance of power among the Core States. Following the signing of the Treaty of Caladaria, Honorius entertained all of the emissaries and diplomats at the conference to a month of festivities, banquets, plays, tournaments, displays, and other such celebrations.

The Treaty of Caladaria was ratified by King Vladislaus and his personal Diet of Advisers on 29 April, followed by the ratification of King Gusta'arai of Briannia on 4 May. The Burgermeister of the Ivorian Order was compelled by his Polonian consuls to accept the arrangements of the Treaty of Caladaria on 10 May. On 15 May, Honorius ordered the Laurasian military forces in the Central Core to put themselves in readiness for a move into the regions of Goldaria. Six days later, the King of Laurasia sent a demand to his vassal, Goldarian King Agold, requesting for him to "submit into the arms of his master" and acknowledge direct Laurasian authority over his worlds. Agold, however, who was encouraged by his wife and other councilors, refused to submit to the Laurasian demands. Honorius subsequently declared him a contumacious traitor, and on 29 May, ordered for Laurasian troops to be deployed in Goldarian territory. Yularen quickly fell to the Laurasian forces (1-5 June 1157), followed by Daala (6 June); Pelleaon (9 June); and the Systems of the Goldarian Beloved Ones (10-15 June). A Goldarian defense armada was then crushed in the Battle of Arila (19 June 1157). On 25 June, the Laurasian forces began to besiege Goldaria.

Agold attempted to pose a resistance to the Laurasians, but his efforts ended in failure. Goldaria finally fell to the Laurasian forces on 5 July 1157. Laurasian troops landed on the surface, ranging throughout Goldaria's cities and quickly asserting Laurasian control. Agold himself was captured five days later. He was presented before Honorius, who had traveled to Daala, on 11 July. Honorius refused to listen to Agold's pleas for mercy, and on his orders, the King of Goldaria was condemned to die. Agold was executed by solar incineration at Goss Beacon on 15 July. On 19 July, Honorius entered Goldaria in victorious procession, formally announcing the annexation of the Goldarian dominions into the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. He then stayed on Goldaria until 6 September, to consolidate Laurasian rule of the former Goldarian territories. Laurasia now governed the entire Central Core with the exception of Ivoria and its domains.

The Laurasian annexation of Goldaria alarmed Solidaritan Sultan Erutugul, who believed that the Laurasians should not be allowed to exert their power too extensively. The Solidaritan Sultan and his Grand Council of Advisers, in particular his personal Chancellor, Hurem Pasha, believed that Laurasia needed to be contained within certain limits. As such, the Sultan came to develop plans for the annexation of the longtime Laurasian strongholds and worlds in what had once been the Kazanian Khanate. These included Frederickslandia, Leopoldia, Alexandra, Wendy, Michael, Coen, Deanna, and Big Twinny. As such, Erutugul sent military mobilization orders to his military commanders in October 1157, commanding them to keep themselves in readiness "for a war which shall be launched against the Laurasian dominions, so that the honor and position of our great species may be asserted at the expense of the Laurasian mongrels." The Sultan extorted ruthlessly from his subjects, determined to muster the military and financial resources which would be needed for a new and successful conflict against Laurasian arms.

By the decree of 6 October 1157, the Sultan ordered for the imposition of the dervishme, a levy by which all those of Dasian, Kazanite, or Vindictorian descent residing within the territories of the Kazanian Khanate would be obliged to report to local conscription officials. By the dervishme, one out of every five families who reported to the conscription officials would be compelled to join the Solidaritan Army and Navy, thus providing those services with new manpower. Seven days later, Erutugul ordered for the establishment of new training facilities on Dennis, Deserlia, Ratasborn, Laronn, Quanna, and Sheryl, geared towards training these non-Solidaritans in the Solidaritan military ways. In November 1157, the Solidaritan General Council of War was established, a counterpart to the Laurasian Royal Bureau of Military Coordination. The Council of War was ordered to formulate strategies of war against the Laurasians. Then on 16 December 1157, Erutugul's envoy at the court of King Honorius, Orkhan Hakar Bey (1106-78), requested for a audience with the Laurasian King. This request was granted. In the audience, Orkhan Bey demanded that Honorius concede to the authority of the Solidaritan Sultanate Scout, Courdina V, Mercedes, Andriana, and the Constantine Cluster. He claimed that this would be "in the interests of peace" and that Laurasia would surely see reason by acting towards that goal in such a manner. Orkhan assured the Laurasian King that this would be the only Solidaritan territorial demand (a false claim). Honorius, enraged at the Solidaritan demands, refused to even consider them and lambasted Orkhan for acting in a "overly aggressive manner."

Orkhan subsequently reported to Erutugul that military campaigns should commence as soon as possible. On 19 December, Erutugul himself sent a diplomatic note to the Royal Laurasian Government, reiterating the demands of his envoy and claiming that those demands were "for the preservation of peace, tranquility, and order within the Core Regions." Honorius however, refused to respond to the demands, and in private, informed his advisers that the Solidaritan Sultan was acting "out of bounds." Erutugul, who foolishly believed that Laurasia's refusal of his demands were merely a cover for weakness, and that the Solidaritan Sultanate could now freely impose itself over the Laurasians, recalled Orkhan back to Istantius (Kazan) on 25 December. Two days later, Honorius issued a recall for the Laurasian Ambassador at the court of the Sultan, Lord Desiderius Saylanius (1112-75). Saylanius was instructed to destroy all of the embassy's equipment and to abandon Solidarita as soon as possible. Saylanius obeyed his master's instructions, but was unaware that the Solidaritans had previously made secret records of all Laurasian diplomatic transactions. On 1 January 1158, in a New Year's proclamation to his subjects, Honorius assured them that Solidaritan arms "would not be able to threaten further the integrity of our dominions."

Archbishop Sylvester and Councilor Alackavius both assured the King of Laurasia that the extensive military reforms which had reorganized the Laurasian command and military coordination system would suffice against the Solidaritans. The Solidaritans, however, were to now prove themselves to be as formidable a enemy as they had been before. On 4 January, Erutugul issued a formal declaration of war against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Solidaritan armies, organized along a model emphasizing mobility, speed, and surprise tactics, bypassed the Laurasian border garrisons and besieged Leopoldia, which fell to them on 6 January. The Solidaritans then pursued to root out and conquer all of the Laurasian Eastern Strongholds, as Laurasian forces were now stymied by the bickering among their various Regional General Staffs and Garrison Generals. Frederickslandia (8 January): Shanthon (9 January); Big Twinny (10 January); Alexandra (15 January); Ipsus V (19 January); Sourdian (22 January); and the Garrison of Thurguan (25 January) all fell to the Solidaritans in quick succession. By the end of January, Erutugul and his forces had pushed Solidaritan jurisdiction all the way out to the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, where it was to remain until the second half of the fourteenth century.

Subsequently, the Solidaritans conquered Wendy (29 January) and even threatened the Laurasian position at Rebecca (2-5 February). On 8 February, Erutugul gained a major victory over a Laurasian force in the Battle of Rasling, which thus cleared the way for advance to Michael. Michael was besieged from 11 February. Honorius, in the meantime, was enraged by the inefficiencies in coordination among his local military districts, which each had their own interests and beliefs in what theater of operations was more important. From 15 February, a stream of instructions and directives flowed from Laurasia Prime, directing them to improve their ways. These did not work however, and on 28 February, Honorius ordered the arrest of 30 District Supreme Commanders. Brought up on charges of corruption, treason, and cowardice, the thirty Commanders were convicted, deprived of their positions, and imprisoned on 5 March. By this measure, Honorius had dealt a even greater blow to the Laurasian command structure.

The Royal Bureau of Military Coordination, comprised of overlapping agencies, itself was subjected to a series of purges. On 9 March, Michael finally capitulated to the Solidaritan forces. Coen was conquered two days later in a swift offensive. Honorius commanded for a counteroffensive to be launched against Trenton, Dennis, and the former Capital Region of Kazan (10-19 March 1158), which ended in failure. Deanna and Martina Mccasia were now conquered by Erutugul (20-29 March 1158), who then harried the Laurasian task forces of Rebecca, Nezbit, Blackria, Chancia, Durglais, Katherine, Capital, and Meaganian. Coordination among the Eastern Core Forces with those in the Laurasian Purse Region was now more difficult because of the intervening territory of the Kingdom of Brianna.

On 1 April, Erutugul launched the most ambitious of his offensives, as Solidaritan units pushed towards Azov, Gordasis, Courdina V, and Scout. They conquered Scout (2-9 April 1158) and destroyed the defenses of Rainnan (10-15 April 1158), before threatening Azov and the Laurasian fortress worlds on the border with the Central Core (16-29 April 1158). Erutugul's hordes however, now came into contact with the most sophisticated Laurasian defenses which had been constructed, which prevented their advance into the Laurasian Purse Region. The Sultan's attempts to break through these defenses ended in failure (May-June 1158), as Laurasian fleets repelled offensives on Jenny, Chloe, Kelby, Andriana, Mercedes, Paramine, Maroni, and Janesia's Gateway. By the beginning of July, Laurasian forces began to push Solidaritan hordes away from the Metallasian Trade Corridor.

Erutugul suffered a defeat in the Battle of Scout (5-9 July 1158), which forced him to end his ravages into the Andrianian Star Cluster. On 15 July, he retreated back to Blackria. Honorius then launched offensives into the Eastern Strongholds and against the Southern Worlds (July-September 1158), which nevertheless ended in failure. On 6 October, he sent a request for peace to Erutugul. Five days later, a diplomatic conference was convened on Chancia. On 21 October 1158, the Treaty of Chancia was signed, by which Laurasia seceded the Southern Worlds and the Eastern Strongholds to the authority of the Solidaritan Sultanate. Erutugul, on his part, agreed to withdraw from Laurasian territories in the Core Worlds, to pay Honorius compensation for military mobilization efforts, and to grant Laurasian merchants commercial privileges throughout his dominions for a period of six years.

The Treaty of Chancia was ratified by Honorius and the Laurasian Royal Council on 25 October, followed by Erutugul and his Grand Council five days later. With peace having thus been reestablished with the Solidaritan Sultanate, Honorius turned his attentions again to the affairs of the Horacian Order. In March 1158, Inglores of Maschinga, having lost the aid which had previously been provided to him by the Laurasians, was finally forced to surrender to the Burgermeister of the Ivorian Order. Interrogated extensively in the Chambers of Ivoria, he was eventually convicted of treason by the Council of Pontiffs on 13 April 1158, and was executed on Ivoria five days later. Burgermeister Vallanius, on his part, now dissented against the arrangements which had been made with Laurasia.

In May 1158, while Honorius and the Royal Laurasian Government were distracted by the war with the Solidaritan Sultanate, the Burgermeister sent a diplomatic note to King Vladislaus, expressing his concerns about how the Laurasians would soon "entrench themselves within my dominions and seek to expand their influence at the expense of Your Majesty, and at the expense of Your Majesty's allies." King Vladislaus, who was by now developing ambitions of limiting Laurasian power and gaining dominance of the Central Core for the Polonian Commonwealth, responded favorably to the Burgermeister's pleas. A major diplomatic incident occurred in August 1158, as Honorius sent invitations to Ar'vac Transportation, a major Crimeanian shipping firm, to dispatch a fleet of vessels by juncture of the Kimanian Trade Run to open new commercial ties with Laurasia.

The corporation, having gained permission from Khan Galdan, accepted, and on 2 September 1158, a fleet of 300 Ar'vac transports, carrying shipwrights, shipping staff, navigators, and other such craftsmen, departed from the Crimeanian customs post on Zennathia, which coincided with the Horacian garrison and customs post maintained there. The fleet was supposed to have free passage, as the arrangements of the Treaty of Caladaria had guaranteed free passage of vessels through Horacian territory intending to have economic relations with Laurasia. Burgermeister Vallanius, however, acting with the approval of King Vladislaus, sent orders to Horacia, commanding that the Ar'vac transport fleet be stopped and impounded for the use of the Ivorian Order. On 4 September, the fleet was commanded to halt by Ivorian patrol vessels. The fleet's commanders attempted to show the Ivorians their passports of free passage, but the Ivorians refused to see them and sent boarding parties to their vessels. The entire fleet was confiscated, with its resources impounded, staff and crewmembers compelled to enter into the Ivorian service, and military officers arrested. This incident angered both Laurasia and the Crimeanian Khanate. On 11 September, Honorius sent a protest to King Vladislaus, who was then at Legnica. Vladislaus, however, claimed that the definitions of the Treaty of Caladaria did not take account the Crimeanian Khanate, and as such, the Ivorian Order was within its rights.

Honorius, who was enraged by this incident, became determined to launch a war with the Ivorian Order and the Polonian Commonwealth, so that the Laurasian position in the Central Core could be maintained and so that Laurasian territory could be pushed by force into the southern Core Worlds. The King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians announced his intentions to a secret session of the Royal Council on 25 October 1158. The majority of the councilors supported the instigation of a conflict, as they believed that the effective use of Laurasian troops and resources could allow the Kingdom to gain the upper hand over the Ivorians. Archbishop Sylvester and Councilor Alackavius, however, were both opposed to this, as they both believed that the Solidaritan Sultanate and the Kingdom of Briannia both posed a more immediate threat to Laurasian interests. The Archbishop, in particular, argued in Council meetings that Laurasia could not fulfill her future interests unless if she destroyed the threat of the Solidaritans, who would always be seeking to stir up trouble. Councilor Alackavius backed up the Archbishop, pointing out that Laurasia should focus on recovering lost territories in the Core Worlds and Industrialized Borderlands before seeking to acquire ones which it had not possessed since the Second Laurasian Period. Honorius however, refused to listen to them, and remained determined to press forward with his plans.

In November 1158, he dispatched secret instructions to the Royal Bureau of Military Coordination, commanding that body to draft a series of offensive plans against the Ivorian Order. Laurasian units were assembled at Reese, Capital, Meaganian, Danigia, Murphy, Saray, Senna Major, Hannah, Evelyn, Teth, Marshia, Elainsborough, Goss Beacon, Goldaria, Constancia, and Stenbock, among other worlds, geared for a offensive into Horacian territory. On 5 December, Honorius sent a message to the court of Burgermeister Vallanius, demanding that the Ivorian Order compensate Laurasia for the confiscation of the Crimeanian transport fleet. Vallanius however, flatly rejected the demand, and on 11 December, banished the Laurasian embassy from his court. On 16 December, Honorius banished the Ivorian emissaries to Laurasia Prime and terminated all diplomatic relations with the Ivorian Order. Ivorian subjects residing in or traveling within Laurasian dominions were expelled on 22 December, a action conducted against Laurasian subjects by the Burgermeister on 24 December. Honorius sent out the final attack orders on New Year's Eve 1158.

On 1 January 1159, three Laurasian task forces launched a swift invasion of the dominions of the Ivorian Order, while the King of Laurasia issued a formal declaration of war from the Celestial Palace on Laurasia Prime. The Ivorian forces had been seriously weakened by the civil war, and as such, were in a state that could hardly resist the advances of the Laurasians. Honorius, who himself had arrived at Marshia to take command of the Laurasian invasion efforts, was able to major major gains at the expense of the Ivorian Order. He conquered Zutagia (2-9 January 1159); subdued Zennethia (10-11 January 1159); and destroyed a Ivorian patrol fleet in the Battle of Esther (12-17 January 1159). The Ivorian strongholds of Dasinae, Maschinga, Alladoria, and Burderia fell into Laurasian possession (January-March 1159). By the beginning of April 1159, Laurasian units were penetrating all the way to the boundaries of the Ivorian Order with the Crimeanian Khanate. Burgermeister Vallanius and his Council of Pontiffs, who had entered into the depths of despair, now sent urgent pleas to the Polonian Commonwealth, the Donguarian Stellar Empire, and Briannia for assistance. King Gusta'arai of Briannia, who did not want to enter into a conflict with Laurasia without careful preparation of his forces, did not intervene directly. He did, however, send repeated notes and holo-messages to the Royal Laurasian Government, protesting the invasion of the Ivorian Order and condemning Honorius for his "aggression against his other neighbors within the Core Regions."

Honorius ignored the Briannian messages, which gave the King a excuse (in his eyes) to begin vastly expanding his military forces in case of a future war with Laurasia. By June 1159, Micenta and Storgath had both been conquered by the Laurasian forces, who impounded Ivorian resources, destroyed numerous noble and religious strongholds, and deported millions of civilians. King Vladislaus of the Polonian Commonwealth now considered direct intervention in Ivoria's conflict with Laurasia. On 5 July 1159, shortly after the Laurasian armada had obtained a victory in the Battle of Theresa, Burgemeister Vallanius was forced by the Council of Pontiffs to abdicate from his position. Humiliated and ashamed, the Burgermeister was compelled to flee to the court of Crimeanian Khan Galdan, whose own attentions were distracted by civil and social unrest occurring within his dominions. In the place of Vallanius, the Council of Pontiffs selected the Ivorian Prince, Dusas of Gothard, as the new Burgermeister of the Ivorian Order.

Dusas, who believed that a new treaty with the Polonian Commonwealth would insure Ivoria's position against the Laurasian threat, requested for negotiations with the Ivorian overlords on 15 July. After over a month of negotiations, the Treaty of Wronzaz was signed on 31 August 1159. By the terms of this treaty, the Ivorian Order again acknowledged the authority of the Polonian Commonwealth and granted special privileges to Polonian officials, merchants, and representatives within its dominions. Vladislaus, on his part, agreed to apply diplomatic pressure on Honorius to withdraw from Ivorian territory, to give to the Order a financial subsidy, and provide the Order with Donguarian, Crimeanian, and Galician mercenaries.

During the latter months of 1159, a stalemate ensued in the military campaigns, as the Ivorians, with the mercenaries and the new funds in their possession, managed to pose greater resistance to the Laurasian invaders. Laurasian forces were unsuccessful in their attempts to besiege and conquer the Ivorian strongholds of Regania, Pashval, and Harnis, whereas the Ivorians on their part managed to harry Laurasian supply lines but were unable to secure Maschinga. Then on 20 September 1159 Venasian Queen Mother Kennatha, who had liberated the Venasian species from the dominion of the Venasian Khanate, died, and was succeeded by her vigorous, ambitious, and intriguing daughter, Femania (r. 1159-88). Femania was determined to establish a Venasian foothold in Ivorian territory, to pose a diplomatic threat to the Laurasian dominions, and display that the Venasian Consortium was a new galactic power. As such, when she received an offer on 25 September 1159 from the Council of Pontiffs to nominate a new Ivorian governor of Horacia, the Queen Mother accepted. She appointed her cousin, the Venasian nobleman Isolder, as the new Governor-General of Horacia. This action aroused the suspicion of Honorius, who on 29 September sent a formal protest on the matter to the Fountain Court of the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother, however, ignored his threats, and Isolder was enthroned as Governor-General on 9 October.

Honorius and his advisers began making preparations for a war with the Neo-Venasian Consortium, but Femania played for time by asking for negotiations. These dragged out over the next three years. In the meantime, the Ivorian War continued to be bogged down in stalemate, and 1159 ended with the affairs of the Core Powers being in such a condition. 1160 thus commenced with Laurasia engaged in a long conflict with the Ivorian Order. During the first half of 1160, the same state of affairs prevailed, as the Laurasian forces were unable to advance towards Horacia, Donald, John, and Theresa, for fear of provoking the Venasians. Honorius at this point did not wish to embroil Laurasia in war with more states then was possible. Vladislaus of the Polonian Commonwealth, the formal overlord of the Ivorian Order, had so far just bid his time, while Gusta'arai of Briannia had restricted himself to diplomatic protests. Archbishop Sylvester and Councilor Alackavius, however, now persuaded the King to escalate his war efforts. By July 1160, Laurasian armies had conquered Theresa and were threatening Pandy, Cinnamon, and Louza. Then on 3 August, the Laurasians destroyed a Ivorian expeditionary force in the Battle of Pandy, thus securing that stronghold. By the end of August, Cinnamon, Louza, and Kingpin, all of which were major Ivorian strongholds, had fallen into Laurasian hands. Polonia and Briannia were now becoming more alarmed, while Venasia was also beginning to itch. Honorius assured Femania that he would not advance against Isolder's bases on Horacia and the other Close-Worlds.

The spirits of King Honorius were now to darken, for a terrible event occurred in the Laurasian King's personal life which wrought a great change in his personality and demeanor. Indeed, such a change was to mark the end of thirteen years of relative internal stability, prosperity, and political reform. From 1147 until 1160, Honorius II was largely under the influence of his wife, Queen Consort Anastasia Cassanova, as well as Archbishop Sylvester and Councilor Alackavius. All of these persons had a moderating effect upon him, containing his excesses and helping him in the affairs of government. Pope Macarius was also a loyal friend and ally, although the Pope's influence was not as great as it had been before 1147. Queen Consort Anastasia, however, who was just twenty-nine years old at the beginning of 1160, entered a severe decline in health. According to surviving court reports, medical records, and news reports of the time period, the Queen Consort began to complain of headaches, heartaches, and stomachaches in February 1160. At first, her doctors and physicians believed that it was merely the result of stress, for the Queen had been in charge of overseeing the Royal Household and maintaining the court of the King.

They advised her to reduce her work load and delegate more of her duties to servants and subordinates. The Queen Consort followed their advice, besides taking more rest and exercising much. She continued to complain however. On 18 April, the Queen Consort collapsed while she was attending a service of benediction at her personal chapel. She was immediately rushed to the Royal Hospital, where it was now diagnosed that she had contracted the Laurasian strain of the Angrames malady. As that disease was incurable at the time, her doctors and physicians despaired of her. King Honorius, however, imposed himself over them, commanding them to find a way of saving his wife from death. The doctors worked as vigorously as they could, but were unable to offer anything more than treatments which could allay the Queen Consort's symptoms.

The King now took comfort with Archbishop Sylvester and Pope Macarius, who both told him that he should be prepared for the departure of his loved one. Both of them assured His Majesty that his wife would find everlasting bliss in the Heaven of Almitis. Honorius could do nothing else, and he delegated his state duties to the Aristocratic Duma, a council of noblemen and magnates established by the decree of 17 January 1160, to assist "His Majesty of Laurasia in the conduct of state affairs and the coordination of correspondence, as well as to provide His Majesty with the advice which wise and venerable men can offer." The Aristocratic Duma was to survive until the reign of Seleucus the Victor and gained more responsibilities as time passed. Honorius now kept to his wife's bed side, refusing to leave her even when the doctors had to administer treatments to her. The end eventually had to arrive, and on 2 August, the doctors informed the King that their treatments could not allay her symptoms any further and that she would die. Honorius now had to watch as his wife cried out in pain, suffering from extreme agony. On 6 August, the Queen Consort was given the Last Rites by the Chaplain of the Royal Household, while the Pope offered up blessings for her soul in the Heaven of Almitis. The Queen Consort then spoke her last words to her husband, declaring her love for him and how they would one day be reunited forever in paradise. She also said good-bye to her children, including her two sons, Grand Princes Honorius and Theodosius, aged six and three years in 1160 respectively.

Then on 7 August 1160, Queen Consort Anastasia Casanova died in the Royal Hospital of the Celestial Palace. Honorius wailed loudly and clutched his wife's head in his hands, weeping over her and asking, "Lord, oh Lord of the Universe, why my wife? You should have killed me as well." Honorius refused to be parted from his wife's body and stayed at her side for almost six hours until the Pope was finally able to convince him to let the coroners and hospital nurses take her away. A autopsy performed on 8 August confirmed that she had died from the effects of the Angrames malady. Honorius then shut himself up in his personal quarters for over a week, refusing to emerge even when implored to do so by the Pope, Councilor Alackavius, Archbishop Sylvester, and the assembled Royal Councilors, Duma Officers, and Laurasian magnates. Finally, however, on 19 August, he came from his personal quarters. On 26 August, the state funeral for the deceased Queen Consort was conducted. Honorius himself led the procession, wailing and crying out the whole time, while all those in attendance had the "most sullen and God-stricken looks on their forms", according to Lady Vassalina. The Laurasian Times of 27 August 1160 declared that the death of the Queen Consort was the "worst domestic event which hath occurred within the Royal Household since the days of the evil Regents." Honorius himself then had to be restrained from leaping onto his wife's coffin. He sank to his knees as her body was buried in the Royal Mausoleum.

Honorius "the Pious", "the Kindly", the "Father of his Subjects", as he had previously been known by his loyal subjects, now gradually became known as Honorius "the Terrible". He assumed a angry, hate-filled, demonic type of personality. The King believed that his wife had died because demons and Servants of the Anti-Almitis had penetrated his household, his government, and his circle of trusted ones. Honorius believed that he needed to punish those who had supposedly caused the death of his wife. He was also determined to now fully assert himself as a autocratic despot and to demonstrate to the Laurasian subjects that he was the master of the realm. The remaining twenty-three years of the reign of Honorius the Terrible were to be marked by the failures of the Ivorian War and the Laurasian-Solidaritan War of Alp Arslan; by horrific internal oppression, massacres, and police actions; by the unreasonable fears and excesses of the King himself; and by the new terrifying state of affairs in the Royal Household. Honorius however, was to always honor the memory of his first wife, and he would visit her tomb as often as he could. For the rest of his life, Honorius would break down whenever her name was mentioned.

On 17 December 1183, the King, when he drafted his final will and testament, addressed a note to his deceased wife directly, stating that he had never forgotten her and that "your presence was what maintained me." He also assumed a habit of writing letters to his wife on the anniversary of her death, and of listening to the recording of her final words to him, over and over again. For the time being however, Honorius asserted himself. On 1 September 1160, the King issued a official proclamation about the state funeral of his wife, declaring that the late Queen Consort was the "most blessed Laurasian woman to have ever lived in this century" and that he would always consider her to be the center of his personal life. In that same proclamation, however, Honorius declared that he had uncovered evidence about "traitors" who had hastened his wife's death by not doing their best to offer her all of the available treatments, and indeed, by even planting genes which hastened the spread of the malady.

Two days later, Honorius ordered the arrest and interrogation of all doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and medical robots who had dealt with his wife and her needs during her months in the Royal Hospital. Not even the Pope and Archbishop Sylvester could restrain him, and indeed both suffered the penalty of humiliation, by having their ears boxed and by being hustled out of the King's presence. On 8 September, the Court of the Royal Household, which had been organized on 29 October 1159 to handle cases personally referred to it by the King, convicted the medical staff of "neglect, corruption, and misuse of training." All were dismissed from their positions, branded as miscreants, and either imprisoned or exiled from Laurasia Prime. Then on 11 September Honorius ordered the dismissal of all the members of his wife's household and their banishment to the Windowia Photis Prison, for having "poisoned his wife to help induce her disorder." On 16 September, Pope Macarius was censured by a royal injunction when he attempted to inform the public that the King was acting out of anger and that he would soon mend his ways.

On 22 September, the King ordered the arrest of those who had restrained him at his wife's funeral. Convicted of treason, assault and battery, and conspiracy against the government, five guards were condemned on 27 September and sentenced to death. They were incinerated on 29 September. Ironically, on that same day, King Gusta'arai I of Briannia, whose own health had been in decline since February 1160, died on Briannia, and was succeeded to the Briannian throne by his ambitious and energetic young son, E'rac. Gusta'arai, hailed by his subjects as the liberator of the Briannians, was buried at the Vault of Hans on 5 October. Five days later, Honorius ordered the Royal Hospital Coroner's Office to change their death report, to indicate that his wife's malady had been hastened by the acts of traitors. When five coroner clerks and notaries refused to enter the new records into the computer system, they were dismissed from their positions, fined, and banished to Jenny.

On 10 October, the King was confronted by Archbishop Sylvester in the Royal Throne Room. The Archbishop questioned the King as to why he was conducting himself in such a manner and implored "His Majesty to return to the fold of the all-embracing and all-seeing Almitis." His pleas were seconded by Councilor Alackavius, who begged the King to look after the interests of his people and make the effort to live on after his wife's death. Honorius was angered by their boldness and their willingness to confront him. On 16 October, he ordered for the arrest of the Archbishop of Darcia and the Royal Secretary of the Bureau of Correspondence and Diplomacy. Sylvester and Alackavius were hustled to the Station of Jadia, where on 22 October, they were accused by the Court of the Star Chamber and the Court of High Justice of "treason, disobedience, conspiracy, and resistance to the autocracy." Sylvester and Alackavius defended themselves most vigorously, but their pleas were ignored, and on 29 October, they were convicted on all counts. Honorius dismissed them from their respective state positions, deprived them of all privileges, honors, and orders which had been conferred upon them, and ordered for them to be imprisoned at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V. Sylvester thus stayed there until his death on 27 December 1169, and would to his dying day state his belief that the anti-Almitis had "adversely affected the mind of His Majesty." Alackavius, on his part, remained in confinement until Honorius the Terrible's death in 1184, being released afterwards by Eurymaschus Gadavranius. He died on 27 November 1196 at his estate on Mercedes, bitter to the end about the punishments inflicted upon him by his master.

During the last months of 1160, the Laurasian forces secured their position of control over the majority of Ivorian territory by scoring a series of further victories against the remaining Ivorian fleets. The Ivorian strongholds of Ergeme, Redderson, and Braeley fell into Laurasian position in September 1160, while on 10 October, the Laurasians destroyed a Ivorian force in the Battle of Paura. The Ivorian strongholds of Deenia, Alton, and Montel fell into Laurasian possession during November and December 1160. On New Year's Eve 1160, a service of thanksgiving was conducted for all serving Laurasian military personnel by Pope Macarius on Laurasia Prime. The King himself attended the celebration services and thanked Almitis most vigorously for allowing the Laurasians to obtain a series of successive victories over the Ivorian Order. On 6 January 1161, Isolder, the Venasian-installed Governor-General of Horacia, was selected as the new Burgermeister of the Ivorian Order by the Council of Pontiffs. Isolder, who received financial aid from Queen Mother Femania, managed to increase resistance to the Laurasians, who were prevented from advancing towards Ivoria and its outpost systems in February 1161. A series of confrontations at Donald, Levinston, Saray, Anusia, and the Prelone Belt (March-May 1161), inflicted severe casualties upon Laurasian forces, who also were forced to defend their positions in what had once been the Great Horde against the predatory raids and harrying operations of the Ivorian bands. Honorius was now becoming more and more enraged by the cost of the war.

By the decree of 11 February 1161, the King of Laurasia was forced to impose the planetary capitation, a addition to the planetary levy which had previously been extracted. The capitation was levied directly on every Laurasian subject, who was obliged to pay twelve percent of one year's earnings to their local taxation officials. Seven days later, conscription was intensified, and every District Supreme Commander was commanded to provide, to the central Levies Office, a new bevy of 100,000 conscripts per 2 million inhabitants within a star system. On 6 March, the exemption of high-ranking magnates from military service was suspended, and they were now obliged to pay new conscription, supply, and support levies from the revenues of their private properties, estates, and businesses. On 11 March, all noble servants were required to register with their local Levies Office, a action from which they had previously been exempted. On 20 March, Pope Macarius was commanded to impose a tithe of one-fifteenth of goods upon all abbots, deans, and archbishops, who were now obliged to devote part of their worship efforts "to the greater glory of the State." The first crack in the system by which the Almitian Church was exempted from taxation and conscription had thus appeared. By these efforts, Laurasian forces regained the advantage, and by the beginning of June, were finally pushing towards Ivoria.

Burgermeister Isolder and the Council of Pontiffs realized that the Ivorian Order was soon to fall into the possession of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Seeking to restrict Laurasian power, and to strengthen the position of those states who opposed the Laurasians, Isolder sent secret diplomatic emissaries to King E'rac of Briannia. On 22 May, the Ivorian Burgermeister declared to the Briannian King, in a secret diplomatic note, that it would be within "Your Majesty's interests to assert yourself in the Outer Core, so as to counterbalance Laurasian ambitions and ensure that the power of the Laurasian State will not grow out of proportion." E'rac decided to act swiftly to expand Briannian power. On 4 June 1161, the King of Briannia commanded his mercenaries cooperating with the Ivorian Navy to suspend their campaigns and to direct themselves into the remaining dominions of the Grand Duchy of Schaueria Prime, which had remained a vassal-state of Laurasia to his point. Five days later, the force approached Schaueria Prime, demanding that the last Schauerian Grand Duke, Surdas (r. 1150-61), submit to the authority of their master. Surdas, believing that his overlord would support him, refused. The Briannian force however, led by its talented General, R'akah Blumentrost of Nystadia (1105-74), effortlessly stormed Schaueria Prime's defenses and landed on the world, destroying its paltry guard forces.

Surdas himself was captured and executed by the Briannian invaders on 14 June. Two days later, E'rac arrived at Schaueria Prime and announced its annexation into the Kingdom of Briannia as the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime. Blumentrost was appointed as the first Briannian Viceroy of Schaueria Prime. The annexation of Schaueria Prime by Briannia alarmed Honorius, who began to seriously contemplate war with Briannia. For the time being however, he restricted himself to diplomatic protests. The Laurasians in the meantime, advanced towards Ivoria further, conquering the outpost bases of Satisba and Sthanon in July 1161. By the middle of August 1161, the first Laurasian units penetrated to Ivoria. Ivorian raiding bands continued to harry Laurasian positions, and launched a series of plundering operations against Murphy, Anusia, the Prelone Asteroid Belt, Danigia, Compost V, Saray, Senna Major, and Mumbraine (August-September 1161). While these campaigns proceeded, Honorius contracted another marriage. On 21 August 1161, at the Diplomatic Palace on Laurasia Prime, the King married his second wife, the beautiful Princess of Chloe Maria Temaraina (1144-69). Maria, who remained Queen Consort until her death on 1 September 1169 at the Celestial Palace, proved to be unpopular with the King's subjects.

In September 1161, Isolder instigated negotiations with King Vladislaus of the Polonian Commonwealth, who was growing increasingly worried about the Laurasian efforts and who believed that the Commonwealth would now come into direct conflict with Laurasia in the Central Core, Outer Core, and Core Worlds. Negotiations were conducted at Galich Majoria, but with the utmost secrecy, as Vladislaus did not want the Laurasians to know that he was considering intervention in the Ivorian War, as the conflict had become known. For over two months, the negotiations dragged out, as Isolder and Vladislaus wrangled over the terms of their agreement. Laurasian offensives continued however, and in October 1161, Ivoria was threatened by a Laurasian expeditionary force, which broke through the system's outer defenses and penetrated to Ivoria's space stations, inflicting much damage before retreating. Honorius, who had established his command headquarters on Daala, was daily growing more confident that Ivoria would soon be in the possession of his forces.

His hopes, however, were soon reversed. On 28 November 1161, the Treaty of Galich Majoria was signed by the Ivorian Order and the Polonian Commonwealth. By the terms of this treaty, the Ivorian Order was formally dissolved, as Isolder renounced his position as Ivorian Burgermeister and transferred control of all Ivorian governmental, political, military, and economic resources to the King of Polonia, Vladislaus I. Vladislaus, in turn, agreed to maintain Isolder as the supreme commander of the Ivorian forces, to restore the Ivorian worlds to their previous governments, and to repel the threat posed by the Laurasians. On 3 December, the King of Polonia sent a note to the headquarters of King Honorius, announcing that Laurasian forces were now intruding on Polonian territory and that such a situation could not be tolerated. Honorius, consumed by desires of acquiring the Horacian territories, refused to respond to the note.

Subsequently, on 8 December the Polonian King issued a formal declaration of war against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and launched his Polonian armadas against the exhausted Laurasian forces. The Laurasians were defeated in the Battle of Ivoria (9-11 December 1161), saving that world from conquest. Satisba and Sthanon were then recovered (11-16 December); followed by Maschinga (17 December); Theresa (19 December); and the Ivorian portions of the Kimanian Trade Run (20-29 December). On 31 December, the Laurasians were defeated in the Battle of Donald. Then on 1 January 1162, Levinston was recovered by the Polonians. Laurasian forces began retreating to the north, and Honorius himself became alarmed. Cinnamon, Louza, and Kingpin were then subdued by Vladislaus (January-February 1162), who cleared Laurasian units away from Zutagia, Zennethia, and Horacia. By the middle of March 1162, Laurasian forces were in dire straits, as the Polonians began planning for offensives into the Central Core. Honorius requested for a armistice on 22 March.

This was accepted by Vladislaus on 28 March. On 5 April, the Armistice of Carina was signed, by which Laurasian forces agreed to withdraw from Ivorian territory. Vladislaus, on his part, agreed to refrain from campaigning against pre-war Laurasian territories. A period of peace was proclaimed, to allow both sides to recover their losses from earlier campaigns. Peace thus managed to ensue until November 1162. Honorius reorganized his military forces and pursued a revision of war strategies. On 22 April, after overseeing the withdrawal of Laurasian forces from Ivorian territory, the King returned to Laurasia Prime, where he threw himself back into the affairs of government. His changed attitude became more apparent to all however, as he was easily angered and prone to fits of rage, through which he lashed out at his officials, the nobles, the members of his court, and even the Pope himself. The King did, however, trust his new Secretary of Military Coordination, Prince Andrew Kurbulis (1128-83), who worked vigorously on his master's behalf.

Femania, in the meantime, was enraged by Isolder's arrangements with Vladislaus of Polonia. She believed that the extension of the power of Polonia and Briannia was not in Venasian interests. Still unwilling to go to war, however, the Queen Mother sought to make peaceful arrangements with her neighbors. On 8 May, she opened negotiations with E'rac of Briannia, which resulted in the Treaty of Barton, signed on 14 May. By the terms of this agreement, Venasia recognized the Briannian acquisition of Schaueria Prime, while Briannia pledged not to threaten Venasian territory in the future. As it turned out, however, E'rac had no intention of keeping this agreement. On 14 May, Femania recognized the Polonian acquisition of Ivoria and exchanged new ambassadors with Vladislaus. Then in June 1162, the Queen Mother sent messages to King Honorius, indicating her desire for a conference on matters important to both states. Honorius accepted her offer on 29 June.

On 6 July, a Venasian embassy, led by the Venasian noblewoman Duchess Erlorka of Maxiliana (1120-1215), arrived at Laurasia Prime, where they were received in a splendid ceremony of welcome by the Laurasian King and his court. After only a month of negotiations, the Treaty of Laurasia Prime was signed on 7 August 1162. By the terms of this treaty, Honorius agreed to recognize Briannia's control over Schaueria Prime. In turn, Femania acknowledged continued Laurasian rule over the Venasian Triangle, Permi, Bolgrahay, and Ipsus V; promised to pay Honorius a yearly subsidy; and agreed to pose no further obstacle to his campaigns against the Polonian Commonwealth. Rights of free passage for businessmen, starhoppers, navigators, and merchants in both dominions were secured, while Honorius promised not to hamper Venasian economic interests in Ivorian territory.

The Treaty of Laurasia Prime maintained the peace between the two states for the remainder of the twelfth century, even through the turbulence of the Ivorian War. Vladislaus and E'rac, when they received word of the Laurasian-Venasian agreement, grew alarmed. On 8 September, the Polonian King sent a diplomatic communique to Honorius, who had moved to his resort at Caladaria, expressing his hope that the Laurasian treaty with Venasia was not directed at prejudicing the interests of the Polonian Commonwealth or the continuance of peace in the Core Regions. Honorius gave him soothing assurances. The King of Laurasia continued to be distrusted by Vladislaus however, who opened his own negotiations with E'rac. On 2 October 1162, the Treaty of Wolbroz was signed, by which E'rac's brother, Joh'anac, agreed to marry Vladislaus's sister, Catharine, as part of the new alliance arrangements between the two states. Honorius was informed by the Royal Intelligence Treaty of these arrangements on 10 October. On 14 October, the marriage of Joh'anac and Catharine took place on Briannia.

Honorius now sent a note to the Coiurt of Polonia Major, declaring that the Polonian diplomatic endeavors had nullified the Truce of Carina. On 20 October, Laurasian forces again invaded Ivorian territory. They besieged and conquered Maschinga (22-29 October); subdued Pandy (1-5 November); and secured Cinnamon (6 November), although a offensive against Barbara Carol failed (7-11 November). Arguelo and Bartello were subsequently subdued by the Laurasians (12-19 November), who were moving towards Theresa and Donald. Vladislaus however, blunted Laurasian offensives against Levinston, Kingpin, and Louza (November-December 1162). E'rac of Briannia, in the meantime, began considering plans to declare war against Laurasia. As 1162 came to a close, the Ivorian War had resumed in full steam.

Meanwhile, on Laurasia Prime, the health of Pope Macarius, who had once been the regent for Honorius the Terrible, and who was the only one of the Popes with whom Honorius had a sort of personal relationship, declined drastically. Although the Pope had been among those who had suffered the outbursts of his master over the preceding months, he nevertheless maintained a special position in the heart of the Laurasian sovereign. Macarius continued to remain a venerable figure within the Laurasian State, and his advice was sought for by many Laurasian government officials, military commanders, court officials, noblemen, magnates, and figures of stature and prominence. From January to November 1162, the Pope wrote a amazing series of treatises, which are among the most important sources for historians studying the twelfth century in Laurasia. These treatises described the Laurasian Court, the character and habits of the King himself, and the affairs of the Almitian Church, among other subjects. They reflected the Pope's great faith and humanity. The Pope also supervised the construction of the Vault of the Blessed Ones, which was eventually incorporated into the Imperial Mausoleum.

On 21 December 1162, however, at the dedication ceremonies of the Vault, the Pope suffered a major and paralyzing stroke. The ceremonies were immediately ended as Macarius was rushed to the Hospital of St. Paul, which was located but a short distance from the Vault. The Pope's condition deteriorated rapidly, and although the doctors said they had treatments which could save his life, he refused to take them. He declared that his mission in life had been accomplished and that Almitis was summoning him to his arms. Honorius, when he received word of the Pope's condition, stopped what he was doing and rushed to his bedside. Weeping and grieving over the Pope, Honorius received blessings from him. Macarius told the King that he, his parents, and his wife would always be watching over him. Honorius remained by the Pope's bedside, even during the New Year's ceremonies which marked the commencement of 1163. On 10 January, the Pope entered into a coma. The last rites were read over him by Anastasius, the Metropolitan of the Laurasian Purse Worlds, the following day. On 12 January 1163, Pope Macarius expired at the Hospital of St. Paul, having governed over the Almitian Church for nearly twenty-one years, the longest reign of all the twelfth-century Laurasian Popes. Honorius fell to his knees and cried out to Almitis as the Pope's lifeline went dead.

====Overview of the Galactic Situation, 1160; Dominance of Ricimer; His Puppet Khans and Disputes with the Homidinian Khanate; Halegothican Wars and Agreements with the Homidinian Khanate; Death of Galdan of Crimeania; His Ill-Fated War with Ashlgothia; Civil War in the Jarjanic Dominions; Death of Darasanug Khan; Civil War between Dengizich and Ernakh; Revolt of Euric; Deposition and Death of Theodoric II; Conspiracy of Genseric for the Huntite Succession; Solidaritan War with Brestords; Expedition against Genseric and its Failure; Destruction of the Brestord Kingdom; The Reemergence of the Xilanian Empire (1161-1169)==== Having described the affairs of the Core Regions to 1163, and having given information about the commencement of the Ivorian War, we must now provide a general overview of the state of affairs in the Caladarian Galaxy as of 1 January 1160. As the Caladarian Galaxy entered the 1160s, we find the remaining Dasian Khanates of the Galaxy in a even weaker and atrophied state then they had been a decade earlier. In the northern Outer Borderlands, the Kingdom of the Brestords had been seriously weakened since the death of Attila. The civil war among Attila's sons, the restoration of the Homidinian Khanate (although over a smaller territory then it had controlled previously), and the successful rebellion of the Halegothicans and Armanes, besides the loss of Attila's conquests in the northern Galactic Borderlands to the Amelianian Kingdoms, had greatly reduced the threat which the Brestords had posed to the other states of the Caladarian Galaxy. Dengizich and Ernakh were, at the beginning of 1160, the joint Kings of the Brestords, and had for the past several years managed to maintain their authority, suppressing civil uprisings and holding the Brestord Government together. Nevertheless, each of the two brothers still desired to hold sole possession of the Brestord Kingdom, which still spanned from Munist and the Galactic Frontier Route to the Larkian Way.

During this decade, the Brestord Kingdom was to be destroyed, eliminated from the face of the Caladarian Galaxy. The Halegothican Kingdom, under Valamir, and the Armane Kingdom, under Ardaric, prospered, as both states had greatly expanded their military and administrative structures since gaining independence from the Brestords. Halegothican arrangements with the Homidinian Khanate will be described below. The Homidinian Khanate itself, under the rule of Altan, was in the process of recovering from the time of Brestord occupation and from ravages which had been inflicted by the hordes of Attila. That particular Khanate had a further ninety-three years to live, and was to survive the remainder of the twelfth century. In the Galactic Borderlands, Marcia had recently come under the rule of Offa the Great, who was to extend direct Marcian dominion over all of the Galactic Borderlands. The events transpiring in the Galactic Borderlands will be described later, once further information about the Core Regions, the Huntite Khanate, and the various barbarian peoples has been supplied.

The Huntite Khanate itself, which was under the rule of Khan Dayan in 1160, had enjoyed a revival in its power, thanks to Dayan's extensive military, governmental, and financial reforms, alongside his military campaigns against the Jarjanics, the Ashlgothians, the Devianiani, and Alexandrians. Dayan, who was to rule for another year and a half, was the last formidable ruler of the Huntite Khanate. The Huntite Khanate extended its jurisdiction from Iego and the Eastern Robertian Worlds all the way into the Eastern Barsar Regions, while the Jageronians, Jarjanics, Alexandrians, Devianiani, and Melorkians were Huntite federates. The Huntite Khanate, however, had just another sixteen years to live, for events in this decade would seriously weaken it and damage the achievements of Dayan. The Kuevian Kingdom, under Genseric, dominated what had once been the Dasian Inner and Middle Territories, spanning from the territories of the old Millian Empire all the way across to Robert and the Western Robertian Worlds in the Outer Borderlands.

Genseric himself was one of the most powerful and most respected barbarian monarchs, and was one of those who had enjoyed great success against the Dasians, although his efforts to seize Huntite territory farther afield in the Outer Borderlands had been blunted. Now the most senior monarch in the Caladarian Galaxy (since Penda's death in November 1155), Genseric still had another seventeen years left to his reign. The neighbor of both Kuevia and the Huntite Khanate, the Kingdom of Ashlgothia, was under the rule of Theodoric I's son, Theodoric II, who alternated between friendship and hostility towards the Huntite Khanate. Theodoric harbored ambitions of his own for the Trans-Kimanian Regions, Roastafaria, and the Barsar Regions. The Devianiani Confederacy and Kingdom of Alexandrians both still encompassed the Western Barsar Regions, with the exception of Huntite bases and strongholds. The Kingdom of the Jarjanics was small and weak, dependent on Ashlgothia and (following the campaigns of this year), on the Huntite Khanate. The Crimeanian Khanate, under Galdan, had been seriously weakened by the loss of the Polonian and Galician territories to a independent Polonian Commonwealth, not to mention the loss of the Horacian and Zutagian Worlds to the Ivorian Order. It had another twenty-six years left to live. Merlita, to the southwest of Donguaria and the Crimeanian Khanate, remained quiescent under Torchaldio II; it still had 314 years of life left to it.

In the Core Regions, the state of affairs had altered drastically during the previous decade. The Kazanian and Venasian Khanates, two of the three successor states to the Golden Horde, had both collapsed during the 1150s, replaced by the Solidaritan Sultanate and Venasian Consortium, both of which were to become, in their turn, rivals and enemies of Laurasia. The Polonian Commonwealth, established at Crimeanian expense, was another new major Core State, and had just commenced its two-decade long conflicts with Laurasia. The Commonwealth was to absorb the faltering Donguarian Stellar Empire by the end of the 1160s. The Central Core was dominated largely by Laurasia, which had absorbed the remnants of Goldaria, with the exception of those territories belonging to a embattled Ivorian Order, soon to demise. Briannia had also established itself at Laurasian expense, and was set as another major rival of Laurasian power. It was to take possession of the Grand Duchy of Schaueria Prime. Finally, there was Laurasia itself, ruled by Honorius the Terrible, who was to govern another twenty-four years. It was far weaker at the beginning of the 1160s then it had been at the beginning of the 1150s, and was just launched into the costly and unsuccessful Ivorian War. The last forty years of the twelfth century were to witness the fall of the Huntite and Crimeanian Khanates (as well as of the Brestord Kingdom), the further weakening of the Homidinian Khanate, changes within the Core Regions, and the expansion of Melorkian, Halegothican, and Amelianian power.

Having given a glimpse of affairs at the beginning of the 1160s, and having already gone into detail about occurrences within the Core Regions to 1163, we must now turn our attention to the affairs of the Huntite Khanate, from the first months of Ricimer's control of that state. Ricimer, as has been noted, deposed Khan Dayan, had him tortured to death, and asserted himself as the effective ruler of the Huntite Khanate. His installation of the Dasian aristocrat Darasanug Khulan as the Khan of the Huntite Khanate (although as a puppet ruler), has already been noted. Ricimer, after the coronation of Darasanug Khulan as the Huntite Khan, sought recognition of his puppet's ruler's title, and of his own position, from foreign powers. Genseric, who had inflicted severe damage upon the Huntite Upper Regions and the Eastern Robertian Worlds through his various raiding operations and offensives, decided to recognize Darasanug as the Khan of the Huntite Khanate on 2 January 1162, although he refused to reconfirm the earlier treaties which he had signed with Khan Dayan.

He was followed by Theodoric II of Ashlgothia, who did acknowledge the joint Ashlgothian-Huntite suzerainty over the Jarjanic dominions and declared that Darasanug was Dayan's successor as the Huntite overlord of that realm. On 18 January, King Offa of Marcia accorded diplomatic recognition to Darasanug as Huntite Khan. The Alexandrians, Devianiani, and Melorkians had already recognized him as Khan from the moment of his accession, as they were Huntite federates and obliged to maintain positive diplomatic relations with the Huntite Government. Honorius II of Laurasia did not accord recognition until 20 February, and had to be persuaded by a embassy dispatched by Ricimer. Vladislaus of Polonia (22 February); E'rac of Briannia (24 February); Femania of Venasia (2 March); Torchaldio II of Merlita (5 March); Erutugul of Solidarita (9 March); and Kings Dengizich and Ernakh of the Brestord Kingdom (12 March) subsequently accorded diplomatic recognition.

Khan Altan of the Homidinian Khanate, however, refused to recognize Darasanug as the Khan of the Huntite Khanate, as did Valamir of the Halegothicans. In fact, we must now note Altan's arrangements with the Halegothicans and Armanes. Ever since ascending to the Homidinian throne, Altan sought to maintain positive relations with both of those states. The Homidinian Khan, however, soon encountered troubles with Valamir, who decided to extort from the Homidinian Khanate. In January 1160, the King of the Halegothicans had declared war against the Homidinian Khanate and launched a series of offensives into Huntite territory. For the next two years, Homidinian and Halegothican forces were engaged in a series of fierce confrontations at Dromund, Sonny, Shaelynn, Englestrom, Lacia, Kledis Var, Markis Prime, Gwendolyn, Taraning, Ian, Gibbs-to-Lester, and numerous other Homidinian worlds, as Altan was determined not to submit himself as a vassal to the Halegothican Kingdom. As a result of the vigorous Homidinian resistance, Valamir was unable to impose his overlordship over the Homidinian Khanate and could not threaten either Homidinia or Chalassia. In the meantime, Ardaric of the Armanes, who remained neutral in the conflict, died on 27 March 1160 and was succeeded to the Armane throne by his son Gunderit, who followed his father's neutrality policies. Finally, on 17 February 1162, Valamir requested for negotiations with Altan.

A diplomatic congress was opened at Brlla, which went on for over two months. The Treaty of Brlla (9 April 1162), resulted in the Halegothicans and the Homidinian Khanate concluding a peace. Altan, although he remained a independent monarch, agreed to grant rights of free passage through his territories to Halegothican subjects, including those businessmen, navigators, and merchants who wished to conduct their own affairs in Homidinian territory. All tariffs and levies imposed on trade between the two dominions were repealed, while a pact of friendship was agreed to between the Halegothican King and the Homidinian Khan. As part of these arrangements, Ardaric agreed to send the Halegothican Prince Theodoric (1154-1226), son of his half-brother Theodemir, to the Court of Homidinia, to be raised at the court as a diplomatic hostage. He also agreed to provide a annual stipend to the Homidinian Court for meeting the needs of his half-nephew. With this treaty having been signed, peace was restored. Theodoric was turned over to Homidinian custody on 17 April, and spent the next several years being raised at the Homidinian court, gaining a intimate awareness of Dasian political organization, military tactics, and culture.

Although Altan and Valamir refused to acknowledge Ricimer's control of the Huntite Khanate or his installation of Darasanug on the Huntite throne, peace managed to ensue for the remainder of 1162. Ricimer focused his efforts on consolidating his position of power, removing opponents to his rule, and implanting his agents throughout all branches of the military, court, civil service, and government administration. In June 1162, the Supreme Commander announced, at a session of the Huntite Senate, that it was vital for the interests of the State that all civil, governmental, and military officials be required to swear direct allegiance to him personally, and not to the Khan. Through liberal use of blackmail, bribes, and threats, the Supreme Commander managed to secure the Huntite Senate's approval to the decree of 27 June 1162, by which a new oath of allegiance to Ricimer was established. The Oath of Allegiance was administered to the Huntite court on 4 July, to the officers and commanders of the Huntite Military on 7 July, and to all of the civil service and governmental functionaries on 10-11 July. Those who refused to take the oath of allegiance were dismissed from their positions, branded as miscreants, and either imprisoned or exiled.

On 15 July, Ricimer ordered the removal of all officials from the Huntite Imperial Household who had ever declared their opposition to any of his measures or policies. Nearly 700 persons were affected by this order. On 25 July, the Supreme Commander ordered for a thorough examination of the civil service, which resulted in the removal or reprimand of nearly 500,000 officials in the months to November 1162. Ricimer imposed his agents in the households of the leading Huntite nobles, established a Military Surveillance Service, and installed his own supporters in the leading positions of the Huntite Military. In October 1162, he restored three of the sixteen tax charters which had been repealed by Dayan, which granted him the privilege to make financial exactions directly from the subjects of the Huntite Khanate.

To keep the Khan happy, and to prevent him from nurturing ambitions of wielding direct authority, Ricimer vastly expanded the Khan's personal suite in November 1162, restoring to the Household the eunuchs, concubines, and servants who had been removed by Dayan. He reinstated lavish ceremonies, parades, and festivals which Dayan had eliminated. Then in December 1162 Ricimer secured the support of the Dasian Religious Order by removing the levies on church estates and widows which had been imposed by Dayan. This act, plus Ricimer's abolition of the office of sub-bey on 6 January 1163, reduced Huntite income by as much as 10%, while Huntite expenditures increased by 25%, due to Ricimer's own personal activities, his purges, and his expansion of the Huntite Court. The financial resources of the Huntite Khanate again came under severe strains. In January 1163, a economic recession commenced within the Huntite territories. Unemployment, which had dropped to 7.5% because of Dayan's intensive reforms, rose again to 17% by the middle of February 1163, while the State incurred a deficit of almost two quadrillion marks, vastly larger then the $667.9 trillion to which it had been reduced by Dayan (from the high of $4.7 quadmillion marks in 1157). Riots, protests, and outbursts of civil dissent occurred on numerous Huntite worlds. Ricimer attempted to launch public relief projects, but his efforts were not enough. Nevertheless, he crushed all signs of insubordination towards Huntite authorities. King Merovech of the Salarian Melorkians, in the meantime, died (22 February 1163) and was succeeded to the Melorkian throne by his younger brother, Childeric. Childeric acknowledged Huntite overlordship in a formal ceremony of homage on 6 March and was confirmed in his position by Ricimer five days later.

General Berke, in the meantime, began formulating plans to expand into Huntite territory and weaken Ricimer's position. Although he had acknowledged Altan's suzerainty, Berke still maintained absolute command of his military units and was a virtually autonomous ruler himself. As such, he went ahead with his preparations. At the beginning of April 1163, units at Dickinson, Iego, and Meredith were placed on a state of war readiness. Ricimer received word of Berke's preparations in May 1163, and he now moved units to Leah, Lorna, Sheldonia, Gabriella, Gargonia, Ber Bachmann, and Garnett, seeking to stall a advance by the Mereditan units southwards. In June 1163, Altan, who did not wish to become embroiled in a war with the Huntite Khanate, made a offer to mediate between Berke and Ricimer, although he still refused to recognize Ricimer as Huntite Supreme Commander. Berke accepted only on 22 August, after Ricimer had threatened to align himself with Genseric. After two months of negotiations, the Treaty of Jeanne was signed on 29 October 1163, by which Ricimer agreed to pay Berke a substantial tribute. Berke on his part, finally recognized Ricimer as ruler of the Huntite Khanate, although he was not obliged to acknowledge Darasanug as the Huntite Khan. Altan himself opened limited relations with the Huntite court but refrained from dispatching a full embassy, as he still had not granted full diplomatic recognition. The last months of 1163 were relatively peaceful. Indeed, it seemed as if the Huntite Khanate and its neighbors were engulfed in a inertia, after the turbulence of the 1150s.

1164, however, witnessed the death of Galdan and civil war within the Jarjanic dominions. The first event to take place during that year was the Jarjanic Civil War. King Frumar of the Jarjanics had grown increasingly unpopular with his subjects, who believed that he was not a vigorous enough ruler and that he willingly submitted himself to the overlordship of Ashlgothia and the Huntite Khanate. Opposition to Frumar consolidated in the person of Richimund, a Jarjanic fleet commander and nobleman who held his own ambitions for the Jarjanic throne. Since November 1163, Richimund had been encouraging various tensions against the rule of Frumar. He had accumulated military weapons, supplies, and equipment at his personal strongholds on Allen, Antherson, Dominguez, Opramia, and Tipton. Frumar, although he had to constantly deal with dissent against his rule, remained ignorant of Richimund's preparations. Then on 17 February 1164, Richimund was proclaimed King of the Jarjanics at Tipton by a assembly of Jarjanic magnates and military commanders. Launching immediate offensives against the forces of Frumar, he besieged and conquered Novina (20-25 February 1164); destroyed a government fleet in the Battle of Addison (26 February); and secured Jarman (28-29 February), before repelling Frumar's counteroffensive against Opramia and Allen (1-9 March 1164). On 17 March, the elders of the Jarjanics declared their support for Richimund, followed five days later by the officers of the Personal Guards of the Jarjanics. Theodoric II, who believed that Richimund would never be able to challenge Ashlgothian authority over his species, recognized the rebel leader as King of the Jarjanics on 26 March. He was followed by Ricimer on 1 April, who held similar views about the Jarjanic rebels.

On 5 April, Skold was besieged and conquered by Richimund and his forces. Frumar, rousing himself from James, now attempted to organize his units, launching a series of campaigns against the rebel bands (April-May 1164). These campaigns however, largely ended in disaster. Finally, on 3 June 1164, Frumar was defeated in the Battle of Plath, and was forced to surrender to Richimund. Richimund humiliated the King, forcing him to sign a formal abdication declaration on 9 June. On 15 June, Frumar was strangled to death on orders of the new Jarjanic King, who then had his body dumped into the Olar star system, a isolated system at the outskirts of Jarjanic territory. Richimund established his capital at Allen. He soon proved to be a despotic ruler, however, as he conducted numerous exactions from his new subjects, insulted the nobility, and maintained a expensive personal household. Richimund also continued to acknowledge the Ashlgothian and Huntite suzerainty over his kingdom, for he declared that his heart was not "in the right place" for further military campaigns in the Barsar Regions.

The Jarjanic chamberlain and military officer Remismund now gained support with the Jarjanic nobility and military commanders. Having gained the confidence of the King, Remismund planted his agents within the Royal Court and made preparations to assassinate Richimund. He carried out his conspiracy on 7 July 1164. Richimund's quarters were penetrated by guards under the pay of Remismund. The King was pulled from his bed by the guards, who thrust through him with their safer-blades (Jarjanic honor blades). Remismund gained the loyalty of the Royal Court and was proclaimed King of the Jarjanics by the Jarjanic elders on 10 July. He immediately repealed Richimund's measures, compensated those nobles and magnates who had suffered indignities, and vigorously reorganized government administration. He also began to organize secret military units at Opramia, Tipton, Antherson, and Novina.

After those events had transpired, war erupted between the Crimeanian Khanate and the Kingdom of Ashlgothia. Khan Galdan, who wished to expand his territory so as to compensate for the independence of the Polonian Commonwealth and the loss of the Horacian Worlds, decided to launch a series of campaigns against the Ashlgothians. In July 1164, the Khan held a secret conference of his military officials and commanders on Ogla, where it was decided that they would take immediate action to invade and seize Ashlgothian territory. Crimeanian military units were assembled at Nathaniel, Hooper, Eutagia, and Acamaria, all of which became military bases for the planned operations against the Ashlgothians. Theodoric II, having received word of Galdan's preparations, also assembled his military units and commanded his generals to hold the defenses of his kingdom in readiness. Then on 2 August, Galdan sent a message to the Ashlgothian Government, stating that it was within "the interests of peace" for Theodoric to recognize Crimeanian authority over Beverly Hereidu, Armenia Major, Brooke One, and Emily Deuistania. Theodoric, when he received this message, was enraged, and on 6 August, ordered the arrest and imprisonment of all Crimeanian subjects living within his dominions. This gave Galdan a excuse he needed for justifying his war, and on 10 August, he issued a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Ashlgothia.

Crimeanian forces besieged and conquered Brooke One (11-15 August 1164) before destroying a Ashlgothian armada in the Battle of Stapleton (16-21 August 1164). On 22 August, Emily Deuistania was besieged and conquered by a Crimeanian expeditionary force. Galdan then reduced the Ashlgothian bases of Larma, Gigi, and Leslie, inflicting severe casualties on Ashlgothian forces. He then seized the remains of Cyrus III (24-29 August 1164) and destroyed the Ashlgothian way-stations of the Upper Roastafaria Lane (1-10 September 1164). On 15 September, however, a Crimeanian offensive against Beverly Hereidu was blunted, although Allison was briefly threatened by Crimeanian forces. Theodoric now prepared a ambush, intending on luring Galdan and his units into a trap. On 20 September 1164, after five days of raids and probing missions, the Ashlgothians lured Galdan and his forces to Desiree, a desolate ice world not far from Hooper. Galdan and his men were fooled by the messages sent out by the Ashlgothians.

At Desiree, Theodoric and his hordes cut the Crimeanian units off and forced the command squadrons to retreat to Desiree's moons. Galdan was unable to break free, and soon the defenses of his flagship were penetrated by the Ashlgothians. The Crimeanian Khan then fought the Ashlgothian warriors with his personal guards, managing to kill or injure nearly fifty of them. Eventually however, he was overwhelmed and captured during the early hours of 21 September. Galdan was presented before Theodoric, who mocked him and declared that he intended on wiping up the Crimeanian Khanate and parading Galdan as a prisoner across his dominions. Galdan was taken back to his personal quarters, where, in order to avoid humiliation, he committed suicide using a concealed poison pellet. Theodoric was enraged that he had been cheated out of his prize through foul means, and in revenge ordered the execution of all of Galdan's remaining guards and officers.

Thereafter, the Ashlgothians cleared the Crimeanian forces out of their territory, recovering Brooke One (22-25 September); Stapleton (26 September); Larma (29 September); Gigi (1 October); Leslie (2-5 October): Cyrus III (9 October); Emily Deuistania (10-15 October); and the Upper Roastafarian Strongholds (16-19 October), in a series of coordinated and vigorous counteroffensives. On 22 October, Ashlgothian fleets launched a offensive against Sharon, Stone, Hooper, Sanegeta, Rose, and Jack. Although Hooper was besieged and conquered (24-29 October 1164), the Ashlgothian offensives against the other worlds mentioned failed, due to fierce Crimeanian resistance. On 2 November, Galdan's son, Ragibagh, was proclaimed Khan of the Crimeanian Khanate by the Council of State. Two days later, he gained a decisive victory over Theodoric in the Battle of Mayella, forcing the Ashlgothian King to retreat in turn from Crimeanian territory. Ragibagh's renewed offensives against Nandia, Greg, Larkin, and Brooke One ended in failure however (November-December 1164).

Finally, on 15 December, the Crimeanian Khan requested for peace negotiations with Ashlgothia. The Truce of Chapelle was signed on 18 December. Five days later, a diplomatic congress was opened on Way'tosk, being mediated by emissaries dispatched by Genseric. The Treaty of Way'tosk was signed on 31 December 1164, resulting in the restoration of the status quo ante bellum between the Crimeanian Khanate and the Kingdom of Ashlgothia. Ragibagh and Theodoric subsequently devoted their efforts to recovering from the war. Theodoric, in particular, conducted new negotiations with Remismund. The secret Pact of Jarman was signed on 1 January 1165, by which the Ashlgothian King recognized Jarjanic rights to campaign against the Huntite Khanate within the Barsar Regions. Remismund, on his part, agreed to compensate Theodoric from the booty and monies which would be secured in such campaigns.

The year 1165 opened with the Huntite Khanate, the Homidinian Khanate, the Halegothicans, Armanes, Kuevians, Devianiani, Alexandrians, Ashlgothians, and Jarjanics thus being in a relative state of peace, while the Ivorian War continued unabated in the Core Regions. New events now transpired within the remaining dominions of the Kingdom of the Brestords, as the earlier rivalry between the two Brestord co-Kings, Dengizich and Ernakh, flared once more into active conflict. Since the successful rebellion of the Halegothicans and Armanes, which had resulted in the establishment of their separate kingdoms, the Brestord dominions had actually been at relative peace, although it had lost its territories in the northern Galactic Borderlands. Ernakh, however, began to nurture ambitions of his own by the latter months of 1164. The junior King of the Brestords believed that his elder brother was weak and that only his leadership, as sole King, could restore the position of power and prestige formerly held by the Brestords in the northern Outer Borderlands. Dengizich, on his part, desired to eliminate his brother. Ernakh began assembling his private military units at Norah, Dali, Munist, Greyson, Lawson, Mocktrialis, Calrissian, and Xilania Minor in January 1165, dedicated towards asserting his position over his brother and assuming sole control of his throne.

Dengizich, on his part, planted his supporters within the ranks of the Brestord civil service and organized his household resources for war. Conflict finally broke out on 7 February, when Ernakh, at a assembly of his military commanders and officials on Greyson, rejected the authority of his elder brother as senior King and declared himself the sole ruler of the Kingdom of the Brestords. On 14 February, he defeated a fleet dispatched by Dengizich in the Battle of Andrianne. Two days later, he destroyed his brother's personal units on Munist and assumed full control of the capital world. Ernakh subsequently pursued a series of vigorous offensives, conquering his brother's strongholds of Lando, Wedgia, Grahanis, and Kurth (February-March 1165). Dengizich was then forced to retreat from Masaumhat, the homeworld of the Marauders, that aggressive species who had governed the Marauder Empire of the Outer Borderlands during the fifth and sixth centuries. On 1 April, he suffered a further defeat in the Battle of Belkadan, which had remained under Brestord control. Two days later, his units were driven from Keeley and Kaisley, which had been major Brestord military strongholds. Jin Major was then conquered by Ernakh (2-9 April 1165), who then drove his forces forth to Xilania Secondary.

By May 1165, Dengizich had managed to organize effective defenses at his remaining strongholds, and offensives against Horeb Prime, Vorastis the Exalted One, Matharia, and Luforia were repelled (May-June 1165). On 4 July, however, Ernakh gained a major victory in the Battle of Bastarban, inflicting severe losses on Dengizich's supply lines. Dengizich, seeking to end the conflict with his brother, offered on 9 July, to concede to his brother the effective duties of governance over the Brestord Kingdom, and to withdraw into the recesses of the Royal Household on Munist. Ernakh, who believed that his brother was no longer a figure of importance within the Brestord Kingdom, and that Dengizich would soon die in any case, decided to accept his brother's offer. For several days, however, he neglected to send a response, continuing to harry his brother's remaining strongholds and causing much havoc in hundreds of star systems. On 17 July, Ernakh finally responded to his brother's offer and declared that Dengizich was acting "in the interests of the kingdom of our great Race. By your generous concessions, you are pleasing our mighty father, the great Attila." On 21 July, the Treaty of Munist was signed, by which these arrangements were confirmed. Five days later, Ernakh was recognized as senior King of the Brestords, while Dengizich assumed a ceremonial role and retreated into the background of affairs. This remained the case for the next three years.

In the meantime, within the Huntite Khanate, the health of Khan Darasanug declined rapidly. Contemporary medical records, court reports, and news reports indicate that from January 1165 onwards, the Khan experienced a series of heart attacks and strokes, which seriously impaired his physical condition. The Khan himself had never held the actual or effective governance of the Huntite Khanate, for all powers were concentrated in the hands of Ricimer. Ricimer, nevertheless, was worried about the Khan, for he believed that if the Khan died, others within the Huntite court would attempt to impose themselves as the new predominant influence within the Huntite Senate. As such, the Supreme Commander gave orders in February 1165, for the medical compound of the Khan's Palace of Jasonia to "perform their utmost in insuring the health of His Majesty and to detect what transpires within His Majesty's body." After a series of tests, it was discovered on 25 March that the Khan had contracted the Milethus strain, a parasite which attacked the heart and the other vital organs of the body, rendering them weak. The doctors recommended for a series of antibiotic treatments to be given to the Khan. Ricimer granted his consent. In April 1165, the treatments commenced. By 29 April, it seemed that the Khan's condition had improved, for he awoke from a long coma and was able to speak.

Ricimer was joyous, and in proclamations to the subjects of the Huntite Khanate, declared that the Khan would soon recover from his condition. In June 1165, the Khan indeed left the Hospital Quarters and resumed his normal state duties. Ricimer believed that all was well. Events however, now entered a new direction. On 17 July, the Khan complained of uneasiness at a state banquet. His doctors wrongly believed that the Khan was merely experiencing a nervous spell and advised him to rest and maintain a orderly work schedule. The Khan followed their advice, but over the next several days, his condition grew progressively worse. Finally, on 1 August, he was admitted back to the Hospital Quarters, where he soon suffered a series of strokes. His doctors discovered that the Milethus parasite had developed a resistance to the antibiotic treatments and that it had reemerged in his body. The doctors despaired of him, and on 10 August, the Khan entered a final coma. Ricimer's worries were roused again, and the Supreme Commander now ordered for the Khan's testament to be released, which was done on 13 August. The testament reaffirmed Ricimer's position as Supreme Commander and granted him the power to govern the Huntite Khanate in all matters until the selection of a new Khan.

On 14 August, the condition of the Khan was declared hopeless, and the Imperial Household now entered the final preparations. The Khan himself was administered the Last Rites of the Dasian Creed. Darasanug died the following day in the Hospital Quarters (15 August 1165), terminating a reign of nearly four years. According to contemporary accounts, Ricimer was supposed to have burst into tears and cried out to the spirits of his ancestors when news of the Khan's death was delivered to him. Although he was truly grieved about the loss of Darasanug, he was also concerned for his own position. In a session of the Huntite Senate, convened on 17 August, the Supreme Commander declared his love for the former Khan and expressed his hopes that he would find comfort in paradise. On 26 August, the Khan's state funeral was conducted, with Ricimer himself acting as the chief mourner. He put on a convincing show of sorrow and sadness, wailing whenever the Khan's name was mentioned and crying out to the Gods of his Ancestors as to why they had whisked the Khan away. Ricimer, however, took further measures so as to prevent conspiracies against his rule, which he so feared. On 30 August, he purged the members and staff of the deceased Khan's household. Nearly 100,000 persons were either imprisoned or banished from the Huntite Court. On 4 September, the Supreme Commander forced all of the nobles and magnates of the Huntite Khanate to swear a second oath of allegiance to him, and to recognize the Khan's final testament. On 11 September, Ricimer ordered for the arrest and fining of all those who had expressed joy at the Khan's death or had cursed the Supreme Commander.

On 19 September, the Huntite Senate was commanded to censor any government officials, nobles, or regional officials who did not oblige by the Khan's final testament. Ricimer now decided to hold back, as he sought to establish more positive relations with Altan and Berke. In a series of letters, written during September and October 1165, the Supreme Commander expressed his hope for the conclusion of a peaceful alliance with the General of Iego and the Homidinian Khan. Altan at first refused to respond, and on 2 November, declared that Ricimer was not a lawful Supreme Commander. He was eventually persuaded to change his mind, however, and on 15 November, finally extended diplomatic recognition to Ricimer. The Crimeanian Khan Ragibagh decided to recognize Ricimer as Supreme Commander on 26 November, although he refused to acknowledge any Huntite claims to overlordship. On 2 December 1165, King Valamir of the Halegothicans died, and was succeeded by his brother Videmir. Videmir exchanged embassies with the Huntite Khanate and also recognized Ricimer as Supreme Commander. By the end of December 1165, Gunderit of the Armanes had also extended recognition.

Throughout the year 1166, Ricimer governed the Huntite Khanate in his capacity as Supreme Commander, and did not designate any new Khan. On 1 January 1166, at the typical New Year's ceremonies conducted on Jasonia, the Supreme Commander temporarily assumed the place of honor and precedence which would have normally been held by a Khan. Five days later, he issued a formal proclamation to the subjects of the Huntite Khanate, in the manner of a proclamation which would have been issued by a Khan. In this proclamation, Ricimer declared his intent to wait until the Homidinian Altan had found "a suitable successor to the throne of this khanate, so that our government may have a ruler who is not incompetent or ignorant." Altan agreed to select a new khan for the Huntite throne on 12 January, but took a oath by which he swore not to appoint a new Khan until March of the following year, so that Ricimer could organize the affairs of the Huntite governmental administration and look after the resources of state "with care, so that the new Khan may not find himself saddled with governmental and military troubles." Ricimer however, also took practical measures to ensure his continuing dominance over the Huntite Khanate. He exacted another oath of allegiance from the Huntite nobles in February 1166.

The following month, the Head of the Dasian Order of the Faith, the Almitian missionary and Bishop of Hunt Major, Jerome (1117-91), agreed to bless Ricimer and support his continuing domination of Huntite affairs. Ricimer installed his supporters throughout the lower ranks of the civil service, fined or imprisoned those who he perceived to be a threat to his position, and reorganized the Imperial Court, so as to bind its leading servants to him personally. Then, during April and May 1166, the Supreme Commander embarked on a extensive tour of the Huntite dominions. He visited Leah, Lorna, Garnett, Sheldonia, Ber Bachman, Gabriella, Upper Morsia, Downs, Hunt Major, Hunt Minor, Samarkand, Gargonia, the Sk'atha Cluster, Gedrosia Max, Filorean, Constipex, Millard, Maurya, Newman Victoria, Nikki Lowell, Cougar, Cox, Banks, Henderson, Leo's Redoubt, Kimania, Christopher, Breha, Nanking, Narra, Riley, Abshire, Strongstine, Samantha, Messalina, Offshora, Chobania, and the Orion Cluster. He saw King Remismund of the Jarjanics on Plath, held a conference with Theodoric II on Bookman, and met with Childeric I of the Melorkians at Rasti. By such a tour, Ricimer attempted to maintain his position of authority with the Huntite subjects.

No sooner had he returned to Jasonia, however, that tensions erupted against the Huntite Government. On Hutsia, Leo's Redoubt, Kolombina, and Gardiner, a Kimanian rebel leader, Zhu (1124-66), arose in revolt against the Huntite authorities in June 1166. He quickly secured control of those worlds and proclaimed himself Kimanian Shogun on 5 June. Zhu subsequently inflicted severe defeats on Huntite fleets, and by the end of June 1166, had extended his control to as far as Riley, Abshire, and the outskirts of Strongstine. Ricimer was forced to dispatch troops to the Barsar Regions to deal with the revolt, which was not crushed until 4 August 1166. On that day, Zhu was captured. Trundled on a transport to Anna Yunia, he was executed there on 10 August. Afterwards, turbulent events transpired in the Kingdom of Ashlgothia. Theodoric II had become increasingly unpopular with the Ashlgothian nobles and elders, his own court and government officials, and indeed, with many of his subjects. Over the past two years, the King of Ashlgothia had implemented various taxes and impositions upon his subjects which had angered them considerably. He had also become more indolent and lazy, as the King indulged himself in entertainments and ceremonies at the Ashlgothian Royal Court, neglected many of the routine affairs of state administration, and ignored the concerns of his dominion.

His younger brother, Euric, the last of Theodoric I's sons, began to gain support within the Ashlgothian dominions against him. Euric, who was ambitious and who desired to become the next King of Ashlgothia, began assembling private units at Brooke One, Armenia Major, Armenia Minor, Destiaria (Destiny), Emily Deuistania, and Nicolas I in January 1166, intent on building up his own force. Two months later, he opened up a secret correspondence with the Huntite Supreme Commander, Ricimer, and with King Genseric of Kuevia, who both declared their support for his intentions. On 18 April 1166, Theodoric II held a meeting with King Remismund of the Jarjanics on Novina, where the Jarjanic monarch publicly declared his continued loyalty to the King of Ashlgothia and pledged to hold the interests of his overlord in "the utmost and highest regard." Secretly, however, he was plotting with Euric, and on 9 May, declared his support for the Prince and stated his intentions to transfer his loyalty to him, once Theodoric was deposed. Euric then secured assurances of support from Altan of the Homdinian Khanate, Ragibagh of the Crimeanian Khanate, Gondioc of the Alexandrians, Videmir of the Halegothkcans, and Gunderit of the Armanes.

By September 1166, he was finally ready to launch his conspiracy. On 18 September, Euric sent the final orders to his supporters. Two days later, the Ashlgothian Prince himself led his officers and subordinates in the move to seize control of the Royal Household. The majority of the household officials, servants, and courtiers quickly declared their loyalty to Euric. On 21 September, Theodoric was forced to flee from Ashlgothia in a starfighter. He now attempted to head to the dominions of his Jarjanic vessel, unaware of his alliance with Euric. On 24 September, Remismund received Theodoric at Allen, but just a day later, alerted Euric of Theodoric's presence and had the fugitive Ashlgothian King placed under arrest. On 26 September, Euric was formally proclaimed King of Ashlgothia by a assembly of the Ashlgothian elders. The following day, he received custody of Theodoric from the Jarjanics at Plath. Theodoric was trundled in a transport back to Ashlgothia, arriving there on 28 September. On 1 October 1166, Euric presented his brother to the Assembly of Elders, declaring him to have been a weak monarch and stating that he would be restoring glory and energy to the Ashlgothian state. Theodoric responded by declaring that his brother was a liar, a cheat, a breaker of his bonds, and a traitor, and that their father would be angry at his deeds. Euric responded to this by stating that Theodoric himself had deposed and executed their older brother, Thorismund. At this, Theodoric was silenced. Euric then said that his deposition of his brother would have been welcomed by his father, and that it was solely for the interests of the kingdom.

The Assembly of Elders agreed, and on 4 October, recommended that Theodoric be executed. Euric heeded their advice. Theodoric was executed on the flagship HMS E'rlaar on 6 October, and his bodily remains were pulverized into dust and placed into a container. That container was then hidden, its exact location being kept a secret. It was not until 1749, as a result of a expedition sponsored by the Imperial Ministry of Education, that the container of the Ashlgothian King's remains was discovered at Greg. By orders of Lord Protector Seymouris, the container would be interred at the Vault of Ashlgothian Monarchs, on Ashlgothia Major, on 2 January 1750. In the meantime, Euric received diplomatic recognition of his rule as King of Ashlgothia. Remismund acknowledged Euric as his overlord from the day of his usurpation of the Ashgothic throne, and paid him formal homage on 10 October. Altan (11 October); Videmir (12 October); Gunderit (15 October); Gondioc (19 October); Torchaldio II (20 October); the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (22 October); Genseric (23 October); Ricimer (24 October); Childeric (25 October); Offa of Marcia (29 October); Honorius II of Laurasia (1 November); E'rac of Briannia (2 November); Femania of Venasia (3 November); Alp Arslan of Solidarita (4 November); and Dengizich and Ernakh of the Brestords (9 November), subsequently accorded recognition of Euric as Ashlgothian King. Euric formally invested himself as King in a ceremony held at the Warrior's Mansion of Ashlgothia on 10 November, a ceremony attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers.

The remainder of November 1166, as well as December 1166, were relatively peaceful for the Outer Galactic Powers, although as mentioned above, the Ivorian War continued unabated in the Core Regions. Genseric of Kuevia, however, now saw new opportunities for his own status and for the position of his kingdom. The Kuevian King was now in the thirty-eighth year of his reign, and had been, as mentioned above, the most senior of the Galaxy's monarchs since the death of Penda in 1155. He firmly believed that he would be able to intervene into the affairs of the Huntite Khanate, believing that such a intervention would allow him to install his own candidate upon the Huntite throne. In this way, Genseric sought to extend Kuevian influence further. On 25 December 1166, the King of Kuevia, in a session of his private secretaries, advisers, and courtiers, declared his intentions to intervene in the Huntite succession, so as to "insure that the Khanate, presently governed by Ricimer, be more closely bonded to our honorable kingdom, and that our species may gain honor and prestige in the Outer Borderlands."

On 1 January 1167, the King of Kuevia welcomed the Dasian magnate and nobleman, Esen, to his court, which was then at Majoria Schall, and declared his intention to support Esen's claim to the Huntite throne. It was given out, in a official proclamation issued to both Kuevian subjects and to the foreign embassies, that Esen was a descendant of Khan Tokugaistus the Great, who was revered by the Dasian elites and governments of the three remaining Khanates, and that Esen's claim had been discovered to have been legitimate. The proclamation claimed that Esen's grandmother had been one of Tokugaistus's wives, although it was not specified which one. Nor was information provided by his mother, for Genseric claimed that Bodi Aligh had forced her to take the veil after the birth of Esen in 1131.

In reality, Esen was the son of the Dasian Prince Orug Temur, who had died in 1146 during Bodi Aligh's campaigns against the Crimeanian Khanate. In 1155, Esen's family had been banished to exile on Kimanis Mooria, after the death of Khan Dost, and had remained there until 1161, when they were released on the orders of Ricimer. Esen himself, however, disappeared shortly afterwards, adopting a new identity. He had reemerged as a Dasian magnate in 1163, claiming ties to a different family line. Genseric stated that this was the line leading from Tokugaistus. Of course, when the Kuevian King's proclamation was announced, many were bewildered. Both Altan and Ricimer refused to believe Genseric's claims. On 4 January 1167, Altan issued a proclamation to the subjects of the Homdinian Khanate, declaring that Esen was not a descendant of Tokugaistus the Great and that the dynasty of Tokugaistus had since died out.

Ricimer issued a similar proclamation six days later, declaring Genseric's claims to be false. Many within the Huntite Khanate, however, who now desired a link to the one who had briefly brought all of the Dasian Outer Borderlands under one rule, and who had repelled the Ashlgothians, were willing to believe Esen's claims. By the end of January 1167, a faction had emerged at the Huntite court which sought to press those claims foreard. Ricimer now took more vigorous action. Throughout February 1167, he received constant petitions urging him to summon the Huntite Senate and to present Esen as a candidate for the Huntite throne. Ricimer responded to these petitions by issuing a injunction which forbade any further discussion of the succession issue until he, the Supreme Commander, had found a reasonable candidate for the Huntite throne.

Genseric, in response to this, pressed Esen's claims ever more vigorously. On 22 February 1167, he issued a decree from the Chancellory of Way'tosk, announcing his recognition of Esen as the Khan of the Huntite Khanate and withdrawing his recognition of Ricimer as Huntite Supreme Commander. Altan, in response, severed diplomatic relations with Kuevia on 1 March 1167, recalling his ambassador, Genghis Temur (1118-83), from Shenandoah. Genghis Temur was able to leave Shenandoah on 6 March, arriving back at Homidinia four days later, for his journey had been delayed by Kuevian ships which had sought to slow his journey. On 16 March, Ricimer took a similar action and severed diplomatic relations with the Kuevian Kingdom. The Huntite embassy of Shenandoah arrived back at Jasonia on 20 March, having also been delayed by the Kuevians.

On 24 March, Gunderit of the Armanes terminated diplomatic relations with Kuevia, being followed by Videmir of the Halegothicans two days later. It seemed that the flames of war were now beginning to be fanned, for on 29 March, Genseric issued new mobilization orders to his forces. On 1 April, the King of the Kuevians ordered the garrison commanders of Vickis, Uris, Pockaria, Hoohshikk, Choir, Shenandoah, Melanie Major, Majoria Schall, Hasselbeck, Walters, Shephard, and Beharis to begin making preparations for a future war with the Huntite Khanate. On 2 April, Ricimer issued similar orders to Huntite units at Leah, Lorna, Gargonia, the Sk'atha Cluster, Hunt Major, Hunt Minor, Garnett, Ber Bachman, Sheldonia, Upper Morsia, Downs, Gabriellia, Samarkand, and Roastafaria Major.

Ricimer, in the meantime, now realized that a new Khan needed to be seated on the Huntite throne, so as to maintain his position of power and halt Genseric's ambitions. On 4 April, the Huntite Supreme Commander ordered for the arrest, interrogation, and imprisonment of all nobles, magnates, courtiers, and figures of prominence who had sent petitions to the Huntite Court asking for Ricimer to act in favor of Esen. Nearly 12,000 persons were affected by this decree. Two days later, the Huntite Supreme Commander conducted a purge of the Huntite Court, ordering the dismissal and banishment of all eunuchs, concubines, servants, and courtiers who had expressed their hopes for the successful accession of Esen to the Huntite throne. On 8 April, the Huntite Supreme Commander issued a further proclamation to the subjects of the Huntite Khanate, declaring that all of Genseric's claims were false and presenting information about Esen and his family, including the military service of his father, the banishment of his family from 1155 to 1163, and Esen's disappearance and subsequent reemergence. Movements on Kimania, Kimanis Mooria, Nanking, Breha, Offshora, Christopher, and Narra, however, coalesced, demanding that Esen be selected as the new Huntite Khan.

Ricimer ordered for severe measures to be taken against the movements, which had all been crushed by the end of April. Nearly a million persons were arrested, interrogated, and either imprisoned or executed for their participation in the movements. On 10 April, Ricimer sent a note to Khan Altan, who was then at his palace on Dion. In the note, the Huntite Supreme Commander stated his concerns about Genseric's intentions and expressed his wishes for the Homidinian Khan to intervene. He then offered to allow Altan the right to choose the next Huntite Khan, on condition that Altan acknowledge Ricimer's continuing authority as Supreme Commander. Ricimer was also to be granted the title of Guardian, restoring a position which had not existed since 1137, since the resignation of Wrangia Althia. That position had been held by General Stilicho, but not by Bodi Aligh, who had preferred to maintain a facade of loyalty in governmental affairs towards Khan Dost. Such a position would formalize his absolute authority over governmental and political affairs.

Altan, after several days of contemplation, was eventually persuaded by his councilors that Ricimer's offer would be better then seeing Genseric impose himself over the Huntite Khanate. On 15 April, Altan responded to Ricimer's note and accepted the Supreme Commander's offer. A day later, he ordered his Council of Advisers and the Homidinian Senate to begin searching for a candidate, suitable to his purposes, among the Homidinian aristocracy and civil service. After ten days of a extensive search, they decided upon Bergh, a Prince of Chalassion who had been married to the niece of Yulan, Borte Khaa, from 1156 to 1164, and who had served as one of Altan's household generals since 1163. The Khan formally accepted their find on 26 May, and the following day, Bergh was ordered to prepare himself for the journey to Jasonia.

Ricimer acknowledged Altan's find on 28 May and convened a session of the Huntite Senate. Bergh left Chalassion with a Homidinian fleet and his personal escort on 1 June, arriving at Jasonia during the late hours of the day. Two days later, the Huntite Senate formally proclaimed Bergh as Khan of the Huntite Khanate, on the conditions that he retain Ricimer as Supreme Commander and that he offer the Supreme Commander the office of Huntite Guardian. Bergh accepted these conditions. On 5 June, he issued a formal Huntite decree, confirming all the offices, titles, and privileges earlier held by Ricimer, and appointing him as Guardian of the Huntite Khanate, to maintain authority over the Huntite Government and Court in the Khan's name. Ricimer, in turn, swore a oath of homage to the Khan.

On 14 June, he presided over the Khan's coronation, a ceremony which was attended by dignitaries from all the galactic powers with the exception of Kuevia. Genseric himself was enraged by the installation of Bergh on the Huntite throne. The Kuevian King now decided to launch raids into the borderlands of the Homidinian and Huntite Khanates (June-August 1167), with his fleets penetrating up the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route. Dion, Brlla, the outskirts of Homidinia, Alyssa, Gwendolyn, Markis Prime, Kledis Var, Shaelynn, Taraning, Samarkand, the Sk'atha Cluster, Leah, Lorna, Elijahana, and Hunt Minor were harried by Kuevian raiding fleets. Altan and Ricimer however, managed to organize defenses against more intrusive Kuevian operations, and the conflict did not escalate into a full-scale war at this juncture. In August 1167, Genseric terminated his raids. That month, however, Ricimer and Altan began discussions on the possibility of a military expedition against the Kuevian Kingdom, so as to finally destroy Genseric and reassert Dasian rule over the Inner and Middle Territories. These discussions continued to the end of 1167. During those months, Ricimer consolidated his position as Guardian and established a firm hold over the new Khan.

The Brestord Kingdom, however, now entered into a conflict with the Solidaritan Sultanate, which had been under the rule of Erutugul's vigorous and ambitious son, Alp Arslan, since 27 April 1164. Alp Arslan's exploits against Laurasia will be described in its appropriate section below. We shall now focus, however, on his campaigns against Dengizich and Ernakh. In September 1167, the Solidaritan Sultan assembled military units at Sassanay, Massanay, Cibourney, Lincoln, Vindictoria, Quanna, Laronn, Sheryl, Deanna, Wendy, Mantin, Dennis, and Deserlia for his planned offensives against the Brestords. Dengizich and Ernakh, having been distracted by their civil conflicts with each other and with suppressing social dissent against their rule, had allowed the southern defenses of the Brestord Kingdom to deteriorate. They were thus not prepared for any offensives or campaigns that Solidaritans would launch against them. On 1 October, the Solidaritan Sultan dispatched an envoy, Orkan Bey, to the court of the Brestord co-Kings on Munist. Orkan was received by Dengizich and Ernakh at a formal diplomatic audience two days later.

The Solidaritan envoy, however, now demanded that the Brestord Kingdom concede Norah, Brown, Edurina, and the Northern Reaches of the Dali Trade Line to the Solidaritan Sultanate, that Dengizich and Ernakh acknowledge Alp Arslan as their overlord, and that they pay him a annual tribute of $200 trillion Dasian marks. Dengizich and Ernakh, who were insulted by these demands, burst into a fit of rage and denounced Alp Arslan for provoking hostile tensions between the two dominions. On 10 October, Orkan departed from Munist, issuing a threatening final message to the Brestord court. Two days later, Alp Arslan dispatched a ultimatum to the court of the Brestord co-Kings, demanding that they acknowledge his earlier demands and that they "submit themselves to this honorable Sultanate immediately." Dengizich and Ernakh, however, refused to even respond to the messages. The Sultan, who now found the excuse to instigate war, severed diplomatic relations with the Brestord Kingdom on 16 October. Two days later, he issued a formal declaration of war.

Solidaritan units, advancing rapidly into Brestord territory, besieged and conquered Abraham (17-21 October 1167), destroying one of the largest Brestord armed garrisons. Roxuli and the Worlds of the Western Triangle fell into Solidaritan possession (22-29 October 1167). Solidaritan units launched harrying expeditions along the Larkian Way, sacking Greyson, Mocktrialis, Lawson, and other strongholds in a series of coordinated offensives (October-November 1167). On 15 November, Alp Arslan himself destroyed a Brestord force in the Battle of Tay. Two days later, Norah capitulated to the Brestord hordes. Hukaron, Makuthia, and Watchers were subsequently besieged and conquered by the Solidaritan Sultan (16-29 November 1167), inflicting further losses on the Brestords. By December 1167, Solidaritan expeditions were penetrating to the Galactic Frontier Route, and destroyed or dispersed all Brestord fleets they encountered. On 25 December 1167, Dengizich and Ernakh, combining their units together, advanced from Izzia, Andrianne, and Belkadan, seeking to halt Arslan. Arslan however, employed the superior organization and nobility of his forces to his benefit, destroying the Brestord armada in the Asteroid Belt of Weatheria. Thereafter, Xilania Secondary, Calrissa, and the Marauder Home Systems were conquered (26-31 December 1167). On 1 January 1168, Izzia capitulated to the Solidaritan forces. Dengizich and Ernakh, who were by now desperate, sent a request for a armistice on 4 January. Alp Arslan, after besieging and conquering Andrianne on 7 January, accepted their offer on 10 January.

On 11 January 1168, a diplomatic congress was convened on Lacia, being mediated by representatives of Homidinian Khan Altan. After several days of vigorous negotiations, the Treaty of Lacia was signed on 22 January 1168. By the terms of this Treaty, the Brestord Kingdom conceded Norah, Brown, Edurina, and the Northern Dali Trade Line to the authority of the Solidaritan Sultanate. In turn, Alp Arslan returned to the control of the Brestord co-Kings, all other territories conquered by his hordes during the war. Dengizich and Ernakh pledged themselves as vassals to the Solidaritan Sultan for a period of ten years, promised to pay him compensation for his military mobilization efforts, and undertook to pay a annual tribute of $100 trillion Dasian marks for twenty years (to 1188). They also granted free passage and legal immunity privileges to Solidaritans within Brestord territory, and opened their commerce to dominance by the Solidaritan merchants and traders. With the conditions of the Treaty confirmed, Alp Arslan terminated military campaigns on 25 January. He formally ratified the Treaty two days later. Dengizich and Ernakh ratified the humiliating Treaty on 30 January. On 2 February 1168, the terms of the Treaty of Lacia came into effect, and both Dengizich and Ernakh pledged themselves as vassals before Alp Arslan in a ceremony of homage on Greyson.

By February 1168, Ricimer and Altan had finally laid out their strategy for a series of expeditions against the Kuevian Kingdom. Altan himself, in order to seal the final arrangements with Ricimer, departed from Chalassia on 22 February 1168 and traveled to the territories of the Huntite Khanate, the first time since 1125 that a Homidinian Khan had made an official visit to the Huntite Khanate. On 24 February, he arrived at Jasonia and was greeted with lavish ceremonies by Ricimer, Khan Bergh, and the Huntite Court. For several days, a series of parades, masques, festivals, celebratory concerts, banquets, and other proceedings were held on Jasonia, while all indulged themselves in a round of pleasures. The General of Iego and Meredith, Berke, arrived at Jasonia himself on 3 March. Finally, on 7 March, Ricimer, Altan, and Berke retired to the secret Negotiation Chambers of the Palace of Jasonia and opened their formal diplomatic conference over the matter of the intended anti-Kuevian expeditions. To ensure that news of the conference was not leaked to others, all officials of the Huntite Court were forced to swear a oath of secrecy and were forbidden to see their families, friends, or associates until negotiations had concluded. The Huntite Intelligence Agency was commanded to impose a strict surveillance over the Huntite Civil Service and Government, while the whereabouts of the Supreme Commander, the Homidinian Khan, and the Mereditan General were kept secret from the general public.

Genseric, who was suspicious about Altan's departure from his capital world, nevertheless remained ignorant of what was transpiring, as even his agents were unable to discover details about the conference. For several days, Ricimer, Altan, and Berke vigorously debated and discussed about the expedition details. Finally, on 24 March, they managed to reach a decision. It was agreed that Berke would acknowledge the renewed authority of Khan Bergh, and that he would agree to serve under Ricimer in the anti-Kuevian expedition. In turn, however, Berke was to become Secondary Commander of the Huntite Khanate and was to assume a rank second only to that of Ricimer himself. Ricimer, on his part, agreed to provide 55% of the army forces which would be employed against Genseric, and it was mandated that no more then 45% of these units were to be comprised of mercenary, Melorkian, Brestord, and Jarjanic units.

Altan, on his part, agreed to provide 66% of the naval units to be employed against the Kuevians. As regards to the division of the spoils, the old Millian Worlds were to be annexed by the Homidinian Khanate (effectively the Kuevian Inner Territories), while Shenandoah, Vickis, Uris, Choir, Melanie Major, Majoria Schall, and the Western Robertian Worlds would be annexed by the Huntite Khanate. No peace was to be made with Genseric until that monarch had been totally defeated. The conference was formally terminated on 28 March. On 1 April, Altan left Jasonia, being sent away with lavish ceremonies. His disappearance from public events during the preceding days were explained due to a "illness" which the Khan had contracted while at the Huntite Court. A similar explanation was given for the disappearance of Ricimer and Berke.

On 4 April 1168, Altan returned to Homidinia, while two days later, General Berke acknowledged the renewed authority of the Huntite Khanate over his dominions. He was appointed Secondary Commander of the Huntite Khanate by Khan Bergh. On 10 April, Ricimer sent out preparation orders to all Huntite units and garrisons, commanding them to be in readiness for the campaigns against the Kuevians by the beginning of May. Altan dispatched similar orders to his units on 15 April. Homidinian factories and military supply posts on Dion, Brlla, Yutzy, Homidinia, Chalassia, Chalassion, Alyssa, Gwendolyn, Ryan, Markis Prime, Kledis Var, Ian, Gibbs-to-Lester, Shaelynn, Dromund, Sonny, and Englestrom were sent into a storm of productive activity, churning out new vessels and military equipment for the Homidinian naval forces. Similar activity occurred on the factory worlds of the Huntite Khanate. Genseric received word of these military mobilization efforts on 22 April, and began to suspect that a expedition was being prepared against him, although he remained ignorant of the strategies that were intended. After a further month of organization and mobilization, the Huntite and Homidinian Khanates finally issued a declaration of war against the Kuevian Kingdom on 26 May 1168.

Altan, in his declaration of war, cited the "earlier predatory expeditions and raids of the Kuevian hordes" as his main reason for entering into conflict with Genseric. Ricimer, on his part, declared his intention to avenge earlier Huntite humiliations and recover Huntite territories lost to Genseric in earlier decades. After the declaration of war, Homidinian units hurled along the Larkian Way and across the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route into Kuevian territory. Elijahana was seized (27-29 May 1168), followed by Par'say (30 May); Predosur (1-2 June); Borsay (3 June); Schriver (4 June); Cagania (5 June); Katharnovich (6-10 June); Bar'say (11 June); Ond'diray (12-14 June); and Temperance (15-19 June), although a Homidinian offensive against Bacturius Invictis and Acamaria failed (20-25 June 1168). Huntite units, in the meantime, had seized Beharis (20-30 May); Hasselbeck (2 June); Walters (4-9 June); Robert (11 June); Choir (12-15 June); Shepherd (16 June); Uris (19 June); Hoohshikk (20-22 June); and Vickis (24 June).

Offensives against Pooch (25 June); Nottingham (26 June); Majoria Schall (27-29 June); and Fats (30 June-2 July) were repelled by Genseric, however, who was beginning to revive in strength. Heavily fortifying Shenandoah, Way'tosk, Pockaria, and Majoria Schall, Genseric now organized his armadas and pursued classic guerrilla strategies against his enemies, wrecking Homidinian and Huntite supply fleets in confrontations at Boydaria, Leah, Samarkand, Alyssa, and Dion (July-August 1168). By the beginning of August 1168, Ricimer and Berke, who had established their command headquarters on Uris, were beginning to prepare for efforts to seek out and destroy Genseric's raiding fleets. Khan Altan had placed the Homidinian units under the command of his General Mongke. On 6 August, he and Ricimer decided to launch a series of decisive offensives towards Way'tosk, Olondron, and the Capes of Jane, so as to wreck the chief remaining Kuevian supply lines. Berke was commanded to move his units towards Shenandoah and Cody. Ricimer and Berke however, now fell into a series of arguments, which caused for the command lines to be disrupted. As a result, a offensive against Juno failed (7-10 August 1168). Genseric decided to take advantage of these internal dissensions.

On 12 August, he sent a offer for a armistice. Ricimer, Berke, and Altan, who foolishly believed that they had won, accepted his offer on 15 August, believing they could force him to accept their terms. For the next five days later, while armistice negotiations were held on Shenandoah, Genseric secretly prepared his military units at his military bases on Acamaria, Brassaline, and Nottingham. On 20 August, he launched a surprise offensive against the command squadrons of Ricimer and Berke, stationed at Shenandoah for the armistice negotiations. Many of the Kuevian transports were filled with stores of the chemical nandium, which could explode and engulf all ships within its immediate radius. These transports, hurled against the Huntite destroyers, dreadnoughts, carriers, and battleships, inflicted severe damage, incinerating nearly half of the Huntite fleet within a few minutes. Another 20% of the Huntite fleet was seriously damaged. Berke himself was captured, while Ricimer barely escaped with his life. Another Huntite-Homidinian armada was destroyed through similar tactics at Temperance five days later. Genseric systematically reconquered all of the territories lost to the Huntite-Homidinian forces: Beharis (26 August); Hasselbeck (27-29 August); Walters (30 August); Robert (1 September); Choir (2-9 September); Shephard (11 September); Uris (12 September); Hoohshikk and Vickis (both on 13 September); Elijahana (14 September); Par'say (19 September); Predosur (22 September); Borsay (24-25 September); Schriver (26 September); Cagania (27-30 September); Katharnovich (1-5 October): Bar'say (9 October); and Ond'diray (10 October). By 15 October, Genseric, taking advantage of the refusal of Berke's forces to fight without their commander, and of quarrels arising between Ricimer and Altan, had driven all Homidinian and Huntite fleets out of his territory. He then launched his own offensives (October-November 1168), penetrating into Huntite and Homidinian territory as far as Dickinson and Dromund. He inflicted severe damage upon Huntite and Homidinian defenses in hundreds of star systems. Kuevian forces pursued a policy of rapine, massacre, and plunder. On 2 December 1168, Ricimer and Altan both sent a request for peace to Genseric. The Kuevian King accepted their request, and the Armistice of Rose was signed on 5 December. Then on 15 December 1168, the Treaty of Jack was signed, restoring in territorial terms, the status quo ante bellum between Kuevia and the two Dasian Khanates.

Genseric agreed to release Berke and all other captives, prisoners of war, and slaves. In exchange, Ricimer and Altan agreed to compensate the Kuevian King for his military mobilization efforts. They also promised to pay him a tribute of $900 trillion Dasian marks for 1169, and a smaller payment of $14 trillion marks thereafter, so that he would refrain from raiding Huntite and Homidinian territory. Ricimer ratified the Treaty in the name of Khan Bergh on 16 December, being followed by Altan on 18 December and Genseric himself on 20 December. Genseric released Berke from captivity on 22 December. Berke returned to Iego, but was ashamed by his losses. He committed suicide in his personal chambers on 25 December 1168. Ricimer, with the approval of Altan, appointed Khulug Nepalang, Berke's nephew, as the new General of Iego and as Secondary Commander. Khulug assumed his position on New Year's Eve 1168. On 1 January 1169, the state funeral for Berke was conducted on Dickinson, with both Ricimer and Altan in attendance.

As a result of the failed anti-Kuevian expeditions, the financial resources of the Huntite and Homidinian Khanates had been strained to the breaking point, while the exactions made by Genseric through the Treaty arrangements forced both Altan and Ricimer to implement desperate measures. On 8 January 1169, the Homidinian Khan, at a conference of his officials on Ryan, promulgated the "requisitions" policy, by which Homidinian military commanders and taxation collectors were granted the right to make any sort of extortion or exaction from Homidinian subjects. Tariffs and transport levies were imposed, while blackmailing and a series of other confiscations extracted additional revenues from the Homidinian worlds. Ricimer soon implemented similar policies in his dominions, and even restored Dayan's public accounting measures, by the decree of 1 February 1169.

King Remismund of the Jarjanics was now encouraged by the new issues which were troubling the Huntite Khanate. The Jarjanic government officials, nobles, and military commanders had implored their King to follow his secret promises to them, and to launch military campaigns into the Huntite Barsar Regions so as to avenge earlier defeats and assert the "independent position of the Jarjanic realm within this Galaxy." Remismund, who had conducted a extensive military buildup, and who had secured approval from King Euric of Ashlgothia for his planned military offensives, sent a diplomatic note to Ricimer and Khan Bergh on 10 February 1169. The Huntite Supreme Commander and his puppet Khan were then at Gabriella, supervising the exactions conducted from the inhabitants of that world. When Ricimer received the message, he was sent into a "fit of the greatest anger and rage which had been mustered by any General in Huntite history", according to Gibbeoneous. In the message, Remismund had declared that it no longer befit him, a barbarian King, to be in subjugation to a Dasian Khanate, one of the states which "are on the steady path to destruction in these present times."

As such, the Jarjanic King demanded that the terms of vassalage for the Jarjanic Kingdom towards the Huntite Khanate be terminated; that Ricimer concede Strongstine, Riley, Abshire, Hutsia, Messalina, Samantha, and Reading to the authority of the Jarjanic King; and that the Huntite Government pay tribute to the court of Jarjanica on Allen, so that Remismund may not be "tempted into turning against your territory in the future." Ricimer, as can be judged by his reaction, believed that these demands were intolerable. Placing all garrisons of the Barsar Regions on red alert, the Huntite Supreme Commander sent a response message on 16 February, which was delivered to Remismund at Addison. In this note, Ricimer demanded that Remismund halt his threats and that he continue to remain "loyally subordinate" towards his Huntite overlords. Remismund, believing that his attempt to "reason" with the Huntite Khanate had been wrongfully rebuffed, subsequently rejected Huntite overlordship on 20 February. He ordered the arrest and imprisonment of all Huntite subjects within his dominions; disbanded the Huntite embassies on Jarman, Plath, and Skold; and sent mobilization orders to his units. Ricimer now hurried to Kimania, arriving there on 26 February to take direct command of the Barsar units.

Two days later, however, the Jarjanics launched a series of surprise offensives into the territory of the Huntite Khanate within the Barsar Regions. Remismund quickly conquered Samantha (27 February-1 March 1169); destroyed a Huntite transport armada at Bactria (2-9 March 1169); and stormed Chobania (11 March), before advancing towards Afdari, Riley, and Inuun. Ricimer managed to repel a Jarjanic raiding expedition against Messalina but was unable to save Narra (13-19 March), which was conquered by the Jarjanics in a surprise offensive. On 22 March, Reading was conquered by the Jarjanic fleets, who inflicted severe damage on the world's cities and engaged in a "routine of massacre, enslavement, deportations, rapine, and looting, the like of which was considered by the inhabitants of that world to be from the hand of the Universal Devil." Two days later, Taning was secured and swiftly subdued in a likewise manner. Ricimer now fortified Riley, Strongstine, and Leo's Redoubt, establishing his second command headquarters at Gardiner. As a result of his efforts, Jarjanic offensives towards those strongholds were blunted (March-April 1169). The Huntite Supreme Commander was unable to make further advances against Jarjanic units however.

Then in May 1169, rebellions erupted on Constipex, Millard, Cox, Banks, Henderson, Newman Victoria, and Filorean, forcing Ricimer to divert units from his defensive positions. This allowed Remismund to conquer Riley (5-9 May 1169) and secure Stongstine (10 May), before harrying the defenses on Breha, Nanking, Christopher, Dorothea, Lange, and Leseur (11-19 May). On 22 May, Ricimer, who desired to reassert his authority elsewhere in the Huntite Khanate and who realized that his weakened units could not launch offensives of their own against the Jarjanics, sent a request for peace to Remismund. Remismund accepted on 24 May, but demanded that a peace conference be held on Allen and that Khan Bergh himself attend the conference. Ricimer had no choice but to agree to these demands. A truce was signed on Orion I on 27 May, and three days later, Bergh departed from Jasonia, to which he had returned on 3 May from Gabriella. Reaching Allen on 31 May, the Huntite Khan and his entourage were greeted by Remismund, who nevertheless sought to astound the Khan with the glory and splendor of his court. After several days of ceremonies, negotiations began on 7 June. Ricimer arrived at Allen himself on that day. At first Remismund demanded the concession of all of the Barsar Regions except Bookman, Kimania, Kimanis Mooria, and Leo's Redoubt to his authority.

Ricimer, however, with the assistance of his diplomatic advisers, managed to convince the Jarjanic King that it would be better for him to content himself with his original gains. He promised to help the Jarjanic King gain independence from the suzerainty of Euric also, and to make gains at Ashlgothian expense. Remismund, lured by this promise, and also by the offer of a vast financial tribute by the Huntite Supreme Commander, decided to accept Ricimer's terms. The Treaty of Allen was signed on 20 June 1169. By the terms of this treaty, the overlordship of the Huntite Khanate over the Kingdom of the Jarjanics was terminated, with Remismund only retaining his bond of homage towards Euric. Remismund also acquired Samantha, Strongstine, Riley, Abshire, Hutsia, and Messalina, returning all other conquered territories to the Huntite Khanate. In turn, Ricimer arranged for the payment of $150 trillion Dasian marks into the coffers of the Jarjanic King and granted Remismund the right of free passage through Huntite territory. The terms of the Treaty of Allen were confirmed by Euric on 25 June, who was unaware of Ricimer's secret agreement with the Jarjanic King against him.

Ricimer and Khan Bergh remained at Allen, attending a ceremony on 27 June which resulted in the severance of the bond of homage tying the Jarjanic King to the Huntite Khanate. Afterwards, a series of festivals, concerts, masques, and banquets were conducted, with the Jarjanic King astounding the Huntite embassy with the splendor and glories of his court. Many among the Huntite ranks developed feelings of jealousy, as Ricimer had been forced to slash expenses for the Huntite Imperial Household, due to the failure of the anti-Kuevian expeditions and for the necessity to raise the amount needed for the payments to Genseric. The Supreme Commander, however, ordered for a new purge of his servant ranks to be conducted, and those who had expressed envious thoughts about the Jarjanic court were dismissed from duty. Finally on 7 June, the Huntite embassy left Allen. Ricimer and Bergh proceeded back to Jasonia, arriving at the Huntite capital world two days later, which was enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere. Remismund, on his part, began to reorganize his military units and absorb his newly-annexed territories, while withdrawing units from the other Huntite systems and stations whom he had occupied. This occupied his attention for the remainder of June 1169. Ricimer, in the meantime, maintained order at the Huntite Court and continued his financial efforts.

New events transpired within the Brestord dominions, however. Dengizich and Ernakh, whose enmity had been deepened because of the losses in the war with the Solidaritan Sultanate, now engaged in new conspiracies against each other. Dengizich, mustering his supporters within the government and among the Brestord aristocracy, became determined to finally assert himself as the sole King of the Brestords. He made his move on 4 July 1169. On that day, soldiers and guards officers dispatched by the senior King of the Brestords burst into the chambers of Ernakh, having bypassed his personal defenses. Ernakh's guards had been bribed by Dengizich with promises of money and power. Ernakh was then pulled from his bed and run through seventy times with the vibroblades of his brother's guards, having never gained awareness of their presence. Following this, Dengizich summoned a assembly of the Brestord elders and announced his brother's death to them. The Assembly of Elders, although having doubts at Dengizich's explanation of the events, elected Dengizich as the sole King of the Brestords on 6 July 1169. Five days later, Dengizich was invested as King on Munist, a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the other galactic powers.

The position of the Brestord King was weak, however, as his commander Gogh conspired against him from Andrianne. Mustering his personal units, Gogh entered into a state of rebellion on 11 July. He swiftly secured Bon (23 July); Xilania Major (24 July); the Marauder Worlds (26-28 July); Xilania Secondary (1-5 August); and Belkadan (8 August). On 10 August, Dengizich's personal armada was defeated in the Battle of Moore, and the King of the Brestords was forced to flee from Munist, which was occupied by Gogh on 17 August. On 22 August, Dengizich was murdered by his own fleet officers, who believed that he would never be able to reassert himself as the ruler of the Brestord dominions. Two days later, the fleet officers surrendered to Gogh, who rewarded them for their act by promoting them within the ranks and assigning them to his personal household. On 26 August, Gogh was formally acknowledged as King of the Brestords by a assembly of the elders. On 2 September, Dengizich was buried next to his brother Ernakh at Munist.

On 9 September, Gogh was formally invested as King of the Brestords. For nearly a month, the new Brestord King managed to enjoy himself. He assembled a large number of concubines at his court, indulged himself in a series of ceremonies, and ignored the affairs of state. A rebel leader, Anasia, now emerged among the Xilanians, who had long desired to reestablish their independence, which had been withheld from them since the reconquests of Dost I in the late eleventh century. Anasia, who was a ambitious, energetic, and determined woman, assembled her followers on Calumny, A-Saether, and Poppy. Finally, on 11 October 1169, she raised the standard of revolt against Gogh. Quickly securing Xilania Major (12-14 October); Xilania Secondary (19 October); Mugar the Great (22 October); Montgomery (24 October); and Marciano (25-29 October), Anasia secured control of almost a third of the remaining Brestord territories. Gogh dispatched a armada against the Xilanian rebel leader that was destroyed in the Battle of Hefner (1 November 1169). Two days later, Anasia proclaimed herself Empress of Xilania. Then on 10 November, Utgur, a Brestord chamberlain, revolted on Andrianne, distracting Gogh's attentions. Anasia now advanced further, conquering Belkadan (12 November) and the Marauder Worlds (15-19 November) in quick succession. Gogh and Utgur engaged in a vigorous conflict, while other Brestord units were annihilated by Anasia, scattered, or simply sent into disorganization. By the end of November, Anasia had consolidated her position. On 1 December, she besieged and conquered Andrianne, destroying Utgur's chief rebel armada.

Two days later, she secured Munist, forcing Gogh to flee from his capital world. On 11 December, after the Brestord outposts of Inneta, Bogria, and Wamma were subdued by the Xilanian Empress, Gogh was finally captured at Clese. Presented before Anasia, he shouted insults upon her, declaring that the Brestords would restore their position in the future. Anasia, enraged at his boldness, ordered for his execution, conducted through solar incineration at Kelsey on 15 December. Utgur remained a fugitive until 4 January 1170, when he was finally captured by a Xilanian expeditionary force. His execution two days later is considered to be the end of the Brestord Kingdom. In the meantime, Anasia secured diplomatic recognition from the other galactic powers: Alp Arslan (12 December); Offa of Marcia (13-15 December); Altan of the Homidinian Khanate (16 December); Videmir of the Halegothicans (18 December); Gunderit of the Armanes (20 December); Honorius II of Laurasia (21 December); Femania of Venasia (22 December); Joh'ac of Briannia (24 December); Remismund of the Jarjanics and Euric II of Ashlgothia (both on 25 December); Ricimer in the name of the Khan Bergh (26 December); the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy and Gondioc of the Alexandrians (27 December); Dungalio II of Merlita (28 December); and Genseric of Kuevia (29 December). On 31 December 1169, King Remismund of the Jarjanics, still engaged in his planning for military campaigns against Euric of Ashlgothia, died suddenly. He was succeeded, during the last hours of 1169, by his younger brother Theodemund. On 1 January 1170, Theodemund swore a oath of homage to Euric of Ashlgothia.

====Honorius and the affairs of the Almitian Church; Eastern Seven Years War; The Exploits of Prince Kurbulis, and his defection to the Polonian Commonwealth; Honorius's Irrationality and Declaration of Abdication; He is Persuaded to return; The Establishment of the Reginiks; The King's excesses and oppressions; General Parlae and his victories; Pope Philip and his opposition to King Honorius; His Deposition and Death; Cyril is elevated to the Papacy; The Establishment of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth; Fourth Laurasian-Solidaritan War (1163-1170)==== Having thus chronicled so extensively the affairs of the Huntite and Homidinian Khanates, Kuevia, Ashlgothia, the Jarjanic Dominions, the Halegothicans, Armanes, Brestords, Devianiani, and Alexandrians to 1170, we shall now turn our attention back to the events occurring within the Core States, such as Laurasia, Polonia, Venasia, Solidarita, and the former Ivorian Order. As mentioned above, the Core Regions entered the year 1163 engaged in all the tumult and convulsions of the Ivorian War. The death of Pope Macarius on 12 January 1163, which was already described above, saddened King Honorius considerably. Although the King's excesses had grown in the nearly three years that had elapsed since the death of his beloved wife, the Queen Consort Anastasia, and although he had placed both Archbishop Sylvester and Councilor Alackavius into disgrace, he had nevertheless retained a ally and mentor in the Pope, who remained supportive to the end. The King's personality became even more erratic after the death of the Pope, and his response to the Pope's death was violent. On 13 January, the King, in a official proclamation to his subjects about the death of Macarius, declared that "filthy traitors within the Royal Household and Court" had coalesced together into a conspiracy to kill the Pope. Honorius claimed that the Pope's death could have been prevented, and that the doctors had refused to give medical treatments to him, even though it was Macarius who had refused to take them (a fact unknown to the majority of the populace). Two days later, Honorius ordered the arrest and interrogation of all nurses, doctors, medical attendants, and other assistants who had been in attendance on the Pope during the last months of his life. Accused of treason, conspiracy, and "sacrilege against the representative of Almitis", 40 persons were convicted on all counts by the Court of the Royal Household on 20 January. Honorius dismissed them from their positions at the Royal Hospital, confiscated their properties and possessions, and imprisoned them at Windowia Photis. On 24 January, the King forced all ecclesiastical dignitaries and officials to take a oath, by which they declared the Pope's death to have been inspired by the deeds of the anti-Almitis and excommunicated those supposed to have hastened his demise. On 29 January, the King arranged a lavish state funeral for the Pope, who, according to his final request, was buried at the Monastery of Solace on Ralina Vixius.

