Difference between revisions of "Amaris Civil War"
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{{Update Needed|[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]], [[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2]]}}
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| date = December 26th [[2766]] and [[2780]]
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| date = 26 December [[2766]]<ref name=SL82>''The Star League'', p. 82</ref>
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The '''Amaris Civil War''' (also referred to as the '''Amaris Crisis''', the '''Amaris-Kerensky Civil War''', the '''Star League Civil War''', and the '''Amaris Coup''') was the series of events that led to the dissolution of the [[Star League]]. The Civil War, fought in both the [[Periphery]] and the [[Terran Hegemony]], occurred between (December 26th [[2766]] and [[2780]]).  The Amaris Civil War also resulted in the destruction of the [[Rim Worlds Republic]], and [[Operation Exodus]], the departure of [[Aleksandr Kerensky]] and three-quarters of the surviving [[SLDF]] from the [[Inner Sphere]].
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The '''Amaris Civil War''' (also referred to as the '''Amaris Crisis''', the '''Amaris-Kerensky Civil War''', the '''Star League Civil War''', and the '''Amaris Coup''') was the series of events that led to the dissolution of the [[Star League]]. Fought in both the [[Periphery]] and the [[Terran Hegemony]], the war resulted in the destruction of the [[Rim Worlds Republic]] and [[Operation EXODUS]], the departure of [[Aleksandr Kerensky]] and three-quarters of the surviving [[SLDF]] from the [[Inner Sphere]].
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[[File:Amaris Civil War 4 (Historical, Liberation of Terra Vol 2).png|right|thumb|The Amaris Civil War.]]
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==Preparations==
 
==Preparations==
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The chain of events leading to [[Stefan Amaris|Stefan Amaris's]] destruction of both the Star League and the Rim Worlds Republic began in [[2751]]. Then [[First Lord]], the fair and just [[Simon Cameron]], died in February as he toured a mining complex on [[New Silesia]]. It was later proved than his death was a murder, but who was behind it and why he did it remains unknown. This left 8-year old [[Richard Cameron]] as First Lord, ruler of the entire Human Sphere. [[Aleksandr Kerensky]] was named Protector and Regent of the Star League, but Stefan Amaris quickly penetrated the Terran Courts. The young Richard became paranoid and megalomaniacal under the tutelage of the Terran courtiers, including Stefan.
+
The chain of events leading to [[Stefan Amaris]]' destruction of both the Star League and the Rim Worlds Republic began in [[2751]]. Then-[[First Lord of the Star League|First Lord]] [[Simon Cameron]] died in February as he toured a mining complex on [[Star's End|New Silesia]]. It was later proved his death was a murder, but who was behind it and why remained unknown.<ref name=HLOTV2p21>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 21</ref> This left eight-year-old [[Richard Cameron (28th c.)|Richard Cameron]] as First Lord, ruler of the entire Human Sphere. [[Aleksandr Kerensky]] was named Protector and Regent of the Star League, but Stefan Amaris quickly joined the Terran Court. The young Richard became paranoid and megalomaniacal under the tutelage of the Terran courtiers, including Stefan.
  
−
By [[2762]], when Richard came of age, Stefan Amaris was already a close confidant. Richard began his reign by ordering all house armies disbanded, and forced to join the SLDF, with the issuance of [[Executive Order 156]]. When the Great House Lords refused, Richard was forced to accept the refusal, but disbanded the Star League High Council, ruling the Human Sphere unilaterally. Richard then issued the [[Taxation Edict of 2763]], a steep increase in taxes throughout the Human Sphere, but especially upon the Periphery. As the tax increase was a clear infraction on the [[Reunification Treaties]], the Periphery governments quickly became militarized, and prepared for another Inner Sphere invasion.
+
By [[2762]], when Richard came of age, Stefan Amaris was already a close confidant. Richard began his reign by ordering all House armies disbanded, and forced to join the SLDF, with the issuance of [[Executive Order 156]]. When the Great House Lords refused, Richard was forced to accept the refusal, but disbanded the Star League High Council, ruling the Human Sphere unilaterally. Richard then issued the [[Taxation Edict of 2763]], a steep increase in taxes throughout the Human Sphere, but especially upon the Periphery. As the tax increase was a clear infraction on the [[Reunification Treaties]], the Periphery governments quickly became militarized, and prepared for another Inner Sphere invasion.
  
