Galactic History - An Overview: HH-709335#731
The history of the galaxy is a naturally large and diverse thing. Covering every race, species, and event is a monumental task and would simply be too huge to supply across the microlink data network. For this reason, this condensed guide contains only the most
important events in our galaxy's history. Any specific enquiries should be directed to the customer services department of Central Library Institution. A charge will be made for this service and the Central Library Institution reserves the right to restrict access and/or refuse requests.
Although the galaxy had existed for eons before the setting up of the galactic council, the forming of such a body is the first non-natural major event that had implications galaxy wide. With a new level of government, systems were no longer able to act without consequence and those stepping out of line felt the full force of the law on them. Infringements were commonplace in the early decades and offenders were dealt with swiftly and effectively. Cultural differences were usually at the root of intersystem disputes and strict guidelines were imposed regarding the issue of culture destruction and appreciation.
The Varigator 6 incident resulted in the creation of the Topwer convention regarding non-interference in 2692. An unauthorised landing on the planet Varigator 6 by a Kelevian trade ship caused the inhabitants to commit suicide. One of the most rigidly enforced laws, the Topwer convention has stood largely unchanged ever since.
The destruction of Quentiss 4 by an ionic gas cloud in 2767 forced the galactic council to create a special rescue taskforce. Evolving into more of a law enforcement agency, the taskforce is now what we call the galactic police. Working alongside their planetary counterparts, the galactic police work a lot more behind the scenes, making sure that the various laws and conventions are adhered to.
Not until 2954 did the galaxy have a united armed taskforce, and it was the increase in pirate activity that led to the creation of the galactic Navy. With planetary defence forces prohibited from operating outside their orbit plus 10%, the Navy was deemed a non-political body that could operate universally without fear of offending a species or causing territorial infringements. With the majority of systems agreeing to such terms (the anarchic systems tended to disagree), the galactic Navy have been the enforcers of galactic law ever since.
The Navy enforced the space lanes effectively and consistently and the level of pirate attacks plummeted. Inter-planetary conflicts were stamped out before they got too serious, and the galaxy was happy. No guidelines, ruling, or law force could stop the Reptilia and Kalitor from coming to blows though, and the resultant conflict lasted for over 76 standard years. A scale of battle never seen before, the war eventually caused the loss of over 123 million beings and ended only when the Reptilia released an intelligent virus into the Kalitor eco-system. With their leader reduced to a mindless vegetable, the Kalitor were forced to surrender but a blood feud has existed between the two races for over 500 years.
The eventual understanding of the mysterious JumpGate artifacts (discoevered throughout the galaxy) opened up the galaxy 200 standard years ago and although the origins of these strange portals was still unknown, ordinary citizens could be transported across great distances in the blink of an eye. Naturally the edict of supply and demand came into effect and it didn't take long for the big corporations to take control and impose tolls on their use.
One of the strangest threats to the galaxy occurred a mere 150 standard years ago with the pacifist uprising. Originally a peace loving protest, the movement demanded the dissolving of the galactic Navy, and a non-profit making community lifestyle be adopted. When a pirate assault on the leader's ships took place, the movement attempted to blame the galactic council of staging the event but public support rapidly disappeared and normality was restored.
The biggest threat to the galaxy reared it's ugly head a mere 50 years ago, when recordings were made of a Renari assault. Although rumours of a mysterious enemy had been circulating for many years, it was only with real evidence that the galactic council took the Renari threat seriously. Contact has been attempted many times but the Renari have simply not responded and the only acknowledgement of such steps seems to be an increase in Renari activities and attacks.
As the galactic council comes to the close of it's 3rd millennium, the galaxy finds itself entering another period of uncertainty. While in the past threats have come largely from within, now the threat comes from an external enemy and it appears that no amount of communication will resolve the problem.
Domo Codist - High Chancellor, Tukamad Institute of Xeno-Affairs
For more information please refer to the following:
Renari: Enemy Unknown (Naval document NPD-263#REN75 - Public Access Release)
The JumpGate Phenomenon (Ref. No.: HH-091822#082)
Topwer Convention Minutes (Ref. No.: CDoc000691B8)
Contact and Exploration - An Overview (Ref. No.: HH-826751#901)