The Conquest Pact (CP) is a loose coalition of non-sanctioned colonies, rogue fleet elements, and various independent factions operating primarily within the less stable regions of the Crimson Veil Nebula. Lacking a centralized government, the Pact is characterized by a fractured leadership structure, often revolving around charismatic warlords and powerful pirate captains.

From the perspective of the Unity Accord, the CP represents a significant source of regional instability. Their rejection of the UA’s foundational principles of managed growth and resource allocation often leads to piracy, black marketeering, and direct attacks on UA logistical and mining assets.

The origins of the Conquest Pact can be traced to several early colonial charters that refused to ratify the full Unity Accord mandate. These groups prioritized short-term individual freedoms and rapid, unchecked expansion over the long-term, sustainable planning of the Grand Design.

The core ideology of the Pact is rooted in a philosophy of radical self-determination. They view the UA’s safety protocols and population management as tyrannical, advocating for a “natural” and unconstrained path for human development. While this appeals to a frontier mentality, UA sociologists note that this ideology often leads to the same patterns of resource scarcity, internal conflict, and power consolidation by strongmen that were characteristic of Earth’s Great Decline.

The de facto capital and largest settlement of the Conquest Pact is Nova Haven, a sprawling frontier city on the planet Esiri. Esiri is a Class-M world of immense biological value, but its unpredictable weather patterns and untamed ecosystems make it a high-risk environment for stable settlement.

The society on Esiri is marked by a stark contrast between the planet’s natural beauty and the often-chaotic state of its settlements. Lacking the support of UA infrastructure, their technology is often a patchwork of salvaged, jury-rigged, and black-market systems. While they espouse freedom, their economy is largely controlled by the warlord Abressal, creating a closed-loop system that limits true economic mobility for its citizens.

The Conquest Pact does not maintain a formal, unified fleet comparable to the Accord’s. Their military strength consists of a motley collection of older-generation warships, retrofitted freighters, and smaller, agile raiding vessels.

• Tactical Doctrine: Lacking the technological superiority of the UA, CP forces rely on asymmetric warfare. Their tactics frequently include:
• Ambushes within dense asteroid fields.
• Targeted raids on lightly-defended mining outposts and haulers.
• The use of UA and civilian assets as “human shields” to neutralize the Accord Fleet’s strategic advantages.
• Technological Disadvantage: While their pilots have access to basic neural implants, they lack the deep, symbiotic AI integration and advanced training required for high-level maneuvers like Retaliation Mode. Their ships are often poorly maintained and rely on manual labor for tasks that are fully automated within the UA fleet, leading to significant operational inefficiencies.

Conclusion: While their commitment to independence is acknowledged, the Conquest Pact’s methods and destabilizing influence pose a persistent threat to the peace and long-term security of the Orion Spur.