View source for Eishtmo's Terran-Vasudan War timeline

{{non-canon}}

Shortly after first contact, the '''Terran-Vasudan War''', or the '''14-Year War''', broke out. Heavy and sustained casualties were suffered on both sides, but both species learned valuable lessons in adaptation and the development of new technologies. This timeline will span from the first Vasudan contact to the first contact with the [[Shivans]] in [[Ross 128]].

'''Almost all dates and events below are taken from Eishtmo's FreeSpace fan fiction. This fanfic is being used by the [[Terran-Vasudan War Project]] team, although little of it is grounded in canon.'''

Canon events in <font color="silver">silver</font> and non-canon events are in <font color="gray">gray.</font> Events with canon dates are in white.  Please note that, due to differing sources and interpretations of the war, some information may conflict.
<font color="silver">
===2320:===

=====March:===== 
First official contact with the [[Vasudan Parliamentary Empire]].</font>

<font color="gray"> 
=====April:===== 
First diplomatic meeting in [[Antares]].

=====July:===== 
The [[Pan-Galactic Treaty]] is agreed to by diplomats. Taken to respective governments. GTD ''Gaia'' completed.

=====December:===== 
[[Pan-Galactic Treaty]] rejected by legislators on both sides.

===2321:===

=====January:===== 
Prince Mihos killed during drug gang battle. Vasudan politicians blame the [[Galactic Terran Alliance]] outright.

=====February:===== 
Diplomats Knum and Andrews meet. Meeting ends in bloodshed. </font><font color="silver">War declared</font><font color="gray"> by both sides the next day.

=====April:===== 
Vasudans launch raid on Sol system. Crushed by GTD ''Gaia'' and 1st Fleet.

=====May:===== 
Vasudans begin construction on their own destroyer, the ''Thanatos'' class.

=====September:===== 
First Thanatos, PVD ''Thanatos'', completed.

</font><font color="silver">
===2322:===

=====November:===== 
GTA officials determine the war will not be short. Authorizes the construction of the [[GTC Leviathan|GTC ''Leviathan'']] cruiser.</font><font color="gray">

===2323:===

=====March:===== 
First Battle of the [[Vasuda]]-[[Antares]] node. Marks the first time Terran warships enter the [[Vasuda]] system. Terrans only managed to hold the node for a week before being driven back.

===2324:===

=====June:===== 
Battle of Vega III. In an attempt to get around the Terran hold on [[Antares]], the PVN launches its first major assault on a Terran system at Vega. The battle was the bloodiest to date, with the loss of nearly 50,000 on both sides. The Terrans managed to drive the Vasudans back to Deneb, but didn't have the strength for a counterattack.

===2326:===

=====August:===== 
The first ''Savior''-class destroyer, PVD ''Savior'', come off the lines. Over the next two years, the Vasudans would completely replace their ''Thanatos''-class destroyers with these powerful ships.

=====October:===== 
Second Battle of Antares-Vasuda node. To show off the new ship, Vasudan Prince Amon organizes an attack on Antares. The PVD ''Savior'' tears through Terran lines. The Vasudans gain a powerful foothold in Antares.
</font><font color="silver">

=====November:=====
[[Battle of Gulnara]]. </font><font color="gray">As the Vasudans poured into the system, the [[Terrans]] launched a massive counterattack. Near the Antares IV moon, Gulnara, the [[Vasudans|Vasudan]] fleet is beaten back to the node. </font><font color="silver">This defeat leads GTA command to believe that victory is on the horizon. Leviathan production is halted, and the GTA initiates a major offensive.</font><font color="gray">

===2327===

=====January:===== 
Realizing the end is coming, the Vasudan parliament unofficially moves to [[Alpha Centauri]] where it would stay until after the [[Great War]]. The Third Battle of the Vasuda-Antares node happens days later. Terrans establish a strong foothold in [[Vasuda]].

=====February:=====
The last element of the Vasudan navy is forced out of [[Vasuda]]. The GTA begins building up forces for the invasion of Vasuda Prime.
</font><font color="silver"> 

=====March:=====
Battle of [[Talania]]. </font><font color="gray">
In an attempt to avenge the invasion of Vasuda, a group of Vasudan admirals, under the leadership of Prince Imhotep, launch an attack on Talania] destroying the Terran 6th Fleet and the supply base there. After the raid, PVN command realized that the attack had crippled GTA supply lines, and orders the group to capitalize on their initial success. By then, the GTA had reinforced Talania, and the fighting was much fiercer.

=====April:=====
With their defenses weakened, the Vasudans launch a renewed attack on the Terrans in Vasuda, finally driving them out by May. </font><font color="silver">The GTA orders Leviathan production resumed with new weapons and technologies.</font><font color="gray">

===2328:===

=====February:===== 
First cease-fire established. After regaining lost territory, the Vasudans prepare for an assault on Terran systems when a rare Vasudan holiday comes up. Forced by religious leaders, the Vasudans offer the GTA a short cease-fire. The GTA eagerly accepts, and uses this time to establish new defensive lines. The cease-fire is ended before the treaty is half over with no progress toward a lasting peace.

=====March:===== 
Battle of [[Ribos]]. Using information gotten via a spy amongst the Vasudans, the GTA counters an invasion of Ribos by easily destroying the pride of the PVN fleet, the PVD ''Savior''.

===2329:===

=====January:=====
Second cease-fire established. Following a series of crushing defeats, the Vasudan parliament offers the GTA terms for a cease-fire during which a lasting peace treaty would be discussed. Negotiations lasted only an hour before breaking down, but the cease-fire held until the beginning of February, during which the Vasudans strengthen their own lines.

