The Rookie

TIMELINE

Partial galactic history of major events leading up to the founding and operation of the GFL

PRE-HISTORY

TERTIARY EPOCH:

Other than the sprawling deep-space construct known as “The Reef,” very little evidence remains of the Tertiary Epoch. It is known, however, that the period was a clear example of the “batching” phenomenon. Batching is defined as several species on separate planets achieving sentience and FTL technology in a relatively limited time span. Considering the number of variables involved with a species achieving sentience, it is theorized that with certain types of planets that evolution of sentience is inevitable, and will happen in a certain time frame based upon a planet cooling enough to support self-replicating chemical compounds. As large areas of mass condensed to form stars and planets, these areas possibly provided similar “starting points” at which this inevitable path to sentience began. This theory is highly controversial, countered by most mathematicians, astronomers and, of course, those that theorize batching is caused by galactic panspermia efforts.

QUATERNARY EPOCH:

Little is known about this period that occurred some two million years ago. The batching phenomena occurred in this time, with several species attaining sentience and achieving faster-than-light and/or gate technology. The Quaternary Epoch lasted approximately 500,000 years. Most academicians agree that ancestors of the Givers and Collectors cultures began in this period.

Galactic Timeline: all times in Earth Time (ErT)

MODERN EPOCH:

1967 Collector gate built on Ki homeworld. Ki race subjugated (date estimated).

1988 Collector orbital arrives at Earth.

2008 Collectors fail in multiple attempts to invade Earth

2009 Ki uprising against Collector homeworld. All contact lost with Collector race. Ki destroy all technology, dark age begins.

2015 Prawatt race created and exterminated on Earth (date estimated).

2345 Rewalls complete first successful test of the Punch Drive, achieve FTL status.

2387 Humans independently develop the Punch Drive.

2392 Rewalls establish colony on Loshal

2401 Humans become first peaceful interstellar ambassadors, landing on Whitok.

2406 Humans (with help of Terran Dolphins) sign treaty with Whitok.

• Whitok inhabit Earth’s waters, humans inhabit Whitok lands.

• Purist movement forms on Earth. Some humans believe Whitok are tools of the devil and that they should be destroyed.

2407 Humans colonize Capizzi 7, located in the Whitok system.

2409 Rewall colonize Yewalla

2410 Prawatt race seeded on new homeworld.

2412 Terrorist attack on Whitok city by Purists, 120 Whitok killed.

2414 Purist movement gains power. They want “Satanic” Whitok removed form Earth.

2420 Whitok become third interstellar race, achieving FTL with help of human scientists.

2430 Estimated time the Givers arrive in galaxy.

2431 Terrorist attacks on Whitok increase. Earth authorities heavily punish Purists in order to pacify enraged Whitok. Purists flee persecution and leave Earth in small fleet of ships. They predict destruction of Earth as they escape “Satanic” Whitok.

2431 Earthlings colonize Satirli 6.

2432 Givers land on Harrah homeworld.

2433 Capizzi 7 achieves self-sufficiency.

2434 Prawatt achieve FTL capability.

2438 Prawatts attack peaceful Rewall research vessel. First interstellar combat. Both ships break off fighting and return to home systems.

2439 Kuluko establish radio contact with Whitok, Rewalls and Earth. Purists land on Jason 2, renaming it Allah. Begin massive re-tooling of fleet to create fighting navy.

2440 Prawatt, with a navy of only 20 ships, attack Yewalla in first interstellar war. Prawatt forces defeat token Rewall defenders and land on Yewalla, but are driven off by Rewall land forces.

2445 Purists colonize Stewart.

2448 Harrah achieve FTL capability. Givers depart.

2450 Satirli 6 achieves self-sufficiency.

• Earth, Capizzi 7 and Satirli 6 form Planetary Union.

2453 Purists declare war on Planetary Union in First Holy War. The purists only have 12 ships — the war is clumsy and short-lived.

2454 Purists, fearing a retaliatory attack, sue for peace. Union accepts.

2455 Givers land on Kurgurk homeworld.

2456 Prawatt conquer Kuluko, exterminating the intelligent race. Ambassadors from Union, Whitok and Rewall Accord are executed. None of the three systems are able to respond in time to help Kuluko.

