Timeline

Swarm Cycle Timeline

   This timeline uses Earth years and months, with "Day Zero" being the day of the first contact between Sa'arm and Confederacy ships where both are armed.  Entries in Black are considered “canon”; they can be used as references in new stories.  Entries in Red are considered “tentative”, they are not stable references.
   As of December 2024, all long entries are being moved to the Timeline Notes page, with the original entry here reduced to a simple summary -see Timeline Notes.  For changes, additions, or corrections please contact ZM or Omachuck.

Month	Confederacy and Colony Milestones and Events	Earth Politics	Technology and Military Milestones	Story Setting
-21 years	First contact with the Sa'arm.		First estimate 30 years until contact on Earth.
-20 years	Confederacy agree that a race must be found to fight.		Confederacy equipment found on Swarm ships. Deployment limits enacted.
Unknown	Ladac contacted, they self-destruct
-18 months June	Initial contact with Earth.	Negotiations initiated between UN and the Darjee/AI team.	Fourteen more worlds lost to date.
-8 months April			The Cosca get a Hwee hyperdrive working.
-6 months June	Confederacy tires of UN games, demands military action	UN asks NATO and China to build military force to oppose Sa'arm.	First non-politician humans on Confederacy ships, military buildup finally starts.
-4 months August	Auroras with Darjee crews and Human passengers start surveying local systems.	NATO military stumbles upon UN control system, AIs side with them. Beginning of true military buildup. AIs prohibit any immigration by untrustworthy humans.	Confederacy starts reactivating old mothballed ships for human use.	The First Command by Zen Master
-3 months September	Auroras start setting up outposts for ~25 LY in every direction, deliver automated machinery to prepare for colonies on terrestrial planets.	First fumbling steps toward CAP and future Sponsor/Concubine caste system.	Human crews begin taking delivery of “Castle” and “Mercury” class ships.
-2 months October	First human colonies in other systems.		Human crews begin taking delivery of “Patrician” “K'treel” class ships.
0 December	Updated estimate 9.3 years until Swarm reach Earth.	Discussion of 'Average Joes' TV show. Initial CAP score system. It needs work.	First armed Human contact with Sa'arm.
Year 1
1 January		Rights to Average Joes acquired - Average Joes XIV produced.
3 March	Tulaki found by Confederacy, also by Sa'arm.	CAP testing going on all over the planet.	Recognition that none of the ships we are getting are really appropriate for our needs.	Ahead of the Curve by Nuke Danger, 3rd Aye The Golden Lift Ticket by Nuke Danger (unpublished)
4 April			A 5th SFG "C" team goes to verify the existence and capabilities of the Swarm.
6 June		Re-runs of Average Joes XIV reinforce CAP testing message.
10 October		The SFG "C" Team returns and discover they cannot talk about it. They also learn that the Confederacy does not plan to defend the Earth, so they make their own preparations forming the nucleus of the Einherjar in the armed forces of the US.	Fleet modifies Castles to Ainsworths, stops trying to use K'treels.
12 December		Average Joes XV.	First “Sir Lancelot” troopship available	Average Joes by Thinking Horndog
Year 2
13 January		Average Joes XV
14 February		Information leaked to the world that the Confederacy exists. We are both threatened by the Swarm.
15 March	Hidden colony “Backup” established in Sol's Oort Cloud.	Quadruple marriage of Average Joes XV winners. Volunteers requested to participate in the Defense Forces, other volunteers selected to emigrate to a dozen worlds out of immediate harms way.
16 April	The mafiusi colony of Catania established.	The President's Speech: everyone learns what's coming. Mandatory CAP testing started. Defense Force Special aired at the end of the month.		Civil Service by Duke of Ramus Peter's Prepack and Just a Spanking or Two by Smiley Smith
17 May		A large fraction of Iceland's population emigrate to the colony of Heimdall. Those remaining declare their intention to fight, and begin to fortify their island home.		RCAF by Lordshipmayhem Sixty-Four and Loving It by Smiley Smith Mutiny on the Bunte Kuh by Omachuck
