Malaysian Colonial Republic

History
Long before the strife of full scale war had befallen the Terran solar system, humans enjoyed a time of great prosperity. With the moon being colonized and the Mars and Eros colonies well underway, humanity set its sights on the stars. Many research probes had been launched out into the depths of space over the decades, some continuing to send data back to their parent nations. As technology advanced, so did humanity’s curiosity of what was lying beyond our own solar system. So when a deep space probe sent back images of a far off star system bearing a planet capable of supporting human life the scientific community went into an uproar.

This new system lie far off in space, in part of the distant Sirius cluster of stars. Within months of the discovery, scientists and engineers set to work, creating the first generation of massive sleeper ships that would carry an expedition and colonization team to the new world. Though designing and building these massive ships took the better part of a decade, but it was a decade that saw humanity come together for a single goal. Nations from all across the globe flocked to buy into the project, pledging resources, materials or personnel to the massive undertaking. With the combined support and effort of an entire planet, the project was completed in just under twelve years. The result of the society’s labors were two massive sleeper ships, the Endeavor and the Discovery.

With the vessels complete, the selection process for their crews began. An international board was formed to screen and ultimately accept or reject the literal millions of applicants. Only the best of the best were selected for this duty. The brightest and most talented engineers and scientists, the best trained and most resourceful military commandos, leading specialists from all fields of study were selected. Surprisingly, more than fifty percent of those chosen for the honor came from the region surrounding Malaysia, including the first expedition leader. Within six months of their completion, the sleeper ships were filled with the cream of the Terran system’s crop. And on March 14th, 20xx the ships were launched with the hopes and dreams of a people on their backs.

Many years passed for the sleeper ships laden with Earth’s people. Countless years with the inhabitants kept asleep by the ship’s cryogenic chambers until one day untold years later when the people started to awake. They found themselves in orbit of a habitable planet, but not the one they had been aiming for. This planet was hundreds of light years from the intended destination. After a brief panic, the astrophysicists discovered that the ships had been out in open space for so long that the computer had not accounted for stellar drift. Once it realized they were off course, the computer scanned for habitable planets and brought them to this planet. So despite the miscalculation the teams were able to start their work. It may have not been the planet they were looking to find, but it was a planet none the less.

Two hundred years passed with Earth’s colony thriving, the inhabitants blissfully unaware of the carnage and devastation that had since been wrought on their home world. Nonetheless, the colony life went on day in and day out unknowing that soon disaster would strike their homes as well. The nearby star of their new home had begun to fluctuate well outside the normal observed spectrum. Scientists soon figured out the there was less that five years before it would destabilize completely. This developing situation was kept hidden from the populous as teams worked to come up with a plan to save the colony, the initial thought being on the ships that had brought them here. However the ships that had brought the colonists to this world had long been disassembled for vital components, and were now just mere hulks of their former glory.

Frantic work began immediately to build a new ship to once again embark to the vastness of space. The workers began stripping whatever was left of the massive remnants of their sleeper ships. Construction of a new, much larger ship commenced almost at once with crews working around the clock. The design, for such a rushed job, was ingenious. While the overall concept of the new ship’s predecessors remained the same, several key improvements were made. Massive hangar bays for reconnaissance craft, research vessels, and industrial ships were carved into the superstructure. The ship herself was easily three times larger than her predecessors. And the interior was much more compact than before in order to squeeze everyone on the colony into the ship. With less than three months to spare they christened their new escape craft the Borneo Star.

Once the ship was complete, the immediate evacuation of the colony was ordered. Colonists filed into the ship with the military standing vigilant keeping the evacuation orderly. But inside, everyone was praying they would get away from this new impending doom. And this fear was justified. Borneo was much larger than her predecessors. So large in fact that even with a large array of the newest Colonial engines scientists were unsure if the ship could escape the gravity well of the planet. But they were out of time and out of options. The population would certainly perish if they did nothing. So with held breaths, the command staff of the ship initiated the launch sequence. The ship’s engines roared beneath them and for several tense seconds the ship did not budge. Finally at the T+10 mark, the ship started to lift off slowly gaining speed as the engines pushed her toward the stars.

Once safely in space the crew was able to breathe an exasperated sigh of relief. The navigators input the original coordinates for Sirius which had been salvaged from the old sleeper ships, this time correcting for stellar drift and a number of potential factors that would alter their course. Only after the crew was 100% confident that their course would take them to their final destination did they enter the cyostasys chambers and activate the system. Thus the colonists began their long journey to the Sirius sector, unaware that other sleeper ships were headed there from a war torn Sol.