The King's attention thereafter turned to selecting another church official who was to become the successor to Macarius. For several days, the King and his Royal Council debated over possible candidates, seeking to find one who would remain loyal "to His Majesty's interests" and declare that the concerns of the State took precedence over the needs of the Almitian Church. They conducted a series of examinations, interviews, and evaluations, sorting through Metropolitans, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and Abbots in order to make their choice. Finally on 15 February, the Royal Council announced that it had selected Abbot Athanasius Isolos of Katie as its nominee for the position of Pope of the Royal Almitian Church. Isolos was known for his subordinate attitude towards the government, his public support of the King's measures, and his vigorous efforts to ensure that his subordinates remained compliant to the wishes of the Royal Chancellory. Honorius summoned the Abbot to his court on 21 February, so that he could examine for himself the candidate whom his councilors had selected. He was impressed with the Abbot, and was flattered by Athanasius's submissive attitude in the presence of the King. On 24 February, the King commanded for the Ecclesiastical Conclave to gather at the Westphalian Cathedral and ordered for them to select Athanasius as the new Pope. They did so on 1 March, appointing the Abbot of Katie to the highest position within the Almitian Church. Six days later, Athanasius was formally enthroned as Pope of the Royal Almitian Church, receiving his seals of office, his miter, and his cross of authority from the King himself. Athanasius applied himself to matters of church administration and forced all of the Metropolitans and Cardinals to swear a oath of homage to the King on 20 March.

Having dealt with the matters concerning the Almitian Church, the King and his Council turned all of their attention back to the prosecution of the Ivorian War. On 14 January, Vladislaus had ordered a temporary suspension of military campaigns against the Laurasian forces, for he had heard of the death of the Pope and hoped to allow the Laurasian society a time to mourn his loss. The King of Polonia had a great respect for religious figures, and believed that the death of one of the most important religious leaders in the Caladarian Galaxy warranted a temporary suspension of hostilities. Polonian units thus remained in place at their positions until 24 March. On that day, with the funeral for Macarius having been conducted, and with the new Pope sitting upon his throne over the Almitian Church, Vladislaus sent new mobilization orders to his military units and ordered for campaigns to recommence. The Laurasians however, had prepared their forces and were ready to launch a series of counteroffensives against the Polonian units. On 26 March, a Laurasian force under the command of Prince George Kubrakahin (1117-64) gained a victory over the Polonians in the Battle of Paloth, destroying Polonian units which were advancing in the direction of Murphy, Anusia, and Dayanie. Then on 1 April, Prince Kubrakahin conquered Levinston in a surprise offensive, destroying Polonian units which blocked a advance back into the primary Ivorian star systems. Kingpin (2 April); Maschinga (3-5 April); Louza (9-10 April); and Sthanon (12-19 April) were reconquered by the Laurasian units, who harried all of the trade lanes leading to Ivoria.

At the same time, Laurasian units consolidated their grip over Horacia (20-29 April 1163) and repelled Polonian offensives against Theresa, Donald, and John (April-May 1163). Then on 12 May, King Vladislaus launched a series of offensives into the Laurasian Central Core, attempting to draw off Laurasian units from besieging Ivoria. He conquered Constantia (13-19 May); Stenbock (20-25 May); Mommica (26-29 May); Yularen (1-4 June); Sipp (5 June); and Olivia (6-9 June) but failed in his efforts to conquer Muppet, Daala, and Barty (10-19 June 1163). His offensive was then halted at Seejay Prime, where a Laurasian force destroyed the Polonian expeditionary fleet (20-25 June 1163). Kubrakahin also repelled offensives against Goldaria, Bainsborough, Hannah, and Teth (June-July 1163), while besieging and conquering the Ivorian strongholds of Satisba, Zutagia, and Zennethia. Then in August 1163, the Laurasian General launched a series of decisive counteroffensives against the Polonian units. He destroyed Vladislaus's transport fleet in the Battle of Taxiles the Great (1-5 August 1163); reconquered Stenbock (6 August); and drove Polonian advance units away from Carina, Durta, and Lurma. By the end of August, Yularen and Sipp had also been recovered. Olivia was besieged from 27 August, but was not reconquered until 17 September. On 19 September, Mommica was recovered, followed three days later by Muppet. Vladislaus launched vigorous offensives against Marshia, Horacia, and Maschinga (September-October 1163) which resulted in failure. By the beginning of November 1163, Laurasian units had completely isolated Ivoria from outside support.

In November 1163, a new conflict emerged to take the attention of some of the Core States. Femania of Venasia and E'rac of Briannia, despite the earlier arrangements which had been signed between the two states, had come more and more into diplomatic conflict with each-other. The Venasian ambassador at the court of the Briannian King, Sahibe (1113-77), was constantly humiliated by King E'rac, who was notorious for his sexist views about women. One particular incident, on 29 September 1163, severely strained relations between Briannia and Venasia. Sahibe, as was diplomatic custom, came before the King, having been summoned to his presence by royal heralds in order to attend a diplomatic banquet. She was soon insulted, however, as the Briannian marshals, in charge of organizing the banquet ceremonies, neglected to seat her and her accomplices at the Chief Table, stating that only men were permitted to have seats alongside the King. Thus, while the other ambassadors from the Galactic Powers were placed at their respective seats, at the Great Table, Sahibe and her entourage were told to sit themselves down at the Servant's Table, where all the concubines and ladies in waiting of the Briannian court ate their dinner. Sahibe, however, refused to be insulted in such a disgracing manner, and she now marched to the Chief Table. She took her spot at one of the empty places, which had been reserved for other courtiers, and demanded that she be treated the same as all other ambassadors. The King himself, informed of the Ambassador's "undue insubordination", then entered the Chambers and commanded Sahibe to retire from the chambers, so that she may not be intruding upon the realm "of men, who are your natural and god-given superiors." Sahibe refused, pointing out on how with the Venasians, women were the dominant gender, and that as a Venasian women, she could never subordinate herself to any man, foreign or not. Her persistence caught the attention of all in attendance, with the Briannian magnates and male servants bristling at her comments. E'rac then threw himself upon the Ambassador, seeking to slap her and show on how "you should follow the orders of your masters." Sahibe, however, effortlessly dodged him. She and her entourage were then surrounded by guards, with E'rac commanding her to leave immediately. She did so, shouting down insults upon the King and his court.

On 1 October, the Venasian Ambassador sent a note to Queen Mother Femania and her Council of High Ones. The Queen Mother and her advisers were enraged by what had transpired. Two days later, Femania demanded that Sahibe be treated the same as the ambassadors from the other Foreign Powers and that E'rac compensate the Venasian Government for the incident. E'rac, however, in his response to the note, issued on 8 October, declared that "women should not be the dominant gender of any species" and stated that the Briannian Gods of the Universe had meant for men to be the rulers. Femania, enraged at this, recalled Sahibe from Briannia on 11 October. She banished the Briannian ambassador, Ty'al Solo (118-91), from her court and severed diplomatic relations with the Briannian Government. On 14 October, the Queen Mother expelled all Briannian subjects who resided in, were visiting, or traveling through her dominions. E'rac responded by ordering for the arrest and imprisonment of all Venasian subjects within his dominions. Venasian male tourists, residents, and transients were incarcerated, while Venasian females were sold into slavery and distributed as concubines or servants among the Briannian magnates. This act enraged Femania, who now began to assemble units at Monderon, Ruttum, Venasia Secondary, Venasia Prime, Maxiliana, Schell, and Phyllis. E'rac began to conduct military exercises in his own dominions, commanding for squadrons to assemble at Briannia, Nystadia, Vardar, the Belts of Barton, and Alemeda, among other strongholds. On 2 November, the King of Briannia signed a military access pact with King Vladislaus I of Polonia, which would thus allow for Briannian units to travel across Polonian territory in order to reach Podrac, which Femania had seized from the Crimeanian Khanate in January of that year. Then on 8 November, he sent assurances to King Honorius II on Laurasia Prime, making a pledge to maintain Laurasian neutrality in his new conflict with Venasia.

Femania made a similar pledge to the Laurasians on 12 November. Honorius, in turn, allowed for the use of the Nexus Route, connecting the Briannian central dominions with the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime, so that Briannian units could travel swiftly between the two blocks of their territory. On 14 November, Femania sent a final ultimatum to E'rac, by means of the Laurasian Embassy on Briannia, offering to restore relations between the two states if he promised to treat Sahibe equally, release all Venasian captives, and offer a final apology. E'rac refused to even respond to this message, and on 18 November, declared that Femania was not the rightful ruler of Venasia. Femania, enraged, sent final preparation orders to her forces. On 22 November 1163, the Venasian Consortium issued a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Briannia. The Venasians now dispatched a fleet to Bortham, a major Briannian stronghold on the Kimanian Run, attempting to subdue that world. After several days, the siege of Bortham was lifted by the Briannians on 29 November. Femania launched further offensives, however, and her units subdued the Briannian military bases of Alvurg (1 December); Shiloh (2 December); and Lythia (4-5 December), before destroying a Briannian patrol fleet in the Battle of Rusum (6-11 December 1163). Briannian units, however, guarded the Stations of the Nexus Route and launched their own raids, harrying the outskirts of Podrac, Agac, and Aflak (December 1163-January 1164). During December 1163, Laurasian units were unable to advance against the Polonians, although they prevented Vladislaus from sending units to relieve Ivoria.

The year 1164 commenced with the typical New Year's proclamations and celebration ceremonies. On Laurasia Prime, King Honorius declared a five-day holiday, conducted a review of the Laurasian Shock Troops and the other chief formations of the Laurasian Military, and presided over a series of banquets, festivals, and concerts. In his New Year's proclamation, Honorius congratulated the men and officers of the Laurasian Armed Forces for their "brave and valiant efforts against the units of the hateful Polonian Commonwealth, which is now trying to seek an end to the natural objectives of the Laurasian power in the Outer Core." In his own New Year's proclamation, issued from Dragulli, King Vladislaus declared that Polonia was seeking "to arrest the aggressive expansions and military measures of the Laurasian State" and that he wished to maintain a balance of power among the Core States, as much as was possible. In private, the Polonian King had his own ambitions, as he was determined to weaken Laurasian dominance of the Central Core, subsume the Ivorian dominions into his territories, and strengthen the position of the Polonian Commonwealth. E'rac of Briannia and Femania of Venasia focused their own efforts on their war. As regards to the Ivorian War, Honorius and his councilors now drafted new military strategies for the war against the Polonian Commonwealth, aiming for a series of offensives against the Galician and Polonian Worlds. On 11 January, Prince Kubrakahin sent his own recommendations to the Royal Secretary of the Bureau of Military Coordination, Prince Kurbulis, which outlined his war plans. His objectives were the seizure of Galich Majoria and Volodormia, the final reduction of Ivoria, and the conquest of Legnica, Wronzaz, Wolbroz, and the upper Denveranian Trunk Line. The Prince's recommendations were approved by the King on 17 January.

Then on 20 January, Prince Kubrakahin hurled his units into Polonian dominions. He besieged and conquered Galich Majoria with little difficulty (21-22 January 1164); seized the strongholds of Ildoch and Morsath (23-25 January); and advanced to Volodormia, Frogglesworth, and Rawling. On 26 January, Prince Kubrakahin began his advance to Rawling, intending on seizing that stronghold and thus cutting off support to the garrisons of Volodormia and Frogglesworth. He was intercepted, however, by a Polonian-Galician force under the command ofMagnate Mikoljai. On 26 January 1164, the two forces clashed at Ula, a minor colony world on the route towards Rawling. In this battle, Mikoljai employed tactics of deception and precise slashing attacks to gain a decisive victory over the Laurasian units. Prince Kubrakahin himself fell in the heat of battle when his flagship was surrounded and seriously damaged by Polonian starfighters, causing a combustive explosion which destroyed the bridge. The remainder of the Laurasian vessels were either captured or scattered. Mikoljai thereafter reconquered Ildoch and Morsath (27 January-5 February 1164); recovered Galich Majoria (6-10 February 1164); and destroyed the Laurasian supply posts of Stenbock, Constancia, and Sipp (11-19 February 1164), pushing Laurasian units back. Honorius, who was enraged by these losses, recalled the expeditionary commanders back to Laurasia Prime on 22 February. There, in front of the Royal Court, he ritually degraded all of the commanders, branding them as miscreants and dismissing them from the military service. Prince Kubrakahin's family were themselves disgraced, as the King confiscated their estates and properties, recalled all loans and grants provided to them, and banned them from his presence at the Royal Court. The new Pope Athanasius, although he was loyal to his master, attempted to curb his excesses, but met a severe response from the King, who boxed his ears and banned him from court for three months. By the end of February 1164, the King had banished or exiled nearly 200 personages and figures of note from the Royal Court. In venomous proclamations addressed to his subjects, the King proclaimed that the war effort had been sabotaged at the front and that a new commander was needed.

Prince Kurbulis, who had managed to endure his master's anger, was appointed the new commander of the Laurasian units on 5 March, after Mikoljai had successfully reconquered Louza and Pandy from their Laurasian garrisons. He was commanded to end Mikoljai's offensives and recover worlds lost to the Polonian units since the Battle of Ula. Prince Kurbulis, who arrived at Goldaria on 10 March, fulfilled his master's expectations brilliantly. On 11 March, he recovered Louza, driving away the garrison units left by Mikoljai. Pandy was recovered two days later. The Laurasian General then halted Polonian raiding expeditions against Carina, Seejay Prime, Yularen, Daala, and Bainsborough (12-19 March 1164), forcing Polonian units to retreat to Constancia and Stenbock. Those strongholds were recovered after vigorous offensives (20-27 March 1164), although the General's units suffered extensive casualties. On 30 March, Sipp was reconquered, and Polonian units were driven from the Central Core. In the meantime, E'rac and Femania had found themselves bogged down into a stalemate, as each state successfully repelled the other's offensives against their strongholds and military bases. Seeking to realign their respective military strategies, the King of Briannia and the Venasian Queen Mother had agreed to the Truce of Colsonia on 21 January 1164, which was meditated by Laurasian diplomats. This truce allowed both monarchs to reorganize their military forces, replenish their military supply and equipment stocks, and draft new strategies of war. The Truce also temporarily removed Laurasian concerns about the region, as Honorius and his advisers continued to worry that Laurasia would become involved in the conflict. The truce managed to hold until the end of May 1164. On 1 April 1164, in the Ivorian theater, Prince Kurbulis launched a series of well-executed offensives against Maschinga, Ivoria, and the Ivorian Ring Defenses, intent on finally securing that stronghold for Laurasian forces. Maschinga was conquered on 2 April, while the Ring Defenses were breached three days later. Ivoria fell under siege from 9 April. It was not until 17 April, however, that it finally fell to the Laurasian units.

Prince Kurbulis thereafter planned renewed offensives into Polonian territory, in order to reconquer Galich Majoria and threaten Volodormia. He was now antagonized by King Honorius however. The King, who was becoming more and more paranoid and unpredictable with each passing day, had installed a new regime of fear at the Royal Court. Banishments, exiles, imprisonments, and confiscations or property or titles were punishments which loomed over the heads of all at Court. The King also began to interfere with military strategies, as he sent instructions to Kurbulis on 19 April, commanding the Prince to launch offensives against Wronzaz and Wolbroz. Two days later, he rescinded those instructions and instead ordered Kurbulis to proceed with his original strategies. Then on 24 April, he changed course again, commanding Kurbulis to hold his forces in readiness until Polonian units had to begun to launch counteroffensives against Laurasian territory. On 25 April, Magnate Mikoljai managed to launch a offensive against Olivia, Mommica, and Muppet, harrying those Laurasian strongholds and inflicting severe damage before retreating. Kurbulis begged the King for permission to recommence his offensives. Honorius refused, but was finally persuaded by the Royal Council to grant consent on 29 April. During the late hours of that day, however, he sent orders to his fleet minders in Prince Kurbulis's entourage, commanding them to halt the Prince and formally dismiss him from his position. Kurbulis received word of the orders, however.

On 30 April 1164, tired of Honorius's measures, and fearing for his life, the Prince and his personal squadron defected from the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. The Prince had the minders executed and was joined by all of his men, who declared that their oaths of allegiance to the King were no longer valid. The Laurasian fleet thereafter proceeded to Frogglesworth, where on 2 May, they were welcomed by Mikoljai in the name of his master, the King of Polonia. Prince Kurbulis swore allegiance to the King of Polonia on 5 May. This defection from the Laurasian cause enraged Honorius, who sent new units to the Southern Territories. On 9 May, he ordered for all serving military commanders and frontline officers to be arrested, interrogated, and dismissed from their positions, seriously weakening the Laurasian command structure. Two days later, he himself assumed personal command of the Laurasian war effort. Prince Kurbulis, now in the service of the Polonian Commonwealth, launched offensives into his former master's dominions. He conquered Maschinga for Polonia (10-15 May 1164); subdued Satisba (16 May); and destroyed the Laurasian defenses of Stenbock (17-21 May). On 22 May, Kingpin and Louza were seized by Polonian expeditionary units. Honorius, who knew that Laurasian resources all needed to be diverted to the Southern Front, opened negotiations with E'rac of Briannia. On 25 May 1164, the Treaty of Dervat was signed, by which Briannian military access to the Nexus Route was confirmed. In exchange, E'rac agreed to secure for Laurasian merchants special privileges within the Venasian dominions, if he won his war. With the Briannian question fully at rest, Honorius diverted all of his attention to the war with the Polonian Commonwealth. By the end of May, Theresa and Levinston were being threatened by Polonian squadrons.

On 30 May 1164, hostilities between the Kingdom of Briannia and the Venasian Consortium recommenced, as Femania dispatched a expeditionary fleet under the command of her leading general, Joriana, in order to conquer Briannian positions at Seth, Aberdeen, Wagner, and Farbrsinia. E'rac of Briannia, however, organized a immediate response, commanding the units of the Briannian Schauerian Duchy to maintain their positions against the Venasian squadrons. These units were placed under the command of E'rac's leading subordinate, Velur of Nystadia. Velur repelled Joriana's offensive against Seth (1-5 June 1164); secured Aberdeen (6-10 June 1164); and destroyed the Venasian fortifications of Marcell (12-15 June 1164), before defeating the Venasian armada in the Battle of Rashid (16-19 June 1164). During June 1164, in the Central Core, expeditionary fleets under the command of Prince Kurbulis harried Yularen, Daala, Olivia, Muppet, Sipp, Carina, Goldaria, Elainsborough, and Ivoria, inflicting severe damage upon Laurasian positions. Laurasian counteroffensives against Rawling, Frogglesworth, and Volodormia ended in failure. By the end of June 1164, Prince Kurbulis had also secured Levinston and isolated the Laurasian garrisons of Theresa, Donald, and Zutagia. In July 1164, General Velur of Nystadia repelled Venasian offensives against Farbrsinia, Wagner, and the Nexus Gateway, but was unable to prevent raiding expeditions against Schaueria Prime, Shiloh, and Gough. During that month, Kurbulis secured Theresa and harried Laurasian positions near the Galactic Center. Then on 2 August, he launched a offensive against Durta and Lurma, destroying the Laurasian garrisons of those worlds and capturing many prisoners. Five days later, he besieged and conquered Sipp, dealing a major blow to Laurasian arms. On 15 August, in the meanwhile, a Briannian expedition seized Podrac, Agac, and Alfak in a surprise offensive, forcing Joriana to retreat from Briannian territory. By 20 August, Prince Kurbulis had conquered Carina, Yularen, Daala, and Zennethia, inflicting further defeats on overstretched Laurasian units.

Honorius was entering into a flurry of rage on Laurasia Prime and abused all of those within his presence. Many suffered torture, corporal punishment, public humiliation, or temporary banishment from the Royal Court. On 22 August, however, a Laurasian force under the command of General Menelaus Parlae managed to repel a offensive of the Polonians against Bartello, although they could not dislodge Polonian units from their positions around Ivoria. Prince Kurbulis recovered Ivoria on 27 August. On 28 August, the Venasians defeated the Briannians in the Battle of Colla, preventing a advance into the Venasian Matriarchal Worlds. During September 1164, a stalemate ensued within both wars. Joriana was unable to recover Podrac, while General Velur was unable to advance towards Organia, Tyrania, and the Venasian Cluster. The Laurasians, on their part, repelled offensives against Dayanie, the Prelone Asteroid Belt, and Mumbraine, but were unable to prevent Prince Kurbulis from launching further raids into the Central Core. Then on 4 October, General Parlae launched a series of counteroffensives. He managed to reconquer Stenbock (4-9 October); repelled raiding expeditions against Carina and Seejay Prime (10-15 October); and secured Theresa (16 October), before reconquering Louza (17-19 October); Maschinga (20-25 October); Kingpin (26 October); and Pandy (28-29 October). During that same month, the Briannians managed to breach the defenses of Tyrania, conquering the world and establishing a foothold in the northern Venasian dominions. The Venasians, however, conquered Alfak and repelled Briannian offensives against Ruttum and Lynne. By November 1164, Briannian units had begun to ravage the outskirts of the Venasian Cluster. E'rac was soon confident that Femania would surrender. During that same month, General Parlae managed to advance towards Galich Majoria, Ivoria, and Sipp, but was unable to prevent Yularen's seizure by Prince Kurbulis.

King Honorius, by this time, however, was more paranoid of his military commanders. The King, believing that enemies were conspiring against him and that his life was in danger, decided on a course of action, so as to maintain his position and punish those whom he despised. On 3 December 1164, just two days after the Laurasian recovery of Sipp, the King and the Royal Household suddenly departed from Laurasia Prime. The Royal Chancellory announced that the King was retiring to Jenny, so that he could meditate "spiritually". On 5 December, General Parlae, acting on the King's orders, requested for a truce with the Polonian Commonwealth, so that both sides could gain rest from conflict. Prince Kurbulis accepted his request and the Armistice of Wolbroz was signed on 8 December. Honorius, who had in the meantime proceeded by slow stages from Laurasia Prime, arrived at Jenny on 10 December. With his household and his personal detachment of bodyguards, the King then shut himself up in the Yuaranian Mansion of Jenny, refusing to respond to messages from his government and keeping to himself. For the remainder of December 1164, the Laurasian Government was paralyzed, as the King had neglected to authorize the Royal Council with governing duties on Laurasia Prime during his absence, as was custom. On 11 December, Femania and E'rac signed the Armistice of Lar, establishing a suspension of hostilities between their forces. Honorius, during all this time, remained in prayer and in quiet sessions with his private chaplain, maintaining his isolation from the outside world. The Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma were both worried, and sent repeated messages to Jenny, imploring the King to look after his subjects. The King however, continued to refuse to respond to the messages. As 1164 reached its conclusion, the Laurasian dominions were caught in the grip of fear and worries about the future. It was a demonstration of how much Laurasian society and government had become dependent upon the autocracy, a dependency which was to grow even more severe with the passage of time.

Finally, on 3 January 1165, the King responded to the pleas of his subjects by dispatching two messages from the Yuaranian Mansion. The first message was addressed to the Royal Council, the Aristocratic Duma, and the nobles, ecclesiastical dignitaries, and court officials of the Kingdom. The second was addressed to the King's subjects. In the first message, the King accused the nobles, leading officials, and religious prelates of "embezzlement, treason, and conspiracy against the State." He declared that he had been informed by the Lord Almitis of their greed and their desires for greater power. The King asserted that the clergy had refrained from punishing those nobles or magnates who had engaged in abuses "against the will of the Lord Almitis". Consequently, Honorius declared that the State was no longer "within the realm of my interests." In the second letter, the King claimed that he bore no ill will towards his "loyal subjects" and that they were totally ignorant of the devious intrigues of the nobles, officials, and prelates. Honorius also declared that his subjects would "be deprived of the hand of a gracious and kind Master, who has kept the pledges sworn to you at the Consultative Assembly." The populace's reaction to the King's message was seen in a series of demonstrations and protests, as they demanded that the Duma and the Council concede "to His Majesty's gracious and just demands." The Duma and the Council, who knew that they were too weak to maintain control over the population, and that the system of government depended upon the King, dispatched a envoy, Germancius Athas (1123-76), to Jenny. Athas, who arrived at Jenny on 5 January, fell on his knees before the King when presented to him in the Great Audience Chamber. He implored His Majesty to "listen to the pleas of your subjects" and stated that the Royal Government wished for the King to return to Laurasia Prime, "to rule in a generous and kind spirit over his dominions". Honorius, pleased that his subjects were willing to go to such lengths to demonstrate their loyalty to him, stated his wish to "return to the duties of Governance". He then went on to say that his autocratic authority needed to be further ratified by the population. Athas assured the King that he "hath always been a autocrat, invested with the powers granted to you by the Lord Almitis." Honorius then said that, as he were a supreme sovereign, he should have the unchallenged right to root out "traitors among my subjects, without regard to the currently established Bureaus and Courts of Justice" and that the Aristocratic Duma, Royal Council, and Papacy cooperate with him to insure "the supreme loyalty and fidelity of all subjects, so that they may not hand this State into the grasp of foreigners, traitors, and strange persons". Athas said that "whatever is Your Majesty's will is to be done." Honorius then embraced the envoy and ordered his courtiers to begin preparations for departing from Jenny.

On 10 January 1165, the King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians and the Royal Court returned to Laurasia Prime. The procession of the King's personal armada was greeted with ceremonies of honor and splendor, which had been staged by the Aristocratic Duma, the Viceroy of Laurasia Prime, and the Mayor of Christiania "for the benefit of his most gracious Majesty." The King then presided over a session of the Consultative Assembly, which had been reconvened through orders dispatched by Honorius from Jenny on 8 January. 90% of the original Assembly members of 1149-51 were in attendance, while the remaining 10%, who had died, were replaced by newly elected or appointed delegates. Before the Consultative Assembly, the King declared that his return called for new measures "to ensure the stability and tranquility of the State, so that traitors may not ruin us for any time thereafter." As such, he commanded the Assembly to assemble administrative reports and orders from throughout his realms, so that he may consult with his advisers about the situation of his kingdom's worlds. After several days of meetings with the Duma and the Council, the King issued the Royal Statute of Laurasian Administration and Internal Security (21 January 1165), which was to be the major legal act behind the oppressive measures, massacres, and suppressions of the following years.

The Statute formally divided the dominions of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia into two parts: the Royal Dominion (Regius Principatus), which was to be under the direct rule of the King and his officers; and the Common Dominion (Optimus Principatus), which was to be governed by the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma with their subordinates. The Royal Dominion was to comprise of the worlds (and their surrounding regions) of Courdina V, Gordasis, Metallasia, Scout, Mercedes, Andriana, Constantine I, Chloe, Kelby, Jenny, Rainnon, Darcia, Caladaria, Americana, Ralina Vixius, Katherine, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Durglais, Nezbit, Blackria, Azov, Paramine, Melarnaria, Williams, Clancia, Conservan, Reoyania, Dramis, Condtella, Goss Beacon, Teth, Evelyn, Hannah, Oxia Vixius, Maroni, Janesia's Gateway, Laurasia Prime, and Augis V; as well as Carina, Seejay Prime, Sipp, Olivia, Muppet, Mommica, Constancia, Stenbock, and the Ivorian conquered districts in the southern Central Core, besides Reese, Chandlier, and Hammenor in the Eastern Laurasian Dominions; while Tommy, Capital, Meaganian, Zutagia, Zennethia, Horacia, Murphy, Saray, Senna Major, Prelone, Anusia, Hordania, Dorothy, Mumbraine, Compost V, Selena, Archleuta, Colsonia, Smithia, Tyleria Perea, Jessica Perea, Ipsus V, Bolgrahay, Permi, Arias, Katie, Marshia, Elainsborough, and Bainsborough were to fall under the jurisdiction of the Common Dominion. The territories of the Royal Dominion thus encompassed the main Laurasian military, ceremonial, and financial strongholds, as well as one of the most intensive theaters of conflict in the Ivorian War, while the Common Dominion intersected territories bordering Briannia, Briannian Schaueria Prime, and Venasia.

Within the Royal Dominion, there was so established the Royal Enforcement Bureau (REB), who became known as the Reginiks in common parlance. This was to be a term associated with some of the most unspeakable atrocities and massacres in Laurasian history, exceeding even some of the worst oppressions of the Dasian Yoke. The Reginiks were to be comprised of one million agents, each of whom was invested the absolute right to plunder or confiscate property' banish, exile, imprison, or execute those whom they considered to be threatening to the State; and the power to report on suspected nobles, clergymen, and merchants to the King's authorities. Under the agents were to be a army of 50 million "enforcers", who were responsible for actively maintaining order and ensuring the King's interests. Every member of the Reginiks was to wear a black uniform, with the images of a rat, a dog, or a monster and a massive vacuum or broom engraved on them. They were the "sweepers-away" of traitors and opponents of the State, according to the King. All Reginiks were exempted from taxation for as long as they conducted their duties. Recruitment centers for the Reginiks were established on Katherine, Durglais, Chancia, and Darcia, at each of whom persons could submit their applications. If they passed a background check and a series of physical evaluations, they were then enrolled into the lower ranks. In the Royal Dominion, also, the King's word was to be law in all matters, and the Codex Arasacanius of 1150, the very code implemented by Honorius, was thus declared null and void for the duration of the Statute's effect.

Within the Common Dominion, however, all previously instated laws, codes, and institutions remained in place. It was mandated however, that those who resided within the Common Dominion pay a special levy to support the activities of the Reginiks and the King's subordinates in the Royal Dominion. The Aristocratic Duma and Royal Council found their powers restricted to only worlds or regions falling under the Common Dominion, and were to be rewarded or punished, based upon how well the subjects under their charge conducted themselves. This complex statute was a reflection of the King's irrationality and his suspicions. It was not until the end of February 1165 that all of its provisions were fully implemented. By March 1165, the Kingdom was adjusting to the new patterns of life, as the Reginiks began their operations. During March and April 1165, the first two months that the Statute was fully in effect, the Reginiks arrested and imprisoned nearly 1.7 million persons within the affected dominions. They also committed outrages, for many Agents and Enforcers, when plundering property, raped the women, abused the children, and did "such horrific abuses that all were repelled". The Duma and the Council began to regret having invited the King back. Honorius himself assembled a large number of concubines and female servants at his court, indulging himself in the excesses.

By the middle of 1165, tensions were building again between the Venasian Consortium and the Kingdom of Briannia. King E'rac desired to launch a further series of offensives, in order to further consolidate the Briannian position and make more gains at Venasian expense. In April 1165, the King issued new instructions to his military commanders, ordering them to ensure that the Venasian units be crushed and that "these women be taught to fear us, who know what is the rightful state of social affairs within this Galaxy". General Velur executed his master's instructions to the letter. Hostilities recommenced on 7 May, when a Briannian expeditionary fleet advanced towards Silvrania, Kylania, and Colla. These worlds had all fallen to the Briannians by 15 May. General Velur then defeated a fleet under the command of Joriana's chief subordinate, the General Ikara, in the Battle of Aso (16-21 May 1165), inflicting severe losses upon the Briannian units. Velur then conquered Maria (22-29 May), although his offensive against Venasia Secondary (30 May-6 June) was repelled by Joriana. The Briannian units indulged themselves in a series of horrific abuses. They butchered the Venasian men and children, raped the women, ransacked the cities, and carried off vast amounts of goods as loot. They dealt with all Venasian subjects and settlements ruthlessly. These tactics caused Femania to deplore the Briannian actions in proclamations to her subjects and send out messages throughout her dominions, urging them to resist the Briannian mongrels.

Joriana now gained new Podracian, Ruttian, and Venasian reinforcements. Advancing through the Briannian ranks, she saved Desulina and Tarai from Briannian offensives (June-July 1165) and destroyed the Briannian station on the Triangle of Maxir, forcing their units to retreat from Maxiliana and Phyllis. Thereafter, Ka and Organia were re-secured by Joriana (1-7 August 1165), who forced Velur to retreat towards Alfac and Podrac. Venasian raiding expeditions even penetrated to Rashid and Calpurnia (10-19 August 1165), breaching Briannian defenses and even threatening Shiloh before being forced to retreat. By September 1165, General Velur had managed to stabilize the front lines, although he was unable to advance back into the Venasian Matriarchal Worlds. The following month, however, he suffered a major defeat in the Battle of Benak and was forced to withdraw units which were positioned at Agac. In November, a Venasian raiding expedition dispatched by Joriana inflicted severe damage upon Rashid, Calpurnia, Shiloh, and Schaueria Prime before retreating. By the end of 1165, another stalemate had settled in, as Venasian and Briannian forces were unable to advance against each other.

For the majority of 1165, the efforts of King Honorius had been focused upon harassing, persecuting, and exploiting his subjects within the Royal Dominion. The King was also distracted by his caprices at the Laurasian Court and by his ventures with the various concubines and servants whom he had assembled. The Reginiks, in the meantime, made themselves despised throughout the Royal Dominion. Between April and December 1165, another 2.4 million persons were arrested, interrogated, and either imprisoned, exiled, or forced to retire to monasteries and cells of Almitism. A atmosphere of fear descended upon the worlds affected within the Royal Dominion. Those within the Common Dominion remained immune from the oppression, but nevertheless supported exactions geared towards maintaining the King's policies. Honorius also began to develop further irrational fears about the Laurasian nobility, remembering his experiences under the Rebeccan General Santaz. In fact, on 17 September 1165, the King ordered for the remains of Santaz and his officers, which had been unceremoniously dumped on Calaxis I by orders of Pope Joasaphus twenty-five years earlier, to be disinterred, tried and condemned in memoriam, and then pulverized into dust, their remnants to be scattered over the largest trash dump in the Laurasia Prime star system. Five days later, he issued a royal proclamation formally condemning and denouncing all of those who had governed Laurasia during his minority, with the exception of Popes Peter, Joasaphus, and Macarius, as well as Secretary Lacoles who were called "the saintly angels of the Laurasian State during my dotage, who attempted to spare the State from the grasp of the evil vultures". The remains of Callos, Dosrios, Pope Daniel, Pope Lucius, Prince Cornelius, and Flavius Aetius were disinterred from their various burial sites, tried and condemned in memoriam, and also pulverized and scattered into the Galactic Void. On 19 October, Honorius declared that the Lord Almitis was now declaring that he was to be the "one who maintains the security of the State."

Pope Athanasius, who was growing increasingly disenchanted about the King's behavior, preached on 3 November that His Majesty needed to seek "true understanding, true faith, and true perception, so that he may not be condemned." Honorius responded by issuing a injunction against the Pope on 10 November, forbidding him to speak any further about the manner. Athanasius was ritually humiliated before the Royal Court and then condemned for his sermons. All those who had listened to his sermons were commanded to seek the truth from "faithful bishops of Almitis". In December 1165, the King conducted a strange ceremony at the Diplomatic Palace, in which all envoys from foreign Powers were told that the "judgment of Almitis had arrived" and that the Galaxy must brace itself for his arrival. When nothing of the short happened by 25 December, the date Honorius had declared was Judgment Day, the King, in anger, banished all nobles, ambassadors, and higher government officials from his presence for five months, had their property withheld at the Royal Court, and their servants conscripted into the King's service. On 1 January 1166, however, the King received threatening missives from Genseric of Kuevia, Altan of the Homidinian Khanate, and Alp Arslan of the Solidaritan Sultanate, threatening a severance of diplomatic relations and (in the case of the last monarch mentioned), war. At this, Honorius backed down and welcomed the ambassadors back to his court on 7 January.

During the first half of 1166, the Armistice of Wolbroz managed to hold, as Prince Kurbulis and King Vladislaus reorganized their military units, drafted new strategies of war to be employed against the Laurasians, and indulged themselves in various entertainments, taking rest from the pressures of actual combat. The Royal Bureau of Military Coordination on Laurasia Prime also made similar preparations, as King Honorius still managed to take time from his other pleasures, excesses, and irrationalities to send new operational and tactical orders to his military commanders. The King, however, also intensified his internal domestic oppressions during this time period as well. On 17 January, the King erupted in a outburst during a session of the Aristocratic Duma, declaring that traitors still abounded within his dominions and that yet more extensive measures needed to be taken in order to ensure the internal security of the Laurasian Autocracy. Six days later, the King, in a outburst of fury, hustled his leading councilors and advisers from his presence, declaring that the Autocrat needed loyal subordinates and that he was surrounded by ignorant fools. On 25 January, the King issued a belated New Year's proclamation, the first time in his reign that he had failed to issue the proclamation on the first day of the New Year. In his proclamation, Honorius expressed his continuing "love and concern" for the needs of his subjects, stating that the Duma and the Council were comprised of persons who were unwilling to cooperate in the interests of the Laurasian State and that he, the Autocrat, was surrounded by agents of the anti-Almitis. Consequently, the King announced his intentions to extend the jurisdiction of the Royal Dominion to Katie, Meaganian, Capital, Tommy, and Arias; to purge the members of the Duma and the Council, replacing them with "loyal and humble" subordinates; and to also insure that the tranquility of the "realm of our ancestors, of our race, continues to be maintained." The King, in one final irrational statement, reminded his subjects of the regents of the late 1130s and the 1140s, declaring that, with some exceptions, they had wrecked the "resources of the State, which I have, over the past eighteen years, endeavored to restore". He also announced that the likes of Tokhtamysh, Batya, Devlet Giray, and Sargon the Conqueror should never be allowed to return to impose "the foreign rule over us" and that his measures were directed at maintaining Laurasian independence.

Following this proclamation, the King dismissed all of the currently serving members of the Royal Council on 28 January, all of whom also were deprived of any titles, grants, or honors which had been granted to them; banished from Laurasia Prime; and ordered to confine themselves to their houses, mansions, or remaining estates. On 1 February, 50 nobles, magnates, and Knights of the Aristocratic Duma were arrested on trumped up charges of treason, conspiracy, corruption, heresy, and greed. On 5 February, the Chamber of the REB, which had become the highest court of the Royal Dominion, convicted all on the charges. Honorius deprived them of their titles, honors, grants, and estates; dismissed them from the Aristocratic Duma; and either imprisoned or exiled to Windowia Photis, Jenny, or Chloe. On 10 February, the King granted the titles and properties of the above-mentioned nobles to fifty Reginiks, including the most vigorous of them all, Menelaus "the Cruel" Skurata (1120-72), who was to become the chief representative of Honorius and his oppressive officials. Five days later, the leading families of the nobility and aristocracy of the Laurasian State sent a petition to the Court of the Royal Household, imploring them to "ask His Majesty, in the most humble manner possible, to end his cruelties, his ravages, and his massacres." Honorius responded by banishing all those who had taken part in the drafting of the Partition from Laurasia Prime, confiscating their chief estates, and imposing a sentence of anathema on them. On 21 February, they were even deprived of their exemption from direct taxation, now having to pay income and capitation levies imposed previously on only commoners. On 1 March, Skurata and his agents conducted a massacre in the Financial Square of Christiania, butchering to death nearly 20,000 innocent civilians. Skurata announced that His Majesty wished to "root out opposition within the city of Christiania" and that the deaths of those who "may be inclined to despise His Majesty's Government, however innocent they may seem", would be the only means to accomplish that goal.

Seven days later, Honorius sent a grave warning to the leading merchants and entrepreneurs of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, by ordering the arrest of Demetrius Caligus, President and CEO of Katherine Drive Yards; Lady Antonia Morania, President and CEO of Moranian Product Developments; Claudius Ingraves, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Katian Engineering and Navigation; and Telemachus Dauvanis, President and CEO of Kalkman Robotics and Automatics. These four individuals were among the ten wealthiest figures in the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia (the King of course, was the wealthiest person in the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia). On 10 March, before a assembly of the Chamber of the REB, the Court of High Justice, the Court of Deliberative Matters, and the Court of the Royal Household, as well as the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, and REB Administrative Politburo, they were accused of "gluttony, corruption, graft, heresy, treason, and unreasonable excesses." Despite the efforts of these personages to defend themselves, they were found guilty on all counts on 18 March (a inevitable verdict, considering the autocratic form of the Laurasian government and the concentration of ultimate judicial power, the "Power of Mercy and Harassment", in the hands of the Sovereign). A herald of the Royal Court "wept in the most convincing matter possible", according to Baron Monompahalaus, as he announced the King's verdict. All four were deprived of their positions, stripped of their wealth and their collective properties, and ordered to enter the Royal Household as common servants, so that "they may atone of their sins." Pope Athanasius was commanded to pass a sentence of excommunication upon them. When the Pope relented, he was reminded by Skurata of the "King's ability to do you harm in the name of Almitis." He therefore passed the sentence. Then on 24 March, another incident occurred when fifty noblewomen and gentlewomen at the Laurasian Court, belonging to fifty of the most prestigious families of Laurasia Prime, were accused of "hateful acts" and of "poisoning the minds" of the concubines and servants of the Royal Court. By the orders of the King, they were stripped of their clothes, branded as miscreants, and flogged with electronic irons in the Public Square of the Celestial Palace, before a crowd of persons, who were ordered to jeer and shout insults at the women while the punishment was being performed. By this perverse act, the King displayed on how far his irrationality had went and how he was exploiting to the full his autocratic authority.

By the beginning of April 1166, King Vladislaus and his councilors had decided to enter into negotiations with the Laurasian King and his government, as they wished to probe the Laurasians and see what type of conditions they would be willing to accept. The King also was holding secret hopes that a peace would allow the Polonian Commonwealth to draft newer war strategies, mobilize all of its resources, and eventually instigate a new conflict which would result in the expulsion of the Laurasians from the majority of the Central Core. Vladislaus was determined to ensure that the power of Laurasia would thus be contained, and that it would not pose a threat to Polonian interests in the future. As such, on 5 April, the Polonian King sent a diplomatic communique to Honorius, who had moved with his court to the Palace of Placenta on Darcia. In this message, Vladislaus declared that the establishment of peaceful relations "was a objective whom all powers in the Galaxy wished to achieve" and that the continuing conflict between Polonia and Laurasia was against the Laws of Nature. Consequently, he was willing to commence diplomatic negotiations with Honorius for the termination of the Ivorian Order, "which has tied up the resources of our states and diverted us from other, more peaceful measures." Honorius, who believed that he might be able to secure a division of the Ivorian dominions between Laurasia and Polonia, decided to accept Vladislaus's offer on 9 April. On 15 April, a Polonian embassy under the leadership of the Magnate of Wronclaz, Stanislaus Cyzworski (1110-84), arrived at Caladaria, being received with great honors by the King of Laurasia. Five days later, formal negotiations commenced, with Honorius being assisted by his Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Royal Correspondence, and Military Coordination. The King presented his demands to Magnate Cyzworski, stating that in order to maintain a proper balance of power, Laurasia should be conceded Ivoria, Maschinga, Satisba, Sthanon, and the other Ivorian primary systems, while the Horacian Worlds should come into the possession of the King of Polonia. Cyzworski countered by stating that the earlier treaties with the Ivorian Order had deeded the whole of that state's possessions to the Polonian Commonwealth and as such, he could not surrender them into Laurasian hands. He then suggested that Laurasia incorporate Murphy into its dominions instead, and that Polonia would even be willing to provide Laurasia with mercenaries and military equipment, to be used in a future war with Briannia over Schaueria Prime. Cyzworski also offered Honorius a alliance and even suggested that both powers could direct their resources to fermenting tensions within the Crimeanian Khanate.

Honorius, however, stated that these demands were "beyond bounds" and that he had signed treaties with Briannia to insure that state's position. The King of Laurasia made further demands during the following days, including one on 21 April which said that the Polonian Commonwealth could have a free hand in the Crimeanian Khanate if it in turn acknowledged Laurasian rule over all of the Ivorian and Horacian Worlds. Cyzworski objected, but indicated his willingness to communicate information on the conference proceedings to Vladislaus. On 29 April, he sent full notes to the Polonian King and his council on Polonia Major, alongside his belief that Laurasian demands were not "in the interests of the Polonian state." Vladislaus and his council then debated for several days, until on 10 May, they sent a response back. In the response, Vladislaus declared that "my brother monarch, His Majesty of the Laurasians, should realize that we have made proper territorial offers", and then said that Polonia was willing to accept Laurasian annexation of Maschinga and Zutagia, to acknowledge Laurasian rule of Murphy, and to declare non-interference in any war Laurasia might conduct elsewhere, if only the remainder of the Ivorian Order remained in Polonian possession. Honorius, when he received word of this response from the Polonian representatives, then declared that he needed time to deliberate. On 14 May, a ten-day break in proceedings was proclaimed.

The following day, the King convened a special session of the Consultative Assembly and the Aristocratic Duma, seeking advice from both bodies on how to handle the manner. The Assembly and the Duma, aware of the King's earlier oppression and of his ability to send them into disgrace or death with just one statement, responded by declaring their support for His Majesty's efforts and saying that "only the acquisition of the Ivorian territories will satisfy this Kingdom." Pope Athanasius, who by this point had become completely alienated from the King, and who believed that the Laurasian State was being threatened, sent his personal letters to the Council, supporting the position that Laurasia should instead accept Polonian terms and thus terminate "the hateful, Almitis-forsaken conflict." On 17 May, the King issued a injunction to forbid the Pope to write or speak any further about the matter. The Pope, however, sent secret messages through his subordinates, who spread the word that the Church wished for Honorius to compromise on the war issues. Honorius soon received word of the Pope's actions however, and on 20 May, erupted into a fit of rage before the Royal Council, declaring that this "scheming and unfaithful humbug" was bent upon attacking the King's divinely-ordained position, whom the Pope himself had earlier espoused in official statements of the Church. He thereafter issued orders for the arrest of the Pope. Athanasius was conducting a service of Offerings at the Westphalian Cathedral when soldiers burst into the edifice, marched across, and dragged the Pope down from his position, placing him into chains. The Pope accepted arrest passively, saying that "the Lord Almitis knows that I am right." On 21 May, Honorius sent word to Cyzworski that negotiations were being postponed until 3 June. Cyzworski sent back word of his acknowledgment of the further delay.

On 23 May, before a gathering of the Court of the Royal Household, the Court of Star Chamber, the Chamber of the REB, and the Ecclesiastical Great Court (the highest court of law for the Almitian Church), Athanasius was accused of "spreading lies, inciting dissent against the state, plotting against the autocracy, and engaging in practices of consort with the Anti-Almitis." The King's judges and prosecutors declared that the Pope was not honoring his solemn commission in office. Athanasius responded by declaring that he had never consorted with the enemies of the Universe and also by reminding both bodies of the piety, discipline, and dedication with which he had conducted himself. The verdict was inevitable however, and on 26 May, the Pope was convicted on all counts. Honorius thereafter deprived Athanasius of the position of Pope. Athanasius was ritually degraded at the Westphalian Cathedral, being deprived of his church vestments and robes, condemned as a consort of the anti-Almitis, and excommunicated from the Church. Crowds assembled at the Cathederal jeered at the Pope and hurled insults on him, according to Laurasian custom and by the order of the King. Athanasius was then imprisoned at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V, being denied all contact with the outside world. He thus remained in confinement there until his death on 11 July 1175. On 27 May, Honorius appointed the Dean of the Westphalian Cathedral, German, as the new Pope of the Royal Almitian Church. German was chosen because he was known for his submissiveness and because he had not yet condemned the King's domestic and foreign policies. He was formally enthroned as Pope on 1 June.

Two days later, negotiations resumed with the Polonian delegation, this time at the Diplomatic Palace on Laurasia Prime. The King informed Cyzworski that he had consulted the chief bodies of his realm and that both had declared their support for the King's position on the matters at hand. He again asserted that Laurasia should be allowed to acquire the Ivorian and Horacian Worlds, while the Crimeanian Khanate and the Donguarian Stellar Empire would be open to the Polonian Commonwealth. Cyzworski, however, said that the Ivorian dominions were of "importance to his master" and that Polonia did not wish to expand at the expense of the Crimeanians. Over the next several days, Honorius tried to persuade the Polonian delegation to his views by piling them with banquets, concerts, masques, and court festivals. He also offered Cyzworski and his subordinates "fair use" of the concubines and servants of the Royal Laurasian Court. Cyzworski however, remained adamant about the issue at hand, and on 12 June, declared that his earlier offers were final. Honorius enraged, shouted down upon Cyzworski, labeling him a "pompous fool" and hurling insults upon the Polonian Commonwealth, its King, and its forces. On 17 June, Cyzworski formally terminated negotiations, and requested the right for free passage back to Polonian territories. Honorius granted permission. The Polonian embassy arrived back at Polonia Major on 18 June, where Cyzworski informed his master of what Honorius had said and done. Vladislaus was angered by this, and two days later, sent a flurry of messages to Laurasia Prime, denouncing Honorius for his "bellicose hostility" and condemning his stubbornness.

On 22 June, Vladislaus ordered Prince Kurbulis to begin re-mobilizing his military units for the commencement of new campaigns against Laurasia. Honorius issued similar orders to his forces on 27 June. On 1 July, however, the prominent government officials, merchants, and businessmen of Laurasia Prime dispatched a humble petition to the Consultative Assembly, which then delivered it to the King. In the petition, it was declared that the King's subjects wished for peace. Consequently, the notables of Laurasia Prime begged "our Gracious Majesty, Autocrat of All the Laurasians, to recommence negotiations and accept compromise terms, so that the Laurasian Kingdom may not be cast into ruin and disgrace." Honorius, when he received this petition, was sent into another mode of rage. On 4 July, he ordered for the arrest and interrogation of all those who had drafted the Petition, while at the same time punishing the Consultative Assembly for its deliverance of the petition, by withholding the salaries of the delegates and placing their families under house arrest. On 8 July, the petitioners were convicted on all accounts by the Chamber of the REB, the Court of the Royal Household, and the Court of the Star Chamber. On the orders of the King, all were deprived of their offices and properties; excommunicated from the Almitian Church; and imprisoned at the Station of Jadia. On 12 July, Honorius sent instructions to General Parlae, commanding him to recommence campaigns against Polonia by 1 August. Then on 14 July, Pope German claimed that he had undergone "a spiritual reformation" and that he could no longer condone the measures and policies of the King. He then demanded that Honorius "answer to the pleas of his loyal subjects" and abolish the REB, so as to restore "normality and quietness to the Laurasian dominions." The Pope also demanded that Honorius conclude a peace treaty with the Polonian Commonwealth. Honorius, utterly shocked by German's new opposition, acted swiftly. On 17 July, the King ordered for the arrest of the Pope. German was taken into custody while he was presiding over a prayer service at the Westphalian Cathedral.

On 20 July, he was brought before the Ecclesiastical Great Court, the Chamber of the REB, the Court of the Royal Household, and the Court of the Star Chamber, where he was accused of "conspiracy with the Anti-Almitis, treason, corruption, and the highest form of heresy which can be committed by one bound to the service of the Lord Almitis". German defended himself, declaring that all of the Laurasian subjects shared his views about the war and the King's measures, and that revelation had come to him from the Lord Almitis himself. The verdict was inevitable, however, and German was formally convicted on all counts on 24 July. Honorius dismissed him from his position as Pope; had him excommunicated from the Church; and ordered for his imprisonment at Windowia Photis. German remained there until his death on 17 June 1168. Following the deposition of German from his position, Honorius and the Royal Council conducted a extensive search for a new Almitian Pope. The King soon came upon Philip, the Metropolitan of the Laurasian Purse Worlds, with whom he had been acquainted during the time of Pope Macarius. Philip had served Honorius as a personal chaplain from 1157 to 1161, and the King, on the advice of the Pope, had elevated him to the position of Purse Metropolitan on 22 December 1161, as a reward for his loyal service and his "piety, discipline, and faith in the Lord Almitis and His Majesty." Philip had been responsible for the promulgation of the Monasterial Regulations of 1162, which he had drafted and submitted to the Pope, who ratified them with the consent of the King. These regulations reorganized the Schedule of Prayers, strengthened disciplinary and fasting rules for the Monks and Nuns of Almitis, and tightened penalties concerning violations of church regulations by church officials. Philip himself was known for his efforts to insure the proper behavior of the church clergy, and he toured all of the monasteries, nunneries, cathedrals, chapels, churches, and stations under his jurisdiction. The Metropolitan also engaged in extensive fasting himself and refrained from the pleasures that some of his compatriots had indulged themselves in.

Philip received word of the King's nomination of him as Pope of the Royal Almitian Church on 25 June, as he was engaged in prayer and meditation with his monks in the Chambers of the Cludoes Cathedral of Caladaria. The Metropolitan accepted the nomination, declaring that Almitis was "recognizing his services to the maintenance of his flock." On 28 June, he traveled to Laurasia Prime, being greeted by the King with great pomp. Philip asked the King to promise that he would restrict the oppression of the Reginiks to what was "absolutely necessary" for the security of the Kingdom, and that he maintain a fatherly relationship with his subjects. Honorius, knowing that he could ignore the substance of these promises while maintaining the form, accepted. On 1 July, Philip was formally declared Pope of the Royal Almitian Church by the Ecclesiastical Conclave. He was formally enthroned at the Westphalian Cathedral five days later, with the King handing him his miter, staff of authority, and other marks of prestige. This had become the custom, and Laurasian monarchs were to continue this custom with the enthronement of every new Pope until the reign of Seleucus the Victor. Philip immediately threw himself into his duties. He ordered the investigation and condemnation of all church functionaries who neglected their duties; cleared out abuses within the Papal Court; and answered diligently to all petitions, confessional requests, and adjudication requests sent to the Church Chancellory. He presided over public ceremonies and became closer to the people then any of his predecessors had been. He soon became immensely popular with the people, and was to become one of the most well-regarded Popes in Laurasian history. In the meantime, however, the Ivorian War resumed. The King now looked forward to the resumption of hostilities.

On 12 July 1166, the Truce of Wolbroz expired, and hostilities recommenced when General Parlae launched a series of coordinated offensives against Prince Kurbulis's units in the southern Central Core. He reconquered Carina (13-19 July 1166); destroyed the Polonian fleet of Yularen (20-25 July 1166); and secured Daala (26-29 July 1166), before consolidating the Laurasian position at Constancia and Stenbock (30 July-5 August 1166). On 6 August, he relieved Donald from its blockade by Polonian troops, and two days later, defeated Prince Kurbulis's chief subordinate, General Stanislaus of Volodormia, in the Battle of Louza. Kingpin, Cinnamon, and Pandy were firmly secured in Laurasian possession by the end of August. Prince Kurbulis himself now aroused from Galich Majoria and launched predatory expeditions against Muppet, Mommica, Olivia, Sipp, and Seejay Prime (September-October 1166), inflicting losses on Laurasian positions before treating. On 27 October, however, General Parlae reconquered Theresa. Five days later, he reconquered Zennethia and harried the Polonian positions at Jared, Satisba, and Maschinga. On 11 November, Prince Kurbulis launched a surprise offensive against Elainsborough, conquering that stronghold and threatening Laurasian supply lines. General Parlae, however, soon defeated his fleet in the Battle of Sthanon (12-17 November 1166), securing the Laurasian Central Core from further Polonian offensives. By the end of November, he had reconquered Maschinga and Satisba, driving Prince Kurbulis's units away from the outskirts of the Ivorian Ring Defenses. On 3 December, King Vladislaus dispatched Magnate Mikoljai north, who relieved Kurbulis of his duties on 7 December. Kurbulis, humiliated by his recent defeats, now retired to his estates on Laina, whom he had been granted by King Vladislaus in February 1166. Mikoljai managed to halt a Laurasian offensive against Frogglesworth (8-11 December 1166) and saved Barbara Carol from a Laurasian offensive (12-19 December 1166). On 22 December, however, General Parlae defeated Mikoljai in the Battle of Burderia. On 25 December, he conquered Alladora, securing Laurasian positions windwards of Ivoria. By the end of December, the General was moving against Dasinae, Esther, Gothard, and Redderson.

In the meantime, further events transpired in the Venasian-Briannian War. During the first half of 1166, a stalemate ensued between the Venasians and Briannians, as Joriana and General Velur were unable to advance against each-other. Indecisive confrontations at Monderon, Alfak, Podrac, Venasia Secondary, Ruttum, and Lynne drained the energies of both sides. By July 1166, however, Joriana had developed new strategies for use against the Briannians. She secured the support of Queen Mother Femania to these plans on 25 July, assuring Her Majesty that the Briannian mongrels would soon be expelled from the holy Venasian dominions. On 2 August, Joriana and her units commenced their offensives. General Velur, who had allowed himself and his men to drift into laziness and insolence, suffered severe losses against the Venasians, as the Venasian General expertly outflanked their formations and reconquered Venasian strongholds. She besieged and conquered Podrac (3 August 1166); defeated Briannian raiding expeditions in the Battle of Pelley (4-9 August); and secured Aflac (10-17 August). On 20 August, Rashid and Calpurnia were invaded and seized by Venasian units, who forced General Velur to retreat towards Shiloh, Schaueria Prime, the Nexus Gateway, and Lythia. Five days later, Joriana destroyed the fleet of General Velur's chief subordinate, Imario, in the Second Battle of Aso and finally terminated the Briannian threat to the Venasian Matriarchal Worlds. All remaining Briannian bases and strongholds in Venasian territory were reconquered by the end of September. General Velur now managed to repel Venasian offensives further into Briannian territory, and another stalemate ensued by 15 October. The remainder of 1166 was occupied by raids, ambushes, and armed encounters between the Venasian and Briannian fleets.

The year 1167 commenced with the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia being in the ascendant over the Polonian Commonwealth, having recouped its earlier losses and made considerable advances against the Polonian units. Prince Kurbulis had suffered a string of defeats at the hands of General Parlae. Magnate Mikoljai had also been unable to arrest most of the Laurasian advances. As regards to the Eastern Seven Year's War (as the conflict between Briannia and Venasia had known), Joriana had expelled all Briannian fleets and units from Venasian territory, and had herself advanced into Briannian territory. General Velur, however, prevented any further advances by her forces. On Laurasia Prime, King Honorius issued the New Year's proclamation on time. The atmosphere of the Laurasian Purse Worlds was in a different manner, however. The oppressions of the King's Reginiks, the division of the Kingdom into the Royal and Common Dominions, the King's personal excesses and abuses, and the continued costly conflict with Polonia all darkened matters. In his New Year's proclamation, Honorius declared that "over the preceding two years, the officials of this realm have been purged, so that there may not be traitors who intend to damage the State. I have maintained my promises to my subjects, by insuring security and reorganizing the affairs of the kingdom. Stability and order will reign within my dominions." Honorius then went on to say that the Reginiks were "beneficial to the Kingdom's interests" and that Laurasia needed to remain under the current regime of affairs "so that we may not regress."

His subjects quaked in fear at what the King would do next. Honorius however, refrained from massacres during the first half of 1167, while Skurata and his Reginiks conducted fewer arrests, tortures, and executions. This was partly due to Honorius's joy at the victories being obtained over the Polonians. General Parlae was created Prince of Ivoria on 6 January 1167, receiving his sword of honor and his coronet from the hands of the King. The Pope presided over the ceremony. Five days later, the General commenced the newest stream of offensives against the Polonians. Magnate Mikoljai now attempted to organize the defense of Dasinae and Esther. He was unsuccessful, however, as those two strongholds fell to the Laurasians (12-19 January 1167). Alton and Montel were thereafter overrun by the Laurasians (January-February 1167), who inflicted severe losses upon the Polonian units. Mikoljai was then defeated in the Battle of Gothard (1-9 March 1167) and suffered the loss of his trooper corps at Ardell (10-15 March); before being forced to retreat from Deenia and Ergeme (16 March-4 April 1167). By 15 April, General Parlae had also destroyed a Polonian fleet dispatched against Donald, John, and Theresa, and had secured control of Redderson. On 20 April, the Prince of Ivoria was awarded the Order of St. Honorius the Liberator by a joyous King Honorius, who labelled him the "hammer of our enemies."

By the end of April 1167, General Parlae had also secured control of the Polonian stronghold of Braeley, thus completing the subjugation of all the territories of the former Ivorian Order to the authority of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Mikoljai, humiliated by his losses against the Laurasian units, was recalled to Volodormia by King Vladislaus, who on 6 May, humiliated him before a assembly of Polonian magnates, commanders, and government officials. Accusing Mikoljai of "incompetence and of weak effort", the King dismissed him from his command positions that day and commanded the Magnate to retire to his personal estates. Vladislaus now appointed Radlislai of Rawling as the new chief commander of the Polonian military forces. Radlislai, who had kept close tabs on the events of the Ivorian Order, now requested for a truce with the Laurasian forces. Honorius, foolishly believing that the Polonians were willing to submit to Laurasian demands, accepted the truce offer on 14 May and commanded General Parlae to terminate further active military offensives. Parlae, although he had suspicions about what was occurring, bowed to his master's wishes and placed his forces on yellow stand-by the following day. Radlislai and his officers now prepared for their own counteroffensives against the Laurasians. The Polonian General now came upon the idea of luring Parlae to a supposed armistice conference, where his units, placed in a ambush, would then attack and cut off the Laurasian command fleet. This would weaken the Laurasian units in Ivorian space. Over the next several days, Radislai proceeded with his plans.

Honorius, in the meantime, engaged in a flurry of administrative activity to extend Laurasian provincial administration, justice, and police jurisdiction to the Ivorian territories. On 22 May, the King issued the Statute of Ivorian Administration, dividing Ivoria, Horacia, and their respective worlds into Laurasian districts and viceroyalities, each with their own Viceroy, Council of Affairs, and Assembly of the Nobility. Two days later, he organized Ivoria and Horacia into the Southern Military District, with Parlae being appointed as Garrison Supreme Commander. On 29 May, the Ivorian and Horacian Viceroyalities were placed within the jurisdiction of the Royal Dominion. Skurata, who arrived at Ivoria on 4 June, organized new offices of the REB on Ivoria, Maschinga, Satisba, Sthanon, Horacia, Theresa, Donald, John, Zutagia, Zennethia, Jared, and Redderson. He remained at Ivoria until 16 June, supervising Parlae's administrative duties. Then on 24 June, Radlislai finally sent a invitation to General Parlae, to attend a conference for a armistice to be conducted on Vothnia. Included with this invitation was a letter from King Vladislaus himself, who expressed his hopes for "peace to be established between Laurasia and Polonia." Parlae was commanded by Honorius to travel to Vothnia with a diplomatic escort on 29 June. Parlae, taking his chief officers and advisers with him, proceeded cautiously into Polonian space from 1 July. He reached Vothnia on 4 July. Radlislai at first maintained the pretense of friendship, and entertained the Laurasian General over the next several days.

During all that time, he was sending instructions to his units, commanding them to launch pre-planned offensives against Laurasian strongholds in Ivorian space. On 9 July, Radlislai sent the secret orders for attack. Polonian task forces crossed the border and hurled into the Ivorian regions, surprising the still consolidating Laurasian garrisons. They reconquered Redderson (10-11 July); Ergeme (12-15 July); Horacia (16 July); Theresa (17-19 July); Jared (20 July); John (22 July); Donald (24-29 July); and Louza (1-5 August). Radlislai himself surrounded the diplomatic escort of General Parlae, preventing him from leaving the Vothnian star system, and threatened the Laurasian General with death if he attempted to send any messages to the Laurasian Royal Court. Honorius and the Laurasian Government learned about the Polonian offensives fairly swiftly, however, but were unable to react, for fear that a rash move would lead to Parlae being executed. Parlae was formally imprisoned at the Dungeons of Vothnia on 6 August. Five days later, Radlislai gained a major victory in the Battle of Hammond, and drove towards Maschinga, Satisba, Sthanon, and Ivoria. Honorius sent a firm offer on 22 August, offering to return all Ivorian territories except Ivoria, Maschinga, Horacia, Jared, Zutagia, and Zennethia to Polonian arms if Parlae and his escort were released. Pope Philip attempted to persuade the King not to lose hope, and said that Parlae would willingly "lay his life down for the cause of our Lord." Honorius's irrationality was taking control, however, and the King refused to listen to the Pope. Radlislai accepted on 27 August, with the further demand that the Laurasians pay compensation to the Polonians for their mobilization efforts and that Honorius concede claims to other Ivorian and Horacian territories. Honorius accepted these demands on 2 September. On 6 September, the Laurasians conceded all of their Ivorian conquests except the above-mentioned worlds to Polonian authorities. Two days later, $200 trillion Laurasian Denarius was paid into the coffers of the Polonian Treasury.

On 12 September, Radlislai released General Parlae and his diplomatic escort. The General, who was disgraced, returned to Laurasia Prime on 16 September, having first traveled through the remaining Laurasian worlds in Ivorian space in order to make arrangements for defense and administration. Upon reaching Laurasia Prime, however, the General received a cold reception from the King, who denounced him as a traitor and stated that he "had been in conspiracy with the enemy so as to deprive us of the fruit of our conquests." Pope Philip now attempted to defend the General, pointing out that it was the King himself who had insisted upon meeting Polonian demands, and that Parlae was not responsible for the King's actions. The Pope was now shouted down by the King, who threatened him with excommunication and dismissal from his position if he spoke any further. The Pope fell silent, although he was now fermenting thoughts in his mind against the King. General Parlae was not able to defend himself, and his pleas to "His Gracious Majesty" were ignored. On 20 September, the King ordered for the arrest of the General and all within his entourage. Taken to the Station of Jadia, whom the King had transformed into a gruesome state prison and armory, the General-Prince and his men were interrogated and tortured by Skurata and his Reginiks, who committed "unspeakable indignities to their persons."

On 22 September, they were brought before a assembly of the REB Chamber, the Court of the Royal Household, the Court of the Star Chamber, the Aristocratic Duma, and the Royal Council, being accused of "treason, conspiracy, corruption, indolence, heresy, and disobedience". Parlae begged for his life, declaring that his victories had almost ensured Laurasian victory over Polonia and that he was not to blame for the King's decision to accede to the Polonian requests. His pleas, and those of his men, were ignored however, and they were convicted on all counts on 24 September. A herald wept as he announced a sentence of death upon them. The King, in another one of his irrational actions, decided to apply the sentence to the members and officers of the escort, but not to Parlae himself. On 27 September, 66,000 officers, personnel, and servants of the Diplomatic Escort were executed at Calaxis II, with Skurata himself incinerating many of them. Two days later, Parlae, whose sentence had been commuted from the death penalty, was deprived of his title as Prince of Ivoria; dismissed from his military positions; and formally imprisoned at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V. All of his estates, possessions, and properties were confiscated by the King, who also banned his family from Laurasia Prime and condemned them as miscreants. The Prince's honors were removed from their Station of Prestige on Ivoria and dismembered, according to custom.

Following the events of Radlislai's successful counteroffensive into Laurasian territory and the humiliation of General Parlae, King Honorius again entered into a tone of irrationality, anger, and cruelty, as he believed that enemies within the Laurasian State were still actively at work, that they had always undermined the King's efforts in governmental and military matters, and that unless if the Reginiks were used to the fullest extent of their abilities, the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and the Autocracy would never be safe. As such, on 7 October 1167, the King sent secret instructions to Skuarta, who had by this point been formally promoted to the position of Director of the REB and Chief Viceroy of the Royal Dominion, with direct authority over Laurasia Prime and its immediate surrounding star systems, such as Augis V, Ralina Vixius, Oxia Vixius, Maroni, Janesia's Gateway, Charasia, and Americana. Skuarta was commanded to pursue such policies and measures so as to "ensure the continuation of the proper rule of this government and the maintenance of general order, stability, and conformity within the Royal Dominion." Skurata executed his instructions to the letter. He declared martial law on Laurasia Prime; established new REB enforcement offices on Katie, Arias, Tommy, Manli, Meaganian, Capital, and Rebecca; and directed his Reginiks towards arresting, torturing, and executing or publicly humiliating civilians considered threatening to the State. Between October 1167 and March 1168, nearly 13.5 million individuals in the Royal Dominion were arrested, interrogated, and tortured. Of this number, some 6.7 million were executed and 3.5 million others were condemned to prison labor or exile. Although these numbers pale in comparison to the general level of population for the Laurasian Purse Worlds, they nevertheless frightened the inhabitants of the Kingdom's worlds and reasserted the King's authority. Honorius himself directed oppressive activities at the Royal Court, conducting a purge of his servants, concubines, and courtiers in November 1167. Some 100,000 persons were arrested, tortured, and dismissed from their positions, being ritually humiliated in public. The King also maintained strict control over the media, censuring and fining media outlets, networks, and holojournals who expressed any skepticism about what the King was conducting.

Pope Philip himself began to speak out against the King's excesses, defying a injunction issued by His Majesty on 20 November, which forbade him to express his opinions about government policies in church sermons. The Pope refused to excommunicate those who had been condemned by the State; provided comfort to bereaved or terrorized families; and forbade church officials from participating in the State's oppression. Honorius was angered by the Pope's resistance, and on 27 November, commanded the Pope to appear before him at the Celestial Palace, in order to answer for his actions. The Pope came, and in front of the King, accused him of having violated solemn promises made at the time of Philip's accession to the Papacy. He said that his duty as a religious official was to protect the subjects of the King from overt oppression and abuses, and to ensure that non-sinners always received fair treatment. The King shouted the Pope down, however, labeling him a pompous fuel and decrying him for his resistance. He then had the Pope hustled from his private presence and forbade the Pope to come before him again. Honorius was beginning to consider plans to depose Philip, as he had done with Athanasius and German, and to bring the Almitian Church more closely under state oversight. For the time being, however, he merely reissued the injunction against the Pope and forbade his subjects to listen to Philip's sermons. All officials and clergymen were commanded to obey the King's directives and to ignore the Pope, to which they complied.

The Pope himself, however, continued to deliver his sermons, to which large audiences of people continued to flock, defying the King's orders. Philip continued to offer comfort to the Laurasian congregations and retained the loyalty of the Cardinals, Metropolitans, Archbishops, and Bishops, who privately supported his efforts. Honorius, acting yet more irrational, issued a stream of proclamations to his subjects in December 1167, declaring that he was doing what was right for the State. On 25 December 1167, he presided over the first of a series of grim orgies on Caladaria, personally overseeing the flogging, incineration-torture, and humiliation of 50,000 persons, accused of treason, resistance to the Autocracy, and conspiracy against the State. Five days later, Honorius ordered for the arrest and torture of 40 leading magnates of Caladaria, Darcia, Ralina Vixius, Katie, Andriana, Scout, Mercedes, and Chloe. All of these magnates were convicted by a assembly of the Courts of the Royal Household and Star Chamber, as well as the Chamber of the REB, on New Year's Day 1168. Honorius then deprived them of their titles and properties, had them publicly humiliated in the Celestial Square of Christiania, and then thrown into the gaols of Ipsus V, Jadia, and Windowia Photis.

Peace reigned between the Polonian Commonwealth and the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia for the remainder of 1167 and the whole of 1168, as the attentions of King Honorius turned to his domestic oppression, his excesses, his irrationality, and his cruelties. King Vladislaus, on his part, believed that through his domestic oppression and measures, Honorius was seriously draining his kingdom's military capabilities, for which he was to eventually be proved right. The conflict between Venasia and Briannia had degenerated into a indecisive stalemate, however, as neither Joriana nor General Velur were able to make any further advances against each other. Millions of sentient beings were killed however, in a series of ambushes, raids, and military operations launched by the Briannian and Venasian fleets. This state of affairs continued for the remaining years of the Eastern Seven Year's War. This was at the time that Altan, Ricimer, and Berke were making preparations for, and then launched, their expedition against Genseric of Kuevia. Pope Philip, although he was now under severe scrutiny by the King and his officials, nevertheless continued to courageously resist the government policies and provide comfort to the Laurasian people. On 1 January 1168, Honorius issued his typical New Year's proclamation, declaring that the resumption of internal repressions by the REB within the Royal Dominion were motivated by the discovery of "new plotters against the State, who were responsible for aiding Parlae and our enemies in bringing this kingdom's military position within the Ivorian Worlds to a new low."

Honorius then boasted that he was sweeping "dogs, space rats, and other monsters" from his dominions, that he was maintaining the stability of the Royal Government, and that he was insuring that Laurasia would never again be under anger. Pope Philip, when he read the King's proclamation, decided to draft his own response. In a eloquent sermon, delivered outside the Westphalian Cathedral on 5 January, the Pope declared that the King was "withholding the truth from the population of this dominion" and that his oppression were derived from his "fears and his irrationality, which will thus doom Laurasia to the grip of our neighbors." Honorius, angered when he heard about the Pope's sermon, censured the Pope again on 7 January and commanded him to stay away from public locations. Philip obliged, but continued to send out a flood of manifestos and letters from his private cell at the Monastery of St. Eusebius, condemning the King's policies and imploring the people not to give up hope. The King's anger against Philip grew with each passing day, and by February, he was developing ideas of removing Philip.

In Briannia, King E'rac of Briannia was becoming unpopular with his governmental officials, the Briannian nobles and magnates, and with his own subjects. E'rac, like Honorius, had developed mental irrationalities and fears, and he believed that he too was surrounded by traitors and conspirators, who were responsible for the failure of the Briannian war efforts against the Venasian Consortium. E'rac's personality had become more aggressive and erratic with the passage of every year. In 1167, the King had issued a series of hate-filled proclamations, addressed to the nobility and clergy of his dominions. In these proclamations, the King accused the nobles, magnates, and clergymen of engaging in "demonic acts of consort with the anti-Almitis", insisting that they were bent upon destroying the unity of the Briannian dominions and exposing Briannia to reconquest by the Laurasians; defeat and subjugation by the Venasians; or even invasion by the Solidaritan Sultanate. In December of that year, E'rac had implemented the Statute of Internal Security, by which he formally organized the Bartonian Police Expeditionary Force. The Expeditionary Force was charged with maintaining security and order within the King's dominions; exposing and destroying his enemies; and supporting the foundations of his government.

The King of Briannia, after implementing this statute, received a collective petition from the Briannian nobility, imploring His Majesty of Briannia not to turn to the methods of Honorius II and "unduly oppress the people." E'rac, enraged about the petition, ordered for its drafters to be arrested, tortured, and publicly humiliated, as they were on Nystadia on 5 January 1168. By February 1168, the King had begun plotting for the murder of the following nobles of the Briannian State: Sten Erikson, Sten Baner, Svante Stere, Abasham Stenbeck, and E'rac Sture, all of whom had expressed their opposition to E'rac's measures. E'rac became determined to kill these men, believing that unless if they were removed, the monarchy would be eliminated and Briannia subjected to foreign rule. On 24 March, the King and his personal officers burst into the Sterian Mansion of Valur, where these nobles had assembled for a business meeting. The King, accusing these men of being engaged in heinous practices against his person, drew his vibrosword and slew Sten Erikson, who was the most powerful and wealthiest of the assembled nobles. He and his guards then hacked the other nobles down, who attempted to resist but were overpowered. The Sterian Murders, as they became known, inflamed dissent against the King.

The King's own brother, Prince Jo'hac of Barton, became determined to depose his brother and restore stability to the Briannian Government. He wished to seize the Briannian throne for himself. In April 1168, the Prince began stockpiling military supplies and equipment at his personal strongholds on Barton, Matheson, and Janney. The Prince spread manifestos amongst the Briannian population, declaring his opposition to his brother's policies and stating his determination to bring orderly government to Briannia. E'rac had become distracted by pleasures and excesses at his court, and as such, ignored his adviser's warnings about his brother's doings. Joh'ac gradually gained the support of the majority of the Briannian nobles, knights, and magnates, while the Briannian Religious Order expressed their deepest sympathies for the Prince and secretly blessed his efforts against his brother. Having organized his units and implanted his agents in the Royal Household, E'rac finally acted upon his plans in September 1168. On 19 September, the King of Briannia decided to leave his capital world, so as to conduct a journey to Nystadia, in order to oversee "the execution of his will" against the inhabitants of the world. He was persuaded in this course of action by the Prince, who pretended that he was in full support of his brother's government.

Upon leaving Briannia, E'rac's position of power collapsed rapidly. The Prince summoned a assembly of the leading Briannian nobles and magnates the following day, who declared that E'rac's oppressive measures meant that he should no longer possess the Briannian throne and that he should not be the controller of Briannian destinies for any longer. On 21 September, E'rac was declared deposed by the Briannian Rikstag (or council of consultative advisers), which then proclaimed his brother as the new King of Briannia. Joh'ac took the oath of allegiance as King the following day. E'rac, who had arrived at Nystadia, now attempted to send out messages to the various Briannian governors and military commanders, reminding them of their oath towards him and imploring them to move against his traitorous brother. They refused however, and on 25 September, E'rac was driven from Nystadia by that world's garrison. He now became a refugee from justice, as Joh'ac sent a fleet to pursue his brother. E'rac was finally cornered and captured at Weldere on 29 September. The following day, he was presented before his brother at the Chamerian Palace on Janney. Joh'ac mocked his brother and declared that the Briannian Gods had decreed that he "rescue Briannia from oblivion."

On 1 October, he forced his brother to sign a formal abdication declaration. E'rac, who was now fully deprived of his throne, was then incarcerated at Polk Fortress on Sarah, where he remained until his death on 26 February 1177. He was buried there in the Vault of Prisoners. When E'rac died, Joh'ac claimed that it was because of a "fatal heart condition". In 1758, however, a study of E'rac's corpse conducted by the University of Briannia, with the sponsorship of the Imperial Laurasian Government, found that the deposed King had been poisoned. After seizing the Briannian throne, Joh'ac turned his attention to the conflict with the Venasians. In October 1168, he sent messages to the court of the Queen Mother at the Fountain Palace, declaring that the long conflict was draining the energies of both sides and that a restoration of peace, on the basis of the status quo ante bellum, would allow both sides to recover their resources. Femania refused to respond to his messages, however, and the series of raids, ambushes, and surprise terrorist attacks which had come to dominate the course of the war continued for the remainder of 1168. E'rac, however, began to develop ambitions against Laurasia, which were to come to bear in future years.

In the meantime, on Laurasia Prime, the patience of King Honorius for the actions of the Pope Philip finally ran out. The paranoid and cruel Laurasian Autocrat was finally bent upon deposing Philip from his position and asserting full state control of the affairs of the Almitian Church. He believed that Philip had been sent by the anti-Almitis to harry the interests of the Autocracy and that the Pope would not stop resisting the King's measures. Indeed, in February 1168, the Pope had issued a memorandum about the "Policies of His Majesty", decrying Honorius's excesses, his abuses of the autocratic authority invested in him "by the Lord Almitis", and his irrationality. Philip declared that the Lord Almitis had spoken to him, and that the Lord had decreed that the King should not continue with his policies, lest he bring ruin upon the Laurasian State. This memorandum was disseminated from the Monastery of St. Eusebius by the Pope's loyal agents and subordinates. By the end of March 1168, it had spread to all of the Kingdom's worlds. Honorius's response was to formally ban the memorandum on 4 April. The King had all copies of the memorandum confiscated and destroyed. Those who had a copy in their possession were publicly humiliated, fined, and tortured for their "disloyalty". All Church officials were commanded to decry the Pope's messages and to deny the truth in them. Then on 27 April, the King ordered the arrest and execution of 500 ecclesiastical clerks and secretaries, who had been identified by the Royal Intelligence Agency as those who had assisted the Pope in spreading his messages. By May 1168, Skurata had begun encouraging the King to take more assertive action against the Pope, and to overcome his reluctance.

Honorius finally took action, as on 29 October, he summoned the Pope before his presence, despite his earlier command that the Pope never come before him again. Philip obliged, determined to demonstrate to the King that his oppressive measures and policies were harming the interests of the Laurasian State. The following day, the formal audience between the King and the Pope was held within the Great Throne Room of the Palace of Harmony on Clancia, to which the King and his court had moved to in August 1168. The Pope, escorted by his officials and his leading Cardinals, came into the chambers and refused to bow humbly before the King, declaring that such a act of obedience was reserved only for a "saintly monarch, who maintained himself in a proper state and refrained from harming his subjects." Honorius, enraged by the Pope's refusal to do obedience, then marched from his throne and came in front of the Pope. He then accused the Pope of undermining royal authority, of inciting dissent against his rule, and of attacking the interests of the Laurasian Autocracy. The Pope responded by stating that he was acting in the name of Almitis, that the King's oppression was beyond proper bounds, and that he was merely comforting and aiding the King's subjects. Philip then declared that Honorius would be "damned by the agents of Almitis" if he did not stop his oppressive policies.

He also said that Honorius should come to a peace agreement with Polonia, for continuing conflict would only drain Laurasian resources. Honorius, enraged at this, yelled that as Autocrat of All the Laurasians, he could do whatever he wished, and said that the Pope should act as a "faithful subordinate", confining himself to spiritual duties. At this, the Pope shouted out, declaring that he was representing the spiritual interests of the Laurasian realm, and that Honorius's parents, his wife, his deceased son, and Pope Macarius would all be appalled at his behavior. He declared that they were "wailing from the Heavens of Almitis, imploring you to reconsider your actions." Honorius, enraged at this, could hear no more, and ordered the Pope to leave. The Pope refused to do so, declaring that a "unreasonable and cruel Autocrat hath not command the loyalty or obedience of his subjects." This drove the King to hysteria, and he commanded Skurata to remove the Pope by force. Skurata and his agents did so, dragging the Pope and his escort from the chambers. The Pope shouted down curses upon the King, declaring that he was damned and that he would not die a peaceful death.

On 2 November, Honorius ordered for the Pope's formal arrest. The Pope, having returned to the Monastery of St. Eusebius, was forcibly removed from there and incarcerated at the Station of Jadia. He was interrogated by Skurata and his agents, who encountered the same vigorous and stubborn statements and curses that the King had endured. On 7 November, Honorius commanded that the Pope be brought before a assembly of the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, REB Chamber, and Ecclesiastical Great Court, so as to answer for his actions. Philip, bearing himself with dignity and discipline, defended himself vigorously before the Assembly, imploring them all to see reason in his teachings and to realize that Honorius was leading the Laurasian dominions into oblivion. He asserted that he was merely defending the interests of his flock and that his chief concern was for the preservation and tranquility of the Laurasian Dominions. But he also declared that obedience to a Autocrat such as Honorius was impossible, and that Arasces III and Honorius the Liberator would be appalled at his behavior. Despite the Pope's efforts, and the fact that many of the Duma and Council members held sympathy for his cause, the verdict, in such a autocratic state, was inevitable. The Pope was formally convicted on all counts on 11 November. The King, receiving word of the verdict at a concert given at the Laurasia Prime Exchange, thereafter formally dismissed Philip from his position as Pope; excommunicated him from the Church; and condemned all of his teachings and sermons, declaring that they emanated from a false representative of Almitis.

On the King's orders, Skurata and his Agents ritually humiliated the Pope in Christiania on 14 November. He was deprived of his priestly vestments and robes, mocked as a traitor to the State, and labeled as a agent of the anti-Almitis. Philip did not remain quiet during this ceremony, shouting down curses upon his tormentors and declaring that the Lord Almitis was right in "his reckonings of the situation." Five days later, Honorius repealed all statements, proclamations, and papal bulls issued by Philip during his tenure as Pope, and commanded that Philip be incarcerated at the Prison Complex of Windowia Photis. Philip was brought there on 21 November, and remained there for a year. He still refused to remain quiet, and with the assistance of sympathetic supporters within the Prison Complex, smuggled out further messages and letters, imploring the people not to give up hope. Honorius eventually tired of Philip, and on 10 December 1169, commanded Skurata to "put a end to the evil and conniving old man." Two days later, Skurata penetrated the ex-Pope's confinement cell and used a bowstring to strangle Philip to death. Philip died, declaring that he had no fear of "Mother Death".

Following the deposition of Philip and his confinement at the Prison Complex of Windowia Photis, the King immediately took various measures in order to assert himself over the Royal Almitian Church and ensure that no future Pope would oppose his policies. On 25 November 1168, he issued a royal manifesto about the matter of Philip's disgrace and deprivation of his position as Pope. In the manifesto, Honorius declared that this measure had been taken because of Philip's "disloyalty" and his attempts to undermine obedience and respect towards him, the King, as Autocrat. He stated that Popes were supposed to be officials who defended the autocratic position, and that Philip had been raised by the anti-Almitis in order to cast the Laurasian dominions "into utter and complete oblivion." Five days later, Honorius began a series of deliberations with the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma, commanding them to assemble reports, memorandum, and decrees relating to the affairs of the Royal Almitian Church. The two bodies complied and had prepared a extensive registry of documents for the King by 14 December. On 22 December, Honorius promulgated the Honorian Religious Statutes, which were to govern the affairs of the Royal Almitian Church for the next twenty-one years. By these statutes, all Cardinals, Metropolitans, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Deans, priests, and pastors were required to swear a oath of allegiance to the King directly. Their bond of homage towards the Papacy was abolished. It was forbidden for any church official to criticize any government policies or to attack the position of the Autocrat.

Any who dared to do so would be subject to immediate removal from office and either imprisonment or execution, depending upon the severity of their offense. All clergymen were to be paid their salaries from a government fund, and no Abbott or Dean was permitted to dispose of church financial affairs without the approval of the Royal Bureau of Commerce and Government Properties. All references to Philip within the Church were expunged, and all of the King's subjects were forbidden to speak his name. Any and all blessings conferred by the ex-Pope were declared invalid and expressly considered non-valid "in the eyes of Almitis." All grants or rewards given by Philip were impounded, and any who had received any sort of comfort, emotional or financial, from Philip were commanded to attend "psychological counseling". Popes were deprived of the right to deliver sermons without first submitting them to the review of the King. Finally, all future papal bulls, proclamations, and statements were now to require the consent of the King, and no Pope would ever be able to refuse any demands made by the King. The Honorian Religious Statutes thus destroyed the Church's autonomy and bound it closely to the dictates of the State. Eurymaschus Gadavarnius would abolish the Statutes during his reforms of 1189. On 27 December 1168, the King selected Cyril, previously Abbot of the Semanian Monastery of Durglais, as the new Pope of the Laurasian Almitian Church. Cyril was formally enthroned as Pope on 2 January 1169.

As 1169 commenced, the Laurasian dominions were still at peace from actual conflict, for the truces with Polonia continued during the first half of the year. Within the Laurasian dominions however, the King's regime of crueltycontinued. In order to celebrate the New Year of 1169, Honorius ordered for the public torture, humiliation, and dismemberment of 50,000 prisoners, in the Celestial Square of Christiania, so as to provide a example to his subjects. This command was executed by Skurata and his agents with great ferocity, who by now were building a fearsome reputation for themselves with the Laurasian people. The King continued to indulge himself in pleasures at the Royal Court, and on 11 January, commanded the nobility, knighthood, and leading businessmen of the state to always be ready to provide their wives and daughters to him and his officials. Such a perverse command was opposed by many, but was followed dutifully, as all were in fear of the King's autocratic authority. Within Polonia, King Vladislaus and his councilors had begun drafting plans for unification with the Donguarian Stellar Empire. Since 1156, the Donguarian realms had been under the rule of the ineffective Lajos IV, who had no children of his own and was afflicted with mental instabilities. Ever since Lajos had ascended to the Donguarian throne, the Donguarian nobles and magnates had sent petitions to King Vladislaus, imploring him to take the Donguarian dominions under his protection. Vladislaus, distracted by the Ivorian War with Laurasia and by his continuing efforts to expand the Polonian government and economy, was unable to respond to these requests for a long time.

By January 1169, however, with his reform efforts largely complete, Vladislaus could finally turn his attention to the matter of a Polonian-Donguarian union. On 9 January, he dispatched a formal message to the Donguarian Government, declaring his willingness to commence negotiations on a future union and expressing his hope that such a union would be beneficial for both species. Lajo's regent and leading minister, the Magnate Chebrowiz Lauda, responded to the Polonian King's messages on 14 January, declaring that he hoped that the Polonian King would prove a kind master, and that the Polonians would not unduly extort Donguarian resources. On 22 January, Lajos was persuaded to issue a decree of succession, by which he recognized Vladislaus's claims to the Donguarian throne. Then on 4 February, after Vladislaus had entertained Polonian emissaries at his court on Polonia Major, a formal diplomatic conference was convened at Pressburg, in order to decide the terms of union between Polonia and Donguaria. Honorius received word of the negotiations on 12 February. He sent a protest to Vladislaus on 20 February which was ignored by the Polonian King and his government. The conference proceeded for several months, as the Donguarian and Polonian delegates wrangled over the conditions. Eventually, however, on 1 July 1169, the Treaty of Pressburg was signed. By the terms of this Treaty, it was declared that, upon the death of Lajos IV, the Polonian Commonwealth and Donguarian Stellar Empire would unite into one entity, to be known as the Commonwealth of the Kingdom of Polonia and the Empire of Donguaria, or the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth for short. Vladislaus was to become the first King-Emperor of this new territory. According to the terms of the Treaty, the Polonian magnates and Donguarian Princes were both to enjoy the same privileges, as regards to their estates, state service, and taxation. Polonian, Donguarian, and Galician were to be the three official languages of the new Polonian-Donguarian Government.

Polonian and Donguarian citizens now became subjects of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, but continued to pay the same taxes and have the same rights of petition to their superiors as before. Both Polonia and Donguaria would maintain their separate legal, educational, and judicial systems. New laws and proclamations issued by the King, however, were to apply to both equally, and provision was made for a eventual codification of laws since 1169. The Polonian and Donguarian Armed Forces would remain distinct from each other, but the King was to be supreme commander of both services. In times of emergency or war, they were to have a common defense policy. Polonian and Donguarian defense, foreign affairs, and finances were thus to be managed by unified ministries, while all other fields of government administration would be maintained by the separate ministries of each state. Each state maintained its own treasury, but they were to be subordinate to the unified Finance Ministry. Finally, after the death of Vladislaus, each new monarch was to be elected freely by the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament, a body to be comprised of two houses: the Magisterial Court, comprised of 50 Polonian and 50 Donguarian representatives; and the Royal Senate, to be comprised of 115 Polonian and 90 Donguarian delegates.

The members of the Court would be appointed and dismissed by the King with the approval of his ministers, while the Senators would be elected through a open ballot by the adult voters of the respective states. The Parliament would be responsible for the submission of petitions, requests, and reports to the King. The King implemented the laws, but it would be within the Parliament's right to propose them or to approve them. Finally, the Parliament had a right of impeachment on the King's officials, if they exceeded the jurisdiction of their offices. The King himself was to be head of state and government, appointing and dismissing his ministers, the government officials, and the officials of each of the states. He would convene and dismiss the Assembly from session, have full charge of defense and foreign affairs, and represent the Commonwealth's interests. The extensive Treaty of Pressburg thus laid the constitutional groundwork for the Polonian Commonwealth, and remained in operation until the Commonwealth's demise at the hands of the Laurasian Empire, in the early fifteenth century.

On 4 July, King Vladislaus formally conferred his assent on the Treaty of Pressburg. Emperor Lajos IV, whose health was in decline by this point, gave his royal assent to the Treaty of Pressburg five days later. On 16 July, the Donguarian Stellar Emperor then suffered a severe stroke at his palace on Pest, and he was immediately placed in the Royal Hospital of the Pestian Palace. The Emperor's condition quickly worsened, and his doctors soon despaired of saving his life. On 1 August 1169, the last independent Donguarian Stellar Emperor died. As a result of his death, the provisions of the Treaty of Pressburg. Vladislaus, receiving word of the Emperor's death from the Donguarian representatives at his court, was then saluted by them as their new Stellar Emperor. Leaving Polonia Major on 7 August, the King-Emperor arrived at Pest two days later, being greeted by all of the assembled diplomatic representatives, governmental officials, and military generals of the world. On 12 August, Lajos IV was buried in the Emperor's Crypt, and Vladislaus was formally acknowledged as ruler of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Instructions for the election and appointment of the first Commonwealth Parliament were dispatched. On 22 August, the Royal Senate's members were elected to office, while the King formally appointed the first Magistrates of the Parliament nine days later.

On 2 September, the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth received diplomatic recognition from Genseric of Kuevia, the first monarch to do so. He was followed, in rapid succession, by Offa of Marcia (3 September); Ricimer of the Huntite Khanate, in the name of the Khan Bergh (4 September); Ragibagh of the Crimeanian Khanate (5 September); Videmir of the Halegoths and Gunderit of the Armanes (both 6 September); Femania of Venasia (7 September); Alp Arslan of Solidarita (8 September); Joh'ac of Briannia (9 September); Gondioc of the Alexandrians (10 September); the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (11-13 September); Altan of the Homidinian Khanate (14 September); Remismund of the Jarjanics (16 September); Euric of Ashlgothia and Dungalio II of Merlita (19 September); and the last King of the Brestords, Gogh (20 September). Honorius II of Laurasia, however, was holding back on granting diplomatic recognition to the newly established Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. The King of Laurasia, seeking to gain some advantage from Vladislaus's efforts to gain diplomatic acknowledgment of his new state and title, sent a message to the court of Polonia Major on 23 September. In this message, Honorius declared his willingness to acknowledge Vladislaus as King-Emperor, if only the Polonian-Donguarian monarch in turn acknowledged Laurasian rule of the Ivorian and Horacian Worlds, agreed to pose no threat to other Laurasian territorial ambitions, and offered commercial privileges to Laurasian merchants in his dominions. Vladislaus, who was provoked by these demands, issued a firm refusal on 4 October, pointing to his earlier treaties with the Ivorian Order and insisting that Honorius should recognize them.

Honorius, realizing that he could only assert his position at Polonian expense through war, announced a renewal of hostilities against the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth on 9 October. In his proclamation which declared that hostilities had recommenced, the King of Laurasia stated that his efforts continued to be directed in the manner of securing territory which rightfully belonged to the Laurasian State, and that Vladislaus should not be allowed to be so close to Laurasian interests and possessions in the Central Core. Honorius had removed General Parlae from military service, and as such, he needed to find another to command his units. On 14 October, Honorius appointed Skurata as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Laurasian military operations, even though Skurata had no prior military experience. The ruthless Reginik-General made up for this, however, through his determination, his energy, and his constant supervision of military activities. He quickly learned military strategies and tactics. The Laurasian forces made considerable gains against the Polonians during these last months of 1169, as Vladislaus and his ministers had focused their efforts on reorganizing the Polonian-Donguarian government, to account for the Treaty of Pressburg. Magnate Radlislai himself had died suddenly on 29 July 1169, depriving the Polonian units of their most effective commander.

Skurata reconquered Redderson (15-19 October 1169): destroyed the Polonian fleet of Maschinga (20-25 October); and captured the stronghold of Ergeme (26 October), before destroying a hastily organized Donguarian expeditionary fleet in the Battle of Luc (29 October-4 November). On 6 November, he launched a surprise offensive, driving Polonian forces from Horacia and securing the Laurasian position on Donald, John, and Levinston. By 11 November, the Reginik-General had secured Satisba and Sthanon and was driving towards Jared. Jared itself was recovered by 22 November. Louza, Kingpin, and Pandy had all been secured by the Laurasians, by the end of November. On 4 December, Skurata gained a major victory in the Battle of Hammond, driving Polonian units from the districts of Montel and Alton. A Polonian counteroffensive against Carina, Constantia, and Stenbock was then halted (5-11 December). On 14 December, Skurata gained another victory in the Battle of Dasinae, securing that stronghold from further Polonian offensives. The General had expelled the last remaining Polonian units in Ivorian territory by the end of December. Vladislaus and his ministers, in the meantime, had begun drafting new plans of war against the Laurasians. The Polonian Parliament hastily introduced conscription, while Donguarian resources were now effectively deployed by the King and his ministers to reorganize the war machine of their state.

Towards the end of 1169, however, new tensions emerged between the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and the Solidaritan Sultanate. Some information must be provided about what transpired in the Solidaritan dominions since 1163. Erutugul, the founding Sultan of Solidarita, had died in the Toparcian Palace of Istantius on 27 November 1163. At his death, the Solidaritan Sultanate extended its jurisdiction from Roxuli and the outskirts of Abraham in the northwest, all the way across to the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route. It embraced all of the territories which had once been controlled by the Kazanian Khanate, besides the strongholds and worlds that Erutugul had seized from the Laurasians. Erutugul's formal successor was his eldest son, Suleiman. Suleiman, however, was a weak, mentally unhinged figure, who had little knowledge of the affairs of state and who was universally regarded as incompetent. Two figures now emerged within the Solidaritan Sultanate to compete for the Solidaritan throne. One of these was the younger brother of Erutugul, Suleiman's uncle Kutalmish. Kutalmish had served as his brother's Chief Steward and Head of the Household Servants throughout the previous reign.

He was a greedy, conniving, ambitious man who believed that the Solidaritan throne was rightfully. At his residences on Laronn, Quanna, Sheryl, and the Belts of Mantin, the Chief Steward had begun accumulating mercenaries, military supplies, and warships, so as to assert his position within the Solidaritan Sultanate by force. He was resisted, however, by Suleiman's younger brother, Alp Arslan. Alp Arslan had gained renown within the Solidaritan territories for his military prowess, his intelligence, his determination, and his energy. He had served in all of his father's military campaigns, including those against the Kazanian Khanate and the wars with Laurasia. Alp Arslan thus possessed considerable military experience. Many believed that he was the rightful Sultan of Solidarita. Alp Arslan himself believed this, and at Deanna, Michael, Wendy, Big Twinny, Massanay, and Sassanay, the Grand Prince of Solidarita assembled his own supplies and followers.

On 11 December 1163, Kutalmish took action to assert himself. Marching from Laronn, the Steward penetrated the defenses of the former Kazan Capital Region. Appearing above Istantius on 19 December, Kutalmish forced Suleiman to admit him to the world. The Steward was proclaimed Chief Vizier of the Solidaritan Sultanate five days later. Alp Arslan refused to acknowledge his authority however. Thus on 17 January 1164, Kutalmish declared the Grand Prince a fugitive and ordered his units to arrest him. Alp Arslan, however, evaded their efforts and secured firm control of the strongholds mentioned above. During the next four months, the Prince and the Vizier engaged in a grand struggle for control of the Solidaritan Sultanate. Alp Arslan suffered a series of defeats at Sassanay, Massanay, and Cibourney (January-February 1164), but then destroyed a fleet dispatched by the Vizier against Michael (4-9 March). He then secured Coen (10-15 March); Frederickslandia (16-21 March); and the Belts of Mantin (22-29 March), before advancing to Vindictoria (1-9 April). On 12 April, the Prince penetrated the Capital Defenses, seizing the Vizier's bases on Sair, Berhamia, and Yogarnia. On 19 April, he destroyed Kutalmish's chief armada in the Battle of Onradia. On 22 April, Kutalmish was expelled from Istantius by the world's garrison, who had declared their loyalty to Alp Arslan. The Prince arrived at Istantius on 26 April. The following day, Suleiman was declared unfit for rule of the Solidaritan Sultanate, and he was formally deposed from the throne. Alp Arslan was now acclaimed as Sultan of Solidarita by the Solidaritan Government and Royal Court. On 4 May, Kutalmish was cornered and captured at Dennis. He was brought back to Istantius, being mocked and insulted by the new Sultan. On Alp Arslan's orders, Kutalmish was then executed on 11 May, his remains being cast into the Star of Istantius. Alp Arslan thereafter consolidated his position. Suleiman himself, imprisoned at Michael, lived on until his death on 16 February 1177.

Alp Arslan's campaigns against the Brestord Kingdom have already been described, and his wars with Marcia will be chronicled later. It is to his first war with Laurasia that our attention turns. On 17 December 1169, the Solidaritan Sultan, whose fears of Honorius's ambitions had grown with the passage of time, sent a message to the Laurasian Royal Government. In this message, the Sultan declared that Laurasia was pursuing aggressive and "disorderly" policies towards its neighbors. The Sultan then claimed that he represented the party of Peace, and declared that Honorius would only make himself a worthy monarch in the eyes of the Gods if he terminated his injurious conflict with the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Honorius, when he received the message, was sent into a flurry of rage and anger. During the next several days, out of a bout of irrationality, he ordered the torture and interrogation of his secretaries, clerks, and assistants, whom he falsely accused of being in consort with the Solidaritans. Of these 120 persons, 50 died from their injuries and 30 more were dismissed from their positions. On 24 December, Honorius finally responded to the Solidaritan note. In his response, Honorius pointed out that Alp Arslan had engaged in his own wars with the Amelianian kingdoms and with the Brestords.

He was thus a hypocrite for saying that Laurasia was pursuing "unreasonable policies" by conducting its war with the Polonian Commonwealth. As such, Honorius declared that he was not bound to listen to Alp Arslan, and refused to end his conflict with Polonia. Alp Arslan, seeing that Honorius would not relent, and seeking a casus belli for the conflict he wished to instigate with Laurasia, ordered his ambassador at the Laurasian court, Hurem Bey, to issue a series of notes to the Laurasian Royal Court. The Huremian Notes of 30 December 1169 declared that the Solidaritan Sultanate was alarmed at Laurasian ambitions. Thus, it was demanded by the Solidaritans that Honorius grant extra-territorial privileges to Solidaritan subjects living in or traveling through his dominions, that he concede Rebecca and Durglais to Solidaritan authority "in good faith", and that he acknowledge Solidaritan dominance in the Industrialized Borderlands. In turn, Alp Arslan was willing to "ignore" the Laurasian pursuits against Polonia. Honorius was insulted by the notes, and on 31 December 1169, accused the Solidaritan Ambassador of deliberately provoking war through his extreme demands.

The following day, 1 January 1170, the Solidaritan Sultan severed diplomatic relations with the Laurasian Government; banished the Laurasian ambassador, Constantine Pophygrius (1008-73), from his court on Istantius; and recalled Hurem Bey to Solidaritan dominions. Honorius, when he received word of these actions, hastily revised his New Year's proclamation, released in the late hours of that day. In the proclamation, the King of Laurasia informed his subjects that the Laurasian State was not willing to tolerate Solidaritan threats or ambitions. Five days later, it was Alp Arslan who issued a declaration of war against Laurasia. Solidaritan units, commanded by Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmet, launched offensives against the Laurasian bases, worlds, and strongholds of the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route. The Grand Vizier destroyed the Laurasian defenses of Durglais (6-9 January 1170); besieged and conquered Chancia (10-15 January); and harried Nezbit (17-19 January), before severing Laurasian access to Katherine, Elizabeth, and Rebecca (20-25 January). On 26 January, he inflicted a severe defeat on a Laurasian task force in the Battle of Martina Mccasia, and two days later penetrated all the way to the Metallasian Trade Corridor, inflicting severe damage on Laurasian positions in the region. Vladislaus of Polonia, hearing of the Solidaritan offensives against Laurasia, launched his own assaults into Ivorian territory from 29 January. By 6 February, Alton, Montel, Dasinae, Ergeme, Redderson, and Louza had all been recaptured by the Polonian units. Reginik-General Skurata, however, blunted further Polonian offensives and maintained the Laurasian position at Theresa, Horacia, Donald, and Zutagia (February-March 1170).

During those same months, Sokollu Mehmet conquered Rebecca, harried Laurasian positions at Reese, and raided Scout, Gordasis, and Courdina V, posing a threat to the defenses of the Laurasian Purse Worlds. Honorius, realizing that Skurata was busy with the Polonian offensives, and that he himself would not be able to command effectively the units against the Solidaritans, issued orders on 28 March, ordering that Parlae be released from prison, restored to his position as General, and formally pardoned. Parlae regained his title of Prince of Ivoria on 5 April and was commanded to organize Laurasian units for offensives against the Solidaritan invaders. The General acted swiftly, inspiring his troops and cleverly organizing military equipment, formations, and tactics, so as to face the Grand Vizier. On 9 April, he launched a surprise offensive against the units of the Solidaritan Grand Vizier at Constantine I and Forrest, forcing the Grand Vizier's advance squadrons to retreat. He then cleared all Solidaritan units from the Constantine Star Cluster (10-15 April 1170); secured Jenny and Kelby from further Solidaritan offensives (17 April); and reconquered Scout (19 April), before repelling a Solidaritan offensive against Andriana (20-25 April). Skurata, in the meantime, reconquered Louza (17-22 April) and defeated the Polonian fleet in the Battle of Jahraes (24-29 April), before reconquering Dasinae (30 April); Ergeme (1 May); Redderson (2-4 May); Alton (5 May); and Montel (9-15 May). By 22 May, Blackria, Nezbit, and Chancia had been recovered by General Parlae, who had also driven Solidaritan raiding fleets from Katie, Arias, Tommy, Capital, and Meaganian. On 27 May, he reconquered Durglais and destroyed the Solidaritan defenses of Dolatis-B, capturing some 900,000 Solidaritan elite guards and construction troops. By 4 June, Sokollu Mehmet had been forced to retreat into Solidaritan dominions. Alp Arslan, enraged at the losses of his forces, dismissed the Grand Vizier on 9 June and had him imprisoned on Rastaborn. On 14 June, he himself launched offensives against Katherine, Elizabeth, and Nezbit which resulted in failure.

On 20 June, the Solidaritan Sultan, seeking to reorganize his military units and improve his military strategies for a future conflict with Laurasia, requested for a armistice. Honorius, who now wished to redirect attention to domestic affairs, agreed to the Sultan's request two days later. On 27 June, the Armistice of Deanna was signed. On 1 July, a diplomatic conference commenced at Ralina Vixius, for the drafting of a peace treaty between the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and the Solidaritan Sultanate. Negotiations dragged out over several days, as the Solidaritan Sultan attempted to insist on some of his earlier economic demands. Eventually however, the compromise Treaty of Ralina Vixius was signed (11 July 1170). By the terms of this treaty, the status quo ante bellum in territorial matters was restored between Laurasia and Solidarita. The Sultan agreed to compensate the Laurasian Royal Government for any damages his troops had inflicted upon Laurasian civilians or property. In turn, the Laurasians released all Solidaritan Elites and construction troops whom they had captured. Diplomatic relations between the two states were restored. Solidaritan and Laurasian merchants, citizens, and starhoppers now gained rights of free passage and tariff-free commerce in the dominions of each state. The Sultan was granted the right to establish Solidaritan economic consulates at Chancia, Katherine, Nezbit, Azov, Gordasis, Courdina V, Scout, and Kelby. The King gained a similar right to establish such consulates at Michael, Deanna, Coen, Wendy, Dennis, Deserlia, and Mantin.

The Treaty of Ralina Vixius was ratified by King Honorius on 13 July, and by the Sultan Alp Arslan two days later. On 17 July, the arrangements of the Treaty took effect. Alp Arslan and his Grand Council now began drafting secret plans for a future conflict with the Laurasians. The Sultan was determined to extract further concessions from Honorius. Honorius, on his part, now turned to the matters of the Polonian War. A stalemate had ensued during June and July 1170, as Skurata's offensives against Frogglesworth, Rawling, Danlych, Galicia Majoria, and Casurnia had ended in failure. Vladislaus, on his part, was unable to launch further offensives into Laurasian-occupied territories. On 22 July, Honorius commanded Skurata to commence truce negotiations with Vladislaus. The King of Polonia, who still needed to fully consolidate the Polonian-Donguarian Union of the previous year, and who desired to build up his military resources, agreed to a truce on 26 July. On 1 August 1170, the Truce of Manguilli was signed, by which peace was to be established between Laurasia and Polonia for a period of three years. Honorius agreed to recognize Vladislaus as King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, while Vladislaus allowed for the establishment of a Laurasian consulate, attached to the Venasian embassy to his court. All prisoners captured by either side were to be realized, and compensation made for damages each had inflicted on the other's property, citizens, and worlds.

With Laurasia having achieved a temporary peace with the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, and a full treaty with the Solidaritan Sultanate (which, however, would not be long-lasting), Honorius turned his attention back to his domestic oppression. Skurata was recalled to Laurasia Prime on 6 August, after the Truce of Manguilli had been ratified by the monarchs of both states. The Reginik-General arrived at the capital world with his entourage on 10 August. Two days later, the King summoned a secret session of the Aristocratic Duma, Royal Council, and Chamber of the REB. Before this assembly, the King declared that traitors still lurked in the State, and that some had assisted the Solidaritans during their recent invasion. Honorius thus declared that only "extensive massacres and oppression" would demonstrate to the Laurasian subjects that they should remain loyal to their master. Skurata was the one who then suggested a world to be targeted: Ralina Vixius, the very same world where the diplomatic conference that had ended the Laurasian-Solidaritan War of 1170 had been held. The Director of the REB declared that factions of men on the world had conspired with the Solidaritan Sultan to bring ruin upon "His Majesty's powerful and prosperous realm."

Furthermore, they held sympathies for Vladislaus and for Joh'ac of Briannia. The Reginik-General even claimed that the inhabitants of Ralina Vixius prayed for the return of the Dasian Yoke. All of this was false, as Ralina Vixius had remained one of the most loyal worlds in the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, even through all of Honorius's earlier oppression. The inhabitants of that world had constantly proclaimed their patriotism and had willingly submitted to taxation, conscription, and exactions geared towards supporting the Ivorian War. Honorius, with his irrationality, believed Skurata. On 14 August, he issued instructions to the Royal Bureaus of Military Coordination, Emergency Affairs, and Regional/Provincial Administration, announcing his attention to "enforce discipline" upon Ralina Vixius. The three bureaus were commanded to prepare the world's authorities for the planned massacres. On 22 August, the Commanding Fleet of Laurasia Prime and the 1st Laurasian Royal Army were assembled, being commanded to prepare themselves for departure to Ralina Vixius. Honorius himself presided over a ceremony at the Celestial Palace on 26 August, with the Pope Cyril blessing his efforts to "maintain order within his dominions". The inhabitants of Ralina Vixius, having been severed from the Holonet, remained ignorant of the King's intentions. They were, in fact, told, that the King intended to reward them for their dedication and patriotism.

On 2 September 1170, the advance regiments of the King's armada reached the Ralina Vixius star system. They immediately imposed a blockade, preventing ships from entering or leaving the system. All trade and contact with the system was suspended, which was declared off-limits to navigators, starhoppers, and commerce lines. Ralina Vixius itself was placed under martial law. Then over the following five days, all of the clergy and Church officials who resided in the Ralina Vixius star system were arrested, interrogated, and then tortured by the commanders of the advance regiments. They were acting on orders from the Pope, who declared that "Almitis had spoken to him" to clear out traitors to "His Earthly Majesty". The Pope himself, of course, was acting on the command of the King, who was determined to purge the religious elements of Ralina Vixius's population first. Nearly 15,000 monks, nuns, priests, pastors, officials, deans, deacons, and other such clergymen were taken into custody and treated thus in a harsh way. Only the Archbishop of Ralina Vixius, Pimen (1105-71), was spared from this treatment, and was instead misled into believing that his clergymen were being instructed in "praiseworthy acts" to celebrate Ralina Vixius's contributions to the war effort. Then on 6 September, King Honorius, attended by Skurata, the members of the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma, the Royal Court, and his son, Grand Prince Honorius, departed from Laurasia Prime to Ralina Vixius. They arrived in the outskirts of that star system during the late hours of that day. The King and his entourage established their headquarters on Paxiana Vixius, the last world of that star system. Honorius issued further instructions to Skurata and his expeditionary force, finalizing what was to be done during the massacre.

The following day, the King proceeded to Ralina Vixius, being met near the world's Orbital Defense Platforms by Archbishop Pimen and by the Viceroy of Ralina Vixius, Galerius Manthanius (1107-70). This was according to long-honored Laurasian custom. The Archbishop then attempted to bless the King and his entourage, according to tradition, but Honorius refused. The King accused the Archbishop, the Viceroy, and all of Ralina Vixius of treason, conspiracy, heresy, corruption, and "assault and battery upon the form of my Kingdom". The King then said that Ralina Vixius was engaged in conspiracy with the Solidaritans, that it harbored sympathies for the "evil and perverse Polonian King, Vladislaus", and that the inhabitants of the star system wished for the Laurasian Dominions to be subjected to the Dasian Yoke. He said that "ye seek my ruin: all ye want is the likes of Ahmed, Tokhtamysh, of Mamai, of Batya, of Devlet Giray, of Sargon the Conqueror, of those who have harmed us in the past and dominated us." The King then pushed the Archbishop away and commanded him to conduct him immediately to the Great Cathedral of Ralina Vixius. There, he demanded and received communion from the Archbishop, who was forced to preside as his fellow clergymen were arrested, harangued, and humiliated by Skurata and his men.

Confusion and disorder now ensued on Ralina Vixius, as the planetary inhabitants began to realize that Honorius was not there to reward them. Afterwards, the King forced the Archbishop to have dinner with him and the Royal Court. He soon received reports of the confusion that reigned in the cities and settlements of Ralina Vixius. The King thereafter commanded for the Archbishop's arrest and gave orders that the Great Cathedral, Archbishoprical Treasury, and the Archbishop's palace be intruded, plundered, and then destroyed. Pimen was then arrested and taken into custody, being paraded in the streets, spat upon, and denounced as a consort of the anti-Almitis. The prelate was terrified for his life. During all this time, the Great Cathedral's treasures were ransacked and born off, while the edifice itself was knocked down by demolition robots. Similar treatment was delivered to the Treasury and the Palace. Nearly 50,000 staff, servants, and subordinate clergymen of the Archbishop were arrested, humiliated, and publicly tortured. Afterwards, Pimen was then taken to the Garrison of Ralina Vixius, being held there as a prisoner while the King and his forces proceeded to devastate the star system.

All clergymen, who were already in the custody of the King's regiments, were publicly humiliated and forced to declare that they were agents of the anti-Almitis. The King then commanded Pope Cyril to excommunicate them from the Almitian Church and dismiss them from their positions, which he did so. Following this, Honorius turned his rage upon Ralina Vixius's population. On 8 September, the King ordered for the arrest and interrogation of all of the merchants, officials, and social figures in the Ralina Vixius star system, along with their families. Skurata and his men tortured some 500,000 prominent persons, employing a variety of barbaric devices to extract information from them. They were forced to confess that they had engaged in conspiracies with the Solidaritan Sultan, the King of Briannia, and the King-Emperor of Polonia, and that their hearts were bent upon destroying the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Many had their eyeballs gouged out, their thumbs burned, and their hair incinerated. The women were treated brutally and made over as concubines of the King's Royal Household. Skurata and his Agents indulged themselves with these women before passing them on to the Household.

The King personally supervised the torture of the Viceroy and Sub-Viceroy of Ralina Vixius, the secretaries of government administration, and the notaries of Ralina Vixius. Then over the next several days, the King's officers and Reginiks ranged throughout the residential districts of Ralina Vixius. They ransacked houses, townhouses, and apartments; carried off goods and confiscated them for the King's use; and drove men, women, and children of all ages and ranks out into the streets. On 11 September, 1.2 million women between the ages of 18 and 45, along with their children and their husbands, were gathered at the Banks of Worthor, one of the major sights on Ralina Vixius. By the command of the King, they were bound, stunned with blasters, and then pushed off the Banks into the Worthrian Streams. The streams were patrolled by Laurasian soldiers and Reginiks in hovercraft, who killed anyone who tried to swim to safety or managed to lift themselves from the water.

Two days later, the leading merchants and officials, who had already been tortured and interrogated, were condemned to death, hustled onto transports, and hurled into Ralina Vixius's star, being incinerated alive. Then on 14 September, the 200 leading gentry of Ralina Vixius, their wives and children, and their servants (a total of 2.3 million persons), were brought before the Chamber of the REB and the Court of the Royal Household, being accused of bearing "ill-will" towards the King's Government and his officials. Not one of the persons accused had committed any offense, but they were nevertheless convicted on all counts. On 17 September, these persons were executed by the King personally, who declared that he was doing the "work of Almitis" through his deeds. Honorius thereafter directed his fury against the middle and lower class inhabitants of Ralina Vixius. His soldiers were commanded to ransack and destroy all businesses, shops, and public buildings; to kill all who breathed and to demolish their residences; and to ravage the commercial, financial, and agricultural districts of Ralina Vixius, to dislocate the world's economy. Some 13 billion persons perished in these oppressions, which continued for the remainder of September and into October 1170. This was out of a population of 20 billion. Those who managed to survive were tortured, interrogated, humiliated, and either fined or imprisoned for periods of time. The King and his force remained in the Ralina Vixius star system until 12 October. Then, Honorius finally decided to depart, determining that he had communicated a gruesome example to his subjects.

Ralina Vixius was left utterly desolate, having lost most of its population and having suffered severe economic damage. The star system, once one of the most prosperous and populous star systems in the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, had now reached new lows. It was to never recover from Honorius the Terrible's massacres of 1170. In fact, during the next thirty years, its population decreased further to a pitiful 700 million. Even in the late eighteenth century, the world and its satellites had only a total population of about 1.7 billion, this during the time of the great Laurasian Empire. Viscount Monompahalaus and other Laurasian historians consider the Massacre of Ralina Vixius to be the single worst atrocity ever committed in Laurasian history, exceeding in scale and extent even the invasions of Devlet Giray and Batya or the suppression of Tokhtamysh. Following their departure from Ralina Vixius, the King, Skurata, and his force proceeded slowly back to Laurasia Prime. Charasia, Americana, Oxia Vixius, Augis V, Caladaria, Darcia, and Constantine I were visited by the King, who conducted mini-massacres. Some 3 billion further persons were arrested, tortured, and either imprisoned or executed through these ventures. Skurata himself humiliated the Archbishops of Caladaria and Darcia, forcing both of them into a degrading ceremony of homage before the King and his court.

