The Free Worlds Alliance-Z155 War

The Free Worlds Alliance-Z155 War began in the eight octant of 3211, between the Republic of Z155 and the Free Worlds Alliance. It was codenamed Operation Line Drive by the FWA.

Z155 is an independent world in Quadrant eight controlled by members of the First Church of Earth. The First Earthers form the majority of the colony and completely control the government, military, judiciary and police.
The Free Worlds Alliance is a fourteen world military alliance in Quadrant one and eight.

Violence between the First Earthers and minority Satanists has marred Z155’s history since at least 3207. The FWA’s Chairman Jackson was known to be unhappy with Z155’s complete domination by the Christian Socialist Party, who had arrested councilors of the Free Thought Party to remain in power. Still, the FWA took no direct action against the Z155 regime. It was a surprise vote that would tip the Alliance’s hand.
On T98, Z155 held a referendum on polity membership. 52% voted to join the FWA, 10% voted to join some other polity and 37% voted no. This result surprised the CSP, who expected an easy victory for their “No surrender of sovereignty” campaign to cement their control of the colony. It also surprised the FWA, who had expected that the Satanists would boycott the vote. Z155’s First Minister Floralpattern announced the Referendum was invalid due to “voting irregularities” and declared a state of emergency. The Free Thought Party and Democratic Rights Party were barred from the Council.
Shortly before the referendum vote, the Z155 Crusader Corps (ZCC) was founded. Almost immediately after its founding, the ZCC was implicated in the burning of Satanist homes.
A number of public protests by the “Vote Yes Alliance,” a pro-FWA coalition largely led by the FTP, were dispersed violently by riot police and Crusader Corps troops. There were some deaths. Z155’s government then cracked down on minority religious groups, arresting many. The Free Worlds Alliance did not take kindly to this, and issued a strongly worded protest and a travel warning suggesting FWA citizens leave the Z155 system. The FWA also evacuated the Spuk consulate, which served as an unofficial FWA embassy on Z155. Central Fleet announced a “Readiness exercise” in the Spuk system, which some believed was an attempt to intimidate Z155.
First Minister Floralpattern was not intimidated. He declared Jackson the Anti-Christ. In case of invasion, the Crusader Corps did some digging in around government offices and the Council building, but not very effectively. The government hired Gritrow Solutions to train the ZCC. The ZCC and police initiated security sweeps and arrested several thousand Satanists as “Subversives, Terrorists and evildoers.” The ZCC displayed shocking brutality in these sweeps. The opposition parties went into hiding for fear of being arrested and formed a coalition of peaceful resistance.

In T100, the Free Worlds Alliance’s Council of Defense Ministers declared war on Z155. Chairman Jackson said that Operation Line Drive would restore “order, democracy and peace.” The FWA’s member worlds followed suit soon after. Floralpattern vowed not to surrender and to fight the FWA. The FWA's declaration of war drew condemnation from the MAFC, support from the Union of Xyon and conditional support from the Republic of New Venus.

Z155’s largest force is a paramilitary force called the Crusader Corps. It numbers roughly eight thousand to twelve thousand soldiers, divided into ten “Legions”. The Corps is not very well trained and only has limited equipment. It has received some additional training from Gritrow Solutions, a PMC. The Corps is mostly deployed in and around Friendly City. The Crusader Corps is commanded by General Angeline Floralpattern. General Floralpattern has no military training or experience.
The Crusader Corps is supplemented by a small planetary militia of perhaps 2,000 mostly part time soldiers. They are lightly equipped. Like the Corps, they are headquartered in Friendly City. The Security Militia is commanded by Major Jolene Padgett.
Z155’s navy, the Sword of God, has a mercenary-crewed Armed Class 5000, Warrior of God. It is captained by the determined but inexperienced Jamie Floralpattern.
The Free Worlds Alliance has assigned their entire Central Fleet to Operation Line Drive. Central Fleet has five capitol ships and an ALSI, with the FWA Rapid Reaction GF Brigade and Independent Marine Regiment embarked. Central Fleet is commanded by Vice Admiral Cecily Skye, but High Admiral Xen is in personal command at the moment.

Central Fleet had actually departed Lamster for Z155 before war was even declared. In addition to this attack force, the FWA’s Spuk, Nose and Pratt DDI garrisons were put on alert in case of an attack or commerce raiding by the Sword of God.
In response to the war, Z155’s government took a number of foreign nationals into “protective custody” in response. This included nationals of Pratt, Lamster, Killikrankie, the Union of Xyon and Centauri Conglomerate. Other FWA nationals were arrested as “agent provocateurs.” They are being held near major military installations, possibly as human shields.

On 3211.372, a motorcade carrying a body double of First Minister Floralpattern was attacked by unknown assailants. Several ZCC soldiers were killed or injured, and the body double was captured. In addition, government buildings and the ZCC headquarters were mortared.