−
The resulting [[New Vandenberg Uprising]], started by the secession of 18 worlds within the [[Taurian Concordat]] in [[2765]], forced the SLDF and Aleksandr Kerensky to redeploy a significant number of units to fight in the Periphery. By July [[2765]], over sixty percent of the units normally stationed within the Terran Hegemony had been relocated to other districts, leaving the heart of the Star League dangerously exposed. It was at this point that the First Lord revealed his secret treaty with Amaris, allowing for the deployment of [[Rim Worlds Republic Military]] units to take their place.<ref name=SL79>''The Star League'', p. 79</ref>  Anger at this use of foreign troops was only placated by the Republic's continued fervent loyalty to the Star League, and Republican forces were allowed onto Hegemony worlds. However, the number of Republican units was secretly growing daily, with twice as many regiments arriving as officially listed, and under Richard's orders they were given complete access to the SLDF bureaucracy, gaining control of more than half of the realm's [[Castles Brian]] and allowed to learn the workings of the [[Space Defense System]]. By December [[2766]], more than half of the Republican military had been redeployed to the Hegemony, equivalent to 16 [[divisions]] and twice as large as the remaining SLDF forces.<ref name=SL82>''The Star League'', p. 82</ref> With the pieces in place, Stefan Amaris was ready to act.
+
The resulting [[New Vandenberg Uprising]], started by the secession of eighteen worlds within the [[Taurian Concordat]] in [[2765]], forced the SLDF and Aleksandr Kerensky to redeploy a significant number of units to fight in the Periphery. By July [[2765]], over sixty percent of the units normally stationed within the Terran Hegemony had been relocated to other districts, leaving the heart of the Star League dangerously exposed. It was at this point that the First Lord revealed his secret treaty with Amaris, allowing for the deployment of [[Rim Worlds Republic Military]] units to take their place.<ref name=SL79>''The Star League'', p. 79</ref>  Anger at this use of foreign troops was only placated by the Republic's continued fervent loyalty to the Star League, and Republican forces were allowed onto Hegemony worlds. However, the number of Republican units was secretly growing daily, with twice as many regiments arriving as officially listed, and under Richard's orders they were given complete access to the SLDF bureaucracy, gaining control of more than half of the realm's [[Castle Brian|Castles Brian]] and allowed to learn the workings of the [[Space Defense System]]. By December [[2766]], more than half of the Republican military had been redeployed to the Hegemony, equivalent to sixteen [[divisions]] and twice as large as the remaining SLDF forces.<ref name=SL82/> With the pieces in place, Stefan Amaris was ready to act.
  
 
==The Coup==
 
==The Coup==
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On December 27, Stefan Amaris had a nine o'clock appointment with the First Lord in his private Audience Chamber within his palace in Unity City. Amaris was allowed through the palace's security systems, accompanied by four bodyguards, unchallenged.  He found the First Lord eagerly awaiting his arrival, and after exchanging pleasantries presented Richard with a wrapped box.  After tearing through several layers of wrapped boxes, Richard finally uncovered a jewel-encrusted laser pistol bearing the crest of the Amaris family. Stefan held the pistol up to the light to reflect off the jewels, then leveled it at Richard's forehead and pulled the trigger.<ref name=SL82/>
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[[File:Amaris Civil War 10 (Historical, Liberation of Terra 1).png|right|thumb|Rim Worlds Republic forces attacking SLDF installation.]]
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+
On December 27, Stefan Amaris had a nine o'clock appointment with the First Lord in his private Audience Chamber within his palace in Unity City. Amaris was allowed through the palace's security systems, accompanied by four bodyguards, unchallenged.  He found the First Lord eagerly awaiting his arrival, and after exchanging pleasantries presented Richard with a wrapped box.  After tearing through several layers of wrapped boxes, Richard finally uncovered a jewel-encrusted laser pistol bearing the crest of the Amaris family. Stefan held the pistol up to the light to reflect off the jewels, then leveled it at Richard's forehead and pulled the trigger.<ref name=SL82/>
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Immediately he seized control of the automated security systems with the palace, using the control panel within the Audience Chamber which Richard himself had proudly shown Stefan how to operate.  However, Stefan was unaware of the full extent of the security system, which had picked up the laser blast and immediately warned the palace guards and Richard's personal regiment the [[Royal Black Watch]].<ref name=SL82/>  The palace guards attempting to enter the Audience Chamber through the hallways found themselves cut down by hidden laser systems, while the Black Watch suffered heavy losses in the traps set for them by the [[4th Amaris Dragoons]].  Still, the coup was on the brink of failure: a [[platoon]] of jump pack-equipped guards, flying low across the palace's roofs to avoid anti-air laser turrets, were able to reach the roof of the Audience Chamber, and two [[lance]]s of Black Watch 'Mechs were able to escape the traps and confronted the 4th Dragoons at Gorst Flats, protected on one side by high forested hills and [[w:Puget_Sound|Puget Sound]] on the other, which forced the Dragoons to confront them individually.<ref name=SL82/>  Both efforts, however, were ultimately doomed.  After losing ten 'Mechs to the entrenched Black Watch soldiers, all of whom had been graduates of the famous [[Gunslinger Program]], the Dragoon's commander withdrew his forces and wiped them out with a nuclear strike. A image  of the battle, however, shows a republican Archer being shot down by the Watch 'Mechs when the nukes started to fall, so probably the republicans don't retreat all their forces to keep the Watch in the place. Then the Watch had at least 4 active 'Mechs: Major  [[Hanni Schmitt]] [[Atlas]], 2 [[Highlander]], one with only a arm, and a [[Black Knight]]. Dragoon's commander also sent reinforcements to the palace, and the Republican infantry arrived in time to confront the palace guards and defeat them moments before they had finally cut through the Audience Chamber roof.<ref name=SL83>''The Star League'', p. 83</ref>
 