Finally, on 1 November, Honorius and the Royal Court arrived back at Laurasia Prime. Once back at the capital world, Honorius engaged in further oppressions. On 6 November, he ordered for the arrest of Prince Alexander Ramaskavius; his son, the Royal Treasurer Lord Nicephorus Ramaskavius; Lord Vespasian Visethanky, Keeper of the King's Items; Sergonius Yeklavnius; Vethanius Samakius, His Majesty's Second Secretary; Prince Athanasius Vizkaemis; and the Count of Katie, Artabanus of Clusoes. On 11 November, these nobles and gentlemen were brought before a session of the Chamber of the REB, the Court of the Royal Household, the Court of the Star Chamber, and the Aristocratic Duma, being accused of "treason, conspiracy, corruption, heresy, gluttony, indolence, manslaughter, homicide of the royal name, and attempted treason." All, especially Prince Ramaskavius and Sir Samakius, pleaded vigorously for their lives, pointing out that they had loyally served His Majesty, that they despised His Majesty's enemies, and that they only wanted what was best for Laurasia and her interests. The verdict was inevitable, however, in such a autocratic state. On 14 November, they were convicted on all counts and condemned as miscreants and state criminals. The King thereafter deprived them of their titles and estates; dismissed them from their positions; and banished them from the Royal Court, declaring them to have harbored evil intentions towards him all along.

On 16 November, he applied specific punishments to each of the condemned. Prince Ramaskavius, Lord Ramaskavius, Lord Visethanky, and Prince Vizkaemis were judged the "most vigorous" of His Majesty's disloyal servants, and were condemned to execution. Yeklavnius and Samakius were both exiled to Gordasis, while Clusoes was condemned to life imprisonment with penal labor. The two Ramaskaviuses, Visethanky, and Vizkaemis were executed by Skurata and his agents on 21 November. Yeklavnius and Samakius arrived at Gordasis on 25 November. Yeklavnius remained there until the death of Honorius the Terrible in 1184, when he was pardoned and released from exile by Eurymaschus Gadavarnius. He was then restored to his estates and titles, was created Prince of Gordasis in 1187, and became a respected Laurasian statesmen and official. He died on 25 January 1199 at the Diplomatic Palace on Laurasia Prime. Samakius, on the other hand, was condemned to death by the King on 22 December 1175, being executed five days later. Clusoes, who was imprisoned at the Penal Economic Facility of Conservan, eventually died from overwork and abuse at the hands of his guards on 17 January 1182.

By November 1170, the Kingdom of Briannia and the Neo-Venasian Consortium had dealt severe blows upon the resources and forces of the other. By this point, both states were suffering the exertions of war, social dissent, civil turmoil, and economic issues. Queen Mother Femania had for a long time been unwilling to come to any peace agreement with the Briannians, as she knew that E'rac (and then Joh'ac, after E'rac's deposition from the Briannian throne) as willing to continue the conflict if he was forced to secede any of his Schauerian dominions. This would only place more burdens upon Venasian resources. Joh'ac of Briannia, on his part, was now beginning to realize the advantages of securing peace with and the neutrality of the Neo-Venasian Consortium, as he wished to pursue his brother's and his father's ambitions of taking more territory and gaining more power at the expense of the Laurasians. As such, he was willing to finally sign a peace treaty with the Venasian Government by the second half of 1170. On 12 November, acting upon the King's commands, General Velur sent a message to Venasian Generaless Joriana, who had established her command headquarters on Calpurnia.

In this message, Velur declared that the war had harmed the interests of both sides and that the Gods of the Universe demanded for its end. As such, he was willing to commence armistice negotiations with the Venasian forces. Joriana, who was at first supiscious of his motives, relayed the message to the Queen Mother and her High Council of Exalted Ones, who then discussed the message and its implications for several days. Finally, on 19 November, the Queen Mother granted her approval to Joriana to agree to a truce, in the name of the Venasian Government. Velur and Joriana then halted hostilities and met at Selena on 22 November, this conference being meditated by Laurasian envoys. Two days later, the Armistice of Selena was signed, suspending all military hostilities and campaigns until a final Treaty of Peace had been concluded. Joriana's expeditions thereafter ceased their raids towards Shiloh, Schaueria Prime, and the stations of the Nexus Route, while Velur put aside plans for a renewed offensive against Alfac and Podrac.

On 1 December, Venasian and Briannian diplomats met at Ipsus V, this conference being again meditated by Laurasian envoys. Honorius the Terrible had offered to meditate between the two sides, hoping that it would enhance his prestige and that Joh'ac would not be inclined to wage war against Laurasia. He was to be proven mistaken, however. The Venasian delegation was led by Sopamania Agurilla (1120-94), the Venasian Grand Duchess of Phyllis, while the Briannian delegation was led by Count Gustavus Adolus of Voreborg (1132-1203). In order to mollify both Venasian and Briannian sensibilities, the Laurasian ambassador to Venasia, Publius Scripo (1117-90), arranged matters so that neither the Briannians nor the Venasians would be insulted in terms of diplomatic precedence. With the help of Scripo, discussions proceeded during the next several days. Agurilla originally demanded that Briannia compensate Venasia for military mobilization efforts and that it temporarily surrender Alvurg, Rusum, and Lythia into Venasian custody, "as a guarantee of its good intentions." Adolus however, refused, and it seemed that efforts at a peace would collapse. Scripo managed to arrange a compromise, offering to compensate both parties out of Laurasian revenues and to grant the Venasians temporary rights of garrison at Ipsus V, Bolgrahay, and the Venasian Triangle, in order to monitor Briannian actions. This was accepted by Agurilla and Adolus. Then on 13 December 1170, the Treaty of Ipsus V was signed by Scripo, Agurilla, and Adolus, terminating the Eastern Seven Year's War.

The Treaty returned all territories conquered by Venasian arms back to the Kingdom of Briannia, but stipulated that the King of Briannia allow the Venasian Queen Mother to keep the goods, equipment, and technology her units had seized in the campaigns. Diplomatic relations between the two states were to be restored on a equal basis, and the rights of the Venasian Ambassador at the Briannian Court, to be represented as fairly as any male delegate, were accepted by the Briannian Government. Briannia and Venasia were both to be compensated by Laurasia for their military expenditures, while Venasian forces gained the right to temporarily use Ipsus V, Bolgrahay, and the Venasian Triangle as surveillance bases, for a period of ten years. Briannia, in turn, was granted the right to send diplomatic units to patrol Alfac, Podrac, and Agac for a period of ten years. Both Femania and Joh'ac renounced any further claims on each other's territory, and each recognized the other as a equal monarch in terms of diplomatic precedence. Finally, all prisoners captured by either side were to be released back to their respective side, while Joriana and Velur both issued apologies to any who had been affected by their raids or ambushes. The Treaty of Ipsus V was ratified by Femania of Venasia on 16 December, by Joh'ac of Briannia on 20 December, and by Honorius II of Laurasia (as mediator and compensator) on 23 December.

====Death of Videmir and Accession of Theodemir; Euric's War with the Huntite Khanate; Intrigues of Khan Bergh and his Challenge to Ricimer; Deposition and Death of Bergh; Triumph of Ricimer; Esen installed as Khan; Illness and Death of Ricimer; Gundobad's position in the Huntite Khanate; Theodemund's successful War with Ashlgothia; Death of Altan and Ascension of Biligtu; Khulug Nepalang becomes Huntite Khan with Homidinian support; Gundobad returns to Alexandrian Dominions; Rise of Orestes and Odoacer; Death of Theodemir, with Theodoric Amal and Theodoric I becoming co-Kings of the Halegothicans; Deposition of Khulug Nepalang as Huntite Khan; Civil War in the Homidinian Khanate; Biligtu deposed as Khan; Intrigues within the Homidinian Court; The Regency of Orestes and Genghis Timur, last Huntite Khan; Odoacer Revolts against Orestes; The Execution of Orestes; Abdication of Genghis Timur; The End of the Huntite Khanate; The End of the Bek Aslanite War in the Homidinian Khanate; Odoacer is recognized as King of Rudorita; Iliness and Death of Genseric; The Funeral of Genseric; Death of Theodemund; Euric regains losses to Jarjanics; Halegothican War with the Homidinian Khanate; Revolt of Tinibeg and its Suppression; Revolt of Orda; Civil War between Gundobad and his brothers; Assassination of Khulug Nepalang; End of the Khanate of Iego; Among other events (1170-1180)==== Having provided extensive detail about the events taking place within the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, the Solidaritan Sultanate, the Kingdom of Briannia, the Neo-Venasian Consortium, and the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth to the end of 1170, we must now turn our attention back to the events transpiring within the Outer Galactic Powers (the Huntite and Homidinian Khanates, Halegothica, Armania, Kuevia, Ashlgothia, the Jarjanic Dominions, the Devianiani Confederacy, and the Alexandrians). As already noted, Theodemund of the Jarjanics had paid homage to King Euric of Ashlgothia on the first day of 1170. He was determined, however, to continue with the plans of his brother: to overthrow Ashlgothian overlordship over his kingdom and to further expand its territories at the expense of the weakening Huntite Khanate. Indeed, as the Caladarian Galaxy entered the 1170s, the Dasian Khanates were on very loose foundations. The Crimeanian Khanate had weakened further during the decade, as it had lost its war with Ashlgothia and as it was bogged down in constant skirmishes with both Venasia and Kuevia. The Homidinian Khanate, which had been drained financially because of the failed expedition against Genseric, was having more difficulty in maintaining a peaceful state of affairs with the Halegothicans and Armanes, who were growing more restless. The Huntite Khanate itself, under the dominance of Ricimer, had seriously deteriorated internally, as the Supreme Commander had done much to reverse Dayan's reforms. Indeed, this particular Khanate, the largest of the three remaining Dasian Khanates, had just six years to live. Kuevia under Genseric was at its most powerful. Genseric, by now the most venerable of the barbarian monarchs, was acknowledged as one of the greatest of the barbarians who had expanded at Dasian expense. With the Galaxy being in such a atmosphere, Theodemund proceeded with his plans. He constructed new shipyards at Jarman, Plath, Novina, Skold, James, Samantha, Strongstine, Riley, and Abshire (January-February 1170), which furnished new battleships, destroyers, dreadnoughts, and starfighters for his naval armadas. He also organized new military formations and issued new command instructions to his officers, to prepare for a future conflict with Ashlgothia. For all of 1170, however, the King of the Jarjanics maintained the guise of loyalty towards Euric, and even dispatched a embassy to his overlord in March 1170,to express his sympathies for the continuing strength and stability of the Ashlgothian Government.

On 1 April 1170, King Videmir of the Halegothicans died. He was now succeeded to the Halegothican throne by his brother-in-law, the Halegothican Prince Theodemir. Theodemir was the father of Prince Theodoric, who had, as previously mentioned, been raised as a diplomatic hostage at the court of the Homidinian Khan Yulan. Theodoric himself was to become one of the most important of the barbarian monarchs, and in the late twelfth century, his actions would bring the Halegothican Kingdom to its greatest heights, as it briefly became the most powerful barbarian monarchy. For the time being, however, the Halegothicans remained allies and associates of the Homidinian Khanate. Theodemir was in fact, congratulated by Khan Altan on his accession to the throne, who also expressed his condolences for the death of Videmir. Similar messages arrived from Gunderit of the Armanes, Ricimer and Khan Bergh of the Huntite Khanate, Genseric of Kuevia, and Euric of Ashlgothia. On 6 April, Videmir was buried on Coronadia, which had become the Halegothican capital, and five days later, Theodemir was formally crowned as King of the Halegothicans, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers. He then set about consolidating his position, reorganizing government administration, and reviewing the strategies of his military units. Within the Barsar Regions, in the meantime, a new conflict now emerged. Euric of Ashlgothia, who had inherited his brothers' and his father's ambitions, now believed that the time was ripe to launch offensives into Huntite territory, especially as that Khanate had been seriously weakened by the fiasco of the anti-Kuevian expedition. On 17 April, Ashlgothian units were assembled at Armenia Major, Beverly Hereidu, Brooke One, and Emily Deuistania, as the King of Ashlgothia commanded his military commanders to prepare for war. Five days later, Euric sent a diplomatic note to the court of Hunt Major. In this note, the King of Ashlgothia declared that the changing "state of affairs within this Galaxy" called for territorial revisions, and that such territorial revisions would accurately represent the positions and influence of the various states.

Thus, he "proposed" that Dorothea, Leseur, Lange, the Orion Cluster, Christopher, Nanking, Narra, Rolle, and Bookman be conceded to Ashlgothian authority; that the Huntite Khanate restore the right of free passage for Ashlgothian officials and tourists through its dominions; and that Ricimer increase the annual payments to Ashlgothia, so as to maintain peace "forever after." Ricimer, when he received these demands, was surprised. Determined not to undermine Huntite prestige any further, and hoping to hold onto Huntite territory, the Huntite Supreme Commander rejected the demands on 28 April 1170, declaring his intention to uphold the "integrity of the Huntite dominions." He subsequently left Hunt Major on 2 May and traveled to Narra, intent on taking command of the units which were being hastily assembled to counter the potential Ashlgothian threat. On 6 May, Euric issued a formal declaration of war against the Huntite Khanate and hurled his units into Huntite space. He besieged and conquered Rolle (7-10 May 1170); destroyed a Melorkian-Kimanian task force dispatched by Ricimer at Linden (12 May); and conquered Dorothea (14-19 May), before harrying Huntite bases on Lemay, Tucker, and Cubria (20-29 May 1170). On 1 June, Ricimer launched a counteroffensive against Lunden, Ward, and Derby, in the vicinity of Rolle, but this was ultimately repelled by Euric seven days later. On 11 June, Euric breached the defenses of Lange and conquered the world. Leseur (12 June); Orion Major (13-14 June); and Narra (15-22 June) fell to the Ashlgothian forces. Ricimer was forced to retreat to Christopher, although he managed to secure Nanking from Ashlgothian units (24-29 June 1170). Then on 2 July, Khan Bergh, who had fallen under the influence of the ambitious Dasian chamberlain Utugai, revoked all promises he had made to Ricimer and formally dismissed him as Supreme Commander and Guardian. Ricimer, who was faced by this sudden threat to his position, now left for Jasonia on 6 July, determined to reassert himself.

The Khan, however, sent his fleet to intercept Ricimer's armada, and a confrontation ensued at Horne (7-11 July 1170), which resulted in Ricimer's defeat. Ricimer was forced to flee to Kimania. He maintained the loyalty of the garrisons in that region, however, and refused to campaign against Euric. Bergh, on his part, now attempted to deal with the King of Ashlgothia, being encouraged by Utugai, who had been appointed Supreme Commander on 13 July. On 15 July, Utugai and the Khan advanced towards Narra and Christopher, the latter of which had been secured by Euric on 9 July. Although they reconquered Christopher (16-20 July 1170), their offensive against Narra ended in failure (22-25 July). On 27 July, Breha was besieged and conquered by Euric, who then ravaged Bookman, Horne, Cox, Banks, Filorean, Millard, and Constipex, penetrating even to the outskirts of Kimanis Mooria. In August 1170, his offensives against the Sk'atha Cluster, Gargonia, Negro, and Samarkand were halted, with great effort, by Utugai. Then on 4 September, Utugai died under mysterious circumstances, being found in his personal chambers. It is not known whether he was murdered, died from natural causes, or committed suicide, as the autopsy results and ship-log reports were lost in the early thirteenth century. With the death of Utugai, the morale of Huntite forces weakened, and on 10 September, Khan Bergh was forced to recall Ricimer.

Ricimer, formally restored to his positions as Supreme Commander and Guardian, arrived at Jasonia on 14 September. He then forced the weak-willed Khan to convene a session of the Huntite Senate. Intimidated by the Supreme Commander, the Senate condemned the Khan for his actions and declared that Ricimer should never again be harmed, as regards to his life and position. It also demanded that peace be made with Ashlgothia. On 19 September, the Truce of Samarkand was signed with the Ashlgothians, and negotiations formally commenced six days later at Chobania, being mediated by King Theodemund of the Jarjanics, still maintaining his guise of loyalty towards the Ashlgothians. Eventually, on 22 October 1170, the Treaty of Samarkand was signed. By the terms of this treaty, Euric acquired Rolle, Dorothea, Lange, Leseur, Christopher, Narra, and the Orion Cluster, thus achieving his earlier objectives. He "graciously" returned Breha, Nanking, Bookman, Horne, Cox, Banks, Filorean, Millard, and Constipex to the Huntite Khanate. The Ashlgothian King obtained rights of free passage for his officials and citizens through Huntite dominions, thus regaining a privilege which had been lost because of the wars with Khan Dayan. Tribute arrangements to the Ashlgothians were now to derive from Huntite, not Crimeanian resources. All prisoners captured by each side were released.

With peace having been restored, Ricimer and the Khan returned to Jasonia on 29 October, humiliated. The Huntite Khanate, just nine years after the death of Khan Dayan, had lost all of his gains against the Ashlgothians and the Jarjanics. The situation was worsened on 2 November 1170, when King Gondioc of the Alexandrians renounced his terms of vassalage with the Huntite Khanate and seized Sharon Alfonsi, Hamacakai Barka, Miller, Pocket, Hannibal, Stewart, and the other worlds of the Durant Cluster with little effort. On 11 November, the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy also declared that it was free from Huntite suzerainty and dismantled all Huntite consulates, garrisons, and diplomatic posts within Devianiani space. Ricimer was unable to respond to these events, as the dominions of the Huntite Khanate were now separated from the Devianiani and Alexandrian Dominions by the intervening territory of the Jarjanics. By December 1170, the Huntite Supreme Commander had become one of the most unpopular figures within the Huntite Khanate, but maintained his authority through a regime of oppression and surveillance. The following year, 1171, was remarkably peaceful for the outer Galactic Powers. This was not the case in the Core Regions however, as Laurasia was now engaged in a second war with Solidarita and with its new conflicts with Briannia. Khan Bergh, in the meantime, was becoming more incensed with Ricimer, and despised the fact that this barbarian was able to dominate a Dasian Khanate. Bergh began to gather his supporters within the Imperial Household, sent out messages to government officials declaring his dissatisfaction with the present state of affairs, and expressed his hopes that he would one day be truly the absolute ruler of the Huntite dominions.

From February 1171, Ricimer received reports of the Khan's intrigues. Seeking to maintain himself, he admonished the Khan publicly on 27 February, declaring that Bergh needed to stop undermining the State and that he, Ricimer, was acting in the best interests of the Khanate. On 5 March, Ricimer, in a strange act, released Orestes, the former secretary of Attila the Brestord, from prison. Orestes had remained a prisoner since he had fled to the Huntite dominions in 1153, having been incarcerated by Bodi Aligh, who had feared that the Halegothican General would attempt to establish a new barbarian state in the northern Outer Borderlands. With the Halegothican Kingdom under the rule of Theodemir, and with the Brestord Kingdom now gone, Ricimer felt that his position could not be threatened by Orestes at this juncture. Orestes was granted various estates; appointed to a position on the Huntite Senate; and then invested as Prince of Sheldonia on 22 March, receiving his seals of nobility from the Khan himself. Orestes remained a loyal subordinate and adviser to Ricimer for the remainder of the Supreme Commander's dominance. In June 1171, Ricimer ordered for the arrest and interrogation of 200 officers of the Imperial Household, accused of treason and conspiracy. They were executed on 5 July. On 7 August 1171, the Supreme Commander secured another declaration from the Huntite Senate, which confirmed his position and supported his efforts to ensure "tranquility within the Huntite State."

By December 1171, however, Khan Bergh had finally consolidated his plans for deposing Ricimer from his position, and he had managed to deceive the Supreme Commander's surveillance agents, assembling secret military units at Downs, Dickinson, Jeanne, Meredith, Upper Morsia, Sheldonia, Gabriella, and Estella. On 12 December, the Khan sent orders to the Governor of Sheldonia, Sublai, declaring that he would soon take action to return governance of the Huntite Khanate to "proper Dasian authorities." Ricimer, who believed that the Imperial Court was firmly under his grip, and that the Khan would not go so far as to incite military action against him, ignored reports about the military units. He soon paid for this decision, as on 1 January 1172, the Khan declared to the Imperial Court that the services of Ricimer as Supreme Commander and Guardian were no longer needed. He subsequently tore up all documents which conferred any privileges upon the Supreme Commander. Ricimer himself, at Hunt Major at the time of the Khan's proclamation, sent a series of messages to Jasonia, commanding the officials of the Imperial Household to arrest the Khan and to maintain his position. The officials, however, who yearned for another Khan along the likes of Dayan, ignored Ricimer.

On 4 January, the Huntite Senate, freed now from the pressure applied upon it by Ricimer, revoked all of its earlier declarations against the Khan and expressed full support for his policies. On 10 January, Homidinian Khan Altan declared that his support was to Bergh and renounced his recognition of Ricimer as Huntite Supreme Commander. He was followed in this decision by Genseric (12 January); Euric of Ashlgothia (14 January); Gondioc of the Alexandrians (16 January); and the Garrison General of Iego and Meredith, Khulug Nepalang (18 January). On 22 January, the Khan launched a offensive against Gargonia, driving Ricimer's units from that world. He subsequently secured Samarkand (23-25 January); the worlds of the Sk'atha Cluster (26 January-2 February); Lorna (4 February); Clathbourne (5 February); and Gedrosia Max (6-11 February). Ricimer however, secured the support of the Jarjanic King Theodemund, who refused to follow Euric in revoking recognition of the Supreme Commander's status. With Theodemund's assistance, Ricimer secured Nanking (12-14 February) and established his command headquarters on Kimania (15 February), before driving away the Khan's fleet from Breha (19-22 February).

By the end of February, Filorean, Millard, and Leo's Redoubt had been firmly secured by the Supreme Commander, who blunted Bergh's offensives in that direction. The Khan, in the meantime, turned his attention to humiliating and executing those of Ricimer's subordinates who were on Jasonia and who had supported their master. On 7 March 1172, the Khan announced that the chamberlain Alusoes and the servants Gundobad, Valamir, and Theouseur (who were Halegothicans or Armanes) had been found guilty of treason. All of these men had been appointed by Ricimer. They were executed on 12 March. On 17 March, Ricimer defeated Bergh's chief fleet in the Battle of Henderson, and advanced to Newman Victoria, Nikki Lowell, and Adamis. By 5 April, these strongholds had also fallen into his possession. Then on 11 April, the Supreme Commander executed a series of brilliant offensives into the Huntite regions. He bypassed Gargonia (11-12 April); isolated Negro (13-19 April); and secured the Sk'atha Cluster (20-22 April) before subduing Leah (24 April); Ber Bachman (25-29 April); Garnett (1 May); Lorna (2 May); and Sheldonia (4-5 May). Khulug Nepalang now denied that Bergh was Khan and accepted Ricimer's renewed authority as Supreme Commander (6 May). On 11 May, Homidinian Khan Altan, who now sought to mediate an end to the conflict, dispatched a embassy to the Huntite Khanate. This embassy was headed by (ironically) Esen, who had entered the service of the Homidinian Khanate in 1168 and had since established a reputation as a loyal and effective government official. Esen was ordered to conduct peaceful negotiations with Ricimer, "so that the Supreme Commander's position may be ratified and he raised back to his position of favor with the Khan." At the same time, however, Altan sent secret messages to Bergh, of whose existence he kept secret from Esen and his embassy. In his messages, Altan declared his continuing support for Bergh's efforts and expressed his hope that Bergh would defeat Ricimer, consolidate the Huntite Khanate under a firm government, and remove a "shameful dependence upon a barbarian General to maintain a State granted to us by our ancestors."

On 16 May, however, Ricimer's agents intercepted a message sent by Khan Bergh in response to Altan's, in which the Khan declared that he was satisfied with Altan's continued hope in his eventual success. Ricimer met Esen and his embassy at Meredith on 20 May, in a ceremony organized by Khulug Nepalang, who had agreed to serve as a intermediary between the Huntite and Homidinian Khanates. At the meeting, Ricimer showed Esen the note from Khan Bergh and declared that Altan was manipulating him for his own purposes. The Supreme Commander then stated that he had the ability to elevate Esen to "a more honorable position", and that only the maintenance of him in his position of authority would insure the continued existence of the Huntite Khanate. Esen, who had desires of becoming Huntite Khan, succumbed and declared his support for Ricimer's efforts. On 22 May, he formally defected to the forces of the Huntite Supreme Commander. Ricimer, on his part, announced his intention to formally depose Bergh from the Huntite throne and to install another (Esen) in his place. Genseric, who had originally promoted Esen for the throne, and who believed that the nobleman would be indebted to him for his earlier efforts, was the first to acknowledge him as Huntite Khan, on 24 May 1172. Five days later, King Gondioc of the Alexandrians also acknowledged Esen as Huntite Khan. He was followed by Remismund of the Jarjanics (1 June); Euric of Ashlgothia, who now believed that Bergh was doomed to failure (2 June); and the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (4 June). On 10 June, Horne was besieged and conquered by Ricimer, who then advanced towards the vicinity of Jasonia. Bergh and his remaining fleets now fortified Jasonia, seeding the surrounding space with disruption fields and monitoring relays. They also constructed elaborate fortifications around the Khan's Palace of Jasonia and organized militia defense units for the world's satellites and moons.

Thus, when Ricimer's armada reached the outskirts of the Jasonian star system on 12 June, they encountered these elaborate defensive measures. As a result of Bergh's efforts, the siege of Jasonia dragged on for the remainder of the month, as Ricimer had to focus his efforts on clearing away the relays, disposing of the minefields, and advancing through the militia units. These measures inflicted severe casualties upon his forces. During this time, the Rudorite General Odoacer, who was to eventually destroy the Huntite Khanate, first emerges as a figure of prominence. Odoacer, who had entered the Huntite Armed Forces as a Rudorite auxiliary in 1161, had gradually risen through the ranks. On 15 January 1170, in recognition of his valiant efforts during the ill-fated anti-Kuevian expedition of Ricimer, Berke, and Altan, the Supreme Commander promoted him to the rank of Brigadier-General and gave him command of the chief Rudorite armed corps. Exactly two years later, he had become one of Ricimer's honorary bodyguards. Odoacer now gained further notice and further accolades through his efforts in the siege of Jasonia, as he vigorously cleared out Bergh's units, directed the removal of many mines, and ruthlessly dealt with any who held sympathy for the Khan. Ricimer thus rewarded Odoacer by promoting him to the rank of Lieutenant-General and granting him the Honor of the Dasian Best, one of the highest military orders in the Huntite Khanate (22 June 1172).

Orestes also served Ricimer loyally during the campaigns against Khan Bergh, and was promoted to the rank of Major-General on 27 June 1172. Then on 10 July 1172, the inner defenses of Jasonia were finally destroyed by Ricimer's fleet, and the military corps of the Supreme Commander landed on Jasonia. Within a day, resistance had ended, as the Khan's units were quickly defeated and either scattered or captured. Bergh himself now attempted to flee from Jasonia. Having left the grounds of the Khan's Palace with the assistance of his personal servants, the Khan disguised himself as a star-traveler and attempted to gain passage on one of the ships, bearing refugees from the fall of Jasonia, which Ricimer had allowed to organize. He was recognized by the security patrol officers however, and during the late hours of 11 July, he was arrested by Ricimer's troops. Brought before the Supreme Commander, Bergh was humiliated and mocked as a traitor to the Huntite State. Ricimer declared that he had moved thus against his master, to ensure his continuing dominance over the Huntite Khanate and to make sure that Huntite affairs were "in proper order."

Afterwards, he commanded his chief of staff, the Alexandrian mercenary General Gundobad, to execute the Khan. Bergh was put to death by blaster fire on 12 July, shouting his hope that the Dasian Ancestors (Genghis Khan, Ogedei Khan, Mongke Khan, Kublai Khan, and Timur the Devastator) would recognize his efforts and accord him a worthy place in paradise. This was before Gundobad silenced him. On 14 July, Ricimer convened a session of the Huntite Senate. The Senate, whose chambers were surrounded by the Supreme Commander's bodyguards and officers, wielding blasters, unanimously selected Esen as the new Khan of the Huntite Khanate. The Senate was also forced to pass a proclamation, by which it reaffirmed Ricimer's positions as Supreme Commander and Guardian; condemned any who had risen up against him or who harbored ill will towards him; granted him the right to nominate his successor; and forbade the Khan from taking any sort of action against him. Ricimer was then honored in a ceremony of homage on 17 July, as all Huntite government officials, military commanders, nobles, and courtiers swore a oath of loyalty to him as the rightful figure of prominence in the Huntite Khanate.

Orestes and Odoacer were both recognized for their valiant efforts, and both were created Princes of the Dasian Line. This rankled with the ethnic Dasian members of the nobility, who remembered that strict rules had once been in place to prevent non-Dasians from ever achieving Dasian noble or hereditary rank. They were powerless to do anything however, as the Khanate was governed mostly by barbarians, with few Dasians holding positions of power within the government. On 24 July, Homidinian Khan Altan, who realized that he was too weak to attempt to impose his own authority over the Huntite Khanate, acknowledged Ricimer's victory in the civil war and accorded diplomatic recognition to Esen as Huntite Khan. He dispatched a new embassy, led by the Dasian diplomat Manlik-Timur, to the court of Jasonia. This embassy arrived at Jasonia on 2 August and was greeted with great ceremony by the Supreme Commander. All of the other Galactic Powers who had not yet accorded recognition did so by 9 August.

By that point, however, Ricimer's health was in severe decline, as the Supreme Commander had exerted himself to the limits, in his efforts to reestablish his dominance of Huntite affairs. On 11 August, Ricimer collapsed during a session of the Huntite Council of Bazaars, and had to be carried from the Council Chambers by medical droids. Placed in the Medical Chambers, the Supreme Commander was administered a series of treatments, but proved non-responsive to all efforts. On 14 August, however, he managed to regain enough of his senses to nominate Gundobad as his successor in the position of Huntite Supreme Commander. Gundobad, who felt himself honored by this, secured formal recognition of his succession to Ricimer from the Khan on 16 August, who had no choice otherwise. Then on 19 August 1172, Ricimer, who had dominated the Huntite Khanate for eleven years, died in the Hospital Quarters of the Khan's Palace of Jasonia. The official cause of his death was given as a brain hemorrhage. The Huntite Khanate now had just four years left to live. On 22 August, Gundobad received the oath of allegiance due to him as Supreme Commander, and was acclaimed as the predominant figure in the Huntite Khanate by the Dasian nobility and government officials. On 24 August, Ricimer's state funeral was conducted, with the deceased Supreme Commander being interred in the Vault of the Dasian Dead, where the bodies of Stilicho and Bodi Aligh also lay. All who were present at the funeral conducted themselves in a very solemn manner. On 1 September, the coronation of Esen as Huntite Khan finally took place. The ceremonies were dominated by Gundobad, who was now appointed Guardian of the Huntite Khanate and who was granted the same legal immunity as had been accorded to Ricimer. Dignitaries from all of the Galactic Powers attended the ceremony. September and October 1172 were relatively peaceful, as Gundobad focused his efforts on establishing his position, purging his opponents within the Imperial Government, and consolidating what Ricimer had accomplished.

By 22 October, however, the health of the Khan had also entered a perilous decline. Esen complained of headaches, backaches, and fatigue, and withdrew more and more from state affairs. On 27 October, the Khan was formally diagnosed with the Angrames malady, which was still a medical mystery to the physicians and med-bots of the time period. His condition was declared hopeless. On 2 November 1172, Esen died in the Hospital Quarters of the Khan's Palace, after a reign of barely four months. Gundobad put on the pretense of being very distressed at the death of the Khan, although in reality, he rejoiced. On 6 November, Esen was buried in the Vault of the Dasian Dead, but the funeral ceremonies for him were not as lavish as those for Ricimer. Gundobad, who was in no hurry to elevate another to the Huntite throne, sent a request to Altan on 12 November, "humbly petitioning" the Homidinian Khan to suggest a successor to Esen. Altan, however, whose efforts were distracted by raising the remaining financial payments due to Genseric, and who had contended with uprisings and revolts on Gwendolyn, Ryan, Calms, Homidinia, Yutzy, Dion, and Kledis Var (April-November 1172), did not respond and neglected to name a nominee.

Thus, for the remainder of 1172, and all the way to March 1173, Gundobad ruled over the Huntite Khanate in his position as Supreme Commander, without a Huntite Khan. A situation similar to that of 1165-67, when Ricimer had governed without a Khan, had been established. Other events took place during this time, however. King Theodemund of the Jarjanics had now completed his preparations for war with Ashlgothia. Believing that he would be able to assert himself, Theodemund sent a message to the court of Ashlgothia on 25 November, declaring that his continuing subjugation to the Ashlgothians was "intolerable" and that the Jarjanic Dominions should be a independent state. Euric at first did not take the messages seriously, and on 1 December, sent a note to Euric, in which he "implored" his vassal to remain subordinate. Theodemund, however, now declared himself a independent monarch (4 December 1172) and rejected Ashlgothian suzerainty. Euric, declaring him a contumacious traitor, issued a declaration of war five days later.

Theodemund, however, had the advantage, as his units were prepared for combat and had been trained brilliantly. He besieged and conquered Dorothea (5-9 December 1172); repelled Ashlgothian offensives against Novina and Riley (10-11 December); and secured Leseur (12-22 December), before harrying Bookman and the outskirts of Christopher (December 1172-January 1173). On 1 January 1173, the King of the Jarjanics even launched a raiding expedition against Beverly Hereidu, capturing many prisoners and inflicting severe damage upon Ashlgothian military positions before retreating. By 4 January, Christopher had been conquered, while Jarjanic units had breached Lange and were approaching Orion I. Euric now attempted a series of counteroffensives, with his units pushing to Messalina, Samantha, Abshire, and the regions west of Breha (10-29 January 1173). These efforts ultimately failed, and on 4 February, Theodemund overran Orion I. On 7 February, Rolle was conquered, followed by Bookman (10 February); Armenia Minor (12-17 February); and Nicholas I (20-25 February). On 26 February, Jarjanic units penetrated to Brooke One, Larkin, and the remains of Cyrus III.

Euric, seeking to rebuild his units, and hoping to regain the advantage in the future, sued for peace on 28 February. On 6 March 1173, the Treaty of Leslie was signed. By the terms of this treaty, Christopher, Rolle, Bookman, the worlds of the Orion Cluster, and Narra were seceded to the Kingdom of the Jarjanics. Theodemund now gained acknowledgment of his status as a independent monarch and his bond of homage towards Euric was severed. In turn, Theodemund agreed to pay the Ashlgothians compensation for military mobilization efforts, returned Armenia Minor and Nicholas I to Ashlgothian authority, and agreed to allow Ashlgothian forces military access through his dominions, for future campaigns against the Huntite Khanate. Theodemund returned to Allen on 10 March and was greeted by his joyous subjects. In the meantime, Gundobad finally took action within the Huntite Khanate to install another puppet Khan upon the Huntite throne. On 13 March, the Supreme Commander sent a message to Khan Altan, declaring that since the Homidinian Khan had neglected to deal with the Huntite succession, Gundobad himself was now taking action, so that the Huntite dominions "may not be cast into complete and utter anarchy."

On 16 March, the Supreme Commander convened a session of the Huntite Senate, which by this point had been reduced to the status of a ceremonial institution and rubber-stamp assembly. Surrounding the Senatorial Chambers with his own personal troops, Gundobad forced the Senate to nominate his candidate, the obscure Dasian Count of Anna Yunia, Ejel, as the new Huntite Khan, which they did so on 17 March. On 19 March, Ejel was formally presented as Huntite Khan before the Huntite Court. He had received diplomatic recognition from all of the other Galactic Powers by 25 April. On 26 April, Ejel confirmed Gundobad's position as Huntite Supreme Commander and accorded him legal immunity. Then on 1 May, Ejel's coronation was held, being presided over by Gundobad and attended by dignitaries from all of the Galactic Powers. Homidinian Khan Altan, although he had recognized Ejel as Huntite Khan, was now formulating plans to install Khulug Nepalang upon the Huntite throne.

In May and June 1173, he exchanged a series of diplomatic communiques and notes with the General of Iego, in which he expressed his hopes that the General would be "raised to a higher position" and that barbarian Supreme Commanders would no longer dominate the Huntite Khanate. This eventually evolved into him directly stating to Khulug Nepalang that he would eventually become Huntite Khan, replacing Ejel. Gundobad, on his part, remained ignorant of Altan's intrigues with the General of Iego. In fact, the Supreme Commander's ambitions were now turning elsewhere. He was the son of the Alexandrian King Gondioc, whose health had been in serious decline during the preceding months. Gondioc had other sons besides Gundobad. These included Chilperic, Godomar, and Godegisel, all of whom had ambitions of their own. He also had a younger brother, Chilperic, who was honest and efficient. The King of the Alexandrians in fact, believed that his brother should succeed him, and that his children should gain further experience through continued military and governmental service.

On 4 July 1173, in a ceremony on Lesia Major, which had become the Alexandrian capital world, Gondioc declared that he would soon be "departing from this Galaxy" and that he wished for his brother to succeed him. This was formally codified in a royal decree, issued five days later, by which Gondioc formally named Chilperic his heir apparent and successor. Chilperic received the succession oath of allegiance from all Alexandrian government officials, military commanders, and subordinates on 17 July. He also received oaths of allegiance from the younger Chilperic, Godomar, and Godegisel, who nevertheless continued to formulate plans of their own in private. Gundobad, who was watching these events with interest, was nevertheless unable to leave Jasonia, because of his administrative duties, and sent a message to Chilperic on 22 July, according recognition to his uncle as King of the Alexandrians. On 2 August, Gondioc entered into a coma, and for a month, he lingered in the hospital quarters of the Royal Palace. Finally, on 4 September 1173, the King of the Alexandrians died, and was succeeded to the throne by his younger brother. Gondioc was formally buried on 11 September.

On 16 September, Chilperic I formally crowned himself as King of the Alexandrians, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers. For the remainder of the year, he governed with few troubles, although Gondioc's sons continued to plot and to amass their military supplies. The focus of events now shifted to the Homidinian Khanate. Khan Altan's health had begun to decline in February 1173, and this gradual decline of his medical condition continued throughout the year. Twice, on 4 April and 17 April 1173, the Khan suffered partial strokes during meetings of his personal Council of Bazaars, and had to be carried out by his medical robots. For some months, his doctors managed to allay his symptoms through a combination of hallucinogenic treatments and artery repair surgeries. These efforts however, could not terminate the Khan's troubles, and in October 1173, he declared to a assembly of the Homidinian aristocracy that he knew that his death was imminent.

Altan now began to look after plans for the succession to the Homidinian throne. He had one daughter, Algae, who had married the half-Armane half-Dasian nobleman and General Biligtu on 29 November 1166. Biligtu had been in the service of the Homidinian Army since 1157, had gained renown during Altan's conflicts with the Halegothicans, and later became a chief commander of the Homidinian forces in the joint expedition with the Huntite Khanate against Kuevia. He and Algae had one son, born on 12 September 1167, who had been named Altan in honor of his grandfather. As of October 1173, however, the younger Grand Prince Altan, his grandfather's heir apparent, was only six years old. His father, who had become Commander of the Mercenary Services of the Homidinian Throne on 12 June 1171, was considered by many as a viable candidate to the Homidinian throne. Altan, however, wished for his grandson's rights to be protected, and as such, was reluctant in naming Biligtu as his heir apparent. Instead, on 20 November 1173, in a ceremony conducted before the magnates of the Homidinian Court and the diplomatic ambassadors from the other Galactic Powers, the Homidinian Khan formally confirmed his grandson as his heir apparent, but mandated that Biligtu and Algae were to serve as co-Regents of the Homidinian Khanate, holding state authority in the name of their son, and in consort with the Council of Bazaars, until the younger Altan was to come of age.

By this, the Khan hoped to thus assuage those who had wished for Biligtu to gain more influence in state matters, while insuring that the younger Altan would eventually be sole Khan in his own right. Biligtu, although he did not agree with Altan's agreements, decided for the time being to accept them. Then on 27 November, it was announced that the Khan's symptoms were the result of terminal paralysis, one of the most feared diseases known in the Caladarian Galaxy at the time. As such, the Khan's condition was declared hopeless and it was stated that he would not live for much longer. Altan's decline thus became more noticeable, and on 4 December, the Khan suffered another partial stroke during a session of the Council of Bazaars. He retired more and more from state duties, appointing Biligtu as his official representative on 10 December. On 14 December, the Khan formally entered the Hospital Chambers as a patient, and began the final stage of his illness. As the paralysis progressed, the Khan first lost speech, then motion, and then his sight.

He was rendered immobile, and by 22 December, had entered a coma. Biligtu and the Council of Bazaars began to make preparations for the Khan's funeral and for the establishment of the looming Regency. On 27 December, the young Grand Prince Altan was presented to the Homidinian Court as their future Khan and received a oath of allegiance from the assembled courtiers, magnates, diplomats, government officials, and military commanders. On 1 January 1174, the Council of Bazaars had the terms of Altan's will read to the public. Declaring that the Khan was near death and was incapable of anything more, the Council then formally proclaimed that Biligtu had assumed the office of Regent, on the basis for the Khan, until his death, when the arrangements for the younger Khan would be enacted. On 6 January, Gundobad, in the name of Khan Ejel, sent his notice of regrets to the Homidinian Court. After another agonizing week of waiting, Altan finally expired at the Palace of Chalassia on 18 January 1174, after a reign of nearly seventeen years.

His death was officially announced by the Homidinian Government in a Holonet message to its subjects, and news of it was dispatched to the courts of the other Galactic Powers. The Council of Bazaars immediately assembled and formally proclaimed the deceased Khan's grandson as the new Khan of the Homidinian Khanate. Biligtu and Algae were formally appointed as co-Regents of the Homidinian Khanate, in the name of their son, and were sworn in later that day. Letters of condolence about the death of Altan arrived from the Huntite Khanate, the Halegothic Kingdom, the Armane Kingdom, the Neo-Xilanian Empire, the Solidaritan Sultanate, the Kingdom of Briannia, the Neo-Venasian Consortium, the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, the Kingdom of Merlita, the Kingdom of Marcia, the Crimeanian Khanate, the Kingdom of Ashlgothia, the Kingdom of the Alexandrians, the Devianiani Confederacy, the Kingdom of the Jarjanics, and even now the Kingdom of Kuevia. Genseric, however, was formulating plans for one last war with the Homidinian Khanate, to demonstrate to Biligtu and Algae that he was still a formidable monarch to be reckoned with.

On 25 January, Altan's funeral was conducted, being attended by dignitaries from all of the Galactic Powers. The coronation of Altan II was conducted five days later. By the beginning of February 1174, however, Biligtu had fully nurtured his plans for assuming the Homidinian throne. In this, he gained the support of his wife, Princess Algae, besides also securing the loyalty of various court officials and military officers. The Regent knew, however, that he would not be able to gain sole possession of the Homidinian throne, as his son was considered the rightful Khan. Thus, he decided to aim towards becoming co-Khan. On 9 February 1174, a session of the Council of Bazaars declared that in order for the Homidinian Khanate to have effective governance, and in order for Altan II to gain "wise guidance and advise in state affairs", it was necessary that he have a co-Khan. Biligtu was then unanimously selected as co-Khan of the Homidinian Khanate by the Council of Bazaars. The following day, government officials, military commanders, the leading Homidinian nobles and magnates, courtiers, and diplomats swore allegiance to Biligtu as co-Khan of the Homidinian Khanate with senior status. A second coronation, this time for Biligtu, was conducted on 16 February. Biligtu, who now shared the Homidinian throne with his son, and who held effectual control of Homidinian affairs, turned his attention to installing his subordinates in leading government positions; to reorganizing the Imperial Court; and supervising the affairs of the Homidinian administration. It was at this juncture that Genseric acted on his plans. On 24 February, the elderly Kuevian King dispatched a diplomatic message to the court of the Khan on Chalassia, declaring that the Homidinian Khanate had defaulted in its payments to the Kuevian Kingdom and that it was not faithful towards the Kuevian Government.

In reality, however, the Homidinian Khanate had paid its share of the 1169 tribute to the Kuevian Kingdom on schedule, and had been absolved by Genseric, on 29 December 1173, of making any tribute payments thereafter. All of this was pointed out by Biligtu in his response to Genseric's messages, which was issued on 27 February. The Homidinian Khan then accused the Kuevian King of being a warmonger and a barbarian. Genseric, declaring these terms to be a insult to his honor, issued a declaration of war against the Homidinian Khanate on 4 March 1174. He quickly besieged and conquered Alyssa (4-7 March); Kledis Var (8-12 March); Nickiss (13-19 March); Gwendolyn (20-25 March); Ryan (26 March); Christiane (27 March); Englestrom (28-29 March); Brlla (1 April); Dion (2-3 April); Yutzy (5 April); Ian (6 April); and Markis Prime (7-12 April). The Kuevian troops devastated hundreds of star systems, slaughtering or enslaving many millions of sentients. Genseric was ruthless, inflicting severe damage upon Homidinian factories and military positions. By 14 April, however, the Homidinian units had been mustered by Biligtu and deployed to their positions around the Lacian Cluster. Genseric's offensives against Sonny, Dromund, Shaelynn, Karia, Lacia, and the Styrian Caldera failed (April-May 1174). Genseric had achieved his objectives however, and on 20 May, he sent a request for a armistice to the court of Chalassia. Biligtu, who wanted to restore the resources of the Homidinian Khanate, and whose attention was now turning to other matters, decided to accept the King's request on 22 May.

The Armistice of Sharran was signed on 26 May. Negotiations commenced on Homidinia two days later. The King of the Kuevians demanded that the Homidinian Khanate resume payment of the annual tribute, that the Kuevians be allowed to keep all slaves and plunder taken in the campaigns, and that Kuevian subjects be granted rights of free passage, free trade, and civil immunity in Homidinian dominions. In fulfillment of these demands, Genseric declared that he would be willing to return all worlds conquered by his forces back to the authority of the Homidinian Khanate. Biligtu, although he did not wish to resume the payment of tribute to the Kuevian Kingdom, decided that the return of conquered territories was partial compensation for this. On 2 June 1174, the Treaty of Homidinia was signed. By the terms of this Treaty, Genseric returned all territories conquered in his campaigns back to the authority of the Homidinian Khanate. In a secret provision of the Treaty, he also agreed to provide diplomatic support for Biligtu's plans to depose Ejel and Gundobad from their positions in the Huntite Khanate. In turn, Biligtu agreed to resume the payment of a annual tribute of $14 trillion Dasian marks to the treasury of Kuevia, allowed Genseric to keep all slaves and plunder captured in his campaigns, and granted extra-territorial privileges to Kuevian subjects living in, traveling through, or visiting the Homidinian Khanate. The Treaty of Homidinia was ratified by Biligtu on 4 June and by Genseric on 7 June. By 17 June, all Kuevian troops and garrisons had withdrawn from Homidinian territory.

Biligtu now turned his attention to matters within the Huntite Khanate. The Homidinian Khan believed that Gundobad's continuing dominance of the Huntite Khanate was disgraceful, and that the Huntite dominions needed to be returned to the governance of a proper Dasian Khan. He considered Ejel to be a puppet, and as such, had no interest in granting him full authority as Huntite Khan. The Homidinian Khan instead turned to Khulug Nepalang, who had proved himself a relatively able and fair ruler. He had governed Iego, Meredith, Jeanne, and Dickinson with moderation and relative restraint ever since succeeding Berke. Biligtu thus believed that Khulug Nepalang was a perfect candidate for the Huntite throne. On 11 June, the Homidinian Khan dispatched a secret diplomatic message to Khulug Nepalang. In this message, he declared that "the interests of the Huntite Khanate are for her to have a native Dasian Khan, not subject to the dominance of a barbarian Supreme Commander." As such, he announced that he was willing to recognize Khulug Nepalang as Huntite Khan and to provide him support in deposing Ejel from the Huntite throne. Khulug Nepalang responded to this message in a positive fashion, and on 14 June, stated that he wished for nothing more "than the prosperity and unity of the Huntite dominions."

On 17 June, the Homidinian consul on Iego, Jorgitu, held a secret conference with Khulug Nepalang over the Huntite Question. After two days of discussions, the secret Treaty of Iego was signed on 19 June 1174. Ratified by the co-Khans two days later, the Treaty of Iego formally recognized Khulug Nepalang as Khan of the Huntite Khanate, declared its support for his measures against Ejel and Gundobad, and agreed to provide the Garrison General with a corps of Homidinian troops for use in his campaigns. In turn, Khulug Nepalang agreed to maintain friendly relations with the Homidinian Khanate. On 24 June, Biligtu opened negotiations with Euric of Ashlgothia. He communicated to the King of Ashlgothia his hatred of Gundobad and Ejel, his recent treaty with Khulug Nepalang, and his goal to maintain a proper state of affairs in the Outer Borderlands. As such, he was willing to allow Euric to annex Breha, Kimania, Kimanis Mooria, Leo's Redoubt, Filorean, Millard, Constipex, Newman Victoria, and Nikki Lowell.

Euric, who hoped to increase the power of Ashlgothia, and who was drafting plans for a war of revenge against the Jarjanic Kingdom, communicated his agreement to the Khan's proposals on 26 June. This was formally codified in the secret Treaty of Greg, signed on 1 July. Euric undertook to launch offensives into Huntite territory, in order to distract Gundobad. At the same time, Khulug Nepalang would invade the Huntite regions and seize the throne. Final preparations had been made by 6 July. On 10 July, Euric issued a diplomatic note to the Court of Jasonia, declaring his intention to "ensure that Ashlgothian and Huntite territories were adjusted in a proper manner" and stating that Ejel, Gundobad, and their officers were "threatening the tranquility of the Galaxy." On 12 July, Gundobad attempted to pacify Euric by offering to provide him support in renewed campaigns against the Jarjanic Dominions, but Euric rejected this offer. On 17 July 1174, the Kingdom of Ashlgothia declared war against the Huntite Khanate. Assured military access through Jarjanic dominions as a result of the Treaty of Leslie, Ashlgohian units besieged and conquered Breha (18-22 July); destroyed a Huntite defense armada in the Battle of Sulia (24-29 July); and overran the defenses of Ledy (30 July-4 August), before conquering Kimanis Mooria (5-10 August). He then secured the military bases of Khorasan (11-12 August) and Moray (14-19 August). Gundobad, hoping to halt the Ashlgothian offensives, departed from Jasonia on 21 August. Arriving at Kimania on 22 August, he managed to repel Ashlgothian offensives against Leo's Redoubt, Cox, and Banks (24-29 August 1174). On 1 September, however, Khulug Nepalang, having amassed his units at Dickinson and Jeanne, declared himself to be in a state of rebellion against the Huntite Khanate and swiftly moved to the south. He quickly subdued Prestley (2-4 September); Natadzha (5 September); Leah (6 September); Lorna (7-11 September); Garnett (12-15 September); Gabriella (16 September); Ber Bachman (17-22 September); and Clathbourne (24 September). Hunt Minor was then conquered (25-30 September), followed by Hunt Major on 1 October.

Ejel, who had few units of his own, now sent desperate petitions to the Homidinian Khanate, unaware that Biligtu had condoned the invasion. Biligtu refused to respond to these petitions. Gundobad, on his part, was unable to send units north, as he was busy engaging the Ashlgothians along the lower Kimanian Trade Run. By 6 October, Samarkand and the Sk'atha Cluster had been secured by Khulug Nepalang. Then on 11 October, the Huntite Senate, which had secretly moved to Sheldonia, denounced Ejel as a usurper and declared its support for Khulug Nepalang. The Garrison General, arriving at Sheldonia on 14 October, was formally proclaimed Khan by the Senate the following day. Ejel, who believed that he would die unless if he surrendered, sent a message to Khulug Nepalang, in defiance of Gundobad, on 16 October. He offered to abdicate the throne and acknowledge Khulug Nepalang as Khan if his life was spared. Khulug Nepalang accepted Ejel's pleas, and on 21 October, arrived at Jasonia. Ejel formally abdicated the throne in front of the Huntite Court and swore allegiance to Khulug Nepalang, along with the other government officials, military officers, and courtiers. Khulug Nepalang honored his promises, and on 24 October, sent the ex-Khan to exile on Anna Yunia, where he was granted a pension and his own personal household. Ejel resided there peacefully through the turmoils of the following years, until his death on 27 December 1186. On 29 October, Gundobad and Euric signed a temporary armistice, by which the Ashlgothians were allowed to keep conquered territories until the resumption of hostilities.

The Supreme Commander now hastened to Jasonia, attempting to remove Khulug Nepalang and reassert control. He was betrayed by his fleet officers on 4 November, however, who aroused him from his sleep, dragged him from his personal chambers, and bound him in chains. On 7 November, the Supreme Commander was presented before the Khan on Gardiner, being mocked and disgraced by the Dasian officers. Khulug Nepalang, who believed that Gundobad posed no further threat, decided to spare his life. On 7 November, he offered to send Gundobad back to the Alexandrian dominions, along with a personal corps of Huntite and Dasian troops, so that he could establish himself and prepare to assert his rights along with his brothers against Chilperic I. Gundobad, who desired to inherit the Alexandrian throne, graciously accepted and thanked the Khan for showing him mercy. On 11 November, Gundobad was formally dismissed from his position as Supreme Commander by the Senate, which revoked all decrees or grants that had accorded immunity and governmental authority to persons besides the Khan. Khulug Nepalang was acknowledged as absolute ruler of the Huntite Khanate. On 16 November, the Jarjanic King Theodemund granted Gundobad and his force the right to travel through his dominions back to the Alexandrian Kingdom.

Having asserted himself as Huntite Khan, Khulug Nepalang now turned to the matter of the war with the Ashlgothians On 20 November, Euric, declaring that the Huntite Khanate needed to be contained further, announced a resumption of hostilities, in violation of the Treaty of Greg, which had stipulated that the Ashlgothian King would terminate his intervention war immediately upon the deposition of Ejel and Gundobad. Euric managed to besiege and conquer Derangy (22-29 November), followed by Filorean (1-2 December); Newman Victoria (3 December); Nikki Lowell (4-5 December); and the Bactrian Worlds (6-11 December). On 12 December, his offensive against Leo's Redoubt and Gardiner was repelled by Khulug Nepalang, who now displayed his tactical abilities. The Khan subsequently reconquered Kimanis Mooria (13-15 December); Khorasan (16 December); Filorean (17-22 December); and Newman Victoria (24-29 December). On 31 December, he gained a victory in the Battle of Barnay, driving Ashlgothian units from Moray, Derangy, and the outskirts of Leo's Redoubt. Then on 1 January 1175, Khulug Nepalang obtained another, more important victory in the Battle of Kabul, site of a major triumph by the Dasian General Dayir over the Huntite Prince Jalal in 830, 345 years earlier.

By 3 January, Breha, the Bactrian Worlds, Sulia, and Ledy had all been recovered by the Huntite Khan. On 5 January, Euric launched one final offensive against Kamur, Kimania, and Kimanis Mooria, but this was repelled by Khulug Nepalang. On 7 January, the King of Ashlgothia requested for peace negotiations to commence. A conference was opened at the Redoubt of Kharwtia on 10 January. Five days later, the Treaty of Kharwtia restored the status quo ante bellum in territorial and political matters between the Huntite Khanate and the Kingdom of Ashlgothia. In a secret proviso, however, Khulug Nepalang agreed to support Euric's future campaigns against the Jarjanics and granted him the right to use military bases at Derangy, Breha, and Reading for these campaigns. Euric then returned to Ashlgothia on 16 January and resumed planning of his intended War of Revenge against the Jarjanic Dominions. The Huntite Khan himself arrived at Jasonia on 20 January and was greeted with lavish celebrations by the world's population. The Huntite Khanate had just another year and a half of life, however.

Events now proceeded within the Homidinian dominions. By January 1175, Algae's mother, the ambitious Khaness Dowager Belitu; her lover, Household General Mulan; and her younger brother, Bek Aslan, had consolidated their plans of rebellion against Biligtu. Biligtu, although he was a honest and kind Khan, was nevertheless unpopular with the Dasian nobility and aristocracy, who believed that a half-breed should not sit upon the Homidinian throne. Belitu, Mulan, and Bek Aslan had taken advantage of these sentiments. They had distributed bribes to many Dasian Princes and Lords; sent out secret manifestos to the Homidinian population, declaring their concern for the welfare of the state; and incited military officers against the Khan. In November 1174, Biligtu received reports of grumblings by his Household Guards, who had been heard complaining that the Khan was a "usurper and a mutant in the eyes of the Dasian Gods." The Khan dismissed these reports, however, stating that the Dasian Gods knew that he was for their interests and that the guards had only drunk themselves into a stupor. On 4 December, a more public incident took place when the Khan and his retinue were booed by a crowd of bystanders outside of the Palace, as they were heading into one of the Household Transports. Again the Khan took no action, stating his belief that the crowd were just troublemakers who had been led astray, and that the public opinion was of no consequence to his policies. Belitu however, believed that it was. As 1175 commenced, she now took more proactive measures to strengthen her position at the Homidinian Court and lay the groundwork for her conspiracy. Bribing the members of the Khan's Household, she convinced them that Altan II was not "truly the late Khan's grandson" and that he too was a half-breed, unfit to rule over the Homidinian Khanate. Led into believing that Belitu had the interests of the State at heart, and trusting her word, the servants decided to dispose of Altan II.

On 11 January 1175, three of the Khan's personal security officers, having received their bribes from the Khaness Dowager, burst into Altan II's personal bedchambers and strangled him to death while he was in bed. They then erased the holosecurity records and used robots to scatter narcotics across the room, "so that others would be misled into believing that the Khan had wished for a end to his sufferings", according to Gibbeoneous. Biligtu, when he received word of his son's death, broke down in tears and declared that he knew his son had not killed himself. Refusing to listen to others, Biligtu, who was now sole Khan, locked himself up in his chambers and mourned. Believing that now was the time to strike, Belitu and Mulan took action. On 15 January, they sent out a summons to the Council of Bazaars, claiming that it was on the Khan's command. Once the Council was gathered, its chambers were sealed off and filled with troops loyal to the conspirators. Belitu declared that Biligtu was no longer fit to govern the Homidinian Khanate and that new arrangements needed to be made. She also pleaded to the Council to maintain the rule of ethnic Dasian blood over the Homidinian Khanate, and to thus remove a half-breed who was "not deserving of the Khan's mantle." The Council, which itself had been bribed and blackmailed by General Mulan and Bek Aslan, then declared that Biligtu was deposed and ordered for his arrest and for that of his wife, Algae.

It then formally proclaimed Mulan as the new Homidinian Khan and swore a oath of allegiance to him. Biligtu, having received word from his few loyal servants about the Council's decisions, managed to escape from his chambers with Algae on 16 January. They then boarded a transport, disguised as civilians, and were able to leave Chalassia. On 17 January, the Khan's chambers were penetrated by Mulan and his officers, who sought to arrest Biligtu and place him into custody. They found only a dummy disguised as the Khan, as well as the Khan's personal robot and some of his effects. The new Khan attempted to search the robot's memory-banks for information about what had transpired, but found that the banks had been completely erased. He was sent into a flurry of rage and dispatched orders to all Homidinian garrisons and fleets, declaring Biligtu a fugitive from the law and commanding them to find him. Biligtu and Algae had managed to transfer from the personal transport to a starfighter, and were kept safe by a Alyssan navigator, who had them pose as his navigational assistants.

On 22 January, Mulan was formally crowned as Khan on Chalassia. Bek Aslan, however, who was popular with his military units, and who was secretly favored by the Council of Bazaars (which had chosen Mulan under duress), began to gather military supplies at Dromund, Fulcher, and Amaric. On 26 January, he and his bodyguard escort burst into Mulan's chambers. The Khan, who was relaxing in his thermostatic bath with his concubines, was quickly arrested and placed in chains. Belitu and her household were placed under custody shortly thereafter. On 29 January, the Council of Bazaars and a assembly of the leading Homidinian nobles, military commanders, and figures of prominence, deposed Mulan from the Homidinian throne after just eighteen days. It then joyously acclaimed Bek Aslan as the new Khan of the Homidinian Khanate and declared him "the rightful Dasian ruler." Bek Aslan thanked the Council and the Assembly for their decision, espousing his hope that Biligtu would soon be found and that the Homidinian Khanate would continue to exist in a peaceful and prosperous state. The new Khan managed to secure diplomatic recognition from most of the Galactic Powers, with two notable exceptions. Khulug Nepalang of the Huntite Khanate, who owed his throne to the support of Biligtu, and most importantly, King Theodemir of the Halegothicans, refused to recognize Bek Aslan as Homidinian Khan. On 2 February, Theodemir issued a state proclamation, by which he asserted that Biligtu was the rightful Khan and that Bek Aslan, Mulan, and Belitu had all engaged in "shameful acts" to bring the Homidinian State to ruin. Biligtu, who was still being pursued by Homidinian authorities, now traveled to Mary-Lou, being received there by Theodemir in a lavish ceremony of greetings on 6 February. Theodemir granted him diplomatic sanctuary and refused to answer Bek Aslan's demands to turn him over.

With the support of the Halegothican King, Biligtu began to rebuild his personal military units. He also received financial support from Khulug Nepalang, who reaffirmed his non-recognition of Bek Aslan on 10 February. Bek Aslan was enraged that the Halegothicans and Huntite Khanate did not recognize him as Homidinian Khan, but nevertheless decided to turn his attention to internal matters, so that he could consolidate himself. Mulan was executed at Dion on 14 February, his corpse being cast into that world's star. Belitu was imprisoned at the Laganite Fortress of Amphonia on 17 February. By 22 February, all courtiers, officials, and servants who had supported Belitu and Mulan in their conspiracy against Biligtu had been branded as miscreants, dismissed from their positions, and either executed or imprisoned. Bek Aslan then began to alienate his subjects through a series of massacres and detainments he sponsored to root out opponents against his rule. Englestrom, Sonny, Dromund, Shaelynn, Lacia, Dembezaic, Gwendolyn, Kledis Var, Markis Prime, Yutzy, Dion, Brlla, Homidinia, and Chalassia itself became subject to vicious measures by the Homidinian Government (February-April 1175), with some 100 billion persons being arrested, tortured, and either imprisoned or slaughtered. In March 1175, Bek Aslan declared that he was "insuring the existence of the Homidinian Khanate" through his brutal measures. By the end of April 1175, when the first wave of oppression ended, the popularity of the Khan had disappeared and the Homidinian population began to wish that Biligtu would return to them as Khan.

In the Huntite Khanate, on 2 May 1175, Khulug Nepalang appointed Major-General Orestes as the new Supreme Commander, invested with authority over the Huntite Army and Navy. The Khan, however, refused to grant Orestes legal immunity and asserted that the General was to remain a subordinate to him, in all matters. He would not allow Orestes to attend sessions of the Council of Bazaars and Huntite Senate, and he sent instructions to all of the local garrisons, commanding them to always keep him informed about the Supreme Commander's directives. Orestes, having sought to enhance his prestige, had married the Dasian noblewoman Enkel on 22 December 1171. On 5 September 1172, she had given birth to a son, who was named Genghis-Timur by his joyous father. His name was thus a combination of the names of the founder of the Dasian Empire and the most successful Dasian conqueror, respectively. Genghis-Timur was a half-breed however, with Halegothican blood in his veins, and as such, could not be considered a genuine Dasian. Orestes, however, did not care about that. As early as December 1172, he had nurtured ambitions of gaining supreme power within the Huntite Khanate and installing his son on the Huntite throne.

Since Genghis-Temur was half-Dasian, he could be a Khan. Orestes himself could not, because he had no Dasian blood or heritage at all. Nevertheless, he wished to control the affairs of state. After being appointed Supreme Commander by the Khan, the Halegothican General began to expand and develop his mercenary corps, intent on using them to eventually impose himself in a position of power. Khulug Nepalang, distracted by routine administrative affairs and by the situation in the Homidinian Khanate, did not take note of Orestes's doings, believing that the restrictions he had imposed were enough. He was to prove near-fatally mistaken. The Khan gained another distraction on 5 June 1175, when the elderly Kuevian King Genseric withdrew his recognition of him as Huntite Khan and launched a series of raiding expeditions into Huntite territory. Samarkand, Leah, Lorna, the Sk'atha Cluster, Iego, and Meredith were harried by Kuevian expeditions (June-July 1175).

The Khan organized military garrisons to prevent further Kuevian intrusions and tried his best to keep the Huntite Regions safe from attack. This allowed Orestes to solidify his plans of conspiracy against the Khan. Then on 1 August 1175, Khulug Nepalang departed from Jasonia and traveled to Hunt Major, so he could take command of the Huntite defense squadrons assembled to resist Genseric's armadas. Orestes was commanded to remain on Jasonia, to supervise Huntite affairs until the Khan returned. Orestes now moved his mercenaries to Jasonia and sent out secret notes to the military garrisons, ordering them to be in readiness for a "evolution in governmental affairs." On 4 August, Khulug Nepalang defeated Genseric's chief raiding armada in the Battle of Baetica. He subsequently launched offensives against Kuevian bases on Hasselbeck, Meris, Robert, and Beharis that failed (5-17 August 1175). Three days after the termination of these unsuccessful campaigns, the Khan managed to repel Kuevian fleets dispatched against Sheldonia and Downs. On 23 August, just as he was preparing to launch a offensive into the outskirts of the Sk'atha Cluster, urgent news arrived from Jasonia. During that day, Orestes and his mercenary corps seized control of the Imperial Household and forcibly summoned the Huntite Senate, which had been left at Jasonia. Surrounding the Senatorial Chambers with guards wielding blasters, Orestes forced them to formally declare that Khulug Nepalang had forfeited the Huntite throne. The Supreme Commander was granted the power to govern the Huntite Khanate until a new Khan had been selected and installed upon the Huntite throne.

His attention now turned to dealing with Khulug Nepalang, who on 24 August formally dismissed Orestes from his positions; condemned him as a traitor to the Dasian State; and commanded for his loyal subjects to cooperate with him in defeating the Halegothican and his units. Orestes, however, had secured control over the majority of the Huntite nobility and over the resources of Jasonia. He besieged and destroyed the Khan's garrison on Gargonia (25-29 August); secured Leah (1 September); Prestley (2 September); Lorna (3-9 September); Ber Bachman (10-13 September); and Garnett (14-17 September). Hunt Minor, Samarkand, and the strongholds of the Sk'atha Cluster had surrendered to Orestes by 20 September. On 22 September, Orestes opened secret negotiations with Genseric, offering to pay the Kuevian King a considerable tribute and to surrender to him slaves, in exchange for his support against Khulug Nepalang. Genseric accepted the offer on 26 September, after Orestes had destroyed another fleet of the Khan in the Battle of Ron. On 29 September, Hunt Major was secured by the Supreme Commander with the support of Kuevian units. His offensives against Meredith, Brenda, and Dickinson failed however (1-11 October 1175), although Genseric inflicted severe damage upon Khulug Nepalang's western positions.

On 14 October, Genseric, declaring that he had fulfilled his obligations towards the Huntite Khanate, withdrew from his campaigns and returned to his dominions. Khulug Nepalang now heavily fortified the worlds and garrisons still under his control, and he secured the support of Bek Aslan, who refused to acknowledge Orestes as Huntite Supreme Commander. On 22 October, Orestes returned to Jasonia. He terminated active campaigns against Khulug Nepalang, believing that the General of Iego posed no further threat to his position. Khulug Nepalang, who knew that he would not be able to fully reassert himself, nevertheless continued to call himself Khan, and was still recognized as such by the Homidinian Khanate, Crimeanian Khanate, Neo-Xilanian Empire, Devianiani Confederacy, Kingdom of the Alexandrians, and the Kingdom of Merlita. Euric of Ashlgothia, however, granted recognition to Orestes as Supreme Commander and refused to acknowledge Khulug Nepalang as Huntite Khan (24 October 1175). He was followed by Theodemund of the Jarjanics (25 October); Femania of Venasia (26 October); Honorius II of Laurasia (27 October); Malik-Shah of Solidarita (28 October); and Offa of Marcia (29 October). On 31 October 1175, Orestes installed his son, Genghis-Timur, on the Huntite throne, himself taking the positions of Guardian and Regent. Genghis-Timur was to be the last Khan of the Huntite Khanate.

He was a boy of barely three years, however, and his father effectively controlled state affairs. The coronation of Genghis-Timur as Huntite Khan, the last in the history of the Huntite Khanate, took place at Jasonia on 4 November, being attended by dignitaries from the Galactic Powers who had acknowledged Orestes's rule and the deposition of Khulug Nepalang. Khulug Nepalang, in a proclamation issued from his headquarters at Meredith on 6 November, declared that Genghis-Timur and his father were usurpers, and that Orestes was a "filthy traitor." Bek Aslan issued a similar proclamation from Chalassia on 11 November. Genseric of Kuevia, on his part, was still formally engaged in conflict with the Huntite Khanate. Declaring that he knew that the Huntite State would soon be doomed to collapse, he agreed to the Armistice of Beharis on 14 November. On 22 November, the Treaty of Robert, signed between the Huntite Khanate and the Kingdom of Kuevia, restored peace on the status quo ante bellum basis, although Orestes agreed to pay Genseric the tribute he had promised earlier. Orestes subsequently focused his efforts on consolidating his position as ruler of the Huntite Khanate and dominating the affairs of the Huntite Court.

In the meantime, on 27 November 1175, King Theodemir of the Halegothicans died. In his will, the King of the Halegothicans had divided his dominions between his son, Prince Theodoric, and his nephew, also named Theodoric, being distinguished by the last name of Amal. Prince Theodoric, who became Theodoric I of the Southern Halegothicans, was granted Mary-Lou, Cassie, Edmundia, Coronadia, Taraning, Gibbs-to-Lester, and Ian as his dominions, while Theodoric Amal received English Star, Jacobs I, Mackenzia Major, Mackenzia Minor, Etti, Scanlan, and the worlds of the Corporate Sector, becoming Theodoric II of the Northern Halegothicans. Both Theodorics were interested in the affairs of the Homidinian Khanate. Theodoric I, in particular, provided continued sanctuary to Biligtu and supported him as the rightful Huntite Khan. On 6 December 1175, Biligtu, having assembled his units at Taraning, launched a invasion of the Homidinian Khanate, declaring his intention to reassert himself as the rightful Khan and to depose Bek Aslan. Bek Aslan now dispatched his chief general, Uraguay, against the exiled Khan, ordering him to ensure that Biligtu would not pose a threat to his position in the future. Uraguay managed to defeat Biligtu in the Battle of Paul II (10-19 December 1175) and blunted his offensive against Dion (20-25 December 1175). On 26 December, however, Biligtu secured Homidinia, and he resisted counteroffensives by Uraguay into the inner Homidinian Systems. As 1175 came to a close, the Homidinian Khanate was engulfed in full-scale civil war.

The year 1176 was to prove to be one of the most decisive years in the history of the Caladarian Galaxy. This year would be cited by Gibbeoneous, Monompahalaus, Foxius, Vassalina, Vergil, Athanasius, Parrius, Aoari, Ulagarai, Nicroedia, Victor, Dio, Marcellus, and numerous other historians as a major date in the fall of the Dasian Empire. Now, three hundred and seventy years after the establishment of the Dasian Empire by Genghis Khan, Orestes dominated the Huntite Khanate. Indeed, he took the place of prominence at the New Year's ceremonies of Jasonia on 1 January 1176, espousing to all in attendance that the Huntite Khanate would remain a galactic power under his firm and "benevolent" hand. This was to prove to be a hollow promise. Biligtu in the meantime, issued a New Year's proclamation from Homidinia, announcing that he would reassert his rights and depose the traitorous Bek Aslan, so as to "cast him into the infernos." On 2 January, his fleet besieged and conquered Brlla, forcing Uraguay's units to retreat towards Dion and Yutzy. Dion was finally conquered (4-11 January), followed by Yutzy (12-19 January); Chalassion (20-22 January); Alyssa (24 January); Kledis Var (26 January-1 February); and Gwendolyn (2-9 February). Biligtu sent out constant communiques to the subjects of the Homidinian Khanate and to foreign powers, declaring that his effort to regain control over the Homidinian Khanate was proceeding smoothly. On 25 February, however, he refused to recognize Genghis-Timur as Huntite Khan and declared that Khulug Nepalang was the only rightful ruler. He exchanged embassies with Khulug Nepalang and signed a economic agreement with him on 6 March. Bek Aslan now attempted to send overtures to the claimant Huntite Khan, declaring his wish to "maintain the tranquility of this Galaxy and to rid the Dasian bloodline of those who would undermine our strength." Khulug Nepalang refused to answer to his messages, and on 11 March 1176, withdrew his recognition of Bek Aslan as Homidinian Khan. On 14 March, Markis Minoria, Maxwell, and the Veils of Ike were overran by Biligtu's units.

By 22 March, his forces were penetrating to Markis Prime itself. Uraguay attempted one last counteroffensive, pushing towards Homidinia, Calms, and Yutzy (24 March-7 April 1176), a effort which ultimately ended in failure. Markis Prime was besieged from 10 April, and finally fell to the forces of the "rightful" Homidinian Khan on 22 April. On 26 April, Sonny was conquered by Biligtu in a surprise offensive. His units were now harrying the Styrian Caldera of the Lacian Cluster. On 2 May 1176, Uraguay was dismissed from his position as commander-general of the Homidinian forces by Bek Aslan, who now assumed direct command of the war effort. The Homidinian Khan proved unable to arrest Biligtu's advances, however, and by 11 May, Biligtu had conquered his bases on the Larkian Way. On 15 May, Genseric of Kuevia terminated diplomatic relations with Bek Aslan and again acknowledged Biligtu as Homidinian Khan. On 22 May, Dromund was conquered by the Homidinian Khan, followed by Kacee (24 May); Shaelynn (25 May-5 June); and Fletcher (6-10 June). Lacia was besieged from 11 June and finally fell to Biligtu's units on 27 June, after a fierce resistance. Biligtu then destroyed Bek Aslan's strongholds on Digette, Gerby, and Ward (28 June-10 July 1176). By the end of July 1176, Chalassia had been cut off and was virtually surrounded by loyalist Homidinian units. Bek Aslan now conscripted half of the civilian population of Chalassia into his forces, imposed martial law, and executed any who expressed sympathy for the cause of Biligtu.

The siege of Chalassia commenced on 2 August 1176. The personal fleet of Khan Biligtu appeared within the outskirts of the star system and immediately destroyed the relays, mine-fields, and orbital defense platforms which Bek Aslan and his commanders had hastily established. They encountered severe resistance from the remaining units of the usurper Khan, however, and by the orders of Biligtu, great brutality had to be employed to advance forth. Gradually, the outer worlds and space stations of the Chalassian Star System fell into the possession of Biligtu's forces. Biligtu's armada appeared in orbit above the planetary shields of Chalassia on 7 August. Two days later, Bek Aslan, seeking to maintain his position, and hoping for deliverance, sent a plea to Theodoric Amal, begging the King of the Northern Halegothicans to send units to "relieve your loyal ally and friend from the pressures imposed by the fiend Biligtu and his units, brought forth from the evil broil of the Universe." Theodoric Amal, however, seeking to curry the favor of Biligtu, and realizing that Bek Aslan was doomed, rejected the Khan's plea on 12 August. On 13 August, Bek Aslan sent a plea to Orestes, although he knew that the Huntite Supreme Commander would not be able to send units to aid him. Orestes did not even respond to the pleas, as he was encountering issues of his own, to be described below. Then on 16 August, the planetary shields of Chalassia were finally breached by Biligtu's armada. The Khan subsequently commanded his troops to land on the planetary surface.

They quickly destroyed resistance which was posed to their arms and marched into the Capital Districts of Chalassia. Bek Aslan and his final remaining bodyguards made a last stand within the chambers of the Khan's Palace, but were outnumbered. On 18 August, the Khan, realizing that his hopes of dominating over the Homidinian Khanate had completely collapsed, surrendered to Biligtu's troops. Biligtu, who decided to be "generous" to his defeated foe, listened to the usurper's pleas, as he begged for his life and the lives of his family. Biligtu assured him that they would be spared. By his orders, Bek Aslan and his family were transported to the harsh ice world Ilakia, arriving there on 20 August. Provided with none of the necessary supplies needed for survival, and commanded to find a residing place for themselves, Bek Aslan and his family froze to death just two days later. Their bodies were eventually encompassed by Ilakia's ice. On 22 August 1776, on the 600th anniversary of Bek Aslan's death, a archaeological expedition of the University of the Laurasian Empire, sponsored by Empress Aurelia the Great, discovered the corpses of Bek Aslan, his wife, and his two children, which had been preserved by permafrost. They were disinterred, taken back to Laurasia Prime for study and analysis, and eventually buried at the Imperial Mausoleum on 16 October 1776 by command of the Empress, who wished to "provide a outlet for the examination of Bek Aslan's sins by Almitis and the dispatch of the Khan's wife and children to paradise, through providing them a proper burial."

On 24 August 1176, Biligtu was formally congratulated by the citizens of Chalassia and the Dasian aristocracy for his reassertion of his rights. He was reconfirmed by the Council of Bazaars as the Homidinian Khan in the late hours of that day. By August 1176, however, the situation in the Huntite Khanate had deteriorated considerably. When Orestes had seized control of the Huntite Government and forced Khulug Nepalang to retreat back to his generalship territories, he had made a series of promises to his officers and military subordinates. He had promised that they would be rewarded for their support of him in the rebellion against Khulug Nepalang by being granted estates, noble titles, monopolies, and privileges of free travel in the Huntite dominions. The Huntite Supreme Commander, after installing his son on the Huntite throne, had turned his attention to government affairs and forgotten these promises that he had made. Odoacer, who had been among the first to defect to Orestes the previous year, was one of those who had been promised titles and estates by him. For several months, the Supreme Commander's subordinates and officers simmered, believing that Orestes had betrayed them and that he would not be a honest ruler. Odoacer, who quickly emerged as the leader of the dissatisfied, had begun to court popularity with the mercenary corps, the subjects of the Huntite Khanate, and with the courtiers of the Imperial Household, who despised Orestes's harsh and autocratic manner of government. He convinced them that only the deposition of Orestes and his son from their positions would restore peace and tranquility in the Huntite Khanate. Odoacer, however, was also pursuing personal ambitions of his own, as he believed that the Huntite Khanate was a outdated institution and that it was time for another Dasian State to disappear from history. He wished to establish a barbarian monarchy of his own, not merely to dominate the government through a puppet Khan.

Being a Rudorite, Odoacer thus gained considerable popularity with his Rudorite auxiliaries, who shared his views. Then on 29 July 1176, the Military Command of the Huntite Khanate, acting on the suggestion of Odoacer, dispatched a petition to Orestes, who was then at Upper Morsia. In this petition, the Command declared that they had "loyally served" the Supreme Commander and reminded him of his promises towards them. They stated that he had not fulfilled his promises, and as such, could not be trusted. This would be changed if he fulfilled what he said he would do and grant them the rights and ranks "as befitting their efforts." Orestes however, who had no wish of lavishing noble titles and gifts upon his subordinates, rejected the petition on 11 August, declaring that it was generated by "agents of Evil." This was the last straw for Odoacer and his supporters. On 14 August 1176, at the resort world of Brian, Odoacer, his Rudorite and Jageronian units, and the other military commanders declared themselves to be in a state of rebellion against Orestes, citing "his autocratic rule, his oppression, and his unfaithfulness to his promises" as their reasons. Odoacer and his forces swiftly advanced from Brian, making considerable gains against the units and garrisons of Odoacer. Gabriella defected to the rebel General and his units on 15 August, providing Odoacer a headquarters from which he campaigned into the Wild Marshes, to bring the outer bounds of Huntite territory under his control.

Jack, Nicholson, Paffier, Gedrosia Max, Maurya, and Gardiner were conquered by Odoacer (16-21 August 1176), who destroyed any fleet that he encountered and "brushed aside all who stood in his way", according to Gibbeoneus. Orestes departed from Upper Morsia on 22 August and swiftly advanced with his armada southwards, attempting to intercept and destroy Odoacer's chief command armada. On 23 August, Odoacer was alerted of Orestes's advances, and now used his superior mobility and organization to outflank the Supreme Commander, penetrating to Clathbourne, Mike, and Hunt Minor. Orestes arrived at Gedrosia Max during the late hours of 23 August, expecting to encounter Odoacer's fleet. He had been fooled however, and most of his vessels were destroyed by cloaked mines Odoacer had left. Orestes himself barely managed to escape with his life in a starfighter. Gargonia was conquered by Odoacer during the early hours of 24 August, who then severed all supply lines to the Huntite systems. Clathbourne and Hunt Minor capitulated the following day.

On 26 August 1176, Odoacer was formally proclaimed "King of Rudorita and Hunt" by his commanders and auxiliaries. As he was being saluted by his armadas as King, the General announced that "the Huntite Khanate has reached the natural termination of her lifetime. For over three centuries the Dasian power has been prevalent in the Caladarian Galaxy. I believe that it is time for our race to gain its position." Having made this announcement, Odoacer considered himself to be at war with Orestes, not in rebellion. That day saw the fall of Hunt Major to his units. Orestes and his armada now traveled to Leah, attempting to establish that stronghold as their new command headquarters. Odoacer, after besieging and conquering Ber Bachman (26 August) and Lorna (27 August), advanced forth with his armada against Leah. Leah was placed under siege on 28 August 1176. Orestes was now cornered, as there were few Huntite military units besides his own force. He had not left a armada with his son, the puppet Khan, believing that others at the Court of Jasonia would use it against him. This would doom Orestes. Odoacer's fleet quickly destroyed Orestes's escort starfighters, severed all supply lines to the system, and blockaded the satellites of Leah. Odoacer sent several communiques to Orestes, offering to spare the Supreme Commander's life if he surrendered immediately. Orestes refused however, saying that the ruler of the Huntite Khanate could never submit himself to a rebel.

Odoacer then declared to his officers that this gave him justification to capture and execute Orestes. Leah's defenses soon collapsed under the extensive pressure applied by Odoacer and his armada, and on 29 August, the world's shields were breached. Odoacer's troops landed on the world and ransacked its cities, butchering or enslaving nearly half of its population. Orestes himself, however, managed to flee with the assistance of a Laurasian mercenary. Odoacer was soon alerted to this, and rushed with his armada along the Leah Trade Corridor to intercept Orestes. On 30 August, Orestes was intercepted and captured near Bilma, a minor agricultural world about fifteen light-years northeast of Leah. Presented before Odoacer, Orestes attempted to plead for his life. Odoacer pointed out to him that he had already offered to spare his life at Leah, and that Orestes had refused. Consequently, the Huntite Supreme Commander was no longer deserving of life. Commanding his officers to execute Orestes by blaster fire, Odoacer left the chambers. Orestes was taken to the brig and executed with little trouble. His corpse was dumped by robots into the vacuum of outer space. It did not long survive the elements and completely disintegrated by the end of the year.

Afterwards, Odoacer and his armada swiftly advanced to Jasonia, with Gargonia, Negro, and other worlds along the route quickly submitting. On 1 September, a force dispatched by the remaining advisers of Genghis-Timur was intercepted and destroyed at Angel by the Rudorite King. Subduing Horne, Angel, Filorean, and Constipex, Odoacer then moved effortlessly into the outskirts of the Jasonia star system during the late hours of 3 September. The following day, 4 September 1176, Odoacer and his barbarian formations landed on Jasonia, encountering no resistance from the paltry planetary garrison and the Khan's remaining military units. Swiftly marching to the Khan's Palace of Jasonia, the King of the Rudorites declared that he was bringing "peace, order, and stability" to the peoples of the Huntite Khanate. He and his men soon penetrated the Palace. Genghis-Timur's remaining advisers, realizing that Odoacer had the advantage, and knowing that resistance was futile, surrendered to him shortly thereafter. The last Khan of the Huntite Khanate, barely four years old as of September 1176, was brought from his personal bedchambers by the servants of the Khan's Household and presented to Odoacer. Odoacer subsequently convened a session of the Council of Bazaars and commanded the Council President, Oyiridai, to summon the Huntite Senate. The Senate assembled in the afternoon hours of 4 September. Genghis-Timur, who had been coached by Oyiridai and his subordinates, came before the gathered Senate and formally announced his abdication of the Huntite throne.

The four year old monarch declared, "in a high pitched voice, and with great difficulty of control" (according to Gibbeoneous), that "this man (Odoacer) is a good man for us." Odoacer then entered the chambers and stated that Genghis-Timur should never have become Khan and that indeed, the Huntite Khanate no longer needed a Khan and a Dasian Government, for "the Khan of Homidinia is worthy enough to be the Dasian monarch in the Galaxy." Odoacer thereupon surrounded the chambers with his officers and commanded the Senate to recognize him as King of Rudorita, Hunt, and Jasonia, as the "formal successor to the Khans of Jasonia, and as the rightful ruler of these dominions, in the name of Khan Biligtu and Khulug Nepalang." The Senate, which had been "subdued and cowed through the use of force and the display of power, thus submitted to the barbarian General and selected him as their King, their absolute master, and as the representative of the Homidinian Khanate." They declared that the "Huntite Khanate is henceforth terminated." Once this declaration was issued, Odoacer ordered his officers to arrest all of the Senators. The entire Huntite Senate was placed into custody and dispersed as a body, being stripped of its last remaining functions. During the late hours of 4 September 1176, Odoacer formally declared that the Huntite Khanate had come to a end, 370 years since the foundation of the Dasian Empire; 350 years since the death of Genghis Khan; 282 years after the death of Kublai Khan; and 171 years after the death of Timur the Devastator.

Odoacer decided to be merciful to Genghis-Timur, whom he recognized as a puppet of his father. The new King of Hunt declared, in a proclamation issued to his new subjects from the now Rudorite Great Palace of Jasonia, that this "Dasian youngster bears no responsibility for the turmoils and the inefficiencies of government which have fallen upon you in the past decades." Odoacer declared that he was merely acting "in the tradition" of Stilicho, Bodi Aligh, and Dayan by saving the Huntite peoples from ruin and conferring upon them "the benefits of the rule of a strong ruler." Genghis-Timur, thus fully pardoned of any wrongdoing, was granted the title "Khan-Emeritus of Hunt" and the privileges of a Dasian nobleman. He was provided a annual pension, his own household, and his own estates on Anna Yunia, Gardiner, Gedrosia Max, Leo's Redoubt, Kimanis Mooria, and Morangy. Genghis-Timur was also declared a ward of the Huntite State until he came of age, and was granted full legal immunity from any "liabilities or punishments whatsoever." The former Khan was thus dispatched to Gardiner, and lived there peacefully for the rest of his life. Upon securing his position of power, Theodoric the Great of Halegothica reconfirmed Odoacer's decrees (manifesto of 5 May 1193) and declared that Genghis-Timur should be "forever honored" as a living ex-Khan. Genghis-Timur lived well into the next century, surviving the turmoils of the succeeding decades. He finally died at his estate on Kimanis Mooria on 27 January 1253, four months before the final collapse of the Homidinian Khanate.

As regards to current matters, Odoacer immediately sought to consolidate his position through diplomatic overtures. On 6 September, he dispatched a formal embassy to Khan Biligtu on Chalassia, declaring that through his actions he had "deposed the wrongful Khan from his throne" and had restored tranquility to the former Huntite dominions. Odoacer subsequently declared that he had proclaimed himself King of Hunt, so as to be "a effective ally and liege-man to His Majesty, and to His Rightful Majesty of the Huntite Khanate at Iego (Khulug Nepalang)." Odoacer offered to acknowledge Khulug Nepalang as Khan of Iego, and to issue coins, charters, and grants in Khulug Nepalang's name. He also offered to establish a military alliance with the Homidinian Khanate and to recognize Biligtu as the "chief Dasian Khan." Biligtu, realizing that neither he nor Khulug Nepalang would be able to remove Odoacer from his position, and glad that Orestes had been removed, accepted Odoacer's offers on 10 September. On 14 September 1176, Khulug Nepalang also accepted Odoacer's offers. Two days later, the Treaty of Dickinson formally confirmed all of the arrangements. Thereafter, until 1180, Odoacer acknowledged Khulug Nepalang's non-sovereign rights in Huntite territory and maintained friendly relations with Biligtu.

He now rapidly secured diplomatic recognition from the other barbarian monarchs. Euric of Ashlgothia formally recognized him as King of Hunt on 21 September 1176, praising Odoacer for "ridding us of the hateful Dasian presence in those regions." Chilperic I of Alexandria recognized him on 24 September, also applauding him for his "victories against the Dasian species." He was soon followed by Chilideric I of the Melorkians (25 September 1176). Childeric, in his letter of diplomatic recognition, congratulated Odoacer for establishing "another kingdom in the constellation of states within this Galaxy" and celebrated the fact that "you hath liberated another people (i.e. the Melorkians) from undue subjugation to a species whose power has long since left this Galaxy." Chilideric, in fact, sent Odoacer a variety of gifts, including Melorkian concubines, starships, and a variety of exotic fruits and narcotics. The Council of the Devianiani Confederacy granted recognition to the Rudorite Kingdom of Hunt on 29 September 1176. In their collective proclamation, the Devianiani Councilors praised Odoacer "for his prowess in war, his administrative insight, and his ability to bring down the hated Dasian mongrels."

Theodemund I of Jarjanica (as his barbarian kingdom was now known) granted recognition on 4 October, praising "my Lord, the Great Odoacer" for "bringing the Axe of Death upon the chief Dasian Khanate." Offa of Marcia granted diplomatic recognition, in the name of his kingdom and of the other Amelianian monarchs, on 11 October, although he refrained from congratulating Odoacer for his efforts. Genseric of Kuevia, the most senior monarch in the Caladarian Galaxy, had remained quiet until now, as he debated on whether or not he should grant recognition to this new barbarian. The elderly King, who was now 88, and had been on the throne for 49 years, longer than any of his contemporary monarchs had been alive, was happy that he had lived to see the fall of his chief enemy, and gloated privately to his advisers and to his heir-apparent, his son Huneric, that just 22 years had passed since the death of Bodi Aligh. He had terminated raids against the now former Huntite dominions on 7 September, three days after Odoacer had deposed Genghis-Timur, but still harbored ideas of war. Huneric however, was finally able to overcome his father's scruples, especially as Odoacer himself, seeking recognition, now sent a grand letter of greetings to Genseric on 14 October 1176.

In this letter, Odoacer saluted "father Genseric" as the "most vigilant and successful of the deceased Huntite Khanate's enemies" and honored him as the only remaining contemporary (besides Honorius II of Laurasia) of Bodi Aligh, Wrangia Althia, Dost, Tokugaistus II, Theodoric I of Ashlgothia, Cholodio and Merovech of the Melorkians, Rechila and Rechiar of the Jarjanics, Jurgunia of the Rudorites, Attila and Bletha of the Brestords, and Penda of Marcia. Thus, Odoacer declared his eagerness to establish a military alliance with the Kingdom of Kuevia and to "pay his fullest respects through diplomatic relations" to Genseric before the King "departed into the void of the Overworld of Heaven." This letter was read to the elderly King in his public throne room. Genseric, flattered that he was being honored such, granted recognition on 16 October, extending his blessings to Odoacer and stating his great respect for him, who had overthrown "the hated Dasian State of Hunt." On 20 October, Ragibagh of the Crimeanian Khanate, bitter at the fact that he could not reach Huntite territory so as to "overthrow that fool Odoacer" but nevertheless realizing that Odoacer had firmly established himself, extended diplomatic recognition, although he refused to send a letter of congratulations and refused to bless Odoacer. He was followed by Stefanius Bathoris of Polonia (21 October 1176), who also refrained from sending a letter of blessings and congratulations.

Honorius II of Laurasia, angered at Odoacer's flattering of Genseric, granted recognition on 24 October but refused to establish a embassy at Odoacer's court. Femania of Venasia, Corlio III of Merlita, Joh'ac of Briannia, and Malik-Shah of Solidarita all granted recognition on 26 October. Femania, however, mocked Odoacer and told him in her letter of recognition that he "was not the greatest general of history." Joh'ac of Briannia declared that Odoacer had "just eliminated a state which was in the stage of death, a act which deserves nothing more then acknowledgment as a historical footnote", while Malik-Shah said that "he was a greater monarch than you (Odoacer) will ever be." Because of the more negative reaction given by the Core Monarchs to Odoacer's deposition of Genghis-Timur and his establishment of the Rudorite Kingdom of Hunt, the relations between the Core States and the Rudorite Huntites were never that close.

Odoacer however, knew that the Core Monarchs posed no direct threat to his position, and that his power was secure. He now implemented various governmental and financial policies to cement his control of the former territories of the Huntite Khanate. On 29 October 1176, Odoacer formally abolished the Dasian Orders of the Blood-Line, declaring that Dasian decorations and honors were not "befitting a new barbarian monarchy." On 4 November, he purged the officials and servants of the Huntite Court, which had now become the court of the Rudorite King. All Dasians or those who had Dasian descent were dismissed from their positions, banished from Jasonia, and forbidden to ever speak of the Huntite Khanate again. Five days later, the King issued the first of a series of charters, granting estates, titles, and privileges confiscated from Dasian magnates and noblemen to his commanders, barbarian auxiliaries, and the heads of the barbarian bands within Huntite territory. He thus fulfilled Orestes's earlier promises. On 15 November, Odoacer commanded the local governors of the Rudorite Kingdom to annul all orders, laws, and charters issued in the name of the Huntite Khanate, and to instate martial law until a new code of laws had been drafted. Nevertheless, Odoacer was not cruel towards his subjects.

In fact, on 24 November 1176, he ordered for all non-Dasian slaves, concubines, and prisoners to be released from custody; compensated all families who had suffered exactions at the hands of Orestes' officials; and granted equal protection of the laws to all of his subjects. On 29 November, Odoacer issued his first official statute, forbidding his subordinates or the newly-imposed Rudorite, Jageronian, and Huntite officials to harass or extort from his subjects "without proper and valid justification." On 5 December, the first chapter of his Civil Code, based heavily on the Code of Civil Jurisprudence of the Huntite-Robertian Unity, was promulgated. Then on 11 December, Odoacer announced plans to abolish the Dasian taxation system and replace it with the Rudorite taxation system, which Jurgunia had first introduced in 1139, before her deposition and execution by Bodi Aligh and his subordinates. The new taxation system was to have more equitable levies; stricter application of taxation charters; and public records on all tax returns, refunds, and proceedings.

Having thus accomplished these domestic measures, Odoacer sent a further note to Genseric on 16 December. In this note, the King of Rudorita declared that he "hath been proceeding to demolish the elements of the rule of the Dasian Khanate within these regions, and that my efforts have moved on with little trouble." Thus, he proposed a economic agreement and military alliance between Kuevia and Rudorita, so that "both barbarian monarchies may maintain their strength and gain the respect of their neighbors." Genseric, whose health was ailing by this point and who was now heavily influenced by his son Huneric, accepted Odoacer's offer on 20 December. A diplomatic conference was opened at Walters two days later, with Huneric representing his father and the Kuevian Government. Odoacer himself personally headed the Rudorite delegation, treating Huneric with "great civility and respect." After just four days of negotiations and discussions, the Treaty of Walters was signed on 26 December 1176. By the terms of this treaty, a military alliance was established between the Kingdom of Kuevia and the Rudorite Kingdom of Hunt. It was declared that both barbarian monarchies desired for "the equilibrium of all states residing within this Galaxy" and that only a military alliance between two of those states could help maintain the proper "diplomatic balance of power." Free trade was also established between the two dominions, with Rudorite and Kuevian subjects gaining the right to traverse across the other's territories without restraint; to dock at spaceports or stations without paying levies or tariffs; and conduct legal economic activities regarding transportation, commerce, and shipping, without interference by the customs officials of either state.

Finally, Odoacer reaffirmed his respectful stance towards Genseric and declared that "he was the most exalted of the monarchs thus now governing." With all of these arrangements made, Huneric thence traveled with Odoacer to Jasonia, which was now adjusting to its new role as the capital of another barbarian monarchy. They presided over the New Year's Ceremonies of 1176-1177. On 1 January 1177, similar celebrations were conducted throughout the Caladarian Galaxy. King Genseric himself presided over the ceremonies on Shenandoah, although he had lost some of his awareness and had difficulty making the formal announcements. Euric of Ashlgothia, Theodemund of the Jarjanics, Offa of Marcia, Chilperic of Alexandria, Childeric of Melorkia, Malik-Shah of Solidarita, Corlio III of Merlita, and Femania of Venasia all celebrated in a vigorous and joyous fashion. Honorius II of Laurasia however, did not celebrate as vigorously, for his conflicts with Briannia and Polonia continued (as to be described in the next section). Biligtu of the Homidinian Khanate, Ragibagh of the Crimeanian Khanate, and Khulug Nepalang at Iego, refrained from celebrating, instead holding ceremonies of mourning for the demise of the Huntite Khanate.

The physical and mental decline of King Genseric now accelerated, after the commencement of 1177. On 2 January 1177, the King suffered a memory lapse, as he was unable to recall the names of various military commanders and court officials. He also forgot their ranks and their positions, and had to be reminded of these facts by his personal servants. Two days later, the King burst out into a fit of sadness, as he wailed bitterly throughout his personal chambers and told his servants that "the Lords of the Universe hath deprived me of my contemporaries." He recalled his memories of Bodi Aligh; Attila; Theodoric I of Ashlgothia; Tokugaistus II of the Homidinian Khanate; Yulan; Altan; Wrangia Althia; Dost; Jurgunia of the Rudorites; Rechila and Rechiar of the Jarjanics; Gondioc of Alexandria; Penda of Marcia; Erutugul of Solidarita; Cholodio of the Melorkians; Dayan; Ricimer; and others. The King of the Kuevians expressed his hope that the greatest of his enemies, Bodi Aligh, was residing in Universal Paradise, and that he would be "greeted with open arms by all of these, who have looked down upon me for these years." The King continued to talk about his deceased contemporaries and co-monarchs for several days, and his servants now feared for him. On 11 January, the King was admitted to the quarters of the Royal Hospital after suffering a minor heart attack in his quarters.

His doctors and physicians worked vigorously, and the following day, declared that he was reaching the end of his life through a unknown condition (eventually identified as Miletus syndrome in the late sixteenth century by the Huntite physician of Demetrius Severus I, Dr. Nagotha Rahl). The King now requested that the Laurasian missionary and Archbishop of Shenandoah, Jerome of Darcia (1110-83), come to his bedside. Jerome was the pupil of Augustine, who had been Spiritual Officer of Way'tosk when Genseric conquered the world in 1130, forty-seven years earlier, and had served him until 1134. Jerome had become a friend and associate of the Kuevian King, and it was through his efforts that Pope Macarius appointed him as Archbishop of the Almitian Conclave of Shenandoah on 17 January 1161. Jerome now offered spiritual advice and comfort to the Kuevian King, declaring that the Lord Almitis would welcome him in Heaven and that his contemporaries were holding their arms open for him. He declared that all reach the termination of their lifetimes, and that "that has always been the course of time. Yet all who are worthy in the eyes of Almitis are admitted to eternal bliss thereafter." Genseric then repented for any of the sins he had committed and formally declared that he wished for Kuevia to remain at peace with her neighbors, after his death.

On 21 January 1177, the King summoned Huneric, his only child, to his bedside, and told him to "make sure that, while the position of our species is maintained, we remain at peace with our neighbors. Follow the Lord Almitis and the Gods of our Ancestors, and you will have a prosperous and successful reign." Huneric, who unfortunately would not follow much of his father's advice, nevertheless swore to him and declared that the Kuevian species had been exalted by him. On 22 January, a joint diplomatic communique arrived from Honorius of Laurasia; Malik-Shah of Solidarita; Stefanius Batorius of Polonia; Femania of Venasia; Joh'ac of Briannia; Corlio of Merlita; Offa of Marcia; Anasia of Xilania; Theodoric I and Theodoric II of Halegothica; Biligtu of Homidinia; Ragibagh of Crimeania; Khulug Nepalang of Iego; Odoacer of Rudorita; Euric of Ashlgothia; Theodemund of the Jarjanics; the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy; Chilperic of Alexandria; and Childeric of Melorkia, in which all of the other monarchs proclaimed their respect for Genseric, saluted him as a "great warrior, conqueror, and ruler", and stated that matters would never be the same. They honored "the most senior of us" as "one of the most important and venerable monarchs in this century."

Genseric, when he read this communique, said that he did not know that he was held in such esteem, and extended his blessings to his fellow monarchs, declaring that the Caladarian Galaxy would eventually achieve a equal equilibrium of affairs (Laurasian historians and scholars of later centuries would claim that he was predicting the eventual dominance of the Laurasian Empire over the entire Galaxy). On 24 January, the King of the Kuevians entered the final stage of the syndrome, and said goodbye to all of his officials, servants, magnates, and advisers. Jerome read the Last Blessings of Almitism over the King, while Amaric (1120-86), the Chief Partha of the Faithful Kuevian Flock, intoned his Last Sacraments for the Kuevian monarch. The following day, 25 January 1177, Genseric, the greatest King of Kuevia and the most senior monarch in the Caladarian Galaxy at the time of his death, died at the age of 88. The news of his death was announced by the Kuevian Chancellory from the King's medical chambers. Diplomatic notes to all of the other monarchs, delivered by the respective Kuevian envoys at their courts, formally informed them of his passing. Huneric was saluted as King of the Kuevians by the Assembly of the Kuevian Notables later that day.

Gibbeoneus, writing from the perspective of the late eighteenth century, declared that Genseric was "one of the most significant of those monarchs and figures responsible for the destruction of the Dasian power in this Galaxy. He was also a very venerable and respected King, with his loss sincerely mourned by all of the monarchs within the Galaxy. Everyone offered their deepest respects. I venture to say that, although he launched his raiding expeditions, and although he engaged in numerous wars which had a impact upon various worlds, he was nevertheless a King worthy of respect." Lord Monompahalaus states that "King Genseric thus expired, having brought his species to a great position of power, and having gained for himself a major place in galactic history." On 25 January 1777, exactly 600 years after Genseric's death, the Laurasian Empress Aurelia the Great visited his tomb at the Kuevian Mausoleum of Kings on Shenandoah (which was one of numerous mausoleums and royal burial sites now situated within the Laurasian Empire), laid a wreath on his grave, and honored him as "a powerful and worthy King." In 1782, he was further honored by a Statute of Prominence in the Gallery of Galactic Monarchs, which had been first established by Antigonus III in 1719 to contain statutes, exhibits, and portraits of all the monarchs who had ever reigned in the Caladarian Galaxy.

Genseric's death was greeted with genuine sadness and respect by the other monarchs of the Galactic Powers. Euric of Ashlgothia declared, in his official condolences to the Kuevian Government, that "this day expire a man who was a exalted and respected figure within this Galaxy." Honorius the Terrible of Laurasia declared that "the late King of the Kuevians was the most effective and formidable monarch of his times." Odoacer of Hunt declared that Genseric had been one of his idols, and that his passing was a "considerable loss for the civilizations of the Caladarian Galaxy". Biligtu of Homidinia acknowledged him as "one of the most worthy enemies of our race, who nevertheless deserves a place in Paradise." Ragibagh of Crimeania expressed similar sentiments. Femania of Venasia called him "a true warrior", while Malik-Shah saluted him as the "Enforcer of the will of his Gods." Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia declared that "this Kuevian monarch was one who was concerned about the position of his species and who sought to maintain a honorable slate in Galactic Affairs." Joh'ac of Briannia called Genseric "a noble and assertive personage." On 1 February 1177, the body of King Genseric was put on formal display, and crowds of mourners went by his body to pay their respects.

Five days later, Huneric sent invitations to his fellow monarchs, requesting that "they or their honorable diplomatic representatives attend the funeral of my venerable father." Of those who received invitations, Femania of Venasia, Ragibagh of Crimeania, Euric of Ashlgothia, the Councilors of the Devianiani Confederacy, Theodemund of Jarjanica, Odoacer of Hunt, Biligtu of Homidinia, Khulug Nepalang at Iego, Offa of Marcia, Malik-Shah of Solidarita, and King Theodoric Amal of the Northern Halegothicans announced their intentions to attend Genseric's funeral. Honorius of Laurasia, Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia, Joh'ac of Briannia, Gunderit of the Armanes, Theodoric I of the Southern Halegothicans, Corlio III of Merlita, and Anasia of Xilania declared that their ambassadors would attend the funeral in their places, as state matters meant they would be unable to attend themselves. On 11 February 1177, Femania of Venasia was the first foreign monarch to arrive at Shenandoah for the funeral, being greeted by King Huneric and his court with great splendor. She was followed by Ragibagh (12 February); Euric (14 February); Offa (15 February); Malik-Shah (17 February); Theodoric Amal (20 February); Khulug Nepalang (22 February); Biligtu (29 February); Theodemund of Jarjanica (3 March); Odoacer of Hunt (4 March); and the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (7 March).

King Honorius II of Laurasia was represented by the Laurasian envoy to the Kuevian court, Basil Alasius (1121-97); Joh'ac of Briannia was represented by Count Sigis Vasa of Vardar (1129-93); Gunderit of the Armanes by Amaric of Tyson (1130-1203); Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia by Wladyslaw August, Prince of Pressburg (1110-79); Theodoric I of the Southern Halegothicans by Sigeric of Coronadia (1121-85); Corlio III of Merlita by Prince Horlio of Merilash (1117-88); and Anasia I of Xilania by Tak'nara, the Great Count of Xilania Secondary (1125-94). On 22 February 1177, Genseric was formally buried at the Kuevian Mausoleum of Kings on Shenandoah, with the ceremonies being formally conducted by Archbishop Jerome and Partha Amaric. According to Gibbeoneous, all "exalted the body of His Majesty of Kuevia, as it was lowered into its crypt." Huneric in particular, wailed for his father and expressed his fervent hope that hewould find a eternal resting place in paradise. After the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies, the King of Kuevia held a series of banquets, masques, festivals, displays, and other celebrations over the course of the next month, to honor the visiting monarchs and diplomats. He decreed, however, that the courtiers and servants were to deck themselves in garments of mourning and that a prayer should be said three times a day for the soul of his father. Eventually, on 24 March 1177, the festivities ended, as Offa of Marcia was the first foreign monarch to depart from Shenandoah. By the end of April 1177, all of the other monarchs had returned to their dominions.

By the beginning of May 1177, the health of another monarch within the Caladarian Galaxy had entered into serious decline. King Theodemund of the Jarjanics, who was hailed by his species as the greatest ruler of their kingdom and their most successful general, suffered a major stroke on 11 April 1177. He was then confined to the quarters of the Royal Hospital of Allen, where, on 27 April, he was diagnosed with terminal paralysis. The King of the Jarjanics, who knew that he was dying, sent out a formal diplomatic message about his condition to the ambassadors of other Foreign Powers at his court on Allen, on 1 May. King Euric of Ashlgothia, who was then at Brooke One, thus learned of the condition of the Jarjanic King through his envoy at the court of Allen, Remismund, Count of Jack. The King ofAshlgothia was determined to recover the worlds and territories in the Barsar Regions which had been lost to Theodemund. He sought to strengthen Ashlgothia's position in the Barsar Regions and to reduce the Jarjanics to his overlordship again. Euric knew that Theodemund's son and heir apparent, Hermeneric, was indolent, militarily unskilled, and corrupt.

As such, he believed that he would be able to quickly reconquer lost territories and to impose his dominance over the Jarjanics. Nevertheless, on 6 May 1177, the King of Ashlgothia issued a diplomatic proclamation, in which he declared his "sadness" about the condition of King Theodemund and expressed his hope that the Gods of the Universe would be gracious to Hermeneric and his dominions. Theodemund, whose condition had weakened his sense of reality, believed Euric's proclamation and extended his blessings to the Ashgothic monarch on 12 May. Then, on 14 May, the King lost his speech and was unable to communicate any further. Hermeneric was proclaimed Regent of Jarjanica the following day, as his father was now effectively inert. Five days later, Theodemund entered into a coma. Hermeneric neglected to make the arrangements for the announcement of his father's death, and as such, the Household of Allen was sent into chaos. Then on 29 May 1177, Theodemund died after reigning for nearly eight years.

Due to his son's indolence, his death was not officially announced until 15 June, although Euric, Huneric, and Odoacer knew of the Jarjanic King's death earlier, because of their spies at the Jarjanic court. It was only then that Hermeneric was proclaimed King of the Jarjanics. On 22 June, Euric, taking advantage of the new situation in the Jarjanic dominions, issued a ultimatum to the court of Allen, declaring that the death of Theodemund called for territorial revisions. He demanded that Bookman, Rolle, Nanking, Christopher, the worlds of the Orion Cluster, and Narra be restored to Ashlgothia; that Hermeneric acknowledge the King of the Ashlgothians as his overlord; and that he grant military access privileges to Ashlgothian units through his dominions. Hermeneric, when he was informed of the note, declared that he would "deal with the matter latter." Indulging himself at the Court, the new King of the Jarjanics forgot the note. On 27 June, Euric, declaring that Hermeneric was a "neglectful monarch" and that war was justified, issued a formal declaration of war and hurled his squadrons, already assembled at Armenia Major, Beverly Hereidu, and Shell, into Jarjanic territory. He quickly besieged and conquered Rolle (28 June-4 July 1177); destroyed a Jarjanic defense squadron in the Battle of Lee (5-9 July); and breached the defenses of Christopher, conquering the world (10-15 July). On 22 July, Bookman capitulated to the Ashlgothian armadas. Euric then penetrated to Nanking (24-29 July 1177), destroying or dispersing Jarjanic military garrisons, posts, and stations.

On 1 August, he besieged and conquered Narra, driving Jarjanic units from the Trans-Kimanian. Five days later, Leseur was overrun and Ashlgothian raiding expeditions penetrated into the Orion Cluster. On 11 August, Lange was conquered, followed by Dorothea (15 August) and Orion Major (16-22 August). Euric then besieged and conquered Samantha (24-29 August); destroyed the Jarjanic shipyards of Reading (30 August-4 September); and repelled a Jarjanic counteroffensive against Beverly Hereidu and Christopher (5-19 September). On 22 September, Afdari was subdued, followed by Abshire six days later. Ashlgothian expeditions were penetrating to Novina, Skold, Plath, and Riley by the end of the month. Hermeneric, who had remained inert at Allen, was derided by his subjects, who called him "the Lazy." On 4 October, Plath was besieged and conquered by Euric, who then pushed to Preena, Malina, Nelson, and Jarman. Preena had fallen by 10 October, while Strongstine was sacked on 12 October. Riley fell on 17 October. Then on 24 October, Euric gained a major victory in the Battle of Chobania, destroying the Jarjanic positions.

Hermeneric, fearing that the Ashlgothians would penetrate into his inner territories, and content with his affairs at the Royal Court, sent a request for peace on 26 October, just as the Ashlgothian King was advancing towards Novina. Euric, knowing that he held the upper hand, accepted two days later. On 4 November, a peace congress was opened on Hutsia. Euric demanded the concession of the strongholds he had earlier demanded, as well as Messalina, Chobania, Reading, and Samantha. In turn, he offered to finance Hermeneric's personal household, knowing that the King's personal gluttony would eventually alienate his nobles against him. Hermeneric, excited about that term, and believing that Euric was a "benevolent monarch", accepted the Ashlgothian demands on 11 November. On 20 November 1177, the Treaty of Hutsia was signed by Jarjanica and Ashlgothia. By the terms of this treaty, the King of Ashlgothia recovered Bookman, Rolle, Nanking, Christopher, the worlds of the Orion Cluster, and Narra, which he had lost to King Theodemund. He also acquired Messalina, Chobania, Reading, and Samantha.

Ashlgothian military vessels received rights of free passage through the remaining Jarjanic dominions, while Hermeneric agreed to enter into a military alliance with the Ashlgothian King. Euric, in turn, returned his other conquests to Jarjanic authority and agreed to finance Hermeneric's courtly activities for thirteen years (to 1190). The Treaty of Hutsia was ratified by Euric on 24 November and by Hermeneric on 1 December. Hermeneric then departed from Allen and met with Euric at Plath on 4 December, engaging in a series of festivals, concerts, masques, banquets, plays, displays, and other entertainments for several days. The Jarjanic government officials and military commanders were privately simmering against Hermeneric however, believing that he had effectively given away Jarjanica's position as a major power. These sentiments would find their form in the future. Hermeneric returned to Allen on 29 December 1177. Euric progressed slowly northwards back to Ashlgothia, arriving at his capital world on 4 January 1178. He then turned his attention to digesting his conquests and reorganizing his military forces. In the meantime, as the year 1178 commenced, Odoacer of Hunt continued consolidating his position of power. The King of Rudorita was now more popular with his subjects then had any of the Huntite Khans been since Tokugaistus the Great.

Within the Homidinian Khanate, further events transpired. Khan Biligtu had become suspicious of the ambitions of Theodoric I, King of the Southern Halegothicans (the future Theodoric the Great). The Homidinian Khan believed that the Halegothicans should not be permitted to become a major rival, and that the Homidinian Khanate should be preserved at all costs. Thus, the Khan decided to support the ambitions of Theodoric Amal, King of the Northern Halegothicans. Theodoric Amal had signed a military alliance with Biligtu at Syr-Daria on 27 December 1177, by which he pledged to support the Homidinian Khanate in any future military conflict it encountered. Biligtu now believed that Theodoric Amal should be compensated for agreeing to the military alliance, by being elevated in position above Theodoric I. To this, he meant for the two Theodorics to engage each other. Theodoric Amal should emerge as the victor, but his conflict would drain the energies of the Halegothicans at the same time. They would thus pose no more threat to the Homidinian Khanate, which could then defeat them and annex their territories.

This was the Khan's chief motive when, on 13 January 1178, he announced to the Council of Bazaars that Theodoric Amal should become the sole King of the Halegothicans and that the continuing presence of Theodoric I was not beneficial to the Halegothicans or to Homidinian interests. Four days later, the Homidinian Khan sent a diplomatic communique to Theodoric Amal, declaring his willingness to recognize Theodoric Amal as sole King of the Halegothicans if he in turn reconfirmed the military alliance. Theodoric Amal, believing that he could eliminate Theodoric I, accepted the Khan's offer on 1 February. On 4 February 1178, Biligtu withdrew his envoy from Theodoric I's court on Mackenzia Major and acknowledged Theodoric Amal as the only king of the Halegothicans. Five days later, Theodoric Amal issued a declaration of war against his cousin. He besieged and conquered Edmundia (10-14 February 1178); secured Coronadia (15-19 February); and shattered the defenses of English Star (20-25 February), before overrunning Mary-Lou (27 February-6 March 1178). On 10 March, he besieged and conquered Gibbs-to-Lester, sending his units to the vicinity of Gibbs-to Lester, Ian, and Calms. His offensives against Taraning and Cassie failed however (March-April 1178), as Theodoric I now organized his units for a counteroffensive.

On 3 May, Biligtu declared Theodoric I a enemy of the Dasian bloodline, the first time in many years that such a declaration had been issued. By the end of May 1178, a stalemate had ensued between the two Halegothican monarchs, whose forces were unable to make any further advances against each other. On 4 June, Theodoric Amal sent a secret message to Theodoric I, offering to open negotiations on Etti to terminate their conflict. Theodoric I, who was nurturing ambitions against Homidinian territory, accepted the offer on 10 June. On 15 July, the Treaty of Etti terminated hostilities between the two Halegothican kingdoms on the basis of the status quo. On 22 July, the two Theodorics sent a joint demand to the court of Biligtu on Chalassia, demanding that Brlla, Dion, Yutzy, Homidinia, and the Homidinian regions of Calms and Ian be conceded to the Halegothicans, that Biligtu undertake himself to pay a annual tribute, and that he grant military access privileges to Halegothican forces throughout his dominions. Biligtu, surprised at this turn of events, sent a diplomatic note to Theodoric Amal on 27 July, reminding him of their military alliance and declaring that Theodoric Amal was not a honorable monarch. Theodoric Amal, however, publicly declared the alliance null and void on 4 August, recalled his embassy at Chalassia back to his dominions, and demanded a answer to the earlier ultimatum. Biligtu finally responded to the ultimatum on 10 August, declaring its terms "unreasonable" and threatening to sign arrangements with Gunderit of the Armanes to preserve the Homidinian position.

Gunderit, however, whose health was in decline, and who wished to remain at peace, declared his neutrality in any conflict on 14 August. On 21 August, Theodoric Amal and Theodoric I issued a declaration of war against the Homidinian Khanate. They besieged and conquered Brlla (22-25 August 1178); destroyed the Homidinian defenses of Gwendolyn (26-29 August); and harried the outskirts of Dion (30 August-4 September 1178). On 11 September, the Homidinian units obtained a limited victory in the Battle of Strab, but then suffered a humiliating defeat at Kear four days later. On 24 September, Dion capitulated to the Halegothican units. On 2 October, Biligtu sent a note to Odoacer, requesting that the King of Hunt "fulfill his obligations" and assist him against the Halegothicans. Odoacer however, who held no love for the Homidinian Khanate, rejected his offers, declaring that domestic affairs occupied all of his time. Three days later, Kledis Var was besieged and conquered by Theodoric Amal, threatening the Homidinian bases on Chalassion, Alyssa, and Dromund. By the end of October, Halegothican units were penetrating to the outskirts of the Lacian Cluster.

In November 1178, however, Theodoric Amal and Theodoric I had a serious dispute with each other. Theodoric Amal demanded that all territories gained from the Homidinian Khanate be conceded to the Northern Halegothican Kingdom, as he claimed that his governance would be "more effective" for those dominions. Theodoric I, on his part, demanded that the territories be conceded to the Southern Halegothican kingdom, pointing out that it was his units which had obtained the majority of the victories over the Homidinian forces. On 21 November, this dispute was displayed in a very public form at a war congress on Calms, at which Theodoric I declared that the campaigns were no longer worth his time and effort. Two days later, the King of the Southern Halegothicans withdrew his units back to his dominions, leaving Theodoric Amal alone to deal with the Homidinian Khanate. Biligtu was thus able to organize a series of counteroffensives, especially as Huneric of Kuevia, on 1 December, permitted the passage of a corps of Crimeanian mercenaries through his dominions to Homidinian space. Biligtu besieged and conquered Gwendolyn (2-17 December 1178); destroyed the Halegothican supply lines of Xia (19-24 December 1178), and secured Ryan (25 December) before driving Halegothican units from the vicinity of Dromund (26-29 December).

