Grey Centurion Division / GCD

The Start:

2542
Idris IV suffered a series of orbital bombardments from the Tevarin marking the start of the first Tevarin War. Most of the population manage to flee the planet but a few hundred stay. Rachel Locke, a local with no military training, organizes the survivors for increasingly dangerous strikes to disrupt the Tevarin occupiers. This group is known as The Greys. The Greys serve as ground-side intelligence for the battle of Idris IV.

2546
After the first Tevarin war, Ivar Messer rose to power as the first imperator and declared the group of Greys as the new intelligence task force to specialize in planet-side tactics for UPE Military. Some resign from the Greys as they did not intend to be fighters, others stayed to hone their skills. Many more recruits where initiated as this task force grew in strength and numbers. Idris IV is officially recognized and named after Rachel Locke.

2603
The GCD functioned as a special task force partaking in primarily planet-side intelligence for the next 50 years, honing their skills through official training from the UEE military. In 2603, the GCD was approached by Deacon Messer II to aid during the second Tevarin war as the leading force on Elysium IV. Although the Tevarin were ultimately defeated, the GCD took heavy losses due to the lack of defenses to land ships and troops safely on the surface. With only 109 agents remaining, resources were reallocated for an effective defense focusing on anti-capital ships and escort fighters. An official request was sent to Messer II to allow the GCD be and independent, for-profit military organization to help fund this project. Messer II allowed this to occur under the tense that the GCD still aides the UEE once they get back on their feet.

Shortly after the GCD’s independence, different ranking system was adopted to distinguish the GCD troops from UEE Military keep the Grey’s name alive. Titles were given based on participation and accolades in the field. By this time, only sixteen members from the original Grey’s were still involved with the GCD as many have passed away or simply left. Together, they were the first official council and made most of the GCD decisions.

2622
As the last Grey alive and the sole council member, Wrenn Beckett authorized the Space/Air Defense Initiative, SADI, which outlined the reallocation of ALL funds to construct or acquire dropships, anti-fighter destroyers, stealth bombers, anti-capital fighters, and other ships meant to ease the travel or boost defenses during campaigns. Necessities, however, will take precedence over the SADI reallocation.

2624
Shortly after the SADI gained traction, Beckett, who’s health had been declining dramatically for the past 4 years, awarded the prominent Veteran agents of GCD the title of Grey, but must first vow to enforce the Vision of the original Greys and never falter from aiding those in need. During the inauguration of the new Greys, Wrenn Beckett spoke beautifully of a new age for GCD and what should come next. She spoke as though she knew this was her last night speaking to her friends, family, and coworkers. She passed away that night, peacefully, her sleep.

Notable Events:

2681
Vanduul Attacks occur sporadically around the Caliban System. Illyana Messer VI requests aid from the GCD to help push them back. Vanduul attacks prove to be too much for the GCD and reluctantly withdrew from the Caliban defensive after taking significant loses. Messer VI uses this as a tool to show the populace they need an imperator’s protection. Many GCD troops were outraged at this withdrawal and requested transfer to the UEE military. The GCD recognized that this threat may be lasting and agreed to introduce specialized trainers to help plan strategies to fight the Vanduul threat.

2751
Linton Messer, Ulysses Messer X’s son, recruited GCD troops to help overthrow Messer X. maybe some espionage here Fiona Messer (Messer X’s daughter) lead the bombing campaign of Messer X’s Khanos Stadium. Messer X subsequently committed suicide.

2781-2793
Linton Messer Later declared himself Messer XI. He oversaw the destruction of a developing species on Garron II and the following massacre of Garron II. Thousands of protesters on Vale are gunned down. Messer XI required aid from the GCD, but was met with animosity. The entire UEE military was mobilized to quell the rebellion. The GCD declined the call to action vehemently resulting in threats from Messer XI himself to revoke the GCD’s independence. After the Massacre of Vale, the GCD reached a discreet agreement to help overthrow Messer XI with Xi’an, the first non-human convert contract the GCD accepted. After a wildly successful covert takedown, members of the Grey Council decided to start an official branch of intelligence operations. Messer XI was over thrown and so ends the reign of the Messer Era. Erin Toi becomes the new imperator and selects Ramon Coen to be the Ambassador to the Xi’an Empire.

Restoring interspecies peace now becomes the focus Imperator Toi. She appoints a Diplomatic Secretary, Marshall Leon, who is tasked to aid in diplomatic relations. Leon scheduled meetings with the Xi’an and Banu diplomats. He acknowledges that the repair of relationships will take time, delicacy, and — most importantly — trust. Imperator Toi meets with Xi’an Emperor, Kray, and they sign the Perry Line Pact ending the Cold War and birthing a new diplomatic era between both factions.

