HISTORY

“If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”

—SUN TZU

The 22nd century has seen massive population growth, prompting a search for new assets—and the growth of nations in a time of limited resources usually means one thing—war.

While initially formed as a protector of worlds, nowadays the United States Colonial Marine Corps is more of a protector of assets. Companies such as Weyland-Yutani, Alphatech, and newcomer Grant Corp. have invested much in the military, and as such have the luxury of calling in favors with a senator here or a colonel there. The usual response—send a platoon with a CO who is easy to manipulate and a corporate “advisor” to guide things.

It wasn’t always that way, however. Here’s a detailed history that showcases how the corps evolved to be what it is today—and drives home just how much it is needed.

WHAT CAME BEFORE: THE WEYLAND ERA

Many of the innovations of the 21st century came from one man’s vision—Sir Peter Weyland. His Weyland Corp. found habitable worlds, got us there faster than the speed of light, let us sleep along the way, made the air at our destinations breathable, and provided us with artificial life to help minimize our risk and accomplish our goals.

Each new world conquered meant a new settlement far from home—but who was going to protect them? Earthbound governments could only reach so far into the heavens—many smaller nations just didn't have the resources to support people on other worlds. Moreover, the last thing that powerful nations like the US, Russia, and China wanted was for corporations to form their own countries.

As it became increasingly clear that the only way for humanity to survive was through extrasolar expansion, earthly governments knew they needed to get in on the action. The United Nations was reborn as the United Nations Interplanetary Corps (UNIC). Key member nations included the EU, US, Russia, India, United Latin America, the Central African Confederation, and Japan—until financial juggernauts Weyland Corp. and the Yutani Corporation spearheaded the formation of the Three World Empire (3WE) by bringing together Great Britain, Japan, Mars, and Titan—a conglomerate star-nation built by corporations. The 3WE then proceeded to cherrypick some of UNIC’s key powers.

In response, China formed the Chinese/Asian Nations Cooperative (CANC)—their own coalition of nations with extrasolar colonies—further weakening the UNIC. Often referred to as the Cooperative or Co-op, the CANC used its own extrasolar colonization program to establish the Chinese Arm of known space as the Three World Empire defined the Anglo-Japanese Arm.

With the formation of the 3WE, things looked very good for Weyland Corp.—until a scant few years later. By the mid-2090s, Sir Peter Weyland and CEO Meredith Vickers were declared lost along with the ill-fated Prometheus Project. Examining the books, Weyland Corp. found itself in severe debt—Sir Peter had overextended the company’s assets to fund his pet projects. Luckily, the company was bought out by Hideo Yutani and merged with the Yutani Corporation.

But that was then. It wasn’t until the 22nd century that things really got interesting.

TIMELINE

2101: The United States passes the National Security Act. The Colonial Marine Corps (USCMC) is formed.

2103: The American nations and their extrasolar colonies exit the United Nations Interplanetary Corps (UNIC) and begin the unifification process.

2104: The United Americas (UA) is formed. Weyland-Yutani initiates several large-scale colonization efffforts to increase the scope of the UA. The Covenant mission is launched, followed the next year by the Concordat.

2106: Torin Prime revolts against the new UA, prompting a civil war amongst the extrasolar colonies.

2109: The Extrasolar Colonial Administration, the Colonial Coast Guard, and the Colonial Marshal Bureau are formed. The USCMC is expanded and their Artifificial Womb Soldier Program begins.

2110: Contact is lost with the far spinward and trailward colonies. The exploratory scout vessels Phebe, Cronus, Mnemosyne, and American are sent to investigate. Only the Concordat mission to the Hyades Cluster is successful. The other far colonies are declared lost.

2113: The 20 Parsec Limit is set. A Network Expansion Program begins.

2120: The original Weyland Corp. patent on synthetics expires. Hyperdyne and Seegson rush to create their own artifificial life.

2122: The Nostromo Incident occurs. An alleged quarantine failure involving a deadly organism results in destruction of the cargo hauler and the death of its crew.

2124: A Weyland-Yutani expeditionary team makes fifirst contact with the Arcturians. It is humanity’s fifirst recorded encounter with sentient extraterrestrial life.

2137: An unidentifified contagion sweeps through the Frontier, claiming Sevastopol and Mendel Stations, the Wright-Aberra fuel depot, and several starships.

2140: The Three World Empire (3WE) reroutes Frontier traffiffic through Anchorpoint Station.

2147: The 3WE demands Hyperdyne submit to an ICC investigation. The Core Conflflict begins.

2151: The Core Conflflict ends. The ICSC is formed. The Chinese/Asian Nations Cooperative (CANC) supports rebel colonists against the 3WE and USCMC in the Helene Uprising.

2154: The Khadaji Conflflict takes place. The UA annexes Helene 215 and Lebanon II from the 3WE.

2156: The Populist Movement begins. First open warfare between the USCMC and UPP forces.

2157: The New Earth Plague kills 40 million people. The HD855512 system is condemned. Hadley’s Hope is established on LV-426.

2158: The CANC invades Arcturus. The USCMC launches Operation Arcturan Shield.

2159: The USCMC liberates Arcturus from the CANC with Operation Arcturan Freedom. Many Arcturian cultural and historical artifacts are looted or lost. Arcturus becomes a protectorate of the UA.

2160: Fearing the CANC is producing mass quantities of bioweapons, the UA pushes on to liberate the entire Chinese Arm. The Dog War begins.