The ship crept through the stars for many years.This time staying true to her course toward Sirius. Finally after a centuary in cryo sleep, the ship awoke the command crew. However there was no planet within sensor range. In fact, the ship was running dangerously low on fuel and would not make the remaning portion of the journey. A portion that was relatively short by comparison. The crew kept as many of the colonists as possible in stasis, only waking those able to pilot the scout ships that were brought aboard. With only days of fuel left to power the ship, scout after scout was sent out on frantic searches for something, anything that could lead the stricken ship to salvation. It was only out of sheer luck that one of the scout pilots happened across a stable wormhole, one large enough to potentially move the Borneo Star to a new location.

With little choice and reserves running on empty, the captain of the Borneo Star set a course for this anomaly. Several pilots drew straws to determine who among them would risk testing this new means of travel. After a solemn sendoff, the crew watched as a lone scout entered the wormhole. Long and tense minutes passed before the wormhole reopened and the scout ship reappeared on scanners with news of the other side. The scouts sensors were not as advanced as Boneo’s, but from what was seen there were several planets and resource rich asteroid fields awaiting them on the other side. When the scout returned to the ship, the colonists battened down the hatches and set a course for the event horizon of the wormhole. The crew held their breath as the massive ship eased into the wormhole, a flash of light erupting as the tail of the ship passed through.

The Borneo made it through in one piece, but the Jump hole behind them had collapsed. Confusion consumed the crew for a moment before sensors came back online and the scout’s reading were confirmed. They were trapped in this place, but it was a resource rich system, one that would easily sustain them for hundreds of years based on the preliminary findings. Most of the colonists remained in stasis for the first twenty years after their arrival. The crews needed the time to set up living space, slowly converting the interior of the Borneo to accommodate more and more of the colonists. The Borneo became the hub of the new colony, a hive of activity for industrial ships and work crews as they struggled to create a life for themselves.

For many years survival did not come easily for the isolated colonists. Though they had the equipment to harvest food, mine materials for ships, they had no permanent place to live nor a place to construct the ships or facilities they had the minerals for. For half a century, they lived in their ships with the Borneo acting as a hive-like complex that managed to meet their basic needs. During this time the engineers began work on designs for a more permanent settlement. At long last, with designs in hand, they were able to build a few artificial floating islands on the planet they had christened Borneo after the ship that had brought them to their salvation.

This construction project meant scrapping essential materials and components from many of the ships they had brought with them, the Borneo Star included. Planet Borneo was chosen to be their home planet over the others in the system due to its abundant and seemingly inexhaustible food supply. However the colonists were still limited, they had no contact outside their system. Though some resources such as food were plentiful, others, such as rarer minerals, were harder to come by. With this being their driving focus, over the next few centuries the colonists struggled to begin developing ships and exploring the rest of the system they now called home.

The colonists built up a vast society on their oceanic planet over the years, creating a growing number of artificial island cities alongside new developments in space faring ships. They also realized that this planet was the only one they had and thus went to great pains to preserve the climate and ecology of their home. It was the only home they had, and they could not afford to be irresponsible in its development. With the precautions in place they were able to prosper in their own habitat while maintaining it. The colonists lived in peace and prosperity in their home, the use of super-efficient recycling facilities ensuring they maintained an acceptable level of raw materials. However supplies were starting to run out. Their home system had sustained them for almost 700 years, and though the colonists had been careful with the natural resources of the system, there was nothing that could be done to gain 100% efficiency along with their growing population. However, this all changed in late 722 A.S. with a bright flash of light from the far reaches of the system. Almost immediately Colonial military forces moved to investigate the inexplicable flash, the communication would soon become one of history.

“Command, Viper 57, we are coming up on the disturbance, now entering visual range.... Stand by... Command, we’re reading comm traffic, its a jump hole!”

Within hours of discovery, the Colonial Council dispatched its most veteran diplomats along with a small escort to the site of the Jump Hole, and after several successful tests proceeded through. On the other side of the hole the made their first contact with their long lost brethren of Sirius in the form of the IMG. Shortly thereafter the MCR and the IMG entered into negotiations, forming the first alliance the Colonists had ever entered into. Early on in the negations the MCR found it surprising how their ship designs were more efficient and performed to greater means than that of the more vastly networked IMG. This would become their key bargaining chip for access to the IMG’s resource rich asteroid fields. The two groups managed to strike out a mutually beneficial agreement, the MCR allowing the IMG to utilize their spacecraft until a line of the IMG’s own could be designed based on MFC designs, and the IMG would allow the MCR use of their resource fields.

