System AE Magnolia

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`Category:Systems <Systems.html>`_

Magnolia – Sparsely populated agrarian system on the border of the old Federation. It was the site of the first battle of the `Second Antarean War <Second_Antarean_War.html>`_.

AFF: Magnolia Potential Background info (note: this is a more detailed reboot of the history of the Magnolia system, it actually contradicts the entry in the AFF history log. Particularly the disambiguation of the system name from the planet names, the introduction of additional political actors, and a vastly more sophisticated socio-economic situation for the period. Also revisited is the justification for the Antarean presence in light of this new rewrite)

System Name: Magnolia Location: Kalas Cluster Region: Laverd Expanse Star Type: Blueish, Single Star Class: A4V Planet-sized Objects: 31 (5 planets, 25 planetoids, 1 Rogue) Habitable Planetoids: 3; Mireval (planet), Sablanc (planet), Vialas (moon) System Class: S2 (Minor Hazard) Initial Survey Year: 1227BE Colonization Year: 111AE Affiliation: Antarean Empire

Background: Magnolia is a populous, though somewhat isolated star system located in the heart of the Laverd Expanse, a border region of the Empyrean Reach. Its single star is similar in sequence to that of Sol and boasts 5 planets, two of which are naturally habitable and have undergone limited terraformation. Many small planetoids lie trapped in the star’s orbital plane, making direct approach to the inner planetary ring difficult.

Sablanc, the innermost habitable world (5th orbital) is so-named for its iridescent desert expanses. In fact its ambient temperature is only 14C due to its relatively thin atmosphere. Most of its native fauna species physically resemble blattaria but are etymologically distinct. Many local flora species exhibit the ability to capture and store heat, releasing it in times where local pressure and temperature dips. The result is fast-moving rain storm systems. This kind of endogenous environmental control is unique in that plant-life on Sablanc plays a direct role in the management of the temperature and weather features. The world has dozens of mineral-rich moonlets, none of which are sizable enough to support an atmosphere. Most are assumed to be captured travelers.

Mireval, the outermost habitable world (11th orbital), is a recent terraform and juxtaposes flatlands dominated by massive plantations with swampy coastal deltas and lush forests. Most planetary life is Terran transplant stock modified slightly to deal with the world's greater-than-average concentrations of argon. Inspite of this, Mireval maintains a diverse terrestrial and marine ecosystem. Its oceans are relatively warm and possess a high salt content ratio and traces of cobalt. While no large marine predators exist, on land the forested regions are dominated by large feline species which prey on the herds of argon-adapted ungulates that range across the main continent.

Vialas, Magnolia’s largest moon, is a terraformed shrineworld whose rocky heights are dominated by funerary complexes erected in honor of Emperors past. Due to its more recent terraform, its seas are still algae dominated and most of its non-marine life is limited to co-dependent rodent and small avian populations.

History: Magnolia has the dubious reputation for having been the flashpoint for at least five major wars, the most recent of which being the current conflict between the Antarean Federation and the United League of Planets. This is largely due to its unique and often volatile socio-political history

Prior to being conquered by the First Antarean Empire, Magnolia was established as a second-generation trade charter colony by the Solarian Alliance (precursor to the Solarian League), the successor government to the TCA. Though posited as business contracts, TCCs were simply a continuation of the Colonial Authority's indigenous relocation strategies from centuries prior. In this case, established ethnic populations from successful first-generation colonies were once again displaced to make room for further industrial expansion. As such, most of the early Magnolia colonists were Serrack and Alafazi Jews (some hailing from Terra, but most from established communities on Beta Proxima).

Many of the initial settlements on Sablanc failed as significant isoclime shift caused rapid desertification across the world's southern continent (matching similar environments across the planet). Still, the colony persisted.

Discovery of significant veins of platinum, beryllium, copper and (significantly) vanadium led to open conflict between the colonial government and private corporations over mining rights. The ensuing war dragged in several local powers, including the nascent Antarean Federation and resulted in independence for the Magnolia system in 152AE. It rapidly developed into a regional trade power before its eventual annexation by the Antarean Empire in 336AE. During this period it witnessed several waves of immigration and exploitation, each of which touched off significant unrest.

