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As humankind set off to the distant planets and systems inStarfield, new colonies and political distinctions were bound to form. Large factions would come together, such as the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective, to govern and monitor several star systems.
Unfortunately, everything hasn’t always been peaceful between the major factions in the Settled Systems. Prior to the start of the game, the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective went head-to-head in the bloody Colony War. Numerous battles were fought during the war, with different consequences.
What Was The Battle of Niira?
Over a century prior to the Colony War,the United Colonies and Freestar Collectiveeach wanted control over the Narion System, leading tothe Narion War.This conflict ended with the signing of theTreaty of Narion, which limited each faction to only being able tocolonize three star systems each.
After the Colony War erupted in 2308, theplanet ofNiirain the Narion System became a clashing point between the two sides. TheUC Navy soon arrived to Niira, hoping to use it as an operating base against the Freestar Collective.
Since Niira was in Freestar space,their own militia responded with attacks against the UC Navyon the planet. This conflict became known as theBattle of Niira.
Niira was once a beautiful and habitable planet, with pockets of settlements.The battle razed the planet,destroying several areas of the surface, and making other areas only graveyards for ships and mechs.
The United Colonies experimented with using xenobiological warfare,bringing dangerous alien species to Niira. The Freestar army specialized in thepiloting of personal mechs, and utilized these machines to fight the UC Navy.
Several attacks were made against the UC Navy to take back control of the world, butFreestar fighters weren’t able to completely drive them out.
The notable aspect of the Battle of Niira comes in the story ofthe 1st Cavalry Division of the Freestar Collective.
What Is The 1st Cavalry?
The1st Cavalry Divisionof the Freestar militia wasled by Major Paxton Hullduring the Colony War. This squad made repeated attacks against the UC Navy to reclaim Niira. They werehighly skilled in the use of mechs, and considered some of the best.
Whenceasefire orderswere given to the 1st Cavalry,they disobeyed them, refusing to surrender the lost planet. Major Paxton Hull was certain that victory could be achieved, and believed it was close, even though they suffered heavy casualties.
After the Armistice peace treaty brought the Colony War to an end,all members of the 1st Cavalry were court-martialed by the Freestar Collective for disobeying ceasefire orders.Major Hull and his cavalry were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Upon release, Paxton Hull and other members of the 1st Cavalry came together toform a mercenary group known as the First.They felt betrayed by the Freestar Collective for their imprisonment, and continue to hold that grudge.
TheBattle of Niirais regarded asa shameful and bitter defeat by many in the Freestar Collective.Even though they eventually won the war and regained control of Niira, the planet is not what it once was.Niira is now desecrated and poisoned by warfare,its environment destroyed and its water contaminated.
A battleground during the Battle of Niira is now a salvage yard known as1-of-a-Kind Salvage.It was named in honor of the sacrifices made by the 1st Cavalry.
