Hello everyone. This is my first attempt at an AAR. As the title suggests, this is the beginning of something. What I intend for this to be the beginning of is a saga of stories I call "Galaxy at War." This AAR, while containing many aspects of a normal game of GC2, is fictional and is not based on any actual game in particular.

Before I begin, I would like to explain the title. As you will find out in this AAR, the Galaxy is in a state of total war. The purpose of this story in particular is to provide an explanation for why the Galaxy is at war. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the word "unsung," it means "untold" or something that is not famous. "The Unsung Beginning" is the story of the origins of the war that is sweeping through the Galaxy. Most of the characters in this story and its sequels are unaware of why they are fighting - they just know that they have to in order to survive.

Any comments, questions, or suggestions that you have while you are reading this AAR are welcomed. I would like to get as much feedback as possible, since this is my first AAR. If I am unclear on a certain aspect of my story, please let me know. I hope you enjoy "The Unsung Beginning." Best Regards.

Prologue

February 22, 2321

Terra - Sydney, Oceania - Office of the President of the Terran Alliance

"Mr. President, I cannot stress how crucial it is to the expansion of the Alliance for us to invade Umbrion. Besides the fact that it would deal another crippling blow to the already weakening Torian Confederation, we would gain an incredible staging point for the gathering of Alpha Fleet in preparation for the assault on Kona. As you well know, we cannot take Drengi without first taking out Kona."

As his Fleet Admiral continued to plead his case, President Joshua Aigen could do nothing but sit back in his chair and let forth a long, audible sigh. 'Oh great - another rant on the importance of capturing a planet as quickly as possible, just so we can move on to the next planet, take some more lives, and start the cycle all over again,' was what continually ran through Joshua's mind every time he called his Cabinet together for a Council of War...

"... sir?"

"Huh? Could you repeat that Admiral?"

"I was just discussing the possible invasion tactics that we could employ in order to capture Umbrion. Sir, I think the best tactic in this situation would be..."

"No, Admiral. We will not resort to the barbaric tactic tactic that is Mass Drivers. I resent the fact that anyone ever imagined it to be a good and essential tactic in battle. As an off-hand note, I'm surprised, as well as thankful, that nobody had the five brain cells required to realize that someone can strap a rocket to a small asteroid, hit "Ignition", and watch it descend upon a planet, killing thousands of lives as it slams into the ground."

"Mr. President, I realize that you have never been a strong supporter of using Ma..."

"Strong supporter! You, as well as everyone in my Cabinet, know that I hate that tactic with every fiber of my being. It's cowardly, not to mention cruel."

"But sir..."

"No, Admiral. End of discussion. You know that you're lucky I'm even considering the invasion of yet another planet. Do you forget that the Torian people were once our friends? The least we can do, in respect of the friendship we once shared, is refrain from throwing gigantic rocks at them and killing billions of their citizens."

"Sir, I, as well as everyone else, do not forget the friendship that once existed between us and the Torians. But that was almost forty years ago - it's time to move on. We need to use whatever method of invasion we have at our disposal to prevent the needless loss of human life."

"Needless loss of human life! Dammit Admiral - we lose over ten billion soldiers every week, and you sit here talking about invading more planets, using brutal invasion tactics, and preserving human life! We will never succeed in preserving humanity as long as we continue this terrible war!"

"Sir..."

"No, Admiral. I've heard enough. While I detest promoting the invasion of yet another planet, I know that it is neccessary to keep the Terran Alliance safe. But I will never - I repeat, NEVER - allow you, or any other General of the Alliance, use cowardly, barbaric tactics to acheive a victory. This Council is dismissed."

February 22, 2321

Terra - Sydney, Oceania - Presidential Suite

Six hours after the meeting, and Joshua was still seething. 'Why? Why do my most trusted advisors fail to see things from my point of view? They know I detest these barbaric tactics, yet they continually press me for my seal of approval. It's almost as if they think I will cave-in to their desires if they ask more.'

"Rough meeting, sir?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry - good evening Matthew."

"Yes, good evening indeed. I ask again - rough meeting, sir?"

"Let's just say I've had better."

"Ahhh... let me hazard a guess. Your Cabinet asked for permission to throw some rocket-propelled boulders at a planet again."

"You know me too well, Matthew."

Matthew Wycliff was one person who could never get on the President's nerves, no matter how hard he tried. And he rarely ever tried. Matthew worked for the Presidential Administration as a Historical Analyst. He was the guy repsonsible for determining how one race would indirectly be affected by a certain action taken against another race. He was the man who knew the most about the histories of other alien races. One would be hard-pressed to find a historical fact that Matthew didn't know.

He was also Joshua Aigen's most trustworthy friend.

As Matthew turned to leave, Joshua couldn't resist asking the question that he had asked so many times before, but had never received the full answer to...

"Matthew..."

"Yes, Mr. President?"

"I realize I have asked you this question many times, and I realize we have always agreed it to be too long a subject to discuss in its entirety, but I need to know the answer. The complete answer."

"Yes, sir?"

"Why? Why is the Galaxy so messed up? Once upon a time, most of the Galaxy was at peace. We had friends who were aliens. Wars were rare, and when they did happen, the other nations of the Galaxy did everything in their power to stop them before they escalated. What went wrong?"

"Ahhh... I've been waiting for the day where my knowledge in its fullest form would be required. I agree with you, sir. It is time. It is time you hear the story. The real story."