2460 Rewalls colonize Lotharis.

2461 Whitok colonize New Whitok.

2468 Planetary Union colonizes Thomas 3, which is in the same system as New Whitok.

2470 Leekee achieve FTL capability.

2478 Prawatt colonize Lewarth and Basadah.

• Kurgurk achieve FTL capability. Givers depart.

2486 Prawatt fleet (estimated at 72 ships) attack Yewalla again. Rewall ships, now prepared for combat, destroy Prawatt fleet (an estimated 25 ships returned to Prawatt).

2489 Satirli 6 secedes from Planetary Union.

• Civil war erupts between Union and Satirli 6.

2490 Whitok colonize Withrit.

2491 Satirli 6 successfully defends itself. Planetary Union officially recognizes it as an independent government.

2502 Sklorno achieve FTL capability.

2503 Thomas 3 admitted to Planetary Union.

2504 Grasslop achieve FTL capability.

2506 Grasslop ship meets Leekee ship in neutral space. Leekee attack and destroy Grasslop ship.

2510 Leekee declare war on Grasslop.

2511 Leekee conquer Grasslop.

2512 Rewalls colonize Yashan.

• Purists colonize Mason.

2514 Satirli 6 colonizes Wilson 4 and Wilson 6 and immediately declares them both independent protectorates, to be completely free as soon as they are self-sufficient.

• Satirli 6 opens trade with Planetary Union and Whitok Kingdom.

2515 Satirli 6 opens its doors to Union immigrants and they come by the millions. Satirli 6 rapidly becoming economic giant.

2517 Purists, seeing Satirli 6’s massive growth and assuming they hate the Union, invite Satirli 6 to join the Purist Nation. Satirli 6 refuses and Purists declare war on the infidels.

2518 Givers land on Ki homeworld.

2519 Purists can’t keep up long distance offensive war against Satirli 6.

• Purists offer peace, Satirli 6 accepts.

• Satirli 6, Wilson 4 and Wilson 6 form League of Planets to defend themselves against future Purist aggression.

First Galactic War, 2520–2524

2520 Sklorno launch massive (150 ship) attack against Withrit, destroying all intelligent life on planet.

• Whitok kingdom immediately declares war on Sklorno.

• Planetary Union joins its ally and declares war on Sklorno.

2521 Purists see the Union at war and declare Second Holy War on the infidels.

2522 Whitok sends delegation to Rewalls. Rewalls understand message and declare war on Sklorno.

2523 League of Planets declares defensive war on Purist Nation.

• Prawatt, who have waited until Rewall navy is committed against Sklorno, attack Yewalla.

• Sklorno are days away from conquering Whitok.

• Purists get first look at Sklorno. They immediately break off their war with the Union.

• League of Planets stops attacks on Purist ships, allowing them to return back to their system.

• Rewall forced to break off attacks on Sklorno to deal with Prawatt.

• In a last-ditch effort, the Whitok Navy suicide-attacks the Sklorno forces off of the Whitok homeworld. The attack stops the movement on Whitok homeworld, but costs the Kingdom 50 percent of an already crippled fleet.

2524 Planetary Union brings full force to bear on Sklorno navy, which has regrouped and is heading for Whitok homeworld. The largest battle of the war ensues. Union forces drive off Sklorno, but not before the Sklorno saturation-bomb Whitok homeworld. Most life on Whitok destroyed and planet is uninhabitable.

2525 Ki achieve FTL capability. Eat givers for dinner.

• Rewall and Prawatt stalemate ends when Rewall leave a ravaged Yewalla for the Prawatt Jihad.

2526 Whitok offer Reiger 2 to Planetary Union in thanks after refusing to join Union. Addition of Reiger 2 leaves New Whitok, the Kingdom’s only remaining planet, well inside Union borders.

2527-

2549 The Age Of Colonization.

• Planetary Union adds Jones, New Earth, Rodina (all three in same system) and Home to its ranks.

• Sklorno destroy avian race on Yall and add Chikchik.