2162: The UA, 3WE, and ICSC form the Allied Frontier Force (AFF). The USCSS Endeavor is destroyed by the UPP. The Tientsin Campaign begins.

2163: The UPP defends the CANC at what becomes known as “the Red Line.” The Dog War ends with the Pang Ho Treaty.

2165: A nuclear strike decimates Tientsin, ending the Campaign. The Chinese Arm is dissolved and becomes known as “America’s Backhand.”

2170: The Marine 70 Program is instituted. The USCMC undergoes an upgrade in weapons and tactics.

2172: The UAAC launches two classifified USCMC missions to the Epsilon Ceti IV and Betelgeuse systems. Australia and its extrasolar colonies rebel against the 3WE. The Australia Wars begin.

2174: The Linna 349 Campaign takes place. The USS Sulaco is severely damaged but not destroyed. The USCMC helps the 3WE defeat the rebels.

2179: The Hadley’s Hope colony is destroyed, followed by a deadly contagion outbreak on Fiorina 161. The USS Sulaco goes missing. Viral outbreaks are recorded on Rim Colony, Anchorpoint, and Rodina Station. All are destroyed via quarantine protocols.

2180: The second Anchorpoint station is established. Ghost ship sightings of the USS Sulaco begin.

2182: The Australian Wars end with a nuclear strike on the capital city of Canberra. The Oil Wars and the Silent War begin.

2183: The UPP absorbs part of 3WE space, closing the so-called Ceti Gap. Robert Morse’s Space Beast is transmitted and immediately banned. The USCSS Cronus is located adrift on the Frontier. The USCMC responds to viral outbreaks on LV-666 and Yaophora Station. The UPP refurbishes David 7 synthetics as hazardous climate troops.

2184: The USCMC puts down a revolt on Berringett’s Moon. Frontier colonies are attacked by deadly bioweapons in the Border Bombings. The Oil Wars end. The UPP annexes the 61 Cygni system. The Frontier War erupts. The UPP and UA expand into each other's territories looking for evidence of bioweapon development. Mistreated colonies turn against corporations, governments, and each other. The Colony Wars begin.

GROWING PAINS

2098-2101: BIRTH OF THE CORPS The end of the 21st century heralds a radical change for starfaring society. As Weyland Corp. reorganizes to merge with Yutani, the United States finds itself in conflict with the CANC over extrasolar resources. In need of a standing fighting force trained to protect their new exoplanets on the edge of the Outer Veil, the US forms a new branch of the military: The United States Colonial Marine Corps (USCMC). The National Security Act of 2101 sets the structure of the USCMC at four divisions with four aerospace wings and support services plus a fifth division and wing for reserves.

2103: DISSOLUTION During a UNIC summit, the United States, United Latin Americas, and Canada announce their intentions to leave the United Nations and form a conglomerate supernation called the United Americas. Before the summit is over, many alliances are broken. North, South, and Central America begin the process of unifying.

2104-2106: UNITED EXPANSION The United Americas is formed. Under the new banner, the USCMC operates in conjunction with the Canadian Colonial Armed Forces (CCAF), the Latin American Colonial Navy (LACN), and the United States Aero Space Force (USASF) to defend United American interests throughout the everexpanding colonial frontier.

All military divisions answer to the United Americas Allied Command (UAAC)—a think tank of high-level admirals and generals led by UA Secretary of Defense De La Cruz. The UA is quick to define the new borders of the American Arm and launches the United American Outer Rim Defense (UAORD)—a joint Navy, Marine, Army, and Aerospace division with the specialized duty of protecting the outer colonies.

As resources within the Outer Veil dwindle, a push is made to colonize more distant worlds. Weyland-Yutani and Hyperdyne Systems work with the UA to launch several large-scale colonization efforts like the USCSS Covenant, Concordat, Arceon, Affiance, and Allegiance. After several incidents, the fanatical Earth Savers—a group dedicated to forcing mankind back to earth—becomes classified as a terrorist organization by the FBI.

2106-2108: CIVIL WAR As new colonial laws take effect, the Paraguayan colony of Torin Prime pushes back against the unification of the three Americas. The J’Har rebel insurgency there releases a manifesto of terror and manages to take over most of the planet's key energy production facilities. All UA loyalists are rounded up and detained in concentration camps which also serve as J’Har headquarters, essentially serving as human shields to protect their leadership.

The J’Har spread the conflict to other colonies, resulting in both peaceful protest and armed conflict. A massive labor dispute occurs on Thedus, spurred on by J’Har advisors who use the chaos to disrupt military supply lines to Torin Prime. Barely two years in the making, the United Americas faces a civil war.

While the Thedus dispute only lasts four months, it takes nearly two years for the UA to liberate Torin Prime, an embarrassment for the newly formed Outer Rim Defense. Once the J’Har leadership is defeated, the other colonies appear to fall in line—but the unrest on the Frontier has only just begun.

2108-2109: IN THE SHADOW OF GIANTS The Torin Prime debacle showcases a weakness in the UA, and several other countries move to form conglomerate nations of their own. Already splintered by the 3WE, what is left of the EU dissolves as Germany and Spain join Russia in the creation of a new superpower—the socialist Union of Progressive Peoples (UPP).

Eager to see the United Nations Interplanetary Corps unravel, China becomes instrumental in the formation of the UPP. A conflict in ideologies prevents China from simply folding the CANC into the fledgling UPP. While the mandates of the UPP forbid interaction with corporations, the Cooperative’s economy depends on the operation of corporate production facilities within their territories.