18 June		The Confederacy repeats with American Samoa. Extractions total more than 65% of the territory's population. Most go to Spindrift in the Heimdall Military District.	“Europa” class of large light cruisers appears, the first Confederacy Navy ship designed by humans from ground up.
19 July			Early battles for Tulakat. Confederacy forces lose.	The Mercury Incident by Thinking Horndog The Interview by Justin Radically
20 August				Rosencrantz and Guildenstern by Lordshipmayhem
21 September				Catch a Rising Star by Akarge
22 October	A British military academy is extracted almost en toto to Demeter.			Selection by Duke of Ramus
24 December	The nascent Civil Service deals with a large scale disaster and proves its relevance.	The Cosca move to Catania and begins offering transport "for hire".	“Nurse” class appears from modified Auroras. “Tarawa” class appears.	Neptune by Duke of Ramus Man of the House by Akarge
Year 3
25 January			Confederacy forces using makeshift “battleships” succeed in wiping out Sa'arm shipping at Tulakat but cannot retake planet. Blockade instituted.	Pickup or Delivery by swarmfic Thirty Minutes or Less by swarmfic A Pickup in Four BJ's and Muff Dives by Baron Rod
26 February		Trade Unions organize protests in England, citing the loss of jobs due to replicators - they carry 'Put Earth First' banners.
27 March		The Great Britain Independence Party becomes the Earth First Party aiming to replace the Government and its pro-Confederacy policies.		Maude's by Thinking Horndog
28 April	Creation of the Second Military District.	Similar anti-Confederacy protests erupt across the world.	Tulakat designated as a ground-combat laboratory. Confederacy Navy is obligated to maintain perfect blockade regardless of losses. Confederacy Marines start testing things.	Alien Bear Baiting by Thinking Horndog Behind Enemy Lines by deGaffer Woolly Wilds by Starfiend Start of Woolly Wilds 2 by Starfiend 58 and Loving It by Smiley Smith
29 May		The British Royal family is almost wiped out in a terrorist attack - Queen Beatrice ascends to the throne. In the British House Of Commons the pro-Confederacy parties are forced to form an alliance to keep the Earth First Party from gaining an absolute majority.
30 June			Humans begin replacing Darjee crews on Aurora Class transports.	Destination Azahar by deGaffer
31 July
32 August				Oysters, Half-baked by Bad Line Ghoul
33 September		In the European parliament, the Green Party and Communist Party come to power pushing replicator technology to clean up the environment and workers rights.		The Librarian by deGaffer A Shepherd No More by ShadowWriter
34 October		A testing center in Texas is blown up with a home-made bomb, the first known act of violence against the Confederacy infrastructure as opposed to personnel.
35 November	A colony of misfits is established at Ishtar.	Copycat attacks occur across the US and the pro-Confederacy media start to talk about Earth First as a terrorist organization.		Turkey Day by Thinking Horndog A Peril at Ishtar by Allan Joyal
36 December		Earth First appears. In the US a council of churches forms as the Congregation of Earth First. Local violence against the Confederacy becomes common with the testing stations being the main targets.	"Kilo" class of 1024-pod transport appears	Islanders by Duke of Ramus
Year 4
37 January		The Middle-East "Dirty War" - Israel destroyed, all neighboring Moslem nations ruined. The aftermath saw the rise of the Caliphate. Noises begin to filter out of California against the Confederacy. The movement is centered on Hollywood.		Checkpoint and Pickup Number Eighteen by Thinking Horndog Special Delivery by Lordshipmayhem Judges by Justin Radically
38 February				Steak Night by Akarge Trials and Tribunations by Lordshipmayhem Carl's Pickup by Baron Rod
39 March			“Archerfish” class of low-observable raiders appear	Going Fishing and Power Play by Lordshipmayhem
40 April		In France a concerted attack destroys 21 testing stations in one night. Posters pasted to walls around the attack sites claim it is the work of 'Terre ne Confédération' or 'Earth not Confederacy'.		Chosen Frozen by Lordshipmayhem
41 May
