Rocca War
The Rocca War was a relatively brief conflict involving the predecessor to the Intergalactic Empire of Holy Trek, the Holy Empire of Treksylvania. The war lasted only a few weeks, after which the citizens were exiled to the newly established Tantalus V prison planet, and the leadership was put to death. This act strained relations between Treksylvania and its neighbors for a time, and even led to uncertainty on the establishment of Treksylvania's successor nation, Holy Trek.
Rocca was a small state which had been formed by a group committed to a new form of terrorism, referred to as 'state terrorism' (as opposed to state-sponsored terrorism). Led by a meglomaniac named Alec Evans, Rocca was dedicated to spreading its unique form of terrorism across the Nationsverse (lumped into one phrase, alecevanism). Rocca dared to challenge many of the big nations using character attacks, espionage, and outright threats of attack to gain recognition as a state. All it won them in the end, was annihilation.
Rocca was a small state which had been formed by a group committed to a new form of terrorism, referred to as 'state terrorism' (as opposed to state-sponsored terrorism). Led by a meglomaniac named Alec Evans, Rocca was dedicated to spreading its unique form of terrorism across the Nationsverse (lumped into one phrase, alecevanism). Rocca dared to challenge many of the big nations using character attacks, espionage, and outright threats of attack to gain recognition as a state. All it won them in the end, was annihilation.
Phase I: Containment
The State of Rocca had remained below Treksylvania's radar for many turns, as Treksylvania was still in recovery from the recent Zlost War in which the use of pre-emptive strikes rendered Zlost incapable of directly threatening the nation. Emperor Michael I wanted to rest on his laurels and savor the victory, but with the coalescence of Rocca and the terrorist threats from Evans, he would be unable to enjoy any peace.
The first series of attacks were against the overall leadership in the Imperial Parliament, attacking what Evans saw was an 'affront to totalitarianism'. Michael I fired back with accusations of fascist and terrorist leanings, which was very literally confirmed by Evans himself. As the back-and-forth continued, Michael I called on his allies to denounce Evans as a terrorist, fascist, and "bully". Evans responded by associating with Levant and Zlost, gaining protectorate status in the WDA (Directorate) and formulating plans for a second series of attacks on the empire. A blockade was enacted by Michael I and plans were drawn up for a series of airstrikes on Roccan military and industrial targets. Repeated warnings from the empire and many of its allies went ignored by Rocca, and Michael I was left with no choice but to give the order to initiate the airstrikes. Two weeks of airstrikes finally brought results as Rocca backed down. This was not the end of the story, however.
The next part of the plan was now initiated by Rocca, which attacked the very symbols of Treksylvania-the flag and national anthem. Roccan 'copy-cats' of both Imperial symbols were distributed across the Nationsverse, and while many applauded Rocca's efforts at 'thumbing their collective noses' at the 'upstart state', others felt these tactics had crossed a line hitherto never crossed. Rocca stepped up their propaganda attacks by going one step further, copying and defacing the sacred Imperial image. This act, more than anything else, outraged the citizens of the empire, and finally did win the empire some measure of sympathy with the rest of the Nationsverse, as such an act was considered going against protocol and good form. The empire managed to capture Roccan spies trying to slip out of the borders and as a message to Evans, had them executed on the spot. A line had been drawn in the dirt, and the empire now dared the terrorist state to cross..and cross they did, when they persuaded their Directorate protectors to issue threats to Treksylvania's northern neighbor and future faction partner, Inuyashia. There was now but one recourse, war.
Using the blitzkreig tactics of World War II, and using airstrikes to clear the way, Michael I ordered a tank charge into Rocca, followed immediately by several divisions of Imperial Stormtroopers. Within four days of the start of the operation (now called Operation Silencer), Rocca had been reduced to vassal status. Alec Evans, however, escaped Imperial justice. What shocked Michael I was that neither of the Directorate 'Dynamic Duo' sent any assistance to Rocca during the operation. Many believed that neither nation wanted to face the empire again, after two previous wars ended badly for them.
The first series of attacks were against the overall leadership in the Imperial Parliament, attacking what Evans saw was an 'affront to totalitarianism'. Michael I fired back with accusations of fascist and terrorist leanings, which was very literally confirmed by Evans himself. As the back-and-forth continued, Michael I called on his allies to denounce Evans as a terrorist, fascist, and "bully". Evans responded by associating with Levant and Zlost, gaining protectorate status in the WDA (Directorate) and formulating plans for a second series of attacks on the empire. A blockade was enacted by Michael I and plans were drawn up for a series of airstrikes on Roccan military and industrial targets. Repeated warnings from the empire and many of its allies went ignored by Rocca, and Michael I was left with no choice but to give the order to initiate the airstrikes. Two weeks of airstrikes finally brought results as Rocca backed down. This was not the end of the story, however.
