A brief view of recent history as it pertains to Tagan.
The Tsougak Trade Federation forms. It included worlds from Saelfaek (Windhorn 2822) up through Igodosakfell (Windhorn 3013). Tagan's physical isolation had a cultural impact; its population preferred to avoid any political entanglements. While the three rift worlds weren't members, they were on good terms and traded heavily with them.
News of the death of the Imperium's emperor sparks activity along its
coreward border. Sensing weakness, each of the Imperium's vargr neighbors, from
Corridor through Antares, whether foe or friend, invades.
Once the Sunggoe Combine was swept up in Disjuncture fever, the
Trade Federation lost its largest external trading partner. While many suggested
that the Trade Federation could go it alone, the newly formed
17th
Disjuncture issued an ultimatum: join or perish. Lacking the muscle to take
them on, the Tsougak Trade Federation chose to join.
Independent Tagan (2611) continued to sell its agricultural products to its
closest neighbor and manufacturing giant, Igodosakfell. With the attention of
the 17th Disjuncture focused on making headway rimward, the former Tsougak Trade
Federation worlds were permitted to act as they saw fit, provided that their
actions did not interfere with or undermine the Disjuncture's operations.
Imperial factions continued to battle one another. Attempts to negotiate a peace
were finally abandoned as each side claimed irreconcilable differences. By the
end of 1122, the war shifted into its "Black War" phase. No longer would each
faction content itself with attacking its opponents' military forces. Instead,
civilian and economic assets became targets.
Emperor Lucan grew increasingly unstable. He was recorded as having personally
slain several emissaries at his court, including a representative of IRIS, the
Imperial Regency Intelligence Service, the agency charged with determining the
proper heir to the Iridium Throne.
All major Imperial factions saw their "safe areas" shrink to 1-2 subsectors
in size. With dwindling military assets, they no longer had the resources to
guard larger territories. Groups of worlds outside these perimeters seceded and
formed alliances for mutual protection. Raiders, both human and vargr, continued
to have their way with the majority of the former Imperium.
IRIS abandoned its search for the Emperor proper. With the exception of Norris,
Brzk, Craig, and the Strephon clone, all other factions have allegations of
serious crimes charged against them.
Cryogenic suspension becomes a popular fad as many people seek a better tomorrow
as they have lost faith in their leaders' abilities to resolve the mess that is
the Imperium.
In 1127, a K'kree trading fleet was destroyed by Lucan's naval forces. A
spokesman claimed that the K'kree did not respond to transponder checks and
were thus considered hostile. The K'kree did not accept the explanation and
declared war against Lucan.
In 1127, Archduke Norris declared the Imperium dead and that the Domain of Deneb
would go it alone.
In 1129, Regent Brzk was assasinated.
An A.I. computer virus is released by one of the Imperial factions. It is
uncertain which one, however, as the earliest reports of its attacks can be
traced to Core, Dagudashaag, and Ilelish sectors, it is suspected of belonging
to either Lucan or Dulinor. Unfortunately, those who carried news of the
infection carried the infection in their starship's computer core.
All neighboring vargr factions that have invaded the Imperium's former space
scoff at the reports, insisting that they are a desperate bluff by a weakened
empire to scare away their enemies.
As reports come in from vargr worlds of starports voiding their inhabitants,
friendly starships attacking their homeworlds, and suicidal vehicles, some begin
to take the warnings as real.
As marauding vessels from the 17th Disjuncture returned from their
rimward attacks upon Imperial worlds, they brought back infected technology.
Once plugged into the Disjuncture's network, Virus spread throughout its
members. Word of the plague made its way up to the Tsougak Main just before its
arrival. While some worlds were able to prepare and protect themselves, many
could not.
Tagan received ample warning from its neighbor and #1 trade partner,
Igodosakfell. Located out in the Windhorn Rift, it was easy for Tagan to seal
itself off from the rest of the subsector, which it did.
Subsequent investigations determined that during this time over 75% of the
worlds in the Ngath Confederation, 85% of the 17th Disjuncture, and 90% of the
worlds in the Voekhaeb Society had been exposed to the Virus. The remnants of
the former Opposition Alliance in Meshan sector acknowledged a 65%
infection rate. Data for the Ruler of Five and other vargr states is
unknown.
During this period Tagan shut down all interstellar traffic to and from their world. Meanwhile, Vakh ships (the slang term for starships infected with the A.I. computer virus) launched repeated attacks up and down the Tsougak Main. Igodosakfell was invaded on three separate occasions, resulting in heavy damage to infrastructure and high casualties. However, the Igodosakfellians were able to beat back each advance.
Except for the odd Vakh attack, Igodosakfell concerns itself with fighting over food and resources. The wars come to an end when Kaelthaen rises up and unites several nations through treaty. Their cooperation, and subsequent minor recovery, encourages other nations to sign on.
Tagan sends out its first reconnaissance mission to determine the fate of its neighbor. Upon realizing that Igodosakfell shielded them from attacks, the Tagans immediately start relief and rebuilding efforts. The two go on to form an official alliance, later dubbed the Tagan Pack. They pledge to rebuild civilization in their corner of the Extents.
While rebuilding efforts continue on Igodosakfell, Tagan Pack expeditionary forces recon several neighboring worlds. Seven of them join the Tagan Pack bringing its membership up to nine. In return for providing personnel, resources, and bases of operations, the new worlds get access to food, medicine, infrastructure consultants, and rebuilding assistance.
Tagan Pack expeditionary forces continue to recon neighboring worlds in their search for survivors and relic technology that can assist them in rebuilding civilization and repelling the Vakh menace.