  
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All across the Hegemony, similar dramas played out as the Republicans used surprise to wipe out Regular Army units, many before they could get out of their barracks or troop ships, especially through the use of chemical and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. A number of units were able to escape the initial onslaught, including elements of the [[191st Royal BattleMech Division]] located on Terra, and proceeded to wage a guerrilla war against Amaris that lasted for years.<ref name=SL83/> At least five regiments were able to hold out within their Castles Brian against several Republican assaults until their destruction by repeated nuclear bombardment. Most units however, if not entirely destroyed, were so badly mauled in that opening day that they effectively ceased to exist or took heed of the ultimatum that Amaris broadcast, falsely declaring he would kill the First Lord if they did not surrender. Those who laid down their arms were forced to dig their own graves and summarily executed. By the end of the day, 95 of the Hegemony's 103 worlds were under Republican control, as well as many intact Castles Brian and Space Defense Systems.<ref name=SL83/>
+
Immediately he seized control of the automated security systems with the palace, using the control panel within the Audience Chamber which Richard himself had proudly shown Stefan how to operate. However, Stefan was unaware of the full extent of the security system, which had picked up the laser blast and immediately warned the palace guards and Richard's personal regiment the [[Royal Black Watch]].<ref name=SL82/> The palace guards attempting to enter the Audience Chamber through the hallways found themselves cut down by hidden laser systems, while the Black Watch suffered heavy losses in the traps set for them by the [[Fourth Amaris Dragoons]]. Still, the coup was on the brink of failure: a [[platoon]] of jump pack–equipped guards, flying low across the palace's roofs to avoid anti-air laser turrets, were able to reach the roof of the Audience Chamber, and two [[lance]]s of Black Watch 'Mechs were able to escape the traps and confronted the Fourth Dragoons at Gorst Flats, protected by high forested hills on one side and [[w:Puget_Sound|Puget Sound]] on the other, which forced the Dragoons to confront them individually.<ref name=SL82/>  Both efforts, however, were ultimately doomed.  After losing ten 'Mechs to the entrenched Black Watch soldiers, all of whom had been graduates of the famous [[Gunslinger Program]], the Dragoons' commander withdrew his forces and wiped them out with a nuclear strike. An image of the battle, however, shows a Republican ''Archer'' being shot down by the Watch 'Mechs when the nukes started to fall, so probably the Republicans left behind some of their forces to hold the Watch in place. Then the Watch had at least four active 'Mechs: Major [[Hanni Schmitt]]'s ''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'', two ''[[Highlander]]s'' (one with only one arm), and a ''[[Black Knight]]''. The Dragoons' commander also sent reinforcements to the palace, and the Republican infantry arrived in time to confront the palace guards and defeat them moments before they could finally cut through the Audience Chamber roof.<ref name=SL83>''The Star League'', p. 83</ref>
 +
[[File:Stefan Amaris in the Throne Room (Historical, Liberation of Terra 2).png|right|thumb|Stefan Amaris in the Throne Room, after having executed Richard Cameron.]]
 +
All across the Hegemony, similar dramas played out as the Republicans used surprise to wipe out Regular Army units, many before they could get out of their barracks or troopships, especially through the use of chemical and nuclear weapons. A number of units were able to escape the initial onslaught, including elements of the [[191st Royal BattleMech Division]] located on Terra, and proceeded to wage a guerrilla war against Amaris that lasted for years.<ref name=SL83/> At least five regiments were able to hold out within their Castles Brian against several Republican assaults until their destruction by repeated nuclear bombardment. Most units, however, if not entirely destroyed were so badly mauled in that opening day that they effectively ceased to exist or took heed of the ultimatum that Amaris broadcast, falsely declaring he would kill the First Lord if they did not surrender. Those who laid down their arms were forced to dig their own graves and summarily executed. By the end of the day, 95 of the Hegemony's 103 worlds were under Republican control, as well as many intact Castles Brian and Space Defense Systems.<ref name=SL83/>
  