On 1 January 1179, he obtained a further victory at Dion and recovered that palatial stronghold for the Homidinian Khanate. By 11 January, Brlla and Yutzy had also been reconquered. Homidinian units now began to advance against Mocktrialis, Capone, and Lawson, which had been annexed by Theodemir I of the Halegothicans on 4 January 1175. Theodoric Amal managed to blunt a Homidinian offensive against Lawson (12-19 January 1179) but was unable to prevent Biligtu from conquering Mocktrialis (20 January) and decimating the defenses of Coronadia (20-25 January). Capone fell to the Homidinian units on 4 February 1179. On 11 February, the advance of Homidinian units towards Edmundia and English Star forced Theodoric Amal to send a request for a armistice. On 17 February, a conference was opened on Houston, being mediated by Gunderit I of the Armanes, who was hoping to maintain friendly relations with his neighbors. After nearly a month of turbulent negotiations, the Treaty of Houston was signed by the Homidinian Khanate and the Kingdom of the Northern Halegothicans on 22 March 1179. By the terms of the treaty, the status quo ante bellum between the Homidinian Khanate and the Northern Halegothicans was restored, with Biligtu returning all worlds conquered by his units to Halegothicam authority. In turn, Theodoric Amal pledged not to violate Homidinian territory again and to maintain friendly relations with the court of Chalassia. In a secret provision of the Treaty, Biligtu agreed to pay Theodoric Amal $12 trillion Dasian Marks a year; to allow him use of a corps of Homidinian and Crimeanian mercenaries; and to appoint him a Major-General in the Homidinian military.

The Treaty of Houston was ratified by Biligtu on 26 March and by Theodoric Amal on 1 April. On 4 April, Theodoric Amal traveled with his personal escort to Chalassia, being greeted with lavish ceremony by the Khan. Several days of celebrations and festivities at the restoration of peace ensued. Theodoric I of the Southern Halegothicans was still officially at war with the Homidinian Khanate, even though he had withdrawn his units from active military campaigns. Theodoric Amal suggested to Biligtu that they could combine forces against Theodoric I. Biligtu, however, who who wished to restore his resources from the recently concluded war, sent a request for peace to Theodoric I on 27 April. On 5 May 1179, the Treaty of Brlla restored peace on the status quo ante bellum basis between the Homidinian Khanate and the Kingdom of the Southern Halegothicans. After Theodoric Amal had returned to his dominions on 8 May, Biligtu traveled to Ian, where he met with Theodoric I and held a conference with him. The two monarchs formally ratified the Treaty of Brlla on 14 May. On 22 May, Biligtu returned to Chalassia.

The Homidinian Khan now hoped to turn his attention back to domestic affairs and to refrain from military conflict for the remainder of the year. The Khan's attention was indeed to be turned upon domestic affairs, but not in the fashion that he had hoped for. The Homidinian Prince and Magnate Tinibeg, who was the Khan's brother-in-law, had begun to nurture ambitions of his own for the Homidinian throne. Tinibeg was a cousin of Khan Yulan, and thus believed that his claim to the Homidinian throne was stronger then that of Biligtu's. Tinibeg found many supporters within the ranks of the Imperial Government and the Khan's Guards, who believed that a half-Dasian should not sit upon the Homidinian throne. Tinibeg bribed Orda, the commander of the Chalassian Khorchid Units, promising to grant him a important position of power within the ranks of the Council of Bazaars if he supported him against Biligtu. In June 1179, after the conclusion of the wars with the Halegothicans, Tinibeg finalized his plans and set a time-frame for when his followers were to move against the Khan and his government. Biligtu received reports of dissensions among the military on 24 June. The Khan ordered that the men's pay be slashed and that they be forbidden to leave Chalassia without governmental permission, actions which only further inflamed rebel tensions. Believing that his reclaim of the Homidinian throne from Bek Aslan was proof enough that the people desired him as Khan, Biligtu did not undertake any further measures. This eventually rebounded upon him.

Finally, on 6 July 1179, Tinibeg and Orda launched their conspiracy. Mustering their supporters at the Fortress of Alul, the Prince declared that Biligtu was not a worthy Khan and that only he could restore the "fortunes of the Dasian species." Orda quickly secured the allegiance of the Khorchid Guards and a significant element of Homidinian civilians. Marching to the Khan's Palace, Tinibeg and Orda met with no resistance. Biligtu received word of Tinibeg's rebellion while he was having his lunch. The Khan was sent into "a grievous panic" and immediately headed out of his chambers. He now dispatched instructions to the Palace Guards and to his personal troops, commanding them to disperse the rebel corps and to "restore order to the capital." Many of the Palace Guards, however, were sympathetic to Tinibeg, and under their ulur-master, the Dasian General Sartaq, they refused to follow the Khan's commands. Biligtu was now forced to flee the Khan's Palace, being smuggled out by some of his loyal servants, who disguised him as a tourist. Tinibeg and Orda then reached the Khan's Palace and assumed control over the Imperial Household. By the end of the day, Chalassia had acknowledged their dominance, though Biligtu was able to flee the capital star system in a unmarked transport. On 10 July, Tinibeg and Orda summoned the Council of Bazaars and a assembly of leading Dasian nobles and government officials. These bodies proclaimed Tinibeg the new Khan of Homidinia. Tinibeg then secured the allegiance of the garrisons of the Lacian Cluster. Biligtu, however, arrived at Homidinia proper on 12 July and received acknowledgment of his title as rightful Khan from the Halegothican rulers, from Odoacer of Hunt, and from Khulug Nepalang of Iego. Huneric of Kuevia and Euric of Ashlgothia also refused to acknowledge Tinibeg as Homidinian Khan.

On 16 July, Tinibeg besieged and conquered Brlla, driving a wedge through Biligtu's loyalist strongholds. He overran Dion (17-19 July); Homidinian Calms (20-22 July); and Yutzy (24-27 July), before securing Damania (28 July). On 1 August, Theodoric Amal intervened, sending a fleet to support Biligtu. With this fleet, Biligtu destroyed Tinibeg's fleet at Grumper (2-7 August 1179) and recovered Yutzy (10-15 August), before driving to Gwendolyn, Kupferer, and Peters (16-22 August 1179). On 24 August, Orda, who had not been rewarded by Tinibeg as promised and who believed that he could now gain a greater position of power within the Homidinian dominions, sent a secret holocomm to Biligtu, declaring that he had been "foolish enough to fall to the depths of rebellion" and that he was willing to help Biligtu reclaim his throne. Biligtu, who was gracious for Orda's offer, sent a acceptance communique on 27 August. Two days later, Orda, who commanded the allegiance of the Khorchid Units and the Palace Guards, declared that Biligtu was the "rightful master of our dominions after all" and that Tinibeg should never have become Khan. On 1 September, the Council of Bazaars, convened by Orda at Dromund, denounced Tinibeg as a traitor; deprived him of his "pretended title to the Khanship"; and invited Biligtu to reclaim his position. Tinibeg, seeking to maintain his power, sent messages to Gunderit of Armania, imploring him to intervene on his behalf. Gunderit refused however, declaring his neutrality again on 4 September.

On 10 September, Biligtu and his units combined with Orda's armada at Dromund. Brushing aside paltry defense units, they advanced forth to Chalassia. Chalassia's defenses, seriously weakened by Orda's defection, proved no match to the Khan's fleet, and the world was overrun the following day. Tinibeg now attempted to hide in the Almitian Church of St. Theresa, which was attached to the Khan's Palace. He hoped that sanctuary by Almitian religious officials, previously respected by the Dasian authorities, would spare him from punishment. This hope proved false however, as the Almitian conclave of the Church betrayed him to Biligtu on 14 September. Presented before the Khan, Tinibeg declared that he had been driven by vain ambition and that he had acted "out of bounds." He begged for his life and implored "his most Gracious Majesty to rescue me from the depths of ignorance." Biligtu, believing that Tinibeg was pitiful, and acknowledging the fact that he was the relative of a previous Khan, decided to spare his life. Nevertheless on 21 September, he declared that Tinibeg had "done vile and harmful deeds" to the integrity of the Homidinian Khanate through his rebellion, and that he could not resume his prior life as a Dasian Prince and magnate. As such, Biligtu declared that Tinibeg was to be banished from Chalassia, deprived of all his titles and estates, and formally exiled to Brent, so that he "may atone and reflect upon his actions." Tinibeg, who was thus formally humiliated and denounced for his actions at the Homidinian Court on 24 September, was then placed under guard and commanded to seek passage on a transport, which would take him thus to Brent. Tinibeg's most loyal supporter and associate, Kuchuk, was also deprived of his properties and sent into exile with his master. After a day of hyperspace travel, which was deliberately slowed by the transport navigators so as to insure the safe passage of the rebel to his place of exile, Tinibeg and Kuchuk arrived at Brent on 25 September.

The following day, they were allotted quarters in the Chapel of Kalur, being formally placed under restraint and prohibited from leaving Brent without the special permission of the Khan. Tinibeg remained quiet during the first month of his exile, as he devoted himself to assisting the Dasian Priests in their duties; writing his memoirs; and exchanging correspondence with his friends and associates whom Biligtu had been willing to pardon (this correspondence was monitored by the officials of Brent). Tinibeg however, still nurtured ambitions of power, and knew that there were those still opposed to the Khan. Chief among these were the religious notables and prelates of the Homidinian Khanate. Sartaq, who was the Presiding Priest of the Dasian Chapter of Kalur, was sympathetic to the cause of Tinibeg, for he was hostile towards the Khan. On 20 October, after Tinibeg had been in exile at Kalur for nearly a month, Sartaq sent him a message through his subordinates, declaring that he knew that Biligtu was not the rightful Khan and that the Spirits of Genghis, Ogedei, Mongke, Kublai, Timur, Tokugaistus, and the "other great Dasian rulers" had told him that proper government must be restored to the Homidinian Khanate. As such, he was willing to assist Tinibeg in fleeing from Brent, gathering new military units, and deposing Biligtu as Homidinian Khan.

Tinibeg, grateful for the Presiding Priest's concern for his welfare, sent a response message on 25 October, declaring that he was willing "to save the Dasian species from destruction." On 1 November, Sartaq sent a message to the Supreme Priest of the Dasian Cult, Ulaghuchi, declaring that Tinibeg had agreed with their plans. Ulaghuchi then confronted Biligtu in his Public Throne Room two days later, declaring that Biligtu should restore Tinibeg to favor. The Khan refused to do so and commanded the Supreme Priest "to deal no more with the matter." Ulaghuchi ssubsequently went to the Guards Barracks and reminded them that Biligtu was not a rightful Khan and was not a member of the Dasian blood-line. He threatened to condemn any who continued to support the Khan's title to the Homidinian throne. On 10 November, the garrisons of Brent, Lacia, Dromund, Sonny, and Shaelynn defected to Tinibeg, acclaiming him once agains as Khan and declaring that Biligtu was not the rightful ruler. Tinibeg, who had command of his own fleet again, now began to advance towards Kaycee, Kledis Var, and Chalassia. Orda however, who had retained the loyalty of his units, arrested Ulaghuchi on 14 November. The Khan deposed Ulaghuchi as Supreme Priest and commanded the Dasian Cult to remain faithful to his government. On 16 November, Orda and his units advanced towards Lacia, Brohman, and Gasay. Brushing aside the units of Tinibeg, Orda obtained a decisive victory in the Battle of Fletcher (17-21 November 1179). Tinibeg's units, who were not a cohesive and coordinated armada, quickly fell apart.

On 24 November, Sartaq declared that the "anti-Lord of our Gods" had "infested" his mind by "planting false conceptions of what was to transpire." As such, he withdrew his support of Tinibeg and denounced him as a traitor. Brent, following Sartaq's example, defected back to Khan Biligtu two days later, expelling the garrisons loyal to Tinibeg. On 1 December, Lacia surrendered to Orda, who then conquered Shaelynn and Sonny with little trouble (2-9 December 1179). On 11 December, Tinibeg fled with his final remaining armada to Dromund, and sent further pleas to both Theodoric Amal and Gunderit, imploring them to assist him in his struggle with Biligtu and Orda. The two monarchs refused however, and Theodoric Amal issued a proclamation on 16 December, reaffirming his support of Biligtu as the rightful Homidinian Khan. On 19 December, Dromund was placed under siege by Orda and his corps. Resistance lasted for only three days. On 22 December, Dromund's defenses were breached, and this world, site of a battle between the failing Lacian Despotate and the Coalition of Powers five hundred and nineteen years earlier, was overrun by Orda. Tinibeg was captured at the Stalacahite Hall of the Honored, one of Dromund's major landmarks. Placed in chains, he was thrown into the common brig by Orda's orders, who was determined to present him to Biligtu on Homidinia as a "filthy traitor."

All of Tinibeg's subordinates and associates were tortured, placed in chains, and sucked out into space, dying from exposure to the space vacuum. On 24 December, Orda, having cleared out Tinibeg's remaining supporters, began his journey back to Chalassia. Biligtu, joyous that such a "heinous traitor and infidel to our customs" had been captured, commanded that the vessel transporting Tinibeg stop at Sonny, Lacia, Shaelynn, Brlla, Dion, Chalasssion, and Alyssa, so that the inhabitants of the Homidinian Khanate "may have a chance to see the man who brought shame to our race." Tinibeg was humiliated every where the transport stopped, with a electronic collar around his neck and a placard with the word "Liar" engraved upon it. Finally, on 31 December, just a day before the end of 1179 and the conclusion of the 1170s, the transport arrived at Chalassia. Biligtu himself went to the brig and observed Tinibeg, who was unable to speak because of the collar. The Khan mocked him for his rebellion and declared that Tinibeg was not worthy of the honor to be a Dasian.

The following day, 1 January 1180, the Caladarian Galaxy celebrated the commencement of a New Year and a new decade. At the beginning of the ninth decade of the twelfth century, the situation in the Caladarian Galaxy was vastly different from what it had been in 1101. When the century had commenced, there were six Khanates of the Dasians (in order of importance): the Huntite Khanate, the Homidinian Khanate, the Crimeanian Khanate, the Kazanian Khanate, the Venasian Khanate, and the Great Horde. Together, the six Dasian Khanates had governed almost two-thirds of the Caladarian Galaxy outside of the Galactic Borderlands. The Donguarian Stellar Empire, the Kingdom of Merlita, the Devianiani Confederacy, the Kingdom of the Alexandrians, Laurasia, and a number of minor Core States (Murphy, Courdina V, Gordasis, Goldaria, Clancia, Marshia, Carina, Seejay Prime, Arias, Schaueria Prime) shared the remaining third. This is to say nothing of the Amelianian kingdoms of Kthexox and Hengist, Kalbacha, the Neo-Arachosian Republic, the Rasdallan Empire, Morgania, Kelvania, and Angelica in the Galactic Borderlands and Wild Marshes, besides the petty states and minor civilizations of the two satellite galaxies.

By 1180, the only remaining Dasian Khanates in the Caladarian Galaxy were a vastly contracted and weaker Homidinian Khanate and a atrophied Crimeanian Khanate. Of the other four khanates, one (the Great Horde) had been conquered by the Crimeanian Khanate; one (the Kazanian Khanate) had been overthrown and displaced by the Solidaritans; and two (the Venasian Khanate and the Huntite Khanate) had been deposed through internal means, by the Venasians or the Rudorites of Odoacer respectively. The Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia had absorbed Arias, Gordasis, Courdina V, Clancia, Marshia, Carina, Seejay Prime, Goldaria, and Murphy. Laurasia had also suffered defeats and reverses, however. Its attempt to conquer the territories of the Ivorian Order, a short-lived state of the 1150s, had floundered in the face of resistance by the Polonian Commonwealth. Polonia itself had absorbed the Donguarian Stellar Empire in 1169, becoming the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth and ending the independent existence of a state which had thrived since the middle of the seventh century. Polonia had also absorbed the Ivorian Order and provinces once part of the Crimeanian Khanate.

Laurasia itself had absorbed the former territories of the Great Horde in the 1130s, which had been under the rule of the Crimeanian Khanate from 1102. It had lost Briannia however, which asserted itself as a independent kingdom in 1155 and annexed the remaining territories of Schaueria Prime in 1161. Laurasia had also lost territories it had conquered from the Kazanian Khanate during the early decades of the century, which became part of the Solidaritan Sultanate. The Neo-Venasian Consortium, which had displaced the Venasian Khanate, had seized Podrac, previously a Crimeanian possession. The Crimeanian Khanate governed only Nathaniel, Chapelle, parts of the Denver and Jared regions, Hooper, Sanegeta, Eutagia, Ogla, Meris V, and Dasian Acamaria. It was to disappear six years into the decade. Kuevia, under the rule of Genseric's son Huneric, dominated the Inner and Middle Territories, from the outskirts of Venasian space to the boundary of the Outer Borderlands. It embraced the Core Worlds of the ancient Millian Empire, as well as the Shenandonan, Boydarian, Hookiee, Pockarian, Melanite, and Vickian worlds.

Kuevia had briefly governed Acamaria, Eutagia, Sanegeta, and Hooper, before returning those territories to the Crimeanian Khanate in the mid-1150s. It no longer harried or harassed its immediate neighbors, having settled down into a more peaceful existence. Internally, however, the rule of Huneric was becoming increasingly unpopular. Kuevia had seized vast territories once belonging to the Venasian and Huntite Khanates, and was one of the more successful barbarian monarchies. The Huntite Khanate itself was the major casualty of the century, having expired just four years earlier. Odoacer of Hunt, whose power was to significantly expand during the early 1180s, continued to focus his efforts on consolidating his position. Khulug Nepalang still held out at Iego and called himself Khan of the Huntite Khanate, but was weak and was approaching the end of his life and reign.

The Homidinian Khanate, under Biligtu, controlled only about one-fourth of the territories it had held at the beginning of the century. The territories west of the Larkian Way had been first lost during 1106-07, being partially recovered in the 1110s, and then permanently lost to the Kingdom of the Brestords in the 1130s and 1140s. The Brestord Kingdom had ceased to exist in 1169-70, but was replaced by the Neo-Xilanian Empire, the northern provinces of Solidarita, and the eastern territories of the Amelianian Kingdoms. The territories of what had once been the Northern Khanate had also been lost to the Brestords. The Armanes had gained control over that region in 1154 and held it for the remainder of the century. The Halegothicans had seized the Burglais Arm, which had also been one of Attila the Brestord's conquests. Homidinia had suffered considerably from the earlier Brestord wars, from the civil wars of the 1170s, and from Genseric's earlier expeditions, raids, and campaigns. Although it was to survive for another 73 years, the Homidinian Khanate was no longer a powerful state. In the Barsar Regions, the situation had been altered. Most of the territories once governed by the Huntite Khanate had been seized by Jarjanica, Ashlgothia, the Devianiani Confederacy, or the Kingdom of the Alexandrians.

As of 1180, Odoacer governed only Kimania, Kimanis Mooria, the Trans-Kimanian Worlds, Gardiner, Leo's Redoubt, and parts of Hutsia, the Kimanian strongholds, and the Southern Reaches. Ashlgothia itself, one of the most powerful barbarian monarchies, stretched from Narra in the east, across the Murphian Trade Spine and Denveranian Trunk Line, to the outskirts of the Galactic Borderlands, to the vicinity of Nicole and Redia. It had evolved considerably from the mobile, unsettled hordes that Alaric had commanded in the first decade of the century. The Devianiani Confederacy had acquired Huntite strongholds and bases, but was largely the same as it had been at the beginning of the century. The Kingdom of the Alexandrians, in the last year of the reign of Chilperic I, had seized the strongholds of the Durant Cluster and was now a fully independent state. In the Galactic Borderlands, Marcia was dominant, while the independence of Kalbacha, Rasdalla, Neo-Arachosia, and the Western Core States had been eliminated. Extensive information about events in the Galactic Borderlands is provided in the Timeline of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia (1230-1320) article.

As 1180 commenced, Biligtu focused his efforts on consolidating his restored position of power, rooting out many of his opponents at the Imperial Court and within the civil service, and reorganizing his personal military units. In his New Year's proclamation of 1 January 1180, the Homidinian Khan declared that he had "made his best effort" to preserve the unity and integrity of the Homidinian Khanate. Reminding his subjects that they were entering the last twenty years of the twelfth century, he declared his hope that the "Gods of the Universe" would prevent his dominions from falling into oblivion. In his proclamation as well, the Homidinian Khan labeled Tinibeg a heinous traitor and declared that he would no longer be able to challenge the Khan's position of power. As such, on 3 January 1180, Tinibeg was formally condemned as a traitor and was incarcerated in the Secret Complex of Peters, which had been originally constructed by Tokugaistus the Great in 1088-90 as a military fortress, palatial stronghold, and repository of military supplies for the Homidinian Government. Orda's brother, Mangu-Timur, was assigned the responsibility to oversee Tinibeg's imprisonment and to ensure that he would never be able to break free from his bonds. On 10 January, Biligtu expunged Tinibeg's name from the official state records; commanded his subjects to make no further reference to the civil turbulence of the 1170s; and condemned any who expressed any sentiments against the Khan or against the Homidinian authorities. Orda, who had now worked vigorously for his master, and who disavowed all connections with Tinibeg, was appointed Chair of the Council of Bazaars on 12 January. As the Homidinian dominions settled into a uneasy peace, other events transpired.

On 22 January 1180, King Gunderit of the Armanes suffered a severe stroke at his palace on Tyson. His doctors, examining him in the Medical Quarters of the Tysonian Palace, declared that the King had contracted the Angrames malady and that there was no hope for him. Gunderit's son and heir apparent, Trapstila, made preparations for his father's funeral and for his accession to the throne. On 2 February 1180, Gunderit died after reigning for nearly twenty years. Trapstila, who was hailed as King of Armania by the government officials and the collective Armane aristocracy, formally announced his father's death to the courts of the other monarchs five days later. Condolences on the death of the Armane King arrived from Honorius the Terrible; Malik-Shah; Stefanius Bathorius; Theodoric Amal; Theodoric I; Biligtu; Femania; Joh'ac; Corlio III; Euric; Chilperic I; Childeric I; Odoacer; Hermeneric; Huneric; and Offa. Gunderit had not been as respected as Genseric however, for he had no military exploits or successes to his credit. Thus, his funeral, which was conducted at Tyson on 6 February, was attended primarily by the Armane King and his court, and by the diplomatic envoys from the other powers.

Chilperic I of Alexandria, who had been one of the monarchs to send condolences to both Kuevia and Armania, upon the death of their respective monarchs, himself entered a rapid decline in health. On 12 February 1180, the King suffered a minor heart attack, while he was presiding over ceremonies at the Royal Court of Lesia Major. It was mentioned above that the sons of Gondioc believed that they should hold control over the Alexandrian dominions and that they should gain positions of power upon Chilperic's death. Gundobad, Godegisel, Chilperic II, and Gundomar all desired to establish themselves as King of the Alexandrians. Chilperic, throughout his reign, had managed to maintain control over his nephews, relying upon the assistance of his loyal subordinates and officials to keep watch over the Alexandrian government and military. As his health was declining, it soon became apparent that the Kingdom of the Alexandrians might be engulfed in a civil war. The King of the Alexandrians, however, was now going beyond such concerns. On 20 February, he suffered a major stroke and was confined to the Hospital Quarters of the Royal Palace. At the Hospital Quarters, he was diagnosed with terminal paralysis, the "bane of existence", at least to the people of the time period. Chilperic, knowing that he did not have much longer to live, managed to send a order for his will to be formally announced to the public on 26 February.

By the terms of the will, Chilperic II was to become senior King of Alexandria upon his death. Lesia Major, Lesia Minor, Ain Jalut, and the other Lesian capital star systems were to become his personal dominions. Hamacaki Barka, Stewart, Sharon Alfonsi, Miller, Pocket, and Hannibal were to become the possessions of Gundobad, who was to be junior King of the Alexandrians. Godegisel was to receive Teutonica, Skye I, and Hospallia, while Gundomar was to become lord of Borgia, Meridu, Ghaza, Henkura, Sejucia, Ruumlist, and the Alexandrian regions of Redia. On 1 March, Chilperic II and Gundobad were formally proclaimed co-Kings of the Alexandrians, receiving the oath of allegiance from their brothers and from their other subjects. Four days later, Chilperic I entered the final stage of his illness. Finally, on 12 March 1180, the King of the Alexandrians died after a reign of nearly seven years. The news of his death was formally delivered to the courts of the other foreign Powers, and it was announced to the Alexandrian subjects in a solemn proclamation. Chilperic's funeral was conducted on 24 March, with the King being interred alongside his brother in the Vakanari Crypt.

Shortly after his death, conspiracies began among his successors as to who was to govern the Alexandrian dominions. Gundobad believed that, since he had been Supreme Commander of the Huntite Khanate at one time, he should become King of the Alexandrians. Chilperic II, on the other hand, wished to consolidate his position of power. Gundomar was sympathetic towards Chilperic I, hoping to become his heir apparent, while Godegisel wished to align himself with Gundobad. On 3 April, Chilperic issued instructions to his court officials and to his military commanders, declaring that his brother was not a "rightful ruler of these dominions" and that only he could insure the continuing prosperity and stability of the Alexandrian dominions. Five days later, the senior King of the Alexandrians held a conference with Prince Gundomar on Borgia, in which the two brothers agreed that they were interested in the "welfare of Alexandria" and that they wished for a state of proper affairs to be established, so "that their species may not be cast into the abyss of chaos." Gundobad, believing (rightly) that Chilperic was conspiring against him, established his headquarters at Stewart on 12 April and signed a secret assistance agreement with Godegisel, who pledged to support his older brother in all military campaigns against Chilperic and Gundomar.

By the end of April, both sides had begun to amass their military resources. Finally, on 4 May at Lesia Major, Chilperic II broke the terms of his uncle's will, declaring that the Alexandrian dominions needed only one ruler and that Gundobad's time of service in the Huntite Khanate had diluted his concern for the interests of his species. He thus declared that Gundobad was no longer junior King of Alexandria and that he, Chilperic II, was the sole successor to Chilperic I. Advancing from Lesia Major with his units, Chilperic besieged and conquered Sharon Alfonsi (13-19 April 1180); destroyed the defenses of Teutonica (20-25 April 1180); and overran Angela Masia (26 April), although his offensive against Stewart and Hannibal failed (29 April-10 May 1180). On 12 May, Gundobad and Godegisel gained a victory over Gundomar in the Battle of Ruumlist, conquering that stronghold and driving a wedge through Gundomar's supply lines. They then subdued Ghaza (13 May); Sejucia (15 May); and the Alexandrian regions of Redia (15-22 May), although Chilperic II seized Pocket (24-29 May) and shattered the defenses of Skye I (1-5 June 1180).

On 6 June, however, Sharon Alfonsi was recovered by Gundobad, who then moved past Ain Jalut and Angela Masia to Lesia Minor (7-10 June 1180). On 12 June, he besieged and conquered Ipkit, destroying one of Chilperic's chief military repositories. Meridu and Henkura were then overrun by Godegisel (13-22 June 1180), who then cornered Gundomar and his chief armada at Grenada, inflicting a decisive defeat upon him (24 June). Gundomar was captured two days later. On the orders of Gundobad, he was executed on 2 July. On 4 July, Chilperic's units were driven from Pocket. By 11 July, Gundobad and his fleets were advancing to Lesia Major, Sparton's Beacon, and Timulis III. Timulis III was overrun (10-11 July), followed by Sparton's Beacon (12-17 July 1180) and Angela Masia (20-25 July). On 29 July 1180, Gundobad's fleet appeared in orbit over Lesia Major. Chilperic, attempting to muster his final remaining formations, managed to pose a resistance to the forces of his brother for several days. Godegisel arrived at Lesia Major on 6 August and combined with the units of Gundobad, finally breaking Chilperic's resistance. On 12 August 1180, Lesia Major's defenses were breached by Gundobad, Godegisel, and their units. Landing on the surface of the Alexandrian capital world, Gundobad quickly secured control of the chief districts. Chilperic and his final remaining officers surrendered to Gundobad and his men the following day.

On 16 August, Chilperic was forced to abdicate as King of the Alexandrians, acknowledging Gundobad as sole King of Alexandria. Godegisel now gained control of the possessions formally held by Gundomar and was acknowledged as the leading general of the state. Chilperic was then confined at the Cestes Palatium of Meridu, where he died on 12 September 1190. Gundobad now secured recognition of his title from the monarchs of the other foreign powers. Odoacer of Hunt was the first to accord recognition, doing so through a formal diplomatic proclamation on 20 August. He was followed by Euric of Ashlgothia (21 August); Ragibagh of Crimeania (22 August); the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (23 August); Hermeneric of Jarjanica (25 August); Corlio III of Merlita (26 August); Huneric of Kuevia (26 August); Biligtu of Homidinia (27 August); Khulug Nepalang of Iego (28 August); Offa of Marcia (29 August); Honorius II of Laurasia (1 September); Femania of Venasia (3 September); Joh'ac of Briannia (7 September); Malik-Shah of Solidarita (10 September); and Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia (12 September). On 22 September, Gundobad formally crowned himself sole King of the Alexandrians on Lesia Major.

By September 1180, Khulug Nepalang's position had weakened to a considerable extent. The Khan of Iego, who still claimed to be ruler of the Huntite Khanate and who was still recognized by both Biligtu and Odoacer as Huntite Khan in their charters, grants, and proclamations, was nevertheless facing issues of his own. The Khan, who had in recent years become lazy and gluttonous, was proving less and less capable of maintaining order in the political and economic affairs of Iego. In February 1180, Khulug Nepalang, desperate to secure revenue from his remaining subjects, reimposed Bodi Aligh's exactions and enumerations charters over his territories. Although this allowed him to maintain the operations of the Imperial Court and to pay the arrears of his mercenaries and guard corps, it incited his subjects against him. On Dickinson, Brenda, and within the Jageronian Worlds, a series of protests and demonstrations against the Khan's authorities broke out on 5 March and continued for four months. The Khan's troops were ultimately able to quell the resistance, but it effectively demonstrated the amount of dissent which had developed against his rule. By the end of August 1180, pirates and criminals, operating from bases and strongholds on Munoz, Joghuz, and Algraz, had begun to harry many of Iego's colonies, space stations, and outpost star systems. Millions of persons were enslaved, kidnapped, slaughtered, or injured. Khulug Nepalang was unable to deal with the pirates directly. Instead, seeking to divert the attention of his subjects to other matters, the Khan of Iego began to formulate offensive plans against Odoacer. On 9 September, he sent a diplomatic communique to Biligtu, proposing that a expeditionary force be mustered to depose Odoacer and restore the Huntite Khanate.

Biligtu, who knew that such a force would not be successful, delayed his response to Khulug Nepalang, claiming that other matters occupied his attention. Odoacer however, gained notice of these intrigues on 15 September, through his agents at the court of the Homidinian Khan on Chalassia. The King of Rudorita, who had long planned to remove Khulug Nepalang and absorb his domains into his kingdom, decided that the time was opportune. He established contact with Vivo, the Robertian Master of the Bodyguard of Iego. Vivo had become ambitious and believed that Khulug Nepalang would never permit him to accumulate a base of wealth and power for himself. As such, he was determined to remove the Khan of Iego and to install himself in his place. Odoacer promised to support Vivo as the next Khan of Iego, and to provide no barrier to his removing Khulug Nepalang, if Vivo in turn acknowledged Odoacer's suzerainty. Vivo, believing that he would eventually be able to overthrow this condition with support from the Homidinian Khanate, decided to accept. During the early hours of 22 September 1180, the Robertian Master and his loyal subordinates burst into the chambers of the Khan, whose servants were dressing him for the day. Pushing aside the servants, Vivo and his men "laid their evil and ruddy hands upon the person of the Khan" and dragged him down to the floor. The Khan attempted to beg for his life, reminding them of their oath of allegiance towards him and stating that ruin would fall upon Iego if he died. Vivo however, declared that as a Robertian, he felt no loyalty to the Dasian blood-line, and could dispose of Khulug Nepalang as he wished. He then took his sabre and plunged it through Khulug Nepalang's neck. The Khan died instantly, as blood oozed from his body. Vivo then summoned a meeting of Khulug Nepalang's Council of Bazaars, announced his death to them, and with his troops, forced them to submit to him as Khan of Iego.

The following day, he sent a message to Odoacer, asking for "my gracious Lord's protection" and declaring that the Kingdom of Rudorita was the rightful successor to the Huntite Khanate. Odoacer, pleased that Vivo's coup had succeeded, dispatched a response message and formally agreed to become Vivo's overlord. Khan Biligtu, receiving word of these events, refused to acknowledge Vivo as Khan of Iego, however, and declared that there "be but one Khan within the Outer Borderlands." This proclamation was issued from the court of Chalassia on 25 September. Three days later, the envoys of Iego at the court of Homidinia were expelled. Odoacer's relations with Biligtu, in the meantime, had become colder, and the Homidinian Khan threatened to sever diplomatic relations unless if Odoacer denied the legality of Vivo's rule. By the beginning of October 1180, however, Vivo's position had deteriorated. The Robertian, who had absolutely no Dasian blood in his veins, was not considered to be the rightful Khan by the remnants of the Dasian elite and governmental administration. One of Khulug Nepalang's former subordinate commanders, Qun Quran, began to gain support among the Council of Bazaars. On 6 October, at Meredith, he declared to his fleet that he would soon remove the "mutant, usurper, and tyrant" from his position.

Five days later, Qun Quran declared himself to be in a formal state of rebellion against Vivo and announced his intention to restore the Khanate of Iego to its "proper condition." Advancing swiftly to Iego, the General quickly gained the allegiance of most of the governors and military commanders, who defected from Vivo and declared that he was not a rightful Khan. On 19 October, Qun Quran appeared with his fleet above Iego. Vivo now commanded the garrison of Iego to "pose all possible resistance" to the units of this "fiend and rebel, bent upon upsetting the balance of affairs." The garrison of Iego however, sympathetic to Qun Quran, refused and lowered the planetary shields the following day. Qun Quran quickly secured possession of the world and of Vivo himself, who was captured on 22 October. The Council of Bazaars, declaring that it had acted under duress, deposed Vivo from the throne of Iego on 26 October and declared that Qun Quran was the rightful Khan of Iego. On 1 November, Vivo was convicted of treason and formally executed at the Calaffs of Iego.

On 2 November, Biligtu accorded recognition to Qun Quran, declaring him the rightful successor to Khulug Nepalang and applauding him for his efforts to "maintain Dasian intergity and strength." Embassies were exchanged once again between the Homidinian Khanate and the Khanate of Iego, with Biligtu rescinding his earlier proclamation that he was the only remaining Dasian Khan of the Outer Galactic Regions (besides the Crimeanian Khan Ragibagh). Odoacer, however, was enraged by Vivo's deposition. On 6 November, he declared that Qun Quran was not the rightful Khan of Iego and that his deposition of Vivo was thus justification for a move into the territories of Iego. On 11 November, having assembled his units at Lorna, Leah, Garnett, Ber Bachman, Downs, Samarkand, and Sheldonia, the King of Rudorita issued a formal declaration of war against the Khan of Iego, declaring his intention to "restore proper government to these regions" and to ensure the continuing stability and balance of the realms of the Outer Borderlands. He besieged and conquered the Jageronian strongholds (11-17 November 1180); destroyed the pirate fleet of the Mereditan Xamar in the Battle of Coso's Shaft (22 November); and seized Dickinson (24-25 November); before annihilating Qun Quran's chief transport armada at Jeanne (26 November). Cooper, McEvolgue, and Emerson had been conquered by 2 December. On 3 December, Biligtu dispatched a Homidinian force to the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, to provide support to Qun Quran. Odoacer however, threatened to sign a military alliance with Theodoric Amal against the Homidinian Khanate. This caused the Homidinian Khan to recall his fleet on 5 December. Meredith was conquered by the Rudorites the following day. On 7 December, Odoacer defeated Qun Quran's last remaining offensive armada in the Battle of Shelya. Two days later, Iego was besieged and conquered by Odoacer's fleet.

Qun Quran died when his command flagship was overpowered and destroyed by Odoacer's dreadnoughts. Odoacer then summoned the Council of Bazaars of Iego, declared that his actions were directed to "restoring tranquility to these dominions", and asserted that the death of Khulug Nepalang absolved any sort of loyalty he had held "towards the Dasian race." On 11 December, he forced the Iego Council of Bazaars to issue a proclamation, by which it reaffirmed Odoacer's abolition of the Huntite Khanate and acknowledged his jurisdiction over all of the former Huntite territories, including Iego, Meredith, and the Jageronian Worlds. The Council acknowledged Odoacer as sole King of Hunt and Rudorita and shortly thereafter dissolved itself as a body. This date, and not 4 September 1176, is considered by some historians to be the actual end of the Huntite Khanate, as Khulug Nepalang, Ragibagh, and Biligtu had never acknowledged Genghis-Timur as Huntite Khan. On 13 December, Biligtu, realizing that he was too weak to launch military efforts against the King of Rudorita, and believing that the Halegothicans were still a major concern for the Homidinian Khanate, sent a communique to Odoacer, declaring his willingness to acknowledge Odoacer's jurisdiction over Iego and to formally terminate any sort of reference which Odoacer had made to Dasian monarchs in his official governmental actions. This was attached with the condition that Khulug Nepalang's remains be exhumed from the Pit of the Traitors of Iego and be given a formal Dasian state funeral. Odoacer, considering this condition minor, accepted Biligtu's offer on 17 December. The Treaty of Dion was signed on 24 December 1180, confirming these arrangements. On 27 December, Khulug Nepalang's remains were exhumed from the Pit of Traitors and formally reburied in a Dasian-style ceremony at Iego, presided over by Odoacer and attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers. As 1180 came to a end, all acknowledged Odoacer as sole ruler of the former dominions of the Huntite Khanate.

====Correspondence between Honorius the Terrible and Prince Kurbulis; Fifth Laurasian-Solidaritan War; The Sack of Laurasia Prime by Alp Arslan; The Humiliation of Skurata; General Parlae's rise from disgrace; The Death of Vladislaus of Polonia and the election of Hensior of Twalia to the Polonian Throne; The Death of Alp Arslan and Ascension of Malik-Shah; The Sixth Laurasian-Solidaritan War; The Battle of Molodi and the Laurasian victory; The Return of Hensior to the Venasian Consortium; Hensior's Deposition from the Polonian Throne; The Election of Stefanius Bathorius; Second Laurasian-Briannian War; Renewal of Hostilities between Laurasia and Polonia after a period of truce; The Disgrace of General Parlae; The Domestic Issues of Honorius the Terrible; The Alliance of Polonia and Briannia; Third Laurasian-Briannian War; Laurasian Reverses and Losses in Conflict (1171-1179)==== Having provided such a extensive section of information about the occurrences within the Outer Galactic Powers during the 1170s, in particular about the Homidinian civil wars, the struggles with the Halegothicans, and the destruction of the Huntite Khanate, we must now turn back our attention to the Core Regions. As the year 1171 commenced, the Laurasian dominions were in a state of internal turmoil and domestic fears, as Honorius the Terrible, Skurata, and the Reginiks indulged themselves in their oppression, massacres, and unreasonable excesses. In his New Year's proclamation of 1 January 1171, the King and Autocrat of All Laurasia declared that the Massacre of Ralina Vixius had been motivated by "true concern for the affairs of the Laurasian State" and that he continued to be a benevolent and fatherly monarch to his subjects. Honorius declared that the Reginiks were the "enforcers of the will of Almitis" and that he was merely continuing the policies of his father and grandfather, in order "to maintain the honor, prestige, and position of our species." To celebrate the commencement of 1171, and to display to his subjects "the ongoing results of my most beneficent measures", Honorius presided over a grim orgy at the Celestial Palace on 4 January.

Skurata and his agents had assembled some 100,000 innocent civilians from across the Laurasia Prime star system, most of whom were women and young children. The King declared that these persons had "been corrupted" by the influence of the anti-Almitis and that only their tortures and deaths would appease Almitis and his Angels of the Universe. All of the civilians were inflamed, then "dismembered, torn apart, and bludgeoned to death, in such horrific ways that the written word could hardly describe them", according to Monompahalaus. By the orders of the King, the heads of those who died in the orgy were loaded on public repulsorlifts and flown throughout Christiania, so that the subjects of "His Majesty's most Honorable Capital City" may see how gracious he was to them. During the remainder of January and throughout February 1171, several more orgies were organized on the King's command, resulting in the torture, death, and dismemberment of a further 2.6 million individuals. Skurata himself proved the most ruthless of the King's agents, and it is alleged that he was responsible for the deaths of almost one third of the orgy victims.

Prince Kurbulis, who had been quietly residing at his estate on Froggleworth for the past several years, was unable to contain his silence any longer. The former Laurasian General believed that the actions of Honorius the Terrible were ruining his species and that the King would be responsible for "subjecting our honorable and venerable race to the yoke of yet another foreign conqueror." This was a event which he "did not wish to see happen." As such, on 27 February 1171, the Prince sent a communique to King Vladislaus on Polonia Major, requesting permission to commence a personal correspondence with his former master and friend. The Polonian King, who had come to trust Kurbulis, and who believed that he would not defect back to the Laurasian forces, granted permission two days later. On 4 March, Kurbulis wrote the first of many letters to the King of Laurasia. In this first letter, which was in the form of a holo-comm message, the Prince declared that "Your Majesty's most venerable father and grandfather would be rolling in their graves" and that they had called out to him to end his oppression against his subjects.

Kurbulis pointed out that Honorius the Liberator had sought to "break the bonds of the Laurasian people towards their en-slavers and oppressors" and that he had been known for his honest, fair, and equitable rule. Kurbulis quoted the Liberator himself and his motto of "Tranquility, Stability, and Happiness of the subjects of the Laurasian Power." Arasces III, the Prince pointed out, had never resorted to such extensive measures when Laurasia had been involved in the Barbarian Wars of 1106-07, Great Goldarian War, or in the various conflicts with the Kazanian Khanate. Kurbulis cited Pope Philip, declaring that Almitis had never intended for a autocrat to unduly oppress and brutalize his subjects. He implored Honorius to "terminate your excesses" and to "strengthen your State once again, so that you may not be cast into the Abyss of Doom." Honorius, when he listened to Kurbulis's first message, was sent into a "great rage" and became determined to respond, ignoring Skurata and others who said that he should not bother himself with such matters.

On 11 March 1171, the King sent his first response letter to Kurbulis. In this letter, he rebutted Kurbulis's assertion that Almitis had not intended for a oppressive despot. Instead, Honorius cited many precedents from the Letters of Eusebius and from the Jatherian Scriptures. He declared that "it has Hath been Stated, O Prince, that that the Lord Almitis of the Great Universe invested his authority, on the Land, O'er Men to the Monarchs" and that his excesses were "validated by Almitis. For it is written 'He who is my Holy Saint shall conduct whatsoever Rightful Action is necessary to maintain the peaceful state of his Subjects and the Security of the Earthly Realms'." Honorius then stated that Kurbulis should never have abandoned his rightful service to him, and that as such, the "froth of the Anti-Almitis had entered your blood, inciting you to such outlandish and false statements,"" Kurbulis responded five days later, declaring that Honorius had contradicted himself and that St. Simeon of Grinae (who had lived in the 25th century BH) had said "He who is Almitis's Representative shalt remain subject to the Law of the Righteous." Kurbulis then pointed to precedents from the earlier Laurasian Periods, when Laurasian commanders had refused to fight because of "the wrongfulness of a certain war" and declared that he was following the ancient custom of the Laurasian race, so ancient that "Lord Sosius of Jatheria himself acknowledged his Subjects' right to so Conduct themselves."

On 19 March, Honorius declared that the customs of the Laurasian race had been influenced by the concepts of the Dasian Yoke, Lacian Overlordship, and of the continuing Period of History itself (Third Laurasian Period). He also declared that the "Righteous Lord of Almitis hath seen that the Jatherian rulers were accorded authority over their subjects. The rulers of Tatiana, Lycia, Brethalia, and of Osriana, hath also wielded supreme jurisdiction over their Earthly Subjects." Kurbulis responded on 22 March, declaring that none of those lines had survived and that all had still acknowledged themselves as subject to the higher law of Almitis. Several more letters were exchanged between the two during April 1171, as each sought to assert their opinion. On 24 April 1171, after a series of further argumentative letters exchanged with Kurbulis, Honorius issued a state proclamation to his subjects. In this proclamation, the King of Laurasia declared that Kurbulis was a "heinous Traitor" and that none of his words were to be believed. Vladislaus of Polonia, who did not wish to re-instigate war with Laurasia just yet, refused to comment on the correspondence and even ignored its existence. On 1 May, Pope Cyril, acting on the King's command, condemned all of Kurbulis's messages and affirmed the Almitian Church's support of "His Majesty's opinions and his authority."

Although Vladislaus of Polonia may not have been willing to recommence conflict with the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, another monarch was more than willing: Alp Arslan, the Sultan of Solidarita. The Solidaritan Sultan believed (rightly) that Honorius the Terrible's domestic excesses and massacres had seriously weakened the defenses of the Laurasian Purse Region, and that the Laurasian Armed Forces would not be able to pose much resistance to his armadas. The Sultan had spent two years, since the conclusion of his earlier war with Laurasia, expanding his military and drafting new war strategies with his Grand Council and his military commanders. Solidaritan squadrons and armies had been assembled and were intensively trained at the Belts of Mantin, Vindictoria, Laronn, Quanna, Sheryl, Leopoldia, Big Twinny, Deserlia, Ratasborn, Istantius, Dennis, Shannon, Wendy, Coen, Michael, Deanna, Sassanay, Massanay, Cibourney, and Frederickslandia, among other Solidaritan bases and strongholds. In January 1171, the Sultan issued a secret military memorandum to the commanders of all his military units, declaring his intention to "glorify their species at the expense of the Laurasian barbarians" and to honor himself through a series of plundering expeditions, raids, and campaigns, so as to remind the Laurasians of the earlier ravages and brutal conquests of the Dasians, Lacians, and Arachosians.

Two months later, he boasted to his wives and concubines within the confines of his personal quarters that the "King of Laurasia will suffer a grievous defeat." He also declared to them that they would soon have Laurasian counterparts. Then on 4 May 1171, Alp Arslan and his Grand Council received a secret communique from King Vladislaus. The King declared that the Polonian Commonwealth would not be ready for renewed conflict with the "Laurasian Dominions of Hell" for another two years but that Vladislaus nonetheless remained opposed to Laurasian interests. The King of Polonia thus offered to pose no obstacle to a renewed Solidaritan war with Laurasia and that it would be "the best for the interests of our states, so that the Laurasians may be weakened and all of their resources exerted." Alp Arslan, happy to know that the Polonians were in support of his ventures, sent a message to Joh'ac of Briannia on 10 May, asking the King of Briannia if he would remain neutral in any conflict. Joh'ac replied in the affirmative on 12 May, and extended his blessings to Alp Arslan "for what you are about to undertake."

Subsequently, on 15 May, the Solidaritan Sultan sent a series of demands to the Royal Laurasian Government, which were delivered by his envoy, Celi Pasha. The Sultan demanded that Honorius conclude a immediate peace treaty with Polonia, favorable to Polonian interests. He also demanded that Honorius terminate his domestic excesses, that he grant unlimited commercial and military access privileges through his dominions to Solidaritan merchants and craft, and that he pay the Sultan a annual tribute. Honorius, when he received these demands, declared that they were offensive to his honor. On 22 May, the King of Laurasia, in his official response to the Sultan's ultimatum, declared that he would "never defile himself" with such unreasonable demands. Alp Arslan subsequently declared that the King of Laurasia "hated peace" and that he had lost a chance to "glorify himself in the annals of galactic history" by becoming the "first" Laurasian monarch to freely "abstain from conflict and from cruelty." On 29 May, Celi Pasha was recalled from the Laurasian Court, while the Sultan banished the Laurasian envoy, Leonidas Alarmar (1102-73), from the court of Istantius.

Two days later, diplomatic and economic relations between the two states were terminated. On 4 June, Honorius sent a communique to the commanders of the military districts, ordering them to be in readiness for a Solidaritan offensive. The Laurasian command and military organization structure had been seriously weakened by the King's excesses, however, and the Reginiks themselves were not equipped for a full-scale military conflict. The garrisons of the Laurasian Armed Forces were spread thin, while tensions simmered in many regions against the King and his Government. Then on 10 June 1171, Alp Arslan issued a formal declaration of war against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. The Sultan, who had traveled to Wendy to take command of his battalions, hurled into the Laurasian Dominions by means of the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route. He besieged and conquered Blackria, ravaging the system with great brutality (11-15 June 1171); decimated the Laurasian fortifications of Nezbit (16 June); and isolated Durglais (17-19 June), before subduing Rebecca (20 June); Elizabeth (21 June); Chancia (22 June); and Katherine (23-25 June).

The Sultan and his units ravaged all star systems, space stations, and posts which they encountered. Countless numbers of Laurasians were slaughtered, tortured, or enslaved. Honorius dispatched a expeditionary fleet under the command of Skurata to Martina Mccasia. Alp Arslan utterly annihilated this force in the Battle of Martina Mccasia (25 June 1171). Skurata himself barely evaded capture. Azov, Oxia Vixius, Metallasia, Chloe, Kelby, and Jenny thereafter fell rapidly to the Solidaritan units (June-July 1171), who penetrated all the way into the Andrianian Cluster and cut a path of destruction across a vast region. By 5 August, Courdina V and Gordasis had been subdued, and Solidaritan units were driving into the Wild Marshes. The fleets of Mercedes, Andriana, Scout, Constantine I, Caladaria, Darcia, and Ralina Vixius were placed on alert. Nevertheless, Reese was besieged and conquered by Alp Arslan (10-17 August 1171), who then destroyed the fortifications of Manli (22 August) and stormed Arias (24-27 August). On 1 September, Katie was seized by the Solidaritan armada, which plundered the cities and raped the planet's women. Constantine I was conquered two days later. On 5 September, another armada dispatched by the King, again under Skurata's command, was destroyed at Forrest by Alp Arslan. This time, Skurata was captured, and was tortured with solar flares by the orders of the Sultan.

By 11 September, Alp Arslan and his units had penetrated to the outposts of the Metallasian Trade Corrior, harrying and ravaging numerous Laurasian spaceports, economic exchanges, navigational beacons, and habitation stations. On 14 September, Maroni was besieged and conquered by the Sultan's advance squadrons. This was followed shortly thereafter by Dearton's Gateway (15-19 September) and Janesia (20 September). Laurasian access to the territories of the Central Core was thus hampered, and Alp Arslan even dispatched raiding expeditions against Conservan, Reoyania, Condtella, and Dramis. On 22 September, he shattered the defenses of the Cron Drift and pushed from Augis V. A final Laurasian attempt to halt the advance of the Solidaritan armadas was defeated in the Battle of Americana (1-9 October 1171). On 13 October, Honorius was informed by the Royal Council that the defenses and troops of Laurasia Prime would not be sufficient to halt the Solidaritan armadas, and that recalling the forces stationed in the Ivorian territories would have risks of its own, by encouraging Polonia to recommence the war. The King of Laurasia, whose choices were rapidly dwindling, and receiving word of the Solidaritan conquest of Charasia the following day, decided to flee Laurasia Prime with his household, the government bureaus, and his personal fleet.

On 16 October, the King and the Royal Household departed from the Laurasia Prime star system. Evading Solidaritan fleets, the King managed to reach Melarnaria two days later and thus established himself outside of Alp Arslan's planned theater of operations. The Sultan, learning of Honorius's flight two days later, decided to advance to Laurasia Prime and to plunder the system. On 22 October 1171, the Solidaritan fleets appeared in the outskirts of the Laurasia Prime star system. This was the first time since 1053, when Kazanian Khan Maxmud had launched his major raiding offensive, that a foreign force had penetrated to Laurasia Prime. The Sultan sent a communique to the Viceroy and Assembly of Laurasia Prime on 23 October, demanding that they surrender "immediately." He claimed that Almitis had given a message to "punish the Laurasian people for their sins and their perfidy." Pope Cyril, whom the King had forbidden to leave Laurasia Prime without his permission, attempted to rally hope among the paltry defense garrison of Laurasia Prime, declaring that Almitis would save them from destruction. Viceroy Amaganius, believing the Pope's sermons, refused to surrender on 25 October. Alp Arslan, who had the justification needed for his offensive on Laurasia Prime, launched his fleet the following day. Smashing the space stations and minefields of the Laurasia Prime star system, the Sultan and his units rushed past Marsia and the Laurasian Asteroid Belt. "With the cry and the vigor of savages, the Solidaritan barbarians thus advanced", according to Lord Monompahalaus. The Solidaritans reached Laurasia Prime and immediately dispatched their advance squadrons to the world's four moons. Calaxis I, Calaxis II, Hepudermia, and Jadia were seized with little trouble, as Solidaritan units landed, killed or captured the militia and defense patrols, and seized control of the moon communication stations. By the command of the Sultan, a broadcast was sent out to Laurasia Prime from above, declaring that resistance was futile and that the Laurasian people were cursed.

On 27 October, Laurasia Prime's planetary deflector shields were breached, and the Solidaritan military units landed on the surface. They now pursued a policy of rapine, massacre, looting, and utter devastation. The Solidaritan marauders demolished the suburbs; ravaged and laid waste to numerous Laurasian towns, cities, and posts; and disturbed Laurasian landmarks, vandalizing them and looting their treasures. Constantinople, Christiania, Gentz, Osraninpolis, Ralispont, Ravenna, Ostia, Uris, Columbia, Heliotrope, and numerous other Laurasian cities were subjected to the Solidaritan troops. The University of Laurasia Prime, Laurasian Institute of the Arts and Sciences, Diplomatic Palace, Military Station, and other edifices were penetrated, looted, and trashed. Nearly six billion Laurasians were slaughtered, while another four billion were seriously wounded and almost five billion enslaved. Laurasia Prime's population, which had hovered at about seventy billion for the majority of the twelfth century, now declined to forty-five billion, less than the figures of 1080. Pope Cyril managed to hide within the Caverns of Artica, and thus escaped scourging at the hands of the Solidaritans.

Other clergymen were not so lucky however. Among those who died were Hilarion, Archbishop of Laurasia Prime; Clement, Metropolitan of the Laurasian Purse Region; and Dean Glycerius of the Westphalian Cathedral. Almost half of the priests, nuns, monks, and church dignitaries of Laurasia Prime lost their lives in the massacres. By 4 November, the cities of Laurasia Prime were in flames, and Constantinople, which had recovered from the Great Conflagration of 1147, was again in ruins. Numerous artifacts and treasures were lost, while the Solidaritans disturbed and scattered the tombs of the Arachosian Viceroys of Laurasia Prime. All Laurasian historians are agreed that the sack of 1171 was more extensive then Tokhtamysh's reconquest of 982, and may have been more brutal then Batya's conquest of Laurasia Prime in 840. Laurasian demographic and economic progress, which had slowed because of Honorius the Terrible's domestic oppression, now went to a crawl. Population growth was not resumed until the middle of the thirteenth century.

The Sultan and his armada remained for the rest of the month, with the Solidaritan court taking up temporary residence at the Celestial Palace and performing mockeries, festivities, and parodies in the halls of the King's Personal Quarters. By 2 December, however, the King had finally managed to muster sufficient Melarnarian, Laurasian, and Clancian military units, and was preparing for a counteroffensive into the Laurasian Purse Region. Alp Arslan, deeming that he had accomplished what he had meant to accomplish, departed from Laurasia Prime with his court and armada the following day, along with their bevy of slaves and prisoners. Advancing through Caladaria, Darcia, Charasia, Augis V, and the Cron Drift, the Solidaritan Sultan and his units inflicted more devastation, captured more prisoners, and took more loot. By 22 December, all Solidaritan units had withdrawn from Laurasian territory, leaving behind a virtual wasteland. On 24 December, Alp Arslan dispatched a communique to the King, who had moved with his court to Jenny, which had not suffered as much at the hands of the Solidaritans.

In this communique, the Sultan declared that "This (the invasion) is a gift left to Your Majesty, a gift to demonstrate to you that your dominions are weak and vulnerable, and that we, the Solidaritan race, are greater than your race. We will soon return to complete the work that we commenced." To emphasize the point further, the Sultan commanded for Skurata and his officers to be placed on a automated transport, which crossed the boundary between the two states on 26 December and was soon retrieved by Laurasian patrol vessels near Blackria. Skurata himself was blinded and mutilated, and told tales of how the Solidaritans had treated him and his men cruelly. On 30 December, King Honorius went to see the Chief Reginik at Stoughton, which he had established as his secondary command headquarters. The King was "laid low and sent into a flurry of sadness and wailing", according to contemporary accounts. Pope Cyril attempted to calm the King down, but the King continued to wail, declaring that the Lord Almitis was punishing him and that the war had been a result of his folly.

Skurata, who was no longer useful to the King, but who nevertheless had earned his trust and affection, was formally dismissed as Chief Reginik on 1 January 1172; granted a lifelong annuity and medical pension; and allowed to retain the estates and privileges he had accumulated as Honorius's chief subordinate. Skurata was replaced with Prince Eumenes Samasia of Katie (1116-78), who received his seals of office from the King during the late hours of the New Year's Day. 1172 did not commence in a positive fashion for the Laurasian Dominions, and a sense of gloom now descended. Honorius refrained from celebrating the New Year at his court, instead praying, wailing, and fasting with his servants and trusted confidantes. The King continued to declare that he was responsible for the horrific events of devastation and destruction, emanating from a foreign power, which had now befallen his subjects. On 6 January, he issued a belated New Year's proclamation, declaring the Lord Almitis was angry with him and that he should had never maintained such oppressive policies as he had. The King then formally apologized to his subjects "for his follies" and announced that he would soon implement new measure, to assist his subjects and "spare them from the further evils caused by the anti-Almitis." On 14 January, Honorius summoned a session of the Aristocratic Duma, and announced to that body his intentions to abolish the Royal and Common Dominions, to dismantle the Reginiks, and to repeal the provisions of the Royal Statute of Laurasian Administration and Royal Security.

Two days later, he issued a further proclamation from the Redoubt of Stoughton, reaffirming his intention to abolish the Reginik administrative system and to restore the Duma, Council, and Assembly to their previous governmental functions and advisory duties. Prince Samasia, who had been loyal to Honorius and had supported his master in all of his endeavors, was now denounced as a grievous traitor to the state on the absurd grounds that he had plotted with Alp Arslan and that he had taken the excesses "to unreasonable bounds" so as to destroy Laurasia. On 24 January, Samasia was arrested; dismissed from his position as Chief Reginik; and deprived of all titles, grants, and properties conferred upon him. He was imprisoned at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V on 1 February, after the Chamber of the REB sealed its conviction of him, and would remain there until his death on 5 March 1178. On 5 February, Honorius commanded the REB Chamber to begin preparations for dissolving itself and transferring authority back to the Court of High Justice as the leading court of civilian and state offenses in the kingdom. On 11 February, the King dismantled all of the various offices and recruitment centers of the REB. On 15 February, he issued the Duma Decrees, by which the Aristocratic Duma regained authority over all parts of the kingdom and was recognized for its loyalty towards "His Most Exalted Majesty."

Finally, on 24 February, the Royal Statute of Laurasian Administration and Royal Security was formally repealed. The Royal Enforcement Bureau was disbanded, and all of its members were returned to normal military or diplomatic service. They were, however, deprived of all estates, goods, monopolies, grants, and titles which had been conferred upon them, these having been confiscated from nobles, gentlemen, knights, magnates, and merchants who had been affected by the King's massacres and excesses. Those individuals who had managed to survive the Honorian Terror (as the King's regime of cruelty became known in later centuries), were formally exonerated of all charges; declared "true servants of the State"; and restored to all previously confiscated titles, properties, estates, grants, and monopolies. All sentences of anathema issued by the Almitian Church by the King's command since 1163 were repealed, while all those who had been cursed or condemned by the governmental authorities were formally pardoned and released from prison, hard labor, or exile. The Royal and Common Dominions became the Laurasian Dominion again, being subjected to the regular authority of the higher governmental institutions.

The King also commanded all of his subordinate officials to apologize to their subordinates and to declare that the Royal Laurasian Government would not lapse "into such errors" again. The Reginiks were completely disbanded and eliminated by the end of 1172. The most oppressive and dictatorial period in Honorius the Terrible's reign had ended after nearly a decade, although the King would engage in more limited excesses and outbursts of suspicion until his death. This was demonstrated on 3 March 1172, when the King commanded for the border officers and commanders, who had been responsible for the units and garrisons that were overwhelmed by the Solidaritan armadas, to be excommunicated by the Church; branded as miscreants; dismissed from the military service; and tortured by solar incineration, so as to atone for "their mistakes." This penalty was carried out at Nezbit, Blackria, Capital, Meaganian, and other Laurasian strongholds over the course of the next twelve days.

On 20 March 1172, the King, who declared that he needed spiritual solace and that the Laurasian state needed a new Queen Consort, announced his engagement to Demetria Sobasrina (1150-72), the daughter of Tiberius Sobasrina (1125-88), the owner of Xilleite Scientific Equipment. The King had remained unmarried since the death of his second wife, Maria Temaraina, on 1 September 1169, and believed that it was time to remarry. According to Laurasian ecclesiastical regulations, however, no person could be married more than three times. Pope Cyril, acting on the King's explicit orders, issued a injunction on 26 March, declaring that this rule did not apply "to His Majesty or to the members of His Majesty's Family." The particular law in question would eventually be repealed by Seleucus the Victor entirely in 1322. Many were surprised that Honorius was marrying the daughter of a merchant, of a social class which he had targeted with great vigor in his atrocities. The King however, overrode their doubts, declaring that the Angel Messalina of the Lord Almitis had spoken to him "that this woman hath be your savior and your rightful companion." Pope Cyril too, supported the King's plans and threatened to censure, with the full force of the Church, any who dared to oppose it. This quelled most public dissent on the issue.

On 29 March, the King was married to Lady Sobasrina at the Glathorian Hall of Stoughton, which had temporarily assumed the position of precedence among the Laurasian cathedrals and monasteries. The marriage ceremonies were presided over by the Pope, whose health was beginning to fail by this point. A series of marriage festivities, parades, and celebrations then ensued, while the King received messages of blessing from the Laurasian aristocracy, from the Royal Council, and from the Consultative Assembly, wishing him the best in his new union. Just four days after the wedding, however, Queen Consort Demetria began to suffer a series of heat strokes and panic attacks. The doctors at first dismissed it as a result of elevated blood pressure. They did not realize that she had developed geno-code disorder, a virus which had been prevalent among her ancestors. Geno-code disorder was little understood, however, and for many days, the Queen Consort was advised simply to rest. By 17 April, however, the Queen Consort's medical condition had deteriorated enough that the King commanded for her to be moved to the Hospital Quarters.

On 22 April, she was finally diagnosed with the geno-code disorder, but the doctors announced that there was nothing they could do for her. The Queen Consort's pain increased, and she began to suffer from epilepsy and kidney stones. She was confined at the Medical Quarters of the Redoubt of Stoughton from 29 April. The King wailed, prayed, and fasted in his personal quarters, entreating the Lord Almitis to confer a miracle by sparing the life of his "beloved." On 2 May, he issued a state memorandum from the Redoubt of Stoughton, commanding all of his subjects to pray for the life of the Queen Consort. These efforts were in vain, however, and on 11 May, the Queen Consort was taken off life support. Two days later, Honorius the Terrible's third wife and consort died, aged only 21. When the King received the news of her death, he "fell swiftly to the ground" and cursed himself, declaring that the Lord Almitis was allowing the Anti-Almitis to inflict him with various pains. Pope Cyril attempted to console the King, but was only cursed at and hustled out of His Majesty's presence. Honorius's bout of anger and sadness at the death of Demetria Sobasrina, however, was not as vigorous and did not last as long as the bout he had conducted at the death of Queen Consort Anastasia, nearly twelve years earlier. On 16 May, the King emerged from his personal quarters and resumed his normal state duties.

He issued a formal proclamation about the death of his wife, declaring that she was "a saintly woman" who had been taken from life by the Anti-Almitis in "a cruel and sudden fashion." On 21 May, the Queen Consort's funeral was conducted on Stoughton, as Laurasia Prime was not ready for the King to resume his habitation there. Dignitaries from all of the galactic powers attended, while the King himself, instead of the Pope, presided over the funeral ceremonies. Once Demetria Sobasrina was buried, however, the King declared that he needed a fourth wife, so as to console him spiritually "and provide him company." On 27 May, the King announced his engagement to Licinania Kalagastagania (1149-1226), who was the daughter of Alexius Kalagastagania (1121-75), one of the most prominent courtiers within the Royal Household. Licinania was presented to the Royal Court as the future Queen Consort three days later. On 11 June 1172, their marriage was conducted, being presided over by Pope Cyril. Lavish banquets, masques, concerts, and other festivals were held during the course of the next several days, to celebrate the wedding.

Cyril's health was drained by the marriage ceremonies, and on 22 June, the Pope was confined at the Hospice of Stoughton. Honorius wept when he received word of Cyril's condition, declaring that he had been the only loyal Pope since the death of the beloved Macarius. On 26 June 1172, Cyril died after serving as Pope of the Royal Almitian Church for four years. Honorius commanded that the Pope be given a lavish state funeral, which was conducted on 1 July at the Sanctuary of Stoughton. Three days later, the King convened the Ecclesiastical Conclave and commanded them to select the Bishop of Stoughton, Anthony, as the new Pope of the Royal Almitian Church. They dutifully followed the King's command and saluted Anthony as the new Almitian Pope on 6 July. Anthony, in his acceptance speech, declared that he would remain loyal towards "His Most Excellent and Saintly Majesty" and that he would not allow the Almitian Church to exert its powers and duties out of bounds. On 11 July, Anthony was formally enthroned as Pope in a lavish ceremony, receiving his miter, cross of authority, and robes from the hands of the King. Five days later, Anthony issued his first papal bull and commanded all clergymen to remain loyal towards the King. Any who criticized the King were to be instantly excommunicated and condemned as a traitor to the State. Honorius of course, supported this measure, and on 14 July, issued a royal decree to confirm its provisions. In the meantime, as the Laurasian Almitian Church adjusted to the governance of a new Pope, events transpired within the Polonian dominions.

By July 1172, the health of the King-Emperor, Vladislaus I, had entered a serious decline. The King, who had been married three times, nevertheless had no children of his own. Thus, the restorer of the Polonian Commonwealth would be the only one of his dynasty to govern over the Polonian dominions. The Treaty of Pressburg had mandated in any case that future monarchs were to be elected by the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament. On 27 June, the King issued a state proclamation, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to the provisions of the Treaty and expressed his hope that the Parliament would make a wise decision. On 4 July, he sent a diplomatic communique to Honorius, offering to reconfirm the Truce arrangements between Laurasia and Polonia. Honorius accepted, and the Conditions of Rawling were signed on 12 July, declaring that hostilities were not to commence until January 1174. After the Conditions were signed, Vladislaus withdrew more and more from governmental affairs. On 27 July, the Council of Ministers announced that the King was not expected to live for much longer. He formally entered medical confinement on 1 August. Four days later, he entered a coma. Then on 7 August 1172, the first King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth died after a reign of seventeen years.

His death was greatly mourned by his subjects, with the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament declaring, on 14 August, that "there hath never been a better or more venerable ruler for the Polonian and Donguarian states than this one so lately passed." On 16 August, the Parliament, acting under the provisions of the Treaty of Pressburg, named the Polonian Archbishop of Polonia Major and Primate of the Commonwealth, Jakob Ukhanzi (1702-81), as the interrex of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, to exercise the powers and duties of governance until a new King was formally elected. Honorius the Terrible, hearing of Vladislaus's death, sent a letter of condolences to Primate Ukhanzi on 22 August, declaring that Vladislaus had been a "worthy" enemy and that his death was truly a loss for the Caladarian Galaxy. Similar letters of condolence arrived from Joh'ac of Briannia, Alp Arslan of Solidarita, Femania of Venasia, Ragibagh of Crimeania, and various other monarchs. The Primate presided over the King's funeral on 27 August, which was attended by dignitaries from the other galactic powers, including Laurasia. For the remainder of 1172, the Primate governed the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth with fairness, steadiness, and honesty.

By the beginning of September 1172, Alp Arslan and his Grand Council of Advisers had formulated plans for the renewal of the Solidaritan wars with the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. The Sultan was determined to "honor" his earlier "promises" by instigating a further invasion of the Laurasian Purse Region. He was determined to seize Laurasia Prime and to force Honorius to agree to considerable territorial concessions. Once again, Solidaritan units and squadrons were assembled at Laronn, Quanna, Sheryl, the Belts of Mantin, Vindictoria, Leopoldia, Big Twinny, Michael, Deanna, Wendy, Coen, Dennis, Rastaborn, Shannon, and the other chief Solidaritan strongholds. The Sultan firmly believed that the Laurasian units would be incapable of resistance and that he would gain further honor and prestige for himself by achieving a series of victories and making territorial acquisitions at Laurasian expense. The Sultan did not know, however, that this time the Royal Laurasian Government would be prepared for his invasion. Honorius and his councilors had instigated a variety of military and mobilization measures, so as to prepare the Laurasian dominions for the renewal of conflict with the Solidaritan Sultanate. From January 1172 onwards, the Laurasians had established minefields, defense relays, and control outposts along the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route.

This was only the forfront of a series of Laurasian defenses and fortifications. Caladaria, Darcia, Americana, Charasia, Oxia Vixius, Augis V, Katherine, Elizabeth, Chancia, Blackria, Nezbit, and other Laurasian strongholds acquired new shield generators, defense fleets, and repulsive fields, so as to provide more effective resistance against Solidaritan offensive squadrons. A series of intelligence posts, established in the Cron Drift and Constantine Cluster, kept Laurasian military authorities informed of Solidaritan plans. Laurasia Prime itself, which was slowly beginning to resume normal life after the Solidaritan offensive of the previous year, received the largest defense armada. Finally, Honorius, in a particularly wise measure, brought General Parlae out of disgrace. Parlae, who had been imprisoned since December 1170, was released on 4 September, restored to his titles and estates, and placed in command of the Laurasian military units. The General now vigorously drilled his forces and inspired a new sense of morale among his officers.

On 11 September, Alp Arslan finalized his plans for invasion. Five days later, he severed diplomatic relations with the Royal Laurasian Court and again banished the Laurasian ambassador from his court. Honorius sent out emergency contingency plans to the Laurasian garrisons on 20 September. Then on 26 September, the Solidaritan Sultan issued a declaration of war and hurled his units once more into Laurasian territory. This time, however, the Solidaritan armada was unable to advance rapidly, as Laurasian fortifications and patrol units now inflicted severe casualties upon their forces. The Laurasian relay posts quickly informed Parlae of the Solidaritan advances. The General hurled north along the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, while the Sultan and his force were delayed by the defensive fields near Martina Mccasia. Finally, on 3 October 1172, Alp Arslan was intercepted by the forces of General Parlae at Molodi, a minor mining-colony world about eighty light years north of Blackria. For the next three days, a "vigorous battle ensued, with such brutality and such slaughter that all were convinced that the agents of the Anti-Lord himself had descended to end the Universe", according to Monompahalaus. General Parlae, however, now utilized his superior patrol units and starfighter squadrons to devastating effect, and he severed the Solidaritan supply lines. Alp Arslan and his chief flagships, including one commanded by his nephew Malat-Arslan, were now gradually forced back into the outskirts of the Molodi star system.

Then on 6 October, the Laurasians destroyed the chief Solidaritan positions and rushed through the flagships. Malat-Arslan himself died while fighting Laurasian troopers on his flagship. The Sultan barely evaded capture, and just managed to flee from Molodi, with his flagship almost being captured by Laurasian Marines. General Parlae had decimated virtually the entire Solidaritan force and had gained a decisive victory for the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. On 11 October, Alp Arslan retreated back into the Solidaritan Dominions, and realizing that further invasion attempts into Laurasian territory would now be futile, sent a request for a armistice. This request was accepted by Honorius on 14 October. The Armistice of Blackria was signed three days later. On 2 November, negotiations commenced between the Solidaritans and Laurasians at Inivey, which was located near the Laurasian boundary with the Solidaritan Sultanate. After several days of fraught negotiations, the Treaty of Inivey was signed by the diplomats of both states on 16 November 1172. By the terms of the Treaty, the status quo ante bellum was maintained in territorial matters between Laurasia and Solidarita. Alp Arslan agreed to drop any and all demands for tribute, territorial concessions, or extraordinary commercial privileges. In exchange, Honorius allowed the Sultan to keep all slaves and captives captured in the campaigns of 1171. The Treaty of Inivey was ratified by King Honorius on 20 November and by the Sultan on 26 November.

After the conclusion of the Treaty of Inivey, peace descended upon the Core Regions for the remainder of 1172. On 1 December, General Parlae arrived at Stoughton with his personal squadrons, being greeted with lavish celebration by the inhabitants and garrison of that world. The King himself, who had temporarily overcome his hostility towards the General, and who was grateful that the Solidaritan Sultanate had been defeated in its latest invasion attempt, extended warm greetings to the victorious General. On 2 December, the King awarded the General the Martial Order, which was one of the highest military decorations for strategy and command within the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Honorius treated Parlae to a series of festivals, masques, banquets, concerts, displays, military parades, and other celebrations over the next several days. On 9 December, the ambassadors from the other Galactic Powers extended their heartiest blessings and congratulations upon the General, although those that came from the Briannian ambassador, Verill Edill (1123-87), were the most strained. Within the Solidaritan Dominions, on the other hand, a sense of gloom and despair descended. The Sultan, who had returned to Istantius on 5 December, blamed his military commanders and many of the other members of the Grand Council for the Battle of Molodi. Declaring that the spirit of his father Erutugul was punishing him, the Sultan ordered for the arrest, humiliation, and torture of all military subordinates and officers on 11 December, who had directly participated in the latest Solidaritan conflict with Laurasia.

Nearly 500,000 persons were affected by this decree. Two days later, Alp Arslan commanded his subjects to mourn the losses of the preceding military campaigns, and those at Court were forbidden to express any joy or happiness at any sort of matter for the remainder of the month, on the pain of death. In a secret letter to Joh'ac of Briannia, dispatched on 18 December, Alp Arslan declared that the "vile Honorius" had disgraced the honor of his species by having a General who had obtained victory. After dispatching this letter, the health of the Sultan rapidly failed, as he came to believe that he had no more purpose for rule and life. On 22 December, Alp Arslan formally named his son Malik-Shah as his successor, according to Solidaritan custom, and commanded the Grand Council to hand him the Sword of Allegiance. This was done on 24 December. The following day, 25 December 1172, the second ruler of the Solidaritan Sultanate died after a reign of nine years. The death of Alp Arslan was greeted with mixed reactions among his subjects. While some considered him to be equal to his father Erutugul, others declared that the Battle of Molodi had overshadowed all of his earlier victories. Joh'ac of Briannia, Primate Ukhanzi of Polonia, and Femania of Venasia all sent letters of condolence to the Solidaritan Court. Honorius the Terrible of Laurasia, however, refused to comment on the Sultan's death.

On 1 January 1173, the funeral for Alp Arslan was conducted at the Tomb of the Exalted Sultans on Istantius. This ceremony was attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers, with the exception of Laurasia, which was still celebrating its victory at the Battle of Molodi the previous year. Malik-Shah, with the assistance of his ulmen of the Solidaritan Faith, presided over the funeral ceremonies. In his funeral oration, the Sultan declared that his father "hath been a vigorous and energetic ruler, whose fame shall always rest in the Solidaritan Annals."He refused to declare that his father's honor had been tarnished by the grievous defeat of the Battle of Molodi, instead declaring that "every ruler has their own failures." By the commands of the Sultan, Alp Arslan's body was interred in a coffin next to that of Erutugul, the founder of the Solidaritan Sultanate. So it remained for the next two hundred and thirty nine years. Eventually, in 1412, when Demetrius the Fat destroyed the remnants of the Solidaritan Sultanate and annexed them into the Laurasian Empire, he gave a command for Alp Arslan's coffin, and that of his father Erutugul, to be disturbed, with their corpses placed in containers and deposited at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V. This action was to "insult the Solidaritan race, so that they may know that these great rulers of theirs did not foresee their state's downfall at the hands of the Laurasian Empire."

In 1501, however, Antigonus the Conqueror was to give orders for the remains of the first two Solidaritan Sultans to be translated back to the Tomb of the Exalted Sultans on Istantius, declaring that they "deserved proper eternal rest just like every other honorable ruler." Turning back to the present, Laurasia entered 1173 in a more positive light then it had entered 1172. By this point, reconstruction efforts at the Celestial Palace, Diplomatic Palace, and Westphalian Cathedral had proceeded enough for Honorius, on 17 January, to issue orders for the Royal Court and Government to move back to Laurasia Prime. Arriving at the capital world on 20 January, the King declared that Laurasia was stronger then ever and that the Solidaritan invasion had failed to "break the spirit of the Laurasian race." At this time, Honorius refrained from excesses, and many of his subjects were relieved by his relaxation of control over them, although they by no means ever suggested that his oppression would not return.

By the end of January 1173, election arrangements in the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth had proceeded. Primate Ukhanzi had issued decrees, on 22 and 29 January, commanding that the ballots be arranged and the Parliament make preparations for the selection of candidates. According to the Treaty of Pressburg, invitations would be sent by the Polonian Government to other foreign Powers, asking them to propose candidates for the Polonian throne. Every galactic power with the exception of Marcia and her subordinate kingdoms dispatched their emissaries. Honorius, when he received his invitation from the Polonian Consulate at Laurasia Prime on 9 February, declared to his advisers that this would be his opportunity. It had been expected by the Polonians that Honorius would merely nominate a candidate for the Polonian throne. Honorius however, believed that he could put himself forward as a candidate. On 12 February, Honorius commanded his consul at the court of Polonia Major, Antigonus Lalais (1120-97), to present his name for the election process. When the Primate received notification of this from the Consul, he was "greatly surprised and astonished, considering the Laurasian proposal to be outrageous." Nevertheless, the Primate, according to the Treaty of Pressburg, could not refuse, and he accepted the Laurasian candidature on 17 February. Briannia and Venasia now proposed their own candidates. For Venasia, the candidate was Hensior of Twalia (1151-89), a Venasian courtier who was the son of Generaless Joriana. Femania, in her nomination letter to the Polonian Court, issued on 17 February, declared that the son of the Generaless would be "the best ruler for the Polonian-Donguarian dominions." Joh'ac of Briannia, who nominated the Briannian Magnate Is'ac (1148-1222) as his candidate on 20 February, proclaimed that Briannia would act as a "worthy ally to the Commonwealth, if you select our candidate." Obviously, the Laurasian, Briannian, and Venasian candidates were the strongest ones. Ukhanzi closed the candidature process on 25 February.

Five days later, he formally convened a session of the Electoral Parliament. The Polonian Magisterial Court began its discussions on 2 March. Over the next six days, several of the Polonian-Donguarian representatives, led by Donguarian Prince Lajos of Bandamria (1100-89), issued their objections to the Laurasian candidate (Honorius), declaring that it was unethical for the Commonwealth to accept a hostile monarch as its ruler. Honorius himself fueled this objection, as on 7 March, he issued a declaration demanding that the Polonian-Donguarian Government acknowledge his prerogatives in Commonwealth territory and conclude a immediate peace with Laurasia on the Ivorian War, favorable to Laurasian interests. Eventually, on 7 March, the Magisterial Court voted, in a two-thirds majority, to reject the candidacy of Honorius, declaring that the Commonwealth could never subject itself to a Laurasian or Laurasian-installed King. Honorius was angry that his candidature had been rejected, and would use this a excuse for recommencing the Ivorian War several months later. Generaless Joriana, in the meantime, campaigned vigorously for her son, pointing out his peaceful nature and his determination to "honor the Polonian government." The Briannian candidate, Is'ac, did not campaign as vigorously, and disappointed many on the Magisterial Court, because of his gluttony and suspected corruption. On 29 March, the Magisterial Court also rejected the Briannian candidacy. By 5 April, it had settled on Hensior. On 11 April, Ukhanzi confirmed that Hensior had been named the potential candidate. Three days later, the Magisterial Court formally elected Hensior as King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. This decision was certified by Magnate Ukhanzi on 24 April. On 1 May, Honorius issued a diplomatic proclamation from the Celestial Palace, declaring his "dissatisfaction" with the Polonian elective decision but nevertheless promising not to intervene with the enthronement and coronation process.

On 11 May 1173, a Polonian elective delegation, according to the terms of the Treaty of Pressburg, was dispatched to the Neo-Venasian Consortium by the Magnate. Reaching Venasia Prime on 12 May, the delegation was welcomed by the Queen Mother in a lavish ceremony, who then treated the delegation to nearly a month of festivities and celebrations. Finally, on 6 June, the delegation traveled to Twalia, where it met with Hensior and his mother. The delegation saluted Hensior as the "future King" and extended its bessings to him. For the next three months, negotiations ensued between Hensior and the delegation on the terms of his Accession Pact and the arrangements for his enthronement and coronation. Then on 10 September, the delegation asked Hensius to take a oath of office, by which he would promise to respect the Treaty of Pressburg, the powers and responsibilities of the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament, and the privileges of his nobility, the clergy, and his new subjects. They also asked Hensius to declare that he would not leave Polonian territory without securing permission from the Parliament and that he would continue with traditional Polonian domestic and foreign policies.

Hensius, urged on by his mother, accepted these terms and took the oath of office the following day. On 13 September, Hensius signed his Accession Pact, which enshrined these conditions in written form and at the same time, confirmed his position as the presumptive King. Five days later, the delegation handed the certificate of election to Hensius, whose announcement of accession was then delivered to the courts and governments of the foreign Powers, to all Polonian embassies, and to all Polonian military, court, government, and administrative officials. Hensius now turned his attention to setting his Venasian affairs in order, a concern which occupied his attention for the remainder of 1173. Ukhanzi thus continued to hold the office of Polonian Interrex until Hensius traveled to the Polonian dominions to assume his duties as King.

In the meantime, a new war erupted for the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Laurasian relations with Briannia had been strained ever since the deposition of E'rac from the Briannian throne in 1168. His brother, Joh'ac of Briannia, nurtured his own ambitions against Laurasian territory and believed that he would be able to expand his dominions further. Honorius the Terrible of Laurasia, on his part, believed that he would be able to reincorporate Briannia into his dominions, thus strengthening Laurasia's position. The King of Laurasia, however, sought a pretext for his planned war with Briannia. On 21 September 1173, through his ambassador at the Briannian court, Peucestas Alamasius (1128-91), the King dispatched a diplomatic communique to Joh'ac of Briannia. In this communique, Honorius declared that "peaceful relations" were essential for the existence of any power within the Caladarian Galaxy, and that Honorius's chief goal as a monarch was to "reside in tranquility and brotherhood with all of his neighbors" (a untrue claim).

As such, the Laurasian King declared that he was willing to take Briannia under his diplomatic and economic protection and to arrange for the marriage of his son, Grand Prince Honorius, to the Briannian Princess Alasine (1150-1214), daughter of De'ar LaGuathie (1120-1205), one of Joh'ac's leading state administrators. Honorius expressed his utmost wish that the Briannian Government would be receptive to his offer. Joh'ac, who knew that "protection" essentially amounted to Laurasian dominance and overlordship, sent back a vehement response note on 27 September, declaring that the Laurasian "offer" was out of bounds and that it was fueled by hostile intentions. He thus rejected Honorius's message. Honorius, declaring that he had "attempted" to maintain peace with the Briannian state, and that he had been refused, recalled Ambassador Alamasius from the Briannian court on 4 October. At the same time, he banished the Briannian ambssador, Fau'kal of Asgol (1116-86), from his court and severed all economic relations with the Kingdom of Briannia. Joh'ac sent military instructions to his commanders, warning them of Laurasian intentions.

Then on 12 October 1173, Honorius issued a declaration of war against Briannia from the Celestial Palace. Laurasian units and squadrons, stationed at Ipsus V, Hammenor, Bristalai, Capital, Meaganian, Reese, Arias, Tommy, and other Laurasian strongholds, now launched two separate offensives. One Laurasian force invaded the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime, with Rashid, Calpurnia, Shiloh, Schaueria Prime, Alvurg, Lythia, and the Nexus Route being their targets. The other Laurasian force moved into Briannia proper itself, with Nystadia, Alemeda, Briannia itself, and the other chief Briannian star systems being their targets. The Laurasians at first obtained a string of victories. They destroyed Outposts 1-50 of the Nexus Route (13-19 October); shattered the defenses of Lythia (20-25 October); and drove Briannian patrol units from the vicinity of Agac, Alfac, and Podrac (26-29 October). Lythia was subdued on 1 November, followed by Rashid (3 November) and the outskirts of Shiloh (5 November). A Laurasian offensive against Calpurnia (6-17 November 1173) ended in failure, with that stronghold successfully resisting the Laurasian onslaught.

Laurasian offensives against Nystadia and the Stock Repository of Mandium also failed (November-December 1173), although the Laurasians did subdue Alemeda and Chekhon (25 November-9 December 1173). By 13 December, the Laurasians were launching constant raiding expeditions, which harried and threatened numerous Briannian military posts, space stations, navigation beacons, and colonies. The most severe of these Laurasian expeditions was against Vardar (15-21 December 1173), which resulted in the enslavement or massacre of some 300 million Briannians. By the end of December 1173, Honorius and his military commanders were planning for a major offensive against Calpurnia and Shiloh, hoping to subdue those Briannian strongholds. On 1 January 1174, Honorius, in his New Year's proclamation to his subjects, boasted that Briannia would be under Laurasian rule again by the end of the year. Joh'ac of Briannia, on his part, told his subjects not to give up hope, and stated that their bravery and discipline would hold back further Laurasian advances.

In the meantime, on 6 January 1174, Hensior finally departed from Twalia, having been granted permission by the Queen Mother to depart for his new dominions. He traveled slowly with his entourage, taking care to avoid the military theater between Laurasian and Briannian forces on the outskirts of Venasian space. On 9 January, Hensior and his entourage finally arrived at Polonia Major, being greeted with lavish ceremony by Primate Ukhanzi and the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament. Hensior was formally saluted as King-Emperor by the Polonian High Command and Council of State on 12 January. On 17 January, Primate Ukhanzi formally stepped down from his position as Interrex of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth and deferred to Hensior's authority. Hensior swore another oath of office on 24 January. Preparations began for his coronation, which was finally held on 13 February 1174, with Ukhanzi presiding as officiator of the ceremonies. The coronation was attended by dignitaries from all of the Galactic Powers, with the Venasian delegation being the largest. Generaless Joriana herself headed the Venasian delegation, and according to the fifteenth century Laurasian historian, Sir Suetonius Ulagrai, she "was the happiest and most contented person of all at the ceremony, seeing her son so exalted." By the middle of February 1174, Hensior had fully assumed his duties as Polonian-Donguarian King. On 11 February, he signed the Armistice of Satisba with King Honorius, extending peace arrangements between the two states to the end of the year. The war between Laurasia and Briannia continued. Laurasian raiding expeditions against the Belts of Barton, Shiloh, Jem, Dill, and Boo (January-February 1174), inflicted further losses on Briannian garrisons and further increased Laurasian hopes that Briannia would succumb.

Finally, in March 1174, Honorius authorized for full-scale operations against Shiloh and Calpurnia, seeking to bring those Briannian bases under Laurasian rule. The Laurasian armada advanced towards Calpurnia on 4 March, and two days later, decimated a Briannian defense armada in the outskirts of the system, in the Battle of Mylio. On 11 March, Calpurnia itself was placed under siege. A Briannian counteroffensive to relieve the stronghold (12-22 March 1174) was repelled. Finally, on 27 March, Calpurnia's defenses were breached by the Laurasian squadron and the world capitulated to the Laurasians. On Honorius's orders, General Parlae, who had been placed in command of the Laurasian military operations in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime, employed extensive brutality. The General had the commander of Calpurnia's garrison, the Solidaritan mercenary Vough (1130-74), and his chief officers "tortured with solar flares and then dumped into a pit of chloride, which blinded and suffocated them", according to Monompahlaus. Nearly half of the soldiers and personnel of the Briannian garrison were slaughtered, while another third were tortured through various means. Similar brutality was employed against the garrison of Shiloh, which capitulated to the Laurasians on 6 April 1174. By the end of April 1174, Jem, Dill, Boo, Caroline, and the other Schauerian strongholds had all been subdued by the Laurasian units, who had now reconnected the Kingdom's dominions with Ipsus V and the Venasian Triangle. The Laurasian units had become overextended however, and at the beginning of May 1174, the Laurasian units experienced a series of desertions and mutinies by many of its personnel. General Parlae employed harsh measures, but these forced him to temporarily halt further active military operations. Honorius sent a note to his commander on 7 May, demanding the reasoning for this. Parlae told him about the insubordination and unrest among his men. Honorius, commanding the General to apply measures to root it out, then gave Parlae formal authorization to temporarily suspend military hostilities. This allowed King Joh'ac and his military commanders to formulate plans for a series of counter-offensives against the Laurasian units.

On 16 May, Joh'ac sent a diplomatic communique to the Solidaritan Sultan Malik-Shah, who then resided with his court at Sassanay. In his message, the King of Briannia declared that the recent successes "of the Laurasian Power" would upset the balance of affairs in the Core Regions and that only the restoration of initiative to Briannian forces would prevent Honorius from then threatening the Solidaritan dominions. Thus, the King of Briannia requested for a corps of Solidaritan mercenaries to be placed at his disposal. Malik-Shah, who did not wish to wage war against Laurasia directly, but who nevertheless did not wish to see Briannia destroyed, agreed to this two days later. The secret Treaty of Sassanay, signed on 24 May 1174, placed a corps of 1.3 million Solidaritan mercenaries with 1,000 assault vessels at the disposal of the Briannian Government. The transfer of the mercenaries was conducted at Big Twinny on 27 May. On 3 June, Joh'ac managed to hire 5 million Venasian mercenaries, who, traveling through Homidinian and Solidaritan space, reached Briannia on 7 June. The King also organized his remaining Briannian Guards and commanded for half of the adult male population of Briannia to enroll in their local militia. By 15 June, Briannian and mercenary units had been concentrated at Nystadia, the Belts of Barton, and Osel, being readied for a series of counteroffensives against the Laurasian units. Joh'ac placed his leading military commander, the Selenian General Rusae (1125-86), in command of the Briannian armada, and commanded him to inflict "grievous" blows upon the Laurasian invaders. Mehmed Oslaui (1129-90), the commander of the Solidaritan mercenary corps, became chief of the Briannian operations, as a subordinate of General Rusae. Then on 22 June 1174, the Briannians launched a series of swift counteroffensives against the Laurasian units. General Rusae destroyed Laurasian patrol units at the outskirts of the Belt of Barton (22-27 June); demolished the Laurasian military repository on Revalia (28 June); and drove past Twagam (1-4 July), before securing Alemeda (5-10 July).

By 12 July, Briannian units were penetrating to the Nexus Route. General Parlae was caught off guard by the Briannian assaults, and vigorously organized his units at Jem, Dill, and Meaganian, to prevent the Briannians from penetrating back to Schaueria Prime. On 15 July, the Briannians launched a offensive Chekhon that failed. Two days later, however, General Rusae destroyed a Laurasian squadron in the Battle of Asur, driving Laurasian units towards Ipsus V. Mehmed Oslaui now suggested that the Briannian units move towards Capital. By this, the Solidaritan General said, they would drive a wedge into the Laurasian forces. Joh'ac, fully confident in the abilities of his units, granted his approval for such a offensive on 22 July. On 26 July, Briannian and Solidaritan units, having used a secret military route supplied by spies in General Parlae's fleet, appeared in the outskirts of the Capital star system. The Laurasian garrison was caught off guard, and General Rusae now advanced almost to Capital's shields. General Parlae, however, who was now receiving warnings from the King about the consequences of failure, organized a vigorous relief effort. On 1 August, the General's chief squadron cut off the supply lines to the Briannian force. General Rusae, who was on the verge of being captured, was forced to flee on his personal starfighter. Most of the rest of the Briannian fleet was either destroyed or captured. On 4 August, General Parlae recovered Twagam and pushed Briannian raiding expeditions away from Meaganian and the Nexus Route. By 11 August, Alemeda had been captured again, and Laurasian units resumed their ravaging expeditions against the Belt of Barton. General Rusae, however, was determined not to give up, and from 17 August, launched a series of vigorous counteroffensives from Nystadia and the Belts of Barton.

Briannian units again threatened Laurasian positions and even penetrated to Marr. On 26 August, however, General Parlae defeated him again in the Battle of Rood and forced him to retreat. Mehmed Oslaui, in the meantime, launched his units against Capital again, taking advantage of a secret route provided by the Sultan's agents at the Laurasian court. He managed to breach the world's shields and storm the stronghold (27 August-2 September 1174), but was then defeated by Parlae at Reese (4 September). On 10 September, Mehmed Oslaui was commanded by the Sultan to retire from the conflict and to return to Solidaritan space. On 15 September, General Rusae was dismissed from his post by the King, who now assumed direct command of the war effort. On 18 September, however, the Venasian mercenaries had a argument with their Briannian counterparts, sparked by a series of insults that the chauvinistic Briannian officers directed against the female Venasian commanders. A brawl soon ensued, as the Venasian officers commanded their personnel to "avenge this insult against the honor of our Motherly Race." During a clash that took place on the RMB Saluk, some 500 soldiers were killed and another 2,000 wounded on both sides.

Ultimately, the Captain of the Saluk ended the brawl by threatening all of his military personnel with a court martial. News of the incident reached the King of Briannia, who then ordered a extensive investigation of all the personnel and mercenaries serving in his fleet. As a result of this investigation, conducted through the latter weeks of September, nearly 30,000 Briannian military personnel were either censured or demoted in military rank, while the Venasian mercenaries were deprived of one-fourth of their annual pay. This however, now inflamed tensions among the Venasian officers. On 1 October, Generaless Moriana of the Venasian Corps (1110-1205) marched into the chambers of Briannian Admiral Nu'dak and demanded that full pay for her women be reinstated. When the Admiral refused, the Generaless drew her saber and charged. The Admiral was wounded, and he soon fled from his own chambers. Ultimately, Moriana was cornered and taken into custody by the Briannian Military Police. Queen Mother Femania, hearing of these incidents, terminated her mercenary contract with Briannia on 6 October and recalled all mercenaries under the Venasian service back to the Consortium.

Generaless Moriana, released from custody on 10 October, led the mercenaries out of Briannian territory two days later, being granted passage by General Parlae through Ipsus V and Bolgrahay to reach Venasian space. By 20 October, all foreign mercenaries in Briannian service had departed. King Joh'ac was now sent into the depths of despair. This was aggravated on 27 October, when General Parlae besieged and conquered Nystadia. Laurasian and Briannian historians alike would consider 1174 to be the year, between 1155 and 1364, that Laurasia had the greatest chance of destroying Briannian independence. During these last months of 1174, however, that did not happen. Honorius, confident that Briannia could be gradually starved into surrender, commanded Parlae to halt further active military operations on 1 November. Five days later, he gave orders that Laurasian units suppress all trade to and from the Belts of Barton. Thus, for the remainder of 1174, Briannian territories were largely encircled by Laurasian units. A smuggling trade however, from Solidaritan space into Briannian dominions kept Briannia alive. In the meantime, events took place elsewhere.

On Laurasia Prime, King Honorius had become dissatisfied with his Queen Consort, Licinania. Licinania had become pregnant twice: in December 1172 and in August 1173, but both times she miscarried. Eventually, in February 1174, the royal physicians discovered that the Queen Consort would be unable to ever bear a living child. Honorius, who was upset by this grievous blow, now began to draft plans to divorce Licinania and to find another Queen Consort. On 7 November 1174, the Queen Consort was, on the orders of the King, arrested by Royal Guards while she was in her private chambers with her ladies-in-waiting. Two days later, she was brought before a assembly of the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, Consultative Assembly, and Court of High Justice, being accused of "indirect treason and conspiracy" through her failure to bear the King a child. The Queen Consort defended herself vigorously, pointing out that the King had known of her infertility and that he had recently declared his continuing love for her. The assembly of judges and officials refused to heed her pleas, however, and on 11 November, she was convicted on all counts.

Honorius, declaring that their union had been "a result of the intrigues of the anti-Almitis", formally deprived Licinania of her position as Queen Consort; commanded the Pope to pass a sentence of anathema on their union; and dismantled the Queen Consort's household. Pope Anthony heeded his master's commands, denouncing their union and passing a judgment of divorce. On 15 November, the former Queen Consort said goodbye to her ladies-in-waiting. Two days later, she was taken on a transport from Laurasia Prime to the Velestial Monastery of Windowia Photis, where she was forced to take the name of Daria, servant to Almitis and enter the Royal Almitian Church as a nun. There, Licinania remained for the rest of Honorius the Terrible's reign, becoming one of only two of his wives to outlive him. After Honorius the Terrible died in 1184, Eurymaschus Gadavaranius released her from her service as a nun, granted her the title of Queen-Dowager, and awarded her properties on Jenny, Chloe, Kelby, Reese, Katie, Caladaria, Darcia, and Laurasia Prime. Licinania thus lived as a average Laurasian noblewoman until her death on 5 April 1226, living through the reigns of Theodosius the Feeble, Gadavaranius, the rulers of the Laurasian Time of Troubles, and into that of Leonidas. She never married again. After disowning and divorcing Licinania, the King turned his attention to matters of administration. Many of those at the Royal Court noticed that his attitude had become strained and that he sometimes muttered random comments. This habit of the King's was to worsen with the passage of every succeeding year.

In the meantime, Honorius's former chief subordinate, Skurata, who had been effectively crippled since his torture by Alp Arslan in 1171, entered a steady decline of health. He was formally confined at the Galactic Hospital of Laurasia Prime on 21 November. The King took time from his duties to visit the former Chief Reginik, praying and wailing alongside his bedside. Skurata died on 27 November 1174, surrounded also by many of his former subordinates of the REB. He thus died peacefully, a fate for one responsible for the torture and death of so many billions. By the command of the King, Skurata was given a formal state funeral on 4 December, which was attended by dignitaries from the other galactic powers and by most important government, court, military, civil, and ecclesiastical officials. Skurata's corpse was formally interred at the Mausoleum of the Honorable Dead at the Westphalian Cathedral. His body remained there until after Honorius the Terrible's death. On 29 November 1186, on the orders of Eurymaschus Gadavaranius, Skurata's tomb was disturbed, with his corpse dug up from its coffin, pulverized into dust, and then thrown on a container into Laurell, where it was incinerated. Gadavaranius did this as a "apology measure" to the people for the oppression of the Reginiks.

As 1174 came to its conclusion, new events emerged within the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth and the Neo-Venasian Consortium, that were to bring an end to the brief reign of Hensior of Twalia over the Polonian dominions. Generaless Joriana, so triumphant and proud at the election of her son to the Polonian throne, fell seriously ill in October 1174. The condition of the Generaless quickly deteriorated, and on 29 October, the Queen Mother granted her leave from her official duties. King Hensior, who received word of his mother's condition while attending a concert at the Gallery of the Beloved on Polonia Major, sent a holocomm message to the Venasian Government on 2 November, inquiring about his mother. The Queen Mother responded that his "honorable and venerable Mother" would soon be entering the realm of Heaven, and that all she had accomplished would surely gain a firm position for her in the eyes of the Venasian Goddesses. Joriana, who was still aware of what was transpiring, and hearing about her son's inquiry, sent a note to her son directly on 11 November, telling him that she would be "soon welcomed by the embrace of the Afterlife."

She told her son not to worry any further about her and to turn his attention to the affairs of government within his new realm. Hensiior, when he received this communique, burst into tears and declared that that the Goddess Velia was condemning him for placing his mother in such pain. On 14 November, the King commanded the Polonian ambassador at the Venasian court, Halagat of Beses (1132-1207), to attend to his mother's bedside and to provide comfort to her in her last days. The Ambassador followed the King's commands to the letter. On 19 November, Generaless Joriana entered into a coma, and her doctors declared her medical condition hopeless. It was now declared that she should be taken off life-support. Such a action would require the approval of both her son and of the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother extended her permission on 22 November and sent a further note to Hensior, urging him to grant his permission as well. Hensius relented for some days, but finally did so on 1 December. The following day, life-support for the Generaless was severed.

On 4 December 1174, Joriana, the successful Venasian commander of the Eastern Seven Year's War, and mother of the Polonian King Hensior, died. Hensior, when he received word of his mother's death, wailed bitterly. For several days, he stayed in his quarters and wept. Finally, on 12 December, he was persuaded by Primate Ukhanzi to emerge from the quarters and resume his daily routine. On 22 December, Joriana's funeral was conducted at Twalia, with the King, unable to attend his mother's funeral due to the Polonian Parliament not being in session, being represented by Halagat of Beses. All of the other galactic powers with the exception of Briannia had delegations who attended the funeral, which was presided over by Kalamania (1104-77), Lady Matriarch of the Venasian Faith of the Goddesses. The Queen Mother, in her funeral oration, declared that the death of Generaless Joriana was a true loss to the Neo-Venasian Consortium. She proclaimed a year of mourning for the Generaless and imposed a atmosphere of austerity and sadness upon her court, to honor Joriana's memory. Joh'ac of Briannia, in a proclamation about the Generaless's death, issued on 29 December, declared that there "hath never been a more vigorous enemy to Briannian arms." Honorius of Laurasia, although his ambassador attended the funeral of the Generaless, refused to comment about her.

On 1 January 1175, New Year's celebrations were conducted at the courts of all the Core States except Venasia and Briannia. In his New Year's proclamation, Honorius declared that his earlier hope of subduing Briannia completely before the end of 1174 had been "one of folly", but that the Briannian state was nevertheless still succumbing to Laurasian might. Joh'ac of Briannia still implored his subjects not to give up. On 10 January, the King of Laurasia announced his engagement to Anna Vashalitania (1154-77), who had been one of his lady-servants. Many wondered why the King was marrying a servant, but he quelled their objections by issuing a injunction forbidding discussion of his future wife's social and economic background. On 25 January 1175, they were married in a lavish ceremony at the Westphalian Cathedral, which was presided over by Pope Anthony. A month of celebrations and festivities then ensued. Honorius, who was pleased with his new wife, and who had fully recovered from the events surrounding Licinania's humiliation and the death of Skurata, sent a note to Joh'ac of Briannia on 1 March.

In this note, Honorius declared that "war is a grievous and hateful aspect of civilization which should not have arisen" and that both the Laurasians and Briannians were disturbing the state of affairs in the Galaxy through their conflict. As such, the King of Laurasia proposed that their conflict be brought to a end and that a peace treaty be signed to settle all "outstanding matters" between the two monarchs. Joh'ac, who knew that Honorius's irrationality would eventually be his ruin, and who needed to restore his resources from the conflict, accepted the Laurasian offer on 6 March. On 11 March, the Armistice of Chandlier was signed. Five days later, a diplomatic congress was opened at Tyleria Perea, with Venasian emissaries helping to mediate between the Laurasian and Briannian delegations. General Parlae, who was by now the most famous Laurasian military commander, headed the Laurasian delegation, while Admiral Nu'dak headed the Briannian delegation. For several days, vigorous discussions and negotiations ensued. Parlae, acting on the commands of the King, demanded that the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime be conceded to the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia; that the King of Briannia allow the Laurasians to keep all captives, starships, and plunder taken in the campaigns; and that Briannia pledge neutrality in any conflict which Laurasia engaged in thereafter. Nu'dak bristled at these, but on 27 March, was commanded by Joh'ac to agree to the Laurasian demands. On 11 April 1175, the Treaty of Tyleria Perea was signed by the two delegations.

By the terms of the Treaty, the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime was seceded to the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Joh'ac allowed the Laurasians to keep plunder, starships, and captives taken in the campaigns; pledged diplomatic neutrality; and granted Laurasian merchants rights of free passage and navigation across his dominions. In turn, Honorius agreed to withdraw his units from the territory of Briannia proper and to compensate Briannia for half of its military expenses. The Treaty of Tyleria Perea was ratified by King Honorius on 17 April and by King Joh'ac on 22 April. On 27 April, Laurasian units withdrew from Briannian territory, and by 6 May, the Duchy of Schaueria Prime had been reorganized by Honorius into Laurasian vice-royalties and military districts. Joh'ac, in the meantime, began formulating plans to expand his military forces and to realign his military strategies. In May 1175, he issued a secret directive commanding for the establishment of the Council of War and Supply, which would become responsible for reorganizing the Briannian High Command, increasing Briannian military supplies, and reducing Briannian dependence upon mercenary corps. New shipyards and training centers at the Belts of Barton, Nystadia, Alemeda, Stockhodia, Vardar, and other strongholds were constructed during these months.

Honorius, in the meantime, turned his attention to pleasures at the Royal Court. The King's irrationality, however, soon directed itself at General Parlae. On 22 May, during a concert which was being held at the Laurasia Prime Economic Exchange, one of the General's ex-servants, who bore a grudge against his former employer, appeared in front of the King and claimed to have knowledge of the General's "conspiracies against Your Honorable Majesty." Honorius, who himself had felt animosity and jealousy towards his victorious General, commanded for the Court of the Star Chamber to investigate these allegations. On 26 May, the Court declared that "His Majesty's fears are correct." They issued this declaration because they knew it was what the King wanted to hear. Honorius, asserting that Parlae was a "heinous traitor", commanded for the arrest of the Prince-General on 1 June. Parlae was brought to the Station of Jadia, that feared and forbidding military prison, fortress, and depository. There, the Prince-General was interrogated by the Royal Council, the King's chief subordinates, the Aristocratic Duma, and the Court of High Justice, who constantly accused him of "treason, heresy, gluttony, corruption, and conspiracy against the State" and affirmed that his sole purpose was to bring ruin upon "His Majesty and His Majesty's most glorious State." Parlae continually asserted his innocence, but his interrogators refused to believe him. Finally, on 6 June, the King himself confronted the General in his prison cell. Accusing Parlae of various crimes against the State, and declaring that the Lord Almitis had saved him from ruin at the hands of a traitor, Honorius then commanded for Parlae to be tortured by electrical flares. Parlae endured his torture with fortitude and courage, although the King himself assisted the torture-Guards with their duties and made sure that Parlae was placed on the most intense levels of pain as possible.

Finally, the flares stopped, and Parlae, who had been badly burned and mutilated, was thrown back into his cell. The King then departed from the Station of Jadia and commanded a assembly of the Court of High Justice and Military Tribunal to pass sentence upon the General. The two bodies did so on 11 June, declaring that "never a more heinous traitor hath existed within the Laurasian Military" and sentencing Parlae to loss of his rank and properties; dismissal from the military service; and lifetime imprisonment at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V. Parlae, thus humiliated, was placed on a transport the following day, which was to take him to Ipsus V. He did not survive for long however, and just five hours into the journey, he succumbed to his injuries. By order of the King, Parlae's corpse was buried at the Mortuary of Fiends on Ipsus V on 20 June, with his corpse condemned to "eternal pain" by Pope Anthony. Parlae's corpse remained at the Mortuary for nearly two centuries, until, in 1364, upon the annexation of Briannia, Antiochus the Great commanded for him to be disinterred, restored to his ranks posthumously, and buried at Leonathaite Military Ceremony on Darcia with full military and governmental honors.

In 1509, Antigonus the Conqueror established the Imperial Order of General Menelaus Parlae in his honor, to be awarded to military officers and commanders who displayed great valor in service. Parlae was further honored more then two centuries later by Aurelia the Great, who in 1783 commanded for his name to be placed on the Registry of the Greatest Laurasian Commanders. Thus, three later Laurasian sovereigns paid tribute to General Parlae and compensated him in death for the indignities imposed on him by Honorius the Terrible in life. In the meantime, after the death and dishonorable burial of General Parlae, Honorius issued a proclamation on 27 June, declaring that there hath died a "grievous liar, fiend, and humbug" who had "almost brought ruin to the Autocracy through his conspiracies and his back-dealing." On 1 July, the King declared that Parlae had conspired with Alp Arslan of Solidarita, Joh'ac of Briannia, and Vladislaus of Polonia against the Laurasian Royal Government (a false charge). For the rest of his life, Honorius asserted that he made the right decision by moving against General Parlae.

By August 1175, new concerns had arisen for the Polonian King Hensior. After the death of Generaless Joriana, the Queen Mother had announced, according to Venasian custom, that the Generaless's will would not be read until eight months had elapsed since her death. The Queen Mother was merely following Venasian tradition, but Hensior nevertheless was angered by this proclamation. In January 1175, he had held a series of meetings with the Council of Ministers and with his politburo of Venasian councilors, as well as with the Venasian Ambassador to the court of Polonia Major. In these meetings, Hensior declared that the Queen Mother's actions were "unfair" and that she was unduly keeping him in ignorance of his inheritance and his birth-right. On 4 February, the Polonian King sent the first of a flood of communiques to the Queen Mother, imploring her to rescind the custom in this case and to allow Hensior to assume his rights as a Venasian nobleman, since he was the only child of the Generaless. Hensior declared that as a king of a foreign power, who nevertheless was originally a Venasian subject, he should be exempted from the rules of female preference as regards to the disposition of properties. Femania at first refused to respond to his message, declaring that Hensior was fully aware of the customs and traditions of their race, and that he should focus himself on the affairs of the government. By April 1175, however, after Hensior had sent twelve further notes to the Queen Mother, she finally responded. On 21 April, in her first response note, the Queen Mother declared that Hensior should await for the public announcement of the will to come and claim his share of his mother's estate. Hensius was not satisfied with this, and continued to implore Femania to release the will. The Queen Mother continued to refuse.

As a result of this, Hensior temporarily banished the Venasian Ambassador, Yuania Asamania (1128-1214), from his court on 9 May and forbade his subjects to travel in Venasian dominions without special authorization. Femania did likewise, expelling the Polonian Ambassador from her court on 16 May and recalling her subjects from Polonian space. Polonia and Venasia were veering to war, something which Honorius the Terrible would have delighted to see. King Hensior was soon confronted by Primate Ukhanzi however, who declared that he would be violating his oath towards his subjects by embroiling the Commonwealth in a unnecessary war. Hensior now calmed down, and on 2 June, restored diplomatic relations with the Venasian Court. Femania, commending the King for "honoring the customs of his original species", likewise restored relations with the Polonian Court on 11 June. Hensior then waited patiently for his mother's will to be publicly announced. This was done on 4 August 1175, in a ceremony presided over by the Queen Mother at Twalia. Hensior was represented at the ceremony by John Sobieksis (1124-96), the new Polonian ambassador to the Fountain Court of the Queen Mother. The conditions of Joriana's will surprised all. Instead of conferring her estate upon her son, as many had expected, Joriana had instead left everything to her niece, the Venasian Duchess of Ruttum Kennalaia (1152-1225). Kennalaia inherited all of Joriana's honors and titles and was given the sole prerogative of control over the Generaless's properties. In the will, it was explained that Hensior had been "honored enough" by becoming the Polonian King, and that such a position gave him greater influence and wealth then he would have as a Venasian nobleman. Femania, in a statement to Hensior issued on 10 August, implored the King of Polonia to respect the terms of his mother's will. Hensior was sent into a flurry of rage however, and constantly demanded why his mother had "treated him so." For the remainder of the month, he sulked within his private chambers.

Finally, on 6 September, Hensior sent a "note of disagreement" to the court of the Queen Mother, asserting his right as a Venasian aristocrat to challenge Kennalaia for his mother's estate. He sent this note against the advice of the Primate and those on the Council of Ministers. Femania, surprised that Hensior was deciding to assert his rights, sent a response message on 11 September, declaring that he could do so, but that he would have to travel to the Venasian dominions personally, so as to see his case heard by the Council of the High Ones. Primate Ukhanzi and the King's other advisers now attempted to persuade him to accept the terms of Joriana's will and to withdraw his challenge. Hensior refused however, and on 17 September, sent out orders for the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament to convene at Galich Major. Five days later, the King requested leave from the body to travel to the Venasian Consortium, so that he could maintain his Venasian birthright. The Parliament debated vigorously over the issue for over a month, with many on the Magisterial Court opposed to the King's endeavors.

Eventually, however, on 26 October 1175, they granted permission to Hensior by a two-thirds vote, but on condition that if he did not return to the Commonwealth by 1 December 1175, he would forfeit his throne. Hensior, believing that he could easily assert his rights before the Council of High Ones before that date, accepted. On 1 November 1175, Primate Ukhanzi was entrusted with the duties of governance until the King was to return. It was also understood that he was to re-assume the position of Interrex if the King failed to return exactly one month afterwards. On 2 November, King Hensior and his personal entourage departed from Polonia Major. Reaching Venasia Prime a day later, they were greeted and entertained lavishly by the Queen Mother, who commanded, however, for the Council of High Ones to assemble as soon as possible so as to decide Hensior's claim. On 7 November, the Council of High Ones held their commencement session at the Fountain Palace. They heard opening statements from the lawyers of the Polonian King and from Princess Kennalaia.

The Princess pointed to numerous legal precedents and reminded the Council of High Ones that within the Venasian dominions, a female was more exalted than a male. Hensior, on his part, declared that his mother had loved him and that she had been "led astray" to not provide him his inheritance in her will. The Council of High Ones leaned towards the King at first, considering regal dignity to be as great as gender prominence, but Kennalaia then brought forth numerous additional precedents to defend her claims. The Court dragged on for many weeks, and on 27 November, Hensior received a warning from the Polonian Ambassador that the date of forfeit was approaching. The following day, he attempted to depart from Venasia Prime back to the Polonian dominions, declaring that the Ambassador would represent him forthwith, until he could secure a extension of the date of forfeit. The Queen Mother, however, warned him that if he did so, the case would automatically be decided in favor of Kennalaia. The King now sent a series of notes to the Polonian Parliament, begging them to extend the date of forfeit. The Parliament refused however, pointing out that in the Treaty of Pressburg the Parliament could only grant one date of forfeit for a occasion, and that the King should have known that before he left to claim his birthright. Hensior was now desperate, and on 29 November, he sent a personal plea to Femania to grant him an exception from the Venasian custom. Femania, who could not do so herself, put the matter before the Council of High Ones, which reiterated the warning that Kennalaia would win the case if Hensior departed before the conclusion of proceedings. Hensior, who now believed that claiming his Venasian birthright was more important, sent out his final message as King during the late hours of 31 November, apologizing to the Polonian people and government "for my utter foolishness in action."

The following day, the Parliament and Council of Ministers proclaimed that Hensior had forfeited the Polonian throne, and he was formally denounced as King. Primate Ukhanzi now became Interrex of the Polonian Commonwealth once more, while the Parliament made preparations for the commencement of the second election process. Hensior's involvement with the affairs of his mother's estate proved futile: on 6 December, the Council of High Ones closed the deliberations, and addressing Hensior as a mere nobleman, not as a King, declared that Kennalaia was the rightful possessor of Joriana's estate. Hensior, who was now penniless, having lost his salary and privileges as King, and having no part of his mother's estate, became a effective pauper. Queen Mother Femania, however, was "generous" to him, granting him his own household and a lifelong annual pension of $245.9 million Venasian challos. Hensior, who had lost the position for which his mother had tirelessly and vigorously campaigned for him to obtain, thus settled into inoffensive obscurity as a average Venasian nobleman.

For the rest of his life, he constantly decried the fact that his determination to assert futile estate rights had cost him a throne which possessed more prestige and value. Hensius eventually died at Ruttum on 1 August 1189 from the Angrames malady. As regards to the current affairs of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, Primate Ukhanzi turned his attention to the matters of government administration and to arranging for the election process. On 4 December, in a proclamation addressed to the subjects of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, the Primate declared that Hensior's decision to take his Venasian inheritance more seriously than his duties as Polonian King had been one of folly, and demonstrated that he had not been willing to sacrifice his personal concerns for the good of the Commonwealth. The Primate ignored the fact that the Council of High Ones would not have permitted Hensior to leave before the conclusion of the will proceedings without automatically forfeiting all rights to the estate of his mother.

On 10 December, the Primate issued the traditional decrees for the arrangement of the ballots and Parliamentary preparations for the election process. Five days later, the Polonian Government sent invitations to all of the foreign powers except the Neo-Venasian Consortium, inviting them to nominate candidates for the Polonian throne. Honorius once again put himself forward as a potential candidate for the Polonian throne, but the Primate declared that there was absolutely no chance for a Laurasian to be installed on the throne of the Commonwealth. The two most formidable candidates were the Polonian Magnate Stefanius Bathorius of Trania, who was renowned for his tactical genius and his skill at administration; and the Goldarian Prince (suggested by Laurasia as a candidate from the Central Core) Maxilainius, who was handsome and energetic. On 27 December, the Primate closed the candidature process for the second time in just over two years. Then, on 1 January 1176, he convened the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament. In the opening speech, the Primate declared that the "folly of Hensior" had deprived the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth of a ruler, and that the Commonwealth needed to select another who would have "true devotion" to the interests of the Polonian State. The Primate thus implored the Parliament to consider the candidates wisely and to make its decision carefully. The Parliament heeded his words, and on 2 January, issued a joint resolution declaring that it would apply more rigorous procedures of evaluation to choose the rightful King for the Polonian dominions.