With a new understanding of the Sirius sector and how it had evolved over the centuries, the Council decided to seal the colony’s borders to all traffic save their allies the IMG. It was clear to them that many powerful and potentially hostile factions and houses surrounded them, and Sirius was not a safe place to stand undefended. Therefore the existence of the new jump hole was kept secret.Until their contact with the rest of Sirius, the MCR had no need for excessve military forces. However with the end of their isolation it was clear that this would need to be rectified and fast. With the help of the IMG the MCR began design and construction of their own fleets, allowing them to easily bolster the defenses of their small corner of the sector. Border patrols and automated defense systems were set up quickly in order to deter or eliminate anyone or anything unfortunate enough to enter MCR space. With renewed resources at their disposal, MCR engineers began working round the clock to not only solidify their defenses and military strength, but to maintain their slight technological edge over their neighbors. With this, the MCR was hopeful she could repel any hostile powers that would ever threaten their sovereignty.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">The alliance proved to be beneficial for both sides for many years. Though the IMG’s support the MCR was able to build up much needed infrastructure within their home and establish a defensive military presence. On the other side the IMG with use of the MCR’s ship designs and improved engines, were able to maintain a solid hold over their assets from other local powers that sought to infringe on IMG’s operations. After the Council believed the MCR had become internally stable enough they sought to expand the Colony’s horizons. 817 A.S., with the support of the IMG and their now highly trained and capable defense forces, the Malaysian Colonial Republic made herself known to the rest of Sirius. The fledgling colony now sought to expand its commercial, diplomatic, and political presence into the mainstream of Sector affairs. Though not officially recognized as an independent house by the other major houses, that remains the goal of the MCR. And with this goal in mind the MCR set out to establish new diplomatic relations and trade agreements with her neighbors, being mindful of the current conflicts that ravaged the system.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">This was no small task however. The Sirius sector was war torn and entering into trade agreements with one house could easily lead to all out war with another. The one that struck closest to home was the war between their neighbors of Kusari and Bretonia. However though careful negotiation they managed to be allowed to import goods from both houses so long as equal business was done on both sides, and no military hardware was moved. It was a shakey agreement at best but it got the colony recognized. Trade with Liberty came easier, even though the routes were longer and more perilous than trading with close neighbors. But the capitalistic nature of Liberty made her a prime trade partner, even if keeping their greedy and corrupt corporate hands off MCR assets was difficult. Rheinland was too far from the home front to enter into any serious agreements with. Occasional convoys to procure commodities that were difficult to come by in other houses were ran, but there was never anything serious between the MCR and Rheinland.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">A year later in early 818 A.S. a strange disturbance was detected in an uncharted system later named Orkney. Several unknown ships came from the system, running in a combat sortie throughout many of the Tau systems. Shortly thereafter the IMG along with the MCR planned and executed a charting mission into this new system, eager to meet the inhabitants and be the first to open trade with the newcomers. This however did not go as planned. The MCR dispatched one of their newest Zephyr class carriers along with her escort and several wings of IMG support craft. Upon entering the system the small fleet set course for the nearest planet, hoping to get some readings on it and hoping to find traces of the strange ships that came through a few weeks prior. After several hours passed, the fleet decided to break orbit, only to have several heavy Gallic capital ships impede their egress. All attempts at communication failed, and after several tense moments the worst case scenario came to pass, the Gallics began to open fire, taking the fleet by surprise. Being hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, the commander of the carrier Centauri ordered his vessel to move between the incoming fire and the rest of the fleet, allowing them precious seconds to break orbit and escape the system. This however resulted in the first military loss the MCR had ever seen. And one that would not go unforgotten.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">What happened in the aftermath of the attack had the colony as well as most of Sirius in a state of shock. A new house, a new power with fleets and technology that rivaled any force in the sector was amassing quietly on the other side of a dense mine field. Rumors of fleet strengths and numbers began to circulate, the rumors getting worse as the time passed. All this leaving a daunting question, what were they planning? All attempts to communicate by the IMG and the MCR failed, and any attempts to enter the space of the people now known as the Gallics always ended in bloodshed. The MCR Council did not take this looming threat lightly or sitting down. Construction orders were signed for multiple new carriers to be constructed. It didnt take a veteran military strategist to see what this new force was up to. It also was apperent that the MCR forces could not hope to hold out against the impending blitzkrieg without help. With Bretonia in shambles they were in no position to lend aid, so the MCR was backed in to asking Kusari for military assistance.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">To their surprise, Kusari agreed to divert several battle groups to defend Tau 44. With their lines fortified and supplemented by the KNF, the MCR military commanders were more confident in their ability to hold the system. But it would be a long and bloody fight, one that could cause great collateral damage. Thus the immediate evacuation of the civilian population was ordered. This was no small order either, completely relocating the entire population was a massive undertaking, one that occupied and stretched MCR military forces and supply lines dangerously thin. It was during this moment of vulnerability in 820AS that the Gallic war machine was unleashed on Sirius. The Kusari forces in Tau 31 quickly found themselves outnumbered and flanked. MCR forces and the KNF battle groups defending Tau 44 braced and dug in, ready to face the enemy. It was painfully evident to the MCR that they couldn't hope to hold their home against such an overwhelming force. So their plan was quite simply to hold out long enough to get their last few transports filled with civilians safely away.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">The initial Gallic forces broke against the defenders like water on rock, being easily picked apart by the well entrenched forces. This bought them some time, time to get vulnerable ships clear, and for a rebellion on Kusari to overthrow the ruling Emperor. The new Emperor and Shogunate immediately called for a ceasefire with the Gallics, quickly entering into a non aggression pact. With the signing of the pact, the majority of their Kusari assistance disarmed and left the MCR to face their fate at the hands of the Gallics. However, a small contingent of a few fighter and bomber pilots whom remained loyal to the old emperor remained.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">When the Galics returned to claim Tau 44 as their own, Hades and her escorts were the last standing line of defense. The ship and her crew fought valiantly, working to delay the invasion force as long as possible for the last ships to clear sensor range. In the course of that great battle, Hades’ sublight engines were critically damaged. The engineering crew managed to coax just enough life out of the dying engines to get the ship and crew to the safety of Tau 39 where she remains stranded. The remaining KNF forces that were instrumental in the defense of Tau 44 and Hades left a few weeks later to rejoin their countrymen stranded in Leeds, now an exiled enemy to the new Kusari government, but an ally to the MCR.