The CANC remains separate from the UPP, with China claiming time will be needed to integrate the two systems into one. Russia, Germany, and Spain are dissatisfied with China’s lack of commitment, but realize that they cannot sustain the Union at this time without Chinese support.

2108-2111: PROGRESSIVE GROWTH Fed up with corporate greed, many single-nation and 3WE colonies in the spinward Outer Veil join the UPP. Others are simply annexed. The 3WE does not have the forces needed to maintain control over their colonies, so they take no action.

To combat the rising threat of socialist superpowers, the United American Outer Rim Defense (UAORD) proposes the Major Military Expansion Initiative (MMEI) to the UA Senate—a program that would fold the marines, navy, army, and aerospace branches into one extrasolar fighting force. Reactions are mixed—individual American nation-states are reluctant to give up control over their own fighting forces. The Initiative is deliberated on until the Archangel incident.

2109-2111: FALLEN ARCHANGEL Following up on the labor dispute, the troop carrier UAS Archangel is destroyed during a peacekeeping mission to Thedus. Over fifteen thousand military and civilian lives are lost. While the circumstances surrounding the disaster are nebulous, the event is attributed to command error. The Archangel’s Captain A. Dallas is stripped of his flight license and given a dishonorable discharge. No formal criminal charges are brought to bear.

The incident is costly for the United American Outer Rim Defense—their expansion initiative is vetoed. The UAORD is instead defunded and restructured as the Outer Rim Defense Fleet—a support system designed to facilitate the transportation, defense, and supply of the other military branches. The compartmentalization of separate military branches assures that the entire system doesn’t take the fall for any one incident. Expansion funding is instead allocated to the USCMC.

The UA also forms the Extrasolar Colonial Administration and the Colonial Marshal Bureau to address the needs of the colonists and prevent any civil unrest that could lead to another Torin Prime. Colonial Administration promises to open a law enforcement office on every UA colony and station within the next ten years.

2110-2181: THE AWS PROGRAM Following the loss of the UAS Archangel, the UAAC recognizes the need to have a steady supply of troops. After being denied a draft by Congress, the USCMC turns to Weyland-Yutani for viable solutions. The company initiates a program to create Artificial Womb Soldiers. Over the next seven decades, the USCMC raises three generations of soldiers whose only parents and purpose are the Corps.

THE 20 PARSEC LIMIT

Traffic and communication with several long distance spinward colonies is inexplicably severed. Several attempts to reach them are interrupted by massive solar ejections and radiation bursts. Soon, the trailward Covenant and Affiance colony missions are also declared overdo. Only the rimward Concordat mission to the Hyades Cluster is successful, establishing a network of mining colonies for Hyperdyne Systems.

2110-2112: DECLARED LOSSES Weyland-Yutani and the ORDF send out exploratory scout vessels like the Phebe, Cronus, Mnemosyne, and American to re-establish contact, only to disappear. In a joint decision, the ICC, UA and 3WE declare all worlds at a distance greater than 20 parsecs from earth as lost. Unwilling to lose the Hyades Cluster, Hyperdyne decides to support and maintain those colonies on their own.

2113: CORPORATE BAILOUTS Many major corporations who invested in the lost longdistance colonies now find themselves on the verge of declaring bankruptcy—a situation that could leave countless colonies within the 20 Parsec Limit without food, support, or jobs. As the market crashes, the UA government bails out these megacorps as corporate and political maneuvering refocuses attention closer to home. Having lost too many key member nations, the UNIC falls into obscurity.

2114: NETWORK NEWS The ICC commissions Weyland-Yutani to expand and complete Network communication coverage within ten parsecs of Sol system by 2200 and within twenty by 2300—both incredibly daunting and labor-intensive tasks that create new jobs for the economy. Until the Network is complete there will be unavoidable dead zones and message time lags within those defined limits.

2117: UNITED AGAIN Reinventing itself as a peacekeeping force amongst the stars, the UNIC becomes the United Nations Interstellar Settlements Corps (UNISC). While the UA, 3WE, and even the UPP become members, UNISC discovers the megacorporations that dominate the middle heavens do not recognize their authority.

THE PROBLEM WITH ANDROIDS

Weyland-Yutani’s upgraded David style android—Walter—had proved to be extremely popular in the early 22nd century. It was, however, somewhat cost prohibitive. As the original Weyland Corp. patent on androids finally runs out, other companies scramble to make their own.

2120-2130: PATENT EXPIRATION AND NEW EXPLOITATION Seegson repurposes obsolete tech to create the Working Joe—a low-grade inexpensive android alternative with a manakin-like appearance.

Exploring a different angle, Hyperdyne Systems is the first manufacturer to offer synthetic models with a non-standardized appearance for the purpose of clandestine operations. One of their earlier models, the 120-A/2, borrows much from the Weyland David 7 and 8 model synaptic algorithms, resulting in neurotic and unstable behavior.

As a result of the fiasco, Hyperdyne seeks protection from the resulting liability lawsuits by relocating to Alexandria in the Central Space Consortium. By the end of the decade, all 120-A/2s are recalled and refurbished.

2130-2136: DEADLY FORCE Recognizing Seegson’s success, Weyland-Yutani develops the Davis Security Drone and the Franklin Combat Synthetic—both smarter and deadlier than the Working Joe but still inhuman in appearance. Davis and Franklin units are used in many Frontier engagements—both allied with and against the colonial marines and the royal marine commandos. While W-Y and Seegson concentrate on less-than-human synthetics, Hyperdyne continues to perfect the more-human-than-human approach.