• Whitok spend trillions on colonization, adding Whipath and Whirod (same system) Whopol, Whirot and all-water giant Wheresh

• Prawatt add Ionath.

• Rewall add Loshall.

• Leekee add Grinkas and Replas.

• League of Planets adds Vosor 3 and distant Tower 1.

• Purists add Solomon.

• Kurgurk add Rfgh and Drghp.

• Ki add Ol 3 and Re 4.

2530 Portath achieve FTL capability. Within 4 years (estimated), Portath colonize Thew and Faskah.

2531 League of Planets forces sent from Tower on peaceful mission are lost when they enter the Portath Cloud.

• Portath send a message to the galaxy not to enter the cloud.

• League sends large navy to protect Tower from potential threat.

2533 Sklorno, despite warnings from Planetary Union, attack New Whitok. Whitok Kingdom’s new navy has been waiting for revenge for nine years, and defeat Sklorno in pitched battle.

2535 Planetary Union signs treaty of friendship with Purist Nation. League of Planets and Whitok Kingdom voice their objections to treaty.

Second Galactic War, 2536–2540

2536 Leekee attack Whiropt in an effort to gain new territory. Whitok barely repel attack. Whitok, seeing a double threat to a navy that hasn’t even recovered fully from the last war, begin to spend all money on defense.

2537 Leekee, trying to surprise Whitok forces at Whiropt, travel into Portath Cloud. Forty-seven ships are never heard from again as entire force disappears. (Editor’s Note: this was the Leekee’s biggest blunder, as it gave Whitok time to rebuild its navy. Had Lee-kee attacked directly, it could have claimed half of the Whitok Kingdom’s territory.)

2538 Purist Nation launches major fleet in effort to add Tower 1.

• League of Planets promises war if Purists touch Tower.

• Purists claim the Union cannot allow hostile League ships through its space as it would be a violation of the friendship treaty of 2535. Caught in the diplomatic trap and wanting to avoid war with Purists, the Union claims neutrality and refuses to allow League ships through.

• Purist force, unaware of large Tower Navy, are defeated in first battle for Tower.

2539 League tries to send ships though Union space. Union blockades the movement. Minor firefight ensues with League returning to system.

• League forces are stonewalled by Purist defenses outside Jones system, League helpless to protect Tower.

• August 4: Tower’s Captain Markos surprises Purist forces at Stewart. Purists suffer heavy losses, but still maintain vast numerical superiority. Tower’s hopes for peace are dashed as Purists send 80-ship armada to conquer Tower once and for all.

• November 21: Markos, pursued by 78 Purist vessels, leads Tower’s final 14 ships into the Portath Cloud. Markos baits Purists into cloud and scatters his fleet. Seven Tower ships returned home, and all 78 Purist ships were lost. Captain Markos was never heard from again.

2540 Portath send message to Purists: “Attack again, and we will destroy you.”

• Purist government, unsure of how Tower destroyed most of its fleet, offers Tower peace. Tower accepts.

• Tower secedes from League of Planets. League blames Union for loss of planet, hostile feelings remain today.

• Union, angered at being used in the Tower conflict, breaks off treaty with Purist Nation. Purists warn of consequences.

2551 Ki Navy makes its first appearance, attacking Leekee forces at Replas. Ki Navy wins battle, then returns home.

• Ki Navy attacks Harrah forces. Harrah win soundly and declare war on Ki for unprovoked aggression.

2552 Planetary Union, trying to prevent a war so close to its borders, calls Galactic Peace Conference, attended by all except Prawatt.

• Quyth achieve FTL capability.

Third Galactic War, 2553–2557

2553 Ki sign peace treaty with Harrah (at Galactic Peace Conference). Ki people outraged.

• Ol and Re seceded from Ki Empire.

• Ships stationed at Ol and Re attack Ki, trying to oust cowardly government.

• Leekee see potential for war if Rebels win and decide to support Ki government, attacking the rebels near Ol.

• Rebels hold off Leekee and press closer to Ki. Some landings take place, resulting in numerous ground wars.