On 11 January, the Magisterial Court began its discussions about the candidates. Once again, Donguarian Prince Lajos of Bandamaria took the lead in the proceedings. The candidature of Honorius was rejected on 12 January, with the Magisterial Court declaring that it would henceforth never vote for a candidate who was nominated by a hostile power. Ukhanzi backed this action up by a state decree on 21 January, suspending all further nominations from Laurasia until the Ivorian War had finally been concluded. On 22 January, the Court had a argument over the virtues and qualities of Prince Maxilanius and Magnate Bathorius. Lajos of Bandamaria expressed his support for Stefanius Bathorius. On 4 February, the subject of Vladislaus's niece, Anna Jagelliana (1153-96), was first raised in discussion. The Treaty of Pressburg had forbidden the election of a woman to the Polonian throne, but many believed that a new King should consolidate his position by marrying the last representative of the founding dynasty of the Commonwealth. Lajos and Primate Ukhanzi both supported this motion.

On 17 February, Anna Jagelliana, who until then had been residing quietly at her estate on Kransla, was brought before the Parliament and formally requested to marry the King who was elected, "so that the Polonian Commonwealth may have some insurance of stable and proper government." Jagelliana accepted on 24 February, on the condition that she be accorded all the dignities and honor, as a Queen Consort, that would be given to her potential husband. On 1 March, the Court summoned Prince Maxilainius before it. The Prince was then subjected to a series of interviews, mental evaluations, and background checks, as the Court attempted to figure out his strengths and weaknesses. This process was ended on 12 March, and Maxilianius was named as one of the final two candidates for the election process. Stefanius Bathorius was then summoned to the body on 22 March. Although he was physically unimpressive, when compared to the Goldarian, Bathorius astounded many in the assembly by his intelligence, honesty, and determination.

Monompahalaus states that Anna Jagelliana herself, participating as one of the interviewers, "had a great interest develop in her heart for this Prince, whom she thought to be the worthy ruler of her uncle's dominions." She immediately named him as the second final candidate, and this decision was approved by the Court. Stefanius Bathorius underwent the evaluations and interviews, and scored a perfect score in all that he was tested on. On 29 March, the Magisterial Court went into secret session for its final deliberations. Prince Lajos, Primate Ukhanzi, and Princess Jagelliana all supported Stefanius Bathorius as the potential candidate. Finally, on 4 April 1176, the Court announced its decision, formally electing Stefanius Bathorius as the new King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. This was certified by Primate Ukhanzi two days later, who then posed the matter to the Royal Senate, which ratified the election on 11 April.

On 14 April, a Polonian electoral delegation, escorted by Anna Jagelliana herself, who had by now fallen in love with Stefanius Bathorius, went to the Magnate's redoubt on Trania, formally announcing the news of his election. On 17 April, Stefanius Bathorius took the oath of office and humbly swore to all in attendance that he would honor his duties to their fullest extent, unlike Hensior of Twalia. On 28 April, he signed his Accession Pact with the representatives of the electoral delegation. The Magnate, who himself had fallen in love with Anna Jagelliana, formally proposed to her on 2 May, declaring that they had been bound together by destiny. She accepted, and on 5 May, they made their formal progress to Polonia Major. On 8 May, Ukhanzi deferred to the authority of Stefanius Bathorius and stepped down as Interrex. The following day, news of Stefanius Bathorius's accession as King-Emperor was dispatched to the courts of the foreign Powers, to Polonian embassies, and to Polonian court, military, civil, and government officials. Honorius the Terrible, who received word of Stefanius Bathorius's accession while hunting on Charasia, went into a "fit of rage" and mouthed "various obscenities, espousing the absurd claim that traitors had conspired with the Polonians to raise a new enemy against the Laurasian Power."

On 15 May, Honorius refused to issue a proclamation to congratulate Stefanius Bathorius and Anna Jagelliana on his election and their upcoming wedding. Five days later, the Polonian King and the Council of Ministers announced that his marriage with Anna Jagelliana would be conducted on 7 June, and that they would jointly be crowned as King-Emperor and Queen-Empress of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth on 14 June. Preparations began for the marriage ceremonies, with all of the galactic powers with the exception of Laurasia sending notes of congratulations and good will. Finally, on 7 June 1176, in a lavish ceremony conducted at the Crypt of the Polonian Heroes on Polonia Major, Bathorius and Jagelliana were married. Then, six days later, Primate Ukhanzi presided over their coronation ceremonies. The King received congratulations from the Polonian-Donguarian aristocracy, from the Parliament, and from the Council of Ministers, as well as from the foreign ambassadors of most foreign Powers. The Polonian Court then indulged itself in some two months of entertainment and celebration, exalting and praising its new rulers.

In the meantime, however, Honorius and the Royal Council were preparing new strategies of war against the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Honorius believed that the time was ripe for Laurasia to finally "conclude the Ivorian business" and secure its acquisitions. The King of Laurasia hoped to force Stefanius Bathorius and the Polonian Government to finally agree to a Treaty of Peace in favor of the Laurasians. The King decided, in a session of the Royal Council on 28 June, to use the excuse of the Polonian rejection of Goldarian Prince Maxilianius as the chief reason for the recommencement of Laurasian hostilities with Polonia. On 11 July, he issued new military instructions to his commanders. From 21 July, Laurasian units and squadrons were assembled at Alton, Montel, Ergeme, Horacia, Louza, Kingpin, Theresa, Donald, John, Redderson, Dasinae, Maschinga, Satisba, Sthanon, and along the Kimanian Trade Run, as Honorius became determined to launch renewed offensives into the Galician provinces of the Commonwealth. The King's attention, however, was once again diverted by domestic affairs. Honorius had become dissatisfied with his fifth wife, Queen Consort Anna Vashalitania.

Anna had become pregnant in October 1175, but miscarried the child three months later. The Queen Consort also angered the King by her "disgracing" friendships with her servants and the bodyguards of the Royal Household. Anna attempted to defend this with the King by declaring that, as a former servant herself, she would always feel a bond with that social class. Honorius consulted Pope Anthony on the matter three times: on 22 January, 17 February, and 1 August 1176. The first two times, the Pope declared that the King should wait and that he should not divorce Anna unless he was absolutely certain that she would not be of benefit to the Laurasian State. Anthony course, remained utterly subordinate and was careful to address His Majesty in only the most humble terms. By the end of July 1176, however, the King had become impatient, and on 1 August, announced that his continuing marriage to the Queen Consort would not produce any heirs for the Laurasian Royal House. Anthony, knowing that the King was fully determined to dispose of his wife, and that his own position would be in peril if he continued to advise the King to be patient, now stated that "Almitis has condemned all aspects of the union" and supported the King's further efforts on the matter.

On 5 August, Queen Consort Anna was summoned to appear before the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, and Court of the Royal Household. This session was held within the chambers of the Public Discussion Hall of Christiania. The Queen Consort, attended by her ladies-in-waiting, was then accused by the assembly of "infertility, impropriety as a Queen Consort, treason, and adultery", none of which had any basis to them. The Queen defended herself vigorously, affirming her continuing loyalty to her husband. Her pleas were futile, and on 11 August, the assembly convicted the Queen Consort on all counts. Honorius now commanded for her to be placed under house arrest at the Valania Resort of Calaxis II, while a commission chaired by the Pope reviewed her medical condition. The commission issued its report on 22 August, declaring that the Queen was "incapable of bearing a living and functional heir for His Majesty." The King, who put on a fit of rage when informed of the contents of the report, shouted to all in attendance in the Great Throne Room that he knew that his fifth union had been cursed and condemned by the Agents of Almitis.

On 24 August, he formally deprived Anna Vashalitania of her position as Queen Consort; banished her from Laurasia Prime; and imprisoned all of her family members and associates. Pope Anthony pronounced a decree of divorce and condemned the King's fifth marriage as "a sin in the eyes of Almitis." On 1 September, the King sent out further instructions, commanding for his ex-wife to be confined at the Secret Yards of Ipsus V, since she was "a common woman, once the Queen of this realm, having not enough honor to even be in the service of Almitis." The conditions in which the former Queen Consort was kept were terrible, and her health rapidly declined. She died in her prison cell on 27 January 1177. Eventually, in 1187, Eurymaschus Gadavaranius had her exonerated posthumously and her corpse removed from the Mortuary of Ipsus V, being translated to the Royal Mausoleum of Laurasia Prime. The King, who engaged in a series of outbursts at the Royal Court during the remaining months of 1176, remained unmarried for the next three years.

In the meantime, plans for the renewal of military hostilities with the Polonian Commonwealth were finally consolidated. On 4 September 1176, the very same day that Odoacer deposed Genghis-Timur and abolished the Huntite Khanate, the King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians issued a formal state proclamation to his subjects, declaring his intention to "establish a Treaty of Peace with the Polonian Commonwealth and to vindicate our species, by consolidating and maintaining our Ivorian and Horacian acquisitions." Two days later, he sent a diplomatic communique to Stefanius Bathorius through the Laurasian consulate, demanding that the Polonian King call for a final peace conference to formally terminate the Ivorian War, although the two states had not actively engaged in military conflict for the past six years, because of the Truces of Manguilli and Rawling. Honorius declared that Stefanius Bathorius should not "keep the Core Regions perpetually in conflict" by refusing to terminate war. Stefanius Bathorius debated the communique with the Council of Ministers for several days. He then responded to Honorius's note on 12 September. In his response, written with the assistance of Prince Kurbulis, the King of Polonia pointed out that it was "his Laurasian Majesty who had commenced conflict" and that he had violated the code of diplomatic honor by attacking the defunct Ivorian Order, which had been a protectorate of the Polonian Commonwealth. Stefanius Bathorius then declared that Honorius had not "made his best effort" to make peace during the past six years, and that he was determined to ensure that the Laurasian Power "would not grow to such extents so as to pose a threat to the independence of all other states within the Core Regions."

Consequently, it would be beneath the honor of the King of Polonia to agree to a Treaty of Peace with the Laurasian power. Bathorius was encouraged by his wife, who on 17 September, delivered a speech to the Royal Court, supporting her husband's policies. Honorius, enraged by Bathorius's refusal to agree to a peace treaty, declared that "all proper diplomatic channels had been bled dry." On 24 September 1176, the King of Laurasia terminated all armistices signed with the Polonian Commonwealth and recommenced conflict with that power for the first time in six years. Two Laurasian forces, under the command of the new commanding general of the Laurasian High Command, Lord Anastasius Pathorius, crossed the border into Polonian space. They besieged and conquered Frogglesworth (25 September-2 October 1176); penetrated to the outskirts of Rawling (2-9 October); and harried the colonies of Watson, Sherlock, and Rupert (10-22 October 1176). A Laurasian offensive against Galich Majoria, however, was repelled by Prince Kurbulis (25 October-4 November 1176), who had reentered active military service with the Polonian Commonwealth. Kurbulis then harried the Laurasian positions at Dasinae (5-17 November) and destroyed the Laurasian fortifications erected around Frogglesworth (20-25 November), before halting Laurasian pillaging expeditions against Volodormia, Henalisgot, and Smarts (November-December 1176). By the end of 1176, a stalemate had ensued between the Polonian and Laurasian units, as Prince Kurbulis successfully prevented the Laurasians from advancing further into Galician territory.

In January 1177, Stefanius Bathorius and the Polonian Government began to mobilize the Polonian-Donguarian economy for the resumption of full-scale hostilities with the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. On 1 January, both Stefanius Bathorius and Honorius the Terrible issued New Year's proclamations to their subjects. In his proclamation, Honorius lamented at the fact that Prince Kurbulis had again taken up arms against his "former and rightful master, who was granted to him by the grace of the Lord Almitis" and decried that Laurasian units had been temporarily blunted in their renewed military offensives against the Polonian Commonwealth. The King of Laurasia, however, asserted that the exertions of military conflict upon Polonia would finally force Stefanius Bathorius to conclude a war which had by then lasted for nearly two decades. Stefanius Bathorius, on the other hand, in his New Year's proclamation, affirmed that this time the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth would be victorious and that the Laurasian "aggressors will finally be thrown back to their proper bounds, so that no threat may be posed to the position of this honorable Union." The King of Polonia did not merely speak words, however. On 11 January, he convened a session of the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament, and after three days, persuaded the legislature to agree to the creation of the Polonian Council of War, to be charged with the coordination of the military campaigns and battles with Laurasia. The Council of War was formally authorized on 17 January. On 20 January, the Polonian King established secret munitions posts at Magia, Joel, Navarro, Edmond de Gente, and Kalasow, which produced military supplies, equipment, and weapons for Polonian forces.

On 1 February, Primate Ukhanzi commanded the Polonian clergy to pray for the Polonian forces and to direct all of their efforts into bringing the war with Laurasia to a successful conclusion. By the end of February 1177, new property and retail taxes helped to greatly increase Polonian reserves, while five military provision forces had been created and stationed at Galich Majoria, Dragulli, Donguaria Prime, Pressburg, and Cossack. Then on 11 March 1177, a secret agreement was concluded with Ragibagh of Crimeania at Maggie, by which the Crimeanian Khanate agreed to supply a force of Dasian, Acamarian, Chapellan, and Eutagian mercenaries to the Polonian Armed Forces. After this agreement had been made, Stefanius Bathorius sent new military instructions to Prince Kurbulis. During all of these months, the Prince had managed to maintain the status quo, knowing that Honorius would not try to actively insure that the military campaigns were pursued properly. Finally, by May 1177, the Polonian forces were ready to launch a series of counteroffensives against the Laurasians. General Pathorius launched a Laurasian offensive against Watson (1-11 May 1177) that was successfully repelled by Prince Kurbulis. Five days later, the Prince destroyed a Laurasian squadron in the Battle of Prada and forced Laurasian units to halt their raiding expeditions towards Rawling. On 29 May, Pathorius attempted a espionage operation at Danylch, but his agents were discovered and forced to flee by Polonian authorities. By 15 June, Polonian units had pushed Laurasian raiding expeditions away from Sherlock and Rupert. On 22 June, Prince Kurbulis gained a further victory in the Battle of Bailey, and on 29 June, Frogglesworth was placed on alert by General Pathorius. King Honorius, angered by this recent string of Laurasian defeats, sent a flood of messages to General Pathorius during the early weeks of July, demanding the reasoning for Pathorius's recent failures. Pathorius attempted to defend himself, pointing out that Laurasian units fought bravely and had not retreated without inflicting casualties upon the Polonian units.

Honorius however, refused to heed the explanations, and on 22 July, threatened to recall Pathorius as military commander. It was at this point that Prince Kurbulis launched a major offensive against Frogglesworth, destroying Laurasian defenses in the Battle of Annie (22-29 July 1177) and penetrating to the outskirts of the Frogglesworth star system on 1 August. General Pathorius attempted to organize a counteroffensive, sending squadrons against Watson, Matlock, and Wayne, but these efforts ended in failure (2-11 August 1177). On 14 August, Frogglesworth was conquered by the Polonian units, who killed or captured the majority of the Laurasian garrison. General Pathorius was forced to flee north, and on 24 August, suffered a further defeat at the outskirts of Doris. On 27 August, Polonian units destroyed the Laurasian military repository on Anthony. By 12 September, the Laurasians had been expelled from Polonian territory. Honorius, who had had enough, and who was entering into another bout of irrationality, dismissed Pathorius as the commander of the Laurasian military forces on 19 September. Pathorius, recalled to Laurasia Prime, was humiliated by the King before the Royal Court on 24 September. Brought before the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, and Laurasian High Command, he was accused of "incompetence, gluttony, corruption, and treason."

Pathorius was convicted on all counts on 29 September, and as a result, was deprived of his titles and properties; excommunicated by the Pope; and imprisoned at Jadia. On 2 October, Honorius assumed direct command of the Laurasian war effort, in conjunction with the Council and Duma. Five days later, he sent orders for a Laurasian counteroffensive against Frogglesworth, Doris, and Anthony that ended in disaster (7-22 October 1177). On 26 October, Prince Kurbulis drafted plans for the resumption of Polonian offensives into the territories of the former Ivorian Order. On 4 November, however, Kurbulis was seriously wounded when a shield generator on Anthony experienced a severe malfunction, mutilating the Prince and others within its immediate range. Kurbulis, who could not command the Polonian forces any further, was honorably discharged from the Polonian military service by the King on 11 November.

The Prince, returning to his estates on Frogglesworth, recuperated slowly during the remainder of the year. Stefanius Bathorius decided to now take direct command of the war effort, a decision which was encouraged by his wife, Queen Consort Anna. Unlike Honorius, the King-Emperor of Polonia had definite military experience, as he had fought under Vladislaus during the Wars of Liberation against the Crimeanian Khanate; had served at numerous Polonian and Donguarian military garrisons; and had fought as a ship commander throughout the early stages of the Ivorian War. Stefanius Bathorius was known for the firm discipline he imposed on his troops, but also for the loyalty that he generated from them. He was willing to listen to his commanders, and he always worked vigorously towards achieving his goals. On 17 November, Stefanius Bathorius arrived at Anthony and ordered for a series of further offensives to be launched. The Polonian squadrons destroyed the Laurasian fleet of Jahraes (20-25 November) and stormed Dasinae (26 November), before threatening Kingpin, Louza, and the outskirts of Pandy (November-December 1177). By the end of December 1177, Polonian units were advancing towards Ergeme. The successive Polonian victories against the Laurasian forces and the repulse of Laurasian invasion fleets from the Galician Provinces now encouraged Joh'ac of Briannia, who was determined to recover the Briannian territorial losses of the Treaty of Tyleria Perea; seize control of Ipsus V, Meaganian, Bristalai, Hammenor, Hordania, and Dorothy; and to cooperate with the Polonian Commonwealth in restricting Laurasian power and influence.

As the year 1178 commenced, the King of Briannia and his Rikstag began to hold discussions on the possibility of once again entering into war against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. On 5 January, Joh'ac sent a secret diplomatic communique to Stefanius Bathorius. In this message, the King of Briannia declared that Honorius the Terrible "hath long threatened the interests and the positions of our two monarchies" and that he had been provoking tensions within the Core Regions ever since he had assumed effective governance of Laurasia. Joh'ac then declared that Briannia was sympathetic to Polonia, and formally proposed that they combine together in a military alliance, "so as to humiliate Honorius and the Laurasian State and bring the Ivorian War to a final conclusion." Stefanius Bathorius was "much pleased" when he received this message from the Briannian King. In his response, issued on 7 January, the King of Polonia declared that "a alliance of military and diplomatic means between our two states would be of a blessed and a necessary nature."

On 11 January, the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament secretly approved the commencement of diplomatic negotiations with Briannia. Queen Mother Femania, who was wary of Honorius the Terrible, and was sympathetic towards Polonia, offered to mediate a conference between the delegations of the two monarchs at Monderon. Her offer was accepted by Stefanius Bathorius on 14 January and by Joh'ac on 22 January. On 27 January, the Briannian and Polonian delegations convened at Monderon and began their discussions over a alliance. Honorius received word of the Briannian intrigues with Polonia on 4 February. The King, however, distracted with directing his units in Ivorian territory and with the affairs of the Royal Court, decided to ignore the intelligence reports. This decision was to rebound upon him. On 5 February, after several days of negotiations, the Briannian and Polonian delegations signed the Treaty of Monderon, which was attested to by the Venasian dignitaries. By the terms of the Treaty of Monderon, a ten-year military alliance was established between the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth and the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia, directed against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia.

Joh'ac of Briannia agreed to acknowledge Polonian jurisdiction over all of the territories of the defunct Ivorian Order. In turn, Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia acknowledged Briannian rule of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime and agreed to support Joh'ac in his efforts to acquire Ipsus V, Hammenor, Hordania, Dorothy, Meaganian, and other eastern worlds held by the Laurasians. The Neo-Venasian Consortium agreed to allow for the military passage of Briannian and Polonian units through its territory, and offered use of bases at Decapolia, Uber-Commerce, Podrac, Agac, and Alfac, to be used by the two allies in their military campaigns against the Laurasians. It was also agreed that neither Briannia nor Polonia would make any armistice or other peace agreement with Laurasia without consulting their ally first. The Treaty of Monderon was ratified by Joh'ac of Briannia on 11 February and by Stefanius Bathorius (with the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament) on 20 February.

Queen Mother Femania affirmed her support of the Treaty on 26 February. Then on 4 March 1178, Joh'ac recalled the Briannian ambassador, Magnia la Thaie (1114-93), from the court of King Honorius and banished the Laurasian ambassador, Caelius Marmonius (1133-1202), from his court. Honorius finally realized that Briannia was preparing to enter the war, and he now redirected units to Shiloh, Calpurnia, Rashid, Schaueria Prime, Alvurg, and Meaganian. The King however, still did not place Laurasian units in those regions on the highest alert. On 10 March, Briannia issued a declaration of war against Laurasia, and Briannian units quickly hurled from Nystadia, Vardar, Alemeda, and the Belts of Barton into the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. They besieged and conquered Cole on the Nexus Route (11-17 March 1178); repelled Laurasian expeditions from Meaganian and Capital (18 March); and destroyed the Laurasian fortifications of the remains of Bristalai (20-25 March), before advancing towards Kohad and Rashid (26 March-4 April). On 11 April, the Polonian Commonwealth dispatched a military corps to the assistance of the Briannians. This corps combined with the Briannian fleet at Lythia on 16 April. The Briannian-Polonian force then isolated Rashid from outside support on 22 April. After seven days of fighting, Rashid fell to the Allies on 29 April.

On 4 May, a Laurasian expeditionary force launched against Mandium was destroyed by the Briannians. On 11 May, Admiral Nu'dak, who had been the most effective Briannian military officer in the earlier unsuccessful conflicts with Laurasia, was appointed Supreme Commander of the Briannian Forces. He then launched a series of brilliant offensives, making sure to sever Laurasian communications and to attack at random. By these methods, he reconquered Shiloh (12-15 May); Calpurnia (20 May); Alvurg (22-27 May); and Schaueria Prime (1 June), thus regaining control for the Briannian Government of all the Schauerian territories. On 4 June, he repelled a Laurasian offensive against Bristalai and then moved his units towards Compost V, which fell on 11 June. Hordania was besieged from 17 June, finally being subdued by 4 July. On 6 July, Dorothy and Lydia were isolated by Briannian units. Briannian offensives against Hammenor, Greenia, and Selena failed however (6-17 July 1178). During these months, Polonian units had remained in their positions, preventing Laurasian advances south.

By August 1178, Honorius was in the midst of yet another bout of irrationality on Laurasia Prime. On 11 August, he boxed Pope Anthony's ears and banned the prelate from his presence for four months. On 22 August, the King ordered for the arrest and public humiliation of 300 clerks and notaries at the Diplomatic Palace. On 1 September, he engaged in a tirade before the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma, accusing them of laziness, incompetence, and treason. Honorius finally settled back into a more stable state on 4 September and sent orders for a Laurasian counteroffensive. Laurasian units, commanded by the late Skurata's nephew, Marcus Skuratius (1141-82), managed to reconquer Bristalai (10-14 September); repelled a Briannian-Polonian offensive against Ipsus V (20-24 September); and stormed the blockade lines of Dorothy (25 September-2 October). A Laurasian attempt to break the defense lines of Cole and Brole (4-9 October 1178) was defeated by Admiral Nu'dak however, who then realigned the Briannian military lines. Then on 13 October, Honorius sent further military instructions to General Skuratius, commanding for him to ready his units for a military offensive against Nystadia. The Laurasian General, who thus received note of his master's military intentions, protested at the change in plans, sending constant messages to the court of Laurasia Prime. The General declared that all effort should be focused on recovering Laurasian losses in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime and that a offensive against Nystadia would not be successful, since that world would be heavily fortified and would have a substantial Briannian-Polonian armada. The King refused to heed the General's pleas, and on 17 October, ordered him to commence the offensive or be dismissed from service and imprisoned. Skuratius now followed his master's commands, and on 19 October, Laurasian units pushed towards Nystadia. The first Laurasian starfighters arrived in the outskirts of the system on 21 October and performed reconnaissance duties.

They were shortly followed by the Laurasian detachments which commenced the attack. The Briannian-Polonian armada, monitoring the Laurasian movements, then disrupted the Laurasian supply lines and routed the Laurasian starfighters before surrounding and neutralizing the Laurasian transports and destroyers. General Skuratius sent in further units that were simply blocked by Polonian starfighter and patrol squadrons from proceeding. Finally, on 27 October, the General, against the commands of the King, sent orders for the remaining Laurasian units to retreat. They were now pursued by the Polonian fleet, and at Wenden on 8 November, Admiral Nu'dak obtained a major victory, annihilating most of the Laurasian escort and dreadnought corps. General Skuratius, humiliated by these two defeats, was recalled by a angry Honorius on 14 November. Brought back to Laurasia Prime in chains, the General was convicted on charges of treason and incompetence on 17 November; deprived of his military offices and titles; and imprisoned at Windowia Photis, remaining there until his death on 5 March 1182. Honorius once again assumed direct command of the war effort on 22 November. By 27 November, General Nu'dak had finally managed to conquer Selena and had harried the strongholds of the Selena Star Cluster. By the end of December 1178, Jessica Perea, Liteuria, and Smithia had all capitulated to the Briannian units.

In January 1179, Stefanius Bathorius reorganized his front-line military units and prepared for a further series of offensives into the territories of the former Ivorian Order. The King of Polonia visited all of the garrisons of his units and inspired them to continue to "repel the barbaric invader from the territories of our holy Commonwealth." Honorius, in the meantime, at Laurasia Prime, declared that Almitis was turning against him, and forbade any expression of joy at the Royal Laurasian Court. The King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians grew fearful with each passing day, and at sessions of the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma, stated that his kingdom was being cast into the "abyss of failure." Then on 20 January, Stefanius Bathorius and his squadrons advanced towards Louza, which had become a Laurasian military base and stronghold. The siege of Louza lasted for almost a month, as the Laurasian defensive garrison there managed to receive some support from Laurasian units stationed at Levinston, Donald, John, and Cinnamon. The Laurasian troopers themselves fought bravely and with much courage, as they were determined not to fall into Polonian hands as prisoners of war.

Louza's resistance eventually ran down however, and on 19 February, the stronghold was finally overrun by Stefanius Bathorius's forces. Although the King of Polonia ordered for all Laurasian officers and commanders to be tortured and executed, he spared the lives of those who had fought under them, committing them merely to custody as prisoners of war. On 24 February, Cinnamon surrendered to the Polonian units, as its garrison was too weak to resist them effectively. Kingpin and Pandy were then besieged and conquered by the Polonian forces (February-April 1179), while Laurasian counteroffensives from Theresa, Donald, Redderson, and Ergeme were repelled. On 4 May, the Polonians destroyed a Laurasian supply force at Dusaberg, and five days later, harried the outskirts of Zennethia.

Honorius sent a flood of instructions to his military commanders, but these were unable to remedy the situation. The Laurasians did manage to prevent further Briannian advances during these months, and in May repelled a Briannian offensive against Reese, Arias, and Tommy. This was little compensation for the continuing losses to the Polonian Commonwealth, however. On 1 June, Stefanius Bathorius besieged and conquered Montel, driving a wedge through Laurasian units. Ergeme was then conquered (4-17 June); followed by Redderson (20-23 June); Alton (24-29 June); and destroyed a Laurasian force in the Battle of Hammond (1-7 August). On 12 August, Stefanius Bathorius himself personally directed the Polonian offensive against Zennethia, which finally fell to the Polonian units on 5 September. On 11 September, Zutagia and Xuia were besieged and conquered by the Polonian force. Honorius, who was proving as incompetent a military commander as before, continued to blame his advisers. The King of Laurasia asserted however, that the lack of a wife was what "clouded his emotional state." On 22 September, he announced his engagement to Antonia Meleavania (1153-89), who was the widow of the Laurasian Rear-Admiral, Octavian Classius (1131-79), who had been killed on 5 January of that year while engaging Polonian units in battle near Anthony.

Meleavania was renowned for her intelligence and beauty, and Honorius said that it was these traits which attracted to him to her. On 1 October, their marriage was conducted at the Diplomatic Palace of Laurasia Prime, in a ceremony presided over by Pope Anthony, whom the King had restored to favor. Several days of celebration ensued, during which Stefanius Bathorius made further preparations for Polonian offensives. Then on 11 October, the Polonian force advanced towards and isolated Donald. Donald fell on 16 October. On 22 October 1179, the King of Polonia annihilated a Laurasian force in the Battle of Dwarte, leaving the route to Horacia open. Laurasian units however, launched a series of counteroffensives against Dasinae, Ergeme, and Redderson (October-November 1179), which forced Stefanius Bathorius to temporarily halt his plans of offensive in that direction. By 16 November, the Laurasian counteroffensives had been blunted, and Bathorius then raided the Laurasian military depository of Stenbock (20-25 November), which weakened Laurasian supply lines in the western Central Core. On 28 November, Theresa and Bartello capitulated to the Polonian units.

At the same time, on Laurasia Prime, Honorius discovered that his new wife had been engaged in a affair with Lord Devraldus Devasius of Incass (1148-79), who according to contemporary accounts was one of the most handsome and talented men at the Royal Laurasian Court. On 4 December, troops sent by the King burst into the Queen Consort's quarters, while she was in bed with Lord Devasius. The two were arrested and taken to the Military Station of Jadia. The King, who felt utterly betrayed, harangued his wife on 5 December in her prison cell and accused her of being "in consort with the lords of the Anti-Almitis." The King then commanded for the Queen Consort to be taken from her prison cell and to the Chief Torture Chambers. There, she was forced to watch as her lover was tortured with electric flares by the King's prison officers and wardens. According to Lord Monompahalaus, "the Queen Consort burst out into a flood of screaming and wailing, and began to shake from pain and sadness as if the anti-Almitis himself was ravaging her." Devasius, once the torture had been concluded, was badly burned and mutilated, and was barely able to stand. He was then taken back to his prison cell, where he died two days later from hia injuries.

On 11 December, Antonia, who had been emotionally devastated by what she had seen, was brought before a assembly of the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, and Court of High Justice, where she was accused of "adultery, treason, conspiracy, and disloyalty towards the King." She was convicted on all charges on 14 December, as the weight of the evidence was fully against her. The King, who was still enraged that he had been betrayed, commanded for her to be deprived of her position as Queen Consort; excommunicated from the Almitian Church; and imprisoned at the Maze Prison of Windowia Photis. Antonia was brought there on a prison transport on 22 December. She continued to wail and scream in her cell, and eventually, on 29 December, committed suicide by hanging herself with a bed-sheet. Her body was buried in the Mortuary of Windowia Photis the following day. Eventually, in 1737, her coffin was exhumed by the orders of Antigonus the Extravagant, who wished to "punish one in death who had betrayed her master." When her coffin was opened, however, it was found to contain only dust. Nevertheless, the Emperor commanded for her dust to be sprinkled into Phar (the star of Windowia Photis), so that "it would be incinerated by the flames of the anti-Almitis."

====Polonian Offensives in the Central Core; The Deaths of Pope Anthony and Primate Ukhanzi; Honorius the Terrible slays his own son; The Siege of Goldaria; The End of the Ivorian War with the Treaty of Jam Zaploski; The Laurasian Conquest of Malaria under Achaleus; The Treaty of Teushina ends Third Laurasian-Briannian War; Death of Honorius the Terrible; Accession of Theodosius the Tame; Ambush and Death of Achaleus; Laurasian Reverses, and Recoveries, in the Malarian Dominions; Dominance by the Cassanova Faction; Rise of Eurymaschus Gadavaranius; Gadavaranius becomes sole Lord Protector; Laurasian Colonization of the Malarian Dominions; Death of Stefanius Bathorius and Election of Sigis'ac of Briannia; He is challenged by a Donguarian Prince; Death of Femania of Venasia and Regency for her daughter; Rebellion by Belaskius against Gadavaranius; Job is elevated to the Papacy; Repeal of Honorian Religious Statutes (1180-1190)==== As the year 1179 came to a close, the course of the Ivorian War had turned completely against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, and Honorius the Terrible was experiencing some of the most humiliating defeats of his reign. On 1 January 1180, the typical New Year's ceremonies were conducted throughout the Caladarian Galaxy. Those in the Outer Galactic Regions have already been noted. But as to those in the Core Regions, they were of varying natures. In the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, many celebrated the commencement of the New Year, in particular because of the continuing victories obtained by Stefanius Bathorius and his units in battle with the Laurasians. Queen Consort Anna Jagelliana presided over the ceremonies at the Royal Court on Polonia Major, since her husband was still off at war. Primate Ukhanzi, whose health had entered into a severe decline by this point, declared that the Commonwealth had been "blessed by Providence" and that the Laurasian mongrels were finally getting what they deserved. At Briannia, too, the attitude was jubilant. King Joh'ac and his Royal Court celebrated vigorously, with the King, in his proclamation to his subjects, declaring that "he knew that the Briannian state would be triumphant and successful over all of her enemies." At Laurasia Prime, however, the attitude was not as joyous. Honorius the Terrible wailed and screamed for much of the day, telling others that Almitis was cursing his dominions and that the Ivorian War was ending in failure. The King did not issue his New Year's proclamation until 7 January. When it was finally issued, the King declared that the commencement of a new decade saw Laurasia "in a serious predicament" and that both his father and grandfather would be ashamed at him. The King however, also noted that much of what had transpired "had not been his fault" and that the traitors who had been around him, such as some of his wives; Popes Athanasius, German, and Philip; Archbishop Sylvester; and various others were responsible for provoking the "decline of the Laurasian State." On 12 January, Pope Anthony, acting on the King's commands, issued a papal bull which affirmed that "these traitors" had been responsible and that the King was unfortunate. For the remainder of January 1180, Stefanius Bathorius focused his efforts on reorganizing his military units for the final push towards Horacia, while Joh'ac of Briannia planned for offensives against the Laurasian territories of Arias, Murphy, and Tommy.

Then on 2 February, the King of Polonia launched a major offensive against Momma, which the Laurasians had converted into a outer defensive stronghold for Horacia. The Laurasian fleet and garrison of Momma resisted the Polonian armadas ferociously, and on 7 February, received reinforcements from Horacia. The King of Polonia directed all of his efforts towards severing the supply lines to Momma and ravaging the system's minefields, space satellites, and orbital defense platforms. Finally, on 16 February, all support routes into the Momma star system were severed. Five days later, the Polonian armada advanced to a position of orbit above Momma and directed their firepower onto the world's shields. It was only on 6 March, however, that the planetary defense shields were finally penetrated by the Polonian units. The world was conquered by Stefanius Bathorius the following day, who executed all of the officers of the Laurasian garrison and imprisoned the rest. Establishing Momma as his new command headquarters, the King of Polonia then began the advance against Horacia on 10 March. On 12 March, the Polonian fleet defeated the Laurasian offensive garrison in the Battle of Cassanova, and five days later, penetrated to the outskirts of the Horacia star system. A vigorous battle then ensued for several days, finally ending in Polonian victory on 26 March. Horacia finally surrendered to the Polonian units on 1 April. With Horacia in Polonian possession, Stefanius Bathorius was finally able to consolidate his position in the Horacian Territories. Theresa (2-7 April); John (8 April); and Levinston (10-15 April) fell into Polonian possession in quick succession. By the end of April 1180, the last remaining Laurasian units in the Southern Ivorian Territories had been forced back into the Central Core. Honorius, who was upset by these victories, decided to find another wife for himself. On 4 May, he announced his engagement to Messalina Dalagania (1158-80), who was of the Dalagania family, one of the leading knight families of Darcia. They were married in a lavish ceremony at the Dalaganian Family Estate on Darcia on 10 May.

Five days later, a second Polonian raiding expedition against Stenbock took place, inflicting further losses on Laurasian supply and garrison units. By the end of May 1180, Polonian units had begun to cross the border into the Central Core. On 4 June, Stefanius Bathorius destroyed a Laurasian fleet at the Sort Drift. Olivia (4-19 June); Muppet (20 June); Mommica (22-25 June); the strongholds of the Sort Drift (26-29 June); and Constancia (1-5 July) then capitulated to the Polonian units. Carina, Seejay Prime, and the Outpost of Clifton were harried by Polonian expeditionary forces (July-August 1180), driving Laurasian units and navigators yet farther north. Then on 2 September, Stefanius Bathorius finally subdued Stenbock and sent plundering expeditions against Yularen, Daala, Pellaeon, and Goldaria (2-19 September 1180). In the meantime, the Briannian units under the command of Admiral Nu'dak instigated further offensives into Laurasian territory. The Briannian force besieged and conquered Reese (1-17 July 1180); subdued Meaganian (20-25 July); and destroyed a Laurasian defensive fleet in the Battle of Archlueta (1-5 August), before threatening Laurasian garrisons at Tommy and Barber (6-11 August). On 14 August, Hammenor capitulated to the Briannian units. Then on 22 August, Mumbraine was surrounded by Briannian units. It resisted them fiercely for several days, but finally fell on 15 September. By 26 September, Briannian units had severed all supply lines to Ipsus V and Millia-in the Core. General Nu'dak then destroyed a Laurasian fleet in the Battle of Osel (29 September-4 October 1180), at the same time that Stefanius Bathorius besieged and conquered Duros. Kulikovo was harried by a Polonian-Briannian fleet on 16 October, and five days later, Tyleria Perea was subdued by the Briannians. Honorius, who was driven further into delusions by these series of defeats, failed to take note of the 100th anniversary of Laurasian Independence (9 October 1180). The Laurasians, in general, were also too distracted by their continuing losses and reverses of fortune in the Ivorian War to celebrate their century of independence after the Dasian Yoke.

On 1 November, Stefanius Bathorius overran the defenses of Sipp and then isolated Maxck-casi from outside support. On 4 November, Sthanon was besieged and conquered by a Polonian fleet. Satisba and Maschinga had been secured by 17 November. Then on 22 November, Ivoria was besieged by Polonian squadrons. It resisted for nearly a month, finally falling to Stefanius Bathorius on 16 December. Thus, all of the former Ivorian Order was now firmly under the rule of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. On 17 December, Honorius discovered that Queen Consort Dalagania had been engaged in her own affairs. Two days later, he commanded for the Queen Consort to be arrested and brought up on charges of adultery, disloyalty, and treason. On 24 December, the Queen was convicted on all counts. Honorius dismissed her from her position as Queen Consort and condemned her to death. The Queen Consort was executed by solar incineration on 27 December. On 30 December, Honorius issued a proclamation lamenting the "fact" that "my wives always tend towards disloyalty." As the year 1181 commenced, the King was not in the best of moods, and refused to issue a New Year's proclamation, the first time in his reign that he refused to do so. Stefanius Bathorius, hearing of this through his contacts, issued his own proclamation, stating that "the Laurasian dominions are losing hope, a fact which will work in our benefit." Joh'ac of Briannia expressed similar sentiments in his New Year's proclamation. On 6 January 1181, Natasi was besieged and conquered by the Polonian units, who were now seriously threatening the security of Goldaria. On 11 January, Honorius, who was entering into the depths of despair, sent orders for a series of counteroffensives. The Laurasians pushed towards Sipp, Olivia, Muppet, Mommica, Stenbock, and Ivoria (January-February 1181), attempting to halt further Polonian advances. Stefanius Bathorius ultimately blunted the Laurasian attempts and successfully secured his position. He then ravaged Elainsborough (1-4 March) and cut off supply lines to Seejay Prime (6-10 March), before besieging and conquering Clifton (12-19 March).

On 22 March, the Briannians inflicted a defeat on the Laurasians at Kulikovo, and two days later, linked with Polonian units advancing from Horacia. They began a joint siege of Murphy on 29 March, which lasted until 17 April, when the world finally fell to the Allied forces. Saray (18-22 April); Senna (24-29 April); Dayanie (1 May); Anusia (2-7 May); and the Prelone Asteroid Belt (10-17 May) were then secured, completing the conquest of the Eastern Core Worlds by the Allied coalition. In the meantime, on Laurasia Prime, Honorius, whose irrationality convinced him that he needed another wife, announced his engagement to Demetria Nagayania (1161-1208), the daughter of Count Tiberius Nagayania (1143-95), one of the leading magnates on the Aristocratic Duma. The marriage was conducted on 22 May. This was destined to be Honorius the Terrible's last union. Pope Anthony, who presided over the marriage, was entering a decline of health by this time. On 7 June, the Pope suffered a stroke while delivering a sermon at the Westphalian Cathedral. He was confined at the Hospice of the Diplomatic Palace six days later. On 16 June 1181, Honorius visited the Pope and stayed by his bedside for several hours, declaring that he was the most loyal Pope of the Almitian Church since the death of the beloved Macarius.

Anthony blessed the King and declared that he was a saintly ruler, statements which most of the Laurasian population heartily disagreed with (and were eventually condemned by Pope Nikon in 1255). Nevertheless, Anthony knew that it had been Honorius who had installed him in his position, and that he had always been vulnerable, it being likely that he would be disgraced and removed from his position, just like prior Popes had been. Anthony, however, like Cyril, was to end his tenure peacefully. He entered a coma on 19 June. Two days later, his life support was cut off. On 24 June 1181, Pope Anthony died. The Pope was sincerely mourned by the King, and on his command, the Royal Court prayed for his soul. Stefanius Bathorius and Joh'ac of Briannia both suspended military campaigns during this time, but continued to make plans for further advances against the Laurasians. On 4 July, Anthony was formally buried at the Crypt of Popes in the Westphalian Cathedral. Two days later, the King convened a session of the Ecclesiastical Conclave and commanded them to select Dionysius, the Chaplain of the King's Household, as the new Pope. They did so on 9 July. On 15 July, Dionysius, who was the last Pope of Honorius the Terrible's reign, was formally enthroned.

By August 1181, with a new Pope installed, Stefanius Bathorius resumed military offensives against Laurasia. Daala (1-3 August); Yularen (5-9 August); and Pellaeon (10-12 August) were besieged and conquered in turn by the Polonian units. The Polonians then destroyed a Laurasian force at Teller (14-19 August) and smashed the defenses of VoRoon (20-25 August). By the end of August 1181, Polonian units were advancing from Barty towards the outskirts of Goldaria. Honorius sent emergency military instructions to the garrison of Goldaria on 4 September, commanding them to "resist the Polonian invaders as vigorously as possible" and warning them that the Anti-Almitis would condemn them in Death if they did not succeed. Two days later, the King of Polonia destroyed a Laurasian fleet in the Battle of Carina, securing Polonian control of the Western Worlds. On 11 September, Admiral Nu'dak of Briannia destroyed the Laurasian garrison of Elainsborough and ravaged the outskirts of Marshia. Two days later, the Briannian units pushed towards Arias. By 19 September, Tommy and Capital had been surrounded by Goldarian units. Then on 22 September, Stefanius Bathorius finally launched a offensive against Goldaria. For three days, the Polonian units harried the outskirts of the Laurasian defense lines, attempting to break them through the use of mines and rigged transports. On 26 September, the King of Polonia launched a frontal assault against the orbital defense platforms of Goldaria. The Laurasian garrison, keeping the King's commands and warnings in mind, fought ferociously and managed to successfully repel the Polonian moves. Further Polonian offensives (27 September-4 October) against the Platforms of Goldaria failed.

On 6 October, Admiral Nu'dak besieged and conquered Tommy, annihilating over half of the Laurasian garrison and capturing a large number of Laurasian shield generators, military armor suits, and defensive replusorlifts. On 12 October, Colsonia, which had managed to hold out against Briannian units, was finally subdued, with the Briannians employing great brutality against the world's population. By 17 October, Briannian units were advancing towards Arias, Katie, Manil, and Marshia. In the meantime, on 24 October, Stefanius Bathorius repelled a Laurasian expedition in the Battle of Chany, hampering Laurasian relief efforts towards Goldaria. Goldaria's garrison however, continued to repel all offensives, and on 2 November, decimated a corps of Polonian army transports and couriers which was launched against the Inner Ring of defenses. In the meantime, on 10 November 1181, Primate Ukhanzi died at the Ecclesiastical Palace of Polonia Major, with the Queen Consort at his bedside. Stefanius Bathorius proclaimed two months of mourning for the Primate, who was buried on 16 November. Stanislaw Karnlaowski (1120-1203), the Archbishop of Polonia Minor, was selected as the new Archbishop of Polonia Major and Primate of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth on 22 November, being formally confirmed by the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament two days later. On 26 November, he was formally enthroned in a ceremony presided over by Queen Consort Anna.

In the meantime, on Laurasia Prime, a tragic event took place which would be considered by Laurasian historians to have been a major reason for the extinction of the Honorian Dynasty. Honorius the Terrible's eldest son and heir was Grand Prince Honorius Cassanova. The Grand Prince, who had been born in 1154 after the death of Honorius's elder son Demetrius, had received an excellent education from Sir Trajan Ulipadus, who had been his father's tutor. Ulipadus remained a mentor and a close friend of the Grand Prince until his death on 12 November 1176. The Grand Prince then attended the University of Laurasia Prime, graduating in 1180 with top honors and degrees in forensics, administration, and military strategy. On 17 September 1180, he had been married, by command of his father the King, to Eusebia Anakoria (1158-95). Their marriage had been one of much joy and passion, but was soon brought to a end because Anakoria failed to become pregnant, as the King had wished for. On 17 February 1181, she had been arrested, divorced from the Grand Prince, and banished to the Velmay Monastery of Jenny, where she eventually died on 5 January 1195. Afterwards, Honorius the Terrible had made new marriage plans for his son, and on 24 March, had him married to Yelena Shamarvia (1160-1235), who was the daughter of Claetio Shamarvia (1126-99), one of the leading jurists of the Court of High Justice. The Grand Prince was happy with his new wife, although he was still angry with his father over what had happened earlier. Eventually, on 3 October 1181, it was announced by the Royal Chancellory that the Grand Princess was pregnant with who would become Honorius the Terrible's first grandchild.

A major incident, however, soon occurred which historians believe to be the worst crime ever committed by the paranoid and cruel King. On 15 November, the King became angry with his daughter-in-law, who, in his opinion, had "dressed in immodest clothing" and was "too friendly" with the servants of the Royal Household. Summoned before the King in the Great Throne Room, the Grand Princess begged for forgiveness for her "transgressions" and declared her loyalty to her father-in-law. Honorius, however, accusing her of adultery and disloyalty to her husband, then began to beat her savagely. The Grand Princess was helpless, and soon miscarried. When Grand Prince Honorius heard of what his father had done to his wife, he burst into his father's quarters and confronted him. He shouted angrily at the King, declaring that "You sent my first wife to a monastery without just cause, and now, you have abused my second wife and caused such pain so as to kill your own grandchild. Will you not stop with your oppressive excesses? The Lord Almitis would be appalled with you." The King, however, reacted by declaring that his son did not realize that his wife was a whore and that he was maintaining the purity of the Royal Household. He then changed the matter to discussion about the ongoing siege of Goldaria, declaring that his son should instead seek to focus himself on military duties. The Grand Prince however, responded by stating that he had tried to gain a position as a military commander and had been rebuffed, that he knew his wife would never betray him, and that the King's incompetence and cruelty were responsible for the series of Laurasian defeats in the Ivorian War. Honorius, who was enraged by this, then declared that his son was "influenced by the evil hand of the Anti-Almitis" and that the spirit of his mother called out to him, imploring him to change his ways and act "subordinate towards his kind and generous father." The Grand Prince responded to this by declaring that his mother would never have condoned her husband's present actions, or his regimes of oppression with the Reginiks.

He also struck to his view that the Laurasian forces should make all efforts possible to relieve Goldaria of its siege. At this, Honorius shouted out in anger and swung his iron-tipped scepter onto his son, knocking him in the head and causing him thus to fall to the ground, seriously wounded. The Grand Prince was barely conscious. The King, realizing what he had done, threw himself at his son, "kissing his head repeatedly, cradling his body in his arms, and acting as any bereaved parent would." He constantly shouted to all in attendance "My Almitis! My Almitis! May I be damned for eternity, for I have killed my son!" The Grand Prince was immediately taken to the Medical Ward by the King's command and placed under intensive treatment. Doctors, however, declared that there was little hope for the younger Honorius's life, and on 18 November, the Last Sacraments were performed by Pope Dionysius. Honorius was inconsolable during this whole time, remaining by his son's bedside and refusing to attend to state affairs. Finally, on 19 November 1181, Grand Prince Honorius, the eldest surviving child of Honorius the Terrible, died. When the King was informed that his son's lifeline had went dead, he wept constantly and shouted curses upon himself, the Laurasian State, and the Royal Household.

The death of the Grand Prince meant that Honorius the Terrible now had only one living child: Grand Prince Theodosius, who was mentally and physically feeble. The King, however, had his wife, who was young and vigorous, and on 27 November, had the royal doctors declare her fertility. On 2 December, the funeral for the Grand Prince was conducted at the Westphalian Cathedral, the King himself being "the most vigorous and sad of the mourners." Grand Prince Honorius would eventually be canonized by Pope Nikon in 1256, a canonization confirmed by Seleucus the Victor in 1322. His death is considered to be one of the most tragic episodes in the history of Laurasia, for it effectively doomed the Honorian Dynasty. As for Grand Princess Yelena, the King formally apologized to her for his earlier physical beating of her, declared that she had served as a loyal Princess of the Laurasian Line, and expressed his hope that she would eventually join her husband in paradise. Allowed to retain the title of Grand Princess for the rest of her life, Yelena never again married and instead devoted herself to good works. She died on 19 January 1235 at the Sharmavian Fortress of Acondia, aged 75.

In the meantime, the Ivorian War continued. Throughout the remainder of November 1181, the Laurasian garrison of Goldaria continued to repel all further Polonian offensives. Stefanius Bathorius, however, dispatched raiding expeditions against Goss Beacon, Evelyn, Hannah, Elainsborough, Williams, and the outposts of the upper Galactic Center (November-December 1181), which inflicted much damage upon Laurasian positions. The Briannian forces of Admiral Nu'dak also continued to advance. On 17 November, the Briannian Admiral destroyed a Laurasian force in the Battle of White. Manli thereafter fell to the Briannians (20-22 November 1181), whose raiding expeditions were now penetrating to the outskirts of Katie, Tegan, Arias, and Marshia. On 26 November, Admiral Nu'dak destroyed another Laurasian force in the Battle of Sandia and then advanced to Arias, destroying Laurasian outposts at Schariver, Fitzgerald's Stars, Fitzsimmons, and the Station of Dosch. Arias itself fell under the siege of the Briannian armada from 1 December 1181. The King, who was distressed by the news of the further Briannian advances to the vicinity of the Laurasian Purse Region, sent constant commands to the garrison General of Arias, ordering him "to hold this bastion of the Laurasian military with the greatest vigor and effort possible" and warning that failure would be met with the royal censure and with everlasting condemnation by the Angels of Almitis. The Laurasians, thus so threatened and motivated, posed a major resistance to the Briannian units. Eventually, however, Admiral Nu'dak finally managed to breach the last defense lines of Arias and to storm the stronghold (16 December 1181).

The Briannian units stormed onto the planetary surface, seized control of the Arian Military Headquarters, and inflicted severe damage upon Arian settlements, towns, and space satellites. By the orders of King Joh'ac, who still remembered the earlier Laurasian massacres of Briannian troops, the entire Laurasian garrison was slaughtered, while the officers and commanders were subjected to torture by solar flares and then humiliated on prison transports. With Arias in Briannian possession, Nu'dak then took Dosch (17 December); Katie (18-22 December); Tegan (24 December); Fitzsimmons (25 December); and Oxia Vixius (27 December) with little trouble, thus posing a severe threat to the eastern Laurasian Purse Worlds. By the end of December 1181, also, Briannian units had linked up with Polonian formations near Bainsborough and were posing a major threat to the Clancian systems. 1181 thus closed with the Laurasian dominions in such a broken and dreary state. Honorius, who was still grieving about the death of his son and who was enraged by the continuing losses, commanded for the Royal Court to publicly pray for the troops and mourn for those who had lost their lives. Pope Dionysius was commanded to preside over a Service of "Bewailing" at the Westphalian Cathedral. In the New Year's proclamation of 1 January 1182, Honorius stated that "Almitis was punishing him and his dominions" for the "numerous sins, transgressions, and errors of the past decades" and that the end of the first century of the Third Laurasian Period had not been a good one for the Laurasian civilization and subjects. The King implored all of his subjects to keep on making sacrifices, "for the sake of Their Rightful Majesty and the Kingdom he represents" and to not lose all hope.

By January 1182, however, the Polonian-Donguarian military units were gradually becoming exhausted and strained, as the Laurasian units still repelled their offensives and as Laurasian patrol squads engaged in various ambushes, harrying Polonian supply lines and slowing the progress of Polonian transports. Indeed, on J4 January 1182, Stefanius Bathorius, in his annual note to the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament, said that "the Laurasian enemy is obstinate and has managed to delay our advance." The Parliament, which was growing increasingly dissatisfied with the slow progress of the siege of Goldaria, passed a resolution on 11 January, declaring that it would terminate the payment of the soldiers' salaries if the siege efforts had not come to a successful conclusion by 1 February. The Queen Consort's attempts to persuade them to rescind their resolution failed, and on 15 January, she implored her husband to return to Polonia Major, so that he could "appeal to his subjects in a more direct fashion." On 22 January, Stefanius Bathorius heeded his wife's suggestion, returning to Polonia Major and leaving command of the siege forces to Jan Zamoyski (1142-1205), the Magnate of Maschinga and Chancellor of the Council of Ministers. Zamyoski attempted to draw the Laurasian units of Goldaria out to open battle, which would allow him to finally break through their formations and take Goldaria.

The Laurasian commander of the garrison of Goldaria, Seleucus Anticus, refused to fall for the General's ploys and firmly maintained his position. During the latter weeks of January 1182, raids and skirmishes between Laurasian and Goldarian units continued, with either side unable to make any advance or gain the advantage. In the meantime, Briannian raids and expeditions into the eastern Central Core continued, with Admiral Nu'dak deciding to probe further Laurasian positions and to consolidate control over his conquests. Honorius, however, was now finally realizing that Laurasia would never be able to maintain, at that time, any control over the Ivorian and Horacian dominions, and that the continued indecisive skirmishes at Goldaria drained Laurasian resources. The King also wished to turn his attention to the Briannian front. As such, from 22 January, he sent diplomatic notes to both Malik-Shah of Solidarita (who had refrained from war with Laurasia) and Femania of Venasia, imploring his fellow monarchs to assist him in bringing the Ivorian War to a end. Malik-Shah and Femania, who wished to elevate their prestige, sent a joint response to the Laurasian King's messages on 29 January.

Although they declared their willingness to help Honorius terminate his conflicts, the Sultan and the Queen Mother also demanded that the King of Laurasia pay them both a annual subsidy of $50 trillion dataries a year for the next ten years (to 1192); grant commercial and navigation privileges to their subjects within his dominions; and allow for Venasian and Solidaritan "peace-keepers" to be attached to each Laurasian embassy and consulate. Honorius, grateful that they had not demanded any territorial concessions, accepted their terms on 1 February. On that same day, the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament terminated payment for the Polonian troops of Goldaria, who refused to fight any further because they were no longer paid and provisioned for. Zamyoski managed to convince them to maintain their positions, but was forced to halt any further military campaigns. Two days, Stefanius Bathorius, hearing of Honorius's leanings towards a peace, sent a note to Femania and Malik-Shah, indicating his willingness to negotiate with the Laurasians at a neutral site. On 7 February, Joh'ac of Briannia, who wanted rest for his forces, and who hoped to force Honorius to come to a separate peace treaty with him, agreed to allow Stefanius Bathorius to proceed with negotiation efforts and also offered a year-long truce between Laurasia and Briannia. On 14 February, Femania offered to hold the peace conference at Jam-Zapolski, a world on the border of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth with the Venasian Consortium. This was accepted by the involved parties five days later. On 22 February 1182, the envoy from Laurasia, Lord Demetrius Anakios of Piursia (1147-1204); the envoy from Polonia, General Zamyoski; and the mediating envoys from Venasia and Solidarita, Princess Didiana Cauqlelli of Katilin (1130-1216) and Pasha Mohammad-Dey of Mantin (1123-95), formally greeted each other at Jam-Zapolski. After two days of festivals and banquets, presided over by Princess Didiana, the negotiations amongs the parties formally commenced. Briannian interests were represented by the Briannian ambassador to the court of Venasia Major, Johann Rickgold (1139-1203), who arrived at Jam-Zaploski on 27 February.

At the conference, General Zamyoski originally demanded that, besides the territories of the defunct Ivorian Order, that Carina, Seejay Prime, and the Goldarian systems be conceded to Polonia; that Honorius the Terrible formally apologize for all of his earlier aggression and undertake to pay a annual tribute to the Polonian-Donguarian Government, to compensate the Commonwealth for its war expenses; and that the King of Laurasia agree to impose limits on his military forces, defer to Briannian interests in concluding a peace with that state, and grant commercial privileges to Polonian and Briannian navigators, merchants, and tourists in his dominions. Ambassador Rickgold naturally supported the Polonian demands. Princess Didiana however, who did not wish for the Polonian Commonwealth or the Kingdom of Briannia to become too powerful, proposed that, while Laurasia surrender all rights it held to the Ivorian Order, that it be relieved of any responsibility for Polonian war expenses. In turn, the Laurasians would agree to grant commercial and navigation privileges to Polonian subjects for a period of fifteen years, after which new negotiations between Laurasia and Polonia, could take place to review the arrangements. Didiana also suggested that Polonia be allowed to occupy Carina and Seejay Prime for a period of four years, and in turn for surrendering further claims on Laurasian territory, would be allowed to keep all prisoners of war, goods, and equipment taken by its forces from the Laurasians. Lord Anakios, realizing that the Venasian arrangements were relatively reasonable, sent a series of notes to the King and the Royal Council on Laurasia Prime.

On 2 March, he informed the King that the terms offered by the Venasians, which were backed up by the Solidaritans, would be the best hope for Laurasia. Honorius and the Royal Council debated the conditions for several days. On 7 March, Stefanius Bathorius, on his part, delivered a speech to the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament, declaring that he had accomplished what had been wished by the Polonians: that is, he had recovered all of the Ivorian and Horacian territories for the Commonwealth. He therefore advised the Parliament to confer recognition on any peace agreement containing the Venasian terms. The Parliament replied in the affirmative on 13 March and granted the King permission to bring the negotiations to a conclusion. On 16 March, Joh'ac of Briannia announced that he and the Rikstag had agreed to sign a temporary armistice with Laurasia, until firm peace arrangements between their states could be made. With all of these technicalities all of the way, the delegates at the conference announced, on 22 March, that they had fixed the final conditions of peace.

On 25 March 1182, the Treaty of Jam-Zaploski was signed, finally terminating the Ivorian War between the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth after twenty-three years. By the terms of the Treaty, full diplomatic and economic relations were restored between Laurasia and Polonia. Honorius formally surrendered all claims to "any of the dominions of the former Ivorian Order, rightfully passed into the possession of the Commonwealth of the Polonians and Donguarians" and declared that he bore no further hostile intentions towards the "territorial integrity and political independence" of the Polonian state. In order to insure that these arrangements were "rightfully observed", it was agreed that the systems and outposts of Carina, Seejay Prime, Yularen, Daala, Constantia (Constancia), Stenbock, Muppet, Mommica, Sipp, Olivia, and Maxc-casi, among others, would be under the occupation of Polonian military forces until 26 March 1186, when the territories were to be returned to the jurisdiction of the Laurasian authorities. All other pre-war Laurasian territories occupied by Polonian units, however, were to be returned to Laurasian authority at once.

As per the termination of military hostilities however, the siege of Goldaria was to cease immediately, and that world was to be returned to its normal economic and administrative state. No Laurasian troops however, could be garrisoned at Goldaria again until 1 April 1187, and Laurasian garrisons at Williams, Goss Beacon, Marshia, Bainsborough, Elainsborough, Palimisano, Pasquarallio, Conservan, Reoyania, Dramis, Condtella, and Clancia were to remain at a minimum level of operation and support until 1 January 1190. The Polonian Army would be allowed to keep in its custody all prisoners of war, goods, and equipment seized from the Laurasians through war. Honorius also agreed to acknowledge Stefanius Bathorius as King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, to grant rights of free travel, duty-free navigation, and transport to Polonian subjects throughout his dominions, and to never threaten the safety or the rank of the Polonian Ambassador at his court. Laurasia, however, would not be obliged to compensate the Polonian-Donguarian Government for any of its war expenses, and the Laurasian Ambassador at the court of the King-Emperor was to enjoy all of the privileges and honors which were to be enjoyed by the Polonian Ambassador. Laurasian subjects also gained rights of free travel, duty-free navigation, and transport throughout Polonian dominions. This provision was insisted upon by Honorius and the Royal Council, who sought to maintain an "equilibrium of economic equality."

To facilitate commerce between the two states, the Laurasians would be allowed to establish economic consulates at Horacia, Ivoria, Satisba, Sthanon, and Maschinga, while the Polonians could establish similar consulates at Saray, Senna, Murphy, Anusia, the Prelone Asteroid Belt, and Goldaria. The Polonian Government also agreed to keep its garrisons in occupied territories at lower readiness levels, and to refrain from establishing garrisons at Ivoria, Maschinga, Horacia, and Theresa until 1 January 1190. As regards to Briannia, active military hostilities between that state and Laurasia were to cease immediately. Briannia was to renounce her military alliance with Polonia, at least with regards to the Briannian theater of the Ivorian War, and if it instigated hostilities, was not to receive aid from Polonia. Only the conclusion of a formal peace treaty would restore the Briannian alliance with Polonia, for future conflicts, but only until the death of Stefanius Bathorius would terminate Polonian obligations. The Treaty of Jam-Zaploski was ratified by Honorius the Terrible on 27 March; by Stefanius Bathorius with the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament on 1 April; by Joh'ac of Briannia (for truce arrangements) on 4 April; by Femania of Venasia (as chief mediator) on 11 April; and by Malik-Shah of Solidarita (as secondary mediator) on 15 April.

With the Treaty of Jam-Zaploski thus concluded, General Zamyoski returned to the outskirts of Goldaria on 17 April, where he oversaw the withdrawal of the Polonian siege forces over the course of two weeks. The Polonian-Donguarian Parliament had resumed payments to the military personnel on 4 April, so that the removal of the military forces from the non-Treaty designated Laurasian territories could be conducted smoothly. By the end of April, all Polonian units around Goldaria and those engaged in raiding expeditions against Laurasian territories in the northern Central Core had been withdrawn. Stefanius Bathorius appointed Herman Yuasoaki as the Military Governor of Carina and Seejay Prime on 1 May, to serve until it was time for Polonian units to withdraw from those star systems and return them to Laurasian authority. As for General Zamyoski, he and his personal armada returned to Polonia Major on 6 May, where they were received with lavish ceremonies by the King, Queen Consort, and the Polonian Royal Court. Over a month of celebration and joy ensued, as the Polonian Court praised the General for his efforts and celebrated on the fact that the Ivorian War had finally been concluded. At Laurasia Prime, however, the attitude was not so joyous.

On 1 May, Honorius the Terrible had issued a proclamation to his subjects, commanding them to refrain from any display of happiness or joy for the remainder of the month, and to mourn constantly for Laurasian losses in the Ivorian War. Pope Dionysius presided over another service of Bewailing on 10 May. Laurasian military garrisons in the Central Core were reduced in size, according to the provisions of the Treaty of Jam-Zaploski, while Laurasian units at Dearton's Gateway, Augis V, Chancia, Katherine, Blackria, Nezbit, and other Laurasian strongholds were placed on temporary hold. Briannian Admiral Nu'dak, on his part, terminated all raiding operations into Laurasian territory and commanded his units to advance no further for the duration of the armistice arrangements. By the end of June 1182, Polonian units had terminated their siege of Goldaria and returned to the Polonian dominions, except for the territories that were to be under occupation for the next four years. Honorius the Terrible, who believed that he had been responsible for the Laurasian failures of the Ivorian War, issued a series of proclamations to his subjects. In this, he apologized to them for his "loss of insight" on important matters of state and promised to do better.

On 5 July, the King announced that Queen Consort Demetria Nagayania had been pregnant since February and was expected to give birth in October, to what would become his last child. On 22 July, the King announced that his heir apparent and surviving son, Grand Prince Theodosius, was to be married to Lady Irina Gadavarnius (1157-1203), the daughter of Viscount Theodosius Gadavaranius (1105-70), who had died in the line of duty at Dasinae. Lady Irina was renowned for her intelligence and beauty, and the King was firmly convinced that she would be a suitable wife for his son. He also hoped that their union would produce children to continue the Honorian Dynasty. The marriage between the Grand Prince and the Lady was conducted on 3 August, being presided over by Pope Dionysius. The man who gave Irina away was her brother, Eurymaschus Gadavaranius. It was at this time that he first emerges into major prominence as a figure of Laurasian politics. Gadavaranius, the eldest child of Viscount Gadavaranius and his wife Stephanlia (1128-83), had been born on 25 July 1151, at the Gadavarian Mansion on Ralina Vixius.

Gadavaranius's father was a prominent Laurasian aristocrat and military officer, but genealogical records indicate that the Gadavarian line descended from the union of the Dasian Garrison General of Laurasia Prime, Ksr'tai Godarias'k (800-76), with the Laurasian dame Artemis Palasoria (824-91), in 849, a mere nine years after the conquest of Batya. Over time, the Godarias'k line evolved to become the Gadavarian line, as the children and grandchildren of the Garrison General married into other Laurasian noble lines. Eurymaschus's great-grandfather, Tyrimmas Gadavaranius (1034-1106) had fought at the Battle of the Ugra and served under Honorius the Liberator during the Kazanian Wars and the Laurasian-Clancian War. His grandfather, Koinos Gadavaranius (1069-1141) had served under Honorius the Liberator, Arasces the Patient, Regent Elena, and the various other regents of the early 1140s. He had gained fame and notice for his operational victories in the Goldarian Wars and the vigorous discipline he imposed upon his troops.

Gadavaranius's father, Theodosius, had entered the Royal Laurasian Army in 1124, was awarded the Order of St. Honorius the Liberator in 1141 for his efforts during the Kazanian War of that year, and became a Viscount in 1148 before serving on the Consultative Assembly of 1149-51. He had only married Stephanlia in 1147. Their older son, Karanus (born on 22 October 1148) died on 29 November 1150 before Eurymaschus was born. Having been born into such a prominent family, Eurymaschus received a first-class education. His tutors, especially Philip Amanadius (1096-1168), taught him languages, forensics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, physics, cartography, military tactics, navigation, geometry, algebra, theology, and a variety of other subjects. In 1163, he was one of fifteen boys selected by King Honorius to serve in the Page Corps of the Royal Laurasian Court. He polished his education there and was among the honorary "Junior Bodyguards" of the King's household, learning offensive combat techniques, the basic elements of military strategy, and emergency security procedures. In 1170, Eurymaschus graduated from the Academy of the Page Corps with high academic honors. He soon joined the Reginiks, that hateful enforcement agency of Honorius the Terrible which has already been discussed. Although Gadavaranius did not participate in the Massacre of Ralina Vixius, he did travel extensively across Laurasian dominions and with other agents, "brought justice" to those who were viewed to have defied the King's will. Gadavaranius was one of the officers who attended the King when he fled from Laurasia Prime in 1171, during Alp Arslan's invasion of the Purse Region. The following year, the Reginiks were disbanded, but Gadavaranius was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the regular Royal Laurasian Army and continued to serve the King loyally.

He was one of the corps commanders under General Parlae at the Battle of Molodi, which occurred during Alp Arslan's failed second invasion of the Laurasian Purse Region. For his efforts, Gadavaranius was promoted to the rank of Colonel and assigned command of Laurasian patrol units at Rebecca, Durglais, and Blackria. He served in that position for three years, even seeing combat during the war with Briannia in 1173-75. On 21 August 1175, he married Maria of Beliania (1152-1205), a Laurasian dame renowned for her beauty and the niece of the late Chief Reginik Skurata. This strengthened his position at the Royal Court. From 1176 to 1182, Gadavaranius was one of the corps commanders in the final stage of the Ivorian War. Although the war proved disastrous for Laurasia, Gadavaranius proved the most successful of the corps commanders and as a reward for his efforts became Viscount in his own right in 1180. In 1181, Honorius the Terrible awarded him the Mark of the Faithful, a honor given to those who had done their best against fighting a Laurasian enemy. He also came to believe that the Gadavarians would be loyal supporters of the dynasty. This motivated his decision to marry his son to Eurymaschus's sister. Following the marriage of Irina Gadavaranius, Gadavaranius ascended yet further. On 10 August, he was formally appointed to the Royal Council. This was followed by a appointment to the Aristocratic Duma on 22 August. On 1 September, Gadavaranius became one of the King's Honor Guards, which gave him a position of prestige at the Laurasian Royal Court. Now one of Honorius's chief advisers, Gadavaranius was thus entering the forefront of almost two decades of dominance in Laurasian politics. He was not unchallenged, however.

At this same time, Honorius began to reminisce about his first wife, Queen Consort Anastasia, and to remember her family. Ever since the death of his wife, her brother, Archelaus Cassanova (1122-86), and his children had not been prominent, as the King had neglected to confer honors upon them or to include them among the ranks of the Royal Court. In September 1182, however, with his final child on the way, the King decided to exalt the relatives of his first wife, considering this to be the logical conclusion of his reign. On 4 September, Archelaus was formally created Prince of Cassanova and was appointed to the Aristocratic Duma. His eldest son, the future Patriarch Philaret (1153-1233), then known as Theodosius Cassanova, was created a gentlemen of the Royal Line four days later. On 17 September, father and son were both named to the Royal Council. On 24 September, the King formally honored his brother-in-law and his son in a ceremony at the Royal Court, at which it was declared that Queen Consort Anastasia Cassanova had been "one of the most saintly Laurasian women ever to have lived" and that, 22 years after her death, her brother and nephew deserved to be honored by her husband, so "that the inhabitants of these Laurasian dominions may know that the King is hath a righteous, generous, never forgetful master." Gadavaranius was one of those who participated in these ceremonies, although he did not care that much for the Cassanova family. In the meantime, by October 1182, other events were occurring, which were to mark the commencement of Laurasian territorial expansion into the Outer Core and to the Wild Marshes, thus to partially compensate the Royal Laurasian Government for territorial losses and failures elsewhere. Despite the crises of Honorius the Terrible's reign, including the Second Great Goldarian War, the Regency Struggles, the Kazanian Wars, the Laurasian-Solidaritan Wars, the Briannian War of Liberation, the Ivorian War, and the Honorian Terror, some Laurasian nobles and gentlemen had nevertheless managed to prosper during the twelfth century. One of the main Laurasian noble families which had thrived was that of the Stroganias.

In 1153, during the earlier, more domestically stable period of Honorius the Terrible's active reign, Lord Anastasius Strogania (1088-1170) had been granted a charter by the Laurasian government to establish his enterprise in dealing with exotic furs, minerals, and agricultural equipment, among other such goods. Strogania gradually expanded his family business, establishing mines and refinery operations on Williams, Paramine, Azov, Gordasis, Courdina V, An'say, Kelby, Chloe, Melarnaria, and numerous other western worlds of the Laurasian realms. He sponsored the cultivation of rylite salt on the ice world of Rebeakah, collected duties on mercenary products in the name of the Royal Treasury, and provided financial aid, equipment, and supplies for Laurasian exploration expeditions throughout the Western Central Core. The King confirmed his charters to Strogania in 1161 and created him Prince of Melarnaria two days later. Strogania, by supporting the activities of the Reginiks and obeying all of the commands of the King's officials, managed to survive the Honorian Terror. He in fact, further expanded his business. His sons Nerva, Trajan, and Hadrian Strogania became vice-Presidents of the Strogania Family Corporation in 1167. In 1168, Strogania expanded into the pharmaceuticals business, obtaining licenses for the production and distribution of y'll, crystalline, and red salt spices. He was further honored by being awarded the Honor of the Laurasian Venerable in January 1169, receiving the medal of the order from the hands of the King himself. On 12 February 1170, he died at the age of eighty-one. His eldest son, now Prince Nerva Strogania of Melarnaria, became the new President and Chairman of Strogania Family Corporation.

In 1171, Strogania provided support to Honorius the Terrible and his personal corps when they fled from Laurasia Prime, as a result of Alp Arslan's invasion. The Prince of Melarnaria paid for the King's household expenses and as a result was granted the right to maintain his own personal corps of mercenaries and guards. Then, by the manifesto of 17 January 1172, Honorius declared that the Stroganias were "among his most loyal subjects" and that they had the right to send expeditions into the Kingdom of Malaria, which despite the conquests of the Arachosian kingdoms, had managed to survive for most of the twelfth century. Malaria however, was severely weakened and was but a shadow of what it had been during Stefan's reign a century earlier. On 27 June 1173, Vladios seized the Malarian throne, and was to be prove to be the last independent King of Malaria. Vladios, however, entertained ambitions of power, and he began to reorganize his military forces. In January 1174, Prince Nerva obtained a further charter from King Honorius, which now granted him the right to maintain Laurasian interests at the Malarian court and "to repel all hostile attempts by the Malarian units to hamper Laurasian commercial and exploration expeditions." In March of that year, Vladios began sending his units to raid outlying Laurasian colonies, space stations, navigation beacons, and economic outposts.

For most of the remainder of 1174, the Malarian units inflicted severe damage, capturing some 300 million Laurasian colonists and slaughtering 100 million others. By January 1175, however, the Stroganias and their personal units had finally managed to terminate Malarian raids. A tense state of affairs existed in the western Central Core, although for the remainder of the decade, the attention of the Laurasians was distracted by the final stage of the Ivorian War, which resulted in that series of Laurasian defeats already recorded. By May 1179, however, the Stroganias had drafted plans for Laurasian territorial expansion into Malaria. On 2 June, they sent the first of many petitions to King Honorius, requesting permission to prepare a expeditionary force to subdue Vladios and bring his kingdom under Laurasian domination. Honorius relented for some months, but finally, on 6 August, conferred his consent in a royal mandate, declaring however that Laurasian expeditions would not penetrate out of Malarian territory into the Galactic Borderlands, and that the Stroganias take care not to provoke Marcia or the other Amelianian kingdoms. The Prince of Melarnaria now searched for one who was to become the military commander of his corps.

He eventually found that one in Timaverius Achaleus (1132-84), who had served in the Royal Laurasian Army since 1161 and had been one of the officers of the Strogania Family Corporation since 1169. Timaverius was renowned for his bravery, the discipline he imposed on his troops, and his loyalty to his superiors. On 2 September 1179, he was formally appointed commander of the Laurasian expeditionary force by the Prince of Melarnaria, with the King's consent. The next two years were occupied by the preparations for the expeditionary force, as the King mandated that no military operation into Malaria was to take place until the Ivorian War had finally been concluded. Finally, on 9 April 1182, King Honorius extended official permission to the Stroganias to proceed with their operation. On 27 April 1182, Achaleus received a reconfirmation of his commission as the commander of the Laurasian expeditionary force. It was dictated that his mission was to "overthrow the Malarian monarchy, establish Laurasian military fortresses and posts at vital points, and insure that His Majesty's Dominions be successfully extended." He was to be allowed the use of a army of no more then 200 million Laurasian troopers and a fleet of 1,800 Laurasian assault vessels. He was not to launch any incursions outside of Malarian territory, and he was to send constant reports of the progress of his forces back to the Strogania Headquarters on Melarnaria and to the Royal Council with the King on Laurasia Prime. Achaleus accepted these conditions, declaring on 6 May that he was determined to "exert the honor of the Laurasian species." The Stroganias personally provided for all of the expeditionary force's military expenses, using 30% of their net worth to do so. The Laurasians had military weaponry, shields, and supplies far more sophisticated then those of their opponents, and were far more disciplined, organized, and streamlined as a attack armada. The Malarian armadas, however, were less dense in mass (as regards to ship size) and were thus more mobile. They also had fewer transports then the Laurasians, and thus could move faster without having much of a challenge.

On 1 September 1182, Achaleus and his units departed from the farthest-located Laurasian outpost, Kamachina, which was on the border of the Central Core with the Western Outer Core. The Laurasian forces advanced slowly, as Vladio's units had laid disruptor mines and hyperspace irritation generators to hamper their progress. Nevertheless, Achaleus besieged and conquered the Malarian strongholds of Odika (2-9 September); Timsies (15 September); Ularia (19-22 September); and White (26-29 September), before penetrating to Welch and Johnald (1-4 October). Vladios then launched a offensive against the Laurasian advance units at Timaslan (5-11 October 1182), which was ultimately blunted. On 17 October, Achaleus destroyed another Malarian military dockyard in the ferocious Battle of the Jar Asteroids. By 21 October, the Laurasian expedition was reaching the outskirts of Malaria Prime, and were now encountering the main defenses and military formations of Vladios's armadas. Achaleus's scouts probed the defenses of the Malaria star system and managed to resist the incursions of Malarian corvette and courier squadrons. Then on 23 October, Vladios, believing that he could inflict a decisive defeat on the Laurasian Expedition and compel them to retreat from his dominions, commanded the Malarian offensive armada, under the command of his brother Surios, to launch a offensive against the left wing of the Laurasian force. Surios and his units at first managed to inflict damage upon the Laurasian warships, destroying nearly 50 Laurasian starfighters and disabling the command transport. Achaleus, however, now brought his corvettes and specialized frigates from the wing, and using these units, forced Surios to retreat. Achaleus and his flank dreadnought units then hampered the efforts of the Malarian command warships to launch a driving attack, and then launched a massive barrage of turbolaser fire upon Surios's command ship, the MS Meisseur. Surios and his command officers were seriously wounded as a result, with the Laurasian assault severely weakening the Malarian offensive front. Laurasian starfighters, destroyers, and blockade runners then shattered the defensive minefields of the Malarian force and rushed into the star system. Surios himself was forced to retreat. When Vladios received word of the Laurasian victory in the Battle of Malaria Outer, as it became known, he hastily evacuated Malaria Prime with his household and personal fleet on 26 October.

On 27 October 1182, Achaleus and his units occupied Malaria Prime, taking possession of the Malarian Treasury, household supplies and equipment Vladios had been forced to leave behind, and a store of military supplies and agricultural goods. Achaleus's supply lines, however, had been stretched to their limit, and a counteroffensive launched by Vladios (1-15 November 1182) briefly managed to threaten Laurasian communications with the Central Core, before it was halted. On 18 November, King Honorius appointed Achaleus as the Military Governor of Malaria and granted him the authority to conscript Malarians and other conquered peoples of the regions into his military forces. On 22 November, Achaleus launched a punishing expedition against Ostak, which Vladio's remaining units had continued to use as a military repository and as a base for raids and surprise operations against Laurasian patrol units. The expedition proved a success, as the Laurasians stormed the defenses of Ostak and annihilated the world's military strongholds. By 1 December, Vladios and his units were forced to retreat to the vicinity of the Maluyta Nebula, where they managed to hold on for the remainder of the year. Achaleus now turned his efforts to consolidating Laurasian rule over Malaria Prime and insuring the interests of the Stroganias and of the King. On 4 December, the Prince of Melarnaria arrived at Malaria Prime, congratulating Achaleus for his efforts and praising him for his victories over the "Malarian savages." Several days of banquets and other festivities ensued, as the Laurasians continued to celebrate their victory over Vladios and his forces. Achaleus however, made sure to treat the conquered population of Malaria Prime in a fair manner.

On 10 December, in a proclamation issued to the new Laurasian subjects, Achaleus, in the name of his master, declared that "your language, customs, and way of life, to which you are accustomed, will continue to be respected by the new administration installed over you." On 14 December, he commanded his lieutenants to refrain from brutality when making enumerations amongs the Malarian people. On 22 December, the Governor granted all Malarians the right of petition in the King's courts and assured them that they would enjoy the legal privileges of all other Laurasian subjects. In the meantime, on 19 October 1182, Queen Consort Demetria had given birth to Honorius the Terrible's final child, a son, whom the joyous King named Demetrius. Honorius believed that this young son, who was healthy and had been born in time, represented the continuation of the Honorian Dynasty. Celebrations over the birth of the new Grand Prince, and the successful Laurasian campaigns in Malaria, seemed to the King to be some compensation for his failures against Stefanius Bathorius. 1182 thus ended in a more positive note then had 1181.

On 1 January 1183, in his New Year's proclamation to his subjects, the King declared that "the events of Providence" had both inflicted and aided the Laurasian Dominions during the previous year. The King lamented the fact that his forces had been unable to obtain victories over the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, and also expressed his dissatisfaction at the fact that the territories of the former Ivorian Order proved beyond Laurasian reach (the Laurasian Empire was to eventually acquire the Horacian Provinces in 1321, as a result of the Great Briannian War, and the Ivorian Provinces in 1364, with the annexation of the Ivorian Hetmanate). Nevertheless, Honorius expressed his "happiness" at the fact that Laurasia had managed to end a long and devastating conflict with Polonia, that the Laurasian Expeditionary Force had obtained a series of decisive victories over the Malarians, and that the King's final son had been born without complication. Thus, Honorius commanded his subjects to celebrate the Laurasian "fortunes" throughout the first half of the year, while forbidding any further mention of the Ivorian War until his death. The King and the Royal Court presided over a series of concerts, parades, festivals, and other joyous celebrations at the Celestial Palace, Westphalian Cathedral, and Station of Jadia. The Laurasians, however, were aware of the fact that Briannian units still occupied Arias, Katie, Capital, Tommy, Meaganian, Ipsus V, Hammenor, Dorothy, Archleuta, Colsonia, Smithia, Tyleria Perea, Jessica Perea, Liteuria, and the other Laurasian strongholds bisecting the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. In February 1183, Honorius issued instructions to the Laurasian War Council, commanding them to draft plans for the resumption of Laurasian offensives against the Briannians. The Treaty of Jam-Zaploski had terminated the Briannian-Polonian alliance until Briannia signed a formal peace treaty with Laurasia. Joh'ac of Briannia, on his part, commanded Nu'dak of Briannia to prepare for the eventual resumption of hostilities. For the time being, however, the armistice between the two sides managed to hold.

Achaleus, in the meantime, continued to consolidate his position. He launched patrol expeditions from Malaria Prime, destroying Malarian holdouts on Kanley, Naranja, and Almastead (February-March 1183), maintaining Laurasian interests in that region. On 27 February 1183, Achaleus was relieved of any obligations he held towards the Stroganias, and he now became solely the King's subordinate. On 5 March, the Laurasian Royal Bureau of Colonization and Exploration, acting under the orders of the King, announced its intentions to establish a series of Laurasian agricultural, industrial, and military colonies throughout the Malarian dominions, at vital points, to consolidate the Laurasian presence. The Bureau of Colonization commanded Achaleus to appoint a survey commission on 21 March, which began its work seven days later. The Malarian units, however, had not been completely destroyed, and Surios, in particular, remained active. By the beginning of April 1183, he had recovered from the injuries suffered in the Battle of Malaria Outer. On 2 April, Surios met with his brother, King Vladios, at Meehan, the most populous of the remaining Malarian strongholds. The two brothers decided on a strategy of ambush and lightning raids, to be employed against the Laurasian units. From 7 April, Malarian squadrons, penetrating from the Malyuta Nebula and the Narvet Corridor, harried Laurasian military positions, inflicting severe damage and laying disruptor mines before retreating. On 12 April, a Laurasian patrol expedition near Manzo was ambushed and annihilated by a party of Malarian starfighters. Governor Achaleus, receiving word of the Malarian expeditions, vigorously reorganized his command units and sent out instructions to all Laurasian garrisons and posts, commanding them to stay on a level of alert. On 22 April, he sent a message to the War Council, requesting permission to launch clearing operations against the Malarians.

The War Council replied in the affirmative on 1 May, after the King had reviewed what was occurring. On 4 May, Achaleus lured Surios to Terell, a obscure gas giant located about one hundred light years northwest of Malaria Prime. The Malarian starfighter squadrons were surrounded and captured by Laurasian military units, while Surios and his command squadrons were cornered in the outskirts of the star system. The Malarian General ultimately managed to escape, but had lost most of his command and support personnel. Achaleus then harried the bases of the Narvet Corridor (5-19 May 1183), destroying the Malarian repositories of Ettlemen, Evans, and Goodman. Finally, on 26 May, Surios appeared with another Malarian army and launched a offensive against Frazier, one of the chief Laurasian worlds. Achaleus reacted quickly, and after a two-day battle, Surios was finally captured by the Laurasians. Vladios received word of his brother's capture on 1 June from Achaleus himself, who boasted that "I will soon be coming for you as well." Achaleus now launched offensives against the Narvet Corridor, with his squadrons surrounding Hadlson on 5 June. The garrison commander of Hadlson, the Malarian Prince Damios (1120-83), had fortified the world with a loyal corps of Malarian Elite Troopers. As such, it took the Laurasian troops several days to penetrate the defenses of Hadlson, as Damios managed to inflict severe casualties upon Laurasian offensive units.

Achaleus, however, had succeeded in severing all communications with Hadlson and had dispatched expeditions to the Maluyta Nebula to distract Vladios. On 14 June, Hadlson was finally conquered by the Laurasian units, with Damios and all of his officers being killed in battle. Achaleus was again generous to the people whom his units had been subdued, forbidding his troops to take any goods or to plunder any property without his explicit permission. He did however, confiscate all of the firearms and equipment of the world's garrison and added them to his own corps. On 22 June, he launched a further offensive against the most powerful of Vladios's garrison commanders, Samario (1137-83), who commanded the largest remaining Malarian force on the Narvet Corridor. Samario, however, had failed to take the necessary precautions for his units, and Achaleus was able to launch a surprise attack, overrunning and destroying Samario's chief flagships. Samario himself was slain by Laurasian soldiers.

The remainder of Samario's units were disbanded and disarmed. Achaleus then continued along the Narvet Corridor, seizing the Malarian base of Rogers (24 June) with little trouble. On 29 June, however, Vladios launched a offensive against Achaleus's scout units at Xeberts, which resulted in the death of Achaleus's chief subordinate and friend, Nicanor Pakistus (1134-83). On 4 July, however, Xebertis was stormed by Achaleus and his corps, with the Malarian fleet there being dispersed. The Malarian posts of Acabania and Takrania were then besieged and conquered (5-11 July), before Achaleus decided to return to Malaria Prime. Arriving back at the conquered Malarian capital world on 14 July, the General sent a holocomm message to the King and the Royal Council, announcing the capture of Surios and declaring that the Malarian dominions were now almost completely in the hands of the Laurasian units. He also praised His Majesty for his "support of this very important expedition" and said that the Lord Almitis still held some love for the Laurasian dominions. On 22 July, Honorius responded to Achaleus's message, praising the General for his successes and commanding him to dispatch one of his subordinates to Laurasia Prime, so that he could share with the Royal Court "this good news". On 27 July, Achaleus, obeying the King's command, dispatched his trusted lieutenant, Karanus Kalvos (1140-88), with a escort of 200 naval vessels, 1 million Laurasian troopers, and a assortment of Malarian agricultural, industrial, and medical goods for the King. Kalvos was commanded to first stop at Melarnaria, although the King had formally absolved Achaleus and his Expeditionary Force of all obligations towards the Stroganias.

The Prince of Melarnaria nevertheless received Kalvos on 4 August with open arms, with the news about Surios's capture, the victories at the Narvet Corridor, and the defeat of Vladios very much appeasing him. The Prince, entertaining Kalvos and his escort for several days, then provided them with military and sanitary supplies, money, and a honorary escort of Strogania Company Troops before sending them on their way. Kalvos reached Laurasia Prime on 7 August, being granted a audience with the King at the Royal Court. Honorius was overjoyed when he met Kalvos, entertaining him and his escort for several days. The Queen Consort, Eurymaschus Gadavaranius, Grand Prince Theodosius, the Prince of Cassanova, Lord Cassanova, and the other members of the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma participated in these ceremonies. Pope Dionysius formally blessed Kalvos and his escort at the Westphalian Cathedral on 13 August, while proclamations issued over the Holonet to all Laurasian subjects praised Achaleus for his efforts. Honorius then had many gifts prepared for Achaleus, including a goblet, gold-emblazoned chests of armor, a variety of Laurasian silks and royal artifacts, pay for all of the men under his command for three years, and a mantle of honor. The King also commanded that Achaleus be reinforced with 300,000 Laurasian Shock Troopers.

Kalvos, who himself was raised to the gentry by the King on 20 August, then departed from Laurasia Prime three days later, his escort weighed down with reinforcements and the King's gifts. They proceeded slowly across the Central Core, reaching Melanaria on 25 August and then the outskirts of the former Malarian Kingdom on 1 September. Kalvos finally arrived back at Malaria Prime on 4 September, delivering the gifts to Achaleus. On 10 September, Achaleus was raised to the gentry by the King's representatives on Malaria Prime and was granted estates on Malaria Prime, Ettlemen, Acabania, Kanley, and Almastead, separate from those properties he held as Military Governor. On 12 September, Honorius sent a communique to Malaria Prime, commanding the Military Governor to send Surios back to Laurasia Prime as a captive. Although Achaleus was aware that such a act would ruin the possibilities of concluding a peace with Vladios without further combat, he nevertheless obeyed His Majesty's commands and prepared a escort to take Surios to Laurasia Prime. Surios, under heavy guard, was taken from Malaria Prime on 17 September. His prison escort was almost ambushed by Vladios, who launched a raiding expedition to Kanley, attempting to halt its progress. The escort, however, managed to cross into the Central Core on 22 September and then proceeded rapidly to Laurasia Prime, arriving there by the end of the day. In the meantime, the final battles of the Ivorian War commenced.

On 27 September, Admiral Nu'dak of Briannia announced that hostilities had resumed, and Briannian units pushed from Oxia Vixius towards Conservan and Reoyania. The Briannian Admiral besieged and conquered Conservan (1-5 October 1183); stormed Reoyania (6-11 October); and penetrated to Maroni (12-17 October). On 24 October, however, Nu'dak was wounded at Janesia, when Laurasian starfighters managed to inflict damage upon the command bridge of his flagship. He was forced to step down as commander of the military forces. On 28 October, Honorius sent orders for a series of counteroffensives. Eurymaschus Gadavaranius, who was now one of the King's most prominent subordinates, took command of the Laurasian force on 1 November and demonstrated his knowledge of military affairs. He recovered Oxia Vixius (1 November); Tegan (2 November); Dosch (3-7 November); Katie (10 November); Arias (11-17 November); Tommy (22 November); and even Conservan (27 November), although, because of the limits of the Treaty of Jam-Zaploski, surprise tactics had to be employed against that world. By 1 December, Laurasian units were driving to Capital, Meaganian, and the ruins of Bristalai. On 4 December, a Briannian counteroffensive temporarily disrupted the progress of Laurasian units, pushing all the way to Barber, but Gadavaranius eventually managed to restore the lines. Fitzsimmons was reconquered on 11 December, followed by Bristalai (14 December); the Briannian garrison at Mumbraine (16 December); and Hammenor (20 December). Offensives against Rashid, Smithia, Archleuta, and Calpurnia ended in failure (22-29 December). Nevertheless, as 1183 came to its close, the Laurasians had recovered many of the territories they had lost. The year 1184 commenced with the King and the Royal Council pleased at the progress of their units. This year, however, was to witness the end of the longest reign in Laurasian history. Honorius's health had entered a severe decline by this point.

In August 1183, the King had collapsed while presiding over a session of the Aristocratic Duma, and had to be helped back to his quarters. He then experienced a mini-stroke on 17 September, and was confined in the Hospital Quarters for some days. His doctors advised for him to rest and to cut back on his duties. Honorius was now more stable in tone then he had ever been since the death of his beloved Anastasia. His "commemoration letter" to her, already noted, thus emerged during the time when he was nearing closer to his demise. In November 1183, the King went into a fit of sadness in his personal quarters, stating that he should have done better as a ruler and that his father and grandfather deserved credit for the prosperity of the Laurasian State. The King also reflected back on all of those who had once been around him: Queen Consort Anastasia, Popes Macarius, Cyril, and Anthony, Ulipadus, Skurata; even those whom he had punished or who had opposed him, such as General Parlae, Popes Athanasius, German, and Philip, Archbishop Sylvester, Councilor Alackavius, and numerous others. He remembered about Erutugul and Alp Arslan of Solidarita, Vladislaus of Polonia, Gus'tarai and E'rac of Briannia, Galdan of Crimeania, and other rulers since passed.

The death of Prince Kurbulis on 1 December 1183 was met with a letter by the King to the Polonian Government, in which he stated that although Kurbulis "hath been a traitor, he was nevertheless worthy of the love of Almitis." Kurbulis's funeral, presided over by King Stefanius Bathorius and his wife, Queen Consort Anna, was conducted on Polonia Major on 11 December. On 22 December, Pope Dionysius presided over a prayer service for the King, and His Majesty was reported to have prostrated himself many times and paid his "loyalty to Almitis." On 1 January 1184, the King visited the tombs of Pope Macarius, Queen Consort Anastasia, his deceased sons Demetrius and Honorius, his parents, his brother Antigonus (who had died childless on 27 October 1163), and his grandparents. Eurymaschus Gadavaranius, the Prince of Cassanova, Queen Consort Demetria, and Grand Prince Theodosius were in attendance on the King. The following day, the King, in his last New Year's proclamation to his subjects, apologized to them "for my excesses in earlier times: I was deluded by the hand of the anti-Almitis." He also stated that he knew that his time was soon to end and declared his wish to be reunited with his "beloved and saintly" wife.

Honorius, who continually declared that his death was approaching, sent a communique to Joh'ac of Briannia on 6 January, offering to open peace negotiations. Joh'ac, who knew that his units held the territories of interest for him, accepted the King's offer two days later. On 10 January, the Armistice of Murphy temporarily suspended hostilities between Laurasia and Briannia while negotiations were to take place. On 12 January, a diplomatic conference was opened at Plussa, a Briannian colony about twenty-five light years north of Nystadia, with Venasian diplomats sent by Queen Mother Femania again acting as mediators between the two sides. After several days of negotiations, the Treaty of Plussa was signed by the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia on 22 January 1184. By the terms of the Treaty of Plussa, full diplomatic and economic relations were to be restored between Laurasia and Briannia. All hostilities were to cease immediately, and no further raiding expeditions or offensives by either side were to take place. Briannia now gained recognition of its rule of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime, besides being conceded the former Laurasian strongholds of Ipsus V, Bolgrahay, Smithia, Colsonia, Archleuta, Tyleria Perea, Selena, and Jessica Perea. In turn, Joh'ac agreed to return all other Laurasian territories occupied by his forces back to Laurasian authority; confirmed his acknowledgment of the terms of the Treaty of Jam-Zaploski; and recognized Laurasian gains and rights of campaign in Malaria. Honorius, on his part, agreed to compensate the Briannian Government for a third of its military expenses, and to cancel all tariffs on Briannian goods for a period of two years (to 22 January 1186).

The Treaty of Plussa also mandated the exchange of all prisoners of war and captives back to their respective sides and permitted Laurasian merchant vessels to continue trade with Venasia through Briannian space, as long as they adhered to Briannian commercial laws and space regulations. The Treaty of Plussa was ratified by King Joh'ac and the Rikstag on 24 January, and by King Honorius on 1 February. By 5 February, all Briannian units still remaining in Laurasian territory had withdrawn back to Briannian dominions. Eurymaschus Gadavaranius, who had gained prestige and honor for his successful counteroffensives against the Briannian units, returned to Laurasia Prime on 11 February. Five days later, he was awarded the Order of St. Honorius the Liberator. The King, however, was unable to attend the ceremony, and the Viscount received the Order from the hands of the Queen. On 20 February, Honorius's final proclamation, in his own hand, was issued, commanding for Laurasians to celebrate the final end of the Ivorian War and to further honor the victories of Achaleus until the end of the year. On 24 February, the King, who was by that point visibly frail, made his last appearance in public, to attend the dedication of the Laurasian Institute of Cartography and Navigation. Subsequently, he delegated his public duties to Eurymaschus Gadavaranius, to the Queen, and to the members of the Royal Council. On 1 March, the King became sad yet again in his personal quarters and cried out his hopes that the Lord Almitis had forgiven him for his earlier transgressions and sins. Pope Dionysius continually counseled the King during these days, attempting to keep His Majesty calm. His efforts succeeded to a limited extent, but Honorius still continued to think about the past. On 6 March, he dictated his last will and testament, commanding for its provisions not to be revealed until after his death. Gadavaranius, the Prince of Cassanova, and Lord Cassanova, however, were already making plans for what would happen when the King died.

They held numerous meetings of the Royal Council throughout the early weeks of March, a matter which was kept secret from the King by his personal servants and assistants. On 22 March, the King saw his wife and surviving sons for the last time, expressing his hope that the Honorian Dynasty would strive for long after his death. Then on 28 March 1184, Honorius requested for one of his loyal bodyguards, Boethius Belaskius, to come to the Royal Quarters and play the board-game of Chalassian chess with him. Belaskius obliged. As the King was moving one of his pieces across the board, however, his eyes "suddenly opened wide, as if they were intoxicated, and then his eyelids fell down." The King's hand fell to the ground, sliding across the chess board and knocking it over. His head slumped over onto the table. Belaskius immediately called for help from the servants, who, with the assistance of the Household Androids, took His Majesty's body to the Hospital Quarters. The doctors announced that the King had suffered a stroke and frantically tried to save him, but to no avail. Thus, in the late hours of 28 March 1184, Honorius the Terrible, after a reign of nearly fifty-one years, died. When the news of his death was formally announced by the Royal Chancellory to the Laurasian public, a attitude of mixed reactions became prevalent. Some mourned his death, while others both mourned and acted relieved. Many, on the other hand, were completely relieved at the King's death, and some even cursed him privately, although public displays of joy were promptly crushed by the police and law enforcement authorities. Everyone, however, agreed that an era had ended. For those under the age of fifty, he had been the only King they had known. Those, however, who had already been adults or teenagers when his reign began, said that his father was a "far greater and more honorable ruler than he."

In a proclamation issued by the Royal Laurasian Government during the early hours of 29 March, Honorius was nevertheless praised as a "strong ruler who had been misled in some aspects by the hand of the anti-Almitis, but still went to the right in the end." Laurasian historians of later centuries, however, have held more nuanced views on the King. The thirteenth century Laurasian monk and ecclesiastical chronicler, Abbot Athanasius of the Vemay Monastery, declared that he "hath been a evil man, who had been cast upon us to damn us for all eternity." The historian Sir Nicanor Kasanius, writing in the late fourteenth century, cursed Honorius as "the greatest fiend and villain to ever have lived", while Sir Suetonius Ulagrai, the fifteenth century chronicler of the Laurasian sovereigns, also condemned Honorius as a "unfortunate presence in our history." The sixteenth century historian Sir Decabalus Aoari, however, said that "this King, while he was oppressive and cruel, nevertheless had a major impact upon Laurasian history", while the seventeenth century military historian Sir Aurelius Victor said that his "domineering and controlling" personality had a decisive effect upon Laurasian politics, military affairs, and foreign affairs. In the eighteenth century, Momompahalaus, Vassalina, Vergil, and Gibbeoneous all had a mixed view on the King, harshly attacking his oppression and his cruelties while recognizing that he was a intelligent and forceful monarch. All historians, however, are agreed that Laurasia was far weaker, more impoverished, and unstable at the end of his reign then it had been at its beginning, and that on the whole, Honorius the Terrible had been a failure as a military campaigner and economic manager. The Royal Laurasian Government was in a deficit, to the tune of almost a quadrillion dataries, in March 1184. Laurasia Prime, which had a population of seventy-two billion in 1133, had a population of just forty billion in 1184, while many other Laurasian worlds had lost 20% or more of their population as a result of the constant wars, rebellions, and excesses. Caladaria, Darcia, Americana, Charasia, Katherine, Chancia, Durglais, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and numerous other Laurasian worlds were all far more impoverished and unstable in 1184 then they had been in 1133.

Most historians believe that Honorius the Terrible's reign laid much of the ground-work for the Time of Troubles, in the early thirteenth century, and that his rule slowed Laurasian territorial progress by about a century or so. Briannia was not subdued until 1364; Solidarita until 1412; Polonia until 1434; and Venasia, not until 1506. It was only in the second half of the fourteenth century that Laurasia finally secured control of the territories disputed in the Ivorian War. Some Laurasian historians even believe that Laurasia might have dominated the whole of the Galaxy by the sixteenth or even the fifteenth century, instead of the eighteenth century, had there not been the reign of Honorius the Terrible. Honorius the Terrible's many successors on the Laurasian throne, during the six centuries that have elapsed since his death, have had a mostly negative view of him. Pope Nikon, during the reign of King Artabanus, condemned Honorius to eternal pain in a papal bull issued in 1257, Maledicto tyrannicum rex infidelis, which was not formally revoked until 1735, during the reign of Antigonus the Extravagant. Seleucus the Victor cursed him as the "worst ruler my dominions have ever possessed", while Antiochus the Great decried the King for his failures and said that it "required my person to finally assert our position in the Briannian and Ivorian dominions." Demetrius the Fat boasted that Honorius had been weak and had no military skill, and that he would have easily defeated both Erutugul and Alp Arslan.

Emperor Tiberius issued a proclamation in 1421 calling Honorius "a stain on our reputation", while Caligula the Mad said that "My parents in Heaven condemned this King to failure." Even Antiochus the Mad had a negative view of Honorius the Terrible. Nerva the Old called Honorius the Terrible "the worst man to have ever walked on Laurasia Prime" while Antigonus the Conqueror, in 1503, commanded for the King's corpse to be removed from the Imperial Mausoleum and placed at the Military Station of Jadia instead. Every Emperor of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries signed a sentence of anathema against the King. Neuchrus the Reformer, in 1686, almost had Honorius the Terrible's corpse incinerated, but was ultimately dissuaded by the Holy Synod. In 1735, Antigonus the Extravagant finally repealed Maledicto tyrannicum rex infidelis, commanded for Honorius the Terrible's corpse to be translated back to the Imperial Mausoleum, and declared that he "deserves more respect, for he was a ruler of these dominions invested by Almitis." Antigonus however, later condemned Honorius the Terrible's reign in 1739, and said that "My actions by no means exonerate this King for his cruelty." Didymeia the Terrible, however, had him condemned again in 1754, and his corpse moved back to the Station of Jadia. In 1758, upon her death, Aurelia the Great again had Honorius the Terrible's corpse translated back to the Imperial Mausoleum, although she declared that he was a "filthy, tyrannical King who deserves not the respect of his race."

Immediately following the proclamation concerning the late King, Gadavaranius, Lord Cassanova, the Prince of Cassanova, Queen Dowager Demetria, and the members of the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma formally assembled at the Diplomatic Palace. There, during the evening hours of 29 March, Honorius the Terrible's final will and testament was opened, read, and formally proclaimed to the subjects of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. In his final will, Honorius declared that he "continued to honor the memory of his beloved wife" and that his concern was always for the interests of the Honorian Dynasty. As such, Grand Prince Theodosius was confirmed as his father's successor to the Laurasian throne. The Grand Prince, however, was both mentally and physically infirm. In his final will, the King stated that he knew that his son would not be able to effectively govern the Laurasian dominions without the "assistance of a worthy body of advisers, who hold the interests of my Kingdom in their minds and who are always determined to ensure that the Laurasian civilization remains in a proper state,: As such, he decreed that the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma were to become the two chambers of a Regency Council, which was to govern Laurasia until the death of Theodosius and in his name. The Prince of Cassanova was formally named as the President of the Council and Guardian of the Royal Throne, while Eurymaschus Gadavaranius became Vice-President and Royal Marshal. The Queen Dowager was to sit on the council, to represent the interests of her infant son, Grand Prince Demetrius, while the concerns of the new King were always to be taken into consideration. Honorius also mandated that if his son died without any children, Demetrius was to become King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians. The Regency Council would continue if he happened to accede to the throne before the age of sixteen. Gadavaranius, Cassanova, and others were pleased that their positions as the leading figures of the Laurasian State had been confirmed. They believed, however, that the Queen Dowager and her son should not be allowed to hold any influence in the state, and that their power should remain unhindered.

For the time being, however, they adhered to the terms of the King's will. Theodosius was formally acclaimed as King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians, in a ceremony presided over by Pope Dionysius. The news of his accession was dispatched to all Laurasian embassies, government officials, military commanders, and foreign governments. The reaction of the other monarchs in the Core Regions was of a dual nature. Femania of Venasia and Malik-Shah of Solidarita, who did respect Honorius whatsoever (and in private, gloated over his demise), nevertheless declared that "his death hath served a great blow to your people, surely. He was indeed a monarch who had been invested by his Gods to rule." Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia expressed his condolences but refused to offer blessings for Honorius in the Afterlife. Joh'ac of Briannia, on his part, declared privately to his council that "thus has died one who has ravaged all around him with his presence for so long." He refused to publicly comment on the King's death. Nevertheless, on 4 April, Honorius's body was laid at state within the public chambers of the Celestial Palace, and remained so for several days. On 16 April, he was buried at the Westphalian Cathedral in a ceremony presided over by Pope Dionysius and attended by the members of the Regency Council, other court and government officials, prominent noblemen and magnates, foreign ambassadors, military commanders, and several surviving members of the Reginiks. Once Honorius the Terrible had been interred, preparations for the coronation of his successor commenced immediately. On 25 April, the Regency Council commanded all Laurasian subjects to both mourn for Honorius's soul and to celebrate his son's successful ascent to the Laurasian throne. Then, on 8 May, Theodosius "the Tame", as he was already known, formally crowned himself King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians. Gadavaranius and the Pope delivered the prayers and messages which the King would have delivered, and took the leading part in the ceremony. The new Queen Consort, Irina Gadavaranius, was crowned by her brother, as the King was too feeble to perform the act. Several days of festivities and celebrations then ensued. The Regency Council, acting on the advice of Gadavaranius, issued numerous measures which pleased the Laurasian population.

On 13 May, taxes were suspended for all citizens for the remainder of the year, while a two-month public holiday of joy was proclaimed. On 22 May, many of the vexatious court regulations which had been issued by Honorius were repealed. Then, on 1 June, all those who had been condemned and punished under Honorius the Terrible's regime were formally exonerated of all charges and restored to their liberty. As has been mentioned numerous times above, many persons were thus released as a result of this. This included Alackavius, Yeklavnius, and former Queen Consort Kalagastagania, among others. Gadavaranius and the Duke of Cassanova embraced Alackavius on Caladaria on 6 June, with the Viscount apologizing for the "earlier injustices inflicted upon him." Achaleus, in the meantime, was further rewarded for his Malarian successes, being created Prince of Malaria on 11 June. He received his seals of nobility and his shield of armor from envoys dispatched by the Regency Council. Shortly after being so honored by the Regency Council, however, Achaleus found that he had further tasks at hand. During the first half of 1184, the Laurasian Military Governor and his units had remained relatively inert, maintaining their positions and engaging in hardly any combat with the Malarian units. Vladios, however, who sought revenge for the capture of his brother Surios by the Laurasians, and who was still determined to recover control over all of his dominions, had been secretly amassing his military squadrons and drafting new strategies of war against the Laurasians. Surios himself had been imprisoned at the Secret Station of Jadia since 12 November 1183, with Vladios learning of this through contacts at the Laurasian Royal Court.

At his strongholds at Onn, Ariasole, and Racqueline, the King of Malaria trained his units intensively and waited for the opportunity to inflict damage upon the Laurasians. That opportunity finally came on 14 June 1184, as Vladios decided to send out false message probes, to lure the Laurasians to the Maluyta Nebula. Achaleus's patrol units at the Narvut Corridor received these message pods, which contained false information that the Malarian units had withdrawn to the farther side of the Maluyta Nebula and were making plans to surrender. Achaleus, believing that he could finally eliminate Vladios, ordered Kalvos and a party of Laurasian warships to travel into the Nebula to establish communications over such a surrender. Kalvos was reluctant, and believed that the Malarians may not be so willing, but he was overridden. On 22 June, Vladios's general Karachos dispatched a communique to Kalvos, declaring that his master hoped for hostilities to terminate and claiming that he was to open discussions over the surrender at the stronghold of Aingley. Two days later, Kalvos and his force traveled to Aingley, where Vladios and his chief armada ambushed them. Cut off from their supply lines, and completely outnumbered, Kalvo's units nevertheless tried to resist the Malarians, fighting vigorously. Eventually, however, on 28 June, Kalvos's command squadron was dispersed, and Kalvos himself was killed by Malarian troops who boarded his flagship bridge. The Battle of Aingley had been a severe defeat for the Laurasian Expeditionary Force. Vladios, who had now regained momentum, launched a series of offensives to the Narvut Corridor, reconquering the strongholds of Ettleman (29 June-4 August); Evans (5 August); Goodman (10 August); Almastead (11 August); and the Laurasian Station of Christiane (12-19 August). On 20 August, Malarian units even approached the outskirts of the Malaria Prime star system. Vladios had now overextended his supply lines, however, and Achaleus responded with a series of vigorous counteroffensives. He destroyed a Malarian army at Pumos (22-27 August 1184) and then penetrated all the way to Siri (29 August-1 September), annihilating Malarian support and scout units.

On 4 September, Almastead was recovered, and two days later, the Second Battle of Frazier resulted in a decisive Laurasian victory. Vladios was forced to abandon all of his reconquests by 15 September. On 19 September, Aingley itself was conquered by the Laurasian units. Achaleus, who was now receiving Laurasian reinforcements, then destroyed Vladios's largest remaining military repository on Jenn (22-27 September 1184), capturing a number of Malarian military officers. On 1 October, he began a search for Karachos, determined to defeat and kill the man responsible for the defeat and death of Kalvos, who had been one of his loyalest and most effective subordinates. For several days, Achaleus and his force scourged the outskirts of the Maluyta Nebula, attempting to follow leads as to Karachos's whereabouts. By 12 October, Laurasian supply lines had become extended, and the Military Governor was now commanded to abstain from further military operations until the end of the year. Achaleus was reluctant to do so, but realizing that his supplies were indeed in peril, ultimately decided to retreat back to the Laurasian strongholds of the Narvut Corridor. He arrived at Ettleman on 21 October and began to consolidate his units in their positions, so that they could reorganize and rest until new orders were received from the Regency Council. Vladios, however, learned of Achaleus's retreat, and was persuaded by Karachos to organize a surprise offensive against the Laurasian units. On 25 October, Malarian troops, using a secret hyperspace route, which had been rediscovered by Malarian agents just twelve days earlier, surrounded Ettleman. Achaleus was roused from his sleep by his officers to inform him that they were now under attack. Vladios and his starships managed to sever communication links with the Ettleman star system. On 26 October, they were joined by Karachos, who brought a substantial force of transports, couriers, and assault corvettes. Achaleus and the Laurasian warships resisted fiercely, at first managing to put up a good defense because of superior firepower and shielding technology.

Sheer weight of numbers, however, eventually wore down their efforts, and on 1 November, the front line of the Laurasian defensive formation was penetrated. Vladios and his starfighter corps now directly assaulted the HMS Malaria, which was Achaleus's flagship. The Malaria was quickly disabled, and Malarian troops landed in the command bridge. A vigorous battle then ensued for the next two days, as Achaleus and his guards fought to the last man. Eventually, the Malarian corps obtained victory, and Achaleus was slain during the late hours of 3 November. His corpse was discovered by Malarian troopers near the engine chambers. On 5 November, all remaining Laurasian resistance at Ettleman was crushed, and the stronghold was secured by the Malarians. Vladios now commanded for Achaleus's body to be brought before him. Presenting it to his officers, the King of Malaria boasted that the Laurasian Commander "had failed in his mission" and that his ways were the ways of all Laurasians. On his orders, the body of the Military Governor was stripped of its armor and military garments. These were distributed among the Malarian officers. For several days, Achaleus's body was used as target practice by the Malarian troops. Finally, on 12 November, his body was dumped into a unmarked transport, which was sent into hyperspace towards Malaria Prime.

The world's garrison received the transport and were appalled when they saw the body. When the Royal Council received word of the Battle of Ettleman and of the death and defilement of Achaleus, they were ashamed. Gadavaranius declared that the actions of the Malarians were those of "devilish, barbarian louts", while the Prince of Cassanova called their actions "dishonorable." A proclamation was issued to Laurasian subjects in the name of the King on 1 December, in which the memory of Achaleus was formally honored. He was declared to be the "model example" of a proper and patriotic Laurasian man. On 6 December, Achaleus was buried at the Westphalian Cathedral with full military and governmental honors, with the Pope presiding over the ceremony. On 14 December, King Theodosius, on the "advice" of the Royal Council, formally appointed the highest-ranking officer remaining among the Expeditionary Force, Lactantius Aeropus, as the new Military Governor of Malaria Prime and Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force. Aeropus managed to stabilize the front line, and by the end of the year, a stalemate had ensued between Laurasian and Malarian units. Vladios, in the meantime, continued to celebrate his exploits.

As the year 1185 commenced, Laurasians had adjusted to the governance of the Regency Council, and were relieved that their new sovereign was a harmless imbecile, who would not be as dominant or oppressive as his father had been. The Council, however, having consolidated its position as the governing body of the Laurasian State, decided to act against those perceived to be a threat. Gadavaranius and the Prince of Cassanova both wished to remove the Queen-Dowager from her position on the Regency Council, and to confine her and her son to some place where they would be less visible. On 4 January, these plans were supported by Pope Dionysius, who held the belief that Honorius the Terrible's last marriage had been unlawful and that Grand Prince Demetrius was not a legitimate heir to the Laurasian throne. On 12 January, Lord Cassanova, acting on the initiative of his father, proposed a motion in the Regency Council suggesting all of Honorius's later marriages, after the death of Queen Consort Anastasia Cassanova, had been "invalid in the eyes of the Almitian Church" and had not been for the benefit of the Laurasian people. His motion was supported by the Pope, the Prince of Cassanova, and by the Queen Consort, Irina Gadavaranius, who also despised the position that Queen-Dowager Demetria continued to hold within the Laurasian State. On 16 January, the Ecclesiastical Conclave, convened by Dionysius on the orders of the Prince of Cassanova, began its investigations about Honorius the Terrible's further marriages.

Four days later, it declared that Pope Cyril's special injunction, invalidating any averse claims towards the King's right to more than three marriages, was "unethical" and in conflict with the Almitian Canon. On 24 January, Demetria was formally dismissed from her seat on the Regency Council, in violation of Honorius the Terrible's last will and testament. Although she was to be allowed to retain the title of Queen-Dowager, and although her son retained the title of Grand Prince, her union with Honorius the Terrible was declared invalid by the standards of the Almitian Church. It was thus announced that Demetria and her son could not be at Laurasia Prime any longer. On 1 February, by the suggestion of Gadavaranius, they were instead commanded to move to Uglich, a minor Laurasian colony world in the outskirts of the Constantine Star Cluster. They were to be allowed to have their own personal household, but were to be under the supervision of a government "Commissioner of the Royal Family" with his clerks and secretaries. The commissioner was to report on all of their affairs to the Regency Council and was to be able to issue instructions regarding the affairs of Uglich and of the Grand Prince Demetrius in particular. The Grand Prince and his mother would be forbidden to leave Uglich without the explicit permission of the Commissioner, countersigned by the members of the Regency Council. By 8 February, the Queen-Dowager and her son had firmly established themselves at Uglich, where they were to remain for the next six years.

On 15 February, Pope Dionysius issued a papal proclamation of faith, declaring that Honorius the Terrible's only valid wife was his first wife, Queen Consort Anastasia Cassanova, and that all other unions had "burst from the froth of the anti-Almitis." By the end of February 1185, all of the members and servants of the Nagayania family had also been deprived of any titles, properties, or grants issued to them by Honorius the Terrible during his lifetime; were banished from Laurasia Prime; and commanded either to join the Queen-Dowager at Uglich or remain at worlds "a considerable distance" from the Laurasian Capital Worlds. Gadavaranius and the relatives of Queen Anastasia had thus consolidated their position on the Royal Council and their influence. King Theodosius, who remained as feeble and infirm as ever, "presided" over a ceremony at his mother's tomb on 1 March, during which she was blessed by the Pope and offered praises for eternal life. With all of these measures having been accomplished, the Cassanovas firmly believed that they had cemented themselves as the leading figures of prominence in the Laurasian State.

The Prince of Cassanova, indeed, was the most prominent personage at the Laurasian Royal Court throughout 1185, and on 24 March, the King formally appointed him as the new Royal Chamberlain and Bearer of the King's Standard. Gadavaranius, on his part, however, continued to cultivate his allies and expand his resources. By bribing or rewarding many at the Royal Court and within the Royal Administration, he managed to assemble for himself a cadre of loyal clients and supporters. They would be useful to him in the years ahead. By April 1185, Pope Dionysius had begun to develop fears of Gadavaranius and his group of supporters. The Pope now sought ways to increase his own influence and limit that of Gadavaranius and his faction. He sent constant letters and communiques to his Church subordinates, informing them that Almitis "had made great revelations to him" that the union of Irina Gadavaranius with the King was invalid. Indeed, the Queen Consort had failed to become pregnant, and it was feared by many Laurasians that she was infertile.