2137-2150: SYNTHETIC SECURITY Reports of rogue synthetic incidents on Sevastopol, the Europa, and elsewhere along the Frontier cause concern within the ICC. They begin an investigation into synthetic protocols that lead to the Core Conflict. The ICSC makes heavy use of android troops during this conflict.

2151-2160: ETIQUETTE AND PROTOCOL The ‘51 New Deal agreement stipulates that as per the Geneva Convention, synthetics are not to be used in combat roles and all new models like the upcoming Chess and Zachariah series are to be equipped with behavioral inhibitors that make it impossible for them to harm—or by omission of action, allow to be harmed—a human being. Finally, all synthetics—new and old—are required to meet the new specifications by 2160 or be retired. Newer Working Joe models are manufactured to comply with ICC protocols while the Davis and Franklin models are discontinued.

2183: THE REINVENTION OF ARTIFICIAL COMBAT The UPP discovers a cache of David 7 synthetics in deep storage on the old Weyland era Corinth Colony within their borders. In defiance of the New Deal, the synthetics are refurbished as combat androids and deployed throughout the Union.

BIOLOGICAL WARFARE

Throughout the 22nd century, several colonies have fallen victim to naturally occurring viruses such as the Arcturian Klerhaige and Typhen’s Disorder. While the following incidents may be naturally occurring viruses, it is also possible they are the result of a corporate or government bioweapons program. The nature of the ‘84 Border Bombings suggests that some outbreaks might be the work of an extraterrestrial intelligence.

2094-2110: LUNAR QUARANTINE While this outbreak began in the previous century, the 22nd century inherited its legacy. An outbreak of XMB Virus on Earth’s moon forces the Olympia colony on Luna to be quarantined for sixteen years. Advanced treatments allow anyone testing negative for XMB to leave the colony, and the virus is eventually defeated. Although nothing is ever proven, evidence suggests the Earth Savers are responsible.

2137-2145: CONTAGION UNKNOWN Over the next few years, several stations and starships are quarantined and destroyed as an unidentified contagion spreads across the Frontier. The crews and colonists of Sevastopol, Mendel Station, and the Wright-Aberra fuel depot, along with the USCSS Europa and USCSS Celestial are among the casualties—as are several colonial marine companies. The nature of the contagion is classified. By 2140, the 3WE reroutes Frontier traffic through the newly christened Anchorpoint Station in the Outer Veil, and Frontier life slowly begins to return to normal.

2157-2159: NEW EARTH PLAGUE One of the longest and most successfully established colonies of the 3WE, the New Earth Colony is stricken with a terrible contagion. The so-called New Earth Plague spreads throughout the system’s planetary settlements and outlying moons. The Interstellar Commerce Commission initiates quarantine protocols and orders the UA and 3WE to blockade the system.

BioNational and Weyland-Yutani scientists join forces with the USCMC Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) group to find a cure, but the adaptive alien bacteria make it incurable. The ICC is left with no choice but to order a complete system sterilization. 40 million lives are lost and New Earth is abandoned, but the contagion is believed to be eradicated.

The HD85112 system is mined with detection buoys and patrolled by three Colonial Marshal frigates to prevent foolhardy scavengers from picking through the remains and inadvertently bringing the plague back to civilization.

2162-2163: THE BLIGHT OF ‘62 A manufactured crop blight virus used by the UA during the Dog War is accidentally spread to several Weyland era colonies, destroying the terraformed ecologies of those worlds. The Pang Ho Treaty of ‘63 includes provisions for adopting the ICC’s existing extrasolar organism quarantine procedures to all star-faring nations and corporations. The UA, 3WE, ICSC, and even the UPP sign. While biological weapons are not outlawed, restrictive importation laws make transporting them prohibitive.

“You want to talk about conspiracies? Ok, you’ve got Hadley’s Hope and you've got Rim, right? Both shit colonies on the edge of nowhere, both making nothing but air and both full of wildcatters looking to strike it big. Both stop transmitting, both have the marines sent in, and both go up in a nuclear blast… but that’s none of my business.”

—OVERHEARD IN THE EYE OF OBLIVION BAR, ARIARCUS.

2179: YEAR OF THE DRAGON The Hadley’s Hope colony on LV-426 is mysteriously destroyed, with the 2nd Battalion Bravo Team contingent attached to the USS Sulaco amongst the casualties. While records of the incident are incomplete, the colony is decimated in a thermonuclear explosion.

After an EEV from the Sulaco is traced to the Fiorina 161 colony and the prison facility there is closed due to a biological and/or chemical contaminant, it is suspected that Hadley’s Hope was either the victim of a viral outbreak or was operating as a Weyland-Yutani black site for bioweapons research.

UPP Rodina Station on the border of Neroid Sector is infected with an unidentified viral contagion. Conspiracy theories suggest the Weyland-Yutani bioweapon developed at Hadley’s Hope was allowed to fall into UPP hands. Sterilization protocol is initiated, and Rodina station is destroyed by the UPP battlecruiser SSV Nikolai Stoiko.

Anchorpoint I Station in UA space suffers a reactor overload shortly thereafter for reasons unknown. Later that year, the colony world of Rim also suffers an outbreak and is destroyed. Colonial Marshal investigation probes are ongoing.