=====August:===== 
Battle of [[Deneb]]-[[Sirius]] node. After surprising Vasudan forces in [[Deneb]], the GTA attempts to take the Deneb-Sirius node. The defeat at this battle begins a chain of defeats for Terran forces that would eventually force them into [[Beta Aquilae]].

=====December:===== 
Third cease-fire established. In an attempt to stave off certain defeat, the GTA asks for a cease-fire during the holiday season. It is agreed to, and lasts the five days after Christmas. The GTA uses this time to reinforce its lines and prepare a counter attack it launches on New Years' Eve day.

===2330:===

=====June:===== 
[[Betelgeuse]] Siege. After a dramatic counter-offensive, the Vasudans had managed to capture and hold [[Antares]] and [[Beta Cygni]]. It is decided by Prince Imhotep to lay siege to Betelgeuse and force the system to surrender. The siege lasts nearly six months, costing the Vasudans dearly. While they busied themselves trying to starve out Betelgeuse, the rest of the GTA attacked multiple supply bases in Antares, crippling PVN supply lines. By December, the [[Vasudans]] are forced to withdraw from Beta Cygni.

===2331:===

=====January:===== 
The collapse of the Talania nodes. Though known for their instability, the nodes to the Talania system had been stable enough for the GTA to use the system as a major supply dump. In late December 2330, however, the system was contested when a PVN fleet entered via the [[Vega]] system forcing the GTA to withdraw key equipment and personnel. By January, Vasudan and Terran scientists had independently determined that both nodes into the system were due to collapse to an unusable state within only a few weeks. The commanding officers of both the GTA and PVN fleet called a cease-fire and jointly organized an evacuation of the system. By late February, the nodes were no longer stable for anything to travel through. For years it was hoped that the nodes would restabilize, but hopes would be dashed after the destruction of the [[Sol]]-[[Delta Serpentis]] node and the system was finally removed from maps.

=====March:===== 
Fourth cease-fire established. Considered the last serious attempt at peace, Vasudan and Terran officials meet for the bulk of the one-month cease-fire. Serious talks of an end to the war come up, but are dashed when no agreement is made.

=====November:===== 
Fifth cease-fire established. By odd coincidence, Terran and Vasudan election dates overlapped during 2331, encouraging the ruling groups to ask each other for a cease-fire so they could remain in power. The cease-fire lasts two days, and the ruling parties were both soundly defeated. There would be no further cease-fires until the arrival of the Shivans.

===2332:===

=====January:===== 
After being sworn in, Senator Williams makes a speech proclaiming that the Vasudans should be "bled white" as the only way to win the war. Similar statements by Vasudan legislators trigger a stalemate in the war that lasts for the next three years.

=====March:===== 
Designs for the new Vasudan destroyer, the [[PVD Typhon|PVD ''Typhon'']], are approved and construction begins in Altair. Any Saviors currently in production are scrapped and used to build the new warship.

===2333:===

=====March:===== 
Nearly one year to the day, the first Typhon, [[PVD Typhon|PVD ''Typhon'']], leaves the [[Altair]] shipyards. Its first assignment is to take [[Vega]].
</font>
=====April:===== 

<font color="gray">Operation Thunderbolt; the GTA succesfully forces the last Vasudan forces out of the Beta Aquilae system, in preparation for an attack upon Antares. ''(Continuity with the defunct 20k campaign)''</font>

<font color="silver"> The [[Vega Engagement]]. The GTA's first encounter with the ''Typhon''-class destroyer ends with the destruction of the [[GTD Eisenhower|GTD ''Eisenhower'']] and the [[4th GTA Fleet|4th Fleet]]. </font><font color="gray">The GTA launches a counterattack on Vega, forcing the ''Typhon'' to retreat but taking horrendous losses in the process.

=====June:=====
(12-19th June) Operation Mako; the GTA launches an invasion of the Vasudan-held Antares system from Beta Aquilae, in order to relieve the 5th fleet (trapped in the Ribos system). Despite the destruction of the PVD ''Typhon'' and significant Vasudan losses, the GTA only makes minimal gains at a heavy cost, resulting in stalemate. ''(Continuity with the now-defunct 20k campaign)''

===2334:===

=====June:===== 
Battle of Vega-Deneb Node. The last major battle of the 14-Year War sees the Terrans take the Vega side of the node. </font><font color="silver">The first Typhon destroyed</font><font color="gray"> in combat occurs during the battle.

=====September:===== 
In an attack that surprised both sides, </font><font color="silver">a second Typhon is destroyed</font><font color="gray"> in Antares.

</font><font color="silver"> 
===2335:===

=====January 8th:===== 
GTA launches Operation Thresher, also known as the Fifth Battle of the Vasuda-Antares Node. Initial losses cause Thresher to be declared a failure only two days after it started.  GTA command estimates 504 pilots dead, fourteen missing (and presumed dead).

</font><font color="white">
=====January 15th:===== 
The Shivans attack Vasudan and Terran forces near the Antares-Ribos node. The the PVC ''Taurus'' and GTSC ''Plato'' are lost.

=====January 18th:===== 
The Vasudans formally propose a cease-fire.

=====January 25th:===== 
GTA and PVE sign a cease-fire and non-aggression pact based on the [[Pan-Galactic Treaty]]. The 14-Year War officially comes to an end.</font>

[[Category:History|Terran-Vasudan War]]