The Garland Wars

General

The Garland Wars is the popular name for the ongoing war between Vetalia and its various rivals in its region of the galaxy. It has been waged intermittently since the start of the 3rd century, with the current phase having begun in 230. The war is fought over a series of asteroids named the Garland Belt after the astronomer from Old Earth who discovered them in the distant past (around 2330 B.E.). They contain large quantities of both precious metals and vital resources to a multitude of high technology industries, and are also perfectly located as a key endpoint on several trade routes through the Delpra System; the volume of trade here was some Ş145.96 trillion in 233, and is expected to grow further as the system's population and economy continues its rapid expansion making control of the Belt all the more attractive to the various nations in the region.

Primarily, the war has been fought between Vetalia, New Goldaria, and the Alliance of Kesel IV. At present, Vetalia is at war with Kesel IV while at peace with New Goldaria; the Truce of 225 will last until 235 and it remains to be seen what will occur thereafter between the two nations. The Vetalian military has about 6 million soliders stationed in the region; another 7 million are stationed on Vetalia and the remaining 1 million on its moons.

Current Phase

The current phase involves the Vetalian attempt to seize Getil IX, the largest asteroid on the outer rim of the belt. Although long since mined of minerals, it is home to a large city of some 979,000 permanent and part time residents and some 301,000 traders who stop there to resupply before leaving the system. They have settled within the asteroid, creating a mazelike network of passages, loading bays, and dozens of industrial, residential and commercial enterprises. The asteroid was originally neutral, but during the 210's, it fell under the control of Kesel IV and was officialy occupied by the Allied Kesel Defense Force. Some 3.3 million troops were involved in the occupation, although that number had fallen to 2.5 million in 230.

In March of 230, a fleet of 16 V-class dreadnoughts, 40 S-class interceptors and 3 X-Class battlecrusiers along with 400,000 Vetalian Imperial Guards in 400 transports (along with some 25,000 hovertanks, 10,000 light/medium assault vehicles, a variety of specialized weaponry and 15,000 pieces of artillery) entered in to the Garland Belt. Their inital movements went undetected due to the timing, which coincided with the seasonal increase in shipping traffic in to the Belt; it was not uncommon for X-Class battlecruisers to pass through at this time given their use as diplomatic ships.

The attack came on March 17, 230 at 2:33 AM. The first bombardments from the fleet opened up three major landing areas, while a force of dreadnoughts and interceptors secured the airspace around the sites. Some 125,000 VIG landed at Site 1, 200,000 at Site 2 and 75,000 at Site 3, securing the sites with only modest casualties of 33,000. The artillery, hovertanks and mechanized infantry were fully unloaded by 9:45 AM. The plan was to use site 3