On 1 May 1185, the Pope took advantage of this by issuing a papal bull, Deus mandavit per infecunditate, which expressed the Church's concern about the condition of the Queen Consort and suggested that "His Honorable Majesty" divest himself of such a barren wife through divorce and find another, "more honorable, more vigorous woman who will continue this dynasty." When the Pope issued this bull, Gadavaranius and his faction were outraged. On 6 May, the Pope had his bull formally read to the other members of the Royal Council, and sought to propose a motion to convene a commission to examine the King's marriage. Gadavaranius managed to bribe other members into blocking the motion. The Pope raised the matter again on 14 May, but Gadavaranius reminded him of the Honorian Decrees concerning Church governance, stating that he had no right of "undue intervention" in the affairs of the government. On 26 May, the Pope was commanded to rescind his papal bull, which he did so reluctantly. On 2 June, Lord Cassanova declared that it was the opinion of the Royal Council that the union of the Queen Consort with "His Gracious Majesty" was honorable, and that only time was needed for a child and heir to be produced. Irina, however, was now persuaded by her brother to take public measures to maintain the support of the populace and seek "blessings" so that she could conceive a child. From 5 to 17 June, 1185, the Queen Consort and her entourage traveled to Caladaria, Darcia, Americana, Charasia, Katherine, Oxia Vixius, Janesia, Maroni, Dearton's Gateway, Rebecca, Durglais, Blackria, Nezbit, Chloe, Kelby, Constantine I, Andriana, Mercedes, Scout, Katie, Arias, Elizabeth, Martina Mccasia, and other Laurasian worlds, seeking prayer and assistance from various Laurasian cells and monasteries. The Queen Consort received blessings from the population and held numerous services, during which she intoned the assistance of the "mighty Almitis" to conceive a child. For the time being however, she remained childless.

In the meantime, events in the Malarian territories picked up speed again. During the first half of 1185, a stalemate persisted between the Laurasian and the Malarian units, as Military Governor Aeropus successfully managed to retain the Laurasian position. On 22 June, however, the Military Governor was attacked and mortally wounded by a disgruntled Laurasian guards officer, Polyperchon Cerasmania (1160-85), who believed that the Laurasians should "seek glory" by engaging in more vigorous military campaigns against the Malarian "heathens." Despite the efforts of his medical-bots and doctors, he died three days later. Cerasmania was convicted of treason and homicide, being executed through solar incineration on 3 July. The Royal Council now sought to find a replacement for Aeropus as Military Governor. Gadavaranius, seeking further military glory and honor for himself, put his name forward as a possible replacement. The Cassanova faction, however, which did not want Gadavaranius cultivating further popularity with the people, blocked his candidacy. On 11 July, the weak-willed Laurasian Lieutenant-General, Amnytas Yalasa, was formally selected as the new Military Governor of Malaria Prime and Commander of the Laurasian Expeditionary Force. Yalasa, who formally received his commission from the King on 15 July, then departed from Laurasia Prime a day later. He arrived at Malaria Prime on 19 July. The new Military Governor, however, proved lax in his duties, as he did not work as vigorously as he should have and refused to attend to affairs of business for days at a time. Encouraged by reports of the indolence of the new Laurasian Military Governor, Vladios and his generals decided to launch a series of renewed counteroffensives against the Laurasian positions. On 25 July, Malarian units pushed from Ettleman, inflicting severe damage upon Laurasian patrol units, space stations, and satellites. They besieged and conquered Aingley (26 July-2 August); Evans (4-9 August); Goodman (11 August); Christiane (12-15 August); Almastead (16 August); and Siri (22-27 August 1185), before destroying a Laurasian defensive force at Terell (1-3 September).

On 4 September 1185, Vladios obtained a further victory in the Battle of Takrania, capturing a large number of Laurasian starfighters and transports. Torturing the Laurasian pilots, Vladios obtained information about secret Laurasian hyperspace routes. Using these routes, he recovered Rogers (6 September) and Acabania (10-14 September), before penetrating to the Jar Asteroids (17-22 September). On 25 September, General Yalasa decided to retreat from Malaria Prime, fleeing towards Welch and Timaslan. Two days later, Vladios reoccupied Malaria Prime in triumph, and declared that the Laurasians would soon be completely expelled from his dominions. On 30 September, Ularia was besieged and conquered by Malarian units. On 2 October, the Regency Council, enraged by the Laurasian losses against the Malarians, and coming under attack by segments of the nobility and aristocracy on accusations of inactivity, formally dismissed Yalasa as Military Governor/Expeditionary Commander. Yalasa returned to Laurasia Prime in disgrace on 6 October. Two days later, he was formally arrested and brought before the Court of High Justice, the Court of the Royal Household, and the Regency Council. Accused of indolence, incompetence, "indirect treason", and ineffectiveness, he was formally convicted on 12 October. On the advice of Gadavaranius, Yalasa's life was spared, but he was deprived of all his titles, orders, and properties; dismissed from the Laurasian Military; condemned as a miscreant; and confined at Windowia Photis. Yalasa remained there until his death on 22 January 1197.

On 15 October, Gadavaranius organized Laurasian reinforcement units, placing them under the command of the previously unknown Laurasian Count, Antipater Tulcadoch, who was a veteran of the Ivorian War and the Battle of Molodi. Tulcadoch arrived at Odika on 22 October, taking command of the Laurasian Expeditionary Force. Vladios had overextended himself, and on 26 October, he was decisively defeated by Tulcadoch in the Battle of White, ending further Malarian offensives. Tulcadoch, who made sure to keep his forces supplied and took advantage of Laurasian technological supremacy, reconquered Ularia (27 October-6 November); the outskirts of Welch (8 November); and Timaslan (10-13 November), before clearing Malarian units from the Jar Asteroids (16-21 November) and repelling Malarian expeditions against Ostak and Timsies (22 November-5 December). On 6 December 1185, Vladios was defeated again at Kanley, and five days later, Tulcadoch penetrated the defenses of the Malaria Prime star system. Malaria Prime was recovered on 15 December, followed by Almastead (11 December); Siri (12-19 December); Goodman (20-22 December); and Ettleman (26 December). By the end of December 1185, Laurasian units were again at the Narvut Corridor. As the year 1186 commenced, the Laurasians had for the most part restored their position in the Malarian Dominions.

On 1 January 1186, Gadavaranius and the Prince of Cassanova presided over a service of benedictions at the Westphalian Cathedral, the Pope having been (paradoxically) barred from participating in the ceremony. They then cooperated in drafting the New Year's proclamation, formally announced over the Holonet. In this proclamation, it was stated that all of the Malarian territories "would soon be answering to the rightful authority of this Government." Four days later, General Tulcadoch obtained a decisive victory in the Battle of Terell, destroying most of the Malarian expeditionary force there. He then reconquered Aingley (7-12 January); the outposts of the Outer Maluyta Nebula (13-25 January); and Acabania (29 January). By 1 February, Manzo and Meehan were both being threatened by Laurasian units. On 7 February, Vladios launched a counteroffensive from the Malarian outposts on Van-Dogh and Guin, penetrating all the way to the outskirts of Welch and Johnald. By the end of February 1186, however, General Tulcadoch had stabilized the front lines. On 2 March, the Laurasian General and his units instigated a siege of Manzo, severing all supply lines to the star system and hampering communications. The star system resisted for several days, as the Malarian garrison was determined not to allow the Laurasian forces a easy advance. Eventually, however, the Malarian resistance failed, and on 17 March, Manzo was finally conquered by the Laurasian units. Tulcadoch executed all of the officers and unit commanders of the Malarian garrison, but treated the subdued population of the world in a benevolent manner, adhering to Achaleus's earlier policies of toleration and recognition of privileges. Laurasian units then pushed towards Meehan, destroying Malarian outposts on Guin, Ursula, Van-Dogh, and Lafaria (19-29 March 1186).

On 1 April, Vladios dispatched Karachos with the largest remaining Malarian offensive armada, commanding him to direct all of his efforts in preventing further Laurasian advances. Karachos harried the Laurasian supply lines and even attacked the Laurasian transports at Unacia (6 April), a effort which eventually ended in failure. On 11 April, General Tulcadoch divided his forces into two mobile squadrons and launched a surprise offensive against Karacho's command units near the Belts of Asil. The result was a decisive Laurasian victory, as Karachos and his units were outnumbered and overpowered. Karachos himself was captured by the Laurasian troops, although most of his officers or personnel were killed or mortally wounded. On the command of General Tulcadoch, he was placed on a prison transport and trundled first to Malaria Prime (13 April), then to Melarnaria (16 April) and finally Laurasia Prime (20 April). Two days later, the Regency Council gave orders for Karachos to be publicly executed at the Station of Jadia. This act was performed on 27 April, with the Malarian General declaring his loyalty to his master in the minutes before his execution by firing squad. His corpse was placed in a container and deposited at the Military Station. On 29 April, Meehan itself was besieged by the Laurasian units under the command of General Tulcadoch. Although Vladios and his personal household had fled before the Laurasian units, they had been unable to retrieve vital Malarian files and military supplies. Meehan capitulated to the Laurasian units on 6 May 1186, thus completing the subjugation of the Maluyta Nebula. Tulcadoch treated the conquered population of Meehan with fairness, although he confiscated all of the goods and equipment which Vladios had left behind. The Laurasian General then traveled back to Malaria Prime, where he was acclaimed as a hero by the Laurasian garrison.

On 11 May, he received congratulations over his victories from the Regency Council, in a proclamation authored by Gadavaranius and Lord Cassanova. Five days later, Tulcadoch was created the second Prince of Malaria and granted all of the estates which had been conferred upon Achaleus before his death. He received his seals of nobility from government emissaries on 22 May. By the end of May 1186, the new Prince of Malaria had consolidated his conquests and reorganized his military units. Vladios, in the meantime, managed to flee with the rump remnants of his armada to Solidaritan space, evading Laurasian patrol fleets. On 8 June, the exiled King of Malaria reached Istantius, being greeted by a surprised Malik-Shah with the Grand Council and the Solidaritan court. Malik-Shah granted Vladios diplomatic refuge. On 12 June, the Royal Laurasian Government, learning of the Solidaritan harboring of the Malarian King, demanded that it give him over, as "his kingdom has now been subdued by the arms of the Laurasian State." The Solidaritan Sultan refused to do so, although he expressed his belief that Laurasia did "effectively control" the Malarian dominions. Although some on the Regency Council clamored for war, Gadavaranius counseled for patience, declaring that the Laurasian Dominions were not yet ready for renewed war with the Solidaritan Sultanate, so soon after the conclusion of the Ivorian War. On 21 June, the Royal Laurasian Government withdrew its earlier demand to the Solidaritan court. Having failed to obtain custody of Vladios and his entourage, that government now directed its attention to a intensive policy of colonization and exploration of the newly-conquered territories. The Royal Bureau of Colonization and Exploration appointed another surveying commission on 1 July, which worked for over a month.

The commission published its findings in the massive Astrographical and Cartographical Atlas of the Malarian Regions on 4 August, which was assembled with the assistance of administrative androids and navicomputers. This was to remain a important resource for Laurasian starhoppers, navigators, and shipping lines for the next two centuries, until the first edition of the Galactic Atlas appeared in the late fourteenth century. Six days later, the Regency Council issued the Statute of Laurasian Colonization and Development in Malaria, which provided extensive guidelines for the establishment of Laurasian industrial, agricultural, and financial colonies in the newly subdued Malarian territories. All such colonies were to be under the strict control of officials appointed by the Council on the suggestion of the Military Governor of Malaria Prime. Exemption from taxes for a period of four years, unlimited navigation, rights of free commerce for a period of three years, the right to a local advisory assembly, and the right to petition local officials for redress of grievances were all assured for any who established themselves in the new colonies. The government also promised to provide for all of the expenses associated for transport to and living in the colonies, up to a period of one year. This generous policy lured many Laurasian colonists to the new territories.

On 27 July 1186, the first Laurasian colony-world to be established in the former territories of the Kingdom of Malaria, Tasblakaia, received its first colonization expedition of 500,000 Laurasians. It would prove to be one of the most successful and prosperous of the Laurasian colony-worlds, although its growth rate was rather modest at first. The population of Tasblakaia grew at a annual rate of 0.014%, increasing from the initial 500,000 in 1186 to 651,165 by 1205. Five and a half centuries later, during the census of 1797, its population has been recorded at 2,444,333,769. By September 1186, nearly two hundred previously uninhabited star systems had been colonized by Laurasian expeditions. On 11 September, Lord Cassanova and Gadavaranius cooperated in introducing a motion on the Regency Council, to sponsor the extension of the Melarnarian Spur from Melarnaria all the way to Malaria Prime. This would allow for more effective commerce and transportation into the Malarian Regions, thus facilitating further colonization and economic development. Pope Dionysius was opposed to the motion, but was forbidden to intervene because of the Honorian Decrees. The motion was ratified by the Regency Council on 16 September, which appointed a survey commission at Melarnaria two days later. This commission was chaired by the Prince of Melarnaria.

On 22 September, Gadavaranius himself traveled with his personal escort to Melarnaria, holding a series of meetings with the Prince of Melarnaria and the survey commission over the course of the next several days. Then on 8 October, he went into hyperspace towards Malaria Prime, arriving there a day later. Prince Tulcadoch entertained the Royal Marshal and his entourage for several days. Gadavaranius subsequently embarked on a tour throughout the Malarian districts, visiting Kanley, Almastead, Meehan, Manzo, Welch, Johnald, Terell, the outposts of the Maluyta Nebula, Aingley, and other Laurasian strongholds. He finally returned to Laurasia Prime on 27 October. By the end of October 1186, the health of the Prince of Cassanova had entered a serious decline. On 27 September, the Prince had suffered a memory lapse at a session of the Regency Council, as he was unable to recall information concerning reports on economic and financial matters which he himself had helped to draft. On 4 October, the Prince forgot his duties at a benediction ceremony on the Westphalian Cathedral, which thus threw the ceremony off-balance. Five days later, he was unable to attend session of the Regency Council concerning the progress of the Melarnarian Survey Commission. On 16 October, perhaps the most serious incident took place when the Prince suffered a stroke while delivering a speech to the Aristocratic Duma over the revision of order heraldry regulations. After this, all further public appearances were canceled, and his son now took up the responsibility of representing his father's interests on the Royal Council. On 29 October, the Prince of Cassanova was admitted to the Honorius the Liberator Medical Center of Christiania as a patient. Retaining some consciousness, the Duke managed to dictate his last will and testament. Then on 4 November 1186, Archaleus Cassanova, Prince of Cassanova, the brother of Queen Consort Anastasia Cassanova, died from a heart attack at the age of 64. When Gadavaranius received news of the Council President's death, he "acted as if he were ravaged and stricken with a great blow." In reality, Gadavaranius was pleased that the Prince was dead.

King Theodosius, nevertheless, issued a proclamation on 5 November, praising his uncle as a "worthy and venerable nobleman who always had the interests of the Kingdom and the Dynasty in the forefront of his heart." On 6 November, the Prince's body was formally placed on state display at the Westphalian Cathedral, and a month-long period of mourning for him was proclaimed. On 14 November, the Prince of Cassanova was formally buried at the Cassanova Family Mortuary. Gadavaranius moved swiftly to establish himself as the predominant influence in the Royal Laurasian Government. On 20 November, he and his faction suppressed the Prince's final will and testament, which would have supported the claims of his son, Lord Cassanova, to the Presidency of the Regency Council. Two days later, Gadavaranius persuaded the King to issue a decree, in which it was declared that there was "no further need for a Regency Council" and that only one officer was required to maintain the interests of the realm. Consequently, Gadavaranius was appointed as the Lord Protector of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and Grand Vizier of His Majesty's Court. The new Prince of Cassanova, who had inherited his father's title and estates regardless of the will suppression, expressed his opposition to Gadavaranius's imposition of himself as the authority figure in the Laurasian state. He was threatened by Gadavaranius's officers with arrest and confiscation of properties, however, and on 28 November, the Prince withdrew his objections. On 4 December, Gadavaranius was formally ordained Lord Protector in a ceremony within the Great Hall of the Celestial Palace. Pope Dionysius refused to preside over the ceremony, and in his place the Archbishop of Charasia, Job, who was a ally of the Gadavaranius family, presided. Job was to become one of Gadavaranius's closest and most ardent supporters, and was to eventually be rewarded for this loyalty, as will be described below. On 10 December, Gadavaranius, now the sole Regent of Laurasia, embarked on a tour of the Laurasian Purse Worlds, which lasted for the remainder of the month.

Other events were transpiring, however. On 26 April 1186, Polonian military units, obliging by the provisions of the Treaty of Jam-Zaploski, had terminated their occupation of Carina, Seejay Prime, and the Western Systems. A ceremony had been held at Stenbock, attended by Gadavaranius and the other members of the Regency Council, with the Polonian Military Governor, Yuasoaki, on that day to formally mark the return of those star systems to Laurasian authority. Trade between the Polonian and Laurasian dominions had resumed on a normal basis, while on 15 June, on the suggestion of Gadavaranius, Lord Augustus Gastius (1134-97) was appointed as the new Laurasian Ambassador to the court of the King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Gastius had been formally received by the King and Queen of Polonia five days later. Despite the end of the Ivorian War, and the resumption of full and diplomatic relations between the two states, a sense of distrust and tensions remained on both sides. The Laurasians were still disappointed about their losses in the Ivorian War and were angered that all of their effort had been for nought. Stefanius Bathorius, on his part, believed that Gadavaranius might eventually develop ambitions of power similar to those of Honorius the Terrible and that he would seek to challenge the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth once again for possession of the Ivorian and Horacian dominions. In August 1186, the King sent several communiques to the Council of Ministers and the Polonian High Command, containing information on his fears about Laurasian ambitions and expressing his hope that Polonia's military position would be maintained. By October, the King of Polonia had begun contemplating a new, preventative war against Laurasia. This time, his goal would be to seize Goldaria and force the Laurasians to allow Polonian supervision of all military and commercial affairs within the Central Core.

From 19 October, the King held secret meetings with many of the Polonian Magistrates and Royal Senators, asking for their support for his intended campaigns. Many in the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament, however, were tired of war, and on 14 November, the King was informed by his subordinates that the Parliament would surely reject any further measures for war against Laurasia that he could propose. On 29 November, the King finally terminated his efforts, realizing that war with Laurasia, so soon after the end of the Ivorian War, would be unacceptable to the Polonian people. On 3 December, the King delivered a speech to a gathering of Polonian magnates and princes. During his speech, however, he "swayed back and forth numerous times." Shortly after the speech was concluded, the King collapsed and had to be rushed back to his personal quarters. On 7 December, Stefanius Bathorius issued his final proclamation from his personal quarters, in which he declared that he knew his death was fast approaching. He expressed his hope that the Polonian-Donguarian Parliament would work "effectively and efficiently towards electing a successor to the venerable throne of this Commonwealth and her peoples." Two days later, the King suffered a second stroke, and was moved to the Palatial Medical Compound. His wife, Queen Consort Anna, stayed by his bedside for three days. Primate Karnlaowski presided over the Last Sacraments for the dying monarch during the late hours of 11 December. Then on 12 December 1186, the third King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth died.

The news of his death was announced by the Primate to the Polonian public, who declared that "this day died a ruler who had been of a saintly but firm nature, who knew the wishes of his subjects." Stefanius Bathorius was mourned by his subjects with great affection, greatly in contrast to the reaction of the Laurasian subjects to the death of Honorius the Terrible, two and a half years earlier. The Polonian Government also received messages of condolence from every other foreign court in the Caladarian Galaxy. Femania of Venasia, Joh'ac of Briannia, and Malik-Shah of Solidarita cooperated in drafting a joint proclamation, issued to the Polonian Court on 20 December, in which they praised Stefanius Bathorius as a "true brother monarch" and saluted him for his "wise, vigorous, fair governance of his dominions." The Royal Council of Laurasia, on its part, acknowledged that Stefanius Bathorius had been a "worthy enemy at war." No response was forthcoming now from the Crimeanian court, since during this year the Crimeanian Khanate had been destroyed by the Melorkians. That event will be described in the next section concerning the Outer Galactic Regions.

On 24 December, Primate Karnlaowski became the Interrex of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, assuming the duties of head of state until a new King was elected by the Parliament. Two days later, Stefanius Bathorius's body was laid out in state. As the year 1187 commenced, the Polonian-Donguarian Dominions were thus engrossed in an atmosphere of mourning, as the Polonian Primate and the Council of Ministers had commanded the Polonian-Donguarian subjects to mourn the death of Stefanius Bathorius throughout the first half of the New Year. The atmosphere within the Laurasian dominions was of a different nature, as Gadavaranius was quickly consolidating his popularity with the Laurasian people. At the New Year's ceremonies, he deferred to King Theodosius, allowing His Majesty to preside over the celebration services for the commencement of the New Year. Behind the scenes, however, Gadavaranius governed affairs and insured that largess was distributed to the crowds on Laurasia Prime. On 3 January, the Lord Protector commanded for all of the officers of the Palace Guards to be given four years' pay in advance, and repealed the remaining disciplinary regulations which had been imposed by them by Honorius the Terrible.

He nevertheless promoted his supporters to positions among the Guards and kept them under his supervision, insuring that they would not exert themselves out of bounds. On 11 January, the Lord Protector was granted the right, by a proclamation of the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma, to treat with foreign ambassadors and rulers in the name of "His Most Autocratic Majesty", and to conduct all important correspondence henceforth with other states. Four days later, Gadavaranius sent his first official instructions to Laurasian embassies, providing them information about their duties and functions for that year. On 26 January, the Lord Protector traveled to Melarnaria, where he visited with the Price of Melarnaria and with Prince Tulcadoch. After a four-day conference on Malarian affairs and continuing Laurasian economic development, the Lord Protector then embarked on a tour of the Laurasian Central Core (January-March 1187). He visited Williams, Goss Beacon, Evelyn, Hannah, Marshia, Elainsborough, Bainsborough, Carina, Clancia, Conservan, Reoyania, Dramis, Condtella, Goldaria, Yularen, Daala, Pellaeon, Carina, Seejay Prime, Olivia, Sipp, Constantia, Stenbock, and other important Laurasian strongholds.

During these months, events continued to move ahead in the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. On 1 February, Stefanius Bathorius's funeral was conducted on Polonia Prime, being presided over by Primate Karnlaowski. Diplomats from all foreign powers, including Laurasia, attended the funeral. Laurasia's representative at the funeral was Lord Augustus Gastius, the Laurasian ambassador to the court of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Six days later, the Primate issued the traditional decrees concerning the arrangement of the ballots and Parliamentary preparations for the election process. In a speech to the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, delivered on 8 February, the Primate implored the body to "execute your duties faithfully and without prejudice" to ensure that "the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth will have another effective ruler, who will maintain our interests and preserve the unity of our military, economy, and civilization," The following day, the Parliament formally sent out diplomatic invitations to all of the foreign powers, inviting them to propose candidates for the Polonian throne. Lord Gastius, who communicated the Polonian invitation to Gadavaranius and the Royal Laurasian Government, then at Goldaria, declared that such a election would allow for Laurasian interests in Polonian dominions to be promoted "in a peaceful manner." Gadavaranius summoned a session of the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma on 11 February, and a series of discussions ensued over the next two days concerning the election process in the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. The Prince of Cassanova, although he was still resentful about Gadavaranius's position of power, nevertheless declared that the Laurasian Government should seek to find advantage through the election process "so that this realm may increase her influence." Archbishop Job supported the Regent in a firm manner, threatening to excommunicate any of his parishioners who expressed disagreement with the Government's policy.

Following these discussions, Gadavaranius decided to attempt to extend Laurasian influence over Polonian dominions by suggesting King Theodosius as a candidate. This was formally announced as his decision to the Laurasian public in a proclamation, issued from the Goldarian Royal Palace on 16 February. Two days later, Gastius formally put forward, on Gadavaranius's orders, the name of King Theodosius as a candidate for the Polonian throne. In his nomination, the Ambassador claimed that such a union would "allow for the Laurasian and Polonian dominions to co-exist in a atmosphere of brotherhood and cooperation, and that a Laurasian King would strengthen the stability of the Polonian Government." There were some, who had been bribed by the Ambassador and his faction, that supported Laurasian claims in the Parliament. General Zamyoski and the former Military Governor of Seejay Prime, Yuasoaki, however, both opposed Laurasian claims. On 28 February, they held a discussion within the Parliament, declaring that the Laurasians were bent upon using any means to regain control of the Ivorian dominions and that Gadavaranius did not wish for "peace and tranquility on equal terms." The Primate also voiced his objection to the Laurasian candidature, and on 6 March, issued a proclamation declaring that it "would not be beneficial for these dominions." On 11 March, the Parliament rejected the candidature of King Theodosius. Gadavaranius was angered that his plan had been blunted, but, knowing that the Laurasian people did not wish for another costly and tiring conflict with Polonia, said that he would respect the Polonian Government's decision. Three days later, Joh'ac of Briannia, hoping to maintain friendly relations with the Commonwealth, and pleased that the Laurasian candidature had been rejected, proposed his own son, Sigis'ac, as a candidate for the Polonian throne.

Sigis'ac was a handsome and intelligent prince who, Joh'ac said, would "respect Polonian constitutional rights and the liberties of his dominions." Sigis'ac, however, was the heir apparent to the Briannian throne, and on 22 March, the Parliament warned the King of Briannia that his son would have to gain approval if he needed to travel between Polonian and Briannian space. Joh'ac agreed, but insisted that his son's rights as King of Briannia be regarded as the "same" as his rights as as a potential King-Emperor of Polonia. The Parliament, after a vigorous debate, approved this on 4 April and authorized the Primate to choose Sigis'a as a candidate, which he did so. Solidaritan Sultan Malik-Shah, on his part, wished to see for Solidaritan influence in the Commonwealth. On 11 April, he proposed his military commander Suleyman Arsh as a potential candidate for the Polonian throne. Although the Primate was against the candidature of Arsh, claiming that Solidaritan mercenaries might "try to dominate our military", he was nevertheless approved by the Parliament on 16 April. After the final submissions had been received from Venasia (18 April); Melorkia (20 April); and Kuevia (22 April), the Primate closed the candidature process on 29 April. On 4 May, the Magisterial Court began its discussions about the candidatures, which continued for the remainder of the month. General Zamyoski and Governor Yuasoaki allied themselves, and made a vigorous case for Sigis'ac, claiming that a candidate proposed by a "venerated and reliable ally" would be better for the Commonwealth then Solidarita or another state which Polonia had not signed a military or alliance treaty with. The Primate, on his part, did not support the claims of either Sigis'ac or Suleyman Arsh, instead declaring that Polonia needed a candidate from a neutral power. He backed the claims of Auevic of Kuevia. Two motions, on 11 and 17 May, by the Primate to support Auevic's claims were rejected by the majority of the Magisterial Court.

On 24 May, the Primate delivered one final speech before the assembly, imploring them to insure that "this throne is in the hands of a neutral personage, who will not damage this Commonwealth in the service of his own self-interests." On 1 June, the Court, although acknowledging that the Primate's concerns were "legitimate", nevertheless rejected them on the grounds that "it would be preferable for a strong and tried neighbor then for a farther-away power" to "have a candidate for the honorable Polonian throne." General Zamyoski, who drafted the Court's verdict, continually declared that a friendly, tested state would be more likely to preserve the Commonwealth's interests then a "untried and not necessarily friendly power." The candidature of Auevic was firmly rejected by the Court on 5 June, despite the Primate's continuing pleas. Five days later, Suleyman Arsh's claim was also rejected, as the Court deemed that "it did not wish for a general to sit upon our Throne, who might drag us into another conflict with Laurasia in pursuit of his master's interests." The field of candidates for the Polonian throne had now been reduced to just two: Sigis'ac of Briannia and the Donguarian Grand Prince of Donguaria Prima, Maxentian, who had been suggested as the one Polonian candidate, which was required by the Treaty of Pressburg for each election process. Sigis'ac of Briannia, who was unable to leave the Briannian dominions because of his duties as Prince and Heir Apparent, nevertheless sent instructions, bribes, and agents to his supporters within the Polonian Government and at the Polonian Royal Court. The Briannian ambassador to the court of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, Heulthac of Briannia (1123-1201), delivered a speech before the Polonian Parliament on 14 June. In this speech, the Ambassador claimed that the Briannian state had nothing but "good intentions and blessed goals" for the peoples of the Polonian State, and that Sigis'ac would honor all of the constitutional arrangements of the Treaty of Pressburg. General Zamyoski delivered his own speeches to the Parliament, supporting the Ambassador's claims and providing reports on how the Polonian people wished for a ruler "not tainted by any pretensions of might and glory."

Lajos of Banderemia, however, whose health was ailing by this point, delivered his own oration to the Parliament on 22 June, in which he declared that the Parliament should proceed carefully and that a "rigorous" examination process should be applied to both of the two remaining candidates, before the Court undertook any further proceedings. This was then presented in the form of a motion, which was passed by a two-thirds majority on 26 June. On 1 July, the Court formally appointed a commission, comprised of Prince Lajos, General Zamyoski, Queen-Dowager Anna, and the Primate, to conduct a background check on both of the candidates and to examine the advantages and disadvantages each candidate held for the Polonian state. This commission worked for some weeks, and held constant sessions with the Council of Ministers, with Ambassdor Heulthac, and with Prince Maxentian himself. Finally, on 22 July, the commission announced its decision: both candidates should still be considered through the remainder of the voting process. Thereafter, on 1 August, the Court conducted its own personal examination of Prince Maxentian, who impressed many of the members with his honesty, intelligence, and vigor of effort. Two days later, a interview was conducted with Prince Sigis'ac over the Holonet, who also impressed the members of the Court with his personality qualities. On 7 August, the Court went into secret session for its final elective deliberations. For the next several days, all at the Polonian Court wondered what decision they would make. Gadavaranius and the Royal Council on Laurasia Prime watched events in the Commonwealth closely. Personally, the Regent of Laurasia was opposed to both candidatures. He knew that if Sigis'ac became King, Briannia might attempt to use Polonia in a new war with Laurasia. He also knew that Maxentian was opposed to Laurasian interests and that he would be likely to garner support among the Polonian population for resuming Stefanius Bathorius's war plans. Therefore, the Regent ordered his agents to monitor the deliberations of the Parliament and to collect intelligence information on both candidates, so that the Laurasian people "may be mollified, in a sense, of their fears."

On 18 August 1187, the Magisterial Court announced its decision, declaring its support for Sigis'ac of Briannia as the next King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Sigis'ac received notification of the Court's decision while he was inspecting military positions at Alemeda, and was supposed to have (as recorded by Lord Monompahalaus), "jumped for joy and shouted his thankfulness to the spirit of his grandfather and other familial ancestors." Maxentian, although disappointed with the outcome, said that he would "respect the elective process." Primate Karnlowski, although continuing to affirm his opposition to the Court's choice, nevertheless certified their decision on 24 August. Two days, the Royal Senate ratified the election. On 1 September, a Polonian electoral delegation, headed by the Polonian Ambassador to the Briannian Court, Gulios of Cossack (1137-1221), met with Sigis'ac at Nystadia and formally delivered the certificate of election to the Prince. Two days later, Sigis'ac took the oath of office and signed his Accession Pact with the delegation. On 10 September, his father granted him permission to leave the Briannian Dominions to assume his duties as King. Sigis'ac departed from Nystadia with the Polonian delegation and his personal entourage the following day, arriving at Polonia Major during the early hours of 12 September. On 14 September, the Primate deferred to Sigis'ac's authority, and the announcement of his accession as King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth was formally dispatched to all Polonian military, civil, court, and government officials; to the courts of Foreign Powers; and to all Polonian embassies and consulates. Preparations for his coronation began in earnest and continued for the next three months.

In the meantime, the focus shifted to the Laurasian Dominions. Queen Conort Irina still had not yet become pregnant, and rumors circulated within the Royal Court that she would never give birth to a child and heir. A faction on the Aristocratic Duma, led by the Prince of Melarnaria, issued a formal proclamation on 21 September, expressing their fears that the Honorian Dynasty was doomed to extinction. Gadavaranius attempted to prove the wrong to their fears, and on 24 September, appointed a medical commission to examine his sister. On 1 October, the commission reported back, declaring that the Queen Consort "was a virtuous and fertile Princess, who is hath yet able to deliver a heir for His Majesty." Two days later, Gadavaranius delivered a speech before the Aristocratic Duma, formally presenting the results of the report and saying that "any who deny the truth of this report hath be a liar." Pope Dionysius, however, saw in the whole issue a opportunity to again assert his position and reduce the influence of Gadavaranius. He circulated messages among the members of the Duma and the Royal Household, in which it was claimed that the "Anti-Almitis inhabits the body of the Queen Consort: that is, he wishes for her not to give a child. Any child produced from her body would be a abnormal fiend."

On 12 October, Lord Regulus Satius of Johnald (1120-88), who was one of the Pope's supporters, proposed a motion on the Aristocratic Duma, to petition the King to "dispose of his worthless wife and find one who will not fail us." Gadavaranius, when he received word of this motion, commanded the Duma to vote in the negative. Under pressure by the Regent, they did so on 19 October. The Pope, enraged that his plot was collapsing into ruins, now sought to persuade the King directly. On 24 October, he came before Theodosius in the Public Throne Room at the Celestial Palace. Falling to his knees, he implored "His Gracious and Most God-like Majesty" to "rid himself of the restraints imposed" by the union with the Queen Consort, to cast off the influence of the "evil Gadavaranius and his minions", and to find a "saintly, fertile wife" who would ensure the continuance of the Honorian blood-line. Gadavaranius, however, then came into the chambers, and announced that the Pope was an agent of the Anti-Almitis. Reminding the King of what had transpired between his father and Pope Philip, the Regent said that "you should not subject yourself to the advice of a false official."

The King, deeply religious and harboring a exaggerated fear of the Anti-Almitis, then said that "the Pope will do nothing but bad deeds for us." The following day, the Pope was formally arrested, on the Regent's orders and with the King's approval. Brought before the Great Conclave, the Court of High Justice, the Royal Council, and the Aristocratic Duma on 1 November, Dionysius was accused of "treason, conspiracy, and consort with the anti-Almitis." The Pope, forbidden to offer his own defense, could only endure the proceedings in silence. On 4 November, the assembly passed judgment, depriving Dionysius of his position as Pope; excommunicating him from the Royal Almitian Church; and declaring that all of his statements and blessings were "of a false nature." Gadavaranius, who had now removed one of his most formidable opponents, commanded for the ex-Pope to be exiled to the Military Prison of Terell, which had been established in February 1187, after that world's subjection by the Laurasians. Dionysius, who arrived there on 11 November, was forced to perform manual labor. He eventually died there on 5 November 1191 and was buried in the prison cemetery. Pope Nikon eventually had his body exhumed and translated back to Laurasia Prime. He was reburied at the Westphalian Cathedral on 25 July 1254. For almost two years after the deposition of Dionysius, Gadavaranius governed the Church directly with the assistance of the Conclave. Job, who had become Metropolitan of the Laurasian Purse Region on 26 August 1187, continued to consolidate his position of friendship with Gadavaranius and served him loyally. Through all this time, the Regent of Laurasia also continued to promote the colonization of the Malarian Regions.

By the end of December 1187, nearly 4,000 star systems had been colonized by Laurasian expeditions, while the Melarnarian Trade Spur had been extended to Welch and the Jar Asteroids. In the Polonian Dominions, the arrangements for the coronation were finally concluded. Sigis'ac was formally crowned as King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth on 16 December 1187, in a ceremony presided over by Primate Karnlowski. General Zamoyski and Queen-Dowager Anna, who had both supported his candidacy to the throne, took a leading part in the ceremonies. Several days of celebrations then ensued, as the King fully assumed his role of governance over the Polonian Court and basked in the luxuries conferred upon him by his new throne. Tensions were beginning to simmer, however, as Maxentian, persuaded by his wife and friends, had begun to reconsider his acceptance of Sigis'ac's election to the Polonian throne. On 24 December, the Grand Prince assembled his supporters at his private estate on Prickley and declared that the election of Sigis'ac had "cast the Polonian-Donguarian dominions into utter anarchy."

He then went on to state his belief that a foreign monarch would not be beneficial for the interests of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, and that only he, a native Prince, "could insure the effective governance of these dominions and the preservation of the Polonian population from the exactions of unruly and uncouth officials." Two days later, the King sent a message to Prickley, on the suggestion of General Zamoyski. In this message, Sigis'ac demanded why the Grand Prince of Donguaria Prima was "provoking undue dissensions" and censured him for his "disloyalty to his Rightful Majesty and to the Polonian Government." Maxentian, believing that the opportunity now presented itself for him to assert his position, and believing that his cause was just, formally declared himself to be in a state of rebellion on 1 January 1188. In his response message to the King's communique, the Donguarian Grand Prince declared that he aimed to "maintain the integrity of the Commonwealth" and that he was set against "such traitors and foreigners as will do nothing but harm to the Polonian civilization." Over the next three days, the Grand Prince and his faction assembled a military force of their own, while the King and the Council of Ministers engaged in vigorous measures, in preparation of crushing the rebellion.

General Zamoyski was appointed commander-in-chief of the Polonian military forces on 5 January and was commanded to "act speedily" in suppressing "this grievous rebellion against our rightful authority." The Parliament, which assembled on 11 January, declared that Maxentian was indeed in a state of rebellion and denounced him as a traitor. Maxentian and his units advanced from Donguaria Prima on 14 January, and for some time, managed to obtain a string of victories. The Grand Prince besieged and conquered Bordina (15-19 January); Cossack (20-25 January); Mohi (26-29 January); and Croac (1-7 February), before penetrating to the outskirts of Vadaurn (10-14 February). On 18 February, Maxentian declared that he was "well on the way to restoring the liberties of the Commonwealth." He had overextended his supply lines, however, and his supporters had grown disjointed and uncoordinated. On 22 February, General Zamyoski, who had established his command headquarters at Mohi, ordered for his squadrons to commence military operations against the rebel armadas. Maxentian's offensives against Chemeri, Tursk, and Legnica failed (February-March 1188), while Polonian government units destroyed the rebel repository on Cantia (1-4 March) and advanced to Dubranika (5-9 March). On 12 March, Zamoyski inflicted a severe defeat upon Maxentian and his units in the Battle of Kranslow, and five days later, he reconquered Mohi. On 22 March, the government units penetrated through the defenses of Winter, Aigai, and Narsaur, pushing towards Cossack and Bordina. The Grand Prince then launched a series of counteroffensives, striking at the governmental military bases on Krakow, Tursk, and Amarasik (24 March-17 April 1188), an effort which ultimately failed. General Zamoyski then destroyed a Donguarian transport fleet in the Fields of Norse (22-29 April) before advancing into the outskirts of Bordina. Bordina was besieged for several days, as the Grand Prince managed to pose a substantial resistance to the Polonian units.

Ultimately, however, the pressure grew too great, and Bordina capitulated on 15 May. Two days later, General Zamyoski reconquered Cossack, driving Maxentian's units in the direction of Croac, Onli, and Madamine. On 22 May, Croac itself was besieged and conquered by a Polonian expeditionary force. Finally, on 1 June, General Zamyoski cut off supply lines to Donguaria Prima and placed the system under siege. On 14 June, the world fell, and most of the rebel garrison was imprisoned. Grand Prince Maxentian, who had been deprived of his title by Parliamentary decree on 1 June, held out for several days at Onli before finally being forced to surrender on 21 June. On 24 June, he was brought to Polonia Major, where he was placed on trial before the Magisterial Court, the Governmental Treason Commission, and the Council of Ministers. He was convicted on charges of treason, conspiracy, and "obstruction of the election process" two days later. On 1 July, Maxentian was executed at the Military Stockade of Polonia Major. General Zamyoski, who arrived back at Polonia Major on 3 July, was greeted by the King and the Polonian Court with lavish ceremony.

On 7 July, the Primate presided over a ceremony of benedictions at the Polonian Court, in which he praised the efforts of General Zamyoski and declared that the terms of the Treaty of Pressburg had been successfully upheld. On 11 July, the Parliament passed, by a unanimous vote, a resolution congratulating the General for his efforts against the "evil, misguided Donguarian rebellion." Two days later, King Sigis'ac formally knighted Zamyoski and awarded him the Order of Vladislaus the Restorer, which had been established by Stefanius Bathorius on 17 March 1184, in honor of the first King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Gadavaranius and the Royal Laurasian Government, who had been watching the events in the Polonian Dominions from Laurasia Prime, were dismayed that the rebellion had been crushed. The Lord Protector had hoped that a extensive civil war would have broken out in Polonia, which would have drained the Commonwealth's military and economic resources. This would perhaps allow Laurasia to finally assert its position in the Ivorian Territories. With the civil war having been averted, however, the Lord Protector had to be abandon these ambitions.

In the meantime, the health of Queen Mother Femania had entered a serious decline. In January 1188, the Queen Mother had suffered the first in a series of "panic attacks", this particular one taking place while she was delivering a speech to the Council of High Ones on Venasia Secondary. The Queen Mother's physicians had advised her to rest and to refrain from exacting duties. She followed their advice, but on 25 February, suffered another panic attack. By the beginning of March 1188, Femania had begun to delegate many of her duties of governance to her chief minister, Lady Executrix Nalia Borania. This was because her daughter, Christiana, was only eleven years old at the time, and was thus a minor. In April 1188, Femania's physicians finally diagnosed her with the Venasian strain of the Angrames malady. The Queen Mother, when she received word of her medical state while in her personal quarters at the Fountain Court, wept and constantly implored "her Goddesses as to why she had been stricken so." In a proclamation to her subjects, issued from the Fountain Court on 21 April, the Queen Mother formally announced her diagnosis and declared that she would soon be making her exit "from the stage of life." On 1 May, the Council of High Ones approved the Queen Mother's final will and testament, formally confirming her daughter Christiana as her successor. The will mandated that Executrix Nalia was to serve as regent of the state and Protector of the Queen Mother until Christiana reached the age of 19. Detailed provisions concerning Christiana's eventual coronation and anointment as Queen Mother were also made, while all of Femania's properties and estates were dealt with in the proper manner. On 7 May, the Queen Mother formally entered confinement at the Medical Compound of the Fountain Court, and was isolated from the rest of the Venasian Court. Five days later, the Executrix took the oath of office and had Venasian government, military, court, civil, and diplomatic officials swear a oath of allegiance to the future Queen Mother. On 16 May, having entered the last stage of the disease, Femania underwent the Last Rites, conducted by the Venasian priestesses of the Matrimonial Cult. Then on 24 May, she entered into a coma.

Finally, on 1 June, the Council of High Ones agreed, in the name of Christiana, to take the Queen Mother off life support. On 4 June 1188, Queen Mother Femania died after a reign of twenty-nine years. The news of her death was formally announced to the Venasian subjects and to foreign courts. Messages of condolence arrived from all of the foreign Powers. Even Joh'ac of Briannia, once such a bitter rival of Femania, declared that "never a more saintly and vigorous woman hath ruled within the Caladarian Galaxy." Gadavaranius, in his letter of condolences, which was issued on 5 June, stated that the "Venasian Queen Mother was a effective and forceful ruler who cared for her subjects." Christiana was formally proclaimed Queen Mother, and Executrix Nalia assumed her office as Protector. On 8 June, Femania's body was placed on formal state display, and remained so for over a month. On 15 July, she was buried in the Crypt of the Venasian High Ones, in a ceremony attended by all Venasian officials and by the ambassadors from the other Powers. By the end of July 1188, Nalia had formally consolidated her position within the Venasian Consortium. August and September 1188 were relatively peaceful for the Core Powers, as the civil war in the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth had ended and as no state was engulfed in any active military conflict. Gadavaranius continued to pursue his earlier policies of colonization and exploration in the Malarian Provinces. He also continued to maintain relations with Marcia in the Galactic Borderlands, as had been originally established by Honorius the Terrible.

On 19 August 1188, the Lord Protector formally received Aeadwolf of Kalbacha (1138-1214) as the new Marcian Ambassador to the Court of Laurasia Prime. The two held a conference and conducted discussions over Marcian-Laurasian affairs over the next several weeks. On 4 September, a Treaty of Friendship confirmed the free trade and navigation provisions earlier established between Laurasia and Marcia. In September 1188, the Briannian envoy Gust'ac of Alemeda (1141-1204) visited the Laurasian Dominions, meeting King Theodosius and holding a conference with the Lord Protector. He also visited many of the strongholds and worlds of the Laurasian Purse Region, leaving an account greatly valued by Laurasian historians. Gust'ac, in his account, noted that Gadavaranius was a "tolerant and benevolent ruler", but also noted that Laurasia had hardly recovered from the oppression and brutality of Honorius the Terrible's reign. In particular, he visited Ralina Vixius and left the observation that "the system is dreary and desolate, of such a state that it is hard to see why it was ever inhabited." Of Caladaria, he noted that "its people are downcast, torn with fear and speaking of the late monarch with apprehension and doubts." The envoy also traveled into the Malarian territories, visiting Welch, Johnald, the Jar Asteroids, Terell, Aingley, Almastead, Manzo, Meehan, the strongholds of the Maluyta Nebula, Acabania, and Malaria Prime, among other worlds. He was impressed with what he saw and had the opportunity to stay with scouts working on extending the Melarnarian Trade Spur to Malaria Prime (which it would eventually reach in January 1190).

By October 1188, however, new tensions were beginning to be nurtured within the Stellar Kingdom. Although Gadavaranius was a tolerant and relatively popular ruler, this did not mean that he had no rivals. Indeed, Pope Dionysius had been one of the Lord Protector's most formidable opponents before he had been exposed and removed from his position. Although Gadavaranius and his faction dominated the Regency Council and had the support of such figures as the Princes of Cassanova and Melarnaria, there were still noblemen and gentlemen who were opposed to the upstart former Reginik. Boethius Belaskius, who had been with Honorius the Terrible when he had finally been stricken down, had advanced considerably, in terms of rank and prestige, since the death of his master. Prince Cassanova, believing that Belaskius had "served loyally" the Laurasian State, had helped to promote his rise. Belaskius was created a gentleman of the Knightly Line on 17 April 1184, appointed to the Aristocratic Duma two months later, and then given the Order of the Honor of the Loyal Servants. Eventually, in January 1185, he had been created Viscount Belaskius and was granted estates on Darcia, Katie, Maroni, Dearton's Gateway, Janesia, Arias, Oxia Vixius, Tommy, Meaganian, Capital, and other Laurasian worlds.

Viscount Belaskius, as he was now known, had expertly managed to take advantage of the political machinations, surrounding Pope Dioynsius's attempts to persuade the King to divorce Queen Consort Irina. He had also taken advantage of the political dealings following the death of the elder Prince Cassanova. Belaskius became a member of the Regency Council in January 1187 and served as one of the advisers of the Malarian Survey Commission. He gradually came to nurse a hatred of Gadavaranius, believing that he himself, and not the current Lord Protector, should have become the guardian of the Laurasian State. He also sought to extend his own influence and to consolidate his position within the ranks of the Royal Household. By March 1188, Belaskius had begun to assemble military supplies and weapons at his estates, besides bribing certain nobles and magnates of those worlds to his cause. He spread secret manifestos and proclamations among the Laurasian populace, declaring that Gadavaranius bore a hostile view of the Honorian Dynasty and that he eventually intended to seize the Laurasian throne for himself.

Finally, in October 1188, Belaskius believed that he was ready to commence revolt against Gadavaranius. On 22 October, the Viscount declared that he needed to take a leave of absence from his duties on the Aristocratic Duma "because of pressing personal concerns." Arriving at his estate on Maroni on 25 October, the Viscount immediately declared to his servants and his personal bodyguards that the continuing domination of Gadavaranius "would not be in the interest of these Laurasian Dominions." He therefore declared that he was in a state of rebellion, being determined to ensure that the Kingdom "came under the governance of a wise and kind Protector" who would "more effectively insure" the interests of the King. They declared their support for him, and he soon secured the loyalty of the garrison of Maroni. By 2 November, Dearton's Gateway, Arias, Oxia Vixius, and Tommy had also declared their loyalty to the Viscount, and he was now able to take command of their military garrisons. Gadavaranius, enraged by this turn of events, managed to send out orders to the garrisons of the other worlds which had Belaskius's estates. The viceroys of those star systems quickly seized the rebel Viscount's properties and disarmed his servants. Belaskius, however, still had a sufficient military force with which to conduct operations.

He besieged and conquered the garrison at Charasia (4-9 November); destroyed a government defense fleet in the Cron Drift (12 November); and secured Americana (17 November), before advancing to the Station of Dosch, Fitzsimmons, and the outskirts of Katie (20-29 November). Ralina Vixius capitulated to the rebel nobleman and his forces on 4 December, being followed two days later by Darcia. Gadavaranius, by this point, however, was assembling his personal military units. Departing from Laurasia Prime on 8 December, the Lord Protector declared his intention to "punish the rebel and his consorts for their evil efforts against the rightful authority of this Government, and their attempt to threaten His Majesty's throne and the security of his life." Gadavaranius repelled an offensive launched by Belaskius against Katherine (9-13 December) and secured Kelby (14-17 December), before overrunning rebel positions at Janesia (20-22 December) and annihilating a rebel supply fleet at Jacksur (25 December). By the end of December 1188, Gadavaranius and his units had also isolated Darcia from outside support.

On 1 January 1189, the Lord Protector, in the New Year's proclamation to the Laurasian subjects, declared that efforts to suppress the rebellions were proceeding "smoothly." Belaskius, however, now launched a series of counteroffensives, directed against Chandlier, Hannah, Evelyn, Bainsborough, and Chancia (2-17 January), which forced Gadavaranius to divert some of his military resources. The Lord Protector ultimately suppressed the threats, but had lost valuable time in dealing with Darcia. On 22 January, the garrison of Darcia was relieved by Belaskius, who then recaptured Janesia (26 January) and penetrated all the way to Conservan (28-29 January). He even launched an offensive against Mercedes and the Constantine Cluster (1-8 February 1189) which was ultimately blunted. On 11 February, however, Gadavaranius reorganized his units and moved against Tommy, which served as the Viscount's chief base of operations in the eastern Core Worlds. After a vigorous battle lasting several days, the world finally capitulated to the Lord Protector on 22 February. Four days later, Gadavaranius obtained a victory over Belaskius in the Battle of Dosch, opening the way to Janesia, Dearton's Gateway, and Maroni. Rebel expeditions against Conservan had been ended by 4 March. On 7 March, Dearton's Gateway was seized in a surprise offensive. Two days later, Gadavaranius instigated a siege of Janesia, which lasted until the stronghold fell to government forces on 19 March. Maroni was seized without a fight on 24 March. By the end of March 1189, the Viscount's units had been driven back in disarray to Oxia Vixius, Arias, and Darcia. Belaskius now attempted to send communiques to the population of Laurasia Prime, but the Royal Bureau of Communications managed to block the signals. On 5 April, Gadavaranius destroyed Belaskius's chief remaining armada in the Battle of Wonder, and four days later, stormed Arias. By 11 April, Darcia had also finally been reconquered, and rebel units were restricted to Oxia Vixius. Belaskius and his units extensively fortified Oxia Vixius, determined to hold out for as long as they could. Gadavaranius and his force commenced their siege of the system on 22 April.

For well over a month, Belaskius and his remaining units resisted, repelling all front-line offensives by the government forces and inflicting severe casualties upon Gadavaranius's offensive squadrons. Finally, however, resistance collapsed, and on 26 May, Gadavaranius's forces finally broke Belaskius'a resistance. Belaskius himself attempted to escape in a unmarked transport, but he was intercepted and captured by Laurasian starfighters. Bound in chains, the rebel Viscount was presented before Gadavaranius, who mocked him and derided him as "a failure in all which he contrived to do: but also as a traitor, so grievous a traitor, to the Laurasian State." Nevertheless, Gadavaranius decided to spare his life. By 1 June, the remaining embers of Belaskius's Rebellion had been crushed, and the Lord Protector returned in triumph to Laurasia Prime, with the rebel leader himself placed on a prison transport and humiliated before the populace of the capital world. Two days later, he was convicted on charges of treason, conspiracy, and heresy by a assembly of the Court of High Justice, the Aristocratic Duma, and the Royal Council. Gadavaranius commanded for him to be deprived of his title as Viscount; for all of his properties and estates to be confiscated; and for him to be banished to Courdina V, from which he would never be able to venture again "to harm the stability of these dominions."

Belaskius arrived at Courdina on a prison transport on 7 June and was forced to take residence with a Laurasian monastery there. With this, Gadavaranius had maintained his position as Lord Protector. His prestige had also been enhanced when his wife, Maria of Beliania, finally gave birth to his first child, Theodosius Gadavaranius, on 27 February 1189 within the Chambers of the Princes, at the Celestial Palace, in Christiania. The birth of Theodosius, who was named after the King, had been celebrated with parades, fireworks displays, congratulations by the Duma and Council, and a formal proclamation of the King saluting him. On 17 March, the Lord Protector's son was ennobled by the King and assigned estates on Caladaria, Incantia, Beliania, Kelby, Chloe, Jenny, Constantine I, Mercedes, Scout, and Andriana. Gadavaranius himself, after returning from his campaigns to subdue the rebellion of Belaskius, spent much time with his son and looked carefully after his affairs.

In the meantime, having maintained his position of authority within the Laurasian Dominions, the Lord Protector finally turned his attention to matters surrounding the Royal Almitian Church. Metropolitan Job had continued to loyally support Gadavaranius throughout the rebellion of Belaskius. He maintained the Lord Protector's interests on the Royal Council; issued sentences of anathema and excommunication against many of Belaskius's supporters; and continually expressed his firm support for Gadavaranius's measures. Job also rooted out dissension among the clergy under his watch and encouraged the Church to "act faithfully" in its duties. Gadavaranius, pleased with Job's efforts, and glad that he had a firm supporter in the Almitian Church, decided to thus honor Job and elevate him to a higher position of authority: that is, the Papacy. He also sought to repeal the Honorian Decrees, imposed by Honorius the Terrible in the wake of his disputes with Pope Philip. A reorganization of the Church could thus take place, while it could be granted more autonomy and relieved of many of the restrictions which Honorius had imposed. On 1 July, the Lord Protector formally appointed a commission, chaired by the Metropolitan, to review the Honorian Decrees and make recommendations on how they would be repealed or suspended. The commission worked for over two months, assembling reports and memorandum about Church administration, finances, the position of the Church in relation to the State, and the effects of the Honorian Religious Statutes since they had been implemented.

The commission finally delivered its formal report on 3 September, which was received by the Lord Protector at the Celestial Palace in the name of King Theodosius. In the report, the commission declared that the Honorian Statutes had "derived from the hand of the Anti-Almitis" and that the late King had erred when he had promulgated the measures. Consequently, it recommended that the Statutes be repealed and that new regulations be implemented, "preserving the position of the Church while not threatening the rights and privileges of the Laurasian State." Gadavaranius, pleased with the report, then held a series of sessions with the Aristocratic Duma and Royal Council over the matter. Finally, on 22 September, the Lord Protector, in the name of King Theodosius, formally repealed the Honorian Religious Statutes. Religious officials were released from their royal oath of allegiance, and it was declared that they could again condemn "excesses of the State", as long as they remained loyal to the King and continued to promote the Royal Laurasian Government among the populace. The Church's jurisdiction over its estates was acknowledged and the independent nature of its courts confirmed, although the Royal Government retained the right to deal with the matters of the Church officials "as it saw fit." The Church was also compensated for all of the financial and property losses it had endured during Honorius the Terrible's reign. The Papacy was also restored to all of its prerogatives and regained the right to advise government officials on state affairs, a right which had been rescinded earlier.

With all of these measures having thus been dealt with, Gadavaranius now proceeded to selecting a new Pope. He of course, immediately decided upon Job, declaring that in the person of the Metropolitan "was a living saint." On 1 October, the Ecclesiastical Conclave, convened on the orders of the Lord Protector, unanimously elected Job as the next Pope of the Royal Almitian Church. Job, when he received word of his election, declared that Gadavaranius was "an faithful agent of Almitis" and that his election was a sign of the favor of his ancestors, of the Lord Almitis, and of the Laurasian people. On 7 October, he was formally enthroned as Pope, receiving his miter, cross of authority, and garments from the hands of the King. Gadavaranius, however, dominated the ceremony, and it was he who issued the formal proclamations regarding the Pope's accession. Job immediately took up his duties as Pope. On 12 October, he issued his first papal bull, in which he declared that Gadavaranius had been blessed "by the Lord Almitis to govern these dominions in His Majesty's Name." The same bull declared that any who criticized or condemned Gadavaranius were liable to immediate censure and excommunication by the Church. On 18 October, Job, acting upon the Papacy's recently expanded authority, issued new instructions to all Church clergy, requiring them to continue to swear a oath of allegiance to the King and to "honor the policies of the Lord Protector." On 24 October, he formally canonized Queen Consort Anastasia Cassanova and Archbishop Sylvester, appeasing the Prince of Cassanova and his faction.

Then, on 1 November, the Pope embarked on a extensive tour of the Laurasian Dominions, visiting Laurasian monasteries, cathedrals, and cells at all of the Laurasian Purse Worlds. He remained thus on his tour until 11 December. On 17 December, Lajos of Bandamaria, that renowned Donguarian Prince, died at the age of 89, and on the suggestion of the Pope, the Lord Protector sent a message of condolence to King Sigis'ac and the Polonian Royal Court. The funeral for the Donguarian Prince was held on 24 December and attended by all of the foreign ambassadors. As the year 1189 came to a close, "all within the Core Regions were at peace", in contrast to the situation which had existed a decade earlier. On 1 January 1190, joyous New Year's celebrations were conducted at the courts of all the Core Powers. The last decade of the twelfth century was greeted by many with optimism and hopes. Pope Job declared, in his second papal bull, that "as we enter the last decade of this century, we should reflect on what our species has accomplished and what progress we will be able to make." Gadavaranius, in the New Year's proclamation, declared that "the upcoming century will be far better for us then this one has; yet this last decade will be the gateway to progress." There was not peace in the Outer Galactic Regions as 1190 commenced, however. Nor would events turn out as well as the Lord Protector and Pope would have wished. All of that will be described below.

====Hostility of Trapstila and Intrigues of Biligtu; Armane War with the Halegothicans; Halegothican War with the Homidinian Khanate; Death of Theodoric Amal; Theodoric II becomes sole King of Halegothica; Treaty between Homidinian Khanate and Halegothica; Death of Childeric in Melorkia; Clovis and his brothers become co-rulers of the Melorkian Dominions; Second Revolt of Orda and renewed Civil War in the Homidinian Khanate; Death of Euric of Ashlgothia; Death of Huneric of Kuevia; Struggles of the Homidinian Civil War; Destruction of the Crimeanian Khanate; War between Odoacer and Alaric II of Ashlgothia; End of Second Ordan Revolt and Death of Orda; Short Halegothican War with the Homidinian Khanate; The Halegothican Conquest of Rudorita; Execution of Odoacer; Death of Biligtu and Ascension of Shidebala; Outbreak of Bukhan Civil War; Marriages of Theodoric and Clovis (1181-1193)==== Having covered the affairs of the Core Regions to 1190, attention must now be turned back to the affairs of the Outer Galactic Regions. The 1180s were an eventful decade, as the Crimeanian Khanate was destroyed, while Odoacer continued to consolidate his position in the Huntite territories. During this decade, also, changes took place within the Melorkian dominions, while Kuevia dealt with a variety of oppressions; the Homidinian Khanate with a series of revolts; the Halegothicans with territorial consolidation and the beginning of conflict with the Kingdom of Rudorita; and the Alexandrians, Devianiani, and Ashlgothians with a variety of events. It has already been explained that at the end of 1180, Odoacer had destroyed the Huntite faction of Iego and had consolidated his rule over all of the dominions of the former Huntite Khanate. As the year 1181 commenced, the King of Rudorita continued to focus his efforts on maintaining his position of power and on further reorganizing the Huntite government, army, and administration. In January 1181, Odoacer, setting out from his military headquarters on Iego, embarked upon a tour throughout his dominions. He visited Robert, Meredith, Meris, Jeanne, Wakedia, Gabriella, Sheldonia, Gedrosia Max, Upper Morsia, Samarkand, Leah, Lorna, Barnett, Ber Bachman, Hunt Major, Hunt Minor, Clathbourne, the Sk'atha Cluster, Jasonia, Constipex, Filorean, Kimanis Mooria, Kimania, Leo's Redoubt, and Millard. In February, the King of Hunt exchanged new embassies with Ashlgothia, as Euric had dispatched one of his leading military officers, Galismund (1130-95), to the Rudorite court as his new envoy. The following month, Odoacer implemented the Code of Jurisprudence of the Kingdom of Rudorita, which was based upon Rudorite, Huntite, and Robertian models. The final elements of the Dasian court system were eliminated, while Rudorite-style regulations were extended to all of the King's subjects. By the end of March 1181, Odoacer's purge of the Dasian nobility had been completed, and all major estates, residences, and monopolies were now held by Rudorites, Huntites, Robertians, or other magnates of barbarian descent. In the meantime, tensions had been festering in the northern Outer Borderlands.

The Homidinian Khan Biligtu was still wary of the ambitions of Theodoric Amal, who had, in a assembly of his retinue on 27 March at Coronadia, declared that his "overriding goal was to extend the dominions of our species over the whole of space." He had went on to say that the purpose of the Halegothican military was to "destroy our rivals and overawe our neighbors." Biligtu's agents kept the Khan informed of the Halegothican King's boasts, and the Khan continued to be alarmed. He now sought to find a way to maintain limits on the powers of the Halegothicans and to distract their attention from his dominions. He found the solution in the Armanes. King Gunderit of the Armanes, as has already been explained, had died the previous year, and was succeeded by his son Trapstila. Trapstila was one who had a thirst for war. According to Gibbeoneous, the new King of the Armanes was possessed with "a great wanderlust and a thirst for the exertions of war, believing that it was his destiny to strengthen the position of his species at the expense of her neighbors." In particular, the King of the Armanes despised the Halegothicans, whom he believed to be a major threat to the continuing stability of his kingdom. He sought to limit Halegothican influence and to contain the power of the Halegothican monarchs, especially that of Theodoric Amal. In his private sessions with his advisers, the King of the Armanes constantly declared that it was his wish to "glorify myself in the annals of History" through successful military campaigns against the Halegothican power. As such, from January 1181, the King of the Armanes had begun to assemble military units at Tyson, Sernapasia, Syr-Daria, Glassia-beyond the Corridor, Espergos, Houston, Vandross, the Oirat Complex, and other Armane strongholds. He had extensively trained these units and sought to instill them with a sense of duty and loyalty, towards the Armane State and his own person. In April 1181, the King of the Armanes, through his ambassador at the Homidinian court, Cagurilla (1135-1204), conducted a series of discussions with the Homidinian Khan over the Halegothican Question.

Trapstila expressed his hatred of Theodoric Amal and declared that the Halegothican monarch needed to have "reliable restraints imposed upon him." Biligtu, hearing this from the Armane King, was "greatly pleased" and convinced that his plans against the Halegoths would come to fruition. On 4 May, a diplomatic conference was opened at Belkadan between Armane and Homidinian diplomats, being kept secret through the tightest security procedures. After several days of negotiations and discussion, the Pact of Belkadan was signed on 11 May 1181. It was ratified by Trapstila on 15 May and by Biligtu with the Council of Bazaars on 21 May. By the terms of the Pact, the Homidinian Khanate agreed to acknowledge Armane rights of campaigns against the Halegothicans, promising to refrain from intervention in the conflict. In turn, Trapstila agreed to support the Homidinian re-acquisition of Homidinian Calms, Taraning, Ian, and the lower Burglais Arm. With the Pact of Belkadan having been signed and ratified, the King of the Armanes finally pressed forward with his plans of war with the Halegothicans. On 1 June, he dispatched a communique to Theodoric Amal, who was then residing with his court at Scanlan. In his message, the King of the Armanes declared that the Halegothicans "were overly aggressive" and that they threatened the tranquility of affairs within the Caladarian Galaxy. Consequently, he demanded that Etti, Scanlan, Jacobs I, and Edmundia be conceded to the authority of Armania, so that a "proper balance of power" be maintained. Theodoric Amal, enraged by these demands, rejected them on 6 June. Two days afterwards, Trapstila issued a declaration of war, declaring that his efforts to reason with the senior Halegothican King "had ended in complete and utter failure." Armane units hurled across the Corporate Trade Corridor. They besieged and conquered Buranti, which had remained in Halegothican possession (10-17 June 1181); destroyed a Halegothican defensive armada in the Battle of McCartney (20-25 June); and harried the outskirts of Scanlan (26 June-3 July) before pushing to the outskirts of Taylor, Etti, and Silverman (July-August 1181). By the end of August 1181, Armane units were penetrating to the Larkian Way.

Theodoric I of the Southern Halegothicans, who believed that the Armanes would eventually pose a threat to his position, and who suspected that Biligtu had something to do with Trapstila's actions, declared his unconditional support for his cousin (2 September 1181) and signed the Pact of Gibbs with him. Five days later, with the support of Theodoric I, Theodoric Amal destroyed a Armane fleet in the Battle of Corporaria (4-9 September). On 12 September, Theodoric Amal pushed Armane units away from the outskirts of Silverman and harried the defenses of Espergos, inflicting severe casualties upon Armane units. Trapstila then launched offensives against English Star, Jacobs I, Cassie, and Mary-Lou (September-November 1181) which ultimately ended in failure. On 4 December, Theodoric Amal and Theodoric I destroyed a Armane fleet at Etti, and four days later, reconquered Buranti. By the end of the year, all of the Corporate Sector had been re-secured by the Halegothican units, who were now advancing against the Corporate Trade Corridor. In January 1182, Theodoric Amal launched a major offensive against the strongholds of the Corporate Trade Corridor, determined to punish Trapstila for his offensives. He besieged and conquered Glassia-beyond the Corridor (2-7 January); destroyed Armane bases on Jackson, Lizaragga, and Felix (10-17 January); and annihilated a Armane defense fleet at Sierra (20-25 January). His offensive against the Oirat Complex, however, ended in failure (January-February 1182), as Trapstila managed to harry Halegothican supply lines and prevented the Halegothican offensive squadrons from forming a united front. Nevertheless, Theodoric Amal defeated the Armanes again at Houston (1-9 March) before besieging and conquering Ceres (10-17 March). By the end of March 1182, Halegothican units were threatening Syr-Daria, Vandross, and Tyson. Andrea Doria was then besieged and conquered by the Halegothicam units (1-17 April 1182), but only after a fierce struggle with Armane squadrons. Theodoric Amal then began dispatching Halegothican raiding expeditions, who penetrated as far as Karakorum, Belkadan, and the Northern Reaches (April-May 1182).

By the end of May 1182, the strength of the Armane armed forces had been exhausted, as Trapstila's military commanders were no longer able to effectively deal with the Halegothican units. Trapstila was now pressured by his advisers to conclude a immediate peace with the Halegothican King. The King of Armania resented the fact that he had been unable to impose himself over the Halegothicans, but nevertheless moved towards peace. He sent a request for peace to Theodoric Amal, who had established his headquarters at Theodore, on 6 June. The King of the Halegothicans debated the Armane peace offer for several days, with some raising the fear that Trapstila was attempting to trick them. The Halegothican King, however, eventually deemed that the Armane peace offer was genuine, and on 12 June, he accepted the Armane request. A conference was then opened at Mocktrialis and continued for several days. Finally, on 2 July 1182, the Treaty of Mocktrialis was signed. By the terms of the Treaty, Glassia-beyond the Corridor, Jackson, Lizaragga, Felix, and Sierra were conceded to the authority of the Northern Halegothican Kingdom. Trapstila agreed to issue a formal apology for his "heinous and overly aggressive" actions against the Halegothicans; agreed to refrain from any such aggressiveness in the future; and promised to compensate the Halegothican King for his military mobilization expenses. On his part, Theodoric Amal agreed not to make any further territorial demands of the Armanes and promised to respect their continuing independence. Following the conclusion of the Treaty of Mocktrialis, the King of the Halegothicans expressed his wish to meet personally with the King of the Armanes.

The two embraced each other at a conference on Sierra, conducted from 7 July. For several days, they presided over a variety of banquets, festivities, parades, and other ceremonies to mark the end of the Halegothican-Armane War. On 22 July, Theodoric Amal made his leave, arriving back at Scanlan two days later. By the end of August 1182, all Halegothican units remaining in Armane territory had been withdrawn. The King of the Halegothicans, who was pleased by his victories over the Armanes, now began to nurture renewed ambitions of expanding at Homidinian expense. Encouraged by Odoacer's destruction of the Huntite Khanate and then his elimination of the Khanate of Iego, the King of the Halegothicans drafted plans, in September 1182, for the renewal of hostilities with the Homidinian Khanate. Halegothican units assembled at Greyson, Lawson, Mocktrialis, Capone, Coronadia, Edmundia, English Star, Jacobs I, and other strongholds of the Burglais Arm, being given instructions to prepare for the eventual renewal of conflict with the Homidinian Khanate. Biligtu, enraged by how the Armanes had been defeated, had begun to bolster the defenses of the Lacian Cluster. The Khan had established new task forces at Lacia, Sonny, Dromund, Chalassia, Chalassion, Alyssa, and other strongholds.

By October 1182, Theodoric Amal considered himself ready for the resumption of hostilities with the Homidinian Khanate. He now sought to discover a pretext for declaring war. The King of the Halegothicans sent a message to Trapstila on 10 October, declaring his intention to "further humiliate an ancient and rotten power" by making territorial acquisitions at the expense of the Homidinian Khanate. He thus implored the King of Armania to reveal "any dealings which you have had with the Homidinian Power, so as to reveal that you too were deluded by the evil Khan and his government." Trapstila, knowing that Theodoric Amal had the advantage, and hoping that the Halegothicans would not make any further demands of his realm, decided to submit. On 14 October, the King of Armania dispatched a communique to the Halegothican King, declaring that "he had erred" through his dealings with the Homidinian Khanate and that it had been Khan Biligtu who had pressed him into war with the Halegothicans. Theodoric Amal, when he received this communique, "thanked" Trapstila for his cooperation and declared that Biligtu was a warmonger. On 1 November, the King of the Halegothicans sent a ultimatum to the court of the Homidinian Khan on Chalassia. In his ultimatum, Theodoric Amal declared that "you hath been a warmonger, a liar, and a unfaithful sovereign." He went on to state that he had adhered to the terms of the Treaty of Houston and had "refrained from engaging in aggression against your dominions." The King of the Halegothicans also pointed out that he had continued to support Biligtu as the rightful Homidinian Khan during his struggles with Tinibeg. Because Biligtu had violated the Treaty of Houston, the Halegothican King demanded that Chalassion, Alyssa, Digette, Derby, and Homidinian Lawson be conceded to the authority of the Halegothic Kingdom; that the Khan increase the financial payments made to Halegothican coffers; and that he promise to disclose all intelligence information concerning Homidinian foreign affairs.

Biligtu, confident that his defenses would be enough to hold off Halegothican offensives, and believing that Theodoric Amal would not be able to pursue campaigns for long, rejected the ultimatum on 6 November. Four days later, the Halegothican King issued a declaration of war against the Homidinian Khanate and hurled his units into Homidinian territory. He managed to besiege and conquer Digette (7-11 November) and destroyed a Homidinian fleet near the Rings of Ahr-Ahraman (12-17 November). His offensive against Sonny and Dromund ended in failure (November-December 1182), as the Homidinian Khan's defenses successfully held out against Halegothican assaults. On 1 January 1183, Theodoric Amal's chief transport fleet was intercepted and annihilated by Homidinian corvettes near Vaxarany, forcing the Halegothican King to begin to retreat north. Biligtu then sent a fleet which managed to penetrate the defenses of Capone (2-7 January). By 15 January, Mocktrialis, Greyson, and Outsania had also been overrun by Homidinian units. Theodoric Amal, however, now began to advance towards Gwendolyn and Ryan, having received units from Trapstila, determined to continue to avert Halegothicab attention from his domains. Theodoric Amal's forces penetrated as far as Strab, Kear, and Ryan (February-March 1183), but were ultimately expelled from the Northern Lacian Cluster by Homidinian units. In April 1183, Theodoric Amal began revising his military offensive plans. The Halegothican King, however, would not have the opportunity to pursue further military campaigns in the Homidinian Khanate. On 11 April, the King's personal flagship, the Sheath of Armagan, suffered a catastrophic power plant disaster. It was totally annihilated, and all, including Theodoric Amal and his advisers, were killed. Having lost their commander, the Northern Halegothican units began a retreat back to Halegothican space. By the end of May 1183, the Khan and his squadrons were advancing towards Scanlan, Etti, and the strongholds of the Corporate Trade Corridor. Theodoric I, whose major rival had now been eliminated, decided to assert his rule over the Northern Halegothicans. On 1 June, he and his personal force appeared at Scanlan.

The junior King of the Halegothicans convinced the Halegothican officials and council of his cousin that their species needed to be unified into one dominion. On 8 June, he was formally proclaimed King of the Halegothicans by those in attendance, thus unifying the Halegothican dominions for the first time in eight years. Five days later, Theodoric inflicted a decisive defeat upon a Homidinian invasion fleet in the Battle of Ashael, and now began to push back towards the Larkian Way. He reconquered Mocktrialis, Lawson, Greyson, and Capone in a series of brilliant counteroffensives (June-August 1183). On 4 September, however, the King of the Halegothicans sent a peace offer to the Homidinian Khan, who was then with his units at Brlla. Biligtu, knowing that Theodoric (as he will be referred to thereafter) had firmly consolidated his position, decided to end the war. On 9 September, a peace conference was opened at Shaelynn, and continued for six days. On 15 September 1183, the Treaty of Shaelynn was signed, restoring the status quo ante bellum between the Homidinian Khanate and the now unified Kingdom of Halegothica. By the terms of the Treaty, all prisoners of war were returned to their respective sides, although the Halegothocams would be allowed to keep the supplies, equipment, and agricultural goods which they had seized in the military campaigns. Biligtu, on his part, agreed to denounce all secret arrangements with Trapstila and to share information about Homidinian foreign policy with the King of the Halegothicans and his Government. Theodoric, on his part, agreed to refrain from engaging in "any military hostilities or endeavors" against the Homidinian State in the future and absolved the Homidinian Khan of the annual payment he had been required to make to Theodoric Amal. Economic relations were also established on a equal basis between the two states, as Homidinian and Halegothicam subjects gained rights of free travel, navigation, and commerce in each other's dominions. The Treaty of Shaelynn was ratified by King Theodoric on 21 September and by the Khan Biligtu on 29 September. By the end of October 1183, all Homidinian and Halegothican units had terminated active military hostilities. The Homidinian Khan, declaring that the restoration of peace meant the creation of a "brotherhood" between the respective monarchs, expressed his wish, on 3 November, to hold a conference with the King of the Halegothicans. Theodoric, whose title as sole King of Halegothica had been formally confirmed by an assembly at Taraning on 27 October, declared his willingness to meet with the Homidinian Khan and conduct discussions over matters of state. On 11 November, the Khan and the King formally met at Tyson, in a conference which was mediated by King Trapstila. The conference continued for nearly a month, during which the two monarchs "acted towards each other in such a matter as to make it seem that no war had ever occurred between them." Then on 8 December, Theodoric and Biligtu took their leave of each other and returned to their capital worlds. Theodoric, in particular, had moved his base of operations to Scanlan, and on 12 December, announced that his coronation as sole Halegothican King was to take place early in the following year. Preparations then began for the coronation, while invitations were sent to all other foreign courts, for their ambassadors to attend the ceremony. The remainder of December 1183 was relatively peaceful, as (in the words of Gibbeoneous) "all states managed to reside in brotherhood with each other, if not including the continued Laurasian ventures in the Kingdom of Malaria." This atmosphere in fact continued into the early months of 1184, those closing months of Honorius the Terrible's reign.

New tensions were being produced, however, in the Homidinian Khanate and in Kuevia, while the Kingdom of Melorkia was also to undergo a series of events in this year. Preparations for Theodoric's coronation continued, and the King, in a symbolic gesture, commuted taxes for all of his subjects on 5 January. On 12 January, he commanded for Theodemir and Valamir to be sanctified as "noble warriors of the Halegothican Cause", a gesture which earned him further popularity with his subjects. Finally, on 22 January, the King of the Halegothicans announced that his coronation would be held on 11 February. After weeks of rehearsals and preparation ceremonies at the Halegothican Court, the coronation of Theodoric II as sole King of Halegothica finally took place on 11 February 1184. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from all of the Galactic Powers. Gibbeoneous declared that "the coronation of the venerable Halegothican ruler Theodoric, marked the commencement of a long and glorious reign, during which he would raise his species to being the greatest and most powerful of the barbarian species in the Caladarian Galaxy." Contemporary accounts described the lavishness and opulence of the ceremonies, while entries and communiques left by the ambassadors who attended the ceremony declared that Theodoric had "overawed all" with his "regal majesty, bearing, and with his lavishness." Celebrations continued for several days.

In the Melorkian dominions, in the meantime, changes took place. King Childeric of Salarian Melorkia, whose health had been in decline for several months, died in his personal quarters at his palace on Roastafaria, on 1 March 1184. His death came thus came the same month as that of Honorius the Terrible. The King of the Melorkians had been expected by many to preserve the integrity of his dominions in his final will and testament. Childeric, however, believed that all of his sons (Clovis, Chararic, Ragnachar, and Ricchar) needed to be equally provided for, and that it was unfair for just one of them to become King of the Melorkian Dominions. He in fact, believed that he was following the custom of his ancestors "long since past" and that what he was conducting was no different from the dispositions of other monarchs in the history of the Caladarian Galaxy. As such, the King had decided to divide his dominions among his sons. On 3 March, his final will and testament were formally announced at the Madake Palace of Roastafaria. This occasion was attended by all of the deceased King's sons, by his queen-dowager Berengsi, by the leading officials and advisers of the Melorkian government, and by the foreign ambassadors to the court of the King of Melorkia. All were astounded as the herald read the provisions of the testament.

According to Childeric's final will and testament, his eldest son Clovis was to become senior King of the Melorkians, with his capital at Roastafaria Major. He was to exercise authority over Roastafaria Major, Merovech, Tournacia, and Algaica Belgucia, which comprised the primary star systems of the Melorkian Dominions. Chararic, the deceased King's second son, was to become junior King of the Melorkians with his capital at Roastafaria Minor. He was to wield his authority over that star system and over Rasti, Kentaborn, Tamars, and Ensrassburg. The King's two youngest sons, Ragnachar and Ricchar, were not to have the title of King but were to be styled Grand Princes of Melorkia. Ragnachar, with his capital at Cambrina, was to wield authority over Riparia, Alsauborg, and Cholodio. Ricchar, on his part, was to have his capital at Manorsia, and his rule was to extend over Resmania, Obathia, and Cyrus III. Clovis was angry that his father had denied him rule of all of the Melorkian dominions, but nevertheless submitted to the terms of his will. His younger brothers, although surprised that had been bequeathed parts of their father's dominions, were nevertheless pleased. On 11 March, Childeric's body was put on formal state display, with his sons jointly presiding over the ceremony. Senior King Clovis declared that his father had been a "venerable ruler who hath maintained the position of this species and exerted our position in the wake of the Huntite Khanate's fall." After several days, the King of the Melorkians was buried on Roastafaria Major, on 24 March. Each of the brothers then traveled to their various capital worlds and spent the remainder of the year consolidating their positions.

The new tensions in the Homidinian dominions alluded to earlier began to boil over in April 1184. Algae's mother, Khaness Dowager Belitu, had been treated with commendable leniency and restraint by Khan Biligtu, even though she had conspired against him at the beginning of his reign. Belitu however, continued to maintain a base of supporters at the Imperial Court, as she capitalized on her popularity and on the fact that she had been married to the deceased Khan Altan. Belitu however, now saw herself threatened by the Homidinian General Orda. Orda had himself gained popularity with the ranks of the Khan's Guards and the Homidinian military since he had suppressed the rebellion of Tinibeg. The General, who had been awarded estates on Chalassia, Chalassion, Gwendolyn, Ryan, Markis Prime, Kledis Var, Brlla, Dion, and other Homidinian worlds as a reward for his efforts, had accumulated much wealth and influence. He had created one of the largest personal households in the Caladarian Galaxy, with a a vast number of servants. He lived in such extravagance that "the Khan himself quailed in jealousy." Orda, who was awarded the Order of Tokugaistus the Great on 27 January 1184, began to act in a more haughty and domineering matter towards others. He claimed that he was the best Homidinian commander who had ever lived, and that no previous Dasian general had been as successful in battle as he had. Many rankled with these claims, and one Yourgutai, who was one of the Khan's chamberlains, attempted to point out, on 7 April, that the achievements of Bodi Aligh, Tokugaistus the Great, Timur, Kublai, Ogedei, Mongke, and Genghis far overshadowed Orda's own achievements. Orda was angered by this, but was commanded by the Khan to abstain from responding to the Chamberlain. By 20 April, the Khan himself was becoming irritated and angered by Orda's boldness in manner. He began to listen to some of his closest associates and confidantes, in particular Yesun Temur, the Khan's Bearer of Arms.

Yesun Temur claimed that Orda had "the Homidinian throne in his mind" and that he would eventually use his wealth to depose Biligtu and "send him to the Void of Death." Besides, Belitu began spreading messages among the ranks of the Homidinian Household, claiming that Orda was "condemned by the Dasian Gods" and that he was a stain on the Homidinian State who needed to be eliminated. The Khaness Dowager, however, now began to go to extreme lengths. On 27 April, she made secret contact with members of the Khan's Guards, offering them a substantial bribe if they assassinated the General. The Guards officers in question, Ragibagh and Richinibal (who happened to be named after two unfortunate juvenile Great Khans of the Dasian Empire), accepted the Khaness Dowager's bribe on 1 May and made plans to rig the General's personal shuttle with explosives. On 4 May, however, two days before the planned day for the explosives to be installed on the shuttle, Ragibagh foolishly revealed his plans to a associate of his within the Guards, by the name of Jorgutai. Jorgutai, who was loyal to General Orda and had been rewarded by him with numerous grants and commendations, revealed his knowledge of the Khaness Dowager's coup to him. Orda, enraged that Belitu was conspiring against him, and determined to maintain his own position, now decided to reveal this to the Khan. On 5 May, he held a personal conference with the Khan and provided his information on her conspiracy. Claiming that Belitu "is not a trustworthy woman", Orda then declared that she would "strike against Your Majesty when the time is right." The Homidinian General then reminded the Khan of how Belitu had bribed officers to assassinate his son.

The Khan, who was stricken with grief and rage when hearing of his son's name, decided that the Khaness Dowager needed to be eliminated. During the late hours of that day, he sent orders for the arrest of the Khaness Dowager and of the two Homidinian officers involved in the conspiracy. Belitu was arrested while she was preparing herself for the early morning festivities at the Homidinian Court, while Ragibagh and Richinibal were caught in their personal quarters with their mistresses. On 15 May, the Khaness Dowager was arraigned before a assembly of the Council of Bazaars, which was presided over by the Khan and attended by General Orda. She was accused of "conspiracy, treason, and attempted treason." The verdict was not in doubt, and the following day, Belitu was convicted on all counts. Biligtu ordered that she be deprived of the title and privileges of Khaness-Dowager; that she be condemned as a miscreant of the Homidinian State; and that her union with Altan be annulled post mortem. On 22 May, the Khaness Dowager was formally banished to exile on Cerlia, and was forbidden to leave the world "for the rest of her natural life." Richinibal and Ragibagh were convicted of conspiracy and attempted treason on 27 May, both being condemned to death. They were executed by solar incineration on 1 June.

On 3 June, the Khan declared that he had "saved the Homidinian State from disaster" and that he had removed a "major threat" to his position. For some weeks, a turbulent peace managed to reign at the Homidinian Court, although Orda, during this time, first began to contemplate ideas of rebellion against the Khan. Belitu, who arrived on Celia on 16 June, was now determined to attempt a strike at the Khan and to avenge her humiliations. With the assistance of sympathetic officers within her settlement of exile, the former Khaness Dowager managed to send a communique to her daughter, Biligtu's wife, Khaness Algae. This communique arrived at the Khaness's quarters on 21 June. In the communique, Belitu declared that "she had attempted to do what was right" and that only the despicable Khan had halted her. She then went on to say to Algae that "your father had serious doubts about your present husband" and that Biligtu had committed adultery throughout their marriage. Therefore, the Khaness Dowager implored her "loyal, precious daughter" to act in her family's interests by assassinating Orda, so that Biligtu could be humiliated.

Algae, convinced now that her mother was in the right, now decided to launch her own conspiracy against Orda. On 27 June, the Khaness Dowager successfully hired a Laurasian mercenary, Troculus, to assassinate Orda and promised him a hefty award if he succeeded. On 3 July, as the General and his entourage were heading to his personal shuttle, Troculus suddenly appeared with a vibrosword and lunged at the General. He managed to fight off the General's guards and reach Orda, slashing him in the face. Troculus however, was then felled by a blaster shot fired by one of Orda's subordinates, who had been late in the procession. Orda was taken to medical quarters and remained there until 11 July, when he was considered recovered enough to be released. Because the assassin was dead, it thus became harder for the investigative commission, appointed by the Khan to examine the recent assassination attempt, to find out who had been behind the conspiracy. Orda, however, ignorant of Algae's involvement in the conspiracy, began to believe that the Khan himself was responsible. The Homidinian General was convinced that the only way he could preserve himself was through rebellion. His ambition had also grown to great lengths, and he became convinced that he would be more successful than either Tinibeg or Bek Aslan in overthrowing Biligtu and assuming control of the Homidinian Khanate. Orda began spreading his beliefs among his household, who eagerly supported him. In particular, the General's closest associates turned out to be Kusala (who was his Lieutenant-General of the Guards); Delbeg (one of his chief household officers); and Tayisung (a ambitious Dasian officer assigned to the General's entourage). Orda now sought a pretense for departing from Homidinia, so that he could travel to his estates and begin amassing his resources for his rebellion.

Conveniently enough, tensions had begun to boil over on Gibbs-to-Lester. The planet's inhabitants, who were simmering under the oppressive taxes and levies of the Homidinian government, had began engaging in protests and demonstrations in January 1184. Gradually, as the year progressed, these demonstrations became more frequent and larger in scope. By July 1184, the world had finally erupted into open violence. On 19 July, the Governor of Gibbs-to-Lester, the Homidinian nobleman Ayung, was forced to flee the star system, which now proclaimed its independence. A'Rose, Martin, and Gina were seized by rebel squadrons (20-27 July 1184), who now openly defied the authority of the Homidinian Khanate. The Khan Biligtu, determined to crush this challenge to his authority, and believing that he could not risk to leave Homidinia, decided to dispatch Orda to crush the rebellion. Orda was formally handed his commission of authority on 1 August. Two days later, the General departed for the rebel systems with his personal armada. He destroyed a rebel armada in the Battle of Teddy (4-9 August 1184) and reconquered A'Rose (10-11 August), before uprooting rebel units from Regina and King (12-17 August 1184). By 22 August, rebel holdouts on Coretta, Martin, and Tammi had also been destroyed, and the Homidinian armada began to approach the outskirts of the Gibbs-to-Lester system. It was not until 1 September that Gina capitulated. The following day, Orda destroyed the final remaining rebel squadron near Tombaugh. Gibbs-to-Lester was pacified on 4 September. The General executed most of the rebel leaders, claiming that this was authorized by his mandate from the Khan and the Council of Bazaars. On 10 September, Biligtu commanded the General and his armada to return to Homidinia. It was at this point that Orda decided to defy the authority of the Khan and to instigate his revolt.

On 11 September, the Homidinian General convened a conference of his chief officers and military commanders, formally "requesting" their assistance in what he was about to undertake. Kusala, Delbeg, and Tayisung, who were loyal to the General and his interests, quickly declared their support for him and asserted that Biligtu "was a half-breed, a false man of the Dasian blood line who is not fit to govern over these dominions." Following their lead, the other officers of Orda's staff quickly declared their support for his plans. The following day, the General and his units departed from Gibbs-to-Lester, along a juncture to Homidinia. Arriving there by the end of the day, Orda quickly secured the support of the Governor of Homidinia, Gegeen, and the civil administration of the world. On 15 September, Biligtu sent a command to the General, ordering him to resume his duties and to "halt your insubordination." It was at this point that Orda raised the standard of revolt, declaring that he was no longer subject to the authority of the Khan and that he was asserting himself as the new "rightful influence in this Khanate." Mustering his military units, he quickly made swift advances throughout the Homidinian regions. He besieged and conquered Yutzy (16-19 September); Dion (20 September); Homidinian Calms (21-25 September); Brlla (26 September); and Ryan (29 September), before destroying the chief Homidinian defensive armada in the Battle of Brant (1 October 1184). Two days later, Orda penetrated the defenses of Kupferer and sent expeditions which harried the outskirts of Gwendolyn. By 7 October, Chalassia and Kledis Var had capitulated to the rebel forces of the General, providing large amounts of military supplies, equipment, and financial subsidies to him. Biligtu however, quickly secured his dominion over the resources of Chalassia and confiscated Orda's estates in the Homidinian capital systems. On 11 October, Orda destroyed a offensive armada dispatched by the Khan in the Battle of Nicholas, and six days later, advanced to Celia. Convinced that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", the General decided to release Belitu from captivity.

Restored to her liberty, Belitu agreed to support Orda's rebellion and to denounce her earlier conspiracies against his person. Her presence now gave further prestige to Orda's forces and raised their value in the eyes of the Homidinian populace. By 17 October, Orda had decided to also release Tinibeg from prison and to install him upon the Homidinian throne as a puppet Khan. On 22 October, he destroyed the Khan's secondary transport armada at Shaelynn, and then ranged to the outpost systems of the Larkian Way. On 25 October, Orda's units reached Peters, and Tinibeg was freed from captivity. Tinibeg, knowing that he was completely under the control of Orda, pledged allegiance to him and denounced Biligtu as "the worst khan ever to reign in these dominions." In return, Orda arranged for Belitu to formally crown Tinibeg as Khan of Homidinia. This ceremony was conducted at Ryan on 3 November, after that Homidinian stronghold had been seized by rebel units. Tinibeg's health, however, had weakened considerably as a result of his experiences in his prison. On 6 November, the puppet Khan suffered a stroke which left him speechless. Orda realized that Tinibeg would not live for much longer. On 9 November, after destroying another fleet dispatched by the Homidinian Khan near the outskirts of Dromund, the General turned his attention back to the internal affairs of his fleet. He declared that Tinibeg would "soon be welcomed into the embrace of the Gods of our Ancestors." Three days later, Tinibeg suffered a final stroke and was taken off life support by the orders of the General.

On 16 November 1184, Tinibeg died. Two days later, Orda staged a lavish funeral for the deceased puppet Khan at Homidinia, himself wailing throughout the ceremony. On 22 November, he decided to elevate his loyal officer Delbeg to the Homidinian throne. Delbeg, elected by an assembly of Homidinian military commanders and elders loyal to Orda, was crowned by Belitu as Khan of Homidinia at Dion on 28 November. Orda, however, with his puppet Khan installed, believed that he had no further use for Belitu. In particular, the General was alarmed by reports from his subordinates that the Khaness Dowager had resumed her conspiracies against his person. On 4 December, Belitu was arrested by the General's orders and accused of "treason, conspiracy, and hatred for the State." Convicted on all counts by a show trial, the Khaness Dowager was again banished to Celia. Her health entered a rapid decline, and on 9 December, she died. She was buried within the Mortuary of the Great Prison of Celia. Orda then consolidated his gains and repelled further offensives by the Khan against his units. This situation persisted into the following year.

In the meantime, further events took place in both Kuevia and Ashlgothia. King Huneric of Kuevia had not been as effective and well-liked a sovereign as his father Genseric. Throughout the seven years of his reign, the King of Kuevia had engaged in a series of excesses at the Royal Court. He exiled or imprisoned those who displeased him, issued vexatious taxation charters which irritated his subjects, and imposed a harsh censorship on the Kuevian press. During 1184, his excesses had intensified and worsened in scope. On 24 February, the King ordered for the establishment of the Kuevian Order of the Secret Hand, which has been likened by many to the Reginiks as they operated under Honorius the Terrible. This agency was given the authority to "root out all of the King's opponents; to destroy opposition to the State; and insure the continuing rule of this Government." During the following months, nearly fifty million sentients were arrested, interrogated, tortured, and either imprisoned or exiled by the Kuevian Order. Shenandoah, Way'tosk, Par'say, Bar'say, Bor'say, Temperance, Boydaria, Vickis, Choir, Uris, and other worlds of the Kuevian Dominions became engrossed in an atmosphere of fear and terror. Ultimately, by November 1184 the King's subjects were yearning for the end of his rule. By that month, the King's health had entered a severe decline. On 8 December, the Kuevian Chancellory of Shenandoah announced that the King was soon expecting to receive "the embrace of the agents of Death" and that he would be departing from his "journey in the Caladarian Galaxy." Five days later, the King of Kuevia formally entered medical confinement in his personal quarters. Clement of Charasia, who had become the Archbishop of the Almitian Conclave of Shenandoah after Jerome's death on 28 May 1183, stayed at the King's bedside and offered up prayers for his soul. Galislund, who had become Chief Partha of the Kuevian Faith on 21 January 1184, also presided at the King's deathbed and implored his fellow Kuevians to "show their loyalty to Huneric" by wishing for him a successful journey in the Afterlife. With Huneric inching ever closer to death, preparations were now being made by the Kuevian Assembly for the succession.

Huneric himself had never married and had no children. Consequently, another heir had to be found. Besides Huneric, Genseric had three other sons: Genseric the Younger, Gaselac, and Gento. All three of them had predeceased their father. Of the three, only Gento had married, leaving behind one son: Gunthamund. According to the Kuevian Laws of Succession, as enacted by Genseric in 1159, the eldest surviving member of the Royal Family was to be the heir apparent to the throne, if there were no closer "relatives of the Royal Line." On 10 December, Huneric confirmed that Gunthamund was to be his successor to the throne. Eight days later, he suffered a final stroke, and his life was despaired of by his doctors. On 23 December 1184, Huneric died after reigning for seven years. His death was greeted with relief by the Kuevian population, who had suffered under his oppressions and had experienced an economic recession throughout the latter half of his reign. Gunthamund, who was formally acknowledged as King by the Kuevian Assembly the day after Huneric's death, declared that unlike Huneric he would "rule over his subjects in good stead." Nevertheless, he commanded for Huneric's body to be put on public display, although he did not bother to send invitations for foreign ambassadors or rulers to attend his uncle's funeral. They would have refused in any case: Huneric was not as respected by the other monarchs as his father had been. From 26 December, Huneric's body was on public display.

Attention however, shifted now to Ashlgothia, as King Euric had also entered a decline of health. In fact, since November 1183, the King had delegated his duties of governance over the State to his son, who had been named Alaric in honor of the great King who had humbled the Huntite and Homidinian Khanates. The young Alaric was now waiting eagerly for his accession to the throne. In September 1184, Euric published his final will and testament, declaring that "the Kingdom of Ashlgothia is in a prosperous state" and that "the work of my reign, of my father's reign, and of the great Alaric's reign hath culminated in a power which is confident, strong, and prosperous." Euric did have much to boast. Ashlgothia was still one of the most powerful barbarian monarchies, and its economy had grown considerably over the previous years. The Ashlgothians themselves had colonized some 30,000 star systems since Athaulf and his hordes had moved from the Barsar Regions in 1112-14. Ashlgothia was now one of the most populous and prosperous capital worlds in the Caladarian Galaxy. The Ashlgothian military was respected by its adversaries. The following month, Euric entered into a coma, and his son consolidated himself as the effective ruler of the Ashlgothian state. Then on 28 December 1184, Euric died after reigning for eighteen years. Alaric, who was acclaimed as King of Ashlgothia by the Ashlgothian Great Council and a assembly of Ashlgothian elders, nevertheless expressed his sadness about his father's death and declared that "a ruler hath expired who was concerned for the interests of his species."

Whereas the Galactic Powers had not sent any messages of condolence to Kuevia when Huneric had died just days earlier, a flood of such messages arrived at the court of Ashlgothia upon the death of Euric. King Hermeneric of Jarjanica, who had remained a loyal Ashlgothian vassal since his defeat by Euric in 1177, was the first to send a message of condolence to the Ashlgothian Court. King Gundobad of Alexandria, the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy, Odoacer, and the kings of Melorkia sent their messages on 29 December. Both Biligtu and Orda, each claiming to represent the interests of the Homidinian Khanate, dispatched their own messages and extended their blessings to Alaric "for a successful and prosperous reign." Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia, Femania of Venasia, and Joh'ac of Briannia also expressed their sadness at Euric's death, while the Prince of Cassanova and the Laurasian Regency Council declared that Euric's death "was indeed a sad event." Gunthamund of Kuevia, himself consolidating his position on the Kuevian throne, also sent a message of condolences, as did Malik-Shah of Solidarita, Anasia of Xilania, and Offa of Marcia.

As the year 1185 commenced, Kuevia and Ashlgothia were getting adjusted to the rule of new monarchs, while events continued to transpire with the Homidinian Civil War. On 4 January, Huneric's funeral was conducted at Shenandoah, and he was buried in the same vault as his father. The ceremony, however, did not obtain much notice in the interstellar media, and only lowly emissaries from the other powers attended it. Contrasting with this, Euric's funeral on 11 January was attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers and received much notice in the interstellar press. Alaric, in a speech delivered to those who attended his father's funeral, again expressed his sadness and espoused the "new duties of importance" he had now assumed. On 15 January, he announced that his coronation would held in one month's time. Gunthamund of Kuevia announced on 26 January that his coronation would be held around the middle of March. He also took action to reverse his uncle's policies. On 6 February, he abolished the Kuevian Order and pardoned all of those whom his uncle had targeted in his oppressions. Two days later, he repealed his uncle's taxation charters and scaled back on the size of the Royal Household. By 22 February, the King of Kuevia had also repealed decrees and charters issued by his uncle and affirmed his commitment to the policies of his grandfather. Shortly after this, the focus of attention again shifted back to Ashlgothia, as Alaric was formally crowned as King of Ashlgothia on 27 February 1185. In the ceremony, the King received the vibrosword and chain of mail which had been used by Alaric I himself.

He also received Theodoric I's military uniform and his banner of war. Alaric pledged his commitment to the policies of his father and grandfather, declaring that the Ashlgothian dominions would remain "strong and cohesive under his firm guidance." On 1 March, the King of Ashlgothia traveled to Allen and conducted a conference there with his vassal, King Hermeneric of the Jarjanics. Hermeneric swore allegiance to Alaric as a vassal on 7 March. Five days later, the King of Ashlgothia conducted a tour of Ashlgothian dominions in the Barsar Regions. He visited Breha, the worlds of the Orion Cluster, Rolle, Bookman, Christopher, Samantha, Reading, Abshire, Afdari, Strongstine, Nanking, Messalina, Chobania, and Beverly Hereidu, among other strongholds. He escorted the colonization expedition which landed in the system of Marissa, which had been discovered by Ashlgothian scouts in 1182, and he also supervised the military exercises of an Ashlgothian fleet near Jarman. Then on 24 March, the King of Ashlgothia met with King Odoacer of Rudorita at Kimanis Mooria. The two monarchs held a series of "friendly discussions and beneficial conferences" over the next several days. Escorted by Odoacer and his entourage, Alaric visited Filorean, Millard, Cox, Banks, Henderson, Kimania, Jasonia, Horne, Gedrosia Max, Maurya, and other southern worlds of the Rudorite realms. He finally took his leave of Odoacer on 21 April and traveled back to Ashlgothia, arriving there five days later.

On 2 May 1185, Gunthamund of Kuevia finally crowned himself King, the coronation ceremony have been delayed because of financial and procedure concerns. The ceremony, however, did not receive as much notice as the coronation of Alaric had. By the middle of May 1185, however, Gunthamund had fully consolidated his position in the Kuevian dominions. The focus of events again shifted back to the Homidinian Khanate, as the events of the civil war picked up again. Throughout the first half of the year, Orda and Biligtu had kept their units in place, launching no further military offensives against each other. Orda, on his part, had opened secret discussions with Odoacer. The King of Rudorita, believing that Biligtu would eventually be deposed, had decided to align himself with the one that he thought would become the new, undisputed master of the Homidinian dominions. On 7 May, Odoacer dispatched one of his diplomatic officials, Athanagild (1136-92), to Dion, where he held a secret conference with Orda and his officers. On 17 May, the Treaty of Dion was signed, by which Odoacer agreed to recognize Orda as the ruler of the Homidinian Khanate and to terminate further recognition of Biligtu. Orda, on his part, promised to grant Rudorite merchants commercial and military access privileges across the territories of Homidinia. The Treaty of Dion was ratified by the puppet Khan Delbeg on 24 May and by Odoacer on 1 June. By this time, Khan Biligtu had drafted plans for a series of renewed military campaigns against the rebel forces. Biligtu was determined to assert his mastery over the Homidinian territories and to punish "that filthy traitor Orda, whose mind is filled with ideas of sedition and of hatred for the customs of the Dasian Line."

By 11 June, Homidinian government units had assembled at Sonny, Dromund, Kaycee, Lacia, and the outskirts of Gwendolyn, ready to advance into rebel territories. Biligtu placed his offensive armadas under the command of the Ashlgothian mercenary General Livuigild, who had been one of the officers of the Homidinian Imperial Household. On 22 June, Livuigild launched his offensive units against rebel positions. Intent on using the superior organization of his forces to his advantage, the Ashlgothian General managed to make considerable advances. He besieged and conquered Markis Prime (26 June); recovered Kledis Var for Homidinian authority (28 June-5 July); and destroyed rebel positions at Kay (6-11 July) before driving rebel units from the Gwendolyn system (12-17 July). By the end of July 1185, Livuigild was threatening rebel positions at Ryan and had destroyed the rebel fortresses on Daphne, Jasmine, and Bargae. He then annihilated a rebel force at Grumper (1-5 August) and even sent a raiding expedition against Gibbs-to-Lester (6-12 August), which however, failed to achieve any decisive results. Orda also managed to rebel a government offensive against Brlla (13-19 August) and shattered government defenses on Digette (20-25 August), before harrying Silverman and Marley (26 August-9 September). He then repelled government units from Martin (9-17 September) and forced Livuigild to terminate further offensives against Ryan (19-25 September). On 28 September, rebel units advanced again to Kledis Var and overran the Homidinian intelligence outpost at Sarasinsgley.

On 4 October, a offensive was launched against Sonny by the General, forcing Livuigild to withdraw his units from Kay, Markis Prime, and Maxwell. On 11 October, Orda destroyed a government armada in the Battle of the Clue, taking advantage of superior intelligence and knowledge of the region. By 27 October, rebel units were penetrating again to the outskirts of the Lacian Cluster. Livuigild, however, managed to prevent rebel units from moving against Lacia, Fletcher, and Dromund. Nevertheless, he was dismissed from his position by the Khan on 6 November, who was angered that the government offensives had failed. Odoacer, who now was confident in his belief that Orda would soon displace Biligtu, severed diplomatic relations with the Homidinian court on 15 November and recalled his ambassador from Chalassia. The King of Rudorita also dismantled the Homidinian embassy on Jasonia, ordering for Ambassador Gegeen to be placed into custody at the Spaceport of Hunt Minor. On 24 November, he ordered for all Homidinian subjects traveling in or residing within his dominions to acknowledge the authority of Orda and Delbeg as Homidinian Khan, or to leave his dominions and forfeit their goods and properties. Ninety percent of Homidinians in Rudorite territory took the oath. By the end of November 1185, Orda had fully reasserted his position and had consolidated his rule over nearly two-thirds of Homidinian territory. He refrained from launching offensives into the Lacian Cluster, as the Khan had energized his remaining garrisons and sought to deny the rebel forces an advantage. Thus, as the year 1185 came to a end, the Homidinian Civil War had winded down again. Khan Biligtu, however, was nevertheless determined to defeat the rebel threat, although he was now being driven into the depths of despair. Knowing that he would not have the grasp of command enough to defeat Orda and his puppet Khan, the Khan nevertheless instilled morale in his units and sought out a military commander who would finally be able to defeat and destroy Orda, Delbeg, and their rebel units.

The Khan soon found that commander in a previously obscure officer of the Homidinian Imperial Guards, Khayisan, who had served in the guards corps loyally during the rebellions of Tinibeg and Bek Aslan, and had gained favor with his immediate commanders for his prowess in battle and his dedication to the Homidinian State. The Khan was made aware of Khayisan by his generals, and decided to employ his services in the cause against Orda. Although Khayisan had never before held a military command, he was nevertheless promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General by the Khan on 5 January 1186 and was assigned as the commander of all Homidinian military units in the Lacian Cluster. Khayisan was instructed by the Khan to employ all available military means in order "to drive away the units of the rebel and ensure the continuing stability, security, and integrity of these dominions under my rule." Khayisan followed his master's commands to the letter. Arriving at Sonny five days later, the General immediately took command of military operations and demanded that his officers organize the troops, effectively facilitate the carrying out of strategy plans, and report to him on everything they knew about Orda. He became known for his domineering ways, for the firm discipline he imposed upon his troops, and for the loyalty, courage, and honesty he expected from all of his men. On 12 January, Orda, learning that the Khan had appointed a new military commander, and hoping that he would finally be able to press his advantage, decided to dispatch a expeditionary fleet against Sonny. Khayisan now demonstrated his prowess for the first time, as he intercepted and destroyed that fleet near Stone (17-27 January 1186). The General now engaged and defeated Homidinian rebel units in a series of battles at Fletcher, the Star of Devlet, Agaron, and Kruger (January-February 1186), forcing Orda to terminate plans for further military offensives into the Lacian Cluster and to pull his units back from their positions in the Stygian Caldera.

On 4 March, Khayisan directed a surprise raiding offensive against Markis Prime, Kay, and Maxwell. Government units managed to impound a large number of rebel transports, captured much booty, and disrupted rebel supply lines to Ryan, Gwendolyn, and Martin. On 11 April, Orda sent another fleet, under the command of Kusala, against Khayisan and his armada. Khayisan however, inflicted a decisive defeat upon Kusala in the Second Battle of the Clue (12-19 April). Kusala himself was captured by Homidinian troopers. General Khayisan sent him back to Chalassia as a prisoner, where he was executed by the Khan's orders on 22 April. Martin then capitulated to Khayisan on 24 April, followed in rapid succession by Markis Prime (27 April-3 May); Maxwell (4 May); Ryan (6 May); and Gwendolyn (10 May). Khayisan then destroyed a rebel outpost on Digette (11-17 May) and penetrated all the way to the Homidinian posts of the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route (19-27 May). By the end of May 1186, the government units were advancing towards Silverman and Marley. In June 1186, King Theodoric of Halegothica began to consider intervening in the Homidinian Civil War. He now believed that Biligtu would not be dethroned, and that Orda would be destined to failure. The Halegothican King also sought to gain advantages for himself from the situation. Biligtu himself wished for the assistance of the Halegothic King, believing that with Theodoric's assistance Orda would definitely be crushed. On 7 June, the Khan and the King exchanged the first messages over the matter. Over the next several days, the Khan held numerous sessions with the Halegothican Ambassador at his court, Rugric (1129-1213). Rugric communicated the intentions of his master and declared that the Halegothicans wished for Homidinian guarantees for their intervention. The Khan, knowing that without making concessions he would not secure Theodoric's support, decided to offer the King of Halegothica "a free hand" in the Rudorite dominions. Ever since King Odoacer had declared his support for Orda, intense hostility towards him and his government had developed within the Homidinian governmental ranks.

The Khan now developed a distaste for this "heinous barbarian who hath demolished the rightful Dasian state" and had imposed the rule of his species over the former Huntite dominions. Knowing that he could not defeat Odoacer himself, and hoping to appease Theodoric, Biligtu suggested that Theodoric campaign against Odoacer. When Theodoric first received notice of the Khan's proposal, on 27 June, he was initially cautious. He did not look forward to the prospect of a lengthy and costly war with the Rudorite King; he also feared that the Armanes of King Trapstila would seek to gain revenge for the losses they had suffered during their war against Theodoric Amal. On 8 July, however, the Khan of Homidinia assured Ambassador Rugric that the Homidinian Government would compensate the Halegothican court for military expenses and that Homidinian units would be deployed near Armane territory, to ensure that the Armanes would not make any hostile moves into Halegothic territory. The Khan knew that he was assuming a immense burden, but he believed that a friendly Theodoric would be better for the interests of his khanate than a hostile Theodoric bent upon destroying Homidinian power. After several days of deliberations with his advisers, Theodoric approved the Khan's proposals on 12 July. Rugric communicated this to the Khan and the Council of Bazaars four days later. On 22 July, Biligtu declared that the overthrow of Odoacer would be "a event which the Gods of our Ancestors would look upon with glee and happiness" and that it was time to restore "proper rule" to the Huntite dominions. On 27 July, Theodoric authorized Rugric to conclude a treaty of military assistance with the Homidinian Khanate. Negotiations began at Capone on 1 August, and on 8 August, the Treaty of Capone was signed. By the terms of this treaty, Theodoric agreed to assist the Homidinian Khanate in the remaining military offensives against Delbeg, Orda, and their rebel units.

The Halegothican King affirmed his acknowledgment of Biligtu as Homidinian Khan and confirmed the continuation of peaceful and stable economic relations between the Homidinian Khanate and the Kingdom of Halegothica. Biligtu, on his part, agreed to ensure that the Armanes would remain peaceful towards the Halegothicans, and acknowledged continuing Halegothican rule over the territories of the Burglais Arm. In a secret provision, the Homidinian Khan also agreed to support Theodoric in any "operations, diplomatic measures, or military offensives" undertaken against Odoacer "in his own territory" and to acknowledge Theodoric as ruler of the former dominions of the Huntite Khanate, upon his obtaining victory. The Khan agreed to place Homidinian mercenaries at Halegothican disposal and to compensate the Halegothicans for two-thirds of the military expenses they would incur in their campaigns. The Treaty of Capone was ratified by the Khan on 14 August and by King Theodoric on 22 August. On 24 August, Theodoric issued a formal diplomatic proclamation from his palace at Scanlan, declaring that the rebellion of General Orda against the rightful Khan Biligtu "was harmful to the state of affairs in the Caladarian Galaxy" and that Orda harbored evil intentions towards the Homidinian Khanate's neighbors. Consequently, Theodoric was taking action to ensure the safety of his own kingdom and to destroy Orda's rebellion, "which threatens to demolish the equilibrium currently existing in the Outer Borderlands." Halegothican military units, assembled at Calms, Ian, Taraning, Edmundia, Coronadia, Jacobs, and English Star, launched a series of swift military offensives into rebel dominions. King Theodoric himself commanded the forces arrayed against the rebel coalition.

He destroyed a rebel fleet at Pickering (29 August-4 September); besieged and conquered Brlla (5-10 September); and smashed the defenses of Dion (11-17 September); before overrunning and destroying rebel garrisons on Zhang, Chou, and Whou (18-25 September). By the end of September 1186, Halegothican units had also cleared Homidinian rebel armies from the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, and were now within range of the Rudorite border. General Khayisan, on his part, besieged and conquered Kledis Var (2-19 August 1186) and destroyed the rebel command headquarters on Celia (20-25 August), before driving beyond Ward and towards Nicholas, Brant, and the worlds of the lower Homidinian Way (September-October 1186). On 7 October, government and Halegothican units linked up together at Isley, having thus pushed rebel units to a pocket around Homidinia. The outposts of Homidinia Minor, Vert, and Sinster were besieged and conquered by Khayisan (9-19 October 1186), inflicting further damage upon the integrity of the rebel forces. Gibbs-to-Lester, which Orda had used as his excuse for instigating his rebellion, was besieged by Halegothican units from 22 October, falling to them on 1 November. By 4 November, Homidinian and Halegothican units had begun to cut off supply lines towards Homidinia, although the resistance of Orda's remaining corvette and dreadnought units meant they could not advance towards that star system. A stalemate thus ensued which lasted for the remainder of the year.

In the meantime, however, decisive events took place in the Melorkian Dominions and the Crimeanian Khanate. On Roastafaria Major, King Clovis and his advisers had begun to nurture ideas of a military campaign to destroy the Crimeanian Khanate. The senior King of the Melorkians was still angered on how his father had divided his dominions among him and his brothers, instead of leaving the entire kingdom to him alone. As such, Clovis sought to find means by which he could compensate himself thus. He now alighted his eyes upon the Crimeanian Khanate, which had remained under the rule of Galdan's son, Ragibagh, since 1164. The Crimeanian Khan, however, had been faced with numerous internal disputes and with economic recession in recent years. From 1176-79, the Khan of Crimeania had been forced to contend with a series of civil uprisings, revolts, and outbursts of disobedience on Hopper, Rose, Sanegeta, and other Crimeanian worlds of the Kimanian Run. Then in 1180, the Crimeanian nobleman and Prince Sughui had arisen in rebellion against the Khan, establishing his stronghold on Jack. For three years, the Khan and his military units had struggled with Sughui and his rebel armadas for governance over the Crimeanian territories. Finally, on 17 May 1183, Sughui had been defeated and captured at Miraclia, and was executed by the orders of the Khan a month later. By September 1183, however, a economic recession had begun in the Crimeanian dominions, which continued for the next two years. As a result of this turmoil, these unfortunate events which had impacted the Crimeanian Khanate, the position of Khan Ragibagh was thus weak. In January 1186, Clovis's ambassador at the court of the Khan of Crimeania, Theuderic (1143-1209), had communicated information about the state of the Crimeanian Khanate and the condition of her ruler to his master, declaring that "this last Dasian khanate in the Core Regions will fall easily to our forces." Clovis, who was encouraged by such reports, had begun to muster military squadrons and units at his bases on Roastafaria Major, Merovech, Tournacia, Algaica Belgucia, and Bonnie, among other strongholds.

The King of the Melorkians trained these units vigorously and communicated to them that their service would "exalt and honor their species." By July, the King had formulated offensive strategies with his chief military commanders. He now embarked upon a series of diplomatic actions, to obtain support and consent to his ventures in Crimeanian territory. During that month, the King of the Melorians conducted a secret correspondence with King Alaric of Ashlgothia. In one message, communicated on 11 July, Clovis declared that the "Crimeanian State has reached the terminus of her natural lifetime; I see no other course of action but to finally bring her to her death, as she rightfully should be." Five days later, he sent another message, declaring that he harbored no evil intentions "towards Ashlgothian interests." Alaric, who was not opposed to the fall of the Crimeanian Khanate, and who believed that Ragibagh was a nuisance who needed to be eliminated, expressed his approval for Melokian plans and declared that his kingdom "will not pose any obstacles to Melorkian military and territorial intentions in the Crimeanian dominions." On 2 August, the secret Pact of Brooke One was signed between the Senior King of Melorkia and the King of Ashlgothia, by which, in exchange for the grant of commercial privileges to Ashlgothian merchants, Alaric pledged not to intervene in any Melorkian campaign in Crimeanian territory and to acknowledge that the Crimeanian Khanate was rightfully a part of the Melorkian dominions. This treaty was kept secret from the galactic powers, and Ragibagh, who believed that the Ashlgothians would be fearful of Melorkian ambitions, was thus duped. On 5 August, the Treaty of Boydaria, signed with King Gunthamund of Kuevia, insured Kuevian non-intervention in a Melorkian-Crimeanian war. Five days later, Clovis received a secret diplomatic communique from Odoacer, who, remembering Ragibagh's reaction to his destruction of the Huntite Khanate ten years earlier, declared that the destruction of the Crimeanian Khanate would confirm the position of the barbarian monarchies in the Caladarian Galaxy.

And on 17 August, Clovis secured an assurance from King-Emperor Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia that the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth would not intervene on the side of the Crimeanian Khanate. A similar assurance was issued by Queen Mother Femania of Venasia two days later. Having thus secured the neutrality of Melorkia's neighbors, Clovis now turned to gain the support of his junior King, Chararic, and of the Grand Princes Ragnachar and Ricchar. On 22 August, the four brothers held a conference with each other on Resmania, to discuss matters pertaining to "the vital interests of our dominions." Secretly, however, they discussed Clovis's plans for a offensive into Crimeanian territory. It took over a month before Clovis was finally able to secure the support of his brothers for a military campaign. On 27 September, the Protocol of Resmania was signed. Ragnachar and Ricchar both agreed to send troops, military equipment, and funds to Clovis, to assist him in his campaigns. They also agreed to grant him military access through their territories, if it was so needed. Chararic, on his part, agreed to command with Clovis the forces assembled against the Crimeanian Khanate and to place his fleet at the Senior King's disposal. Shortly after the Protocol of Resmania was signed, Clovis intensified his preparations for war with the Crimeanian Khanate. Then, on 1 November, Ambassador Theuderic was commanded by the Senior King to request for an audience with the Crimeanian Khan. Theuderic's request, issued two days later, was granted by the Council of State, and on 11 November, the Melorkian Ambassador had his audience with the Crimeanian Khan. The Ambassador, "who conducted himself in a pompous and domineering manner" (according to Gibbeoneous), declared that the Crimeanian Khanate needed a "protector" and that the King of Melorkia was more then capable of acting "as a brother" to the Khan. Consequently, he proposed for a treaty of "alliance" between the two states, by which the Crimeanian Khanate would concede Hooper, Sanegeta, and Crimeanian Acamaria to the authority of the Melorkian Kingdom, in exchange for military and diplomatic protection by the Melorkian King.