 
==Throne Room Massacre==
 
==Throne Room Massacre==
−
Having secured the Terran Hegemony, Amaris turned his attention to one last perceived threat to his reign. Gathering all 79 surviving members of [[House Cameron]] within the Palace Throne Room, he gave them an ultimatum: swear allegiance to him or die.  One by one the family members were brought before him, sitting upon the Star League Throne, and asked to submit. The first twenty refused and were returned to the rest of the group, but the twenty-first, [[Jason Cameron-Bashina]], agreed to bow to Amaris.<ref name=SL83/>
+
Having secured the Terran Hegemony, Amaris turned his attention to one last perceived threat to his reign. Gathering all seventy-nine surviving members of [[House Cameron]] within the Palace Throne Room, he gave them an ultimatum: swear allegiance to him or die.  One by one the family members were brought before him, sitting upon the Star League Throne, and asked to submit. The first twenty refused and were returned to the rest of the group, but the twenty-first, [[Jason Cameron-Bashina]], agreed to bow to Amaris.<ref name=SL83/>
  
−
With a grim smile Amaris proceeded to murder Jason with the same laser pistol he had used on the First Lord. Realizing they would die either way, the rest of the family attempted to rush the throne, but were cut down by Amaris' guards. After the smoke from their charred bodies finally cleared, Amaris left the Throne Room and ordered it sealed. Across the Hegemony similar efforts were made to destroy any vestiges of the Camerons or the Star League to make way for the new Amaris Empire.<ref name=SL83/>
+
With a grim smile Amaris proceeded to murder Jason with the same laser pistol he had used on the First Lord. Realizing they would die either way, the rest of the family attempted to rush the throne, but were cut down by Amaris' guards. After the smoke from their charred bodies finally cleared, Amaris left the Throne Room and ordered it sealed. Across the Hegemony similar efforts were made to destroy any vestiges of the Camerons or the Star League to make way for the new Amaris Empire.<ref name=SL83/>
  
 
==Civil War==
 
==Civil War==
−
Stefan's first act, after rename the Star League [[Amaris Empire]], was to order Aleksandr Kerensky to maintain operations (against the Taurian Concordat), which Kerensky refused. Both sides then requested aid, which was flatly refused by each Territorial State and each Inner Sphere State. Thus started the '''Amaris Civil War''' ([[2766]] - [[2780]]). Though the SLDF was the most powerful fighting force in the Human Sphere, it faced a gigantic Republican war machine, numbering more than 100 regiments of [[BattleMechs]] alone.
+
[[File:Amaris Civil War 4 (Historical, Liberation of Terra Vol 2).png|right|thumb|The Amaris Civil War.]]
 +
Stefan's first act, after renaming the Star League to the [[Amaris Empire]], was to order Aleksandr Kerensky to maintain operations against the Taurian Concordat. Kerensky refused. Both sides then requested aid, both of them flatly refused by the Territorial States and each Inner Sphere State. Thus started the Amaris Civil War. Though the SLDF was the most powerful fighting force in the Human Sphere, it faced a gigantic Republican war machine numbering more than 100 regiments of [[BattleMechs]] alone.
  