2183-2184: THE NEXT WAVE The mining settlement on LV-666 suffers a viral epidemic and is lost. The lost exploration vessel USCSS Cronus reappears on the Frontier. A few months later, a CBRN platoon is killed when responding to a biological outbreak on Yaophora station. Containment protocols are put into effect and Yaophora is destroyed. The sole survivor, Gunnery Sergeant L. Mason reports having seen a “metal-mouthed monster” akin to Robert Morse’s Space Beast. Survivors of outbreaks on other worlds make similar reports. These claims are all dismissed as delusions. Unsubstantiated reports suggest a connection to the Cronus, but no correlation is confirmed.

THE CORE CONFLICT

During the 2140s, the Interstellar Commerce Commission launched an investigation into mega-corporation secret holdings, synthetic protocols, and black sites—causing them to take a long hard look at the Central Space Consortium (CSC).

2147: THE REVOLT OF ALEXANDRIA Formed in the 2080s, the CSC is a corporate-run state within the 3WE with special tax incentives and a lot to hide. Rather than submit to a long-avoided ICC review regarding the 120-A/2 series synthetics, the Hyperdyne Systems controlled Consortium world of Alexandria declares its independence from the 3WE. Reluctant to risk damaging this jewel world in a civil war, the 3WE declines to retaliate against Alexandria.

2148-2150: POKING THE SLEEPING BEAR (2148–2150) Following Hyperdyne’s lead, the other company-owned colonies of the Central Space Consortium also declare their independence. The 3WE is powerless to stop the rebellion until the UA is drawn into the conflict by the succession of planet Helene 215—the location of a USCMC foreign headquarters base. Concerned with matter on the home front, Hyperdyne limits supply runs to the Hyades Cluster, leaving those colonies without food or support.

The UAAC swiftly blockades all trade routes in and out of the disputed territories—effectively cutting off both the 3WE and the Consortium from much needed food and supply colonies. For two years, the USCMC and the RMC battle the Consortium’s combat synthetics in ground and fleet engagements. Finally, all parties agree to talk.

2151: THE ‘51 NEW DEAL UA forces, the 3WE and the rebel Consortium sign a UNISC agreement with the Interstellar Commerce Commission. Called “The New Deal,” this contract returns Helene 215 to the Three World Empire and offers 3WE wholesale pricing on goods produced within the Consortium.

In return, the 3WE acknowledges the Consortium’s independence as the newly formed Inner Core System Colonies (ICSC)—but only as a UNISC member nation in good standing. The Consortium complies. Synthetics are banned from combat and the ICC drops its investigation into Hyperdyne and the Consortium’s other corporate members. The UA loosens the blockade on what is now ICSC space just enough to regulate but not stop the flow of goods, colonists, and credits in and out of the fledgling ICSC.

2151-2153: THE HELENE UPRISING Unwilling to accept the terms of the New Deal, Governor K. Watabe requests military aid from the UPP to help push the USCMC and Royal Marine Commandos off Helene 215. A ground war is fought against the rebellious Tokonigara and Shinowa colonies and their UPP allies. The two marine forces drive the Cooperative off-world and restore order.

2154-2155: THE KHADAJI CAMPAIGN The USCMC raids the Lebanon II colony in the 3WE Khadaji system, destroying a secret UPP supply base planetside. The UA annexes the system and claims the rights to Helene 215 as well, declaring the takeovers “a matter of colonial security.” The UPP leaves the UNISC.

2156-2161: REPERCUSSIONS: THE POPULIST MOVEMENT Fed up with corporate neglect and abuse during the Core Conflict, the Hyades Cluster mining colonies revolt and secede to the UPP. Hyperdyne lobbies the UA to intervene despite the 20 Parsec Limit. The USCMC clashes with the UPP over these worlds. This continues until the UPP/UA ceasefire of ‘65.

THE ARCTURIAN POLICE ACTION

Prior to 2124, confirmed records of extraterrestrial life had been limited to smaller organisms such as microbes, flat worms and large insects. While exploring Arcturus in the Alpha Boötis system, a W-Y expeditionary mission encounters the Arcturians—a race of near-human extraterrestrials. After months of establishing a common language together, the Arcturians disclose that humans are not their first visitors from the stars. A cultural and technological exchange begins.

2128-2157: THE SCIENCE OF TRADE (2128–2157) Though the Arcturians exist in a pre-industrial society, W-Y trade with them leads to many advances in life and astrophysical sciences. A trading outpost with a marshal’s office is set up planetside and the Arcturus Loop is established—a Chinese Arm trade route that slips through the CANC border near the Tientsin Colony, bypassing both ICC and CANC security and creating a smuggler’s run in and out of CANC space.

Unaware of the unsanctioned trade going on within its borders, the CANC expands its contracts with Weyland-Yutani, Hyperdyne Systems, and the Jĭngtì Lóng Corporation, dedicating entire factory worlds to producing consumer goods for the UA and 3WE. The Chinese Arm continues to grow as the CANC prospers.

2158: OPERATION ARCTURAN SHIELD The CANC discovers the illegal movement of people, arms, and goods through the Arcturus Loop. The Cooperative seizes any ships traveling along the route and invades the Alpha Boötis system. When the CANC sets up a comfort station and garrison on Arcturus, Weyland-Yutani appeals to the UA for support, accusing the CANC of taking advantage of the indigenous Arcturians.

The UA Senate greenlights Operation Arcturan Shield. The Aerospace Force and Defense Fleet blockade the Alpha Boötis system, leaving the Cooperative planetside garrison with no reinforcements.

Over the next several months, the CANC Fleet unsuccessfully attempts to run the blockade. Finally, the CANC withdraws, but refuses to surrender their claim to the Arcturus Loop.

