The shape of things to come

John put on this Star Wars game which may or may not have born some striking parallels to goings on in todays world.  General briefing below.

Crisis at Meacri

The Rainuk system, situated on the fringe of the Empire, has two habitable planets, Evki and Meacri.

For many centuries the system was part of the Empire. Evki and Meacri were originally ruled by separate governors, but about 60 years ago became a single colony administered from Evki. Whilst the population of Evki is homogeneous only about 25% of the population of Meacri are of Rainukian descent, the majority being from descended from immigrants from other parts of the Empire.

Some 23 years ago, during a period of political turmoil in the Empire, Rainuk declared independence following popular demonstrations on Evki. The former governor became the first president of the newly independent republic. The Empire recognised the independence of Rainuk in a treaty which gave the Empire rights to the existing strategically important base on Meacri.

Ten years ago the president announced that he would not stand for re-election. The election was narrowly won by his prime minister against an opposition candidate who wanted closer links with the Federation. Allegations of vote rigging and intimidation backed by largely peaceful popular protests on Evki resulted in the election result being overturned by the courts and the re-run election resulted in a win for the opposition. Relations between Rainuk and the Empire have since then been strained.

Three months ago the president refused to sign a trade agreement with the Federation and instead proposed a closer relationship with the Empire.

Popular demonstrations on Evki followed, which became more serious following the death of a number of protesters when riot troops were sent in to end the demonstrations in the last week. The president has left Evki and is believed to have travelled to Meacri. He is now thought to be either in the Empire base on Meacri or to have gone on the Imperial capital.

A provisional government has formed on Evki which has sought support from the Federation.

It is clear that the new government has little support on Meacri. An armed group, describing itself as the Meacri Militia, has taken over the space port on Meacri and will not allow craft to land.

 


So I hope that is all clear then? This was partly an excuse to dig out Johns various 25mm toys last seen in the Encounter 2 game a few weeks ago, but for this outing we used 'Encounter 3', a planetside variant which dispensed with the D100s and introduced some rules for lightsabres. Hurrah!

Once again I seem to have been typecast as The Man in Black, leading the Imperial forces of peace and brotherhood on a humanitarian mission to Meacri spaceport.  

Darth Vader strides purposefully along behind some Stormtroopers.

Some Rainukian defence forces approach the spaceport.

Meacri militia take cover by going prone.

The Stormtroopers advance covering all angles.

As does the other squad.

Somewhere, out in space, lurk Federation rocket troops in power armour.

The Rainukians start to straggle and take a few hits.

The Meacri militia stand up to blaze away.

One squad heads for the fuel tanks.

The other for the Control Tower.

The fuel tanks are bypassed. Probably wise given the amount of shooting going on.

Darth Vader and the second squad reach the control tower. The Meacrians seem quite pleased to see them.

The Federation power troopers touch down.

Then take to the air again as the Stormtroopers hit the deck.

Darth spots some prey in the distance.

And rushes up to this unfortunate Rainukian.

Meanwhile the Federation power troops shower the port facilities with HE.

Blowing most of the Meacrians to pieces..

More importantly the prone Rainukian leaps up and takes Darth by surprise, stunning him. The force is strong in this one.

But not that strong. Darth re-engages.

And this time doesn't make any mistakes. Phew, that was close. Don't tell the Emperor.

Back at the spaceport there is something of a standoff with the Federation forces. There might even have been an exchange of fire, but not wanting to start a gigantic galactic war which would destroy everyone and everything, that soon stopped. Don't mention that to the Emperor either will you?

So, things ended with the Rainukians wiped out, the surviving Meacrians sloping off and Empire and Federation both happy as they could both claim the spaceport wasn't occupied by the enemy. Not that there were any enemies, this being a purely humanitarian effort and all.

Righto, time to dig in behind a load of minefields across the Chker peninsular and thumb our noses at the Federation while sitting smugly on their gas supplies.