2554 Rewalls, who have had excellent relations with the Ki government, threaten war unless rebels retreat. Rebels continue attacks and Rewall engage rebel forces at Re.

• Whitok, spurred on by the memory of unprovoked attacks by Leekee, send “advisors” to help rebels on Leekee border.

• Tower, wary of rebuilt Purist navy and hungry for allies, sends ships to help Leekee.

• Purists, seeing another chance to snatch Tower, side with Rebels for “religious purposes.”

• Planetary Union warns Purists to stay away from Tower.

2556 A minor altercation on the Prawatt/Sklorno border erupts into a full-scale war.

• Harrah join in fight against the Rebels, supporting the government that made the peace treaty.

• April 27: First Battle for Ki. Synchronized attack by the Purists, Whitok and Rebels overwhelm Rewall and Leekee forces. Rebels take Ki, but not before Royal family can be evacuated.

• Purists attack Tower forces at Tower. Union immediately moves to attack Purists.

2557 Battle for Asteroid X7. Union forces meet Purist forces at Asteroid X7. Union wins by small margin. Purists fall back to re-group. (Editor’s Note: the fall back is considered the biggest tactical mistake of the war. The Union could not mount another offensive for at least three months, and the Purists could have brought up reserves and regrouped right on the front lines.)

• June 12: Tower, Rewall and Leekee forces seize opportunity and attack Rebels in Second Battle for Ki. Whitok navy late in arriving and is turned back by organized Rewall defenses.

• July 23: Leekee, Tower and Loyal Ki forces re-take planet. Rebels on planet-side are ousted and Rebel forces return to Re and Ol.

2558 Tower turns down offer to join Union. Instead, they join new Tri-Alliance (Ki Empire, Leekee Collective and Tower Republic).

• Prawatt/Sklorno war is a stalemate.

• Sklorno saturate Ionath, killing all sentient life.

• Prawatt saturate Chikchik, killing all sentient life.

2559 Rewall, hot off their victory over the Ki Rebels, launch a surprise attack against Prawatt-controlled Yewalla. They quickly defeat the Prawatts, who are still weak from war with Sklorno. Rewalls execute all Prawatts in retaliation for actions of 2525.

2561 Ki declare themselves trading capital of the galaxy and sign non-aggression pacts with every system, excluding Prawatt.

2562 Tower and Leekee conduct The Great Planet Trade. Leekee added one of Tower’s moons (New Leekee). Tower adds two planets in Leekee system (Fortress and Citadel).

2563 Ki colonize To.

2568 Harrah claim Satah, which is deep in Whitok space. Whitok are unable to use planet, but still threaten war. Union enters as intermediary; Harrah buy the planet from Whiok for c50 trillion.

2569 Harrah claim Lorah, which Planetary Union has rights to but cannot live on. Caught in same argument they used against Whitok, Union reluctantly sells planet to Harrah for c57 trillion.

2572 February 12: 23 year galactic peace shattered when Quyth send 400 ships against Reiger, crushing defenses and enslaving population.

• February 17: Quyth strike again, sending another fleet of 300 ships against Sklorno held Gritchlik. They take planet and send Sklorno citizens back to Sklorno.

• March 4: Quyth expansion halted by Rewall when they defeat 500-ship force at Loshall.

• March 27: Union forces attack Quyth at Reiger. Union loses 26 ships, Quyth lose 112. Quyth win with incredible numerical superiority (estimated at 4 to 1).

• April 10: Sklorno re-take Gritchlik in costly battle.

• May 22: Quyth re-take Gritchlik with navy returning from Loshall. Sklorno saturate planet before pulling out.

2573 Quyth shock the galaxy when it is discovered they have a permanent colony on radioactive Gritchlik.

• June 4: Quyth colonize and claim Whitok.

• July 6: Quyth colonize and claim Ionath.

• July 17: Quyth colonize and claim Chikchik.

• July 21: Whitok declare war on Quyth for landing on Whitok (even though it will be another three million years before any Whitokian can even set foot on the planet).

• Through three battles, Whitok lose half of their 300-ship navy while destroying 1,012 Quyth ships.