2159: OPERATION ARCTURAN FREEDOM USCMC landing forces storm the CANC planetside Xian Po garrison and Li Huan comfort station in what will be remembered as Operation Arcturan Freedom. Weyland-Yutani contributes to the war effort and sends their own science teams as advisors to the planetside platoons. When an assault team removes the entrenched CANC Governor-General C. Xú from power, the Arcturians are freed—although much of their culture and historical monuments are destroyed in the process.

THE BATTLE FOR THE CHINESE ARM

After Operation Arcturan Freedom, a treaty is signed with the Arcturan people, providing humanitarian aid and relief to the planet. As Arcturus becomes a UA protectorate, a permanent W-Y trading post and Colonial Marine R&R station are set up planetside. The CANC imposes severe trade sanctions on the UA, 3WE, and ICSC—all capitalist powers who rely on their factory worlds for production—an action that leads to the Dog War.

2160-2163: THE DOG WAR When the Jĭngti Lóng Corporation presents evidence that the CANC is stockpiling bioweapons and testing them on political prisoners, the United Americas is forced to act.

The UAAC commits its entire armed forces and pushes into the Chinese Arm, annexing territory from the CANC in order to “protect the interests of the free colonies.” Named for its location in the Canes Venatici constellation, this conflict for control of the Chinese Arm becomes known as the Dog War.

2162: THE ALLIED FRONTIER FORCE The Colonial Marines instate a draft on the colonies as they fight to monitor and maintain newly acquired UA territory. When a Weyland-Yutani civilian contractor team exposes a CANC bioweapons production facility, UNISC member nations pledge their forces to the UA cause, creating the Allied Frontier Force (AFF).

2163: CROSSING THE RED LINE Faced with overwhelming opposition, China calls upon the UPP for aid. The Union offers the Cooperative sanctuary and deploys forces to hold the AFF Advance at what becomes known as the Red Line, but will not commit to defending the entire Chinese Arm.

The Cooperative Fleet is forced to retreat Spinward over the next two years, surrendering territory to the UA. When AFF forces reach the Red Line, the UPP joins the conflict. Major battles are fought at O’Bannon’s World, Plymouth, and Sahara with no clear victory.

2162-2165: THE TIENTSIN CAMPAIGN As new borders are formed, the governing body on the Frontier world of 8 Eta Boötis A III vows allegiance to the UA. Enraged that their leaders would simply roll over, former CANC loyalists enlist UPP aid and stage a coup. The UA considers a diplomatic approach, until the UPP accuses the USCSS Endeavor of espionage and blatantly destroys the commercial survey ship.

As the UA sends in forces to support the old regime, a protracted ground war dubbed the Tientsin Campaign is fought between the United Americas and the UPP, culminating in the use of strategic nukes which ravage the planet's ecosystem. After the carnage, a ceasefire is called and both forces withdraw.

2163: AN EXPERIMENT IN PEACE The CANC sues for peace, and the AFF halts its advance at the Red Line. The Pang Ho Treaty is signed, and the Chinese Arm is broken up into UA and Chinese territories, with the remaining CANC sectors being absorbed into the UPP. For their help in the war, the Jĭngtì Lóng Corporation and other major ICSC holding corporations are awarded contracts to exploit former CANC worlds for the UA. Weyland-Yutani and Lasalle Bionational are joint-contracted to dismantle and dispose of the Cooperative’s bioweapon factories and stores. The 3WE is awarded the territory of the former Chinese Canal, a route through their space to the now extinct Chinese Arm. The AFF disbands.

2164: THE BORDERLINE REGION A Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is established along the Red Line. Called the Borderline Region, this DMZ is a wild frontier that exists outside of designated territories. Each world is allowed to govern itself—though none are allowed to maintain a military presence. The DMZ is roughly one parsec wide and six parsecs long. A joint UA/UPP Constabulary composed of colonial marshals and the people’s armed police is designated to maintain order there.

2163-2165: THE COOPERATIVE EXODUS As the Tientsin Campaign rages on, CANC forces and loyal civilians are given two years to leave the territory of the former Chinese Arm. Under UAAC escort, Cooperative refugees mount a massive exodus to the UPP border. CANC colonists that wish to stay are granted US citizenship but are placed on a government watch list. Jĭngtì Lóng Corporation founds the colony world of New China within ICSC space and opens colonization to any former Cooperative refugees who wish to avoid both the UPP and the UA. Having increased in territory and armed might by absorbing what’s left of the CANC and annexing worlds, the UPP calls the 2100s the “Progressive Century.”

TO THE VICTOR THE SPOILED

In 2165, the nuclear decimated Tientsin Colony is granted its independence. The UPP and the UA both pull out of 8 Eta Boötis A, and a state of Cold War forms between the two superpowers. The Colonial Marine Corps reaches a peak of 240,000 personnel—troops with no one to fight. The Artificial Womb Soldier (AWS) Program is discontinued. Existing underage AWS will continue to be raised and trained until they can enter full service.

2166-2175: THE REFORTIFICATION OF AMERICA’S BACKHAND The last wave of Cooperative refugees leave UA space and the former Chinese Arm is folded into the American Arm. The area is colloquially referred to as “America’s Backhand.” As a UPP member state, the CANC is on the fast track to becoming a major power within the Union—prompting UA concern that the UPP may attempt to retake the former Chinese Arm. The UAAC fortifies the territory, building shipyards and bases within the dense stars of the Crestus Cluster. Fortification will not be complete until 2175.