−
Kerensky began his operations by conquering the Rim Worlds Republic, led by Stefan's regent, the patriotic [[Mohammed Selim]], an unambitious administrator Stefan could trust. The SLDF took [[Apollo (planet)|Terra Prime]] by [[2769]]. Upon completion of military operations within the Rim Worlds Republic, the [[SLDF]] took a couple of years to prepare, then Kerensky began the [[Operation CHIEFTAN]] in [[2772]] to begin the realm's liberation. The SLDF [[Operation Liberation|invaded]] [[Terra]] in [[2777]], and by [[2779]], the outcome of the battle and the war was a foregone conclusion. On 30 September, 2779, Stefan Amaris was taken captive by the SLDF after Aleksandr Kerensky himself personally knocked down the palace doors in Unity City in his ''Orion'' [[BattleMech]].
+
Kerensky began his operations by conquering the Rim Worlds Republic, led by Stefan's regent, the patriotic [[Mohammed Selim]]. An unambitious administrator, Selim served as a trustworthy advisor and regent to the newly crowned Emperor Amaris. The SLDF took [[Apollo (system)|Terra Prime]] by [[2769]]. Upon completion of military operations within the Rim Worlds Republic, the [[SLDF]] prepared for several years. Once preparations were complete, Kerensky began [[Operation CHIEFTAIN]] in [[2772]] to liberate the realm. The SLDF [[Operation LIBERATION|invaded]] [[Terra]] in [[2777]]. By [[2779]], the outcome of the battle and the war was a foregone conclusion. On 30 September 2779, Stefan Amaris was taken captive by the SLDF after Aleksandr Kerensky himself personally knocked down the palace doors in Unity City in his ''Orion'' [[BattleMech]].
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==Aftermath==
 +
Stefan and his accomplices were held humanely until enough evidence was found to confirm Stefan's atrocities.  Stefan Amaris and his family were executed by firing squad; the order came from Aleksandr Kerensky himself.<ref name=SL94>''The Star League'', p. 94</ref> The fighting against Amaris was so bitter that everyone wanted revenge, and those connected with the Rim Worlds government were in most cases prosecuted for war crimes.<ref name=TPp57>''The Periphery'', p. 57</ref> Kerensky's troops slaughtered everyone that bore the name Amaris, though overlooked maternal cousins with surnames such as [[House Wong (Rim Worlds Republic)|Wong]], [[House Siever|Siever]], [[House Marcus|Marcus]], and [[House Chan|Chan]].<ref name=HDTFSp56>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 56</ref>
  
−
Stefan and his accomplices were held humanely until enough evidence was found to confirm Stefan's atrocities.  Stefan Amaris was executed by firing squad; the order came from Aleksandr Kerensky himself.  After the execution of Stefan, a long campaign was conducted, both officially and through vigilantism, to end the Amaris/Wong/Siever lines - anyone with a claim to the Amaris throne was executed or lynched.
+
Despite the end of [[House Amaris]], the Rim Worlds Republic might have endured. However, the loss of the core of the Republic to annexation by the [[Lyran Commonwealth]], as well as the power vacuum left by the death of the Amaris family and the [[Rim Worlds Army]], meant the remaining independent worlds, more than twenty-four systems, were left to fend for themselves. Dozens of small bandit kingdoms arose in the vacuum of the collapse of the Republic, financed by privateering and ''de facto'' mercenary deals; the rest persisted as Periphery independents or disappeared.
−
 
 
−
Despite the end of [[House Amaris]], the Rim World Republic might have endured. However, the loss of the core of the Republic to annexation by the [[Lyran Commonwealth]], as well as the power vacuum left by the death of the Amaris family and the [[Rim Worlds Republic Military]], meant the remaining independent worlds, literally more than 24 systems, were left to fend for themselves. Dozens of small bandit kingdoms arose in the vacuum of the collapse of the Republic, financed by privateering and ''de facto'' mercenary deals; the rest persisted as Periphery independents or disappeared.
 
  
−
In the wake of the death of the [[House Cameron|Cameron line]], each Great House Lord coveted the possibility of becoming the next [[First Lord]]. General Aleksandr Kerensky was summarily stripped of the title "Protector" by the House Lords in [[2780]]. By this time, Kerensky had had enough.  As the House Lords bickered over succession, Kerensky made ready to depart the Inner Sphere. By his (sound) reasoning, the succession to the First Lord's throne was going to be a bloody affair, and he would not let humanity's defenders become pawns of the ambitions of petty jealousies. Most of the SLDF gathered at [[New Samarkand]], and departed on 8 July, [[2784]]. The descendants of the Star League Defense Force would not be discovered for ~260 years.
+
In the wake of the death of the [[House Cameron|Cameron line]], each Great House Lord coveted the possibility of becoming the next [[First Lord]]. General Aleksandr Kerensky was summarily stripped of the title "Protector" by the House Lords in [[2780]]. By this time, Kerensky had had enough.  As the House Lords bickered over succession, Kerensky made ready to depart the Inner Sphere. By his reasoning, the succession to the First Lord's throne was going to be a bloody affair, and he would not let humanity's defenders become pawns of the ambitions of petty jealousies. Following Kerensky's famous [[Operation EXODUS|Exodus]] order on 8 July [[2784]], most of the SLDF gathered at [[New Samarkand]], departing on 5 November. The descendants of the Star League Defense Force would not be discovered for 260 years.
  
