Not knowing exactly what the Federation was doing, the Imperial leadership decided to launch a counterattack. The information gained from private individuals and resistance movements on the planet was sketchy at best. Therefore, troops were diverted from the eastern frontier and from the frontier against the Order for two counterattacks, against both flanks of the Federal front. The latter consisted of veterans who previously fought the Order and the former consisted of legions from the east. The goal was to stop the Federal advance. The Imperial army was already stretched too thin.

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''I know all of you have lost something dear within the last few days. But let's look at our options here. I believe that the peaceful co-operation with the occupational authorities of the Federation is all that is required for the independence of our sector.'' said one of the representatives, a native of Claustrum. The local senate convened in a temporary building. All were not present, some were dead, others fled or otherwise unavailable.

''These are communist scum! The Imperium will drive them out. Claustrum remains Imperial!'' one representative, an Aresian said.

''Nonsense, dear representative. The Imperium failed to defend us now. This is a clear sign that we should divert our own destiny from that of the Imperium's. The old empire is falling and new ones are rising, it is inevitable.'' another Claustrumian said. Many agreed with him.

''Even though I want indipendence, these communists are not the people to give it to us. By the ancestors, the damned fools freed our slaves, they raped my daughter and burned my house to the ground! I am a Claustrumian to the heart, but the Imperium is closer to us, culturally, they have brought their customs to us and we all speak Aresian! We have our own culture yes, but influence from the Imperium has us leaning to them. Co-operation with these communists is unacceptable!'' said another Claustrumian. many people agreed with him too, most notably the Aresians.

''Yes, but hear me out. What the Federation is is a democratic system. The people there are surprisingly happy of being part of the communist experiment their government is imposing on them. But they are a democracy nonetheless. This means that even though, they might try to impose their system on us at first, we'll be able to bring back market economy by voting. I've also heard, bear in mind, heard that planets may choose to leave the Federation by voting on such a matter. This, gentlemen, is the key to our indipendence, to the indipendence of the entire sector. I don't think the Federation will deny us that if the people will it!'' he said and someone even cheered for him.

Although the fact if the senate even represented anything other than themselves is debatable, the consensus among the former legistlators of the planet seemed to be that Claustrum should seek for indipendence, perhaps under the benevolent protection of the Federation, until proper armies and fleets can be raised.


Edited 1 time by fintrooper Aug 12 12 9:13 AM.