2574 Quyth retaliate to “unprovoked” attacks and send 600 ships to attack New Whitok. Combined Union and Whitok force meet Quyth fleet. Quyth lost 450 ships before retreating, Whitok lost 78 and Union lost 45 (Editor’s Note: largest single battle in Galaxy’s history). Whitok and Quyth agree to a cease-fire.

2581 Sklorno attack Drghp. Kurgurk unleash asteroid battleships and destroy Sklorno invaders.

2582 Whitok, fearing an attack from Leekee (their navy was still very weak from Quyth war), trade rights to Whopol to Ki for weapons, ships and credit.

2584 Ki develop deep mineral sights on Whopol that the Whitok were unaware of. Resulting wealth thrusts Ki Empire past League of Planets into top economic power in the galaxy.

2587 Pirate attacks begin in earnest on Ki shipping lanes.

2588 Harrah boldly claim Yarah, a planet on the Quyth/Rewall border. Both systems are so surprised and slow to react that Harrah set up heavy defenses before either system could respond. Harrah allowed to keep planet without war.

• Whitok spend defense money hand over fist and begin to borrow from gracious Ki Empire.

2589 Ki Imperial Navy capturing more pirates, finding most to be Human with some Ki.

Fourth Galactic War, 2591–2600

2591 Purists use seven captured Unions ships (captured in the last war) to attack convoy just off of To. Ki cripple one ship, which the purists have filled with captured Union soldiers (also from the last war). Ki troops find only dead Union soldiers.

2592 September 5: Despite claims of innocence from the Union, Ki government decides war would be good for economy and declares war on Union for sponsoring pirates.

• Ki force Whitok, who are deeply in debt to the Empire, to stay out of war.

• Ki manipulate treaty agreement of 2558 as well as threaten to cut off trade to bring Tower and Leekee into the war.

2593 No battles have yet taken place. Purist Nation gladly joins the fight against the warmongering, satanic Union.

• League of Planets, realizing that they will be next on Ki and Purist target list if the two defeat the most powerful navy in the galaxy, join the Union in the war.

• January 17: Ki and Union forces meet off of Harrah home-world. Union forces are defeated and retreat to stronghold at Thomas 3.

• July 2: Ki Rebel Establishment takes advantage of Empire’s troubles and pounces on Ak, an Imperial protectorate, adding it to the Establishment.

2594 Ki, who don’t think war is progressing fast enough, negotiate a deal with the Sklorno to attack the Union.

• Whitok, ashamed of their stance in the war and not helping its Union ally, attack the hated Sklorno with vigor.

• Battles rage across galaxy. Ki side is winning due to greater numbers and more money.

• Empire manages to keep solid trade lines going with all her allies except the Sklorno.

2595 January 12: Ki and Tower forces defeat main Union force and conquer Thomas 3

• February 14: Purists conquer Jones 2.

2596 Planetary Union very close to surrender. Fleet operating at 34 percent of original numbers. Death toll reaching 70 million.

2597 January 12: Rewall enters war suddenly by conquering Demos. Ki must defend against Rewall’s constant harassment sorties and lose numerical superiority over Union.

• May 19: The Great Sneak Attack. League of Planets forces invoke new stealth technology to travel to Allah, defeating Purist forces and conquering Purist capitol.

• Purists immediately pull every ship out of war and head for Allah, abandoning weakening Ki forces. When Purist ships arrive in Allah system, League leaves without a fight.

• Harrah offer aid to Union for far-flung Whitok outpost. Union and Whitok, who can no longer hold back Sklorno, agree to terms.

2598 Union forces, led by Harrah frigates, conquer Ki forces and re-take Thomas 3.

• Ki Rebels declare all debts owed to Ki Empire invalid and sneak attack Ki homeworld.

• Ki immediately retreat to deal with new threat.

• Tower/Leekee forces attack Rebels at Re. They are defeated and the Tri-Alliance members withdraw from war, leaving Ki Empire with no allies.

2600 Ki Empire surrenders to combined delegation of League, Union, Rebel and Rewall forces.

• Harrah claim Whitok outpost, christening it Mathara.

• Harrah give Sklorno cease-fire ultimatum. Sklorno return to their system.