−
In the military power vacuum left by Kerensky's departure, the Star League [[Star League#High Council|High Council]] dissolved, and Coordinator [[Minoru Kurita (28th c.)|Minoru Kurita]] unilaterally declared himself First Lord of the Star League. The announcement touched off the [[First Succession War]] and the decline of the known Human Sphere.
+
In the military power vacuum left by Kerensky's departure, the Star League [[Star League#High Council|High Council]] dissolved, and Coordinator [[Minoru Kurita (28th c.)|Minoru Kurita]] unilaterally declared himself First Lord of the Star League. The announcement touched off the [[First Succession War]] and the decline of the known Human Sphere.
  
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==Images==
+
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Star League Army (Historical, Liberation of Terra Vol 1).png|Star League's Regular Army preparing for Operation Chieftan.
+
Star League Army (Historical, Liberation of Terra Vol 1).png|Star League's Regular Army preparing for Operation CHIEFTAIN.
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Star League Navy (Historical, Liberation of Terra Vol 1).png|Star League Navy during Operation Chieftan.
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Star League Navy (Historical, Liberation of Terra Vol 1).png|Star League Navy during Operation CHIEFTAIN.
 
Liberation of Terra 10 (Historical, Liberation of Terra 2).png|Star League Defense Force amphibious landings on Earth.
 
Liberation of Terra 10 (Historical, Liberation of Terra 2).png|Star League Defense Force amphibious landings on Earth.
 
Liberation of Terra 11 (Historical, Liberation of Terra 2).png|Star League Defense forces during Operation Liberation.
 
Liberation of Terra 11 (Historical, Liberation of Terra 2).png|Star League Defense forces during Operation Liberation.
 +
Amaris surrenders to Kerensky HBMPS.jpg|Stefan Amaris surrendering to Kerensky from ''[[Handbook: Major Periphery States|HB:MPS]]''
 +
Amaris surrenders to Kerensky 1stSW.jpg|Stefan Amaris surrendering to Kerensky from ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|1st SW]]''
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
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*''[[The Periphery (sourcebook)]]''
+
* ''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]''
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*''[[The Star League]]''
+
* ''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2]]''
 +
* ''[[The Periphery (sourcebook)|The Periphery]]''
 +
* ''[[The Star League]]''
  
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==Dates==
 
−
*Start Date - December 26, [[Start date::2766]]
 
−
*End Date - [[End date::2780]]
 
  
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[[Category:Coups]]
 
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[[Category:Rebellions]]
 
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[[Category:Star League]]
 
 
[[Category:Star League Era Military Operations]]
 
[[Category:Star League Era Military Operations]]
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[[Category:Wars]]
 

Latest revision as of 22:35, 18 February 2024


Amaris Civil War
Part of The Star League
Start Date 26 December 2766[1]
End Date November 2779[2]
Result SLDF reconquers Terra, but Star League ends disbanded
Factions
Star League Amaris Empire
Conditions
Normal


The Amaris Civil War (also referred to as the Amaris Crisis, the Amaris-Kerensky Civil War, the Star League Civil War, and the Amaris Coup) was the series of events that led to the dissolution of the Star League. Fought in both the Periphery and the Terran Hegemony, the war resulted in the destruction of the Rim Worlds Republic and Operation EXODUS, the departure of Aleksandr Kerensky and three-quarters of the surviving SLDF from the Inner Sphere.

Preparations[edit]

The chain of events leading to Stefan Amaris' destruction of both the Star League and the Rim Worlds Republic began in 2751. Then-First Lord Simon Cameron died in February as he toured a mining complex on New Silesia. It was later proved his death was a murder, but who was behind it and why remained unknown.[3] This left eight-year-old Richard Cameron as First Lord, ruler of the entire Human Sphere. Aleksandr Kerensky was named Protector and Regent of the Star League, but Stefan Amaris quickly joined the Terran Court. The young Richard became paranoid and megalomaniacal under the tutelage of the Terran courtiers, including Stefan.

By 2762, when Richard came of age, Stefan Amaris was already a close confidant. Richard began his reign by ordering all House armies disbanded, and forced to join the SLDF, with the issuance of Executive Order 156. When the Great House Lords refused, Richard was forced to accept the refusal, but disbanded the Star League High Council, ruling the Human Sphere unilaterally. Richard then issued the Taxation Edict of 2763, a steep increase in taxes throughout the Human Sphere, but especially upon the Periphery. As the tax increase was a clear infraction on the Reunification Treaties, the Periphery governments quickly became militarized, and prepared for another Inner Sphere invasion.

