History 301

Nothing stays secret forever. Despite attempts at secrecy, the Shepherds’ activities became more and more well known. Eventually credible survivors from encounters appeared, evidence of travel and sightings of aircraft occurred, and it became obvious that some military force was operating beyond the authority of any nation on the planet. Some despaired at this new threat while others resented the attackers, and still others saw a potential advantage.

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New Jerusalem’s isolation lasted until 728 NJ (6136 AD)l when a mysterious fleet of ships identifying themselves as the CEF 7th fleet gated into the system. The CEF observed the primitive armies of the various powers on the planet and judged them to be a non-threat. The Shepherds remained hidden, using centuries of experience to keep their strength unseen by these new visitors. Shepherds’ leadership set up a mission to contact the new arrivals. This diplomatic mission met with the CEF commanders’ multiple times, though what exactly transpired remains unknown to all not involved. When the last meeting was over, the CEF Admiral left and ordered his fleet to withdraw from the system, declaring he would no longer support the NEC. A brief power struggle saw him and some 75% of the fleet, including almost all the warships, break contact and jump out of the system. The remaining forces were stranded aboard their troop transports, now short on supplies and equipment, and were forced to make a decision. Seeing the pathetic nature of the defenders, they opted to continue their assault on the planet. They concentrated their landing zone in one largely uninhabited region to maximize their limited forces’ effect. As their units made landfall, Shepherd space forces struck. The remaining CEF ships in orbit were destroyed or captured, cutting off the ground forces who then found themselves attacked by an enemy far more advanced than they had anticipated. The initial landing zones, concentrated in forested regions to prevent observation, soon turned into furnaces as local forces lit them ablaze. The unique silicon-based composition of the trees burned off into ash which clogged CEF combat vehicles and caused breathing problems for infantry. Without the ability to take in air, hovertanks essentially became slow, static defenses. Frames fared better, but the failure of their hover systems put them at a mobility disadvantage against angels. The Shepherds struck repeatedly. and within weeks had functionally annihilated the invaders’ command structure. The CEF was reduced to a handful of highly fortified bases set up in the landing zone. Cut off from any hope of escape, the remaining forces fought much more ferociously than would typically be expected from the CEF on the defensive. By the time these pockets were liquidated, over 20% of the Shepherds’ pre-invasion combat strength had become casualties. Despite the Shepherds’ best efforts, a small significant portion of the invasion force managed to evade capture and would go in to form holdout cells across the planet.

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