2167: THE ‘67 BUYOUT Corporate-awarded worlds within the New American Territory are caught applying for ICSC status. The UA imposes new trade embargoes and blockades against the Inner Core System Colonies. Several corporate contracts are revoked as the USCMC reclaims these production worlds and escorts the companies responsible—including the Jĭngtì Lóng Corporation—out of the sector.

Weyland-Yutani is awarded production control of the reclaimed colonies. Many corporations face bankruptcy in the process, but Weyland-Yutani is there to buy them out. Companies like Hyperdyne Systems are forced to sell their major shares to Weyland-Yutani and become subsidiaries.

2170-2171: THE MARINE 70 PROGRAM After analyzing the past decade of combat, the colonial marines instigate the Marine 70 Program—a weapons procurement and restructuring initiative to develop new combat technologies and battle strategies. The M577 Armored Personnel Carrier and an upgraded Cheyenne dropship result from this.

The M41A Pulse Rifle is adopted by the Colonial Marine Corps, replacing the Harrington Assault Rifle. Hyperdyne Systems introduces the model 341-B synthetic, and the USCMC orders one for every platoon—for service in a noncombatant role.

Hyperdyne regains majority shares and leaves Weyland-Yutani, once again becoming a power in their own right. Hyperdyne Systems is restructured as the Hyperdyne Corporation. In a coup, W-Y manages to hold on to the 314-B designer, Michael Bishop.

THE RIMWARD EXPANSION

As corporate exploitation teams push forward into the unknown both within-and-without the 20 Parsec Limit, the USCMC acts as an escort and protector, clearing out dangerous fauna and flora for scientific expeditions and new colonies.

2151-2167: REDEFINING THE FRONTIER Weyland-Yutani and Hyperdyne aggressively establish new mining and research outposts, terraforming whole worlds in a race to outdo each other on the expanding frontier. With the constant conflicts between the UA, CANC, and the UPP, these colonies are spread too thin for the Colonial Marines to protect. Expansion slows with the ‘67 Buyout.

2172-2177: THE BATTLE OF CETI EPSILON IV AND THE BETELGEUSE CAMPAIGN Epsilon Ceti and Betelgeuse—the battles that everyone has heard of, but no one knows anything about. In 2172, the USCMC assembles four companies of marines into two fleets and deploys them on classified long-distance missions to systems far outside the 20 Parsec Limit. Most combatants are required to undergo a medpod procedure that erases their memories of these conflicts—allegedly to protect them from psychological trauma.

Little information is made available to the public. Several court-martials and psychological discharges are recorded, but the transcripts of the cases are locked away to be released in twenty years’ time. Amongst the participants, numerous suicides and unexplained deaths take place. The survivors are either promoted or reassigned to remote outposts on long-term contracts.

THE HUNTING OF BUGS

The prevalent form of life in the cosmos would appear to be insects—both small and large. And when cockroaches the size of poodles start chewing on colonies or colonists, you can guess who gets called in to play exterminator. It’s a duty that no marine wants but every marine gets stuck with. Over the years, this kind of work has become synonymous with the term “bug hunt.” As rebel factions make up the most commonly faced—and annoying—human adversaries on the frontier as well, bug hunt can also apply to flflushing out entrenched hostiles—as opposed to a “straight-up fifight” of soldier vs. soldier.

THE WAR AT HOME

After a severe and prolonged food shortage, Australia attempts to secede from the Three World Empire. What follows is a rise in malcontent activity on several Australian founded colonies.

2172-2182: THE AUSTRALIA WARS Food riots in Australia lead to widespread fighting and a government take-over by rebels. The 3WE commits its forces to retaking the country. These long running Australia Wars finally end when the UA intervenes by nuking the capital city of Canberra. The rebels surrender and the country’s legitimate government is restored. The 3WE is kept from disintegrating into splinter nations—but once again only thanks to their allies, the United Americas.

2174-2175: BATTLE OF THE BUG BOYS—THE LINNA 349 CAMPAIGN Inspired by the Australian revolt, Rebel factions stage a coup on Linna 349. Once again, the Three World Empire requests assistance from the United Americas Allied Command. A peacekeeping force of colonial marines is sent in.

The conflict escalates when the rebels—derogatively referred to as “Bug Boys”—receive a weapons upgrade from an unidentified source. Although never proven, UA Intelligence suggests the Hyperdyne Corporation. When the USCMC frigate USS Sulaco becomes the target of an orbital strike, the Colonial Marines commit to retaking the colony. They squash the Bug Boys and leave a peacekeeping force on Linna 349, despite requests from the Three World Empire to release the world. Linna 349 becomes the third 3WE colony to be undermined by the UA.

FANATICAL FRONTIER

Quasi-religious cults and terrorist groups spring from Earth to take root on the Frontier, sending leaders to the most destitute and backwater colonies in search of new acolytes. Recruiters encourage colonists to shed the oppressive yoke of their atheistic corporate masters and prepare for the coming of judgment day. What follows is a brief look at some of those conflicts.

2104: ATTACK ON THE COVENANT After their possible involvement in the XBT virus, the Earth Savers movement attempts to sabotage the USCSS Covenant and several other long distance colony missions to prevent mankind from reaching further out into the stars. The organization is broken up, but not all members are captured.