The resulting New Vandenberg Uprising, started by the secession of eighteen worlds within the Taurian Concordat in 2765, forced the SLDF and Aleksandr Kerensky to redeploy a significant number of units to fight in the Periphery. By July 2765, over sixty percent of the units normally stationed within the Terran Hegemony had been relocated to other districts, leaving the heart of the Star League dangerously exposed. It was at this point that the First Lord revealed his secret treaty with Amaris, allowing for the deployment of Rim Worlds Republic Military units to take their place.[4] Anger at this use of foreign troops was only placated by the Republic's continued fervent loyalty to the Star League, and Republican forces were allowed onto Hegemony worlds. However, the number of Republican units was secretly growing daily, with twice as many regiments arriving as officially listed, and under Richard's orders they were given complete access to the SLDF bureaucracy, gaining control of more than half of the realm's Castles Brian and allowed to learn the workings of the Space Defense System. By December 2766, more than half of the Republican military had been redeployed to the Hegemony, equivalent to sixteen divisions and twice as large as the remaining SLDF forces.[1] With the pieces in place, Stefan Amaris was ready to act.

The Coup[edit]

Rim Worlds Republic forces attacking SLDF installation.

On December 27, Stefan Amaris had a nine o'clock appointment with the First Lord in his private Audience Chamber within his palace in Unity City. Amaris was allowed through the palace's security systems, accompanied by four bodyguards, unchallenged. He found the First Lord eagerly awaiting his arrival, and after exchanging pleasantries presented Richard with a wrapped box. After tearing through several layers of wrapped boxes, Richard finally uncovered a jewel-encrusted laser pistol bearing the crest of the Amaris family. Stefan held the pistol up to the light to reflect off the jewels, then leveled it at Richard's forehead and pulled the trigger.[1]

Immediately he seized control of the automated security systems with the palace, using the control panel within the Audience Chamber which Richard himself had proudly shown Stefan how to operate. However, Stefan was unaware of the full extent of the security system, which had picked up the laser blast and immediately warned the palace guards and Richard's personal regiment the Royal Black Watch.[1] The palace guards attempting to enter the Audience Chamber through the hallways found themselves cut down by hidden laser systems, while the Black Watch suffered heavy losses in the traps set for them by the Fourth Amaris Dragoons. Still, the coup was on the brink of failure: a platoon of jump pack–equipped guards, flying low across the palace's roofs to avoid anti-air laser turrets, were able to reach the roof of the Audience Chamber, and two lances of Black Watch 'Mechs were able to escape the traps and confronted the Fourth Dragoons at Gorst Flats, protected by high forested hills on one side and Puget Sound on the other, which forced the Dragoons to confront them individually.[1] Both efforts, however, were ultimately doomed. After losing ten 'Mechs to the entrenched Black Watch soldiers, all of whom had been graduates of the famous Gunslinger Program, the Dragoons' commander withdrew his forces and wiped them out with a nuclear strike. An image of the battle, however, shows a Republican Archer being shot down by the Watch 'Mechs when the nukes started to fall, so probably the Republicans left behind some of their forces to hold the Watch in place. Then the Watch had at least four active 'Mechs: Major Hanni Schmitt's Atlas, two Highlanders (one with only one arm), and a Black Knight. The Dragoons' commander also sent reinforcements to the palace, and the Republican infantry arrived in time to confront the palace guards and defeat them moments before they could finally cut through the Audience Chamber roof.[5]

Stefan Amaris in the Throne Room, after having executed Richard Cameron.

All across the Hegemony, similar dramas played out as the Republicans used surprise to wipe out Regular Army units, many before they could get out of their barracks or troopships, especially through the use of chemical and nuclear weapons. A number of units were able to escape the initial onslaught, including elements of the 191st Royal BattleMech Division located on Terra, and proceeded to wage a guerrilla war against Amaris that lasted for years.[5] At least five regiments were able to hold out within their Castles Brian against several Republican assaults until their destruction by repeated nuclear bombardment. Most units, however, if not entirely destroyed were so badly mauled in that opening day that they effectively ceased to exist or took heed of the ultimatum that Amaris broadcast, falsely declaring he would kill the First Lord if they did not surrender. Those who laid down their arms were forced to dig their own graves and summarily executed. By the end of the day, 95 of the Hegemony's 103 worlds were under Republican control, as well as many intact Castles Brian and Space Defense Systems.[5]

Throne Room Massacre[edit]