• September 6: Galactic Accord signed. Ki navy limited to 100 active ships, and 100 dismantled and in reserve for defensive purposes. Union Watchdogs installed on all Ki ships to insure compliance with treaty. Ki allowed to hold all of its possessions. Rebels demand Ki homeworld for their part in the war. Other systems just want peace and officially end war with promises of retaliating to any hostile Rebel actions.

The Great Peace

2601 Planetary Union buys back Jones 2. Purists sell because they do not want to go to war in their weakened state.

2610 The Great Mapping Conference. System borders are hammered out to everyone’s satisfaction. The new map clearly marks territory and makes it obvious to identify the aggressor. This brings about a relative peace.

2634 Quyth claim that map is incorrect, that Sklorno border is too close to Gritchlik and Chikchik.

2636 Second Galactic Peace Conference held. Quyth and Sklorno are not liked by anyone, and little attention is paid to their border dispute.

2637 Tiring of constant border raids by Quyth, Sklorno send major force to border.

• Quyth respond by sending a major force.

• Ki achieve pre-war economic status.

2638 Tensions on Quyth/Sklorno border continue to rise, war seems imminent.

• Prawatts announce their intention of backing the Quyth if war should break (Editor’s Note: a major turning point in the history of galaxy, as it was the Jihad’s first political move).

• Purists, who now have their navy functioning again, claim rights to Jones 2, saying that they were coerced into selling planet, for a fraction of its worth. Purists say that Union would have destroyed Allah had the Nation not sold Jones 2.

• Rodina threatens secession from the Union.

The Cretarakian Age, 2639-

2639 Cretarakians achieve FTL capability. Quyth, Rewalls and Harrah claim Cretarak. Cretarakians claim allegiance to no one and friendship to all. (Editor’s Note: the Cretarakians had been quietly monitoring the galactic events of the past 200 years without being discovered. They knew exactly what was going on when they announced their presence. They are far ahead of where any other race was at the FTL discovery phase of their histories).

2640 Quyth, Rewall and Harrah fleets converge on Cretarak, tensions soaring — none of the three governments is willing to give up rights to the world, while the rest of the galaxy tries to decide how to handle this unprecedented situation.

• Skirmishes erupt amongst the three fleets.

• Cretarakians claim self-sufficiency, send delegations to the three fleets to negotiate a settlement.

• The three fleets welcome the tiny, seemingly harmless Cretarakian delegations. The Cretarakians are far from harmless. Swarming by the thousands, the small, flying creatures erupt from landing bays and within hours have captured all ships from the three fleets.

• The Cretarakians launch 50,000 landing ships that have been concealed on the planet. This reveals a level of technology not only unsuspected by the rest of the galaxy, but unknown to anyone (Editor’s Note: the Cretarakians planned their galactic attack for over 125 years).

• Each ship contains at least one million Cretarakians. Fifty billion Cretarakians spread through the galaxy within days. Thousands of ships are destroyed, but at least four ships land on every colonized planet in the galaxy. The Cretarakians completely bypass navies, choosing to land on planets instead.

• Once on a planet, the Cretarakian flocks unleash a devastating ground attack. Their speed, natural flight, and high-powered weaponry makes them an unstoppable force. Within one week, all ground armies are overwhelmed.

• Whitokian governments, based underwater, remain intact, but all land is overtaken.

• Prawatt Jihad has more time to react, being at the edge of the galaxy. They irradiate outlying worlds and colonies, and fall back to their system. They manage to destroy all of the Cretarakian ships targeted for their core system.

• Quyth government retreats to irradiated worlds, where the Cretarakians choose not attack.

• Planetary Union forces, led by Admiral Joshua Baugh, attempt a desperate attack on the Cretarakian homeworld. The Cretarakians use their captured warships to hold off the attack.

• League of Planets Blue Fleet, numbering over 1,000 vessels, joins the assault, but the Cretarakians are waiting — they have discovered a design flaw in League ships, and manage to use small boarding vessels to swarm the League ships, capturing all ships in one devastating tactical stroke.

