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| Second Human-Tevarin War | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Interspecies War | |
| Dates | 2603 - 2610-06-24 | |
| Theaters | UEE Systems | |
| Participants | United Empire of Earth Remnants of the Tevarin Sovereignty |
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| Leaders | Messer II (UEE) Corath'Thal (Tevarin) |
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| Losses | Total (Tevarin) Many KIA, MIA (UEE) |
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| Result | Human Victory
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The Second Human-Tevarin War was an interstellar conflict between the United Empire of Earth and remnants of the Tevarin Sovereignty that had been dissolved in the wake of the first conflict. The war commenced in 2603, 57 years after the conclusion of the First Human-Tevarin War. A new Tevarin Warlord, Corath'Thal, emerged from the corners of the cosmos with a rebuilt Tevarin battle-fleet, and launched his first attack against the UEE systems. The fleet's sole mission was to reclaim Elysium IV, their former homeworld of Kaleeth. While it was a sympathetic cause that some Humans could support, the Empire refused to cede back territory to the Tevarins and reform their state. The war lasted seven years, three more than the first, and touched almost every corner of the Empire.[1]
Prelude
At the end of the First Human-Tevarin War, their state was dissolved and the territory annexed by the United Empire of Earth. Most Tevarins were assimilated into the UEE as a sign of tolerance from the human government. However, a Tevarin fleet managed to escape the dissolution of their nation and take shelter away from UEE systems.
More than half a century later, the fleet reemerged to reclaim their former homeworld and reestablish their state. The revolt lead by Corath'Thal escalated into a guerilla war against the UEE.
Course of War
Marcus Estes described the early phase of the war in his book Always Forward that '[the] High-Command knew the UEE was losing the Second Tevarin War.'[2] The Tevarin fleet used an upgraded version of their 'phalanx shield.' The UEE on the other hand tried to keep track of the Tevarin fleet by installing thousands of new proximity sensors.
In Bremen, a group of vigilantes, called the Bremen Defense Force was formed as a reaction of the expanding Tevarin threat.[2]
Estes also assumed that the rivalry between the Marines, Navy and Army stood in the way of a joint effort. The High Command only assigned land operations to the Army and the Navy refused to transfer pilots and new equipment to the Marines.
Battle of the Koren Pass
In 2605, a group of three Nova tanks held off an entire Tevarin strike team for more than sixteen hours at the Koren Pass.[3][2]
Operation Oberon
Mid-2605, Tevarin forces captured a major landing zone on Uriel and '[m]ilitary officials feared this meant that the Tevarin had entered the next phase in their war strategy (...) taking land away from Humanity and using the existing infrastructure to establish resupply points.'[2] Military analysts feared that a Tevarin base on Uriel could be used for Tevarin attacks against Vega and Bremen, or even advances through the Perry Line. It was feared that this could lead to a Tevarin-Xi'an alliance.[2] Marine General Russ Adachi encouraged the High Command to accept a surgical strike operation (lead by the 1st Marine Combat Battalion) rather than a massive joint strike. UEE Marines successfully infiltrated a quantum fuel refinery near the landing zone on June 24, 2605 but were stranded on the planet and retreated into the snowy mountains where they organised a guerilla operation in turn.[2]
Battle of Centauri
On June 24, 2610 SET, Corath'Thal suffered a catastrophic defeat at the hands of UEEN 42nd Squadron at the Battle of Centauri.[1]
Defeat and "Tears of Fire"
With his fleet rapidly falling to either destruction or surrender, Corath'Thal mustered his remaining loyal pilots to make a desperate charge for Elysium IV. Though they suffered an additional 70% casualties, his fleet finally reached the atmosphere of their old homeworld. Corath'Thal and his pilots lowered their thermal shields and dove for the planet.[1]
The Tevarin fleet burned up in the atmosphere as they hurtled toward the ground.
Aaron Fring, a field medic on Elysium IV at the time, painted this dramatic event in his famous piece Tears of Fire - which "stands as one of the most enduring images from the Second Tevarin War" according to the Bentley National Gallery.[4]
Aftermath
With this second defeat, the spirit of the Tevarin race was irreparably broken. Imperator Messer II used the victory to cement his place as ruler of the newly christened United Empire of Earth.
The Second Human-Tevarin War was an attempt to reclaim the Tevarin's previous glory. When it failed miserably, the last believers of Rijora flung themselves toward Kaleeth, burning up in the atmosphere and crashing into the planet. The rest abandoned the beliefs for good. This climactic period was known among the Tevarin as the Purge, during which time most of the Tevarin destroyed their Codices (the holy writ of Rijora).[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
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