The Bedrosian Crisis

This was done as part of the September 2015 Challenge at the Cartographers' Guild.


Two power blocks, two different purposes, two different concepts of society. For decades the two groups of nations based around the Callistani Federation and the Stallax Compact have competed for power and ressources on the planet Hedronax's main continent. None still remember the ancient past that saw them land on the cool M-class world as colonists from a human sleeper ship. Still, they find themselves locked in a struggle not quite unlike Old Earth's "Cold War". But so far the proliferation of ground-based laser ABM/AA technology has kept the peace. With defenses able to strike across distances of hundreds of kilometers, warfare has largely been robbed of its aerial component, and complex treaties between the blocks and the non-aligned nations have sought to keep it that way. Neutral nations have served as buffers between the blocks, and the short common border runs across territory nigh impossible to traverse for large formations. For twenty-two years this equilibrium has held. Until six weeks ago.

There's revolution and turmoil in Bedrosia, and the Compact has decided to act. Officially, to keep the peace. Inofficially, to install a government of its own liking, for Bedrosia is rich in minerals and good farmland, and the nation offers a runway right into the heart of the Federation. Six hours ago two army corps crossed the border into Bedrosia. One now stands barely a hundred kilometers from its capital, making good speed across a six-lane highway. A vast armada gathers in its back, across the border. The Federation's response to this escalation has been both panicked and sluggish. Diplomatic channels are running hot while active units are hurried towards the conflict zone. If they act fast enough, the situation can still be salvaged. The Federation's armed forces are well trained and possess superior equipment. Once in Bedrosia their pure presence should be enough to deter the Compact.

What the Federation's High Command and political leadership does not know: this time, the Compact is determined to see things through. Under the highest levels of secrecy and contrary to every signed treaty Compact scientists have developed and built a series of orbital weapons platforms disguised as scientific platforms. In less than an hour, lasers powered by nuclear explosions will tear through the atmosphere and eliminate the Federation's frontline units and its ABM network, clearing the way for a nuclear decapitation strike...