42 June	The Cosca introduces itself to the Confederacy. Quay is destroyed by a series of extinction-level asteroid strikes. The disaster appears to be natural but there are very few survivors.			The Cosca 1: Family Values by Quantum Mechanic
43 July		California becomes a Confederacy Free State. Confederacy responds that California is under an 'interdict'.		Buying Wholesale by Thinking Horndog Shooting Star by Akarge Albion (story) by Duke of Ramus Albion: Elizabeth's Story by Tomken A Day at the Fair by Baron Rod Aftermath by Frostfyre
44 August	The Governor of Quay gives a presentation at CC that fixes the blame for the disaster on their policies.			Contract Dispute by Akarge
45 September	Colony of Frigia is settled by the survivors of Quay. It is intended to be a rehabilitation colony for PTSD victims and other traumatized survivors of war or disasters	Texas deals with refugees as well as many Texans demanding full evacuation. At the same time other Texans demand that all resources go to defending the state. Australia elects an EF government that offers to accept refugees from Europe and America to 'Save them from Confederacy slavery'.		In Loco Parentis by Justin Radically
46 October		In the UK, in response to the extraction at Buckingham Palace, the government loses a vote of no confidence and calls a general election. An EF government under the leadership of Neil Conway is elected. New Zealand reacts strongly against the stance taken in Australia, offering to take in Australians who wish to save themselves and the human race by supporting the Confederacy.	“William Penn” Class, another modification of basic Aurora design, appears.	Shopping Around and Taking Deliveries by Thinking Horndog Chosen Frozen II by Lordshipmayhem
47 November				Black Friday Parts 1, 2, & 3 by Akarge
48 December		Rumors caused by the old drug cartels cause border problems  Due to the increasing violence, the Confederacy suspends extractions in the US.	“Stagecoach” Class is already in use by this time.
Year 5
49 January	All Confederacy services except the Civil Service combine rank structures.  Changeover will be complete within eighteen months. The Cosca begins large-scale recruitment and deploying its own weaponry not based on Confederacy technology.	The US's southern border remains unsettled -see Timeline Notes.		The Cosca 2: Changing Priorities by Quantum Mechanic Stripped Out by George Page
50 February		The US's southern border remains unsettled -see Timeline Notes.		Amateurs, Growing Up, and The Enemy Within by Frostfyre
51 March			The existence of the Darjee wiki becomes general knowledge.	In the Name of the Prophet by Duke of Ramus
52 April		Various pro-Earth but anti-'Earth First' organizations begin to get noticed - see Timeline Notes.	“Semmes” Class is available	Wayward by Justin Radically
55 July		Nanites get fed to the general population as a health matter.		Surprise, Surprise by Thinking Horndog Family Letters by Allan Joyal and Anne N. Mouse
57 September	First DECO 'Evacuation Buffer' Moonbase started, concept not pushed until Year 10 or so.
Year 6
61 January
62 February	Extraction teams get wider leeway in taking extra personnel, but CAP 'caste' requirements are still enforced.		First use of the new "Cube Ship" Valhalla	The Academy by Thinking Horndog Prodigious Collection by Tomken
65 May	Founding of colony Vulcan	A Scheduled UK General election returns a massive 'Earth First' majority under Neil Conway's inspired leadership.	Founding of "Space Bats" Space Construction Battalions.	A Perfect 10 Part 1 and A Perfect 10 Part 2 by Akarge
66 June			“Shiro” class of improved scout/escort ship introduced.
67 July	Arab Colony Escardis founded		Saladin with its complement of Arabs departs Earth	In the Name of the Prophet by Duke of Ramus
69 September			“Space Bat” class of construction and repair ship introduced.
71 November		Rise of an underground opposing the UK's Earth First Government. First public appearance of the UK "Truth and Freedom" Party.		Start of Maquis by Starfiend
72 December			“Raptor” class of large cruiser introduced	Start of Independent Command by Zen Master
Year 7
73 January		Peter Lester becomes PM of Great Britain.
75 March		In Great Britain the House of Lords is abolished due to its obstructive behaviour in blocking the amendments the government wishes to enact.