The next part of the plan was now initiated by Rocca, which attacked the very symbols of Treksylvania-the flag and national anthem. Roccan 'copy-cats' of both Imperial symbols were distributed across the Nationsverse, and while many applauded Rocca's efforts at 'thumbing their collective noses' at the 'upstart state', others felt these tactics had crossed a line hitherto never crossed. Rocca stepped up their propaganda attacks by going one step further, copying and defacing the sacred Imperial image. This act, more than anything else, outraged the citizens of the empire, and finally did win the empire some measure of sympathy with the rest of the Nationsverse, as such an act was considered going against protocol and good form. The empire managed to capture Roccan spies trying to slip out of the borders and as a message to Evans, had them executed on the spot. A line had been drawn in the dirt, and the empire now dared the terrorist state to cross..and cross they did, when they persuaded their Directorate protectors to issue threats to Treksylvania's northern neighbor and future faction partner, Inuyashia. There was now but one recourse, war.
Using the blitzkreig tactics of World War II, and using airstrikes to clear the way, Michael I ordered a tank charge into Rocca, followed immediately by several divisions of Imperial Stormtroopers. Within four days of the start of the operation (now called Operation Silencer), Rocca had been reduced to vassal status. Alec Evans, however, escaped Imperial justice. What shocked Michael I was that neither of the Directorate 'Dynamic Duo' sent any assistance to Rocca during the operation. Many believed that neither nation wanted to face the empire again, after two previous wars ended badly for them.
Phase II: Annexation and Execution
During the First Yee War, Alec Evans-who had managed to escape capture by a handful of hours, had been given exile, and a piece of territory from which the state of New Rocca emerged. This version of Rocca comprised two distinct areas: Inner Rocca, where the actual population resided, and Outer Rocca, where military installations and defenses had been erected. Rocca provided diplomatic support to the Alliance and may have even played a role in the internal disturbances which brought an end to Treksylvania. Michael I, exiled in Vulcan, vowed to put an end to Evans once and for all.
His first, upon restoring order and establishing the new Galactic Empire of Holy Trek, was to raise a military force with which to invade New Rocca. Using 'Old Rocca' as a staging-area not only kept the military buildup away from the population centers in the event of a pre-emptive strike by the enemy, but also sent a clear message to Evans that the same fate awaited New Rocca. Meanwhile, Michael I used the post-war period to dilude the Alliance into believing that the new state posed no military threat. This tactic worked, as no one in the Alliance believed the new state capable of fielding a military of any significance. Evans himself may have made himself more vulnerable by cajoling his erstwhile allies into a showdown with the Imperial Federation (though this remains speculative). Michael I saw his chance. Once more using airstrikes (with the additional air support coming from orbiting starships) to clear the way, he launched another blitzkrieg, this time using artillery and armour as well as infantry to push across Outer Rocca and hit the inner areas. Capturing the key cities, the Imperial Military now switched to the hunt for Alec Evans, who again attempted to flee. This time, he was captured by Special Ops forces as he tried to slip past a sentry force at the border. He was brought back to the empire in chains, while his population and surviving military units were rounded up and sent to exile on the newly discovered Tantalus V (which was designated a penal planet for that purpose).
Despite calls for a trial overseen by an international tribunal, Michael I adamantly refused to surrender Evans. He argued that, as Evans' crimes were against the nation (as opposed to against the Nationsverse), Imperial justice would be netted out. It was thus that Evans was found guilty of character attacks against the monarchy, terroristic threats against the nation, and collusion with known enemies. Evans was executed by beheading and his head placed on a pike.
His first, upon restoring order and establishing the new Galactic Empire of Holy Trek, was to raise a military force with which to invade New Rocca. Using 'Old Rocca' as a staging-area not only kept the military buildup away from the population centers in the event of a pre-emptive strike by the enemy, but also sent a clear message to Evans that the same fate awaited New Rocca. Meanwhile, Michael I used the post-war period to dilude the Alliance into believing that the new state posed no military threat. This tactic worked, as no one in the Alliance believed the new state capable of fielding a military of any significance. Evans himself may have made himself more vulnerable by cajoling his erstwhile allies into a showdown with the Imperial Federation (though this remains speculative). Michael I saw his chance. Once more using airstrikes (with the additional air support coming from orbiting starships) to clear the way, he launched another blitzkrieg, this time using artillery and armour as well as infantry to push across Outer Rocca and hit the inner areas. Capturing the key cities, the Imperial Military now switched to the hunt for Alec Evans, who again attempted to flee. This time, he was captured by Special Ops forces as he tried to slip past a sentry force at the border. He was brought back to the empire in chains, while his population and surviving military units were rounded up and sent to exile on the newly discovered Tantalus V (which was designated a penal planet for that purpose).
Despite calls for a trial overseen by an international tribunal, Michael I adamantly refused to surrender Evans. He argued that, as Evans' crimes were against the nation (as opposed to against the Nationsverse), Imperial justice would be netted out. It was thus that Evans was found guilty of character attacks against the monarchy, terroristic threats against the nation, and collusion with known enemies. Evans was executed by beheading and his head placed on a pike.
Legacy
After the execution of Alec Evans, and as a way to prevent future troubles, the nation of New Rocca, with no one left residing there, was nuked. Over the following weeks and months, numerous attempts to revive Rocca under various 'pretender Alec Evanses' were quickly shot down by the empire. To this day, Rocca is chronicled as a terroristic state with ambitions which outweighed their capability. As for the territory of 'Old Rocca', the Imperial family owns the territpry, which is closed off to all but the family and staff.