2105-2106: TECHNOLOGICAL DEVOLUTION A religious eco-terrorist group calling themselves the Monastic Order of Arceon creates an invasive computer virus that eliminates data stores across the Earth. After setting off several electromagnetic pulses in major cities, they are apprehended by a joint Colonial Marine and Royal Marine Commando strike force. The computer virus is neutralized before it reaches other worlds. W-Y buys out the terrorists’ sentences and exiles the remnants of the Arceon group to a repurposed Class V habitation sphere in the Far Reach.

2115: EBERUS INCIDENT Former J’Har rebels turned terrorists take hostage the Weyland-Yutani shuttle Eberus. The situation is resolved with limited bloodshed by company civilian negotiator E. Ripley before a USCMC response team can intervene. Forty-nine hostages are rescued, and eight terrorists are convicted.

2176: HAARSA HOSTAGE CRISIS (2176) A militant group takes hostages on Haarsa Colony. Most of the colonists are rescued by the USCMC. Unfortunately, the terrorists are killed before their motives can be discerned.

2183: INDOCTRINATION PROTOCOL The Colonial Marshal Bureau begins investigating the more extreme fanatic groups on the Frontier as potential terrorists. As groups like the Millenarian Doomsayers begin founding their own colonies, USCMC forces policing the region are called in to maintain order on vulnerable worlds.

2183-2184: THE OIL WARS Rogue elements nuke key supply colonial oil reserves both on Earth and throughout the colonies. UA, UPP, and 3WE expeditionary forces scramble to find new raw sources of oil as petroleum resources across the territories are fought over by various powers.

As the battle for dominance over petrol worlds intensifies, retreating forces poison the so-called “black gold colonies” by introducing an oil-eating bacteria to the wells that was originally developed to clean up oil spills. Resources dwindle more. The Oil Wars end as the petrol rich ICSC establishes diplomatic ties and begins selling oil to all parties equally in exchange for lifted trade sanctions.

While the Practitioners of the Holy Immolation claim responsibility for the initial nuclear attacks, there is no evidence to support their involvement. The FBI investigation is ongoing.

THE COLD WAR INTENSIFIES

Tensions flare on the Frontier as factions accuse each other of foul play following the Hadley’s Hope and Rodina incidents. Colonial Administration investigates the possible involvement of both Weyland-Yutani and the UPP. The Cold War between the UPP and the UA escalates. Several near incidents occur on the UA/UPP border as the two superpowers probe each other for weaknesses. The final crop of USCMC Artificial Womb Soldiers enters the service. The program is terminated.

2182-2183: THE SILENT WAR A conflict erupts between Weyland-Yutani and rival Globe Corporation to control worlds within the ICSC. The so-called Silent War is waged behind the population’s back. Although this is a corporate conflict, the USCMC is brought in on Weyland-Yutani’s side, tipping the scales in W-Y’s favor.

2183: THE CETI GAP As the UPP moves to annex an area of 3WE space in the Outer Veil, holding actions erupt across the sector. Hyperdyne’s Groombridge and Zeus Colonies are evacuated. A truce is declared when UPP forces make planetfall on Nene 246 in the 52 Tau Ceti system—the location of a USCMC Ezell foreign military base. In an unprecedented move, the UPP allows the UA to continue to use Nene 246 as a base of operations alongside a UPP contingent.

THE FRONTIER WAR

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.”

— GEORGE ORWELL, 1984

2184 Now. 2184 is a FUBAR year for the USCMC. As the Oil Wars wrap up, fanatics engage in terrorist activities, enemy forces invade our worlds and biological bombs are dropped on unsuspecting colonies.

THE BERRINGETT CONFLICT After years of unsafe work conditions, 200 armed disgruntled workers seize control of a Hyperdyne palladium mine on Berringett’s Moon and make demands for better treatment. When the local colonial marshal office attempts to restore order, the corporate agent sent to negotiate is killed in the resulting fiasco.

The USCMC is called in to end the standoff. What starts as a smooth hit and run operation turns into a protracted standoff when a typhoon hits the colony, trapping both the hostages and the malcontents in the flooded mine. When all is said and done, the mine is destroyed and 52 colonists are dead.

UPP INVASION The UPP takes advantage of the colonial unrest to begin annexing rebellious UA worlds closest to their borders. LV-038 is the first to be taken. The UAAC sends two fleets to engage the UPP there—the war is on.

THE BORDER BOMBINGS Starting with LV-038, several colonies along the Frontier are obliterated by bioweapon attacks perpetrated by unknown parties. The United Americas believe the UPP is behind these Border Bombings—but the UPP has suffered massive losses as well, and in truth the Union likely does not have the level of technology necessary for these attacks. The question isn’t just who is bombing these worlds—but why?

ESCALATION The Frontier becomes a war zone as the United Americas and the Union of Progressive Peoples clash over new territories. The UA initiates a draft on the Frontier—the first one in over twenty years. Spurred on by the Border Bombings, factions within the USCMC and the UPP begin raiding outpost worlds suspected of conducting any and all bioweapon research on either side of the border.

THE COLONY WARS Dissatisfied with both their corporate overlords and the Colonial Marines’ inability to protect the Frontier, several UA and 3WE colonies begin to rebel across the Frontier. The armed forces are called in to combat civil unrest, and successfully stave off worker revolts on New Titan and Europa.

Angry that their supply chains and support have been cut off by the UA conflict with the UPP, Frontier colonies begin raiding each other for food and medicine. Supplied with weapons from the UPP, Lebanon II, Linna 349, Ariarcus, Rigel 9, Wakahashi's World, and more become powder kegs ready to go off.