• Ki Empire and Ki Rebellion navies join forces in an attack on the Cretarakian homeworld, but are soundly defeated by the technologically advanced captured League ships.

• Almost 90 °Cretarakian warships and landing vessels enter the Portath Cloud and are never heard from again.

2641 Cretarakians demand the surrender of all navies. Initially all systems refuse, but the Cretarakians begin to execute thousands of hostages every day.

• The Planetary Union surrenders first, on the orders of Admiral Joshua Baugh.

• The Ki Empire surrenders.

• The Ki Rebellion manages to evacuate government officials to a warship, and declare themselves a space-faring race, abandoning their planets.

• Purist Nation surrenders.

• Tower Republic surrenders.

• Leekee Collective surrenders.

• League of Planets surrenders.

2642 Cretarakians abandon efforts to pacify Rewall Association and Kurgurk. Scientists aren’t even sure if the Kurgurk knew the Cretarakians were on their planets — the Cretarakian armies were completely ignored.

• Harrah Tribal Accord surrenders.

• Sklorno Dynasty surrenders.

• Cretarakians abandon efforts to pacify irradiated Quyth Concordia planets.

• Cretarakians abandon efforts to pacify Whitok Kingdom — Whitokian underwater combat technology too great to overcome.

2643 Cretarakians in clear control of the Galaxy. Most species suspect existing governments are working with the Cretarakians, creating an overpowering, Cold War atmosphere of distrust.

• Murder rates skyrocket, as do isolationist cults and cross-species violence.

2644 In an effort to control cross-species violence and racism, the Cretarakians take over all shipping between worlds.

2645 Cretarakian shipping proves to be clumsy and poorly communicated. Goods and services are delivered late, often not at all, and industry begins to suffer heavily.

2646 The Galaxy dives headlong into economic depression. Despite strict Cretarakian discipline, murder and violence rates continue to climb. In cities and planets that formerly encouraged diversification, violence becomes a daily occurrence.

• The Cretarakians begin to realize they don’t understand the behavior of other species. Cretarakian scientists assumed that once they had control of all military forces, a great peace would ensue.

2647 The Dark Time — the depression hits the worst levels ever, with galactic unemployment at 25 percent.

• Cross-species relations reach an all-time low.

• Organized crime swells to new heights, providing unobtainable goods and services for exorbitant prices.

2648 The Cretarakians give up on their role as the galaxy’s shippers, turning the duties over to the Ki Empire.

2649 The Ki Empire provides an overall organizational structure, coordinating the shipping fleets of all subjugated governments. Almost overnight, the demand for imported goods and services skyrockets as items once again become available on most worlds.

2650 The Planetary Union introduces a galactic supply-and-demand computing system, tying all shipping vessels into one gigantic, coordinated fleet. Economic recovery continues to boom.

2651 Despite increased trade, cross-species violence is still a major problem, so severe it interferes with shipping as vessels are illegally searched and crews harassed or detained based on race.

• Ki Rebellion piracy becoming a major problem.

• Organized crime grows stronger by preying on shipping.

• Cretarakians refuse to give any government warships to deal with the piracy problem.

2652 Cross-species violence becomes an epidemic as terrorists do the unthinkable, simultaneously nuking three cities (one each on the Planetary Union’s Earth, Leekee Collective’s Grinkas and Ki Empire’s Ki). Purist Nation is suspected, but there is no proof.

2653 Cretarakians ask for help in controlling cross-species violence and piracy. Planetary Union officials introduce a plan for “System Police” departments — para-military forces made up of indigenous species that protect their various governments.

• SP ships are armed, but are significantly weaker than Cretarakian warships.

• SP ships are given limited search-and-seizure powers.

2654 Cretarakians finally admit they need help in improving species relations. League of Planets steps up, introducing non-contact galactic sporting events.

• Sports have historically brought races together, not only for humans, but for all sentient species.

• League scientists believe group dynamics that have held true for intra-species race relations will also hold true for inter-species relations.

2657 The sporting events prove to be a boon to the entertainment and travel industries, but is not producing the predicted cross-species cooperation.

• Physiology results in single species dominating various sports.

• Harrah dominate all racing events.