Ragibagh, however, did not fall for this ploy, and denouncing the Melorkians as aggressors, commanded the Ambassador to leave his sight. This incident gave Clovis a justification to instigate his war. On 13 November, Clovis issued a ultimatum to the Crimeanian Court, demanding that his Ambassador's proposals be approved and threatening war if they were not. Ragibagh refused to respond to the ultimatum, and on 17 November, ordered for Theuderic to be cast into prison, a gross diplomatic insult. Provoked thus, Clovis issued a declaration of war against the Crimeanian Khanate on 20 November and hurled his units into Crimeanian territory. Chararic, however, had feigned illness and bowed out of participating in the campaign at the last minute, although he allowed for Clovis and his units to have military access through his dominions. This incident would be remembered by Clovis and used by him as a justification when he began to unify all of the Melorkian territories under his dominion. As regards to the Crimeanian campaigns, Clovis and his units gained a succession of victories, as the Crimeanian military had virtually ceased to exist and as Ragibagh proved to be inept in responding to the Melorkian challenge. Clovis conquered Acamaria (21-27 November); destroyed a Crimeanian outpost at Viera (29 November); and subdued Oakley (1 December), before besieging and conquering Hopper (2-7 December). By 11 December, Sanegeta had also been secured by Melorkian units, who were now harrying the central Crimeanian systems. Ragibagh now dispatched a Crimeanian fleet, under the command of his brother-in-law, Senli, to intercept the Melorkian armadas at Rose. Clovis, however, obtained a decisive victory there (12 December 1186), the very same day that Stefanius Bathorius of Polonia died. Senli was then pursued to Bates, where he was captured by Melorkian transports on 15 December.

On 19 December, Eutagia capitulated to the Melorkian units, followed by Anasia (22 December); Sharon (23 December); Devine (24 December); and Crimeanian Stone (25-29 December). Ragibagh now decided to lead his final remaining offensive armada against the Melorkian units. On 30 December, the Crimeanian fleet attacked the Melorkian armada of King Clovis at Sossiania, which was four hundred light-years to the southeast of Crimeania. They were, however, outnumbered and overpowered by the Melorkians, and Clovis inflicted a decisive defeat upon them. Most of the Crimeanian vessels were destroyed or captured, and nearly 90% of the Crimeanian troopers were slain in battle. Ragibagh himself barely evaded capture and managed to flee on his starfighter, equipped with one of the most powerful hyperdrives in the galaxy at that time. The Khan, who decided that all was lost, now fled to Ashlgothian territory, reaching Gigi on 1 January 1187. Clovis, knowing that Alaric would soon hand the Khan over, decided to launch his offensive against Crimean IV itself. The capital world of the Crimeanian Khanate was besieged by Melorkian units, beginning on 3 January. It resisted for some days but was finally captured on 11 January. The King and his troops then descended on the world, and a flurry of massacre, rapine, and looting ensued. The Palace of the Khans, the Mosque of the Crimeanian Faithful, and the Tomb of the Khans were penetrated, plundered, and devastated.

Melorkian troops raped the women; butchered the elderly and the children; and slaughtered all of the men. Private residences and public buildings alike were plundered and sacked, while all of the Crimeanian cities were thoroughly devastated and left a virtual wasteland. The King himself directed that all of the treasures from the Palace of the Khans be loaded onto Melorkian transports and hauled away. Crimeania's satellites and moons were also plundered and ravaged, while a substantial portion of the population was enslaved or deported. The world, which had been one of the most populous and prosperous worlds in the Core Regions at the beginning of the century, was now reduced to a shell of itself. Its population, which had been at 65 billion in 1187, had declined to less then fifteen billion by the end of the century. Then, on 26 January, Clovis encountered and destroyed the last remaining Crimeanian fleet at Mari. Two days later, Alaric, as had been expected, had Ragibagh bound in chains and handed over to Melorkian authorities at Gigi. The Khan of Crimeania was presented before the King of Melorkia two days later.

He begged for his life, but Clovis refused his pleas and ordered for him to be executed by solar incineration. This grisly act was performed on 1 February. Ragibagh's personal servants and family were slaughtered while his personal effects and possessions, including the shield of war which had once belonged to Haci-Giray, the founder of the Crimeanian Khanate, were distributed among the Melorkian officers. On 4 February, Clovis formally declared that the Crimeanian Khanate, which had been founded by Haci-Giray on 19 April 1041, had ceased to exist after one hundred and forty-five years. None of the other galactic powers, not even the Homidinian Khanate mourned the fall of the Crimeanian Khanate: in fact, Clovis received letters of congratulation on his exploits from Alaric, Odoacer, Hermeneric of the Jarjanics, Primate Karnlowski of Polonia, Gadavaranius in Laurasia, Femania of Venasia, Joh'ac of Briannia, and Malik-Shah of Solidarita, among others. The Melorkian subjects celebrated the victories of their senior ruler, and on 17 February, a proclamation was issued on Roastafaria Major, commanding the King's subjects to praise his victories and to engage in processions and festivities to honor the victory until the end of the year. Clovis then toured throughout his conquered dominions, visiting the worlds which had been subdued by his arms. In March 1187, he issued a series of decrees forbidding his new subjects to make any reference to the Crimeanian Khanate; relegating them to second-class status under Melorkian law; and authorizing for Melorkian military officials to be imposed over them. By the end of that month, plans were in progress for Melorkian colonists to be settled in the former Crimeanian dominions.

On 4 April, Clovis finally returned to Roastafaria Major and was greeted with applause by his subjects. He now consolidated his conquests and settled down to government affairs, which occupied his attention for the remainder of the year. In the meantime, new tensions emerged in the Barsar Regions. Biligtu, who was now feeling more confident because of the successes of General Khayisan against the rebel units, and in light of his schemes to ruin the power of Odoacer, decided to spur the Ashlgothians towards war with the Kingdom of Rudorita. In a series of meetings, held with his advisers from 11 to 17 April, the Khan declared his intention to help provoke a war between Rudorita and the Kingdom of Ashlgothia, so that "we may see the barbarian monarchies distracted and so that Odoacer must expend resources, which in turn would leave him more exposed to the Halegothicans." Eventually, the Council of Bazaars agreed to the Khan's plan, and on 25 April, the Khan communicated his intentions to King Alaric through his emissary at the Ashlgothian court, Esen Tashi (1127-96). Esen Tashi, who was granted an audience with the Ashlgothian King (then at Rolle with his court), declared that the Ashlgothians "deserved" to expand their position in the Barsar Regions and that by doing so, they would contain "those heinous and unreliable Rudorites. Alaric, who had entertained ambitions of seizing the Kimanian Run and restricting Odoacer's power before, was encouraged thus by the Ambassador towards a path of war with the Kingdom of Rudorita. On 2 May, the King of Ashlgothia announced to his advisers his intention to issue a declaration of war against Rudorita and to seize Kimania, Leo's Redoubt, Kimanis Mooria, and the Lower Reaches. The King's advisers on the Ashlgothian Great Council were surprised when the King informed them of his intentions, remembering that during the early months of his reign, he had visited with Odoacer and expressed his hopes that peace would continue to reign between the Ashlgothian and the Rudorite dominions.

Alaric, however, brushed their opposition aside, and on 6 May, he issued mobilization orders to his units. Ashlgothian units at Rolle, Bookman, Breha, Nanking, Offshora, Chobania, Christopher, and Narra began to mobilize, conducting training drills and preparing for combat with the Rudorites. The King's military commanders drafted plans of war, while Alaric issued messages to his household, declaring that he was continuing in the tradition of his grandfather and of the great Alaric himself by engaging in conflict. On 11 May, the King sent a message to King Hermeneric of the Jarjanics, commanding his vassal to dispatch units to him for use in the upcoming campaigns. Hermeneric, knowing that he would not be able to resist Ashlgothian demands, complied. A Jarjanic armada arrived at Reading two days later and was placed under Ashlgothian command. Finally, on 24 May, the King of Ashlgothia sent a note to King Odoacer, who was at Horne with his household and government officials. In the note, Alaric declared that Rudorite "pretensions" threatened the safety of the Ashlgothian dominions and that it was necessary to move against the Rudorites, so as to "limit" their ambitions and ensure that the Barsar Regions would remain stable. The following day, the King of Ashlgothia issued a formal declaration of war and hurled his units down the Kimanian Trade Run. A Ashlgothian fleet destroyed a Rudorite patrol armada near Edom (25-29 May 1187); destroyed the garrison of Derangy (30 May-5 June); and harried the outskirts of Kimanis Mooria (6-11 June) before penetrating to the Rudorite colonies on Newey, Chinay, and Milograd. On 15 June, however, a Ashlgothian offensive against Millard and Constipex was repelled by Odoacer, who had moved swiftly from Horne with his fleet. By 21 June, the King of Rudorita had reached Kimania, which he established as his command headquarters, and reinforced the defenses of Hutsia, Leo's Redoubt, and Gardiner.

On 23 June, another Ashlgothian offensive, ranging from the strongholds of the Orion Cluster and directed against Horne, Jasonia, and Maurya, ended in failure. Then on 27 June, Odoacer encountered and destroyed a Ashlgothian armada at Nuxipal. By 6 July, Derangy and Edom had been recovered by Rudorite units, which were now moving towards the Orion Cluster. Dorothea (7-11 July); Leseur (12-17 July); Lange (20 July); and Orion I (21-27 July) were besieged and conquered in turn by the Rudorite forces. By the end of August 1187, Rolle and Bookman had also been captured, while Rudorite units had isolated Christopher from Ashlgothian units and were besieging the defenses of Narra. Alaric now launched a series of counteroffensives, pushing towards Smits, Dalton, and Marden (September 1187), which ended in failure. Narra capitulated to the Rudorites on 6 September, and five days later, a Rudorite expedition devastated the Christopherian colony-world of Glistesis. Christopher itself was besieged from 17 September and fell to Rudorite units on 25 September. Alaric was now coming under pressure by his advisers, fearful that the Jarjanics would now revolt and that nothing would stop Odoacer from seizing the other Ashlgothian territories in the Barsar Regions. Alaric himself did not want to suffer any more losses, and wished to now turn his attention back to the internal affairs of his realm. On 4 October, after a Rudorite expedition had menaced Strongstine and Stuckey, the King of Ashlgothia sent a request for peace to the King of Rudorita. A diplomatic conference was opened at Abshire on 9 October, being mediated by diplomats sent by King Hermeneric.

After several days of negotiations, the Treaty of Abshire was signed on 22 October. It was ratified by King Alaric on 1 November and by King Odoacer on 8 November, with Hermeneric ratifying it as the mediating signatory on 11 November. By the terms of the Treaty of Abshire, Rolle, Bookman, the strongholds of the Orion Cluster, Christopher, and Narra were conceded to the authority of the Kingdom of Rudorita. Alaric agreed to pay Odoacer compensation for military mobilization expenses; to swear not to attack Rudorite territory in the future; and to relax tribute that he demanded from the Jarjanics. The King of Ashlgothia also agreed to reveal his dealings with the Homidinian Khanate: this is what made Odoacer aware of Khan Biligtu's plots. Odoacer, on his part, promised to respect further Ashlgothian territorial integrity and to acknowledge continued Ashlgothian overlordship over the Jarjanics. By the end of November 1187, all Rudorite units in Ashlgothian territory had been withdrawn. Odoacer, however, did not return to Jasonia until 30 December. Alaric, on his part, remained at Abshire until 5 January 1188, when he returned to Ashlgothia. Biligtu, when he received word of Odoacer's victory over Alaric, was displeased. The Khan's conspiracy had not bore fruit, and Odoacer had actually gained as a result of the conflict. Odoacer, in turn, was enraged by Biligtu's ploys, and as such, seriously contemplated intervening on Orda's side in the Homidinian Civil War. The King of Rudorita, however, foolishly believed that Theodoric would then exploit matters to engage in his own war with the Homidinian Khanate and would not be interested in fighting with Rudorita: this was to prove his undoing. As 1187 came to its close, a stalemate continued between Homidinian loyalist and Homidinian rebel forces. King Theodoric was able to prevent Homidinian rebel units from attacking his garrisons, but was in turn unable to advance towards Homidinia. Orda and Delbeg resisted with all that they could, sending directives to their men reminding them of the "true Dasian Cause."

Nevertheless, as the year 1188 commenced, Khan Biligtu and his commanders were drafting plans for a series of final military offensives to recover Homidinia. By the beginning of February, loyalist units had overrun the rebel bases on Nicholas and Ward, clearing all remaining rebel units from the vicinity of the Gwendolyn Region. On 7 February, a rebel raid against the garrison of Aukung was repelled. Five days later, a rebel armada near Dion was destroyed in the Battle of Chuckie. By the end of February 1188, Homidinian loyalist and Halegothican units had finally resumed their advance to Homidinia. A series of rebel counteroffensives at Glasser, Winslet, and DeCaprio failed to halt the loyalist move (February-April 1188). Finally, on 6 May, loyalist and Halegothican units appeared in the outskirts of the Homidinia star system and instigated a blockade. Orda and Delbeg still managed to inspire their units, but knew that time was running out for them. Finally, the end came, as a certain Tunai, who was fearful for his life and position, decided to betray the General and his puppet Khan to the loyalist forces. On 17 May, the Officer sent a communique to General Khayisan, revealing to him the ship codes of all the vessels in Orda's defensive armada. Using these codes, Khayisan's computer slicers were able to disable the weapons systems of Orda's starships, allowing for the loyalist forces to advance to Homidinia unopposed. Loyalist and Halegothian troopers landed on Homidinia, commanded by Khayisan and King Theodoric, who had arrived from his headquarters at Shelly on 14 May. The resistance of the remaining troops of Orda and Delbeg was high, and it was not until 22 May that the Homidinian/Halegothican forces finally managed to reach Orda's command headquarters. Orda and Delbeg were found hiding in the General's bedchambers and were taken into custody. Biligtu, pleased that the rebel leaders had finally been captured, sent a command, on 26 May, for them to be executed and their heads mounted on electric spikes. The execution order was carried out on 30 May. Orda remained defiant to the end, refusing to apologize to the Khan for his rebellious deeds.

Their heads, mounted on spikes, were then placed in a transport and dispatched back to Chalassia on the orders of General Khayisan. They were presented to the Khan at the Khan's Palace on 4 June, and the Khan had them dumped into the Homidinian Pit of Traitors. By 11 June, the last embers of Orda's rebellion had been suppressed, and the entire Homidinian Khanate once again acknowledged Biligtu's authority. General Khayisan remained at Homidinia until 7 July, when he returned to Chalassia. He was greeted as a hero by all on the capital world, and the Khan himself saluted him for his victories over the rebel coalition. On 14 July, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and five days later, was awarded the Order of Tokugastius the Great. For nearly two months, the Homidinian Court was caught up in a series of festivities, parades, and other celebrations, in honor of the General and to praise the suppression of the rebellion. The Khan, however, had not forgotten about what had transpired with King Odoacer and the Rudorites. He was determined that Odoacer be destroyed for his support of the rebels and that the Rudorite monarchy be demolished. The Homidinian Khan, however, now began to nurse greater ambitions for himself, believing that with Khayisan commanding his troops, he himself would be able to advance into the Huntite dominions. In October 1188, the Khan instigated discussions with King Gunthamund of Kuevia, over the possibility of a joint Kuevian-Homidinian invasion of the Rudorite dominions. The Dasian ambassador to the Kuevian Court on Shenandoah, Basli (1128-1206), declared that it was in the interests of his master for Odoacer to face "utter ruin" and to be "thrown back to the gutters from whence he came."

Eventually, on 22 October, Gunthamund approved the convening of a diplomatic conference, and negotiations over a treaty of alliance between Kuevia and Homidinia were instigated at Choir. These discussions continued for the remainder of the year, as the Kuevian and Homidinian diplomats haggled over the terms of the military alliance and over any territorial concessions which might be made to Kuevia. King Theodoric of Halegothica, on his part, was growing increasingly suspicious of the Homidinian Khan and his motives. On 27 December, the King of Halegothica sent a Holonet communique to the court of the Khan, which was then on Alyssa, demanding whether or not the terms of the Treaty of Capone were going to be honored by the Homidinian Khanate. Biligtu, attempting to deflect the Halegothican King's suspicions, sent him a series of assurances and promised to begin financial payments "as soon as possible." However, as 1189 commenced, the suspicions of the Halegothican King continued to fester, as Homidinian officials had not conferred with his military campaigns on plans of campaign against the Rudorites. By 11 January, however, negotiations between Kuevia and Homidinia had proceeded yet further, and on 17 January, the Treaty of Choir was finally signed by the two delegations. King Gunthamund pledged to support the Homidinian Khan in all military campaigns launched against the "Rudorite Power", whereas the Khan agreed that Iego, Meris, Dickinson, and the Jageronian Worlds were to be conceded to the authority of the Kingdom of Kuevia. In the remainder of the territories of the Rudorite Kingdom, Biligtu was to have the right to dispose of them "as he saw fit." The treaty also provided that the Homidinians would compensate the Kuevians for all military expenses that were incurred. The Treaty of Choir was ratified by the King of Kuevia on 24 January and by the Khan with the Council of Bazaars on 1 February. For some weeks, the Homidinians managed to keep the news of the Treaty of Choir a secret. King Theodoric, however, had begun to plant his agents within the Homidinian Court, and on 21 February, he finally learned of the Homidinian dealings with Kuevia.

Enraged by this, the King of Halegothica banished the Homidinian ambassador, the Homidinian nobleman Wang Exang (1132-98), from his court on Scanlan and temporarily suspended his obligations by the Treaty of Capone. On 27 February, he issued a ultimatum to the Homidinian Government, demanding that the Khan terminate his agreement with Kuevia and that he now compensate Theodoric for all military expenses in Rudorite dominions; he threatened war if these demands were not met. Biligtu, believing that he would have the support of Kuevia against the Halegothicans, and that General Khayisan would have no difficulty in holding the King of Halegothica back, ignored the ultimatum. On 7 March, the ultimatum expired and Theodoric issued a declaration of war. He immediately hurled his units into Homidinian territory. Gibbs-to-Lester fell quickly (10 March); followed by Dion (12 March); Martin (13-17 March); Gwendolyn (2-25 March); Brlla (26-29 March); and Homidinian Calms (1-5 April). Glasser, Winslet, and DeCaprio were then secured (6-17 April), cutting off supply lines to Homidinia. General Khayisan now hurried from Chalassia, and although he halted Halegothican offensives against Ward, Nicholas, and Chuckie (April-May 1189), he was unable to relieve Homidinia, which fell to the Halegothic units on 26 May. Thereafter, Theodoric and his units ravaged the Kledis Var and Markian Regions, raiding hundreds of Homidinian colonies and disrupting Homidinian supply lines. Khayisan, however, managed to maintain the Homidinian garrisons and repelled Halegothican raids against Peters, Celia, and Fletcher. He also halted a Homidinian raid against Maxwell and Markis Prime (June-July 1189). By the beginning of August, however, the Homidinian dominions were in desperate shape. Khan Biligtu and the Council of Bazaars sent numerous messages to King Gunthamund on Shenandoah, begging for his assistance against the "Halegothican savages." Gunthamund, however, ignored these pleas, and on 2 August, he finally declared that the Treaty of Choir had been a "false agreement", for "the Homidinian State has been a cheating and deceiving state, trying to wriggle itself out of the rightful arrangements with the Halegothicans."

The following day, he formally denounced the Treaty and sent a note to Theodoric, declaring that Kuevia would not oppose Halegothican moves against Rudorita. Odoacer, who was watching these events with uneasiness, attempted to woo Gunthamund, but his efforts failed. In fact, on 10 August, Gunthamund declared that his grandfather's letter extending blessings upon Odoacer was null and void, and he rescinded all agreements signed with Rudorita. Two days later, the King of Kuevia banished the Rudorite ambassador, Framar (1120-90), from his court. On 11 August, Theodoric managed to defeat Khayisan near Peters, and three days later, he besieged and conquered Celia. Biligtu, who did not wish for Halegothican units to reach the Lacian Cluster, and who knew that his intrigues had ended in failure, sent a armistice request to Theodoric on 16 August. On 21 August, a armistice was signed at Dromund between the Homidinian Khanate and the Kingdom of Halegothica, with Theodoric terminating further active military offensives. On 29 August, negotiations commenced on Vandross, being mediated by King Trapstila, who was determined to maintain his good standing with the Homidinian Khanate and to remain a humble and faithful vassal to Theodoric. The Treaty of Vandross was signed on 14 September, by which the status quo ante bellum was restored between the Homidinian Khanate and the Kingdom of Halegothica.

Most of the provisions of the Treaty of Capone were reaffirmed, although Biligtu now agreed to compensate Theodoric for both the expenses in a anti-Rudorite war and for the expenses that Theodoric had incurred in his war with the Homidinian Khanate. He also agreed to never again enter into any arrangement with any foreign power which was "harmful to Halegothican interests and influence." Theodoric on his part, reaffirmed his recognition of Biligtu as Homidinian Khan and promised never to support any rivals to Biligtu's position. The Treaty of Vandross was ratified by the Khan on 16 September and by King Theodoric on 22 September. Theodoric then withdrew his military units from Homidinian territory: by 1 October, all Halegothican units had departed from Homidinian territory. On 4 October, Biligtu dispatched a force to Sierra and Felix, under the command of General Khayisan, to ensure that the Armanes would remain peaceful and subordinate towards their Halegothican overlords. Two days later, Theodoric began to assemble his squadrons and military units at Halegothic Calms, Taraning, Ian, Gehring, Coronadia, Edmundia, English Star, Jacobs I, Bronson, Sheehan, and other Halegothican strongholds in the Burglais Arm and near the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route.

On 11 October, Odoacer was informed of Theodoric's plans for war through his spies at the Armane Court. Determined to forestall a Halegothican offensive, and seeking to find advantages for himself, the King of Rudorita sent a communique to Theodoric on 14 October. In this communique, Odoacer offered a military alliance between Halegothica and Rudorita. He declared that the Homidinian Khanate was a dying state and that the Homidinian subjects "needed a new, firm, and more vigorous master." The King of Rudorita thus suggested that the Halegothicans and the Rudorites partition Homidinian territories between themselves, and that Halegothica have a free hand in Armane territories. In turn, Theodoric would promise not to threaten Rudorite independence or territorial integrity and would renounce his plans for war. Theodoric, when he received this communique, was at first tempted, but persuaded by his advisers into keeping with his plans for war in the Rudorite dominions, eventually rejected Odoacer's offer on 21 October. On 27 October, he severed diplomatic relations with the Rudorite King's court and banned all commerce between Halegothica and Rudorita. Odoacer responded by ordering the arrest and imprisonment of all Halegothicans traveling within his dominions. On 2 November, the King of Rudorita departed from Jasonia and raced to Meredith with his chief armada, determined to establish his presence in that region and to discourage Theodoric from launching his military offensives. The King of Halegothica was not to be discouraged, however, and on 7 November, issued the final military orders to his units, commanding them to be in readiness for the offensive.

Two days later, he issued a formal declaration of war against the Kingdom of Rudorita and hurled his units across the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route. Theodoric destroyed the Rudorite base of Apuza (10-17 November) and seized the Rudorite military repository at Abrianna (20-27 November) before defeating a Rudorite patrol fleet in the Battle of Parsons (28 November-2 December). On 6 December, he launched a series of offensives in the Jageronian Worlds. McEvolgue, Jagornia, and Alamaia I were besieged and conquered in turn by the Halegothican units (7-12 December 1189). On 14 December, Meredith itself was besieged by Halegothican units. Odoacer now hurled with his armada against Shelley, which the Halegothican King had established as a supply base for his forces. Theodoric, however, was alerted of Odoacer's moves, and leaving units behind to maintain the blockade of Meredith, hurried to intercept the Rudorite King. The two forces clashed at Izonza, located seventy light years to the south of Meredith (16 December 1189). The battle lasted for four days and was fought with great ferocity, as Odoacer was determined to resist Theodoric's advances. The result was a Halegothican victory, and Odoacer was forced to retreat to Iego. Theodoric then returned to the siege of Meredith, and the world fell to him on 25 December. Establishing his court there, the King of Halegothica then dispatched expeditions against Dickinson, Brenda, and Sofia, all of which fell in quick succession to Halegothican units (26-31 December).

On 1 January 1190, the King of Halegothica issued a proclamation from Meredith, declaring that his military campaigns against Odoacer were directed towards "bringing peace, prosperity, and tranquility to the former dominions of the Huntite Khanate" and that Odoacer was one who was "undeserving to be a monarch." Five days later, Odoacer launched a counteroffensive against Theodoric's units, pushing towards Dickinson and Brenda. Theodoric's chief subordinate, Rogeric, however, encountered and defeated a Rudorite patrol fleet near Julianne (6-7 January). On 10 January, Theodoric himself, pushing from Meredith, encountered and defeated Odoacer in the Battle of Izzia. Five days later, Luveria and Margopan were besieged and conquered by Halegothican units, weakening supply lines to Iego. On 22 January, Odoacer was defeated again at Meris and was forced to abandon his remaining bases on the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route. Meris itself capitulated to the Halegothican units on 1 February. On 14 February, Rogeric destroyed Odoacer's final remaining transport fleet near Gashon, and six days later, Odoacer fled from Iego. On 26 February, the world surrendered to Theodoric, who conducted a victorious procession there. Theodoric, now pushing south, intercepted and defeated Odoacer near the Sk'atha Cluster (1 March). Negro (2 March); Akamaar (5 March); Jabul (7-19 March); Clathbourne (22 March); and Leah (29 March-16 April) were besieged and conquered in turn by Theodoric's units. By May 1190, Garnett, Ber Bachman, and Lorna had all been isolated by Halegothican forces, and Odoacer's offensives from Gabriella, Downs, and Morsia had been successfully repelled. In June 1190, Theodoric received the first of his expense payments fromKhan Biligtu, obliging by the provisions of the Treaty of Vandross. By the end of the month, Lorna had capitulated to the Halegothicans, and Halegothican expeditions now penetrated into the Sheldonian regions, harrying or blockading numerous Rudorite colonies, stations, and outposts.

On 4 July, Theodoric destroyed a force under the command of Odoacer's Commander-at-Arms, Tufa, at Morsia. Sheldonia, which had been deprived of its garrison by Tufa in his attempts to hold off Theodoric's units, surrendered without a fight four days later. On 10 July, Ber Bachman was finally captured by the Halegothican units, and Theodoric ordered for all of the commanders of the garrison to be executed for their long defiance. Garnett capitulated as well on 13 July, and Theodoric had similar treatment administered to the officers of the garrison there. The outskirts of Hunt Minor, Boontha, and Timur's Star were harried by Halegothican units (13-19 July), and on 21 July, Downs was conquered by a Halegothican expeditionary force. On 27 July, Tufa and his armada, who had been cornered at Pella, surrendered to the Halegothicans. Tufa pledged absolute allegiance to Theodoric, and the King of Halegothica, impressed with his military command skills, appointed him as one of his mercenary commanders. In this new capacity, Tufa besieged and conquered Gabriella (30 July-5 August), and on 8 August, eliminated Odoacer's holdout on Estella. Odoacer, hearing of Tufa's surrender and then defection to Theodoric, had all of the officers in his fleet interrogated. Those deemed disloyal to the King were rooted out. On 12 August, King Gunthamund of Kuevia issued a proclamation from Shenandoah, announcing that he recognized Theodoric as the sole ruler of the former Huntite dominions. All Rudorites living in or traveling through Kuevian dominions were compelled to swear a oath of allegiance to Theodoric on threat of imprisonment and confiscation of all properties. Gunthamund's example was soon followed by other rulers. On 17 August, Biligtu finally dropped his recognition for Odoacer, although diplomatic relations had lapsed earlier, and announced publicly the provisions of the Treaty of Vandross. Two days later, Trapstila confirmed his adherence to the agreement and recognized Theodoric as ruler of the Rudorite dominions. King Alaric of Ashlgothia recognized Theodoric as King of Halegothica and Rudorita on 22 August, followed by Hermeneric of Jarjanica (22 August); the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy (27 August); Gundobad of Alexandria (1 September); and the Kings of Melorkia (7 September).

On 10 September, Gedrosia Max fell to a Halegothican expedition, and four days later, Theodoric stormed Hunt Minor. By 24 September, Halegothican units were besieging Hunt Major. On 1 October, Odoacer sallied forth from Gargonia, attempting to halt further Halegothican offensives in the Huntite Systems. He managed to catch Theodoric on surprise at Blasavania, and for several days, the King of Halegothica was at the risk of being cut off from his supply lines. On 14 October, Tufa arrived with his force and decimated Odoacer's offensive formations. Odoacer himself was forced to flee back to Gargonia, and Theodoric continued his offensives in the Huntite systems. Hunt Major, however, presented a severe resistance, and it was not until 17 November that the world was finally conquered. On 22 November, Theodoric and Tufa launched a joint offensive against Gargonia, decimating the system's defenses and forcing Odoacer to flee southwards. Gargonia was occupied by Halegothican units on 27 November. Halegothican squadrons now approached Horne, and on 11 December, Odoacer's final remaining offensive armada was decimated in the Battle of Lavy. Horne itself was conquered on 14 December, followed by Maurya on 22 December. Nikki Lowell, Newman Victoria, and Filorean were then seized by Halegothican expeditions with little opposition (23 December 1190-2 January 1191). Thus, as 1191 commenced, Odoacer was in dire straits. Cox, Banks, and Henderson were besieged and conquered in the early weeks of January 1191, and Halegothican units suppressed most supply lines to Jasonia.

The King of Rudorita, determined to maintain his position, and hoping to disorient Theodoric's advance units, dispatched a detachment of starfighters and corvettes under the command of General Iscar against the Rudorite units at Horne. Iscar managed to harry the outskirts of Horne (17-21 January 1191) and inflicted a minor defeat on Rudorite units near Claire, but was ultimately cornered and destroyed by General Tufa at Solay (22-26 January 1191). On 30 January, however, General Rogeric was ambushed and killed by a Rudorite starfighter squadron near Millard, and his body was transported back to Scanlan by the orders of King Theodoric. The Halegothican General was buried with full honors on 7 February. Millard itself was besieged and conquered by the Halegothican units five days later, who were now on the Kimanian Run. Dorothea (13-19 February); Lange (20 February-3 March); Leseur (7-11 March); and Orion (12-17 March) were then besieged and conquered in turn by the Halegothicans. Derangy, Morangy, and Kimanis Mooria fell to Halegothican forces in a series of swift offensives (18-29 March), and on 1 April, Kimania was besieged by units under the command of General Tufa. Two days later, the Lady Executrix of the Venasian Consortium, acting in the name of Queen Mother Christiana, acknowledged Theodoric as the ruler of the Rudorite dominions. She was followed by both Eurymaschus Gadavaranius (in the name of Theodosius I) and Malik-Shah of Solidarita the following day.

By the beginning of April 1191, however, the health ofKhan Biligtu had entered a severe decline. Biligtu's health had been driven to the breaking point by the exertions of rule and the challenges that he had contended with throughout his reign. In January 1191, the ailing and aged Homidinian Khan, then almost seventy, declared that he yearned for his death. The following month, he drafted his final will and testament, which was formally published on 8 March. In the testament, Biligtu, who had no surviving children, named the court chamberlain Shidebala as his successor. In his will, the Khan declared that Shidebala's "prestige, administrative tact, and loyalty to the Homidinian State" were the factors which had motivated him to choose the Chamberlain as his successor. Shidebala was informed of the Khan's proclamation at his estate on Alyssa, and on 17 March, he arrived at Homidinia, being greeted back by the Homidinian Court with great ceremony. On 24 March, the Council of Bazaars and the Homidinian Imperial Court conducted a ceremony by which Shidebala was formally confirmed as Biligtu's successor and was enjoined to rule as a kind and just Khan over the Homidinian dominions. Biligtu himself, however, was unable to attend the ceremony, and was represented by his younger brother Bukha, who had served on the Council of Bazaars and until this point had remained largely in the background. Bukha, however, who had believed that Biligtu would name him Khan, began to develop feelings of resentment and of desire for power, which were to bear their fruit later. In the meantime, however, he asserted his loyalty towards Shidebala. The choice of Shidebala as Biligtu's successor also seemed to be justified in the eyes of the Council of Bazaars, because Shidebala had six sons who could thus ensure the Homidinian succession.

On 1 April, Biligtu formally entered into confinement in his bedchambers, and Shidebala now assumed most duties of governance, although he was not yet Khan. On 4 April, the Khan's physicians declared his condition hopeless. Biligtu died at the Great Palace of Chalassia on 6 April 1191, after having reigned for seventeen years. Immediately upon the announcement of the Khan's death, Shidebala was formally proclaimed Khan of the Homidinian Khanate and received an oath of allegiance from his new subjects. Letters of condolence arrived from most foreign monarchs, with the exception of Odoacer, who was no longer recognized by the Homidinian Khanate as ruler of the Rudorite dominions. On 14 April, Biligtu's body was placed on public display, where it remained for the rest of the month. Finally, on 3 May he was buried in the Crypt of Sovereigns on Homidinia, a ceremony which was attended by diplomats from almost every galactic power. Shidebala, in a series of proclamations to his new subjects, commanded them to mourn for Biligtu until the end of the year. Bukha, on his part, began to amass his resources at Alyssa, Dromund, Sonny, Cher, and Lenni, determined to eventually assert his position at the expense of the new Homidinian Khan. For the time being, however, these preparations remained low-key, and the Homidinian Prince maintained his position on the Council of Bazaars. In May 1191, Shidebala announced that his coronation as Homidinian Khan was to be held in January of the following year.

In the meantime, events continued to move along in the Rudorite dominions. On 27 April, the Homidinian Khan issued a diplomatic proclamation from the Great Palace of Chalassia, affirming his adherence to the terms of the Treaty of Vandross and pledging continued financial support to Theodoric, in his ongoing campaigns against Odoacer. Theodoric, on his part, expressed his condolences for the death of Biligtu and declared that peaceful relations between the Homidinian Khanate and the Kingdom of Halegothica were "in the interests of both parties." By 2 June, the siege of Kimania was reaching its culmination, as the Rudorite garrison there had been severed from its supply lines and was driven to the breaking point. Odoacer launched a series of desperate raids from Jasonia, with his remaining starfighter squadrons managing to penetrate to Millard, Cox, and Henderson (3-19 June 1191). These efforts however, came to naught, and on 21 June, Kimania finally capitulated to the Halegothican forces. With Kimania now in the hands of Theodoric, the resistance of the Rudorite garrisons and defensive fleets in the remainder of the Rudorite Barsar Regions collapsed. Gardiner (22 June); Leo's Redoubt (26 June); Narra (1-4 July); Rolle (10-11 July); and Bookman (12-17 July) fell in quick succession to the Halegothican units. Theodoric then destroyed a Rudorite military repository on Crygins (20-25 July) and seized Rudorite intelligence files at Haset (1 August). By the end of August 1191, all remaining Rudorite outposts and garrisons along the Kimanian Run had been besieged and conquered byTheodoric's forces. The King of Halegothica now directed his units towards Jasonia, determined to capture Odoacer and to finally end the war.

Iscar, who had managed to survive his defeat at Solay, launched a series of harassment raids and screening actions against Halegothican units in the vicinity of Jasonia. He managed to obtain minor victories at Grumman's Star (2-7 September); Northrop (11-17 September); and Penez (22-29 September). General Tufa, however, repelled a Rudorite raid at Hacker (30 September-6 October) and drove Rudorite corvette units from Lector (7-11 October) before pursuing Iscar's main fleet towards Kimania. Finally, he caught up with them at Moore and inflicted upon them a crushing defeat (12-19 October 1191). Iscar himself was mortally wounded in the battle, and although his flagship managed to evade capture by the Halegothican units, he died shortly afterwards. On 1 November, Odoacer himself led a sally from Jasonia, penetrating to Clarise and Jodie before ultimately being repelled. On 11 November, Halegothican units stormed the Rudorite outpost on Ascania, and on 27 November, finally instigated a blockade of Jasonia's remaining supply lines. Odoacer, however, managed to repel any further offensives by Halegothican units towards Jasonia, and a stalemate ensued which was to last into the next year. Theodoric himself, who had been at Horne, now moved to Jodie and established his command headquarters there in December 1191. By the end of the year, most of the Rudorite dominions except Jasonia and several minor strongholds had been occupied by Halegothican forces.

1192 commenced in the Outer Galactic Regions in the midst of the predicament which had emerged during the latter half of 1191. Odoacer's units fiercely resisted all further advances by Theodoric's squadrons. The King of Halegothica himself attempted to lead offensives in the direction of Jasonia Minor, Haxey Star, and Corporal-Nagra (January-February 1192), but these efforts ended in failure. Realizing that Odoacer could only be forced to surrender through a blockade, Theodoric placed his units at strategic positions around the Jasonian star system and ensured that no commercial or civilian traffic was allowed into the region. In the meantime, he began to impose policies upon his new Rudorite, Huntite, and Barsarian subjects, determined to incorporate them into the Kingdom of Halegothica with little difficulty and to consolidate his rule over the formerly Rudorite dominions. In January 1192, the King of Halegothica sent a report back to the Halegothican Council of Elders on Scanlan, declaring that his efforts to impose Halegothican authority in the former Huntite Khanate had proceeded "in accordance with my plans, although that fool Odoacer has managed to hold out against any further advances by our units." He commanded the Council of Elders to assemble reports on the Rudorite government, economy, and society, and to ensure that Halegothican laws and regulations were imposed upon Rudorite subjects "with moderation and prudence." On 27 February, the King of Halegothica issued a state decree to his conquered subjects, declaring that as long as they respected Halegothican laws and did not "stir any dissent against the rule of my Government", they would be permitted to retain their customs and the taxes to which they were accustomed. In March, he established the Agency of Colonization and Exploration, which was meant to establish Halegothican, Scanlanian, and Burglaian colonists in systems throughout the Rudorite dominions and to ensure that new regions of space, in the Wild Marshes and the outskirts of the Outer Borderlands, were opened up to surveys and exploration.

By the end of April 1192, nearly a thousand previously unexplored systems had been surveyed and documented by Halegothican scouting expeditions. On 21 April, a conference was opened with the Ashlgothian Government at Beverly Hereidu, concerning territorial and economic relations. After much arduous effort, the Treaty of Beverly Hereidu was signed on 1 May 1192. By the terms of this treaty, the acquisitions which Odoacer had made from Ashlgothia in the war of 1187 were confirmed to now be in the possession of the King of Halegothica. The King of Ashlgothia agreed to acknowledge the Kingdom of Halegothica as his neighbor and to abstain from any hostile actions towards Halegothican dominions. Theodoric, on his part, acknowledged Ashlgothian territorial integrity and agreed to grant Ashlgothian merchants free passage through his dominions. The Treaty of Ashlgothia was ratified by King Alaric on 2 May and by King Theodoric on 17 May. By the end of May 1192, similar treaties had been signed with the Kingdom of Jarjanica, the Kingdom of Alexandria, and the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy. Throughout all of this time, the blockade of Jasonia continued. In June 1192, Theodoric issued a series of directives to his commanders, declaring that Odoacer would soon be forced to surrender and that the last remnants of the Kingdom of Rudorita would finally be eliminated. The following month, Odoacer and his units directed one last sally from Jasonia, attempting to break Rudorite defenses at Clarise, Jodie, and Rimini. This effort failed, and on 4 August, the King of Halegothica finally advanced further towards the Jasonia star system. Haxey Star (5-11 August); Corporal-Nagra (14-19 August); and Jasonia Minor (22 August) were overrun by Halegothican units. On 28 August, Theodoric defeated a Rudorite militia detachment in the Battle of Rasoli, pushing to the outskirts of the Jasonia star system proper. His units, establishing reformed blockade lines there, now remained in their positions for the remainder of the year. By September 1192, the inhabitants of Jasonia had begun to be ravaged by food shortages, and Odoacer was losing hope. In November 1192, Odoacer began to contemplate surrendering to the Halegothican King.

As these events were taking place thus, in the siege of Jasonia, a new rebellion erupted in the Homidinian Khanate. It has already been explained that the Homidinian Khan Biligtu's younger brother, Bukha, had believed that he should have been named as the successor to the Homidinian throne, not the chamberlain Shidebala. In January 1192, Bukha formulated his plans of rebellion, declaring to his household staff and his supporters among the nobility that the rightful Khan "would soon be placed on his throne" and that the "usurper" Shidebala would be forced to abdicate. The Homidinian Prince continued to amass his military supplies at his private strongholds, and also began to recruit others to his cause. In April 1192, he was able to secure the support of Khayisan's chief subordinate, the Homidinian Major-General Lagar, who had been antagonized by his superior commander and by the Khan, who mistrusted him. Lagar, on his part, secured the support of one of the Altern-Generals of the Khan's Guards, Lagar of Selinus, who also bore a grudge against the Homidinian Government. In June 1192, Bukha, at his personal estate on Gwendolyn, formalized his plans of rebellion. Finally, on 17 August, he rose the formal standard of revolt, terminating his oath of allegiance to the Khan and declaring that he was determined to bring "proper rule" to the Homidinian dominions. The Prince and his forces quickly advanced from Gwendolyn and other strongholds. Celia (18-25 August); Peters (26 August); Brant (1-9 September); Ryan (10-15 September); Kupferer (16-22 September); and Yutzy (24 September) were besieged and conquered in turn by the rebel Prince and his units. On 1 October, he destroyed a government fleet at Digette, and five days later, secured the Homidinian stronghold on Ward. By the end of October 1192, Brlla and Gibbs-to-Lester had also been secured by the rebel Prince. The Khan, alarmed at the rebellion, now commanded Khayisan and his other subordinate general, Ordon, to advance against the rebel forces. Khayisan secured Maxwell from rebel offensives (1-5 November); repelled a rebel offensive against Lacia (6-11 November); and destroyed the rebel position at Dromund (12-17 November), before besieging and reconquering Ward (18-24 November). On 1 December, he advanced against Brlla, but was then defeated by rebel units at Franklin. Nevertheless, by the end of December 1192, government units had advanced to Digette, Gwendolyn, and Ryan.

On 1 January 1193, Shidebala and the Council of Bazaars issued a proclamation from Chalassia, declaring that efforts to subdue the rebellion were "proceeding smoothly" and that the rebels would soon be brought to heel. On that same day, Theodoric's units conquered the Jasonian outpost world of Agrinna and pushed Odoacer's units ever closer to the Rudorite capital world. Theodoric was now told by his commanders that Odoacer's garrison would not have enough supplies to last them beyond February. Odoacer himself, who believed that Theodoric would be merciful to him, now decided to open negotiations with the King of Halegothica. On 4 January, the Archbishop of the Almitian Conclave of Jasonia, John (1131-97), was requested by King Odoacer to travel to the Halegothican camp and to open discussions with Theodoric over the matter of a peace. Theodoric, who held a deep respect for religious officials and prelates, accepted the Rudorite offer on 7 January. Five days later, John arrived at the King's headquarters on Jodie and began discussions with him. Negotiations dragged on for a month, during which time Rudorite and Halegothican units clashed constantly, inflicting severe casualties on the other side. Odoacer's final remaining base outside of the Jasonia star system, Exuiga, was conquered by Rudorite units on 24 January. On 3 February 1193, Theodoric issued a series of proclamations, affirming his earlier ruling that the peoples of the former Huntite Khanate would have their "currently-existing customs, languages, and traditions recognized." Finally, on 7 February, he and John came to a agreement: Theodoric now promised to spare Odoacer's life, to allow him to retain the title of King-Emeritus of Rudorita; and to depart from Jasonia with his personal units. Odoacer, on his part, was to acknowledge Theodoric's authority over the whole of the former Rudorite dominions and to accept his position as the final successor to the Huntite Khanate.

The Treaty of Jodie, codifying these terms, was signed on 14 February 1193, being ratified by King Theodoric on 18 February and by King Odoacer on 24 February. On 27 February, Jasonia capitulated to the Halegothican forces under the terms of the Treaty of Jodie, and Odoacer now departed from the world with his personal units. Theodoric himself arrived at the former Rudorite capital world two days later, and on his orders, the conquered population of the world was treated with commendable leniency. By the beginning of March 1193, all of the worlds which had once been ruled by Odoacer as King of Rudorita had acknowledged Theodoric as their master. Theodoric assumed the title of "King and Master of All the Halegothicans, Rudorites, Huntites, Robertians, Dasians, and Eastern Barsarians" on 3 March, and confirmed his position as the successor to the Huntite Khanate and the Kingdom of Rudorita. On 5 March, he met with the last Huntite Khan, Genghis-Timur (who was now a young man of twenty-one), at Anna Yunia and piled him with festivals and banquets; the King's decree confirming his immunity from the judicial system and position of honor as Khan-Emeritus of Hunt was issued two months later. On 9 March, Theodoric issued a formal proclamation from Jasonia, declaring that the Rudorite-Halegothican War was now at its end. Two days later, he consulted with the Halegothican Council of Elders and his own advisers about Odoacer. Although the King had promised to spare Odoacer's life, he nevertheless personally believed that Odoacer, if he was permitted to live, would eventually gather together a new force and challenge his position; or he would gain support from a foreign monarch, such as Alaric of Ashlgothia or Gunthamund of Kuevia, and attempt to restore the Kingdom of Rudorita. Theodoric thus wished to see him dead. On 13 March, the Council of Elders issued its opinion, in a classified memorandum, that the King should take all steps to "eliminate" Odoacer. Two days later, Theodoric invited the ex-King of Rudorita to a banquet on Jasonia, which was supposedly in honor of the end of the war and the restoration of peace. Odoacer accepted, not knowing what the King of Halegothica had in store for him.

During the course of the banquet, the ex-Rudorite King became drunk, and Theodoric now gave the indication to his officers to move against him. Odoacer proved to be helpless as the Halegothican officers "laid their hands upon his person, dragged him from his seat, and ran him through twenty times with their vibroswords." On the orders of the King of Halegothica, Odoacer's attendants were also assaulted and brutally murdered, "their heads being severed from their bodies, and their limbs mangled and tortured....." Likewise, Odoacer's wife, Sunigilda, and his brother, Onulphus, were brutally murdered by Halegothican officers, as were the rest of his family, attendants, and advisers. On 18 March, Theodoric issued a proclamation announcing Odoacer's death, which he claimed arose from a "drunken stupor" that the King had gotten himself into at the banquet. By his orders, the body of Odoacer, and the bodies of his household, were buried at Hunt Minor on 29 March, with Theodoric himself acting as the chief mourner. This was to cast the impression that the King of Halegothica had nothing to do with Odoacer's death. No one, however, was fooled. All of Theodoric's fellow monarchs knew that it was he who had ordered Odoacer's death, through their spies, and that Odoacer's household had been brutally massacred. No one, however, was prepared to go to war with the Halegothicans, and none mourned the death of Odoacer too deeply. On 6 April, Theodoric proclaimed Jasonia the new capital world of the Kingdom of Halegothica, commanding the Council of Elders and the Halegothican nobility to move to there from Scanlan. They had completed this move by the end of April 1193, and Jasonia was now rehabilitated as the chief world of the Halegothican dominions. Theodoric spent the remainder of 1193 consolidating his rule over the former territories of the Kingdom of Rudorita, reorganizing his military forces, and ensuring the transfer of all Jasonian government resources to the control of Halegothican officials. On 15 May 1193, the King of Halegothica declared that all Rudorite, Huntite, and Robertian officials who had "proved their worth and ability" while in office would be retained, and that only those who were "incompetent, selfish, or had engaged in horrific abuses, corruption, or idleness...." would be dismissed from their positions.

By the end of June 1193, most of the ranks of the civil service had been examined and either retained or purged in this way. Theodoric also gradually dismantled the legal codes which Odoacer had issued, declaring that Halegothican laws were necessary in the new dominions but nevertheless allowing for leniency in judicial matters towards his new subjects. Theodoric, however, also now looked further to diplomatic relations with his new neighbors. Until this point, the King of Halegothica had not married, having been too busy for "such concerns" and believing that marriage was not of immediate importance. Having defeated Odoacer however, and having established his position in the former Rudorite dominions, the King was now persuaded to settle down to civil and governmental affairs. His advisers told him that he could ensure his dynasty by procuring himself a wife to beget him a son and heir. They urged him to marry a princess of a foreign state, preferably Melorkia or Ashlgothia, so that Halegothican relations with that state would "remain correct." Theodoric had not yet signed a treaty of cooperation with the Kings of Melorkia, as he had with the other states who had been the neighbors of Rudorita. Nevertheless, he now decided to open negotiations with Clovis over the question of a alliance. Discussions began at Roastafaria Major on 17 June 1193, continuing for nearly two months. The newly appointed Halegothican ambassador to the court of Clovis, Mendobad (1138-1205), reported to his master that Clovis's sister Audofleda, was a "beautiful and fertile princess who is bound to ensure the continuance of Your Majesty's royal dynasty." Audofleda herself acted in support of the marriage, and soon convinced her brother of the advantages which it would bring to his dominions. On 12 August, the Senior King of Melorkia finally approved a marriage between Theodoric and his sister. Two days later, the Treaty of Roastafaria Major was signed by the Ambassador with the Senior King of Melorkia and his court; Theodoric had consented to the choice of Audofleda as his bride. By the terms of this treaty, Clovis affirmed his recognition of Theodoric's new status as ruler of the former Rudorite dominions; agreed to refrain from supporting any who might challenge that title; and acknowledged Halegothican rights in the Barsar Regions. He also agreed to allow his sister to marry the King of Halegothica, on condition that she be granted all the honors of a Queen Consort and that she be allowed to maintain a Melorkian household.

Theodoric on his part, agreed to these conditions and also agreed to extend tariff-free privileges to Melorkian merchants in his dominions for a period of ten years. He also agreed to acknowledge Clovis's conquest of the Crimeanian dominions. The Treaty of Roastafaria Major was ratified by King Theodoric on 19 August and by King Clovis (with the consent of his brothers) on 26 August. On 1 September, in a ceremony at Roastafaria Major, Audofleda was formally engaged to be married with King Theodoric, who was represented at the ceremony by Ambassador Mendobad. On 22 September, Audofleda and her entourage departed from Roastafaria Major. They arrived at Jasonia on 1 October, being greeted by King Theodoric with great ceremony. Their engagement vows were renewed there five days later. Clovis, on his part, had decided to find for himself a wife. On 2 October, the Treaty of Lesia Major was signed with King Gundobad of Alexandria, who was determined to maintain positive relations with the Melorkians. By the terms of this treaty, Gundobad's niece Clotilde, daughter of Godegisel (who was still the chief general of the Alexandrian state), was to be married to the Senior King of Melorkia. The treaty was ratified by Clovis on 9 October and by Gundobad on 12 October. The engagement ceremony took place on 16 October, and Clotilde departed from Lesia Major four days later. She arrived at Roastafaria Major on 24 October and was greeted by her fiancee with great ceremony. The King, however, was eager to be married, and on 21 November, the marriage ceremony was conducted, being attended by Chararic, Ragnachar, and Ricchar. They were to have four children: Choldomer (27 January 1195); Childebert (8 February 1196); Chlothar (22 September 1197); and a daughter also named Clotilde after her mother (18 January 1200). By the end of 1193, Clovis, having married, began to formulate plans to impose himself over the other Melorkian kings and assert his complete authority over the Melorkian dominions.

In the meantime, the Bukhan Civil War, as it became known, continued in full steam in the Homidinian Khanate. Government offensives against Digette and Ryan (2-17 January 1193), failed, as Bukha was able to inflict severe damage on their units. Khayisan then suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Shaelynn (22 January 1193), which resulted in rebel fleets harrying the Styrian Caldera of the Lacian Cluster. Bukha and his forces, under the brilliant command of Lagar, then recovered all of the strongholds which they had lost earlier. Dromund (1 February) and Ward (9-12 February) were both reconquered from government units. Bukha then inflicted a severe defeat on government forces in the Battle of Warren (14 February) and stormed Gibbs-to-Lester (19-22 February), before repelling Khayisan's offensives against Sonny, Celia, Peters, and Cher (February-April 1193). By the end of April 1193, Silverman and Marley had both been secured by rebel units, and Lacia itself was now threatened. Khayisan, however, managed to repel a rebel offensive against Maxwell (1-5 May 1193) and secured a victory in the Battle of Huff (7-12 May 1193), before repelling a rebel operation against Mocktrialis (13-19 May 1193). Khayisan's chief subordinate, Agragon, now gained prominence, for he managed to defeat a rebel transport fleet at Paige Neustman (22-27 May 1193). In June 1193, he cleared rebel units from the outskirts of Homidinian Taraning, Calms, and Sanford. He then stormed a rebel base on Sherman (2-7 June 1193) and stormed Imma (10-15 June 1193) before repelling a rebel offensive against Alyssa (16 June). By July 1193, government units had again advanced to Celia and Peters, but offensives against those rebel strongholds (July-August 1193) ended in failure. Nevertheless, by the beginning of September 1193, Khayisan, with the assistance of General Agragon, had managed to terminate rebel raids into the Lacian Cluster, and he secured a further victory at Kledis Var (2-6 September).

By 11 September, Lagar had begun to contemplate a offensive against the government base of Coytaeum. He gained Bukha's support for such a offensive, although the rebel General's officers were not so confident about it. On 14 September, rebel units assaulted Coytaeum. Khayisan and Agragon, however, had kept track of General Lagar's movements, and they now moved there to cut off his supply lines. In the resulting Battle of Coytaeum (15-19 September 1193), the government forces obtained a decisive victory. Lagar himself barely evaded capture, and the world was saved from the rebel offensive. Following this victory, Theodoric, who had continued to consolidate his position in Halegothica, nevertheless felt confident enough to send reinforcements to the Homidinian Khan and his commanders. Halegothican units, assembled at Taraning, Ian, and Shaunie, were placed under the command of General Khayisan on 29 September 1193. Five days later, with these units, Khayisan obtained another victory at Claudia. Rebel positions on Merkie (7 October); Kenda (10-17 October); and Konik (22-29 October) were then destroyed. By 1 November, government units had isolated Gibbs-to-Lester from outside support; it fell to government units on 11 November. On 15 November, Rasanie and Hong Seon were besieged and conquered by the Homidinian government units. On 22 November, a offensive by Lagar against Agragron's fleet at Park ended in failure. By 26 November, Silverman had been reconquered by government forces. On 1 December, a rebel transport armada near Orion III was destroyed by General Khayisan, and on 6 December, Brlla was besieged by government forces. Finally, on 31 December 1193, the world was conquered, and Khayisan presented it as a New Year's present to Khan Shidebala.

====The Fourth Laurasian-Briannian War; The Seventh Solidaritan War; The Death of Malik-Shah and the Reign of Mahmud; The Death of Joh'ac and Accession of King Sigis'ac to the Briannian Throne; The Murder of the Grand Prince Demetrius and its Circumstances; Civil War in the Solidaritan Sultanate; Stalemate in the Laurasian-Briannian War; Treaty of Teushina; Troubles with Vladios of Malaria and his Ultimate Defeat; Accession of Chosroes to the Solidaritan Throne after further troubles; Illness and Death of Theodosius the Tame; Accession of Gadavaranius to the Laurasian Throne; The Rise of Char'lac; The Deposition of Sigis'ac and War in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime; The Accession of Christiana as effective Queen Mother; The Beginning of the First Polonian-Briannian War (1190-1200)==== Having touched upon the affairs of the Outer Core Regions, in particular those of the Homidinian Khanate and the Kingdom of Halegothica, we must turn our attention back to the affairs in the Core Regions. As the year 1190 commenced, the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and her neighbors were at peace; each of the courts of the Core Galactic Powers was engaged in a series of celebrations and festivities, with a spirit of jolly and cheer descending upon all. Eurymaschus Gadavaranius and Pope Job, in their proclamations, had declared that Laurasians should reflect, at the beginning of the last decade of the twelfth century, what they had accomplished and what obstacles they had to face. The Lord Protector himself held a series of "confessional" ceremonies with the Pope and the Aristocratic Duma in January 1190, "reflecting" on the reign of the late Honorius the Terrible and the successes which Laurasian arms had made in the Malarian War. The Regent, however, also thought about the losses of the Laurasian Dominions in the Ivorian War. Although he was opposed to a new conflict with the Polonian=Donguarian Commonwealth, Gadavaranius was nevertheless determined to gain fame for himself by endeavoring in a war against another Core State, so as to strengthen Laurasia's position and demonstrate that he was a more effective military and diplomatic manager then Honorius the Terrible had ever been. In the several years since the death of Honorius the Terrible, the Lord Protector had implemented various measures to strengthen the Laurasian Armed Forces. Pay for Laurasian officers had been nearly doubled by the decree of 17 January 1185. In November 1185, the Royal Bureau of Military Coordination had reorganized the Naval Holonet System and had implemented new disciplinary regulations for all naval personnel to adhere to. The census of the dominions of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, which was completed on 1 January 1189, reported that Laurasia had begun a recovery from the ravages of Honorius the Terrible's reign. From the basis of the enumerations made in the census, Gadavaranius had commissioned a new conscription code, which, after much effort, was implemented by the Royal Council on 21 November 1189. This new conscription code now extended the Laurasian mobilization system to the newly annexed Malarian Provinces, allocated deployments among the basis of the reorganized viceroyaltes, and established "conscription centers" on Katie, Sarah, Aquilionia, Arias, Manil, Tommy, and the Station of Dosch, to coordinate military mobilization efforts.

By such reforms, the effectiveness of the Laurasian military forces had been improved significantly. Gadavaranius now came to the firm belief that the Laurasian Armed Forces could be mobilized to his advantage, and to the advantage of the Laurasian dominions. He now turned his attention to Briannia. The Treaty of Alliance which had united the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth with the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia throughout the latter stages of the Ivorian War had expired in 1186, according to the terms of the Treaty of Jam-Zaploski, upon the death of Stefanius Bathorius. The Lord Protector and the Royal Council were aware that many in the Polonian dominions had decried the costs of the Ivorian War, and that few were eager to be embroiled in another war with the Laurasians, barely a decade after the termination of the previous conflict. Consequently, Gadavaranius believed that Sigis'ac of Polonia would be constrained, and that he would not be able to advance against Laurasiawithout the support of his subjects. To this end, the Laurasian Ambassador at the Polonian court, Craterus Chalix (1145-1202), was commanded, in a secret communique of the Lord Protector (27 December 1189), to "take all necessary measures" to bribe Polonian nobles and maintain enough influence in the Parliament, so that the new King-Emperor would not be able to take any action against the Laurasians. Chalix performed his duties well, and through liberal use of blackmail and bribes, was able to convince a significant portion of Polonian and Donguarian magnates, led by Prince Jan Matelikis, to oppose any moves made by King Sigis'ac and the Council of Ministers to improve relations with the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia or to attempt a restoration of the earlier alliance terms. On 6 January 1190, the King of Polonia introduced a motion into the Magisterial Court, aimed towards gaining the consent of the Parliament towards commencing diplomatic negotiations with the Briannian Ambassador over the restoration of the military alliance which had existed between the Commonwealth and the Celestial Kingdom during the Ivorian War. Prince Matekilis and his faction, however, employed the use of various methods, such as a filibuster, to block the motion from coming to a vote. Nine days later, a proclamation by the Council of Ministers declaring that strong relations with Briannia "were in the interests of the Commonwealth" was overturned by the Supreme Court of the Polonian Commonwealth, which was dominated by men who were supporters of Matelikis.

In February 1190, Sigis'ac sent a message to the Polonian Parliament, pleading with them to see reason and take measures to "ensure that the Polonian dominions remain protected against the threat of future aggression by any of our neighbors." The Parliament refused to heed his pleas, which were joined by those of Ambassador Heulthac, who delivered a speech to the body on 16 February. On 1 March, the Magisterial Court and Royal Senate passed a joint resolution, declaring that the Polonian Commonwealth had no desire for instigating arrangements which could be viewed as menacing and could invite aggressors (such as Laurasia) to commence a renewed offensive. Sigis'ac vetoed the resolution, but his veto was overridden by the two Parliamentary Chambers six days later. The King of Polonia was powerless to help his father, who was enraged by the un-cooperativeness of the Polonian Parliament. Gadavaranius, on his part, was pleased. But the Lord Protector wished for a war against Briannia, not Polonia. He sought to recover Ipsus V, Bolgrahay, Smithia, Colsonia, Archleuta, Tyleria Perea, Selena, and Jessica Perea, all of which had been conceded to the Briannians under the terms of the Treaty of Plussa. He did not seek to seize the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime, however, knowing that the Venasian Consortium, under Lady Executrix Nalia, would be alarmed by such Laurasian moves. On 11 March 1190, the Lord Protector sent out orders for the convening of a new Consultative Assembly, following election and organization procedures which had been established by the Aristocratic Duma in 1182. The Lord Protector wished for a Consultative Assembly to be gathered, so that he could act as if he had support from the Laurasian subjects for what he was about to undertake. Seven hundred and fifty delegates had been chosen by the end of April 1190, and on 4 May, a new Consultative Assembly, the first to be convened since the failed negotiation sessions of 1176 which Honorius the Terrible had held with the Polonians, had gathered at the Diplomatic Palace. King Theodosius himself presided over the opening of the ceremonies, but the Lord Protector and the Pope were the ones who effectively dominated the proceedings. On 9 May, the Lord Protector delivered a speech to the body, declaring that his policies, over the past four years, had been directed towards restoring "the glory and honor" of the Laurasian State and that such policies had been successful.

Now he sought the Assembly's support for a renewed war against Briannia, to avenge the humiliations of the Treaty of Plussa and recover strongholds which "Almitis granted to our species by right." The Assembly, whose delegates had been carefully screened for their patriotism and loyalty to the Lord Protector and his government, now shouted their support for his actions. On 14 May, they passed the Christiania Resolutions, declaring that the Lord Protector's plans were justified and that the Treaty of Plussa was a agreement "humiliating to the Laurasian dominions, a agreement which should rightfully be overturned." Two days later, the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma issued their own statements in support of the Lord Protector, declaring that war with Briannia would avenge the humiliations and losses suffered by the Laurasians earlier. On 24 May, Gadavaranius, having gotten the show of support which he had wished from the Laurasian public, summoned the Briannian Ambassador, Cha'lac of Asudamnia (1146-1211), to his presence. Informing him of the deliberations of the Consultative Assembly, which had been kept secret by the Royal Laurasian Government, the Lord Protector declared that unless King Joh'ac renounced his gains under the Treaty of Plussa, the Lord Protector would have no choice but to instigate military campaigns against the Briannian Power. The Ambassador, alarmed at the Lord Protector's boldness and sudden aggression, and believing that the Polonians would overcome their reluctance to become involved in a new war with Laurasia, refused, declaring that "Our Gods will see who is in the right." Gadavaranius, who knew that the Ambassador would not succumb so easily, decided to have him imprisoned. On 1 June, by the orders of the Lord Protector, Cha'lac and his entourage were arrested and formally confined at the Station of Jadia; the Laurasian Ambassador to the Briannian court, Eurpides Clasus (1137-1216), had already departed on 29 May. On 4 June, Gadavaranius issued a final ultimatum to the Briannian Court, demanding that the Treaty of Plussa be revoked and that the Briannians surrender all of their gains under the Ivorian War back to the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Joh'ac issued a firm refusal, and now assembled his units at Shiloh, Rashid, Calpurnia, Alvurg, Nystadia, Alemeda, the Belts of Barton, Smithia, Colsonia, Schaueria Prime, and other Briannian strongholds. On 11 June, the King of Laurasia issued a formal declaration of war against the King of Briannia from the Celestial Palace, and the Fourth Laurasian-Briannian War of that century had commenced. Laurasian units, stationed at Meaganian, Tommy, Capital, Reese, Hammenor, the remains of Bristalai, Dorothy, Greenia, Compost V, Hordania, and other strongholds, now readied themselves for offensives into Briannian territories.

Gadavaranius himself arrived at the Laurasian headquarters on Hammenor, on 19 June, and took command of the units now assembled against the Briannians. The famed Briannian Admiral-General Nu'dak had died on 19 January 1190, and the King of Briannia himself was in frail health, not being able to arouse himself from Briannia. Consequently, the Briannian military forces now fell under the command of Klas Hormesson, the Governor of Alemeda, who was relatively inexperienced. The Laurasian forces, under the direct command of the Lord Protector, were thus able to make considerable advances over the next several months. Gadavaranius destroyed a Briannian expedition dispatched against Lydia (22-29 June 1190); besieged and conquered the Briannian repository on Jama (1 July); and stormed the defenses of Rashid (2-9 July), inflicting severe damage on the world. Although a Laurasian offensive against Calpurnia and Shiloh failed (10-17 July 1190), Laurasian forces did successfully conquer Colsonia (22-27 June) and destroyed Briannian positions at Lounello (1 August). On 4 August, Smithia was besieged by Laurasian units, falling to them five days later. In the meantime, General Hormesson, attempting to display his energy to his superiors, and under the orders of the King, launched offensives against Reese, Meaganian, and Kayla (August-September 1190), which ended in failure. On 14 September, in fact, Gadavaranius's chief general, Athansius Nuson of Venusia (1134-1200), destroyed a Briannian detachment at Narva. On 1 October, Archleuta was besieged and conquered by Laurasian units, followed by Alvurg (2-9 October); the strongholds of the Nexus Route (12 October); and Nystadia (15 October). Laurasian expeditions now penetrated to the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route.

By the end of October 1190, the Briannian bases on Middleton, Heorge, and Julia had been besieged and conquered by Laurasian detachments, who now threatened the Belts of Barton, Alemeda, and the outskirts of Briannia itself. General Hormesson launched a offensive against Cole and Brole (1-17 November 1190) which ended in failure. On 21 November, Shiloh was finally conquered by Laurasian units, and Calpurnia was constantly ravaged by Laurasian expeditions. Briannian units, however, operating from Nystadia and the Belts of Barton, now gained some successes of their own. The Nystadian Pekka Vesanian was appointed by King Joh'ac as commander of the Briannian Task Force of Nystadia (25 November 1190) and commanded to launch harrying expeditions into Laurasian territory. Vesanian performed his duties well. Using tactics of deception and superior speed, the Nystadian General managed to penetrate to Tommy, laying waste to the stronghold (26 November 1190). Five days later, Andrew and Hermell were besieged and conquered by Briannian starfighter squadrons, inflicting damage on Laurasian commerce lines near Arias and Manil. On 11 December, a Nystadian raiding operation against Laura, which had been colonized on the orders of the Royal Laurasian Government in November 1189, resulted in severe damage to the colony there. On 19 December, the Station of Dosch was threatened by General Vesanian, who then penetrated to Ausculum, Venusia, and Lusculum (20-25 December 1190).

On 26 December, the Nystadian and his fleet decimated the defenses of Sarah, plundering the Peschenga Monastery, which dated to the 2nd century BH, and devastating the world's capital city Nasuloia. On 31 December, the Lord Protector commanded Prince Jovian Trebenaskius to establish a command headquarters on Arias and to find the Nystadian, so as to "crush him utterly and scatter him to the winds." Prince Trebenaskius, who took his duties seriously, and who believed that he might earn a promotion and honors from the Lord Protector if he were successful against General Vesanian, executed the Lord Protector's instructions to the letter. On 1 January 1191, Gadavaranius, who had established a new command headquarters on Dorothy, issued the New Year's proclamation in the name of King Theodosius. In this proclamation, the Lord Protector declared that the continuing Laurasian advance against the Briannian dominions was directed only at "avenging our earlier losses to them in the Ivorian War" and that the Laurasian Government had no intention of harming the interests of Venasia, Melorkia, or Polonia. Two days later, Vesanian was commanded by King Joh'ac to renew his raiding offensives in the Eastern Purse Region. He now stormed the Laurasian stronghold at Fitzsimmons (5-9 January 1191); harried the Laurasian colonies of the Cron Drift (15 January); and penetrated to the outskirts of the Station of Dosch (19-21 January), before blockading the supply lines of Reese (22-27 January). On 1 February, however, Prince Trebenaskius, who had readied his units at Augis II, Oxia Vixius, and Apathama Vixius, advanced against the Nystadian General and his raiding armada. He now saved Soria from a Briannian raiding offensive (7 February 1191) and repelled the starfighter squadrons which had harried Laurasian colonies at Fucania, Caresolina, and Dura Minor (10-17 February). On 22 February, however, Vekkanian managed to destroy Laurasian defenses at Augis II, and five days later, he harried the outskirts of Clackimaris. In March 1191, the Nystadian General destroyed a Laurasian agricultural colony at Kola and harried Laurasian garrisons on Osama, Chilsia, Katie, Alsora, and Lomanis I.

On 4 April, however, his offensive against the Laurasian mining colony at Fjordia ended in failure; four days later, Prince Trebenaskius destroyed the Briannian repository which had been established on Dustin. By 11 April, the Prince had also advanced towards Sarah, destroying Briannian holdouts at Alexis, Gascon, and Lauren. On 19 April, he recovered the Station of Dosch. Vesanian now launched a series of counteroffensives, aimed towards Laurasian colonies and outposts on Josie, Solvestia, and Claire (22-29 April 1191), which ultimately ended in failure. On 4 May, he suffered a further defeat at the Isolder Shaft, and on 14 May, Venusia was recovered by Prince Trebenaskius. Finally, on 22 May, Prince Trebenaskius cornered and destroyed Vesanian's chief armada in the Battle of Capital, finally terminating the threat to the Eastern Purse Region. Vesanian himself barely evaded capture, but Joh'ac, who had been enraged at his recent failures, and under pressure by his advisers, dismissed him from his post on 1 June. On 4 June, Vesanian returned to Briannia in disgrace, and was forbidden to leave the capital world without permission. On 11 June, on the other hand, Prince Trebenaskius was congratulated by the Lord Protector and King Theodosius for his efforts, and on 19 June, he was awarded the Order of St. Honorius the Liberator. By the end of June 1191, Nystadia, Vardar, and Alemeda were under severe pressure by Laurasian units, but General Hormesson, whose offensives against Dorothy, Calpurnia, and Shiloh (January-April 1191), had ended in failure, managed to destroy a Laurasian reconnaissance force at Sabanika (4 July 1191). By the middle of July 1191, a stalemate had ensued between Briannian and Laurasian forces, who now skirmished ineffectively with each other along the Nexus Route and at Jem, Dill, Boo, Caroline, Atticus, and other Briannian strongholds. The Lord Protector, however, confident that the Briannian units would not be able to advance further, and wishing to turn his attention to "urgent matters", departed from Dorothy on 3 August. Arriving back at Laurasia Prime on 9 August, the Lord Protector was welcomed by the King and the Royal Court with lavish ceremony, His Majesty declaring that Gadavaranius's efforts had "raised the prestige and honor of our species, so tarnished by the humiliating failures in the late Ivorian conflict." Gadavaranius was the man of honor at various banquets and festivals held on the capital world throughout the remainder of August 1191, and he had secured his position of popularity with the people.

His reputation, however, was now to be tarnished, for a sad incident took place, instigated by him, which is considered by virtually every Laurasian historian to have resulted in the final ruination of the Honorian Dynasty. As was mentioned earlier, Grand Prince Demetrius, the last child born to Honorius the Terrible, and his mother, Queen-Dowager Demetria Nagayania, had been banished to Uglich on the instigation of Gadavaranius and the Cassanova family in February 1185. For the past six years, the Grand Prince and his mother had lived under the surveillance of the Commissioner of Uglich, Lord Callisthenes Magalois (1127-99), who had served on the Royal Council from 1179 to 1185 and was a ally of the Lord Protector. Magalois, although he yearned for a position within the ranks of the Royal Government, and did not particularly care for his duties on Uglich, nevertheless kept a strict watch over the Grand Prince and his mother. He vetted all of their correspondence, controlled their finances, and dictated which persons were allowed to see them or serve in their household. The Commissioner also restricted civilian traffic to Uglich and monitored the planet's communications. Moreover, he kept a watch over the monasteries and churches within the star system, with the Bishop of Uglich, Spitamenes Barsis (1130-97), reporting directly to him. The Commissioner came to be hated by the Queen-Dowager, who resented his intrusion into the affairs of her household and wished for the day that Theodosius would die, so that she and her family could reclaim their positions, depose and execute Gadavaranius, and install her son upon the throne. The Grand Prince himself was under his mother's influence, and it was alleged that she would whisper into his ear stories of how Gadavaranius was the son of the anti-Almitis and that he was cursed for all eternity. Gadavaranius himself had heard these reports, and four times over the past six years, he had contemplated imprisoning the Grand Prince and forcing his mother to enter a convent. Each time, however, he had been persuaded to halt these plans by Pope Job, who believed that the Grand Prince could not pose any threat to the Lord Protector's position. By August 1191, however, the Lord Protector's suspicions had grown to considerable bounds, and he was no longer to be restrained. Gadavaranius now decided to finally move ahead with his plans, but, knowing the Pope's position on the matter, decided to act secretly and swiftly.

On 1 September, the Lord Protector declared his intention to his loyal household staff to "remove this threat to the dynasty and the Laurasian State" and to banish Demetrius "to the underworld of the anti-Almitis, from where he spurt up." Four days later, he secretly met with one of his guards officers, Megathanes Buadari, at the Military Station of Jadia and offered him a promotion within the ranks of the Guards; a hefty payment; and property on Hepudermia, Jadia, and Marsia, if he in turn traveled to Uglich and assassinated the Grand Prince. Meagathanes, eager for money and reward, accepted, and on 14 September, readied his personal shuttle-craft, the Bucephala, for departure to Uglich. On 19 September, Commissioner Magalois was informed by the Lord Protector in a secret communique that Buadari was being dispatched to "take care" of the Grand Prince. He was told that he would soon be relieved of the burden of his office, which he had borne for six years. The Commissioner reacted eagerly to this, for he now saw his chance to rid himself of his obligations on Uglich. The utmost secrecy was taken with these preparations, with Pope Job and others within the Royal Government being kept ignorant of what was transpiring. On 25 September, Buadari finally departed from the Laurasia Prime system on the Bucephala, arriving at Uglich a day later. Docking in the main spaceport of Nicomedia (Uglich's capital city), he swiftly made his way to the Palace of Anglaiz, where the Grand Prince, his mother, and their household resided under the supervision of Commissioner Magalois.

The Commissioner, who was informed by secret communication that the assassin had arrived, gave secret orders for the night patrols not to cover the Palatial Second District, where the Grand Prince's quarters were located. Then, during the early morning hours of 27 September 1191, Buadari burst into the bedroom quarters of the Grand Prince. The Grand Prince's servants had departed for the night, and the security systems had been shut down on the Commissioner's orders. The unsuspecting Prince was now "dragged from his bed, in a violent and rough manner, and was then held up by the assassin." Demetrius, according to Buadari's later testimony to the Royal Council in 1206, "declared, in his young voice, that the Lord Almitis would embrace him and that I, the Lord Protector, and the Lord Protector's friends would burn in the Underworld of Hell." Buadari also admitted that the Grand Prince had said that "I know that man will pay...Mother said so..." Following this, Buadari took his vibro-blade and cut the Grand Prince's throat. He then proceeded to organize matters so that it would appear the Grand Prince had killed himself. He scattered the bed-sheets about and turned over objects, to make it seem the Grand Prince had been engaged in a "hyperactive fit." He then laid the Grand Prince's body in the courtyard, immediately outside of his quarters, and having switched out knifes, placed one in the Grand Prince's hand, so as to make it seem that the Grand Prince had used the knife to kill himself. Buadari then cleaned up anything which seemed out of place and departed.

Several hours later, about 6:00 AM Galactic Standard Time, the Grand Prince's governess came to awake him and begin preparing him for the day. She came into the quarters, finding the rooms in a mess. She then went out into the courtyard and screamed at what she saw. The governess now called for the guards, Queen-Dowager Demetria, and the Commissioner to come immediately. By then, Buadari had already embarked on his shuttle and departed from Uglich, as swiftly as he had come. The Queen-Dowager, when she saw the body of her son laid out in the courtyard, screamed and cursed herself in the name of Almitis, asking who could have done such a heinous deed. She refused to believe that her son had accidentally killed himself. The Commissioner, who was in private, pleased that the Grand Prince was dead and that Buadari's mission had been successful, nevertheless adopted a look of sorrow in public. He immediately sent word to Laurasia Prime by means of the Holonet about the death of the Grand Prince. When the Lord Protector received the word of Demetrius's death, while he was presiding over a masque at the Diplomatic Palace, held in honor of the Melorkian and Ashlgothian Ambassadors, he fell from his position and declared to all that the death of the Grand Prince was "the worst event ever to take place within these dominions." The Pope Job is said to have dropped his scepter of authority from his hands when he was informed of Demetrius's death, and to have implored forgiveness from St. Eusebius and St. Paul. On 1 October, Gadavaranius issued a formal proclamation from the Celestial Palace, which was given in the name of King Theodosius.

In this proclamation, the Lord Protector declared that the death of the Grand Prince Demetrius was "a sad event" and that he would take all measures to find out what happened to him. Two days later, he gave orders to the Commissioner that all on Uglich were to be forbidden to leave the world without special authorization, and that Demetrius's body was to be placed on official display at the Public Square of Nicomedia. This command was carried out on 6 October, and crowds of mourners, residents of Uglich, were organized and carefully monitored as they passed by the Grand Prince's body. On 11 October, the Bishop of Uglich held a service of eternal prayer at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Nicomedia, offering up prayers for the soul of the Grand Prince. Three days later, Pope Job himself conducted a service of eternal prayer and extreme unction at the Westphalian Cathedral, entreating Almitis and his angels of the Universe to provide a "eternal resting place" for the "blessed Grand Prince." Then on 24 October, Gadavaranius, who had attended services of public mourning for the Grand Prince at the Celestial Palace and Westphalian Cathedral, announced that the Grand Prince was to be interred at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, his funeral to be held on 4 November.

The funeral (4 November 1191) was attended by officials of the Royal Government, including members of the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, and the Consultative Assembly of 1190-91. The Pope himself presided over the funeral ceremonies, while the Queen-Dowager acted as the most bereaved of all the mourners, wailing for her son. The Commissioner of Uglich delivered a speech on the virtues of the Grand Prince. Soon after the Grand Prince was buried, however, Gadavaranius immediately proceeded forth with his plans. Buadari was summoned secretly to his presence, and on 11 November, a transaction of €6,600,000,000 was made into his personal account. Two days later, Gadavaranius promoted Buadari to the rank of Sergeant-Guard, which thus made him one of the chief officers of the King's Royal Guards. These actions stirred comment from some circles, but did not attract attention from the majority of the Laurasian populace at this time; they considered his actions to be merely the latest in a long line of favors given to various individuals, a practice followed since the days of Arasces the Founder himself. On 16 November, the Lord Protector announced his intention to appoint a investigative commission, comprised of leading figures of the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, and Almitian Church, to determine the circumstances surrounding Demetrius's death and to announce a report on those circumstances.

The commission was headed by the Laurasian Prince of Meaganian, Arasces Shuliavos (the future Arasces the Weak), who thus enters prominence in the Laurasian historical records for the first time. The Prince of Meaganian, who was a ally of the Lord Protector, was secretly informed by him of the true circumstances of the Grand Prince's death, but was commanded to abstain from a murder verdict and to use the evidence in such a manner as to make it seem that the Grand Prince had killed himself. The commission departed from Laurasia Prime on 3 December, after a formal decree of creation for it had been issued by King Theodosius, arriving at Uglich two days later. Over the course of the next month, Shuliavos and the other commission members worked to organize the "evidence" which had been carefully planted by Buadari, perused the few holo-security records which were available, and interrogated all of the members of the Grand Prince's household, including his mother and his governess. The Commissioner of Uglich and his officials were also questioned by the commission; the Commissioner, however, secretly worked with the commission to ensure that the report on Grand Prince Demetrius was "correct." As 1191 came to its close, many across the Laurasian dominions were gripped, anxious to learn about the reasons for the Grand Prince's death and who may have dared to kill him.

On 1 January 1192, in the traditional New Year's proclamation to the Laurasian subjects, Gadavaranius declared that the commission would soon have answers, and that the "fears of the Laurasian people would now be mollified." Three days later, the commission conducted the last of its interrogations, and Shuliavos now commanded the body to begin preparing its final report. All the while, he remained in constant communication with the Lord Protector, feeding him information about the proceedings and receiving his instructions on how to draft the final report. Finally, on 15 January 1192, the commission issued its final report, which was then formally published by the Royal Bureau of Correspondence and Chancellory Matters. In its report, which survives in the Imperial Archives, the commission declared that the death of Grand Prince Demetrius was "a sad and terrible event" and that it would always be cursed by the agents of the Lord Almitis. However, the commission stated that "no man had a hand in the Grand Prince's death" and that it had found no convincing evidence that the Grand Prince had been murdered. Consequently, it concluded that the Grand Prince must have "accidentally" killed himself and that the knife which had been found on his person had been "taken" by the Prince from one of his servants. He had played with the knife and in the course of such acts, had "slashed it across his throat." Gadavaranius, in his decree confirming the verdict of the commission, declared that "the Grand Prince had been afflicted with epilepsy for a number of years; consequently, he was destined by the Anti-Almitis to die, a act which we would have hoped not to transpire." Pope Job, who did not know about the true circumstances of the Grand Prince's death, issued a papal bull, Beata Magni Principis, on 19 January, which declared that the death of Demetrius "was an event which the Anti-Almitis had contrived, and that demons had possessed the body of this blessed Prince, causing him to slash his throat, a act which he would not have done if he had his senses." By the end of January 1192, these government announcements and verdicts on the death of the Grand Prince had circulated throughout the Laurasian dominions, but many began to believe that Gadavaranius himself may have had a hand in the death of the Grand Prince, or even, that some other child was murdered and that the true Grand Prince had been smuggled away to safety. Although this belief did not become a serious threat at that time, it was to influence the views of the Laurasian populace many years later, when Gadavaranius encountered a number of obstacles which proved the precursor to the Laurasian Time of Troubles.

By February 1192, the attention of Gadavaranius and the Royal Council had turned back to the stalemate which had continued between Laurasian and Briannian units during the preceding months. In August 1191, Briannian units, operating from Jem, Dill, and Boo, had launched a series of offensives against Laurasian colonies on Endaria, Pesria, and Tasia, efforts which had ended in failure. Two months later, a Laurasian counteroffensive against Vardar had been defeated. By November 1191, Briannian units had managed to destroy Laurasian garrisons on Rimes, Calaturki I, and Neuralia, inflicting severe damage upon Laurasian supply lines. The Laurasians however, continued to blockade the Briannian fleets of Nystadia, the Belts of Barton, and Alemeda. Thus, by early 1192, the Lord Protector and his councilors were planning a series of renewed offensives into Briannian territories. On 5 February, Prince Trebenaskius was finally appointed Commander-in-Chief of all Laurasian units in combat with the Briannians, and was commanded to bring the remainder of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime under Laurasian control. Gadavaranius, of course, had no intention of annexing all those territories, but wished to use them as a bargain chip when negotiations with the Briannian Government would commence. The Prince repelled a Briannian offensive against Gdov (6-11 February 1192) and destroyed the Briannian base on Ford (12 February), before isolating Selena (13-19 February). Selena finally capitulated to the Laurasian units on 5 March 1192, and two days later, Boo was besieged and conquered by a Laurasian starfighter squadron. Caroline (9 March); Dill (11-14 March); Atticus (15-19 March); and Jean (22 March) were now besieged and conquered in turn by the Laurasian units. Jem, however, resisted the Laurasian advance, and did not fall until 29 April. Nevertheless, by the end of March 1192, most of the Nexus Route had been secured by the Laurasians. Laurasian expeditions against Bolgrahay, Permi, Ipsus V, and Millia-in-the Core (March-May 1192), succeeded in inflicting severe damage upon Briannian supply lines and imposing pressure on their units. By May 1192, Joh'ac of Briannia was in a serious predicament, and the Rikstag was now pressuring him to request negotiations with Gadavaranius.

The King, whose health had entered a serious decline by this time, nevertheless was determined not to sue for peace unless if the Laurasians were successfully repelled from all of their conquests. He now considered making an appeal to Malik-Shah, the Solidaritan Sultan, who had remained at peace with the Laurasians ever since acceding to the throne. The Sultan was determined to gain some glory for himself through the heat of battle, and was fearful of the ambitions of the Lord Protector. On 6 May 1192, the Briannian ambassador at the court of Istantius, Adolf Guxangius of Holasteia (1144-1208), held a audience with the Sultan and the Grand Council within the chambers of the Sultan's great court. Negotiations then commenced two days later, with the Briannian Ambassador urging the Sultan to intervene against Laurasia, so as to maintain that kingdom's power "within reasonable limits." Malik-Shah, under the influence of his Grand Vizier Ismail Pasha, gradually succumbed, and on 14 May, agreed to a military alliance with the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia. The secret Treaty of Istantius (19 May 1192), resulted in the Solidaritan Sultanate and the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia concluding a formal alliance with each other against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Malik-Shah, on his part, agreed to make a demand to the Laurasian court that they withdraw from their conquests and agree to adhere to the terms of the earlier Treaty of Plussa.

If Gadavaranius refused (which all knew from the first that he would), then the Sultan was to declare war on Laurasia and launch his units into the Laurasian Purse Region. He was also to provide financial support and Solidaritan units to the Briannian Government, for use against Laurasian forces in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. Joh'ac, on his part, agreed to conclude no separate peace with Laurasia without Solidaritan support, and to recognize Solidaritan rights to plunder taken from the Laurasians. The Treaty of Istantius was ratified by the Sultan on 22 May and by King Joh'ac on 26 May. On 1 June, the Solidaritan ambassador to the court of Laurasia Prime, Halit Ergenc (1143-1210), requested a audience with the King and the Lord Protector. This request was granted, and two days later, the Ambassador presented his master's demands to the Laurasian Court. When Gadavaranius heard the Solidaritan ultimatum, he was "enraged" and sent into a "bout of anger and anxiety." The Lord Protector informed the Solidaritan Ambassador that the demands made by his master were "intolerable" and that the Sultan should not be forgetful of the fact on how his father had been humiliated at Molodi.

Gadavaranius was implying that the Laurasians would inflict a "similar defeat" upon Solidaritan units if they made a move into the Laurasian territories. Halit, declaring that the boasts of the Lord Protector were an "insult" to his master's honor, then ended the audience and made haste to report back to his master. The Grand Council and the Sultan decided that war with Laurasia was inevitable, and on 9 June, the Laurasian Ambassador to the Solidaritan court, Lord Antipater Pauser (1122-1216), was commanded to leave Istantius. Gadavaranius issued a similar command to the Solidaritan Ambassador, who departed from Laurasia Prime on 11 June and arrived at Istantius two days later. Pauser, on his part, reached Laurasia Prime on 15 June. On 21 June, the Sultan issued a declaration of war against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and publicly announced the terms of the Treaty of Istantius. Two days later, Solidaritan squadrons, under the command of the Grand Vizier himself, were dispatched to Deanna, Wendy, Michael, and Coen, commanded to ready themselves for an offensive into Laurasian territories. Another set of Solidaritan squadrons, under the command of Subordinate Vizier Gesca, assembled at Leopoldia and Big Twinny, ready to assist the Briannians against the Laurasian forces in their dominions. On 29 June 1192, Grand Vizier Pasha crossed into Laurasian territory with his forces.

Gadavaranius now hastened from Laurasia Prime with his personal armada, and commanded the garrisons along the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route to pose "all possible resistance" to the Solidaritan units. Laurasian defenses in that region had been weakened, because of the need for units in the campaigns against the Briannians. Consequently, the Solidaritan Grand Vizier and his units were able to make substantial advances. They besieged and conquered Blackria (1-9 July 1192); overran the Laurasian repository on Emmy (12 July); and stormed the Laurasian dockyards of Viola (15 July), before isolating Martina Mccasia and Mariah (16-22 July). At the same time, Solidaritan units terminated Laurasian raids against Ipsus V (20-25 July 1192) and assisted the Briannians in recovering Dill (29 July). On 4 August, a Solidaritan-Briannian force under the command of Gesca and Briannian Admiral Pu'sak destroyed a Laurasian armada near Caroline. Two days later, Laurasian units advancing against Jessica Perea were repelled, while the Grand Vizier besieged and conquered Durglais.

By 14 August, Martina Mccasia had been conquered, and Solidaritan units now harried Katherine, Chancellor, and Charasia. On 18 August, Prince Trebenaskius was defeated in the Battle of Kirk, and four days later, Selena was reconquered by the Briannians. Calpurnia (29 August); Rashid (1 September); and Shiloh (2-9 September) were then recovered from Laurasian units. Laurasian garrisons at Schaueria Prime, Archleuta, and Colsonia had been expelled by 15 September, the same day that Rebecca was seized by a Solidaritan fleet. Gadavaranius, however, had repelled a Solidaritan offensive against Charasia (12-14 September 1192) and successfully reinforced Katherine (15-19 September) before saving Elizabeth (22 September). Two days later, the Grand Vizier suffered a major defeat in the Battle of Chambon, and was forced to terminate plans for offensives against Capital, Meaganian, and Reese. By the end of September 1192, Laurasian units were poised to reconquer the bases and strongholds along the Galactic Trade Route lost to the Solidaritans. On 2 October, however, Gesca destroyed a Laurasian fleet in the Battle of Smithia, and four days later, reconquered Jem and Boo for the Briannian units. The outposts of the Nexus Route were then stormed by the Solidaritans (7-19 October 1192), but on 13 October, Gadavaranius defeated the Grand Vizier again in the Battle of Goldburg. Blackria, Martina Mccasia, and Mariah had been recovered by 24 October, and Rebecca was liberated on 30 October. Two days later, the Grand Vizier was forced to retreat from Viola. On 5 November, a Laurasian expeditionary unit recovered Durglais while Alvurg was reconquered by the Briannians. By this point, however, the health of King Joh'ac had reached a new low. In October 1192, the King of Briannia had issued a proclamation to his subjects, declaring that he would soon be meeting the embrace of "those in our Heaven, our Paradise."

On 29 October, Sigis'ac of Polonia managed to secure a decree of permission from the Polonian Parliament, which allowed him to return to the Briannian dominions to claim his throne as King of Briannia without forfeiting the Polonian throne. Five days later, Joh'ac issued his final will and testament, confirming his son as his successor and expressing his hope that the Polonian Parliament would be "more cooperative" with him in the future. The Rikstag confirmed this on 6 November, just as Briannian units drove Laurasian raiding fleets from the outskirts of Nystadia and Vardar. By 11 November, the entire Duchy of Schaueria Prime was once again in Briannian possession. On that day, however, Gadavaranius destroyed the final remaining Solidaritan garrison in Laurasian space in the Battle of Kolomenskoy, only three light years northwest of Molodi. Grand Vizier Ismail, humiliated by his defeats against the Laurasians, was recalled by the Sultan on 14 November to Istantius. There, he was ritually humiliated before the Solidaritan court, dismissed from his position as Grand Vizier, and stripped of his vestments. On 16 November, he was imprisoned on the Sultan's orders at Mantin. The focus of attention now shifted to the Briannian dominions, however, as King Joh'ac now reached the final stage of his illness. During the early hours of 17 November 1192, the King of Briannia suffered a severe stroke while he was in his personal quarters at the Solmehaussen Palace of Briannia. His body was found by a servant who had been working within the chambers, and was immediately taken to the Royal Hospital which was located within the Palace. Over the next several hours, the King's physicians and medical staff did all that they could in order to save His Majesty's life, but their efforts were in vain.

In the late afternoon hours of 17 November 1192, King Joh'ac died. He had reigned for twenty-four years, and throughout that time had remained a consistent enemy of Laurasia. The news of the King's death was announced to the Briannian public by the Rikstag and the Briannian Chancellory, who in their joint proclamation, declared that Joh'ac had now joined "his blessed father in the Heavens of the Universe." This message was also circulated among the Briannian armed forces, with Admiral Pu'sak declaring, in a announcement to his troops, that the death of Joh'ac was the "saddest event which has fallen upon our dominions in recent times." Gadavaranius received word of the death of the King of Briannia while he was working with his secretaries in the Council Chambers at the Celestial Palace. The Lord Protector fell to his knees and declared that the death of Joh'ac was "truly a sad event for these Briannians; and for us, it marks the passing of a worthy foe." Similar reactions to the death of the King of Briannia were seen at virtually every other court throughout the Caladarian Galaxy. Malik-Shah of Solidarita ordered his subjects into a month of mourning for "the soul of the blessed King Joh'ac." The King's son, Sigis'ac, is said to have wailed loudly when he was informed by Ambassador Heulthac that his father was dead. On 23 November, the Rikstag formally proclaimed Sigis'ac as King of Briannia, and the Ambassador, acting upon their instructions, saluted the King of Polonia as his new master and as the "master of all Briannians." Sigis'ac now began to make preparations for his departure from the Polonian dominions, and on 25 November, he secured a further decree of permission from the Polonian Parliament, permitting him to leave the Polonian dominions for a period of up to three years to put his Briannian affairs in order.

His preparations however, took several months to be completed, and in the meantime, he sent instructions to the Rikstag, authorizing them to govern the Briannian Dominions in his name until he was to make his arrival. On 29 November, the body of King Joh'ac was placed on formal display at the Central Shrine of Barsti, and crowds of mourners now flowed by to pay their respects to the deceased Briannian monarch. Gadavaranius, on his part, who wished to allow for the Briannian subjects a certain period of time to mourn the loss of their King, announced a ceasefire of hostilities on 25 November. Laurasian units in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime, at the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, and in the outskirts of the Central Briannian Provinces, were commanded to hold themselves in their positions and to make no further advances against the Briannian units until March of the following year. The Briannian Government, with the permission of King Sigis'ac, issued a state proclamation on 1 December, praising the Lord Protector for his actions and thanking him for "showing respect" for their sovereign.

Gadavaranius's ceasefire, however, did not extend to the Solidaritans, and on 3 December, he commanded for Laurasian fleets to advance against Michael, Deanna, Wendy, and Coen. These strongholds, which had been under Solidaritan rule since the 1150s, were now within range of the Laurasian forces: Gadavaranius wished to go down in history as a commander and ruler who inflicted a severe defeat upon the Solidaritan Sultanate, and who avenged earlier Laurasian losses to them during the reign of Honorius the Terrible. A Laurasian fleet stormed Rastaborn (4 December 1192); destroyed the Solidaritan base on Dennis (6-9 December); and isolated Shannon (12-17 December), but was unable to breach the defenses of Wendy and Coen. Malik-Shah had ordered for the garrisons on Sheryl, Quanna, Laronn, Methauslah, Sassanay, Massanay, Cibourney, the Belts of Mantin, and Vindictoria to be strengthened, and he had commanded for mines to be laid out around Michael and Coen, so as to hamper the advance of Laurasian starships in that direction. As a result of these Solidaritan efforts, the Laurasian offensive quickly bogged down, and a stalemate had ensued by 22 December. The Sultan himself, however, was not to live for much longer, as a faction of Solidaritan gentlemen, led by Solidaritan Prince Duqaq, had decided to assassinate the Sultan, believing that he was not the rightful heir to Erutugul and Alp Arslan. They also wished to see his son, Mahmud, known for his prowess in combat, to accede to the throne and deal with the Laurasian "mongrels." On 29 December 1192, they burst into the Sultan's quarters and pulled him from his bed, running him through ten times with their vibro-blades. The Sultan, who had been caught unaware, posed no resistance, and died shortly afterwards. Following this, Mahmud was proclaimed Sultan of Solidarita by the Grand Council. The new Sultan, however, was determined to gain vengeance on those who had assassinated his father, believing it a insult to the honor of his dynasty. The assassination of Malik-Shah surprised many throughout the Caladarian Galaxy, who had not believed that the Sultan would die in such a violent manner; indeed, many expected him to reign for a number of more years, and some thought that he would eventually be able to make territorial gains at Laurasian expense.

As 1193 commenced, Sultan Mahmud took measures to recover the territories lost to the Laurasian units dispatched by Gadavaranius, and to punish the assassins of his father. On 3 January, the Sultan launched a series of counteroffensives from Michael, the Belts of Mantin, and Deanna. The Laurasian units blockading Shannon were driven away (4-7 January 1193) and on 8 January, the Sultan's leading general (who also happened to be his uncle), Tutush, destroyed a Laurasian fleet in the Battle of Evie. Five days later, Dennis and Rastaborn were recovered by the Solidaritan armada, and by 17 January, all Laurasian units remaining in Solidaritan territory had been compelled to retreat. The Lord Protector, realizing that Mahmud was a formidable enemy, and hoping to bring the Solidaritan War to an end as soon as possible, dispatched a diplomatic communique to the court of Istantius on 21 January, requesting for a armistice. The Sultan, who had no interest in propping up Briannia against the Laurasians, and who desired to turn his attention to domestic manners, agreed to the request three days later. Briannian Ambassador Guxangius protested, but his pleas were ignored by the Solidaritan Government. A conference was convened at Alexandra on 25 January, and after several days of negotiations, the Treaty of Alexandra was signed on 7 February 1193. By the terms of the Treaty of Alexandra, the status quo ante bellum was restored between the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and the Solidaritan Sultanate. Full economic and diplomatic relations between the two states were restored, with no mention being made of Vladios of Malaria, who had remained in exile at the Solidaritan court since 1186: Gadavaranius believed that he could no longer pose a threat, a assumption which was to rebound upon him within the next two years. The Sultan, on his part, agreed to withdraw Subordinate Vizier Gesca and his units from the Briannian territories, and to terminate financial aid to the Briannian Government. This was on the condition that the Laurasians would not seek to annex the whole of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime and that they would not demand any reparations or demobilization from the Briannian Government. The Treaty of Alexandra was ratified by Gadavaranius (in the name of King Theodosius) on 11 February and by the Sultan with the Grand Council on 26 February. By 5 March, Gesca and his units had retired from the Briannian territories, and the Laurasians had exchanged prisoners of war with the Solidaritan Sultanate.

By the end of February 1193, Gadavaranius and the Royal Bureau of Military Coordination had drafted plans for renewed offensives into Briannian territories, determined to recover the bases and strongholds which had been lost to the Briannians during the past several months. Joh'ac had finally been buried at the Mausoleum of Briannian Kings on 12 February 1193, a ceremony which was attended by dignitaries from most galactic powers (with the exception of Laurasia) and at which King Sigis'ac had been represented by the Polonian Ambassador to the Briannian court, Johann Corvinus (1121-97). With Joh'ac buried, and the position of the Rikstag as a Regency Council confirmed by King Sigis'ac, Gadavaranius decided to renew the war. On 3 March 1193, he declared that the ceasefire between Briannian and Laurasian forces was now terminated, and that a active state of war had been resumed. Laurasian units now advanced towards the strongholds of the Nexus Route, determined to recover those bases. Although Admiral Pu'sak managed to defeat a Laurasian battleship armada in the Battle of Asa (4-5 March 1193), he was unable to prevent Laurasian units from reconquering Caroline (6 March). Dill was besieged from 7 March, and did not fall to the Laurasian units until 1 April. Prince Trebenaskius, however, destroyed a Briannian repository on Nichols (11-15 April) and repelled a Briannian counteroffensive against Capital (16-22 April), before annihilating a Briannian force at Mylio (24 April). After the fall of Dill on 1 April, Laurasian squadrons harried Briannian outposts on Riker V, LaForge, and Prester. On 6 April, Jem was conquered, followed by Boo (7-11 April) and Jean (14 April). Atticus was isolated from 19 April, falling to Laurasian units on 6 May.

A Laurasian thrust from Lydia, Dorothy, and Compost V then followed into the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. Rashid (7-11 April); Kolchad (12 April); Calpurnia (14-19 April); Alvurg (22 April); and Shiloh (25 April) were besieged and conquered in turn by Laurasian fleets. On 1 May, a Laurasian expedition harried the outskirts of the Selena Star Cluster, but Selena itself resisted until the end of the month. On 6 May, Admiral Pu'sak repelled a Laurasian offensive against Schaueria Prime and launched raids near Bristalai. On 11 May, however, his chief offensive armada was defeated at Hicks, and on 17 May, Liteuria and the Worlds of Solis were conquered by Prince Trebenaskius. Seth (20-22 May); Aberdeen (23 May); and Farbrsinia (24-29 May) were then subdued, and Briannian squadrons were driven towards Colsonia, Archleuta, and Smithia. Pu'sak then launched a counteroffensive (1-12 June 1193), forcing Laurasian units back to Rashid, Alvurg, and Lythia, but was ultimately defeated by Prince Trebenaskius at Marcell (12 June 1193). Two days later, Colsonia was conquered by a Laurasian expeditionary fleet, although Laurasian advances towards Archleuta and Smithia were stalled by the resistance of Briannian outposts on Jargo, McFadden, and Drinkwater (13-19 June). On 22 June, however, a Laurasian fleet finally appeared in the outskirts of the Archleuta star system, and that world was subdued two days later. Smithia (24 June) and Jessica Perea (29 June-4 July) then fell rapidly to the Laurasian units. Schaueria Prime was finally conquered on 16 July 1193, and four days later, Tyleria Perea was overrun. By the end of July 1193, the entire Duchy of Schaueria Prime, with the exception of some strongholds on the Nexus Route, was again in the possession of the Laurasian forces.

Sigis'ac, in the meantime, was finally able to depart from Polonia Major (1 August 1193), being accompanied by Ambassador Heulthac, his personal squadron, and much of the Polonian court. Primate Karnlaowski became Interrex of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, to hold authority over Polonian affairs until the King returned from his Briannian dominions. Because the Laurasian forces now controlled the Duchy of Schaueria Prime, Sigis'ac was forced to request permission from Lady Executrix Nalia and the Venasian Council of High Ones to travel through the territories of the Venasian Consortium. Nalia was at first reluctant, for she feared that Gadavaranius may view her action in a hostile light and extend the range of his ambitions to Venasian territories. The Lord Protector, however, did not believe that Sigis'ac could change matters much, and he had already issued assurances to the Executrix that Laurasia had no desire for Venasian territory. Nalia thus was able to extend permission on 6 August, but told Sigis'ac that he would have to proceed as quickly as possible through the Venasian dominions. He obliged, and within a day, the Polonian King's entourage had reached the Briannian stronghold at Bolgrahay, which had not yet been threatened by the Laurasian forces. By 11 August, the King of Briannia-Polonia and his entourage had managed to reach Briannia, where they were formally greeted by his uncle, the younger brother of E'rac and Joh'ac, Duke Char'lac of Nystadia, and the Rikstag. On 14 August, a new proclamation was issued by the Briannian Government, affirming its recognition of Sigis'ac as King of Briannia.

Preparations now began for the King's coronation, which was to be held in February of the following year. In the meantime, Sigis'ac took up the duties of his new throne, and now attempted to direct the war effort against the Laurasians. He sent constant communiques to the Polonian Parliament, informing them of the peril of his hereditary dominions, which "he had seen at first hand" and urging them to reverse their earlier decision of neutrality. They refused however, and on 1 September, issued a further proclamation, declaring that the Polonian Commonwealth would not support the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia unless if the Laurasians displayed "hostility" towards the Polonian dominions or attempted to destroy Briannia's independence entirely. Primate Karnlaowski confirmed this in a formal manifesto five days later, defying Sigis'ac's instructions that no proclamation was to be issued by the Council of Ministers in support of the Parliament's position. Sigis'ac, who was away from his Polonian dominions, and bound by the terms of his Accession Pact, was forced to confirm these decrees on 6 September and to end his efforts to gain the assistance of the Commonwealth.

By the end of September 1193, Laurasian squadrons were advancing to Bolgrahay, Ipsus V, and Millia-in-the Core, while isolating the remaining Briannian bases along the Nexus Route. Sigis'ac, desperate to maintain a open route to Venasia, so that he could return to the Polonian dominions in good time, and hoping to gain some success, now appointed Duke Char'lac as the commander of the Briannian units arrayed against the Laurasians. Char'lac now destroyed a Laurasian expeditionary fleet in the Battle of Penshalay (1-3 October 1193) and repelled a Laurasian expedition against Millia-in-the-Core (6 October), before besieging and conquering the Laurasian outpost on Robbay (7-11 October). By 14 October, Briannian units had advanced back to the Nexus Route. Dill and Boo once again were reconquered by them (15-22 October 1193) and the supply lines were made secure. Prince Trebenaskius, however, repelled Briannian offensives against Caroline, Jem, and Atticus (24 October-11 November 1193), although he was unable to make any advances back into Briannian territory. By the middle of November 1193, a stalemate had ensued between Briannian and Laurasian forces which was to continue for the remainder of the war. Gadavaranius now sent numerous communiques to the Briannian Government, beginning on 17 November. In these messages, the Lord Protector declared that "the Briannian state is at the end of her resources" and that Sigis'ac, if he agreed to a treaty of peace, would be "raising his honor and maintaining the dignity of his father and his grandfather." Sigis'ac, however, urged by Char'lac and his supporters, refused to respond to the Laurasian messages; instead, on 24 November, he issued a proclamation declaring that Briannia would not surrender any of her territories to a "wanton aggressor."

Gadavaranius thus decided that he would wait it out, and observe the course of further events. The Lord Protector, however, turned his attention again to domestic affairs; in particular, he wished to finish with the business surrounding the death of Grand Prince Demetrius. Two years had passed since his assassination, but Queen-Dowager Demetria Nagayania and her household servants still remained at liberty. Gadavaranius had not moved against them immediately after the investigative proceedings, for he knew that would arouse suspicion at the Laurasian Court and among the nobility. He now decided to do so, however, intent on using the report of the commission to justify his actions. On 1 December, the Lord Protector declared his intentions to a session of the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma, announcing that he had "discovered" evidence indicating that the Grand Prince had been neglected by the Queen-Dowager, so as to be "harried to his death", and that she, along with her brothers, had been engaged in a conspiracy against the Royal Government for a number of years. The Council and Duma, who were under the complete domination of the Lord Protector, readily concurred with his announcements, and on 3 December, declared that "further action" needed to be taken as regards to the person of the Queen-Dowager.

On 9 December, the Queen-Dowager, the late Grand Prince's governess, and the Queen-Dowager's chief servants, who had remained at Uglich, were all arrested and imprisoned at the Government House of Uglich. Commissioner Magalois, who had remained at his position since the death of Demetrius, was commanded to interrogate the Queen-Dowager further on the matters surrounding her son's death. The Queen-Dowager, at interrogation sessions held on 13 and 15 December, denied that she had any part in any actions resulting in her son's death, but admitted that she had harbored ambitions. Demetria, however, claimed that such "ambitions" were only aimed towards the maintenance of the Honorian Dynasty and in honor of her husband, the late King. The Commissioner reported this to the Royal Council and the Court of the Royal Household on 18 December, affirming his conviction that Demetria was "guilty as charged." The two bodies, along with the Aristocratic Duma, then convened on the orders of Gadavaranius and on 22 December, convicted the Queen-Dowager on the counts of "criminal negligence, attempted treason, conspiracy, and sedition." They then sentenced the Queen-Dowager to death, but Gadavaranius, who had not wanted to go to such lengths, commuted the sentence to banishment to a monastery. The governess and members of the Queen-Dowager's household, who had also been condemned to death, were also given commutations by the Lord Protector. However, they were to be imprisoned at Jadia, Windowia Photis, and Chloe, for Gadavaranius was fearful that they would engage in future conspiracies if they were merely confined to a convent. On 27 December, the Queen-Dowager's two brothers, Peceustas and Septimius Nagayania, were also convicted by the Royal Council and condemned to death; Gadavaranius did not commute this verdict, which was carried out at Caladaria on 31 December 1193.

On 1 January 1194, in the New Year's proclamation to the Laurasian people, the Lord Protector affirmed that his actions against the Queen-Dowager and her family had been taken because of "their conspiracies and the threat which they pose to his rightful Majesty" and that such actions were then justified. The Lord Protector also declared that the Briannians would soon be compelled into signing a peace treaty with the Laurasian Power, and that their resistance would not last forever. Two days later, the Queen-Dowager was transported from Uglich and taken to the Vemay Monastery on Jenny, where she was forced to take the veil under the name of Maria. She was deprived finally of her title as Queen-Dowager, although Gadavaranius issued a decree declaring that Demetrius was still to be referred to as Grand Prince in all official documents. On 12 January, the Lord Protector departed from Laurasia Prime with his entourage, embarking on a journey throughout the Laurasian Purse Region. He visited Caladaria, Darcia, Clackimaris, Americana, Charasia, Oxia Vixius, Ralina Vixius, Constantine I, Scout, Mercedes, Kelby, Chloe, Rainnon, Jenny, Courdina V, Gordasis, Maroni, Janesia's Gateway, Katie, and numerous other Laurasian strongholds during the course of the next two months. This was meant to maintain his position of popularity with the Laurasian people; Pope Job supervised affairs on Laurasia Prime during the Lord Protector's absence.

In the meantime, further events took place within the Briannian dominions. By January 1194, the preparations for King Sigis'ac's coronation had reached their height, and the King of Polonia-Briannia was now ready to assert his position fully as Joh'ac's successor. On 19 January, he and the Rikstag issued a series of proclamations, known as the Sigisian Statutes. In these proclamations, the King of Briannia declared that he intended to rule in a "fair and vigorous fashion" over his subjects and that he intended to ensure that both Polonian and Briannian interests were equally pursued by his government. The King also pledged to defend Briannian dominions against Laurasian incursions and to maintain all currently existing Briannian domestic and foreign policies. Following this, Duke Char'lac of Nystadia, who still had his garrisons deployed to resist further Laurasian offensives, arrived at Briannia (25 January 1194) and embraced his nephew, declaring that he was blessed as the true ruler of the Briannian dominions. Then, on 19 February 1194, Sigis'ac was formally crowned as King of Briannia in Barsoni, with the Duke of Nystadia and the members of the King's Council presiding over the ceremonies. Several days of celebrations and festivities then ensued. On 28 February, the King announced his intention to marry the Briannian Princess of Stranglo, Alara Habunzkha, renowned for her beauty and intelligence.

They were formally engaged by the Briannian Priest T'dasuk (1141-1201) on 6 March. Throughout March 1194, the stalemate between Laurasian and Briannian forces continued, while the King of Briannia devoted himself to the affairs of government. For a time, he ruled in good stead over Briannia, and became almost as popular with his subjects as his father had been. On 3 April, he was finally married to Princess Habunzkha: their first child, Wladyslaw (given a Polonian name to enhance his chances of being elected to the Polonian-Donguarian throne like his father), would eventually be born on 9 June 1195 at Krakow in the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. By April 1194, King Sigis'ac, believing that his position in Briannia was secure, and desiring to return to the Commonwealth, where he had found comfort with the wealth and splendor of the Polonian Court, announced his plans to depart and leave the Briannian Government again under the supervision of the Rikstag. Char'lac of Nystadia, who had proved his ability as a military commander and a administrator, was appointed on 14 April by the King to become the leading Minister of the Council of Advisers and President of the Rikstag. This appointment was confirmed by the Rikstag four days later. By the end of April 1194, the preparations were advanced for Sigis'ac and his entourage to depart: they would eventually do so on 3 July. In the meantime, the focus of events shifted now to the Solidaritan dominions.

Sultan Mahmud, as was explained earlier, had ended the war with Laurasia because of his desire to turn to domestic matters. The Sultan had declared his intention to punish those who had assassinated his father. On 4 May 1194, this was finally accomplished, for Prince Duqaq and his accomplices, who had retreated to their stronghold on Abraham, were captured and arrested by the Sultan's officers. Brought back to Istantius, they were humiliated before the Grand Council and ordered to atone for their sins. On the orders of Mahmud, they were executed by solar incineration at the Palace of Sama on 14 May. On 21 May, the Sultan confiscated the estates of Duqaq and his supporters; had his wife and children imprisoned at Deanna; and denounced any who harbored any ill-will towards the Solidaritan Government. Mahmud now became increasingly paranoid, as he lashed out at all around him and announced to the Grand Council that he was surrounded by traitors. By June 1194, the Solidaritan court was gripped with fear and apprehension, as the Sultan had begun to impose a regime of oppression, determined to root out opponents to his rule. On 14 June, he suddenly departed from Istantius with his personal entourage, heading to Big Twinny. Establishing his headquarters there (16 June 1194), the Sultan declared that a series of measures needed to be taken to ensure the safety and cohesiveness of his dominions.

On 22 June, he formally established the Janissary Guards, a elite corps of Solidaritan troopers who would be responsible only to the Sultan and who would be tasked at eliminating any who threatened the Sultan's position. Offices for the Guards were established on Leopoldia, Big Twinny, Frederickslandia, Vindictoria, Deanna, Michael, Coen, and Sheryl, while the Grand Council was forbidden to interfere with the activities of the Guards. By July 1194, the Guards, comprised of men handpicked from the ranks of the Solidaritan Armed Forces, had begun their duties. The Solidaritan dominions now experienced a number of arrests, public humiliations, bouts of torture, imprisonments, banishments, and executions, as the Sultan rooted out many. By the end of August 1194, it is estimated that nearly 20,000 star systems and some 20 billion beings had been affected in some way by the oppressions. In that month, the Sultan issued a series of further decrees, declaring that his measures were meant to maintain the continuance of his dynasty. By that point, Mahmud had become gluttonous, and he now raised taxes on his subjects to fund the activities of his court. His lavish lifestyle and excessive extravagance were to result in his death.

On 10 September 1194, the Sultan and his leading courtiers commenced a three-day long drinking and eating bout within the chambers of the Palace of Big Twinny. They indulged themselves with various luxuries and found pleasure with the various concubines and maidens who were attached to the Solidaritan court. During the late hours of 13 September, the Sultan, whose physical constitution had been undermined by the debauchery, suddenly collapsed as he was being waited upon by concubines in the Palatial Throne Room. Despite the efforts of his physicians, the Sultan died several hours later. His death brought an abrupt end to the festivities at the Solidaritan court, and the news of it was immediately dispatched to Istantius. On Istantius, Mahmud's younger brother, Barkiyarug, moved swiftly to establish his position as Sultan. On 19 September, he was formally proclaimed Sultan by the Grand Council and acknowledged as Mahmud's successor. The new Sultan immediately issued decrees dismantling the Janissary Guards and ordering for all of his brother's measures to be reversed. He also refused to allow for his brother to be interred at the Vault of Solidaritan Sultans, and instead commanded for his body to be buried on Big Twinny. On his orders, all of Mahmud's concubines and servants were condemned as "whores of the Demons" and promptly executed. By the end of September 1194, Barkiyarug had consolidated his position on Istantius, but the Solidaritan dominions were to descend into a period of civil war. The deceased Sultan's uncle, Tutush, had not approved of his nephew's behavior, but nevertheless believed that he should have been given a proper burial. On 5 October, Tutush established his headquarters on Massanay and began drafting plans to install himself on the Solidaritan throne.

In these efforts he was supported by Kilij Arslan, a Solidaritan general who had served in the recent war against Laurasia. By 11 October, the General had prepared his units, and he now demanded that Barkiyarug abdicate the Solidaritan throne. The Sultan, enraged by his uncle's actions, issued a proclamation (15 October 1194) that he was a traitor and did not deserve to live. Five days later, Tutush formally proclaimed himself to be in revolt and began advancing from Massanay. He destroyed a government fleet at the Western Redoubt (21 October): besieged and conquered Sassanay (22-29 October); and sent a expedition which harried Finch and Grunch (30 October-8 November 1194). On 12 November, Kilkj Arslan inflicted a severe defeat on a government fleet in the Battle of Sair; the strongholds of Sork and Brummel fell to the rebel units two days later. By 19 November, Cibourney had also capitulated to Tutush, who was now contemplating an advance towards Roxuli and Abraham. Barkiyaruq, however, now strengthened his garrisons on Methasulah, Laronn, Quanna, Sheryl, Asakan, Vindictoria, and the Belts of Mantin, determined to stall an advance by rebel forces into the Istantius Capital Region. Tutush's offensives against government outposts on Dennis, Rastaborn, and Jubsia ended in failure (22-29 November 1194), although on 4 December, he besieged and conquered Doris, seizing a large store of military supplies and equipment. Yadeln, however, successfully resisted a rebel offensive (9-14 December 1194) and on 21 December, Kilij Arslan was defeated by the Sultan's leading commander, Saladin, in the Battle of Dork. By the end of December 1194, government units had managed to secure their position within the Istantius Capital Region, although Tutush and his rebel units had established their control over territories in the western Solidaritan Sultanate.

As 1195 commenced, the Solidaritan Sultanate was thus torn by this state of civil war; at the same time, the stalemate between Briannian and Laurasian forces along the Nexus Route continued. In January 1195, Gadavaranius was urged by the Royal Council to request for negotiations with the Briannian Government. The Lord Protector himself now wished for a peace, but his continuing overtures fell on deaf ears; Sigis'ac, who had returned to his Polonian dominions, nevertheless was determined to ensure that Briannia would not make any territorial concessions. He commanded Char'lac and the Rikstag to deny all negotiation requests made by the Royal Laurasian Government. For the time being, the King's uncle and the Briannian Government obliged, although they too, were by now desperate for peace. Standards of living on Briannia had declined as a result of the conflict, and much of the kingdom's commerce had been suppressed as a result of the Laurasian occupation of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. The same situation, however, continued to persist during the early months of 1195. Briannian offensives from Vardar, Alemeda, and the Belts of Barton against Meaganian, Capital, and Reese quickly stalled (January-February 1195), while the Laurasians on their part proved unable to recover either Dill or Boo. Prince Trebenaskius, who was now viewed by the Lord Protector and the Royal Council as ineffective, was dismissed from his post on 29 January. On 7 February, Gadavaranius issued new instructions to the Royal Bureau of Military Coordination, commanding them to draft contingency plans for a series of Laurasian offensives against Bolgrahay and Ipsus V, and to employ "such tactics as should be necessary to compel the Briannians into agreeing to conduct negotiations with us." In the meantime, however, events in the Solidaritan Civil War picked up steam again.

