Rift Incident

Overview
After retreating from Remusian space following the end of the Collection Conflict, the bulk of The Collection would retreat to its own space where it would remain for several years. Despite their success in capturing Vithem Templesmith and damaging the Republic, The Collection suffered heavy losses. The Overlord turned the Collection’s focus into a sector occupied by a wealth of smaller nations prime for integration and assimilation. The assimilation of one race brought the ongoing Cold-War Conflict to the Overlord’s attention. In addition to bringing several new races in the Collection’s control, The Overlord rationed it useful to perhaps recruit or strike a deal with the involved races to help the Collection in their conquest against the Remusians. Deeming one of the primary forces, the Repzork Empire, a worthy contender, he approached the Empire in a Vessel that mimicked his previous organic image. Repzork Central Command had little interest in The Overlord’s offer, having not only just met them, but with little notion of who the Remusians were They sent the Collection out of the Empire and demanded them to not to meddle with their affairs in the Cold War. Disgruntled with the situation, The Overlord took the Collection away from the Cold War area and continued their pursuits elsewhere, though he did have intentions to return at some point or another.

The Remusian Republic began work on “Project Archway” aboard the Nadfor Research Installation on the far borders of their Mid-Sector. A malfunction in several of their devices created a tear through Void space. The Repzork had recently made several advancements in Void-Based travel technology themselves, allowing for them to move away from their former subspace engines. Coincidentally, The Repzork also suffered a malfunction in one their new prototype Void engines, resulting in a similar tear in Void space. These tears occurred close enough together in time that they formed one large artificial hyperlane from both points of incident. Sector Marshal Tegar Zokonae issued orders to establish a perimeter around the anomaly before alerting Central Command and investigating it further. Before a proper perimeter could be made, several Remusian Directive Expeditionary Units, Lead by I.E.D. Director Dr. Bishun Barreté, emerged from the Rift. First contact was made between the two empires, ending with Dr. Barreté returning to retrieve the Remusian diplomat Rava James from their work with the Betel.

The Remusians would later host one of the Repzork Diplomats, who learned of the Republic’s relations with the Betel, causing tensions between them. Later during a diplomatic hearing, they were interrupted by Recycler Diplomat Insert Betel Diplomat, who was outraged with the Remusian’s decision to host the Repzork Diplomats. The foreign diplomats became very hostile with each other, and a fight nearly broke out. After some convincing by other diplomats and Royal Council members, all parties returned to their respective homes.

Concerned that the Betel’s loyalty in the Ikzod cluster could be compromised should the Remusians decide to side with the Repzork, Helm’s Hold deployed Sekno Vorniket, a veteran pilot from the Xeverra front, to re-establish Recycler loyalty, holding several conferences within the Cluster as well as Betel dense areas of the Republic. The arrival of the Helm’s Hold member brought along Anti-Repzork propaganda which began circulating within Betel heavy areas as well as the Republic in general.

Realizing now who the Remusains were, Repzork Central Command knew they would have to deal with the Collection in time due to their destructive nature. Conversely, keeping the Remusians neutral could potentially benefit them down the road. As a counter measure to the Recyclers, Repzork diplomats reached out to the Republic and offered to assist them in their Conflict with the Collection, provided they remain neutral. Now facing tensions from two large interstellar races, the Republic are faced with a very delicate situation.