The second planet, Mireval, was successfully terraformed for agricultural development in 260AE. In a historical twist, many of Sablanc's burgeoning underclass would be forcibly relocated to this world. The reasons for this policy were multifaceted but largely boiled down to civic and economic imbalances within Magnolian society. Magnolian politics were dominated by the ruling parties on Sablanc with Mirevalans playing little active role in government. This sociopolitical order was overturned during the 300-year period of Antarean dominion, where Imperial citizenship and political participation ignored local tradition. As a result, Mireval's citizenry gained greater independence under Imperial domination than they had under independent governance.

Vialas, the fourth satellite of Mireval, was terraformed in 499 as a shrineworld to Emperor Korus I (Balhamut Andromdeus-Klein) and has since become a major worship site along the Velian Way [see Iosian pilgrimage routes].

After liberation by League forces in 771, the new Magnolian government on Sablanc claimed both Mireval and Vialas as part of its territorial dominion, unfortunately neither planet would be properly integrated into the new ruling structure.

During the period of Imperial control Mireval had grown from a sparsely populated frontier colony to a populous agricultural powerhouse. With the mines on Sablanc having long been depleted, Mireval became the system's economic engine. Despite this, most political power rested with the ruling elite of Sablanc, whose backers in the ULP senate saw little reason to overturn the system's new social order (especially in light of the many lucrative trade and land development deals on offer from the newly freed state). This disparity fueled the multi-generational unrest that would later spark the Second Antarean War.

In 977AE, disputes over the result of a system-wide election, which resulted in a popular opposition candidate being removed from the roles in certain key districts resulted in rioting on Mireval and Sablanc. Part of this unrest could be attributed to the enactment of export tax fees atop an already exorbitant inter-system trade transport tariff (so-called "Lifter Fee"). Simply stated; Mirevalan goods could only be sold through the ports of Sablanc by approved vendors at almost no markup. This policy, first enacted in 882 had sent the Mirevalan local economy into a century long tailspin which had stagnated growth and undone much of the development begun under Imperial rule. Over-exploitation of the continental aquifers by agribusiness had also contributed to cyclical, planet-wide drought, coupled with a spike in crime and a lack of political representation, the stage was set for revolution.

After weeks of escalating violence, the planetary potentate was captured and slain. The newly formed Mirevalan Revoutionary Council (Counseil pour la Révolutionnaire Mireval, or MRC) declared independence from Sablanc. Its first act was to declare all foreign trade agreements and charters null and void. This was done provisionally with the stated hope that new agreements could be reached with more favorable terms from foreign powers for the planet’s export business. Unfortunately, this also had the effect of causing market panic across the sector and contributing to the ratcheting tension between the League and the independent nations of the 3rd District. To make matters more complicated, Magnolia second largest export market was the Antarean Federation which maintained strong political, cultural, and ethnic ties to the people of Mireval.

As an independent signatory to the ULP charter Magnolia was not allowed the maintain a standing armed force or a navy, and while decades of mounting unrest had inaugurated the Magnolia Civil Defense Corps (MCDC) to enforce order, it was simply not prepared for the level of organized violence it was faced with. To make matters worse, Sablanc itself was in the throes of social upheaval, with many seeing a ripe opportunity to upset the political order. The new Magnolian premiere, Gustav deCollier was assassinated during his own inaugural gala, and this precipitated a system wide panic. Hernaz Eblin, the interim premiere formally requested ULAF support in stemming the system-wide unrest. Fearing reprisal, the MRC contacted the Antareans offering preferential trade treatment in exchange for renewing the mutual defense agreement once shared with the Magnolian government during the Solesian War. Sensing an opportunity to gain a strategic position in the region, the Bellmont administration readily agreed.

Federation forces responded quickly, arriving in-system well in advance of the League relied fleet, which was delayed by several weeks on account of political in-fighting as to the exact nature and cost of such an expedition. By the time League naval elements arrived in system, Federation forces had secured a cordon around Mireval and Sablanc and enforced active patrol. The Antareans were careful to avoid landing any ground forces on either world, much to the dismay of the rebel movement on Sablanc which, despite popular support, was facing the bulk of the MCDC. The stated reason for the presence of Federation forces was to prevent foreign involvement in the internal affairs of Magnolia. In truth this thin justification was a strategic consideration. Without outside support, the government on Sablanc would crumble, and the planet would likely devolve into civil war. By simply maintaining the quasi-blockade of the capital world, The Antareans could achieve far more political capital than they ever could through direct occupation.