• Ki dominate all strength, hand-to-hand combat, and throwing events.

• Sklorno dominate non-contact field sports like soccer.

• Humans dominate all hand-eye coordination sports like hockey, archery, etc.

The Galactic Football League Era

2658 League scientist Demarkus Johnson unveils a plan for the Galactic Football League.

• Football is the only sport where various positions cater to the different physiologies.

• The Cretarakians readily accept, funding a test league of 12 teams.

2659-

2661 The GFL is an immediate success, as it forces species to work together. In addition, it is the first occurrence in decades where fans of one species root for players of another.

2662 The GFL expands to 14 teams.

2663 Purist Nation citizens rise up against Creterakian control. System-wide riots occur as citizens attack Cteretakian garrisons. Creterakians bring in military reinforcements to quell uprising.

• Human death count uncertain, at least 12,000.

• Creterakian death count: 7,213.

• Reverend Abdul Smith uses situation to mount bloody coup, takes over church leadership.

• Smith works with Creterakians to investigate uprising, uses investigation to remove potential enemies.

• Millions flee Purist Nation as Smith’s Creterakian death squads spread through system.

2664 Demand for teams is so great that the GFL expands to 18 teams.

• Station 1 Givers, Buddah City Elite, Hittoni Hullwalkers and Srabian Salient added.

2665 “The Disaster.” Purist Nation police under Abdul Smith’s orders impounds the New Rodina Astronauts’ team bus. The Purist Nation police accuse the Astronauts of spying — all non-human players are executed.

• Governments are outraged — anti-human violence soars.

• The GFL season is cancelled.

• Purist Nation church coup results in Smith’s death. Mullah Abigail Chase new leader.

2666 Cretarakian officials decide to eliminate the GFL.

• Club football teams flourish.

• A Ki businessman starts a new 12-team league to fill the gap, the Inter-Galactic Football League (IGFL). The IGFL is open to any team.

2667 Despite low caliber of players, limited traveling ability, and a lack of security, the IGFL swells to 26 teams and is an instant hit with football fans.

• The Fangs, a Ki-based team, are killed when a terrorist bomb destroys their team bus.

• Tower Football Club members are killed in a freak cosmic-ray accident.

2668 The IGFL swells to 32 teams. It is a great year for attendance, and a bad year for teams: four teams are lost in shipping accidents or terrorist acts.

• Illegal search-and-seizure by SP forces continues to plague the league, resulting in harassment, beatings, and several injuries that impact game outcomes.

2669 Faced with mounting deaths from unregulated IGFL teams, the Cretarakians again start up the GFL.

• GFL “team busses” are given diplomatic immunity — they cannot be stopped or searched by any SP forces.

• The 18 former GFL teams are re-instated, and 4 IGFL teams are added to the ranks.

• The Cretarakians disband the IGFL, breaking it down into six smaller leagues that play all games within the borders of a single government. Acts of SP harassment drop considerably.

2670 The 22-team GFL enjoys a successful season without any violence.

2671 League officials are flooded with requests by teams wanting to join the GFL.

2672 The GFL reorganizes, absorbing the former IGFL teams as “Second Tier” teams.

2682 The present.

League Structure: Tier One

There are 22 Tier One teams, broken into two 11-team divisions (the Solar Division and the Planet Division).

Teams play a 12-game season, with 10 games against their Division teams and two cross-divisional games.

The top four teams in each division make the eight-team Tier One playoff. This three-round, single-elimination tournament finishes with the Solar Division Champion facing off against the Planet Division Champion in the Galaxy Bowl to determine the GFL Championship.

The two division champs face off in the GFL Championship.

The team in each division with the worst record drops into the Second Tier.

The top two Second Tier teams move into the First Tier.

Players on Second Tier teams that move up are protected for two seasons, to give new First Tier teams a chance to win without their talent being raided.

League Structure: Tier Two

Human League (Planetary Union, League of Planets, Purist Nation)

Tower League (Tower, Leekee)

Ki League (Ki, former Ki Rebel Alliance planets)

Harrah League

Quyth Irradiated League

Sklorno League

Modern-Day Political Alignment