The Free Stars were founded on 09 December 4159, emerging from the profound shadow of the Red Sun Dominion's pervasive terror. This burgeoning faction was forged by escapees who had endured the horrific conditions of the Meristine work camps, with the seeds of rebellion sown deeply in their hearts.
The core members first banded together in secret meetings, held within the squalid quarters of the camps. They were driven by an underground network of defiance and whispers of legendary past insurgencies that once stirred the spirits of Meristine’s original inhabitants. As tales of the planet’s indigenous peoples and their harmonious way of life surfaced, these stories kindled a yearning for freedom and an insatiable resolve to reclaim independence.
Central to their formation was a sinister belief in prophecies left by the ancient inhabitants, foretelling the resurgence of independence through hidden artifacts lost amidst the planet’s caverns. The Free Stars had discovered a method to control the Maleks, toiling in these obscured corridors to uncover their capabilities. This dark endeavor came at a tremendous cost, risking both mind and morality.
On 11 January 4160, the Free Stars executed a critical operation. Insurgents Chaz Blarth and Yan infiltrated the Nexus Processing Hub following a tram hijack. Betrayed by supervisor Calista, they battled Red Sun Guards in a chaotic struggle to free the eccentric tinkerer, Grel Toffa. They ultimately escaped in a stolen hauler across The Wastes, securing Grel’s vital expertise needed for completing the Malek’s Call device, which offered the resistance a fighting chance against the oppressive Red Sun Dominion.
Three days later, on 14 January 4160, the Free Stars launched two significant strikes. To cripple the Red Sun Dominion’s logistics, insurgents targeted a critical osmium cache at Meristine Spaceport. With their leader injured, new recruit Seren Dannis stepped up to lead this perilous mission. The plan hinged on Finley, a janitor and double agent, who offered easy access but presented a significant risk of betrayal, making Seren's leadership crucial amidst this high-stakes gamble.
Simultaneously, on the same day, insurgents triggered a sonic device to unleash their controlled Maleks. This strategic move summoned a massive swarm of the creatures to Work Camp A2, overwhelming the Red Sun defenses and inciting a widespread prison riot that further sowed chaos.
The next day, 15 January 4160, Thorne Balesworth led a desperate rebellion known as Thorne's Last Stand, aiming to shatter the Red Sun Dominion's perceived invincibility. During a multi-pronged assault, Thorne was pinned while securing an escape vehicle, heroically sacrificing himself to allow his allies to flee. This pivotal act ignited a sector-wide Free Stars movement, proving the Dominion could bleed and inspiring enslaved worlds to defy their oppressors.
On 16 January 4160, fugitives allied with local resistance groups launched a daring two-pronged assault, known as The Meristine Ignition. They unleashed a bio-engineered insectoid swarm and successfully assassinated the Warden. With Seren Dannis’s invaluable help, they detonated the Meristine Ignition, destroying a vital spaceport and crippling Dominion logistics. While this ignited wider rebellion, it also sparked anarchy and promised a brutal retaliation from the Dominion.
In the aftermath of these tumultuous events, The Free Stars have made significant advances amidst constant danger and uncertainty. Following their successful attack on the Meristine (Plate) Spaceport, their numbers have quietly swelled as more oppressed individuals flee the clutches of the Dominion in search of refuge and retribution. They now operate from the shadows, emerging only when opportunities to strike arise. However, the profound loss of Thorne Balesworth, their charismatic leader, has created a power vacuum within the Free Stars that several individuals are now vying to fill.
