Meristine, once a nascent beacon of natural beauty, harbored a burgeoning civilization known for its consonant technologies. This peaceful existence was shattered by the aggressive expansion of the Red Sun Dominion, which swiftly consumed the planet. Its original settlers were eliminated, and its ecosystems were terraformed to accommodate vast industrial exploits.
On 07 June 2657, Meristine was formally established as a crucial asset within the Dominion's vast empire. The planet was transformed into an indispensable work camp, its rich mineral deposits vital for the coveted Spike Drive technology, fueling the Dominion's expansionist priorities. The legacy of its indigenous people was all but erased, replaced by a relentless industrial machine.
Despite the omnipresent oppression, resistance persisted, though it was often quashed mercilessly under the watchful eyes of Dominion overseers. Remnants of Meristine's past periodically resurfaced, whispering tales of resilience and rebellion in the hearts of its oppressed populace.
02 December 4159: The Red Sun Imprisons Allies of The Killers of Hele After the near-total destruction of the Hele system, the perpetrators fled to the Felo system, finding allies in The Gears, a black market smuggling operation with a hidden agenda to destabilize the Red Sun Dominion. Following a Red Sun instigated lockdown and the group's escape, the Dominion retaliated by negotiating with the Trade Constellation. An investigation revealed The Gears' involvement, leading to the arrest and transportation of their affiliates. Thorne Balesworth and Grel Toffa, along with several other Verohkans, were rounded up and sent to the Red Sun work camps on Meristine in the Don system.
09 January 4160: Incident at Research Facility T7 For generations, the Dominion had maintained total obedience in the Don System through an unyielding doctrine. To prolong their iron grip, they initiated a chilling project at Research Camp T7, integrating advanced AI and cloning to produce a superior breed of biological enforcer. Their ambition culminated in the creation of a creature known only as The Behemoth.
This engineered creature, designed to evoke fear and unwavering loyalty, broke free from its confinement in the Integration Lab, unleashing chaos. Though most personnel and equipment were lost, an unknown hero managed to kill The Behemoth before it could escape the facility, preventing both destabilization and the exposure of the regime's sinister secrets. The fate of the Don System briefly hung in the balance as the Dominion struggled to regain control.
11 January 4160: Grel Escapes the Red Sun Dominion On Meristine, insurgents Chaz Blarth and Yan executed a daring plan to free Grel Toffa. Following a tram hijack, they infiltrated The Nexus Processing Hub, where they were betrayed by supervisor Calista. A chaotic battle ensued with Red Sun Guards. Ultimately, they managed to escape across The Wastes in a stolen hauler, securing Grel Toffa's vital expertise for completing the Malek's Call device.
14 January 4160: The Cacophony of the Call The resistance continued its aggressive campaign on Meristine. Insurgents successfully triggered a sonic device at Work Camp A2, summoning a massive swarm of Maleks. The swarm overwhelmed Red Sun defenses, inciting a prison riot and further destabilizing Dominion control.
15 January 4160: The Escape from the Overseer / Thorne's Last Stand Thorne Balesworth led a desperate rebellion on Meristine, known as Thorne's Last Stand, aiming to shatter the Red Sun Dominion's perceived invincibility. During a multi-pronged assault, Thorne found himself pinned while securing an escape vehicle for his comrades. In a pivotal act of sacrifice, he bravely gave his life to allow his allies to flee. This heroic sacrifice ignited a sector-wide Free Stars movement, proving the Dominion could bleed and inspiring enslaved worlds across the galaxy.
16 January 4160: The Meristine Ignition Fugitives, allied with local resistance factions, launched a daring two-pronged assault against the tyrannical Red Sun Dominion on Meristine. They unleashed a bio-engineered insectoid swarm and successfully assassinated the Warden. With crucial assistance from Seren Dannis, they detonated the Meristine Ignition, destroying The Plate Spaceport. This vital transport hub for osmium was obliterated, crippling Dominion logistics on the planet. This audacious act ignited a wider rebellion across Meristine but also sparked anarchy, promising brutal retaliation from the Dominion.
Current Status The recent insurgent activity on Meristine has irrevocably altered the planet's trajectory. The destruction of the only spaceport, The Plate Spaceport, has sent the Red Sun Dominion's infrastructure on the planet into disarray. A smoking crater now stands where the transport hub once facilitated the flow of osmium off-world. This, combined with the assassination of Overseer Lyra Norel, has thrown the entire planet into disarray, leaving its future uncertain amid the escalating conflict.