Having secured the Terran Hegemony, Amaris turned his attention to one last perceived threat to his reign. Gathering all seventy-nine surviving members of House Cameron within the Palace Throne Room, he gave them an ultimatum: swear allegiance to him or die. One by one the family members were brought before him, sitting upon the Star League Throne, and asked to submit. The first twenty refused and were returned to the rest of the group, but the twenty-first, Jason Cameron-Bashina, agreed to bow to Amaris.[5]

With a grim smile Amaris proceeded to murder Jason with the same laser pistol he had used on the First Lord. Realizing they would die either way, the rest of the family attempted to rush the throne, but were cut down by Amaris' guards. After the smoke from their charred bodies finally cleared, Amaris left the Throne Room and ordered it sealed. Across the Hegemony similar efforts were made to destroy any vestiges of the Camerons or the Star League to make way for the new Amaris Empire.[5]

Civil War[edit]

The Amaris Civil War.

Stefan's first act, after renaming the Star League to the Amaris Empire, was to order Aleksandr Kerensky to maintain operations against the Taurian Concordat. Kerensky refused. Both sides then requested aid, both of them flatly refused by the Territorial States and each Inner Sphere State. Thus started the Amaris Civil War. Though the SLDF was the most powerful fighting force in the Human Sphere, it faced a gigantic Republican war machine numbering more than 100 regiments of BattleMechs alone.

Kerensky began his operations by conquering the Rim Worlds Republic, led by Stefan's regent, the patriotic Mohammed Selim. An unambitious administrator, Selim served as a trustworthy advisor and regent to the newly crowned Emperor Amaris. The SLDF took Terra Prime by 2769. Upon completion of military operations within the Rim Worlds Republic, the SLDF prepared for several years. Once preparations were complete, Kerensky began Operation CHIEFTAIN in 2772 to liberate the realm. The SLDF invaded Terra in 2777. By 2779, the outcome of the battle and the war was a foregone conclusion. On 30 September 2779, Stefan Amaris was taken captive by the SLDF after Aleksandr Kerensky himself personally knocked down the palace doors in Unity City in his Orion BattleMech.

Aftermath[edit]

Stefan and his accomplices were held humanely until enough evidence was found to confirm Stefan's atrocities. Stefan Amaris and his family were executed by firing squad; the order came from Aleksandr Kerensky himself.[6] The fighting against Amaris was so bitter that everyone wanted revenge, and those connected with the Rim Worlds government were in most cases prosecuted for war crimes.[7] Kerensky's troops slaughtered everyone that bore the name Amaris, though overlooked maternal cousins with surnames such as Wong, Siever, Marcus, and Chan.[8]

Despite the end of House Amaris, the Rim Worlds Republic might have endured. However, the loss of the core of the Republic to annexation by the Lyran Commonwealth, as well as the power vacuum left by the death of the Amaris family and the Rim Worlds Army, meant the remaining independent worlds, more than twenty-four systems, were left to fend for themselves. Dozens of small bandit kingdoms arose in the vacuum of the collapse of the Republic, financed by privateering and de facto mercenary deals; the rest persisted as Periphery independents or disappeared.

In the wake of the death of the Cameron line, each Great House Lord coveted the possibility of becoming the next First Lord. General Aleksandr Kerensky was summarily stripped of the title "Protector" by the House Lords in 2780. By this time, Kerensky had had enough. As the House Lords bickered over succession, Kerensky made ready to depart the Inner Sphere. By his reasoning, the succession to the First Lord's throne was going to be a bloody affair, and he would not let humanity's defenders become pawns of the ambitions of petty jealousies. Following Kerensky's famous Exodus order on 8 July 2784, most of the SLDF gathered at New Samarkand, departing on 5 November. The descendants of the Star League Defense Force would not be discovered for 260 years.

In the military power vacuum left by Kerensky's departure, the Star League High Council dissolved, and Coordinator Minoru Kurita unilaterally declared himself First Lord of the Star League. The announcement touched off the First Succession War and the decline of the known Human Sphere.

Gallery[edit]

  • Star League's Regular Army preparing for Operation CHIEFTAIN.

  • Star League Navy during Operation CHIEFTAIN.

  • Star League Defense Force amphibious landings on Earth.

  • Star League Defense forces during Operation Liberation.

  • Stefan Amaris surrendering to Kerensky from HB:MPS

  • Stefan Amaris surrendering to Kerensky from 1st SW

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The Star League, p. 82
  2. ↑ The Star League, p. 93
  3. ↑ Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 21
  4. ↑ The Star League, p. 79
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 The Star League, p. 83
  6. ↑ The Star League, p. 94
  7. ↑ The Periphery, p. 57
  8. ↑ House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 56

Bibliography[edit]

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