The subsequent buildup by both forces resulted in open conflict in March of 977AE, when a League vessel challenged a Federation patrol and was destroyed as a result. Early reports differed as to which ships fired the first shot, but the result was open fighting between both occupying forces. Contrary to popular depiction, the battle itself actually lasted several weeks (rather than a single day) and was fought in piecemeal fashion outside of the final engagement (as neither side was willing to fully commit). However the result was a catastrophic rout of the Antarean force, the destruction of the Cochren Naval facility, and the suppression of the MRC and other revolutionary factions in the system. However from a relations standpoint, it forced the hand of many systems whose support for the League had wavered since the Halifax Massacre.

The system suffered under direct military occupation for almost 6 years before Imperial forces captured it in December of 983AE. Magnolia was officially integrated into the Empire in 985 along with its own elected government largely formed of repatriated foreign exiles and former MRC officers. By this point, the movement had transformed itself over the period of League occupation from a Socialist political front to an irregular paramilitary force. Though the return of the Empire was seen by many as a singular blessing, some questioned the hypocrisy of annexation; given that the pretense which launched the entire conflict in the system was national sovereignty. Despite this, the system is, at present, strongly supportive of the new Empire and serves as a source of active military recruitment.

Magnolia is currently home to two key strategic assets; Cochren Naval Yards over Mireval, and the Imperial shrine complex on Vialas both of which are of great importance to the Antarean Empire.

Conflict Breakdown (Antarean Attack, December 983): The recapture of the Magnolia system was one of the first significant military priorities of the reformed Imperial Navy. Despite the fact that the League had largely pulled out of the Laverd Expanse to focus on the defense of the Empyrean Reef, political factors necessitated the maintenance of the planetary garrison. The system had been moderately fortified with a hemispherical ring of interlocking forts and mine-fields around the central planets, almost in parallel to the initial Federation deployment that had launched the war.

Despite the heavy fortification, the USN maintained very few mobile fleet assets instead relying on intra-system picket craft and a sizable carrier detachment to bolster the system’s defense. In addition, eight battalions of mechanized infantry and light-armor (roughly 7,000 men) were spread across the system’s three habitable worlds with the bulk deployed to Magnolia to combat the MRC. The senior ranking officer charged with system-wide defense was General Zev Ialu Clay. Naval authority was delegated to Rear-Admiral [of the Black] Stanley Brightwater, who led the carrier flotilla.

Elements of the Imperial 1st Fleet (approximately 20 ships and 5,000 troopers) were deployed to undertake the liberation of Magnolia led by (then) Legate Poul Obin. This force was notable for its inclusion of Shu-class siege units.

First contact was made on December 18th, when an advance Imperial scout squadron briefly engaged League fighters near the outer planets. The main assault force arrived days later and quickly crushed the outer forts. Further progress was hampered by the presence of the system’s extensive mine fields and constant harassment from League carrier forces. Despite this, the speed of the Imperial assault and the relative ease with which the small force crushed the static defenses surprised all parties, as hitherto it was believed that the defenses at Magnolia would be capable of holding out for weeks, if not months under determined siege from a much larger force.

By December 29th enough of a gap had been made in the defense network to permit a ground assault on Mireval, despite the fact that League forces were able to successfully contest any consistent orbital presence via their fighter bases on Vialas. The initial landing went favorably for the Imperial forces, which were able to capture several key population centers at a rapid pace, however fighting bogged down in the rural zones, particularly the lush regions of the Creigh Delta, where League forces who had become adept in the tactics employed by MRC irregulars were able to stall, and eventually turn the aside the main Imperial assault.

In orbit, Legate Obin scored a major victory when Admiral Brightwater’s flagship, USNV Raphael Santos was crippled by a lucky strike and destroyed after 2 days of furious combat. Organized naval resistance ceased once the remains of the carrier group were driven off and the Imperials were left free to prosecute their invasion of both Magnolia and Sablanc unharried. Despite achieving orbital dominance, it took another 2 weeks of hard fighting and the eventual deployment of heavy bombers to break League resistance on Mireval. Sablanc capitulated quickly afterward.

While overall losses among Imperial Naval forces were comparatively light, the ground forces suffered heavily for their inexperience. Most troubling was the loss rate among armor units which ran as high as 40% in some cases. This was made even more worrisome by the fact that these losses were incurred almost solely in engagements with ULA infantry. This particular disparity would dog the AIA all throughout the early phases of the war.