Leon offers the Xi’an Empire official use of the GCD Militia unit. The Xi’an accept this offer with false skepticism as they’ve seen the GCD in action during Messer XI coup, however, Xi’an’s involvement with the GCD and Messer XI will remain concealed.

2800
Secretary Leon wins and election and becomes Imperator highlighting his work on The Ark (an orbital platform not bound to one species, government, or location, with the intent to bring peace to all species). Shortly after his election, construction on the Ark finishes and Leon invites Xi’an, Banu, Tevarin, and even Vanduul representatives to attend a gala celebration. Leon instructed the GCD to be on call in case it turned ugly, strangely enough the Xi’an requested aid from the GCD as well. Following the code of confidentiality, neither party knew of the others contract which happened to be one of the highest paying contracts the GCD ever reached from both parties. The GCD’s intelligence branch discovered tactical points which can hide all of the GCD’s forces. They prepared to mobilized in a moment’s notice in surrounding areas. The gala was a success, however, and the GCD did not need to step in, receiving compensation for both contracts. Decades go by with no mention of the GCD’s involvement, further reinforcing the GCD’s skill in intelligence and covert operations. This massive spike in funds allowed the GCD to fund a larger SADI, SADI II.

2820
TheGCD returns to the Caliban system to help fight off Vanduul attacks. As many Humans started to leave Caliban II (Crion) due to fear of another lost jump point, the GCD took the opportunity to purchase ship yards and docking bays from fleeing companies to conduct the SADI II. With a seeming infinite land space to build, the GCD moves their forces to the Caliban System. Although establishing a permanent military facility leaves the GCD open to attack, Crion is used as the newly established GCD home base to continue finalizing defenses. The Vanduul attacks became a training practice for new agents of GCD.

2849
The SADI II, nearing completion, shows promise to be concluded around 2900. As of now, the GCD has officially become the largest documented militia, larger than all other private military corporations. News of this spreads and celebrations happen across the militia. During the celebration, proximity sensors trigger and the fleet scrambles to intercept. A small swarm of light fighters break atmosphere as this is the first documented atmospheric assault. The Greys find this curious as the Vanduul should be aware of the GCD’s ship yard defenses. Vanduul fighters were almost ignoring any dogfighting the GCD engaged in, flying directly towards the massively armed ship yard. GCD fighters pull back to allow for AA bombardment from the ship yard. One-by-one the Vanduul ships were picked off, while the GCD fighters kept a safe distance. After the debriefing, there were multiple reports from GCD pilots of long range scanner pings coming from many of the Vanduul fighters. The Greys decided to recover Vanduul ships to search for scanning equipment. The search, unfortunately, was inconclusive. Scanners would indicate scouting ships relaying information to a larger fleet so the Grey’s decided to bolster defenses and prepare to mobilize for a bigger fight.

2864
After 15 years on high alert, the Grey council decide to reduce the threat level to get the SADI II back on schedule.

The Fall of the GCD

2884
On July 7, 2884, a Vanduul clan lead by a massive Kingship slipped by sensor beacons and entered the system. The attack was swift and ruthless. Lasting on two days, the initial assault decimated the GCD’s defensive measures. The Vanduul knew exactly where to hit the GCD as though they had inside information. As the Grey’s assumed, It would seem the assault on the GCD in 2849 may have been an intelligence mission to scout the GCD defenses. Without much ability to fight back, the Vanduul took no prisoners and left nothing standing.

Hope: Decimated
Relationships disbanded
History erased

The UEE Navy arrived only to find the GCD base in ruins and the Vanduul Kingship immediately starting a bombardment on the Navy. Despite the Navy’s best efforts to defend the system from the ruthless invaders and the brave heroics of the men and women of the fabled ‘Lost Squad,’ in the end, Humanity had no choice but to retreat in the face of overwhelming force. Only 12 agents of the GCD’s intelligence force were able to retreat with the Navy, as they were picked up on their way back from a routine reconnaissance mission. It was thought the Vanduul decimated the Caliban system because they found the GCD there. They may have known the GCD was lurking in the shadows during the Ark Gala, but many believe the GCD painted a target on themselves by choosing to conduct SADI II on Crion, others simply blame it on the Vanduul’s unusually aggressive nature.

The 12 intel operatives who managed to retreat with the UEE Navy were required to accept an induction into the UEE military immediately after the retreat, to discourage the resurgence of the GCD for the time being. The GCD’s involvement in the Fall of Caliban was classified by the UEE military. Never to be discussed again.

To be continued…