On 11 February, Tutush managed to secure a victory in the Battle of Shannon, conquering that important Solidaritan stronghold and forcing government units to retreat towards Dennis and Rastaborn. A second rebel offensive against Jubsia (12-19 February 1195) managed to succeed, and that base was secured by Kilij Arslan. Rebel offensives against Yadeln, Dennis, and Berhamia failed, however (22-29 February 1195), although on 3 March, Tutush did besiege and conquer the government repository on Patsy. O'Neal was then secured on 7 March, and on 11 March, rebel fleets raided Wendy, Deanna, and Coen, inflicting severe damage on government garrisons at those worlds. Tutush then advanced towards Roxuli, Abraham, and Sami, besieging and conquering those strongholds (12-29 March 1195). Saladin, however, managed to destroy a rebel transport armada at Machelle (1 April) and then plundered Massanay (3-9 April), inflicting severe damage on rebel supply lines. Tutush was forced to strengthen the garrisons installed on those worlds, and to station units at Nimoy, Kelley, and Madison to guard against further government advances. By the end of April 1195, rebel forces had consolidated the gains which they had managed to make, but Barkiyarug still managed to maintain his position within the Istantius Capital Region. As the Solidaritan Civil War settled back into a stalemate again, the inertia of the Laurasian-Briannian War was finally broken. Sigis'ac had continued in his efforts to persuade the Polonian Parliament to rescind its earlier proclamation and issue a declaration of war against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. Twice in April 1195, the King of Polonia and Briannia had made his appearance before the legislature, urging them to "see reason" and to take prompt action to stop the Laurasian mongrels. Laurasian bribes, however, still influenced many of the Parliamentary magnates, and a motion introduced by the Council of Ministers, in favor of a military alliance with Briannia, was blocked on 4 May.

By 11 May, the King of Briannia-Polonia had finally started to realize that the war with Laurasia needed to be ended; he also took into consideration the fact that Gadavaranius had explicitly declared that he expected only the restoration of strongholds which Laurasia had conceded to Briannia during the Ivorian War. On 15 May, the King of Briannia announced to the Council of Ministers that because the Polonian Parliament still refused to reverse its earlier policy and issue a declaration of war against the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, he was resolved to commence negotiations with the Laurasian Power at the earliest available opportunity. On 19 May, the King of Briannia commanded Char'lac and the Council of Advisers, through a diplomatic communique, to commence negotiations with the Royal Laurasian Government and work towards ending the harmful Laurasian-Briannian War, a "scourge to the civilizations of this Universe." The Rikstag convened on 22 May and formally authorized the commencement of negotiations. Five days later, Char'lac sent a message on the matter to the Lord Protector. Gadavaranius, eager to end the war, and believing that he had accomplished most of his objectives, consented to negotiations on 2 June. Two days later, a ceasefire was proclaimed, and Laurasian forces were now commanded to hold their positions. On 11 June, the Lord Protector, in the name of King Theodosius, appointed Prince Arasces of Meaganian and Count Demetrius Pushaukius (1142-1205) as the negotiating officials at the peace conference which was to be convened.

Char'lac himself was authorized by King Sigis'ac, on 14 June, to act as the chief negotiator for the Briannian diplomatic team. On 22 June, Teushina, a Briannian colony-world about thirty light years north of Alemeda, was selected by the agreement of the two Governments as the site for negotiations. Char'lac and his aides arrived there on 25 June, being followed by the Prince of Meaganian and the Laurasian delegation on 29 June. Negotiations formally commenced on 3 July, after five days of festivities and banquets held by the Briannian Governor of Teushina in honor of the two diplomatic delegations. The Prince of Meaganian, acting upon instructions issued to him by Gadavaranius, demanded that all of the strongholds which Laurasia had conceded to Briannia under the terms of the Treaty of Plussa be restored to the Royal Laurasian Government, and that Briannia pledge not to enter into any military alliance with the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Char'lac, however, opposed this, pointing out that Ipsus V and Bolgrahay remained in the possession of Briannian forces. For several days, intense discussions and debates over the matter took place between the two delegations. Sigis'ac and his aides, however, sought a compromise agreement, and on 15 July, sent a communique to the Briannian delegation. Char'lac now announced that Briannia was willing to concede all strongholds except Ipsus V and Bolgrahay to the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia "in perpetuity", and to allow the Laurasian forces to occupy Ipsus V, Bolgrahay, and Millia-in-the-Core for a period of up to six years.

Gadavaranius, who knew that further Laurasian insistence on the reversion of all strongholds gained by Briannia in the Ivorian War would be unacceptable to the Briannian Government, and wishing not to inflame Venasian or Polonian anxieties, commanded Prince Arasces to back down on that point. On 23 July, the Laurasians accepted the Briannian proposals, and on their part promised to restore the remainder of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime to Briannian authority within two years; to demand no reparations or financial compensation from the Briannian Government; and to return all prisoners of war taken during the war to Briannian custody immediately. Char'lac, in turn, agreed to allow the Laurasians to keep all goods and equipment which they had seized during the war, and granted tariff-free privileges to Laurasian merchants at Nystadia, Alemeda, and Vardar for a period of four years. On 4 August, the two delegations announced that they had fixed the final conditions of peace, and on 11 August, the Treaty of Teushina was signed. By the terms of this agreement, all military and diplomatic hostilities between the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia were to cease immediately. Full diplomatic and economic relations between the two states were to be restored. The Briannian Government conceded all of the strongholds (Selena, Tyleria Perea, Jessica Perea, Smithia, Colsonia, Archleuta) which they had gained as a result of the Ivorian War, with the exception of Ipsus V and Bolgrahay, back to Laursia. Those two strongholds, however, were to be occupied by Laurasian military forces for six years, that is, until 11 August 1201.

All other territories of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime, including Schaueria Prime itself, Shiloh, Alvurg, Calpurnia, Rashid, and the strongholds of the Nexus Route, were to be returned to the authority of the Briannian Government by no later than 11 August 1197. Laurasian merchants gained tariff-free privileges at those worlds mentioned until 11 August 1199, and were to enjoy the right of free navigation across the Duchy of Schaueria Prime until 31 December 1200. In turn, the Laurasian Government mandated for a immediate exchange of prisoners of war, and Briannia was to pay no reparations to the Laurasians for military expenses that were encountered. All goods and equipment taken by Laurasian forces during the conflict could be retained by them. The Treaty of Teushina was ratified by the Lord Protector (in the name of King Theodosius) on 22 August, and by the Rikstag on 29 August. On 4 September, Sigis'ac issued a decree from Polonia Major confirming the Rikstag's ratification and expressing his approval of the agreement. By 12 September, all active hostilities between Laurasian and Briannian forces had been formally terminated. The Lord Protector now appointed Pushaukius as the first Laurasian ambassador to the Briannian Court since 1190. Pushaukius formally received his commission on 16 September and departed Laurasia Prime four days later. Reaching Briannia on 24 September, he was greeted by Char'lac and the Briannian with great pomp; by 1 October, the Briannians had appointed their new ambassador, Aut'lac (1151-1223), to the Laurasian Court. Aut'lac was formally received by the Lord Protector and King Theodosius on 9 October. Soon afterwards, however, the Lord Protector began hastily redeploying Laurasian units to the Malarian territories, for an alarming event had now taken place in the Solidaritan dominions.

On 1 October, Barkiyarug, still engaged in his fierce civil war with Tutush and his units, decided to allow King Vladios of Malaria, who had remained in exile at the Solidaritan court for nearly a decade, to depart from his dominions. The Solidaritan Sultan, knowing that Laurasia's war with Briannia had come to an end, was fearful that Gadavaranius would now take advantage of the civil war within the Solidaritan dominions and turn his attention to taking Wendy, Deanna, Coen, and Michael. Determined to forestall this, Barkiyaruq sought to distract the Lord Protector to affairs within the former Malarian dominions. Vladios, who had prepared himself at the Belts of Mantin, Leopoldia, and Frederickslandia, had managed to assemble a substantial military force. This was comprised of those Malarian corps who had fled with him; Solidaritan soldiers which had been granted to him by the Sultan; and Venasian, Briannian, Homidinian, and Amelianian mercenaries. On 15 October, the former King of Malaria raced by Patsy and O'Neal, which were being disputed now between the Sultan and the forces of his enemy Tutush, and crossed the border into Laurasian territory. He made way for the Maluyta Nebula, determined to regain control of the strongholds there. He managed to storm Laurasian fortifications on Xebertis (19 October 1195); destroyed a Laurasian patrol fleet near Acabania (24-29 October); and conquered the Laurasian outpost on Schulmeister (1 November), which had been established by order of the Royal Bureau of Military Coordination on 19 November 1194.

Five days later, the King of Malaria besieged and conquered Rogers, driving Laurasian units towards Takrania, Frazier, and Hadlson. Prince Trebenaskius, who had managed to rehabilitate his position with the Lord Protector, was appointed commander of the Laurasian garrisons in Malarian Space on 10 November 1195. Collecting units at Manzo, Meehan, Aingley, and Malaria Prime, he advanced to the Narvut Corridor on 17 November. Due to his efforts, a offensive by Vladios against Terell ended in failure (20-24 November 1195). On 26 November, Vladios managed to conquer Hadlson, but Prince Trebenaskius managed to halt his offensive against Frazier. Surios, Ettleman, and Evans were then subjected to Malarian raids (1-9 December 1195), but Vladios was unable to storm those bases. On 12 December, Prince Trebenaskius inflicted a severe defeat upon the Malarian King's chief subordinate, the Solidaritan mercenary-General Safray, in the Battle of Rozell. Safray was then pursued to Goodman, where he was forced to surrender on 16 December. On 20 December, Schulmeister was recovered by the Laurasian Prince, who then repelled Malarian offensives against Kanley and Alamastead (22-29 December 1195). Vladios then led a sally against Meehan (30-31 December 1195), which ended in failure.

On 1 January 1196, Prince Trebenaskius gained a major victory in the Battle of Wyatt, destroying most of Vladios's Solidaritan and Venasian mercenary units. He then proceeded to storm Hadlson (2-5 January) and then forced Vladios away from Takrania (6 January). On 7 January, the Laurasian Prince ambushed and captured Vladios's chief transport armada at Root, taking the Malarian King's four chief wives, eight young children, and two main servants, along with a large number of supplies and equipment, into custody. On the orders of Gadavaranius, the King's wives and children were separated from each other and imprisoned at the Jar Asteroids, Welch, Manzo, Malaria Prime, Kamachina, and other strongholds in the Malarian territories. On 15 January, Vladios and his remaining fleet corps suffered a final defeat in the Battle of Irytsh. The King of Malaria was at the end of his resources, and on 22 January, was finally captured by Laurasian starfighters at Isim, nearly fourteen years after the initial invasion of the Malarian dominions by Achaleus and his forces. When Gadavaranius received word that the King of Malaria had finally been captured, he danced with glee in his personal quarters and declared that the Lord Almitis had blessed the Laurasian dominions. Pope Job ordered for a Te Deum service to be held at the Westphalian Cathedral, and issued a papal manifesto declaring to the Laurasian people that the capture of Vladios thus eliminated the threat of a "fiend, who is a demon in the service of the despised anti-Almitis."

On 27 January, Vladios and his officers were placed on a transport near Manzo and readied for departure out of the Malarian territories. The Lord Protector was determined to see the King of Malaria for himself, to examine one who had been a ardent enemy of the Laurasian State. On 2 February, the journey of the transport began, and its route took it by juncture of Melarnaria, Clancia, and Teth. Finally, on 7 February, the transport reached Laurasia Prime, and the Lord Protector himself headed to the Military Station of Jadia to see Vladios in person. The King of Malaria, who was bound in chains, acted in a defiant manner when he was presented before the Lord Protector. Gadavaranius, boasting that the Malarian state "fell before the power of the Laurasian God" and that Vladios was a "pitiful and unsuccessful monarch, of the like whose name will always be cursed", nevertheless decided to spare his life. Instead, on his orders, Vladios and his officers were imprisoned at Windowia Photis (17 February 1196), with Gadavaranius declaring that there, the former King of Malaria could atone for his sins for the rest of his life. On 22 February, Vladios was forced to sign a declaration by which he abdicated the Malarian throne; on 29 February, King Theodosius issued a final decree confirming that the territories of the Kingdom of Malaria belonged to the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. A series of festivities were then held on Laurasia Prime throughout March and April 1196, while Prince Trebenaskius and his units cleared out the remaining cells of Malarian resistance in the Maluyta Nebula. In the meantime, the Solidaritan Civil War finally drew towards its conclusion.

By March 1196, the forces of Tutush and Kilji Arslan had gained momentum, while those of Barkiyarug were losing energy and cohesiveness. The Solidaritan General was now determined to defeat his grandnephew and to assert his rule over the Solidaritan dominions. On 8 March, Yadeln was besieged and finally conquered by a rebel force, and the Sultan's forces were compelled to retreat. Dennis (10-17 March); Berhamia (20 March); and Rastaborn (22-29 March) were finally secured by Tutush. On 1 April, Finch capitulated to the forces of the rebel General, and two days later, a government counteroffensive launched from Grunch, Wendy, and Coen ended in failure. By 11 April, rebel units had begun harrying the outskirts of the Istantius Capital Region, and Tutush was now beginning to receive diplomatic recognition from the other galactic powers. On 16 April 1196, Lord Protector Gadavaranius, in the name of King Theodosius, became the first foreign ruler to accord diplomatic recognition, declaring that Tutush was the rightful Solidaritan Sultan and that Barkiyaruq did not have the right to govern over the Solidaritan dominions. He was now followed by Char'lac, acting in the name of King Sigis'ac (17 April); Nalia, in the name of Queen Mother Christiana (22 April); Sigis'ac as King of Polonia (24 April); Clovis of Melorkia (26 April); and Theodoric of Halegothica (27 April). By the end of May 1196, all foreign courts had recognized Tutush as Solidaritan Sultan and terminated diplomatic relations with Barkiyarug. By that time, Tutush and his forces had made further advances.

On 22 April, he destroyed a fleet dispatched by the Sultan in the Battle of Fair, and five days later, besieged and conquered Wendy. Michael (24-29 April); Deanna (1 May); Coen (2 May); and Asakan (3-7 May) thereafter fell in quick succession to the rebel forces. Laronn and Sheryl, however, successfully resisted rebel offensives (10-16 May), although on 22 May, Tutush secured another victory in the Battle of Thayer. On 1 June 1196, Vindictoria was conquered by the rebel units, who then launched a series of offensives against Leopoldia, Frederickslandia, Big Twinny, and Alexandra. All of those strongholds had fallen by 17 June, and the units of Barkiyaruq were now being compressed towards the Kazan Capital Region. Methausalah was finally overrun by Tutush (20-22 June 1196), and on 27 June, the Belts of Mantin were secured by Kilji Arslan, who destroyed all of the government starships which he encountered. On 2 July, Saladin himself was captured by Tutush's chief subordinate at Doore, and two days later, was executed on the orders of the rebel General. On 6 July, a second offensive against Laronn succeeded, with that stronghold being seized by rebel units. Sheryl, Quanna, and Machelle were then secured (7-11 July 1196), driving government units into the Istantius Capital Region.

By the end of July 1196, rebel units were advancing towards Istantius. The desperate Sultan, who was at the end of his resources, directed for a series of counteroffensives to be launched against Kilji Arslan and his units. A series of confrontations at Sair, Yoghamia, and Istantius Minor (1-13 August 1196), ensued, with the Sultan managing to inflict losses upon Tutush's units. The advance of the rebel forces could not be stopped, however, and by 16 August, all of those strongholds had been secured by the General. On 21 August, Barkiyaruq's final remaining offensive fleet was defeated at So, and three days later, Istantius itself was besieged by rebel units. The siege lasted until 7 September, when the world's shields were breached by the rebel forces. Tutush himself led the Solidaritan troops who descended onto the capital world, but by his command, no brutality was employed against the planet's inhabitants. Barkiyaruq, realizing that all was lost, did not attempt to make a last stand, and surrendered to Tutush's troops during the early hours of 8 September. On 11 September, the Grand Council, which had been convened on the orders of the rebel General, proclaimed him the new Sultan of Solidarita and denounced Barkiyarug's reign as one of "tyranny and undue oppression."

Barkiyarug was forced to sign a abdication decree and a statement in which he acknowledged that he was not the rightful Solidaritan Sultan. Five days later, Tutush had him imprisoned at Deserlia. Barkiyarug, however, was kept in horrible conditions and his health rapidly declined. He died on 17 November 1196, barely a month after he had been deposed from the Solidaritan throne. Tutush now consolidated his position as Sultan. He issued a stream of decrees reversing Barkiyarug's policies, rewarding his supporters, and announcing his intentions for the Solidaritan State. On 22 September, Kilji Arslan was rewarded for his efforts by being appointed Grand Vizier and Supreme Marshal of the Solidaritan Armed Forces. The new Sultan, however, also brought his son, Chosroes, into prominence, and on 29 September, formally declared him his heir apparent. On 11 October, Tutush was formally enthroned as Sultan by the Grand Council, although Kilji Arslan began to develop ambitions of his own for the Solidaritan throne. These were to reveal themselves the following year.

In the meantime, the focus of events shifted to the Venasian dominions. There, Queen Mother Christiana, who had been under the guardianship of Lady Executrix Nalia and the Venasian Council of High Ones since succeeding her mother Femania to the Venasian throne in 1188, attained her age of majority at 19 (17 October 1196). Nalia, adhering to Femania's will, formally proclaimed that Christiana was of age to govern, a proclamation ratified by the Council of High Ones on 22 October. Plans for Christiana's coronation had been underway since the beginning of the year, and on 29 October, she was formally crowned Queen Mother of the Venasian Consortium on Venasia Prime. This ceremony was attended by dignitaries from all of the galactic powers, including Laurasia. In her coronation speech, Christiana announced her intentions to "maintain and extend the power of the Venasian realms; to ensure the position of our species; and to rule in a just and benevolent manner over my subjects." She was to prove to be the second longest-reigning Queen Mother in Venasian history, for she was to govern actively for nearly fifty-two years (until 1248). Christiana's reign also marked the emergence of the Venasian Consortium as a serious contender in the politics of the Core Regions: it was to soon become a more active and vigorous enemy of Briannia then ever before. In the meantime, however, Christiana concentrated her attention on consolidating her new-won position as Queen Mother.

The Core Regions, in general, were at peace by November 1196, although the same could not be said of the Outer Galactic Regions, as will be described below. Gadavaranius and the Royal Council focused their efforts on strengthening Laurasian rule of the Malarian Dominions, alarmed at Vladios's return and attempt to seize power earlier in the year. On 7 November, the Lord Protector ordered for all Malarians to be registered with the Laurasian authorities, and prohibited any Malarian from assembling or engaging in activities which could be considered "threatening" to the tranquility of the Laurasian realm. Laurasian garrisons along the Narvut Corridor, in the Maluyta Nebula, and at Malaria Prime were strengthened, while new patrol fleets were organized at Manzo, Meehan, Almastead, Kanley, and other strongholds, to guard against the possibility of a rebellion by the Malarians breaking out. In December 1196, the Royal Council announced that colonization of the Malarian dominions was now to be entrusted to the Royal Bureau of Military Coordination; this was to ensure that those territories are "never again disturbed by dissent against the authority of this Government."

On 1 January 1197, the Caladarian Galaxy welcomed the New Year with a variety of celebrations and festivities. The Solidaritan Sultanate was still recovering from the civil war, however, and proved an exception to this, as Sultan Tutush focused his efforts on rebuilding his dominions and consolidating his rule. In the Laurasian dominions, however, there was a atmosphere of joy: many Laurasians were pleased that the Malarian "Rebellion" of Vladios had been crushed, and that the King of Malaria himself had finally been captured after all these years. Gadavaranius, in his New Year's proclamation to the Laurasian people, declared that the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia had "never been stronger" and that "we have moved ahead of the turmoils and the troubles of the late reign." And indeed, throughout 1197, the Laurasian dominions were to remain at peace, not being at war with any of its neighbors or having to contend with any internal dissent or rebellions. This was not to be the case in the Solidaritan and Briannian dominions, however, which were to deal with many troubles this year. The focus of attention shifted once again to the Solidaritan Sultanate. Tutush had been exhausted by his efforts in the late civil war, and the Sultan, whose health had never been excellent, had entered a noticeable decline by January 1197. On 7 January, the Sultan privately declared to the Grand Council that he knew that he would be dead within a few months, and that his son Chosroes would have to continue his work of restoring the Sultanate. Chosroes, a ambitious and energetic prince, was ready to assume the Sultanate, although he despaired at his father's condition. On 17 January, he was confirmed again as his father's heir apparent: Tutush enjoyed him to rule over his dominions in a "fair and firm" hand.

On 27 January, Tutush made his last appearance in public, and on 3 February, entered into confinement in his private quarters. He soon lost consciousness, and on 11 February, his doctors despaired of him. After reigning for barely four months, Tutush died on 16 February 1197. The news of his death was received by many with apprehension, surprised that, after such a bitter struggle for the throne, Tutush had died so soon. Nevertheless, Chosroes now stepped forward to take his father's place. On 17 February, he was formally proclaimed Sultan by the Grand Council, and in a proclamation to his new subjects, enjoined them to always honor the memory of his "beloved father." The body of Tutush was placed on formal display on 22 February, while the new Sultan dispatched messages about his father's death to the courts of the other galactic powers. Finally, on 12 March 1197, the funeral for the deceased Sultan took place on Istantius, and he was interred in the Vault of Solidaritan Sultans. Chosroes himself acted as the chief mourner at his father's funeral. The Sultan believed that his position was secure, but he was to now encounter a severe threat to his power. Kilji Arslan, who as explained had developed ambitions of his own for the throne, had begun amassing military supplies at Dennis, Deserlia, Rastaborn, Doris, Jubsia, Shannon, and other strongholds outside of the Istantius Capital Region. In March 1197, he sent messages to his loyal subordinates within the Solidaritan military, declaring that the time had come for the Solidaritan Sultanate to gain a ruler who truly "cared" for its interests. By April 1197, his preparations for rebellion had come to fruit.

On 14 April, he formally declared himself to be in a state of rebellion and marched from Shannon with his armada. Deanna (15-19 April); Michael (20 April); Wendy (22 April); Coen (23-24 April); and Leopoldia (25 April) were besieged and conquered in turn by the rebel General. Chosroes, alarmed at the sudden outbreak of this rebellion, now hastened from Istantius with his main fleet. At Berhamia (26 April-1 May 1197) he suffered a severe defeat, however, as Kilji Arslan's squadrons expertly outflanked his units. Following this, Sair and Yogrania were quickly conquered by the rebel General (2-4 May), who then secured the allegiance of the garrisons on Massanay, Sassanay, and Cibourney (5-10 May). Roxuli was conquered without a challenge on 11 May, and on 17 May, the defenses of Istantius Minor were breached. On 22 May, the capital world itself capitulated to Kilji Arslan, as Chosroes and his units had fled northwards towards Abraham, Big Twinny, and Quanna. Kilji Arslan formally proclaimed himself Sultan the following day, and now prepared for a series of offensives to take Chosroes' remaining strongholds. He now lost the support of his new subjects, however, through a series of foolish actions which led many to believe that Chosroes was indeed the rightful ruler. In June 1197, the Sultan raised taxes, seeking to finance the activities of his household and of his corps. He quartered his soldiers on the properties of private citizens; exercised a strict control over the Solidaritan Holonet; and suppressed any who expressed any opposition to the policies of his government.

He assembled a number of concubines and servants at his court, ignoring the normal affairs of government. Chosroes, who had retained the support of the foreign courts, and who still maintained a sizable mercenary corps of his own, issued numerous proclamations from Big Twinny, declaring that the usurper meant to "ruin the Solidaritan motherland." Finally, by 15 July, he was ready to reassert his position over Kilji Arslan. The usurper-Sultan's offensives against Laronn, the Belts of Mantin, Alexandra, and Sheryl (25 June-15 July 1197) had ended in failure, and on 17 July, Roxuli was reconquered by Chosroes. The Sultan then raced with his armada to Sair, inflicting a decisive defeat upon Kilji Arslan's fleet there (20-24 July 1197). On 26 July, Berhamia was reconquered, and by 1 August, government fleets were penetrating to Impania, Massanay, and Sassanay. Those worlds would be reconquered by 10 August. On 13 August, Kilji Arslan sallied forth from Istantius with his chief armada, seeking to intercept and destroy Chosroes's force. The two armadas clashed at Blarathon (14-19 August 1197), which resulted in a decisive victory for Chosroes. Kilji Arslan was forced to flee for his life, and on 22 August, Istantius welcomed Chosroes back. The Grand Council, which convened on his orders, declared that Kilji Arslan was a traitor, and on 1 September, issued a proclamation against him.

Deanna, Wendy, Michael, and Coen, realizing that Chosroes had regained his position, revolted against Kilji Arslan and declared their loyalty once again to the Sultan's government (2-11 September). Finally, on 14 September, Kilji Arslan was defeated and captured at Shannon. The Sultan, who arrived there on 17 September, ordered for the rebel General to be executed. This act was carried out on 22 September, but Kilji Arslan, in one last act of defiance, declared that Chosroes would not die a peaceful death. This was to eventually rebound upon the Sultan, in the eyes of later chroniclers and historians, and with grave consequences. By 29 September, Dennis, Rastaborn, Deserlia, and Jubsia had been secured by the Sultan's forces, and all of the Solidaritan dominions were now reunited under the rule of Chosroes. He spent the remainder of 1197 consolidating his position; his enthronement as Sultan was finally held on 17 October. In the meantime, the focus of events shifted to Briannia. Over the past two years, ever since the conclusion of the Treaty of Teushina, the ambitions of Char'lac and his faction had widened. Char'lac came to believe that because he was the one who was actually governing Briannia, and because Sigis'ac remained in the Polonian Dominions, it should be he who should possess the Briannian throne. In January 1197, the President of the Rikstag communicated his beliefs to some of his trusted friends and subordinates in that body, declaring that Sigis'ac cared more for his Polonian dominions and that only he, Char'lac, could govern over the Briannian dominions in good stead.

The Duke of Nystadia thus began to amass military supplies and equipment at Vardar, Nystadia, Alemeda, Mylios, and other strongholds in the Central Briannian Provinces, determined to prepare himself for the struggle which he knew that would arise. On 12 February, he convened a session of the Rikstag, which, dominated by his supporters, proclaimed him to be the Lord Protector of the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia. Sigis'ac, when he heard of this declaration through Ambassador Heulthac, was outraged. On 29 February, he dispatched a diplomatic communique to the Briannian Government, proclaiming that he would not recognize Char'lac as the sole Regent of his realms and that Char'lac did not have any authority to take up such a position. Char'lac, however, ignored the King's communique, and on 7 March, declared that his actions were only meant for the "benefit of the Briannian species." The Briannian Lord Protector, however, now encountered a challenge in the person of Klaus Fleming, who had been appointed by Sigis'ac as the Governor of the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime on 29 September 1196. Fleming, who was loyal to Sigis'ac, believed that Char'lac's actions were harmful for the Briannian State. On 29 March, he issued the first of a series of manifestos, declaring that Char'lac should not be allowed to "establish a base of authority for himself" and that the rights of the King should be acknowledged. The Governor began to assemble units at Shiloh, Schaueria Prime, Rashid, and Calpurnia, declaring that he was willing to maintain Sigis'ac's position by force "if needed." Char'lac, enraged at his opposition, and wishing to avoid a direct confrontation with him, decided to provoke rebel tensions in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime.

In April 1197, the Cudellian Rebellion erupted on Farbrsinia, as the inhabitants of that world declared their resistance to levies of the Briannian Government and announced that they were rising up to defend "their sacred liberties". Rebel bands soon seized control of Seth and Aberdeen, posing a severe threat to the Governor's units. Governor Fleming was forced to turn his attention to the rebel threat, and a series of confrontations soon ensued at Solis, Liteuria, Aberdeen, Alvurg, and Briannian Lythia (29 April-16 May 1197). These confrontations weakened the Governor's forces and inflicted severe losses upon his supply lines. Nevertheless, the rebel bands were far from organized, and by the end of May 1197, Governor Fleming had gained the advantage. On 5 June, he destroyed the chief rebel fleet in the Battle of Ostonbornia. Five days later, Seth was reconquered. By 19 June, rebel units at Farbrsinia, Aberdeen, and Solis had been isolated. On 28 June, the last remaining rebel armada was defeated in the Battle of Toms, and five days later, Solis was recovered. Aberdeen was reconquered on 7 July, but it was not until 22 July that Farbrsinia was overrun, ending the rebellion. The health of Governor Fleming had entered into severe decline, however, and on 2 August, he returned to Schaueria Prime, delegating most of his governance duties to his subordinates. On 11 August 1197, Fleming died. The news of Fleming's death relieved Char'lac, who was now free of his most obstinate enemy. On 16 August, he installed his subordinate, Ericus Skinnerius, as the new Governor of the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. Sigis'ac refused to confirm the appointment, but the Rikstag overrode the King's rejection on 22 August, declaring that Char'lac was within his rights.

By September 1197, Char'lac had prepared his military forces yet further, in anticipation of seizing the Briannian Dominions completely for himself. On 15 September, he finally revealed his intentions to the Council of Advisers, urging them to join him and declaring that Sigis'ac did not deserve to be King of the Briannian Dominions any longer. Many of the men, however, had qualms about the Lord Protector's plans. E'rac Stonbock, his brother A'rvic Stonbock, E'rac Sparre, E'rac Brahe, and Sten Baner, who had remained loyal to Sigis'ac, expressed their doubts and declared that they could not support Char'lac in his treason. The Lord Protector was enraged, and on 22 September, he commanded his subordinates to arrest these Privy Councilors. The men, however, had made ready with their personal armada, and on 25 September, they fled Briannia. Racing along the Nexus Route with the assistance of those who still remained loyal to Sigis'ac, they managed to reach Bolgrahay on 29 September. Queen Mother Christiana, anticipating that a civil war in the Briannian dominions would erupt, and hoping to keep Sigis'ac off balance, decided to allow the men to proceed across her dominions to Polonian space. By 6 October, they had reached Polonia Major, being greeted by a alarmed King Sigis'ac and the Polonian Court. The King summoned a session of the Council of Ministers, declaring to them that the actions of Char'lac were "upsetting the balance of affairs in the Caladarian Galaxy" and that peace could not continue with this present state of affairs.

On 28 October, he issued a proclamation from the Polonian Chancellory, declaring that Char'lac was violating his oath of office and that action would soon have to be taken to stop him. Five days later, he convened a session of the Polonian Parliament. Appearing personally before the body on 3 November, the King of Briannia-Polonia asked the body for permission to utilize a portion of the Polonian Armed Forces so that he could "reassert the rightful state of affairs in the Briannian Dominions and terminate this threat to my hereditary throne." The King declared that unless if action was taken, Char'lac would upset the tranquility of affairs and would seek to engage in a war against the Polonian Commonwealth. The Parliament also heard the pleas of the Stonbock brothers and of Sparre, Brahe, and Baner, who declared that Char'lac was ruthless and that Sigis'ac needed firm control of his Briannian territories to honor the terms of his Accession Pact. A series of vigorous discussions then ensued over the next several days. Some of the most prominent figures in the Polonian State were now gone. Queen-Dowager Anna Jagelliana had died at her palace on Tronki on 12 December 1196, exactly ten years after the death of her husband Stefanius Bathorius. General Zamyoski had died before her, at Frogglesworth on 19 November 1195, while former Military Governor Yuasoaki had expired on 24 March 1197. Primate Karnlaowski, however, was alive and well, and he opposed the King. In a oration, delivered to the Polonian Parliament on 14 November 1197, he declared that the affairs of Briannia "had no bearing on the affairs of the Polonian Commonwealth" and expressed his desire for the continuation of peace. Gadavaranius, on his part, was watching these events in Briannia and Polonia from Laurasia Prime with great interest. The Lord Protector held a series of secret meetings with the Royal Council and the Aristocratic Duma throughout November 1197, seeking their advice about the "Briannian Question."

Ultimately, he decided that it would be to Laurasia's advantage for the civil tensions in the Briannian territories to escalate into civil war, for by that means, Briannia might be so weakened that Laurasia could seize Ipsus V and Bolgrahay, exact reparations, and force other such concessions. On 24 November, the Lord Protector ordered the Laurasian ambassador to the Polonian Court, now Antonius Marcellius (1150-1208), to refrain from influencing the actions of any of the Polonian or Donguarian magnates, and in fact, to encourage them towards supporting Sigis'ac in his efforts. On 1 December, the Magisterial Court took its first vote on the matter, indicating its support for the King. Two days later, it passed a final motion, declaring that the King would permitted to assemble a army of mercenaries, and that he could leave the Polonian dominions, for "as long as he needed", so as to depose Char'lac and reassert his control over the Briannian Government (The Treaty of Pressburg had been amended in December 1195, repealing the provision which limited how long the King could be out of the Polonian dominions and how many times the Parliament could grant him that privilege, the provision which had hampered Hensior of Twalia). The Royal Senate passed its own motion, in support of the Court, on 7 December. On 12 December, the Polonian Parliament passed the Authorization Act, by which King Sigi'sac, under those terms, was permitted to depart for his Briannian territories. He was to be able to assemble a army of mercenaries, but could not mobilize the Polonian Armed Forces. This ultimately proved a major handicap on him, for it meant that he could not bring all of his military forces to bear in a conflict with Char'lac. Nevertheless, it was the best that he could hope for. On 22 December, Sigis'ac began his preparations. He assembled his units at Horacia, Momma, Theresa, Levinston, John, Donald, Ergeme, Redderson, and other strongholds, using his personal revenues to hire Solidaritan, Venasian, Laurasian, Melorkian, and Ashlgothian mercenaries. By the end of December 1197, Char'lac had issued a further proclamation, declaring that was now the "effective governor of the Briannian Monarchy."

As 1198 commenced, it was clear to all that the peace which had managed to arise again in the Core Regions was only temporary, and that a state of war, of civil war, was soon to descend. In January 1198, however, the focus of events shifted abruptly to the Laurasian dominions. By the beginning of the new year, the health of King Theodosius, which had never been that great, had deteriorated yet further. In September 1197, the King's servants had found him kneeling in his personal chambers, raving and imploring the forgiveness of the Lord Almitis for his actions in his Earthly Realm. The following month, his wife, Queen Consort Irina Gadavaranius, saw her husband sitting on his bed and foaming at the mouth. She immediately summoned the doctors to their royal quarters, and they now diagnosed the King with the Melitus strain, declaring that there was nothing further which they could do for him. They stated, however, that he had the gradual form, and that he would not die immediately. Thus, as the year 1197 had approached its end, all at the Royal Laurasian Court were gripped in apprehension. Twelve years had passed since Pope Dionysius had attempted to have the King divorced from his wife, on the count of her infertility. In all of that time, the Queen Consort had never become pregnant: she and Theodosius never had any children. Gadavaranius had protected his sister, and in May 1197, had ordered the physicians of the Royal Household to conduct a secret examination of the King and to collect samples from him, so as to determine his fertility. Two months later, they had issued their final report, which was given to the Lord Protector and kept by him from the knowledge of the public.

The report declared that King Theodosius had always been infertile and that there was absolutely no chance of Irina becoming pregnant by him. Gadavaranius himself had long suspected this, and by 1197, he was in eager anticipation of the fact. Theodosius was the last surviving child of Honorius the Terrible; in fact, he was the last surviving representative of the Honorian Dynasty. Honorius the Terrible's brother Antigonus, who had died in 1163, had never married and had left no children; none of Honorius the Liberator's other children had any of their own. And of course, Grand Prince Honorius had died at his father's hands, with no children of his own, while Grand Prince Demetrius had been murdered. Gadavaranius knew that the Honorian Dynasty, the dynasty which had restored the independence of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia and ruled for the past 117 years, was now doomed to extinction. As such, in December 1197, he began making secret preparations for his own accession to the throne, believing that since he had effectively ruled the Laurasian dominions for the past eleven years, it was only natural that he become King in fact upon Theodosius's death. In this he was supported by Pope Job, the only other person who was made aware of the report on the King's fertility. Job, still ignorant of Gadavaranius's hand in the death of Grand Prince Demetrius, and still a loyal ally of the Lord Protector, believed that Gadavaranius was the only viable candidate for the Laurasian throne. On 29 December, he held a secret audience with the Lord Protector, declaring his support for him and telling him that Laurasia "needed to remain in the governance of a firm master who has full knowledge of governmental and political affairs."

On 1 January 1198, Gadavaranius, in the last New Year's proclamation issued by him as Lord Protector and in the name of King Theodosius, declared that the Laurasian dominions had been "blessed with peace" over the past year, but that the health of King Theodosius was in decline. He announced the King's diagnosis and declared that he was soon to be received into the "embrace of Almitis." This proclamation by the Lord Protector aroused many, who knew that the King had never been healthy. By this point, they too wished for Gadavaranius to accede to the throne. On 4 January, the first of many assemblies were held in the Public Square of Christiania, by which numerous persons declared their support for Gadavaranius taking the throne upon the death of the King. Gadavaranius publicly feigned reluctance, and refused to talk about the matter until Theodosius had died. In private, however, he and Pope Job were pleased that the public was in support of him acceding to the throne. Then on 14 January, King Theodosius suffered a severe stroke in his private quarters, and was confined to the Royal Hospital. On 16 January, the doctors formally declared his condition hopeless. The following day, 17 January 1198, at the Royal Hospital of the Celestial Palace, the last surviving child of Honorius the Terrible, Theodosius, the fourth and last monarch of the Honorian Dynasty, died.

The news of his death was received by many throughout the Laurasian dominions with great sadness; crowds of mourners in the Public Square of Christiania, the same crowds who had expressed their support for Gadavaranius becoming the next King of Laurasia, cried out in sadness when they heard that the King was dead. In the proclamation to the Laurasian subjects announcing the death of King Theodosius, Gadavaranius declared that a "saint has died, who will join his parents, grandfather, and great-grandfather in the Heavens of Almitis" and that the death of Theodosius ended the dynasty "which has governed over us for one hundred and seventeen years, the line of that man who liberated us from the Dasian Yoke." The Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma were convened on the orders of the Lord Protector shortly afterwards, and it was declared that those two bodies would govern over the Laurasian dominions in conjunction with the Lord Protector and the Pope until a Consultative Assembly could be summoned to decide who should next sit upon the Laurasian throne. Theodosius had left no final will or testament; Honorius the Terrible, in his will of 1183, had neglected to provide for the situation which could arise if his son died without any heirs, and especially if both he and Demetrius died without heirs. Gadavaranius, however, was confident, for the Council and Duma were dominated by his supporters, who wished to see him set upon the Laurasian throne.

The news of Theodosius's death was received with much shock and grief by the courts of the other galactic powers. Messages of condolence were received from Chosroes of Solidarita; Christiana of Venasia; Char'lac in Briannia; Sigis'ac of Briannia-Polonia; Clovis of Melorkia; Gundobad of Alexandra; Theodoric of Halegothica; Alaric II of Ashlgothica; Shidebala of the Homidinian Khanate; and Trapstila of the Armanes, among other rulers. On 22 January, Theodosius's body was placed on formal state display at the Westphalian Cathedral, while a service of mourning was conducted by Pope Job in his honor. Gadavaranius was then engaged in the preparations for the King's funeral, while continuing to build upon his plans for his own accession to the throne. The Lord Protector continued to act as if he did not want the Crown, drawing upon the feelings of the Laurasian people which he knew were in his favor. On 29 January, a petition by the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma was sent to the Lord Protector, in which it was declared that they wished for him to become "their new lord and master" and that he should act to "spare the Laurasian dominions from ruin." On 1 February, Pope Job issued a papal manifesto, In spe haud dubia regnum, in which he urged the Lord Protector to take the Laurasian people's pleas into consideration and to "bring prosperity to these dominions by bequeathing her with a new monarch." On 5 February, the funeral for King Theodosius was conducted, presided over by the Lord Protector and the Pope. The King was buried next to his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather at the Royal Mausoleum, while Queen Consort Irina acted as the "most bereaved" of all the mourners. The following day, she joined in with the Pope and those on the Council and Duma, urging her brother to accept the Laurasian throne. After three more days of pleading, Gadavaranius, who decided to bring his show of reluctance to a end, accepted the Laurasian throne on 9 February.

In a proclamation to the Laurasian subjects, issued from the Celestial Palace, the Lord Protector declared that he was motivated by "true concern for these dominions" and that he had realized that the Lord Almitis wished for him to accede to the Laurasian throne, so as to maintain the tranquility and stability of the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia. The Lord Protector asserted that he was not acceding to the throne "on his own free will" and that he held no ambition beyond what what was necessary "for the good of the Laurasian people." In reality, he was pleased, and on 11 February, declared to Pope Job that everything had happened exactly as he had wished it to. On 13 February, the Royal Council and Aristocratic Duma declared their support for Eurymaschus Gadavaranius as King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians. The following day, he formally resigned the office of Lord Protector and requested for Pope Job to summon a session of the Consultative Assembly, so as to confirm his accession to the Laurasian throne. The Pope complied and sent out the summon orders on 17 February. Four days later, the Assembly, dominated by supporters of Gadavaranius, formally elected him as the King and Autocrat of All the Laurasians. Gadavaranius was now saluted by the Royal Council, Aristocratic Duma, and Laurasian Court as their master, and his accession manifesto was formally issued on 22 February. King Eurymaschus, as he will now be referred to, declared in this manifesto that he would work for "the greater good of the Laurasian people" and would continue the policies originally established by Honorius the Liberator. His coronation, for which preparations had begun immediately upon his proclamation as King, was conducted on 4 September 1198. Gadavaranius impressed all with his energy and his fervent devotion to the rituals of the ceremony. When making his formal coronation speech, he tapped his chest, which glittered with jewels, and promised to share his wealth with all of his subjects. The King was very generous to those on Laurasia Prime, and large amounts of largess would be distributed during the coronation ceremonies and banquet which followed.

In the meantime, the tensions in the Briannian dominions finally burst out into full-scale civil war. By the beginning of March 1198, King Sigis'ac of Briannia-Polonia had assembled his expeditionary force, and, having established his operational headquarters at Horacia, was determined to invade the Duchy of Schaueria Prime, so as to strike a blow against Char'lac and weaken his position. Securing control of the Duchy would be vital to securing a firm grip upon the Briannian throne. Consequently, the King of Polonia now contemplated a two-way offensive against Char'lac and his forces. He established contact with Governor Arvid Erkisson of Alemeda, who was not supportive of the Briannian Lord Protector and who wished to ensure that Sigis'ac would maintain his rightful throne. On 12 March, the Governor held a series of Holonet discussions with the King of Briannia, declaring his loyalty to his master and vowing to take all actions necessary to strike down the "treasonous worm Char'lac." By 21 March, the Governor of Alemeda had assembled his own personal squadrons, comprised of Nystadian, Alemedan, and mercenary corps. General Vesanian, who also remained loyal towards Sigis'ac, had decided to lend his support to the Governor of Alemeda. With this force assembled, and with the Nystadian General on his side, Erkisson now believed that he would be able to destroy Char'lac. On 29 March, he formally proclaimed his loyalty to the absent King and denounced Char'lac as a traitor and usurper. Five days later, he besieged and conquered Teushina, securing control of the same world where peace had been signed between Laurasia and Briannia nearly three years earlier.

He then defeated a government force at Abo (9-15 April 1198) and stormed government outposts at Upslandia, Stockria, and Vestodium (19-26 April). On 27 April, Char'lac strengthened the defenses of Nystadia and dispatched a patrol fleet to the Belts of Barton, seeking to deny the advantage to the Governor of Alemeda. General Vesanian, on his part, managed to capture a government transport armada at Mylio (1 May) but was unable to prevent government reinforcements from reaching Vardar. On 6 May, a rebel offensive against Nystadia ended in failure, and most of the task force detached was destroyed. On 9 May, Halkar was besieged and conquered by a government force under the command of Admiral Nicolaus Olal, who, along with his subordinates Laurentius Paulinus and Er'ac Skinnus, were to gain a succession of victories over the rebel Governor of Alemeda. On 14 May, a second rebel offensive against the Belts of Barton was repelled, although Ezium was besieged and conquered by General Vesanian. Sigis'ac, in the meantime, was delayed by disputes with his mercenaries, who demanded higher payments for their service. The Polonian Parliament was unwilling to compensate the King for the expenses he incurred in his military efforts, and consequently, Sigis'ac was forced to employ all of his personal financial resources to provide for his fleet. Consequently, he was unable to advance.

He did, however, send orders to Governor Erkisson, commanding him to launch a surprise strike at the strongholds of the Nexus Route, so as to "catch the fiend Lord Protector off guard"." Erkisson followed his master's commands, and on 24 May, his units began to advance towards the Nexus Route. A series of confrontations ensued at R'ac (25-29 May); Oslo (1 June); and Helingsfors (2-7 June), as government fleets attempted to block their advance. Vesanian, however, managed to brush aside their attempts, and on 11 June, his fleet besieged Caroline. Admiral Olal, however, took advantage of this to reconquer Upslandia and Stockria (12-19 June 1198) and to destroy a rebel repository on Haxfornia (22-25 June). On 1 July, he defeated Governor Erkisson in the Battle of Stom, and on 5 July, secured Mylio. Teushina was then reconquered on 11 July, and by 17 July, General Skinnus was advancing from Boo, Jem, and Atticus towards besieged Caroline. The Siege of Caroline was finally lifted on 22 July, and General Vesanian was forced to retreat. By 1 August, government units had reconquered R'ac, Oslo, and Helingsfors, pushing all the way to Alemeda itself. Governor Erkisson slipped away from Alemeda, fleeing with his personal squadrons. He managed to traverse the strongholds of the Nexus Route and to hasten by Shiloh and Schaueria Prime, reaching Polonian territory on 4 August. General Vesanian was not so lucky however, for he was trapped at Alemeda by Admiral Olal from 9 August. Alemeda finally fell to the government forces on 12 August 1198; Admiral Olal, acting upon the orders of the Lord Protector and Council of Advisors, was ruthless.

Most of the planetary garrison was executed, with all of the officers being "terminated" by solar incineration. Vesanian himself was not spared, suffering this fate on 15 August. By the end of August 1198, government forces had secured all remaining rebel garrisons in the Central Briannian Provinces. Sigis'ac, on his part, was finally able to depart from Horacia with his force on 3 September. A Briannian defensive fleet dispatched by Governor J'lak of Schaueria Prime failed to stop the advance of the King of Polonia at Avaskar (4-8 September 1198). At this point, however, Sigis'ac still held hopes that Char'lac would terminate hostilities and acknowledge his renewed authority as master of the Briannian realm. On 11 September, he dispatched a Holonet message to the Lord Protector and the Rikstag from Avaskar, which he had established as his new command headquarters. He dispatched Ja'ac Laksi, one of his most trusted subordinates, to Schaueria Prime with a diplomatic escort, attempting to open negotiations with Char'lac over the matter of a peace. Laksi arrived at Schaueria Prime on 15 September, but his efforts resulted in failure, as Governor J'lak declared that Sigis'ac was a tyrant and that he had neglected his Briannian realms for the Polonian dominions. The Governor then had Laksi and his entourage arrested; this enraged the King, who became determined to storm Schaueria Prime and execute her Governor "in the cruelest and most ruthless way possible."

On 19 September, he besieged and conquered Kalmar, capturing a large amount of military supplies and credit stores which he used to replenish his mercenaries. Two days later, Alvurg was seized by a expeditionary corps dispatched by the King. Rashid, Kolchad, and Calpurnia were now threatened by Sigis'ac. His offensive against Seth and Aberdeen (24-29 September 1198) ended in failure, but on 3 October, Rashid was forced to capitulate. On 13 October, Kolchad was also conquered by the King of Polonia, who then moved his units against Lythia, Calpurnia, and Shiloh. Char'lac now sallied with his units from the Nexus Route, fortifying Bolgrahay, Jem, Dill, and Boo. By 18 October, Sigis'ac had begun conscripting Schauerians in the territories he had conquered into his forces, and imposed taxes on those who had been forced to once again acknowledge his authority. This eventually backfired on him. On 24 October, Seth was finally overrun by the King, who then stormed Farbrsinia (25-29 October) and launched a devastating raid against Gottar (1-2 November). By 5 November, Sigis'ac was preparing an offensive against Steneborg, just forty light years southeast of Schaueria Prime. On 7 November, Calpurnia was conquered by the King of Polonia, who was growing ever more confident. Char'lac, however, had in the meantime firmly established his position on Schaueria Prime, and on 10 November, repelled a Royalist offensive against Shiloh. Two days later, Sigis'ac's leading general, Klars Verdeson, suffered a severe defeat in the Battle of Gitaland, resulting in the loss of many of his dreadnoughts and transports. On 15 November, Sigis'ac managed to besiege and conquer the outposts of Alvsborg and Gullborg, but was losing momentum. Five days later, his long-awaited offensive against Steneborg was launched. Char'lac now hastened from Schaueria Prime, establishing a new headquarters on Linopking. On 24 November, he sent units from Linopking under the command of Admiral Olal, who had joined his forces on 19 November. Olal stormed a rebel outpost on Mem (22 November 1198) and established a observation outpost there. Sigis'ac now dispatched another diplomatic team, led by Ambassador Heulthac himself, who had remained loyal to him. Heulthac arrived at Mem on 24 November, and Char'lac, who had great respect for him, commanded that he was not to be harmed in any way. For the next several days, negotiations were conducted between the two sides, as Sigis'ac temporarily downscaled the siege of Steneborg. Heulthac demanded that Char'lac lay down arms and acknowledge that Sigis'ac was King of Briannia "in every manner deemed by the Lords of the Universe." Admiral Olal, on his part, demanded that Sigis'ac acknowledge Char'lac's position as Lord Protector, and that he promise to maintain Briannian interests in the Polonian Commonwealth. Sigis'ac, however, could not consent to this demand, and on 6 December, ordered his commanders Farensbech and H'ac Vejer to redeploy their units near Steneborg. Char'lac, declaring that the truce was now terminated, ordered Heulthac to leave Mem and advanced his own forces towards those of Sigis'ac. On 11 December, Heulthac arrived back at Avaskar, and the following day, Admiral Olal assaulted the Polonian King's positions at Steneborg. Sigis'ac, however, managed to obtain a victory, as General Vejer was able to outflank Olal's starfighter squadrons. Olal was forced to retreat, and Steneborg finally surrendered to the King's forces on 15 December. Char'lac, who was now truly fearful of Sigis'ac, contemplated fleeing from the Briannian dominions, but was persuaded by his advisers to remain firm. Nevertheless, he requested for a temporary truce with Sigis'ac; the King granted this request on 17 December. Sigis'ac now brought in more Laurasian and Donguarian mercenaries, while Char'lac assembled new squadrons at Mem, Linopking, Shiloh, Schaueria Prime, and Bolgrahay. On 24 December, however, Sigis'ac departed from Steneborg with his forces and advanced towards Linopking. Char'lac, who had joined with Admiral Olal two days earlier, moved out from Linopking, determined to intercept the King's force.

Minor skirmishes between the screening units of both forces took place over the next several days. Then on New Year's Eve, 31 December 1198, the two armadas clashed at Stangebo, about six light-years west of Linopking. In this battle, Admiral Olal employed tactics of deception and superior mobility to harry the King's units, a disorganized collection of mercenary and Polonian units. Then, at a vital point in the battle, the Briannian starfighter squadrons drove through the right wing of the Royalist armada, destroying most of the mercenary transports and putting the rest to flight. The remainder of Sigis'ac's force was now dispersed, and a decisive victory resulted for the Lord Protector. Sigis'ac himself barely managed to evade capture, but Generals Farensbech and Vejer were not so lucky: both were captured by the squadrons of Char'lac's fleet. Sigis'ac fled back to Steneborg, and now began to prepare for renewed offensives against the forces of the Briannian Lord Protector. On 1 January 1199, he issued a proclamation from the stronghold, declaring that Char'lac's victory at Stangebo did not mean that he had given up on his efforts and that the Briannian forces would soon be "fighting under my command against all traitors." The second-to-last year of the twelfth century thus commenced with the Briannian Duchy of Schaueria Prime torn apart by the Sigisian Civil War, as it had become known.

On 2 January, the King led a sally with his remaining units from Steneborg, attempting to penetrate to Mem. Two days later, however, he suffered a severe defeat in the Battle of Gullborg, and was cornered by Char'lac's units. At this point, he sent a peace offer to the Lord Protector, requesting for negotiations. Char'lac, believing that he had the upper hand, agreed. On 6 January 1199, the Lord Protector met with his nephew, the King, at Linopking, which Sigis'ac had tried and failed to seize the previous month. Three days of negotiations then ensued, as Char'lac demanded that Sigis'ac disband all of his remaining military units in Briannian territory, in exchange for being acknowledged as King by the Rikstag. These were hard terms for Sigis'ac to accept, but on 14 January, he capitulated. The Treaty of Linopking (16 January 1199), resulted in Sigis'ac agreeing to send his forces in Briannian territory back to the Polonian Commonwealth; in exchange, he was to be allowed to retain possession of the strongholds which he now held, and his position was to be confirmed by the Rikstag. Char'lac promised to allow Ambassador Heulthac to remain in Briannian dominions to supervise the King's remaining strongholds, while Sigis'ac himself (who secretly believed that he could finally secure support from the Polonian Government on the matter of the civil war), returned to Polonia Major. After the agreement had been confirmed by the King and the Lord Protector, two days of festivities ensued. Then on 19 January, Sigis'ac disbanded all of his remaining offensive units in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime.

He himself returned to the Polonian dominions on 22 January. On 26 January, Char'lac returned to Briannia, but commanded Admiral Olaf to remain in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. Secretly, he was drafting plans to storm the King's now defenseless strongholds and to complete the destruction of Sigis'ac's power in the Briannian dominions. On 3 February 1199, the Lord Protector appointed his illegitimate son, Carl Gustenholm, as Governor of Schaueria Prime and ordered him to cooperate with Admiral Olaf in future actions against the "pretended King of Briannia." Four days later, a government force under the command of Admiral Olaf advanced from Shiloh, making preparations to conquer Alvsborg, Seth, Farbrsinia, Aberdeen, Staneborg, and the other Royalist strongholds. On 14 February, Sigis'ac's message to the Polonian Parliament, declaring his intention to defeat Char'lac and asking for their assistance, was intercepted by the Lord Protector's spies and agents at the Polonian Court. Char'lac revealed knowledge of the message to the public three days later and declared that the King of Polonia had violated the terms of the Treaty of Linopking. Consequently, the Lord Protector declared that he was no longer bound by the terms of the agreement and that the remaining strongholds held in the name of King Sigis'ac needed to be brought under the direct authority of the Briannian Government. On 22 February, the Lord Protector commanded his son, Governor Gustenholm, to commence a siege of Kalmar and destroy the major repository there which had been established by the King in December 1198.

Heulthac, who had been formally deprived of his title as Ambassador by the Council of Advisors on 17 January 1199, but nevertheless continued to be recognized as such by King Sigis'ac and the Polonian Government, commanded the garrison of Kalmar. His chief subordinate, Joh'ac Sparre, commanded for minefields to be laid out and supervised the orbital defensive platforms in the star system. He hoped that Sigis'ac would now dispatch forces to the Briannian territories so as to halt the Lord Protector's offensive. The King of Briannia, caught off guard by Char'lac's violation of the Treaty of Linopking, managed to hastily scrape together a force of Polonian, Laurasian, and Melorkian mercenaries, and this force had departed from Horacia on 26 February. It was too small, however, to lend any amount of true assistance to the garrison of Kalmar. On 2 March, Char'lac's armada assaulted the star system; Governor Gustenholm commanded the offensive and used the superior firepower of his flagships to destroy the defensive barges of the planetary garrison. Char'lac himself led the minesweepers which neutralized the Royalist minefield and penetrated to the orbital defensive outposts. After a vigorous battle which lasted for two days, the forces of the Lord Protector managed to breach the star system's defenses. On 9 March, Char'lac's armada appeared over Kalmar. Two days later, however, several mercenary warships hired by the King appeared at the outskirts of the star system and launched a surprise offensive against Char'lac's fleet.

They were soon driven back however, with Governor Gustenholm himself leading the charge against the enemy. Most of the mercenary barges were captured and their supplies confiscated. By 16 March, all supply lines to the Kalmar star system had been cut by the Lord Protector's forces. Hope now disappeared for the defenders of Kalmar, and on 29 March, the planetary shields were breached. Two days later, the Lord Protector's troops landed on the world, and a spree of massacre, rapine, and looting ensued. Most of the planetary garrison was slaughtered, while a large amount of plunder was taken from the planet's cities. Heulthac himself, along with Sparre, Subordinate General Christofer Strale, and Commander of the Garrison Lars Strlamb were captured. They were presented before the Lord Protector, who mocked them and declared that if they had denounced their loyalty to King Sigis'ac, they would have done a great service to the Briannian State. Nevertheless, he decided to spare their lives, commanding for them merely to be bound and exiled to Ipsus V, Bolgrahay, and Robbay. This was done, and the men were never again to pose a threat or play a role in galactic affairs. Heulthac eventually died on 17 January 1203 at Ipsus V; Sparre survived at Robbay until 19 May 1213; Strale survived at Imsus (a moon of Bolgrahay) until 8 June 1216; and Strlamb died near Robbay on 29 May 1221. Following the conquest of Kalmar, the remainder of Sigis'ac's strongholds were exposed to the offensives of the Lord Protector.

On 11 April, Gustenholm was promoted to the rank of Field Admiral by his father, who now ordered him to "wipe out the remaining cells of support for the pretended King within these dominions." Five days later, the Field Admiral inflicted a decisive defeat upon Sigis'ac's chief mercenary force in the Battle of Green. By 22 May, Seth had been conquered, and the garrisons at Farbrsinia, Aberdeen, and Solis had been isolated. On 3 June, Sigis'ac appeared before the Polonian Parliament and pleaded with that body to declare war on the Lord Protector. Primate Karnlaowski, however, was the chief factor in defeating the King's motion two days later. On 7 June, Aberdeen was overrun without much of a struggle by Gustenholm, who then dispatched his subordinates Hans Klasson and Pe'er Sdope against Alvsborg, Gullborg, and Kolchad. Klasson destroyed another mercenary detachment at Jabo (10-15 June) and stormed the Royalist supply outpost on Maxabo (19 June), before reaching the outskirts of Alvsborg on 25 June. Alvsborg, however, did not fall to the government forces until 2 July. Once it was in Briannian possession, however, the offensives against Gullborg and Kolchad proceeded rapidly; by 11 July, both strongholds had been conquered by Klasson and Sdope, who was congratulated by the Fleet Admiral and the Lord Protector for their successes. On 15 July 1199, Calpurnia was besieged and conquered by a government force, disrupting the supply lines for the mercenary forces. Steneborg was then subjected to a siege from 19 July, falling to the Lord Protector's forces two days later.

Char'lac, in the meantime, had decided to finally depose Sigis'ac formally from the Briannian throne. On 21 July 1199, the Lord Protector sent out summons orders for the Rikstag to convene on Linopking. Three days later, the body had formally gathered at the Lord Protector's headquarters. Most already had an idea of what was to transpire: namely, that Char'lac was to compel them into formally deposing Sigis'ac from the throne. This turned out to be correct, as the Lord Protector, when he made his appearance before the assembly, declared that Sigis'ac was a "tyrant, nothing like his blessed father" and that "he hath abandoned his hereditary territories for a state, which, now, is displaying that it has no true concern for Briannian interests." The Lord Protector pointed out on how Briannian aid had been vital to the Polonian Commonwealth during the late Ivorian War with the Laurasians, and that the Polonians now acted as if they were seeking to impose a "tyranny over the Briannian people." He thus urged the assembly "to see the right" and to depose one who had no true concern for the affairs of his hereditary dominions. The Rikstag acted swiftly, and on 25 July 1199, formally deposed Sigis'ac, King-Emperor of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, from the throne of the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia.

In its deposition proclamation, the Rikstag declared that Sigis'ac had lost the "respect of his subjects" and that he no longer deserved to sit upon the Briannian throne. It thereafter recognized Char'lac as the supreme ruler of the Briannian dominions, until a "new royal master may be enthroned, one who will rule over these dominions in better stead then the tyrant Sigis'ac." Sigis'ac, when he received word of his deposition from the Briannian throne by the Rikstag, cried out and declared that his Gods were cursing him. He then declared that Char'lac should have "never been trusted" and even said that he should not have accepted the Polonian throne. Sigis'ac, however, continued to call himself King of Briannia and refused to acknowledge the Rikstag's proclamation. The courts of the other foreign powers, however, acknowledged the true state of affairs. Queen Mother Christiana, in fact, issued a proclamation from Venasia Prime on 1 August 1199, declaring that Sigis'ac was now only master of the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth and that he had lost the Briannian throne. Laurasian King Eurymaschus, who hoped that the civil war in Briannia would ultimately turn into a war between Polonia and Briannia directly, extended his recognition also, of Sigis'ac's deposition from the Briannian throne (3 August 1199). Chosroes of Solidarita, hoping to cultivate friendly relations with Char'lac and to repair the damage caused by Solidaritan withdrawal from the Laurasian-Briannian War, declared that Sigis'ac had been deposed from the Briannian throne (7 August 1199).

By the end of August 1199, the only foreign monarch who still recognized Sigis'ac as King of Briannia was Trapstila of Armania, and he could do nothing to influence the situation, his dominions being thousands of light years away from the Core Regions. The Rikstag, however, demonstrating that it had not yet capitulated fully to the idea of Char'lac as King of Briannia, issued a new proclamation on 2 September 1199. In this proclamation, it declared that its deposition of Sigis'ac from the Briannian throne by no means affected the succession rights of his son, Wladyslaw, and that "he was not to be hampered in becoming the next King of Briannia." Consequently, if Sigis'ac agreed to send Wladyslaw to the Briannian dominions, alone and with only a diplomatic escort, by no later then 1 February 1200, then his son would be proclaimed King of Briannia. Wladyslaw, however, was to be under the guardianship of Char'lac, who would continue as Lord Protector until he obtained his majority, and he would not be permitted, upon becoming King in his own right, to conduct relations with his father without first obtaining the consent of the Rikstag. Wladyslaw was also to follow traditional Briannian foreign and domestic policies, and if this required him acting contrary to the interests of his father and the Polonian Commonwealth, then so be it. When Sigis'ac received word of this offer from the Lord Protector, who now controlled communications between the Polonian Court and the Briannian Government, he was enraged. He demanded, on 7 September, that the deposition declaration be rescinded and that his son's rights as King of Briannia be hampered in no way. The Rikstag refused, and declared that its offer was final. Sigis'ac then decided to ignore the offer; in the intervening time, Char'lac's forces seized his remaining strongholds in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime.

On 15 September 1199, Field General Gustenholm instigated a blockade of Avaskar, after destroying Royalist outposts on Kemborg and Gottar. Avaskar fell on 24 September and most of the planetary garrison was put to the blaster. Two days later, Alvurg was reconquered and the last of Sigis'ac's supporters in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime were subdued. Thus, all of the Briannian dominions were under the effective rule of Char'lac. By October 1199, the Lord Protector was beginning to draft plans for launching a war against the Polonian Commonwealth, so as to harry the Horacian Provinces and force Sigis'ac to acknowledge his loss of the Briannian throne. For the remainder of 1199, however, no further hostilities were pursued; indeed, Briannia and Polonia were still officially at peace. In the Malarian Provinces of Laurasia, however, one last outbreak against Laurasian authority took place. Ever since acceding to the Laurasian throne in February 1198, Eurymaschus I had ruled in peace. True to his word, he had continued to pursue policies which endeared him to his new subjects. He reduced the planetary capitation in March 1198; relaxed conscription and enumeration rules; and maintained low tariffs, so that Laurasian products could circulate freely throughout the Kingdom's dominions. The King sponsored the activities of the Malarian Commission, which had set itself to work laying out hyperspace lanes throughout the conquered territories. He kept the support of the Church by forbidding state use of levies gathered from church properties and confirming the immunity of the clergy from persecution by the Royal Council or Aristocratic Duma, except on the King's special authorization. With the assistance of Job, he had implemented a reform of the liturgy in November 1198. In January 1199, Gadavaranius sponsored the voyage of three hundred young Laurasian men, who had been specially selected by the University of Laurasia Prime, to the foreign courts and educational institutions of all the other states in the Caladarian Galaxy, so that they could widen their intellectual horizons. These men, who were blessed by the Pope, set out from Laurasia Prime on 4 February 1199 and over the remainder of the year, traveled across a distance of over 120,000 light years.

Their voyage was to eventually be described in Laurasian accounts as a "survey of the Galaxy by our honorable race." Two months later, the King issued a royal charter to the Cartographical Institute of Katie, which was in later centuries to be one of the leading navigation and astrography institutes in the Caladarian Galaxy. In June 1199, he reconfirmed Honorius the Terrible's manifesto of 25 February 1154, maintaining liberal trade relations with the Stellar Kingdom's neighbors. In August 1199, negotiations commenced between the Kingdom of Halegothica and the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia over a economics treaty, similar to that concluded by the Royal Laurasian Government with the Amelianian Kingdom of Marcia in 1154; this eventually resulted in the Treaty of Iego, signed on 4 September 1199. King Eurymaschus thus believed that his reign would be one of peace, stability, and prosperity. He was, however, to be confronted with his first challenge in over three years. Vladios had remained a prisoner at Windowia Photis since February 1196; in all of that time, he had not raised much trouble for the prison authorities. The former King of Malaria was ambitious, however, and he had contacts at Terell, Welch, and Johnald, who wished to see him free and for him to return as master of the Malarian dominions. On 7 October 1199, these plans bore fruit as a Malarian pirate, Kakios of Johnald (1160-99), led a task force from his stronghold on Makia V (previously unknown to the Laurasians), which was in the outskirts of then Laurasian space. With this force, Kakios raided the prison of Windowia Photis and rescued Vladios from his captors. Three days later, the garrison of Welch was expelled by the world's inhabitants, who had erupted into rebellion.

On 14 October, Vladios proclaimed himself to be King of Malaria once again and denounced the abdication declaration which he had been forced to sign earlier. Two days later, he besieged and conquered Johnald, ordering for the entire Laurasian garrison to be slaughtered. The Jar Asteroids were then subdued (19-25 October 1199). The King of Malaria began to contemplate offensives into the Maluyta Nebula. He was not to be able to act on these plans, however. King Eurymaschus, when he received word that Vladios had escaped from prison, was enraged but nevertheless went into a flurry of action to suppress this final revolt. On 1 November, he declared that Vladios no longer deserved mercy and that when he was captured, he was to be executed. Two days later, the Laurasian rapid-response fleets of Manzo, Meehan, Almastead, and Kanley, under the command of General Antiochus Masouris (1147-1203), advanced against the pirate fleets of Vladios, Kakios, and their supporters. General Masouris, taking advantage of the superior firepower and discipline of his units, destroyed a pirate holdout on Mersia (4-6 November 1199); defeated Kakios's chief subordinate, Blasios, at Pasmeny (7-11 November) and halted Malarian raids against Kamachina, Terell, and Root (12-19 November). On 22 November, he reconquered the Jar Asteroids and drove towards Johnald. Although Kakios managed to obtain a minor victory at Coller (24 November 1199), he was unable to prevent government units from taking back the territories which he and Vladios had seized. Johnald was re-secured by General Masouris on 27 November, followed by Welch three days later.

By the beginning of December 1199, Vladios and Kakios were being pursued to the Trans-Maluyta. On 4 December, agents of the Court of the Royal Household, attached to the rapid-response force by King Eurymaschus three days prior, discovered that the chief pirate base was at Makia V. Five days later, Masouris launched a swift offensive against the world, disrupting the Malarian supply lines and inflicting a decisive defeat upon Kakios. By 14 December, Makia V had been secured by government forces. Three days later, the final confrontation with Vladios and Kakios took place at Imesh, and resulted in a decisive victory for the Laurasians. Kakios himself was killed in the heat of battle. Vladios attempted to flee on a unmarked starfighter, but it was intercepted and captured by Laurasian squadrons. King Eurymaschus, who wished for the death of Vladios to be very public, sent a order to General Masouris that he was to be transported back to Laurasia Prime for his execution. The General complied, and on 22 December, Vladios was placed on a heavily armored transport, escorted by a detachment of starfighters, destroyers, and cruisers. They proceeded rapidly to Laurasia Prime, reaching the capital world the following day. There, Vladios was executed by blaster fire at the Station of Jadia on 27 December 1199, with the King himself supervising the execution squad. His death marked the final termination of the Laurasian-Malarian War, which had begun in 1182 and continued, intermittently, for nearly two decades. The penultimate year of the twelfth century, and the last of the 1100s, thus ended with the Laurasian dominions once again at peace.

On 1 January 1200, the King, in his New Year's proclamation to the Laurasian people, declared that the Laurasian dominions now entered the last year of the twelfth century "in the best shape that could be hoped for" and that the final death of Vladios is "a fitting close to this century, which has seen both triumphs and failures for the Laurasian State." The King then expressed his hope that the new century would begin in a "peaceful manner" and that Laurasia would not have to deal with "any more internal challenges." This proclamation, given what was to happen over the next two decades, has been viewed by many Laurasian historians in a sad light. The thirteenth century, when it came the following year, was not to commence peacefully, and would come to be marred, in its early decades, by the Time of Troubles and wars with Solidarita, Polonia, and Briannia. Laurasia was still one hundred and twenty one years away from the prestige and power she would garner as the Laurasian Empire. During the early months of 1200, the last year of the twelfth century, the focus of events within the Core Regions became fixated upon the Briannian and Polonian territories. By January 1200, Char'lac was growing yet more ambitious. He knew that Sigis'ac was not going to respond to the Rikstag's offer, and that, in any case, he was more popular with the Briannian people then Wladyslaw and certainly more so than the King's father. On 11 January, he issued a proclamation from Schaueria Prime, declaring that his actions had only been meant to maintain the independence and the territorial integrity of Briannia, and that Sigis'ac did not truly care for his hereditary dominions, which had been demonstrated time and time again. He praised the Rikstag for their decision to depose Sigis'ac, declaring that it had been "justified by the circumstances." Sigis'ac, on his part, was engaged in a series of deliberations with the Polonian Parliament. By now, many magnates were willing to support the King in his effort to reclaim the Briannian dominions. This was for selfish reasons, however, as many reasoned that Sigis'ac would be indebted to them and would grant them estates within Briannian territory as a reward. Those who held feelings of nationalism believed that the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth could strengthen its position at the expense of Briannia and perhaps even acquire the Duchy of Schaueria Prime.

Thus, on 19 January, when the King of Polonia requested permission to assemble a larger force, including detachments from the Polonian Armed Forces, and to wage further military campaigns against Char'lac, he found that the Parliament was more willing to cooperate. On 25 January, the Second Authorization Act permitted the King to draw upon Polonian financial revenues to finance his new expeditionary force, and also allowed for up to 35% of Polonian conscripts to be automatically enrolled in the King's personal forces. Sigis'ac was also to be allowed to use 40% of all Polonian naval forces and 70% of Polonian army forces in his campaigns against the King of Briannia. In turn, Sigis'ac promised to secure territorial concessions for the Commonwealth in Schaueria Prime and to grant Polonian merchants certain economic privileges in Briannian territories. On 1 February, the offer by the Rikstag for Vladislaus to be named King of Briannia under certain conditions expired, and Char'lac declared that the rule of Sigis'ac or his heirs over the Briannian dominions would "never return." Four days later, he convened a second session of the Rikstag. The body confirmed that its offer had expired; affirmed its deposition of Sigis'ac from the Briannian throne; and, in the ultimate action, named Char'lac as Sigis'ac's successor to the Briannian throne. Char'lac, now King-Elect of Briannia, expressed his happiness at the Rikstag's decision and promised to rule the Briannian dominions better than Sigis'ac had. On 11 February, he sent a ultimatum to Sigis'ac, declaring that if the King of Polonia did not acknowledge him as King-Elect of Briannia by no later than 1 March 1200, a state of war would exist between the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia and the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Sigis'ac was alarmed by this ultimatum, and on 17 February, declared that Char'lac was the "worst traitor to ever have lived in the Caladarian Galaxy." On 21 February, he issued a notice to the Polonian Parliament, stating that the ultimatum of Char'lac was justification for war.

On 1 March 1200, the ultimatum expired and Char'lac issued a formal declaration of war against the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. The Polonian-Briannian Wars, which were to continue intermittently throughout the thirteenth century and culminate in the Great Briannian War (1300-1321), had commenced. The Polonians, however, were to make the first move. Polonian squadrons had assembled at Horacia, Donald, Theresa, John, Cinnamon, Momma, Pandy, Ergeme, Redderson, and other strongholds, and were poised to advance into the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. On 6 March, the Polonian forces invaded the Duchy of Schaueria Prime under the command of Magnate-General Mikoljai "the Thunderbolt" Radzwill, a cousin of the late General Zamyoski. For some months, the Polonians managed to make advances in Briannian territory. General Radzwill besieged and conquered Avaskar (7-11 March 1200); destroyed a Briannian fleet at Chromy (12-16 March); and isolated Seth (19 March), before harrying Solis (20-25 March). The Briannian base of Livonia, which had been established on the orders of Field General Gustenholm on 19 January 1200, was conquered by General Radzwill on 2 April. By 7 April, Solis and Aberdeen had both been conquered by Polonian units, which now advanced towards Alvurg, Rashid, and Kolchad. Gustenholm himself, moving out from Shiloh, managed to defeat a Polonian fleet at Lamis (12 April 1200) and then repelled a Polonian offensive against Calpurnia (13-19 April). He was unable to prevent General Radzwill from conquering Mem (22 April) or from blockading Kalmar (24 April-6 May). On 11 May, Radzwill secured a further victory at Goteburg, and General Gustenholm was forced to leave Steneborg to the mercy of the Polonian forces. Steneborg was besieged from 17 May, but did not fall until 2 June. Radzwill, however, had overextended his units, and on 6 June, his offensive against Kolchad ended in failure. Five days later, Gustenholm, who had reorganized his units, inflicted a severe defeat upon a Polonian detachment force at Linopking, and on 17 June, secured Gottar against further Polonian offensives.

Gustenholm then recovered Lamis (20-22 June 1200) and secured Farbrsinia (24 June), before moving towards Steneborg. On 8 July 1200, Steneborg itself was besieged by a Briannian fleet, being reconquered four days later. General Radzwill now launched a series of counteroffensives towards Alvurg, Rashid, Calpurnia, and Shiloh (July-August 1200) which ended in failure. On 18 August, he suffered a further defeat at Aberdeen. Five days later, Seth was reconquered by Field General Gustenholm. Polonian offensives against Alvsborg, Gullborg, and Gitaland ended in failure (25 August-6 September 1200) and on 19 September, Gustenholm recovered Chromy. Kalmar was besieged from 22 September, being recovered by the end of the month. In October 1200, Radzwill and his units began to retreat towards Avaskar, as the Polonian Magnate-General realized that Gustenholm had regained the advantage. Char'lac, however, who wished to command the Briannian forces personally, commanded his son to halt and to temporarily suspend further campaigns against the Polonian forces. On 4 November, the King-Elect, who had been at Briannia consolidating his position on the Council of Advisors and reorganizing the government, returned to Schaueria Prime and assumed the supreme command of all Briannian forces in the Duchy of Schaueria Prime. Seven days later, he established his headquarters at Steneborg and made preparations to launch a major strike against Avaskar. Radzwill, however, harried Briannian garrisons on Mem, Stangebo, and Shiloh (14-25 November 1200), keeping Briannian fleets off-balance. On 31 November, Briannian units finally began to push towards Avaskar. A series of confrontations at Mamie, Ianne, and Sexton (1-8 December 1200) failed to hamper the Briannian advance. Avaskar was finally besieged from 17 December, and did not fall until the last day of the century.

====The Elimination of Clovis's Rivals; The Stalemate of the Bukhan Civil War, and its ultimate conclusion; Clovian Wars with Ashlgothia and the Devianiani; The Beginning of the First War with the Alexandrian Kingdom; The Death of Gunthamund, and Ascension of Tharsamund; The First Kuevian-Halegothican War, and the victory of Theodoric; The Events leading to the end of the Century (1193-1200)==== Having described the affairs of the Core Regions up to 1200, including the civil war in the Briannian Dominions, the Laurasian-Briannian War, the civil wars in the Solidaritan Sultanate, and the end of the Honorian Dynasty, among other events, attention must now be turned back to the Outer Galactic Regions. As previously mentioned, by the end of 1193, Theodoric of Halegothica had consolidated his position in the former dominions of the Kingdom of Rudorita, while Clovis, the Senior King of Melorkia, was beginning his plans to assert his rule over the minor Melorkian kings. The year 1193, in general, was a decisive landmark year in the Caladarian Galaxy. By 1193, the power of the Dasians, which had been a major factor in galactic politics since the reign of Genghis Khan, had been reduced to insignificance. The Homidinian Khanate, which was the only remaining Dasian Khanate in the Caladarian Galaxy, had lost much of its power and territory. It was torn apart by civil war, and its economy had been seriously weakened over the preceding decades. The barbarians who had first entered the Caladarian Galaxy in the middle of the eleventh century now dominated the majority of known space. As of 1193, the only regions of space within the Caladarian Galaxy that remained under the rule of native species were the Stellar Kingdom of Laurasia, the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth, the Celestial Kingdom of Briannia, the Xilanian Empire, the Venasian Consortium, and the Kingdom of Merlita. The rest of space belonged to the barbarian kingdoms or to the rump Homidinian Khanate; none of the barbarian species had even been present in the Galaxy before 1047. The Kingdom of Halegothica was by far, probably the most imposing of the barbarian monarchies outside of the Galactic Borderlands; it extended from the Corporate Trade Corridor in the Burglais Arm, all the way across the Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, through the eastern Outer Borderlands, and into the Eastern Barsar Regions. Kuevia, which still governed the Inner and Middle Territories, extended from the outskirts of the Industrialized Borderlands, across the worlds of the old Millian Empire, to the vicinity of the Robertian and Jageronian Worlds. Armania governed all of the territories once belonging to the Northern Khanate, while Ashlgothia still dominated the Inner and Middle Territories west of the Kimanian Trade Run. The Kingdom of the Alexandrians and Devianiani Confederacy shared the Barsar Regions with Ashlgothia, Halegothica, and the Kingdom of the Jarjanics, which held the southern terminus of the Denveranian Trunk Line. The Melorkian Kingdoms dominated much of the course of the Kimanian Trade Run, while Marcia and her subordinate kingdoms dominated the entire Galactic Borderlands. Clearly, the Caladarian Galaxy had been changed.

1194 began with the Galaxy thus residing in this state of affairs. By January 1194, Clovis had assembled his military squadrons at Roastafaria Major, Merovech, and Tournacia. The senior King of Melorkia had a advantage over his fellow Melorkian monarchs, for he, and he alone, controlled the territories which had once belonged to the Crimeanian Khanate. The King had made full use of this advantage, conscripting large numbers of Sanegetans, Oglamerians, Hooperians, Chapellans, and Nathanelietes, among others, into his forces. He exploited the resources of his Crimeanian territories effectively and deployed them for his treasury and government. Consequently, Clovis had a larger military force and more financial resources at his disposal then any of his rivals. Chararic, on his part, had begun to assemble his military units, and had attempted to send overtures to Ragnachar, urging him to join against Clovis. Ragnachar, however, was bribed by Clovis, and on 29 January, proclaimed his neutrality in any conflict which would erupt between the two Kings. On 6 February, Clovis issued a proclamation from Roastafaria Major, declaring that he had made arrangements with Chararic over the Crimeanian Khanate and that the Junior King had not been faithful to those arrangements. Consequently, the Senior King of Melorkia declared that Chararic needed to be punished for his perfidy and that by doing so, he, Clovis, would be appeasing the spirits of his ancestors. On 11 February, he issued a ultimatum to Chararic, demanding that he abdicate and acknowledge Clovis as sole King of Melorkia. Chararic, however, who believed that he would be able to resist Clovis's advances, refused to respond to the ultimatum. Afterwards, on 22 February 1194, Clovis issued a declaration of war against Chararic and launched his units into the Junior King's territory. He destroyed his brother's chief offensive armada at Babania (24-29 February) and then conquered the Melorkian garrison at Tamars (1-5 March), conscripting the personnel of that garrison into his forces. Four days later, Chararic hurled towards Moule, attempting to intercept Clovis.

Clovis, however, quickly cut him off, and on 19 March, inflicted a decisive defeat upon him at the Battle of Tourbonne. By the end of March 1194, the Senior King of Melorkia had conquered Rasti, and was hailed by the population of the world as a "liberator" from the rule of Chararic, who had become increasingly tyrannical. In April 1194, he began to advance towards Roastafaria Minor, Xxi, and Jemeina, determined to storm those major strongholds of Chararic. Ricchar of Manorsia, however, who was becoming alarmed at Clovis's advances, and who had succumbed to Chararic's pleas, issued a declaration of war on 16 April and sent his units to support Chararic. With these forces, Chararic defeated Clovis at Dacia (17-19 April 1194) and then destroyed the Senior King's observation outpost on Dagnught (22 April). On 29 April, he recovered Tourbonne, and on 4 May, finally conquered Moule. Clovis however, quickly recovered, and he repelled offensives against Tamars, Babania, and Algaica Belguica (5-11 May 1194). On 15 May, he reconquered Moule, and then pushed towards Wilmson, a major supply base for Chararic and his forces. Wilmson was subdued on 21 May, and four days later, Tourbonne was again conquered by Clovis's forces. On 1 June, Clovis defeated Ricchar's chief general, Childobert, in the Battle of Imune, and then recovered Dacia. By 12 June, Xxi and Jemeina were again threatened by the Senior King. Chararic managed to inflict a defeat upon Clovis's subordinate armada at Bethune (15-18 June 1194), but was unable to prevent a further advance by Melorkian forces towards Xxi. Xxi itself was blockaded from 7 July, and was conquered by Clovis four days later. On 15 July, Jemeina was similarly threatened, falling to Clovis just two days later.

By the end of July 1194, Roastafaria Minor was isolated, and Clovis now severed all supply lines to the star system. The siege of Roastafaria Minor began on 3 August 1194 and continued for nearly a month, as Chararic directed the planetary garrison to resist the forces of Clovis "as vigorously as they were able." Finally, on 1 September, the world's defenses were breached, and Clovis's troops made their descent. All remaining resistance by Chararic's forces at Roastafaria Minor had been ended by 6 September. Clovis and his units then moved against Chararic's remaining strongholds. Kentaborn (7-11 September); Tamars (14 September); and Ensrassburg (17-23 September) were besieged and conquered in turn by the Senior King of Melorkia. Finally, on 26 September, King Chararic and his two sons, Sigisvult and Louis, were cornered by Clovis and his armada at Lapasarania, and despite fierce resistance, they were captured two days later. On the orders of Clovis, Chararic's sons were executed in front of their father's eyes, their corpses then being hurled into Lapasarania's star. Chararic himself was subsequently blinded and castrated, and on 4 October, was forced to acknowledge that Clovis was the sole King of Melorkia. Clovis then had him imprisoned at Rasti; the former Junior King of Melorkia did not recover from the humiliations and the injuries inflicted upon him, and died there on 19 December 1196. Following the defeat of Chararic, Clovis began to plan for military campaigns into the territories of Ricchar. Ricchar, however, realizing that the King of Melorkia had the advantage, sued for peace on 25 December.

On 1 January 1195, a conference was opened at Cambrina, on the invitation of Ragnachar, who also wished to settle with Clovis in light of the Senior King's victory over Chararic. After several days of fraught negotiations between the King and the two Melorkian Grand Princes, the Treaty of Cambrina was signed on 16 January 1195. By the terms of this treaty, Clovis was acknowledged by Ragnachar and Ricchar as the sole King of Melorkia and as their overlord; they were to retain their positions as Grand Princes and were to continue to rule over the worlds which had been allocated to them by their father. Clovis, however, would be able to demand tribute and military units from them, and he would have rights of military access through their territories. They acknowledged Clovis's acquisition of the territories formerly controlled by Chararic and recognized his sole sovereignty over the Crimeanian territories. The Treaty of Cambrina was ratified by the three monarchs the following day, who then spent several days in festivities. Clovis then took his leave of Ragnachar and Ricchar on 8 February, returning to Roastafaria Major five days later. Ragnachar and Ricchar, however, began to secretly plot among themselves, and in March 1195, they were to sign the secret Treaty of Cyrus III, pledging to work together to limit Clovis's power. Clovis, however, was made aware of their dealings through his agents at their courts, and began to formulate plans for eliminating them as well. In the meantime, however, peace managed to prevail in the Melorkian dominions for some months.

The Homidinian Khanate, on the other hand, remained engrossed in a bitter civil war. 1194 had commenced in the Homidinian Khanate with government forces gaining the advantage. And indeed, the forces of General Khayisan extended their control throughout most of the year, although the rebels were not yet ready to give up. Digette (4-9 January); Ryan (10-15 January); and Gwendolyn (16-22 January) were reconquered by the General Khayisan, driving rebel units further towards Homidinia. A rebel raiding offensive against Sonny, Dromund, and Kacee (February-March 1194) managed to inflict severe losses upon government positions. By April 1194, however, Khayisan had stabilized the front lines, and he now secured Peters from rebel forces (1-5 May 1194). On 11 May, he reconquered Silverman, and by 22 May, was pushing towards Marley, Brown, and Corinne. All of those strongholds had fallen by the end of June 1194, and Bukha was entering dire straits. In July 1194, Dion was secured by a government force, but similar attempts to blockade Yutzy and Homidinia Minor failed. By August 1194, a stalemate had ensued, which was to continue for the next three years. Repeated skirmishes and confrontations in the Lacian Cluster, Kledis Var region, and Homidinian Worlds failed to resolve matters between the two sides. Lagar of Selinus deserved credit, in the eyes of many historians both at the time and later, for his efforts to maintain rebel supply lines and for successfully preventing Halegothican forces from moving in force against Homidinia. TKhan Shidebala and the Homidinian Council of Bazaars grew frustrated by the stalemate, and by November 1194, the Khan was seriously considering a proposal by the Council that Khayisan be dismissed from his position and executed for "incompetence." Shidebala, however, recognized that Khayisan was the most talented general that he had, and consequently kept him in the field. Nevertheless, the stalemate continued through 1195 and 1196 without resolution. As such, we shall turn our attention back to occurrences in the Melorkian dominions. As previously stated, Clovis managed to remain at peace with his brothers for a number of months before another civil war broke out.

By July 1195, however, this precarious peace was beginning to weaken, for Ragnachar and Ricchar were determined to move against Clovis, sooner rather then later. They did not wish for the King of Melorkia to have substantial time to exploit the resources of his newly-won territories, nor did they wish to contribute to his treasury by paying tribute, which was scheduled to begin, according to the Treaty of Cambrina, from 1 January 1196. Consequently, the two Grand Princes had assembled their military units at the strongholds of Cambrina, Cyrus III, Riparia, Cholodio, and Alsauborg. Then on 24 July, they held a secret conference with each other at Resmania, and agreed to coordinate their military offensives into the territories of Clovis. On 1 August, Ragnachar and Ricchar formally denounced the terms of the Treaty of Cambrina, declaring that Clovis did not deserve to be sole master of the Melorkian dominions. Their military units now surged into Clovis's territories. They besieged and conquered Kentaborn (2-7 August 1195) and destroyed the repository which Clovis had established on Tamars (8-11 August). They then advanced towards Ensrassburg, destroying the Melorkian outposts on Emrine (12 August); Mayblein (14-19 August); and Marla (22-25 August). Ensrassburg was besieged by the two Grand Princes on 1 September, and fell to their arms five days later. Clovis, however, had begun to prepare his counteroffensives, and he had strengthened the garrison on Roastafaria Major, determined to deny Ragnachar and Ricchar the opportunity to advance further into his territories. Indeed, their offensive against Imune, Wilmson, and Dacia (8-19 September 1195) ended in failure, and on 24 September, Clovis, who had now arrived from Roastafaria Major to take personal command of his forces, defeated them at Dor.

On 1 October, he reconquered Marla and harried the supply outposts of the garrison on Mayblein. A counteroffensive by Ricchar against Tourbonne and Moule (2-9 October 1195) ended in failure. By 18 October, Mayblein had been recovered, and the King's units were pressing to Enrassburg, Emrine, and Tamars. Emrine was reconquered on 26 October, but it was not until 15 November that Enrassburg was recovered. Three days afterwards, Tamars was also recovered by the King of Melorkia. By the end of November 1195, Ragnachar and Ricchar had been forced to retreat from the territories controlled by Clovis. On 4 December, the two Grand Princes, hoping that they could secure favorable terms from Clovis, sent a peace offer to him, begging him to forgive them for their "rebellious behavior" and their "utter foolishness of action." Clovis, however, refused, and on 9 December, declared that because they had violated the terms of the Treaty of Cambrina, they were no longer deserving of his mercy. He then announced his intention to unify all of the Melorkian dominions under his sole rule. On 14 December, Clovis invaded the territories of Ragnachar, intent on reducing his strongholds one by one. Ragnachar launched a series of counteroffensives, striking against Melorkian fleets at Adine and Connie (15-19 December 1195), a effort which ended in failure. Sobrai and Evan were then threatened by the King of Melorkia from 22 December; both strongholds had fallen by the end of the year.

On 1 January 1196, Clovis defeated Ragnachar at Encore and compelled him to retreat towards Cambrina. Riparia (2-5 January); Cholodio (11 January); and Isia (12-15 January) were then overrun by the Melorkian units. On 26 January, Ricchar and Ragnachar, who had combined their fleets in a effort to stop Clovis, suffered a further defeat in the Battle of Palmer. On 1 February, Alsauborg itself was besieged by Clovis, falling to him the following week. Clovis did not have any mercy for the world's inhabitants, and on his orders, the majority were slaughtered, deported, or enslaved. On 7 February, the outposts on Kans and Tierney, which blocked the way to Cambrina, were stormed by Clovis, who then drove off a ambush force of Melorkian starfighters at Jasmine (8-11 February). On 16 February 1196, Cambrina was besieged by the King's fleet. Ragnachar attempted to organize a resistance, but his efforts ended in failure, and on 7 March, the world surrendered to Clovis. Clovis, who established his new operational headquarters on Cambrina, then commanded for Ragnachar's last remaining garrisons at Costner, Kevin, and Gelp to be seized; all three of these worlds were in his possession by the end of the month. By April 1196, Clovis, having secured control of Ragnachar's territories, had directed his forces into the dominions of Ricchar. Ricchar, to whom Ragnachar had fled, posed a fierce resistance to him, however. The King's offensives against Resmania and Obathia (2-17 April 1196) ended in failure, and on 22 April, Ricchar defeated Clovis at Les Mans.

He then repelled a Melorkian offensive against Hathaway (23 April) and secured Clovis's observation outpost on Purdill (25 April). On 4 May, however, Clovis repelled a counteroffensive by Ricchar against Gelp, and on 8 May, he obtained victory in the Second Battle of Les Mans. Hathaway was assaulted again on 11 May, but due to Ricchar's fierce resistance, did not fall until 5 June. On 11 June, Resmania was attacked by Clovis a second time. Ricchar, however, repelled this offensive, and then destroyed one of the Melorkian King's corps at Michelle (17-21 June 1196). On 24 June, however, he was defeated by Clovis in the Battle of Pasar Star, and was forced to allow Clovis to advance to Resmania. Clovis finally conquered Resmania on 7 July; Obathia was subdued two days later. His attempt to recover Purdill (12-17 July 1196) ended in failure, however, and on 22 July, Ricchar ambushed and annihilated a Melorkian starfighter squadron at Waters. On 29 July, Clovis managed to reach Cyrus III and seized the world without much of a struggle. He then engaged in a series of bitter confrontations with Ricchar at Cansbrun, Marsin, and Alamannia (August-September 1196), destroying most of his transport armada. On 2 October, he captured Ragnachar at Olm and had him put to death two days later. On 7 October, Timser was subdued.

By 15 October, all of Ricchar's remaining bases had been conquered by Clovis. Ricchar, however, held out until 12 November 1196, when he was finally cornered and captured by Clovis at Leuder. He was bound in chains and presented to the King of Melorkia, who declared that "It would have been better for this fiend and traitor to have died in the field of battle." He then killed him with a vibro-axe and had his head placed on a electrical spike. Ragnachar's head was severed from its corpse and placed on a spike as well. By 17 November, Clovis had consolidated firmly his grip over all of the Melorkian territories, and was acknowledged by foreign courts as the sole King of Melorkia. He conducted a victorious progress throughout his dominions before returning to Roastafaria Major on 6 December. The heads of Ricchar and Ragnachar were displayed in public, along with the notice "This is what happens to those who defy the will of our Majesty and of our Gods." They were then placed in containers which were stored at the Vault of Kings. In the meantime, the health of King Gunthamund of Kuevia had entered a severe decline. By November 1196, Gunthamund had withdrawn from active involvement in government affairs, with everyone at the Kuevian Court knowing that his death was approaching near. He had never married and had no children of his own; however, he did have a surviving brother, Tharsamund, one of the last surviving grandchildren of King Genseric. Tharsamund was the heir apparent to the Kuevian throne according to Genseric's laws of succession, and in a ceremony at the Mausoleum of Kuevian Monarchs on 27 November, his position as successor was confirmed by Gunthamund. On 1 December, Theodoric, who had spent the last three years in efforts to consolidate further his realm over the former Rudorite dominions, proclaimed that he would defend Tharsamund against any threats which could arise to his position; this was to be the first step in the eventual Halegothican domination of Kuevian affairs and the Halegothican wars with the Venasian Consortium.

On 7 December, Gunthamund formally entered confinement at the Palace of Shenandoah, and Tharsamund began preparations for his accession to the throne. Then on 16 December 1196, Gunthamund died after reigning for twelve years, and he was now succeeded to the throne by Tharsamund. The formal proclamation of Tharsamund's accession to the throne was issued by the Chancellory of Shenandoah, and messages about Gunthamund's death were dispatched to the courts of the other foreign powers. All foreign monarchs, especially Theodoric and Alaric II, expressed their sadness for the death of the King of Kuevia and declared their hope that Tharsamund would reign in a "positive and firm manner" over his new dominions. Tharsamund himself, in his first proclamation to his subjects, declared his loyalty to the Kuevian State and announced his determination to "continue the policies of my esteemed ancestor, the founder of this realm, King Genseric." On 22 December, the state funeral for Gunthamund was conducted on Kuevia, being attended by the King, the leading Kuevian officials, and the foreign ambassadors to the Kuevian Court. Tharsamund announced that his coronation as King was to be held on 29 February of the following year. This King of Kuevia, whose reign would see Halegothica and Venasia gaining power and influence at Kuevia's expense, was nevertheless ambitious. He believed that he could resume the raiding expeditions and the campaigns of Genseric, and that he could expand his dominions at the expense of his neighbors, in particular Theodoric. In this, he was to prove grievously wrong.

As 1197 commenced, however, the focus of attention turned to the Homidinian Khanate. The early months of 1197 saw the Bukhan Civil War finally ending after five years, three of which had been consumed by indecisive and unproductive skirmishing between the forces of Bukha and those of the Homidinian Government. On 7 January, Khayisan, who had still managed to retain his command position, was finally able to defeat Major-General Lagar in the Battle of Ureon. Five days later, he managed to blockade Yutzy. The world, however, resisted fiercely, and did not fall to his arms until 12 February. Following this, Khayisan destroyed rebel outposts on Kyler (17-19 February); Demebezaic (22 February); and Dominic (29 February-7 March), disrupting the supply lines of Homidinia Major. On 14 March, Lagar was finally cornered at Donovan, being captured there by Homidinian government starfighters two days later. On 22 March, Lagar of Selinus suffered a severe defeat in the Battle of Hepner, and was forced to terminate his supply efforts to the garrisons on Homidinia Major and Homidinia Minor. Homidinia Minor itself was besieged from 1 April, finally falling to government forces a month later. By the end of May 1197, government forces had destroyed rebel garrisons on Dazz, Jeuce, and Hardy, penetrating to the very outskirts of Homidinia Major itself. Homidinia Major was finally besieged from 17 June. Lagar of Selinus and Bukha posed a fierce resistance to the forces of the Homidinian Government, and they managed to inflict severe damage upon Khayisan's starfighter squadrons. Khayisan, however, had the advantage, and with the assistance of a Halegothican corps, he breached Homidinia's defenses on 24 July. By 1 August, the entire star system had been subdued, and Lagar of Selinus had been compelled into retreat. Bukha himself, however, was not able to flee the reach of government forces; he was captured at Blamano on 12 August. On the orders of Khan Shidebala, the rebel General was humiliated in front of the Homidinian fleet, forced to confess his sins, and then branded with an electronic iron. He was then placed on a prison transport which took a route back to Chalassia.

The transport arrived there on 1 September, having stopped at major strongholds in the Lacian Cluster and Kledis Var regions along the way, on the orders of the Khan. At Chalassia, the Khan himself observed the traitor and then had him publicly condemned in front of the Homidinian population. On 9 September, he ordered for Bukha to be executed. This was done four days later, and the General's body was disposed of through solar incineration. By the end of September 1197, most of the remaining embers of the Bukhan Civil War had been suppressed, and the majority of the Homidinian worlds once again acknowledged the authority of Shidebala. Lagar of Selinus, however, managed to evade government forces, and he was not finally captured until 17 January 1198. He suffered a similar fate as Bukha, being taken back to Chalassia on a prison transport and publicly humiliated by the Khan before being executed. Shidebala, however, rewarded General Khayisan and his chief subordinate, Admiral Agragron; they were both awarded the Order of Tokugaistus the Great on 29 September 1197. The Homidinian Khanate was fully at peace by February 1198. During this time, the focus of attention again shifted back to the Melorkian dominions. Clovis, who had now established his position as the sole King of Melorkia, which he had from the beginning of his reign considered to be his right, was determined to expand his dominions at the expense of his neighbors.

He firmly believed in the myths of his people; namely, that a ruler would arise among them who would raise their prestige among other species and would stake out a position and prominence for them among the stars. Clovis believed that he was to fulfill this within the Caladarian Galaxy, and that the means by which this could be done was by war. In November 1197, the King of Melorkia held a secret conference with his advisers and military commanders on Roastafaria Major to discuss plans for a potential war with Ashlgothia. Clovis believed that the power of Alaric II needed to be restricted, and he wished to extend Melorkian territories into the Barsar Regions, so that he could eventually impose his dominance over the Devianiani Confederacy, which had experienced severe social and economic troubles throughout most of the decade. Clovis, in particular, aimed to acquire Armenia Major, Beverly Hereidu, Shell, and Brooke One, believing that if he controlled these strongholds, he would be able to enhance the influence of his dominions.

By the end of November 1197, his plans for a war with Ashlgothia had become well advanced, and he now made preparations for a confrontation with Alaric. At Cyrus III, Resmania, Obathia, Marsin, and Alamannia, strongholds which had been so fiercely contested with Ricchar, the King of Melorkia assembled his military squadrons and drilled them intensively, informing them that a move into Ashlgothian territory would be to the "greater glory" of the Melorkian species. Then on 9 December, the King of Melorkia sent a ultimatum to Alaric, who was then at Allison with his court and government advisers. In this ultimatum, Clovis declared that "the state of affairs within the Caladarian Galaxy requires occasional adjustments" and that Melorkia should be "more equal" in power with her neighbors. Consequently, Clovis demanded that Alaric concede Beverly Hereidu, Armenia Major, and Shell to the Kingdom of Melorkia; that he recognize Melorkian rights to campaign against the Devianiani Confederacy; and that he agree to grant privileges in his dominions to Melorkian merchants. Clovis, on his part, offered to "assist" Alaric in a future conflict with either the Kingdom of Alexandria or the Polonian-Donguarian Commonwealth. Alaric, when he received the Melorkian King's demand, was "utterly shocked and appalled" by the boldness of the Melorkian King. After several days of consultations with his advisers, the King of Ashlgothia rejected Clovis's demands on 15 December, declaring that they were "unreasonable" and that Clovis was a war-monger. Clovis, declaring that his attempts to "preserve the peace" had failed, severed diplomatic relations with the Ashlgothian Court on 22 December and mobilized his military forces. He sent assurances to both Theodoric and Tharsamund that he had no "hostile intentions" towards their dominions and that he would not threaten Alaric's control of Messalina, Chobania, and Samantha, nor would he challenge Ashlgothian overlordship over the Jarjanics.

On 1 January 1198, the King of Melorkia issued a official declaration of war and launched his units into Ashlgothian territory. He besieged and conquered the Ashlgothian outpost on Hefner (2-7 January); defeated a Ashlgothian patrol fleet in the Battle of Jimmie (10 January); and harried the outskirts of Earl (12-19 January). Alaric now hurried from Allison, hoping to halt the Melorkian offensives and recover territories which had been lost to them. He managed to obtain a minor victory at Shell (20-22 January 1198) and halted a Melorkian offensive against Tomme (24-29 January), but on 1 March, Beverly Hereidu was besieged by Melorkian forces. The stronghold fell to Clovis on 12 March, and he ordered for the entire planetary garrison to be slaughtered. By 19 March, Brooke One was being threatened, and a series of confrontations at Greg, Cyrus III, Christophe, and Sandra (20-29 March 1198) failed to halt the Melorkian King's advances. Brooke One was besieged from 1 April, falling to the Melorkians a week later. By the end of April 1198, Melorkian expeditions were penetrating to Nandia and Larkin, while Dumbgwita was overrun by a Melorkian starfighter squadron (1-5 May). On 14 May, Clovis defeated Alaric at Leslie, and on 21 May, he destroyed the Ashlgothian base on Knight. By 22 May, Clovis's units were penetrating to Shell, Messalina, and Reading. On 29 May, Alaric launched a counteroffensive into Melorkian territory, with his units penetrating to Rose, Roastafaria Major, Jack, Resmania, and Alasauborg.

By 19 June, however, Clovis had repelled his forces, and on 25 June, Shell surrendered to the Melorkian troops. Armenia Minor was then conquered (1-9 July 1198) and by 15 July, Armenia Major had been isolated. On 22 July, Alaric was defeated in the Battle of Woolestone and was forced to retreat towards Nandia. Armenia Major was conquered by Clovis on 1 August, who then destroyed a Ashlgothian detachment at Khagia (2-9 August). By 16 August, Clovis was preparing for offensives against Leslie, Larkin, Nandia, and other Ashlgothian strongholds. Alaric, however, who knew that Clovis had the upper hand, and wished to turn his attention to domestic affairs, sent a offer for peace on 22 August. Clovis accepted and a armistice was signed at Gelp on 29 August. On 2 September, a peace conference was opened on Bookman, being mediated by diplomats sent by King Theodoric, who was attempting to establish more cordial relations with his neighbors and who was wary of the ambitions of the Melorkian King. After several days of negotiations, the Treaty of Bookman was signed on 18 September 1198. By the terms of this agreement, Clovis acquired the Armenian Worlds, Shell, Brooke One, and the regions of the Trans-Greg, which included Khagia and Dumbgwita. He returned all other territories conquered by his arms to the authority of Alaric. Alaric also granted privileges to Melorkian merchants in his dominions and in a secret provision, agreed to acknowledge Clovis's rights to campaign against the Devianiani Confederacy. The Treaty of Bookman was ratified by King Clovis on 22 September; by King Alaric on 29 September; and by King Theodoric (as mediator) on 4 October.

By the end of October 1198, its provisions had taken effect and all Melorkian units had withdrawn from Ashlgothian territory, besides the strongholds gained by Clovis. Clovis now assembled units at Woolestone, Armenia Major, Beverly Hereidu, and Daley, preparing for offensives against the Devianiani Confederacy. In November 1198, Clovis sent a communique to the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy. In this message, the King of Melorkia called himself "the boldest of monarchs in this Galaxy" and declared that it would be a wise policy for the Devianiani Confederacy to recognize his supreme position in the Middle Territories and Kimanian Run regions. Consequently, he demanded that the Council agree to the concession of Mrpath V, the lower Denveranian Trunk Line regions, and Plkit, among other strongholds, to the Kingdom of Melorkia; that the Confederacy acknowledge his overlordship and grant him military access privileges through their dominions; and that the Devianiani agree to support the Melorkians in any future wars which they may undertake in the Barsar Regions. The Devianiani Council, alarmed at the King's demands, issued their response on 5 December, rejecting them. In the response, the Council denounced Clovis for his "wanton aggression" and declared that no reasonable state would make a agreement with him. Clovis, who was enraged by this response, commanded his subordinates to draft plans for invasion.

By the end of December 1198, the Melorkian military forces were ready to advance into the territories of the Confederacy. The Great Council, on its part, strengthened the garrisons of Hermasia, Lesia Minor, Ain Jalut, Damascus, and other strongholds, determined to forestall an advance by Clovis and his forces. These efforts, however, were to prove to be in vain. On 1 January 1199, Clovis issued the final set of instructions to his forces, and two days later, a declaration of war against the Devianiani Confederacy. Melorkian squadrons advanced rapidly from Woolestone, Armenia Major, and Beverly Hereidu, moving swiftly along the Denveranian Trunk Line and towards the Murphian Trade Spine. Clovis besieged and conquered Trieste (2-9 January 1199); destroyed a Devianiani fleet at Stahl (12 January); and stormed the Devianiani garrison on Simon (13-19 January), before isolating Ain Jalut from outside assistance (20-22 January). On 1 February, the King of Melorkia obtained a decisive victory at the Battle of Sejucia-Pax, and four days later, Ruumlist itself was besieged. It eventually fell to Melorkian units on 26 February. By 2 March, Ain Jalut had fallen under siege, and was conquered three days later. On 12 March, Clovis destroyed a Melorkian armada at Damascus, and four days later, annihilated the Devianiani military academy at Begun. On 24 March, a Melorkian raiding expedition harried Lesia Minor, and on 2 April, Aletis was stormed by a Melorkian force. By 11 April, Clovis was contemplating offensives against Lesia Minor, Hermasia, and Ipkit. On 14 April, he destroyed a Devianiani outpost at Helen. On 22 April, however, the Council dispatched a force from Lesia Minor, under the command of the Devianiani General Gibuld. Gibuld, who was a determined and energetic commander, managed to maintain the morale of the remaining Devianiani forces and constantly harried Melorkian supply lines during the following two months.

He encountered and dispersed a Melorkian starfighter squadron at Cal (29 April-3 May); repelled another Melorkian raiding expedition against Lesia Minor (4-17 May), and halted Melorkian operations against the Murphian Trade Spine strongholds (18-22 May). On 25 May, he obtained a victory in the Battle of Aleppo, and five days later, conquered a Melorkian intelligence outpost at Grassley. On 5 June, he even launched a raiding offensive against Armenia Major, Damascus, and Woolestone, inflicting severe damage upon Melorkian positions before Clovis compelled him to retreat. By 14 June, Clovis had brought in a sizable number of Melorkian reinforcements and prepared for a final decisive push in order to lure and destroy Gibuld's armada. On 24 June, Gibuld obtained another victory in the Battle of Mansia, but he was now losing the initiative. On 1 July, Clovis lured the Devianiani General to Tolbiac, located along the Kimanian Run, and using his superior cruiser and corvette squadrons, managed to sever the Devianiani supply lines. The battle, which lasted for four days, was fierce, with Gibuld and his starships resisting with all that they could muster. In the end, however, Clovis was victorious, and Gibuld was finally captured on 5 July. The King of Melorkia, who was impressed with the Devianiani General's bravery and tactical insight, decided to spare his life, commanding for him merely to be imprisoned on Brooke One. With Gibuld out of the way, Clovis regained the initiative. He reconquered Cal (6-11 July 1199) and resumed his operations against the Murphian Trade Spine, inflicting severe damage upon Devianiani bases at Masau, Inkaurta, and Beatrice (12-25 July).

On 1 August, Hermasia was finally conquered by a Melorkian force, and two days later, Clovis began the siege of Ipkit. The Council of the Devianiani Confederacy was by this point, however, realizing that they could not secure victory against the Melorkians. Many on the Council favored the restoration of peace and were eager to maintain positive relations with the King of Melorkia in the future. Some were hopeful that Clovis would eventually threaten the positions of Halegothica, Alexandria, and the Jarjanics, in whose midst the Devianiani Confederacy had maintained a precarious position. Consequently, on 7 August, the Council sent a diplomatic communique to Clovis, who was with his units besieging Ipkit. In this communique, they asked for a armistice and offered to begin negotiations with him over the end of the war. Clovis, glad that the Council had capitulated to the inevitable, accepted and on 11 August, ordered for all campaigning by his forces against Devianiani strongholds to cease. A armistice was formally declared the following day, and on 19 August, a conference was opened on Alison. For several days, negotiations were conducted between the Devianiani and Melorkian diplomatic teams, as Clovis insisted upon his earlier terms. Finally, however, the two delegations came to a agreement, and on 6 September 1199, the Treaty of Allison was signed. Ratified by Clovis on 8 September and by the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy on 14 September, this treaty resulted in the concession of Mrpath V, Plkit, and Devianiani territories east of the Denveranian Trunk Line to the Kingdom of Melorkia. The Devianiani Council acknowledged Clovis as its diplomatic "protector"; granted Melorkian merchants commercial privileges in the Devianiani dominions; and agreed to allow Melorkian units to traverse across Devianiani space. Clovis, on his part, confirmed the continuing existence of the Council and promised to defend the Confederacy against "all foreign foes or threats." On 21 September, after the Treaty of Allison had been ratified by both sides and hostilities terminated, Clovis held a conference with the Council on Rasti and declared to them that "they had made the right decision." Several days of festivities then ensued.

By the end of September 1199, the formal transfer of territory had taken place, and the siege of Ipkit had been terminated. Theodoric, however, was by now increasingly alarmed with the actions of Clovis, believing that he was upsetting the balance of power. This was ultimately to find its form in the following decade. The King of Halegothica, however, was now to be distracted by other concerns. By October 1199, Tharsamund of Kuevia had proceeded further with his plans of a war with Halegothica. He was determined to recover Meris, the strongholds of the Upper Rebeccan Galactic Trade Route, and Iego; to force Theodoric to resume the payment of tributes which Genseric had once extracted from the Huntite Khanate; and to limit Theodoric's power. The King of Kuevia had, from February 1199, assembled starship squadrons and Kuevian armies at Hasselbeck, Walters, Beharis, Shepherd, Whoppi, Bates, Uris, Vickis, Choir, Hoohshikk, and other major Kuevian strongholds in the Borderlands Regions with the Halegothican dominions. He had issued a stream of directives and communiques to his commanders and subordinates, declaring that they would soon "secure glory" for their species and humiliate Theodoric, "just as the venerable King Genseric humiliated the Huntite and Homidinian Khanates." Finally, on 19 October, the King of Kuevia, having established his command headquarters on Vickis, commanded his military units to advance into Halegothican territory.

In the meantime, he imprisoned the Halegothican ambassador at his court, Rouric (1146-1208), and commanded for all Halegothican subjects traveling in his dominions to be arrested and imprisoned, their property to be confiscated. Theodoric was enraged when he received word of the sudden Kuevian invasion from his advisers. He immediately took action to counteract it, but for some days, the Kuevians managed to make some gains. They destroyed a Halegothican outpost on Bettinger (20-25 October 1199); harried the outskirts of Meris (26 October); and overran another Halegothican outpost at Xander (27 October-3 November), before besieging and conquering Meredith (6 November). Theodoric however, arrived at Iego on 9 November and took direct command of his armadas. He repelled Kuevian offensives against Jeanne, Dickinson, and Brenda (12-19 November 1199) and then destroyed a Kuevian task force at Timur's Star (22 November), before pushing back to the outskirts of Meredith. Meredith was reconquered on 6 December, and on 17 December, Theodoric defeated the Kuevian General Gasilund in the Battle of Wakedia. By the end of December 1199, all Kuevian units in Halegothican territory had been expelled, and the enraged King was now preparing his own offensives into Kuevian territory.

The year 1200 thus commenced with Kuevia and Halegothica engaged in active hostilities. On 2 January 1200, Theodoric launched a coordinated offensive against Hasselbeck and Walters. He destroyed a Kuevian outpost on Mercer (3 January) and forced Kuevian transports at O'Reilly to retreat (7-11 January). Hasselbeck was besieged by Halegothican forces from 14 January, falling to the King of Halegothica two days later. By 22 January, Walters had also been conquered. Tharsamund now launched counteroffensives against Timur's Star, Samarkand, and Lorna (January-February 1200), a effort which ended in failure. On 6 March, Theodoric defeated Gasilund again in the Battle of Jadore and pushed towards Choir, Shepherd, and Beharis. All three of these strongholds were in his possession by the end of March 1200, and Halegothican units were now advancing towards Uris, Vickis, and Hoohshikk. Tharsamund, who was fearful that he would lose these strongholds, and who now demonstrated that he did not hold the same stomach for war as Genseric had, requested peace on 9 April, promising Theodoric that he would act as a "friendly neighbor and good brother" if hostilities were terminated. Theodoric, who had no intention of dismembering the Kuevian territories, and who believed that he had vindicated himself and shamed the King of Kuevia enough, decided to accept the offer. A armistice was signed at Nottingham on 19 April, and the King of Halegothica terminated his plans for further offensives into Kuevian territory. On 5 May, negotiations began at Vickis, and were mediated by diplomats dispatched by Khan Shidebala. After some weeks of negotiations, the Treaty of Vickis was signed on 29 May 1200. By the terms of this agreement, hostilities were terminated between the Kingdom of Halegothica and the Kingdom of Kuevia. Tharsamund denounced his "foolish course of action" and agreed to compensate the Halegothican Government for all outrages inflicted upon its subjects within Kuevian dominions. All those Halegothican subjects who had been imprisoned by him were released and restored to all of their properties. To "ensure" that true peace reigned between Kuevia and Halegothica, the King of Kuevia agreed to the concession of Hasselbeck, Walters, Beharis, Shepherd, Whoppi, and Choir to the authority of King Theodoric; these were strongholds which both Bodi Aligh and Dayan had sought to recover, an endeavor in which both had failed.

Theodoric, on his part, now became the official "protector" of Tharsamund and his kingdom, and a military alliance was signed between the two monarchs. As part of the alliance, Theodoric's younger half-sister, Amalafrida, who had been widowed four years earlier when her first husband Theodobad had died, was engaged to be married with Tharsamund. She was to be entitled to have her own personal household and to bring a corps of 100,000 Halegothican bodyguards with her. Halegothican merchants also gained rights of free travel and tax-exempted commerce in Kuevian dominions, and a Halegothican consulate at Pooch was to supervise the activities of all Halegothicans in the Kuevian dominions. The Treaty of Vickis was ratified by King Theodoric on 6 June and by King Tharsamund on 9 June. On 15 June, the ceremony of engagement was formally conducted at Shenandoah, with Amalafrida being represented by a proxy. Five days later, the exchange of territory took place and Halegothican units withdrew from other Kuevian territories which they had occupied. On 1 July, after having made the appropriate preparations on Jasonia, Amalafrida, her entourage, and her bodyguard corps departed. King Theodoric himself wished them well.

After a journey of ten days, during which time Amalafrida visited the Jageronian Worlds, the strongholds won by Theodoric in the recent conflict, and Vickis, Hoohshikk, and Uris, the entourage arrived at Shenandoah on 12 July. Tharsamund greeted them with great ceremony, and according to contemporary sources, was enthralled by the Halegothican Princess's beauty. A second ceremony of engagement took place on 19 July, being presided over by Cletus of Americana, the Archbishop of the Almitian Conclave of Shenandoah since the death of Clement of Charasia on 28 June 1196. A month of festivities then ensued, as King Tharsamund entertained his fiancee and her entourage. Finally, on 4 September, they were married, and the King of Kuevia swore to love his wife with "all of his heart" and to remain faithful to her. Theodoric himself sent a message of congratulations and commanded his Ambassador to present a variety of exotic gifts to his new brother-in-law.

A brief peace had descended in Halegothica and among her barbarian neighbors, which lasted until the end of November 1200. In the Melorkian dominions, however, Clovis continued to plot to extend his power. He was now determined to launch his campaigns against Alexandria. The King of Melorkia wished to conquer the strongholds of the Durant Cluster, once a region of bitter contention between the Alexandrians and the Huntite Khanate under Bodi Aligh, Dayan, and Ricimer. He also sought to force Gundobad to acknowledge his overlordship and to recognize his rights in Ashlgothian and Devianiani territories. By 5 December 1200, the King of Melorkia had assembled his squadrons at Armenia Major, Mrpath V, Lesia Minor, Beverly Hereidu, Daley, and the Devianiani Sejucian Worlds, taking advantage of his military access arrangements with the Council of the Devianiani Confederacy. Gundobad, however, was made aware of the mobilization efforts of the Melorkian King through his spies at Clovis's court, and had made the appropriate preparations during the months of peace. He had increased conscription, reorganized the taxation system, and ordered his military commanders to draft up defensive plans against the Melorkians. Godegisel, who had served his brother loyally, was intended by him to command the Alexandrian forces against Clovis. His health, however, had been in decline, and on 12 December 1200, he suddenly died on Stewart. The King was devastated by his brother's death, and commanded for a month of mourning to be conducted. Clovis, hearing of the death of Godegisel, grew more confident, and on 19 December, issued his final offensive plans to his military commanders. On 26 December, the King of Melorkia sent the typical ultimatum to the court of the King of Alexandria, demanding that the Durant Cluster be conceded to Melorkia and that Gundobad sign a military alliance with Clovis against "wanton aggressors." He said that if Gundobad did not do this, then he would be "cursing himself in the eyes of the Gods of all Species." Gundobad, who was not to be imitated, sent a response on 29 December, refusing to comply with the demands of the King of Melorkia. Clovis, who knew that this was inevitable, and who believed that he was ready, then issued a declaration of war on the very last day of the twelfth century (31 December 1200) and ordered his units to advance.

For the first half of the thirteenth century, see General History of Laurasia, Part VII