76 April	“The Womb” colony established at Beerat
77 May		Confederacy activity is banned from Great Britain.  All citizens hand in their CAP cards; possession of a card gets (officially) five years in prison, and (unofficially) a severe beating.
84 December		Graham Thorn becomes PM of Great Britain in an internal party coup.
Year 8
85 January
87 March				End of Independent Command by Zen Master
Year 9
97 January
98 February	The "Moraes Conjecture" proposed - see end of Independent Command
99 March				Going, Going... by Tomken
Year 10
109 January
111 March			Sa'arm initially forecast to arrive on Earth.
Year 11
121 January
Year 12
133 January
140 August	The first Sa'arm ships reach Earthat.  A hive ship is destroyed near Saturn, but one scout ship escapes.  The Sa'arm now know the location of Earth.		First Battle of Earthat	The Chinese Obligation by Thinking Horndog
Year 13
145 January
150 June	Three more hive ships arrive. Two are destroyed, but one lands in Africa near Lake Victoria -see Timeline Notes.		Second Battle of Earthat First Landing See: Invasion Maps
153 September	Initial settlement of Uhuru, a world set aside for African refugees not yet ready to support the Confederacy and the war.
156 December	Start of the Kindertransport programme to evacuate women and children from the Swarm infested areas.			Water, Water Everywhere by Zipper D Dude
Year 14
157 January				Kindertransport by Zipper D Dude
162 June	Three hive spheres, two recon hives, 32 heavy warships and 108 light ships arrive in-system.  The defenders win but the battle cripples the Earthat fleet.		Third Battle of Earthat	Fly By, Pyrrhic Victory, and One Day in Texas all by Akarge
163 July	Seven hive ships arrive with appropriate escorts; the crippled defending fleet at Earth is unable to stop them.  A Sa'arm transport lands on every continent except Europe -see Timeline Notes		Fourth Battle of Earthat Second Landing	Big Jake by Justin Radically
164 August	Beerat Colony (with others) responds to panicked first report of Earth's destruction.		The Sa'arm Hive ship in Antarctica is destroyed by the American military.	Camp Mercury by Zipper D Dude Rush Job by Zipper D Dude Ending This Mess by Zen Master
165 September	Several colonies send a combined fleet back to help Earth.			Camp Endurance by Smiley Smith
Year 15
169 January		Australia completely controlled by the Swarm.  The survivors are evacuated to New Zealand, Tasmania and New Guinea.	Combined NATO and SEATO naval blockade prevents the Swarm from leaving Australia.  Aside from the freezing Antarctic ship, it is the Human's first successful Sa'arm 'stop' on Earth.
170 February		The Swarm expand from their landing zones almost at will.  There is very little good news for the defenders.	First 7DCF OWPs in service.  Sa'arm start to lose ability to use surface and flying vehicles.
Year 16
181 January		The defenders on Earth can take adantage of their superior cold-climate technology.	Enough OWPs are in service that the Sa'arm start to lose anything visible; they are restricted to underground facilities and marching.
Year 17
193 January
194 February				The Einstein Extraction and Einstein II by Smiley Smith
195 March		A fifth Sa'arm invasion fleet arrives in Sol System but is dealt with -see Timeline Notes.		Einstein III by Smiley Smith
Year 18
205 January
212 August	The Sa'arm have reached their greatest control of Earth's land. After this point, the surviving humans slowly push them back.  See Timeline Notes	The Human defenders can see that victory is possible.  Much of the planet will be devastated, though.	A sixth Sa'arm invasion fleet reaches Sol.  It is allowed to enter Earth's HEZ and then is completely destroyed.
Year 19
217 January

We have no reliable reports of canon events after the end of Year 18.  All proposed Timeline entries past this point are on the Timeline Notes page.

See Also

• Timeline Notes

(Someday this will be a navigation template.  It will provide a bar across the bottom of each article with useful navigation links.  Until then, this is just a placeholder to get rid of all the red "broken link" indicators. -ZM User (talk) 10:00, 3 May 2024 (PDT))