Current Day
After the evacuation of their homeworld, the MCR has been quickly attempting to reestablish herself within the sector. Their new home in Coronado was not a hospitable one, but the MCR was built up of hearty people that did not stray away from harshness. Especially with new found motivation in their lives. The Gallics had forced them from their homes, something that would never be forgiven nor forgotten. The Council has placed a large amount of resources into reestablishing the infrastructure of the MCR. From her new position in Coronado more trade possibilities were available. But the first and foremost item of importance has been on sustaining the population.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">Economically the MCR is slowly regaining her footing. Though the loss of their home did incur a heavy cost. Trade across the houses has resumed with the seemingly abrupt halt in the Gallic advances. The Trade Commission has used this time to redouble efforts to secure valuable trade partners and with the looming source of heavy water on Pecos, there has been no lack of partners.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">Militaristically the MCR has placed ship construction and crew training at the front of their priority list. And with a population fueled by rage and resentment there has been no shortage of volunteers. The MCR’s new shipyard has been working as fast as materials come in to produce the next generation of warships, with all cannons aimed at the Gallics. The people of the MCR have no intention of taking this loss sitting down, and if the Gallic intention was to break the will of the MCR, their plan has failed miserably.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">Diplomacy with the MCR has changed only slightly, but those slight changes were rather drastic. For its cowardly acts, the house of Kusari under the Kishiro backed Emperor has been labelled as hostile to the MCR. The brave men and women whom were caught behind enemy lines and continue to fight the GRN menace however are welcomed in MCR controlled space. Diplomatic stances with Bretonia and her corporations have grown to amicable. A common foe that is poised to destroy everything the two groups hold dear will do that though. And as always the IMG remains a vigilant and strong ally to the MCR. After the events of Tau 44, the MCR is in an open state of war with any and all ships or persons of Gallic orgin.

<p style="margin-top: 10px;">Access to the new home of the MCR unfortunately cannot be as restricted as the military would like. Having a large Freelancer base in the nearby asteroid field has made monitoring traffic tedious at best. However the MCR guards access to Pecos and Sabah shipyard vigilantly and fervently. Vessels that approaches the planet or shipyard without the proper clearance have been known to go missing.

Bases

 * Sabah Shipyard, Coronado
 * New Hope East, Coronado
 * New Hope West, Coronado
 * Carrier Hades, Tau-39