Act 4 — The New World
Era: The Fractured Stars (Era 1)
Previous: Act 3 — The Betrayal
Next: Act 5 — War of Virex Prime
Overview
Act 4 follows the creation and early rise of the Free World Order under Michael Cross, beginning shortly after his betrayal of William Grant.
Following the events of Act 3, Michael begins transforming his idea of a new Free World into an actual organization. What initially exists as little more than a vision gradually attracts supporters, develops a military structure, and establishes itself as an independent faction capable of influencing the wider galaxy.
During this period, Michael increasingly adopts the identity of Onyx, leaving behind much of his former life as the Free World Order becomes his primary purpose.
The faction’s rise occurs while the TCA–FOR War continues around it. Rather than simply joining either existing power, the Free World Order develops independently and eventually becomes strong enough to confront both.
The Act culminates at Virex Prime, where Free World forces intervene in the final major battle between the Terrorism Control Agency and Free Order Rebellion.
Their intervention contributes to the collapse of the old conflict and the circumstances surrounding the creation of an entirely new faction:
the Hell Hosts.
Rise of the Free World Order
The Free World Order begins as the vision of Michael Cross following his separation from William Grant.
Rather than joining another established power, Michael seeks to create an organization of his own.
The earliest Free World Order is considerably smaller than the military power it will eventually become. Michael must gather supporters, establish leadership, acquire equipment and resources, and determine what principles his new organization will represent.
As its membership grows, the organization develops from a small emerging movement into an increasingly organized military faction.
Its growing strength eventually allows Free World to operate independently of the existing powers surrounding it and pursue its own objectives.
Onyx
Act 4 marks an important period in the transformation of Michael Cross into Onyx.
Michael begins the Act having lost the partnership that defined much of his earlier life. Rather than attempting to rebuild what existed before his betrayal of William, he increasingly focuses upon creating something new.
As Free World develops, Michael becomes more than its founder.
He becomes its leader.
During this period, the identity of Onyx becomes increasingly associated with Michael and the organization he is building, marking the beginning of the figure who will eventually lead the Free World Order as one of the major powers of the Omicron Galaxy.
Sub-Acts
Sub-Act 4.1 — New Beginnings
Following the events of Sub-Act 3.7 — A New Order, Michael begins transforming his idea of a new Free World into something real.
With no established military or major infrastructure behind him, he begins searching for the people, resources, and opportunities necessary to build an organization capable of surviving independently.
The earliest foundations of the Free World Order are established.
Sub-Act 4.2 — The First Few
Michael begins gathering the earliest members of his emerging organization.
These initial recruits form the core around which Free World will eventually develop, joining Michael before the organization possesses the enormous military power it will later become known for.
The group begins developing its own identity, internal relationships, and structure as Michael’s vision grows beyond a single individual.
Sub-Act 4.3 — No Gods, No Masters
The emerging Free World organization carries out one of its first significant operations.
The operation provides an early demonstration of the beliefs, methods, and objectives that distinguish Michael’s movement from the existing powers surrounding it.
Free World begins establishing an identity of its own rather than simply defining itself through opposition to other factions.
Sub-Act 4.4 — Onyx
Michael Cross increasingly adopts the identity of Onyx.
The change represents more than the adoption of a new name. Michael is becoming the leader of an emerging movement and distancing himself from the life he once shared with William Grant.
By the end of the Sub-Act, Onyx has become the identity through which Michael will increasingly be known.
Sub-Act 4.5 — Free World
The organization publicly emerges as the Free World Order.
What began as Michael’s personal vision now possesses a name, growing membership, leadership, military capabilities, and objectives of its own.
The establishment of the Free World Order marks the transition from an emerging movement into an independent faction.
Sub-Act 4.6 — First Blood
The newly established Free World Order faces one of its first major military challenges.
The conflict tests whether the organization is capable of surviving against established opponents and forces its inexperienced military structure to operate under genuine pressure.
Free World’s survival demonstrates that the faction is becoming considerably more dangerous than its early size suggests.
Sub-Act 4.7 — The Other Side
The focus briefly returns to William Grant.
William becomes aware of what Michael has created since their separation and discovers that the man who betrayed him has not disappeared.
Michael Cross has become Onyx.
And Onyx is building the Free World Order.
The development adds another dimension to the personal divide between the two men, although William has not yet joined the Hell Hosts and remains separate from the faction that will later become his own.
Sub-Act 4.8 — Virex Prime
The Free World Order enters one of the most important conflicts of the era at Virex Prime.
The planet has become the location of the final major confrontation between the Terrorism Control Agency and Free Order Rebellion, with both factions committing themselves to defeating the other after years of warfare.
During the battle, The Rogue Fleet unexpectedly intervenes and removes George Wilson and Jordan Thompson from the immediate fighting, forcing the leaders of the opposing factions into direct contact.
Shortly afterward, Free World forces launch a massive attack against the forces and orbital fleets surrounding Virex Prime.
The intervention plunges the already devastated battlefield into further chaos and contributes to the collapse of the existing TCA and FOR command structures.
Faced with a new threat and the destruction surrounding them, surviving TCA and FOR forces begin cooperating against their common enemy.
The emergency alliance ultimately develops into Operation Hell’s Hosts, bringing personnel from both former enemies together under a joint military effort.
The alliance survives the collapse of the organizations that created it.
From their remnants, the Hell Hosts are formed.
For the Free World Order, Virex Prime represents one of its earliest major demonstrations of military power.
For the galaxy, it marks the beginning of an entirely new political and military era.
Major Characters
Major Factions
Major Events
- Early formation of the Free World Order
- Rise of Onyx
- Public emergence of Free World
- Early Free World military operations
- Act 5 — War of Virex Prime
- Virex Prime
- The Rogue Fleet intervention
- Free World attack on Virex Prime
- Operation Hell’s Hosts
- Collapse of the TCA and FOR
- Formation of the Hell Hosts
Virex Prime
The events at Virex Prime represent the culmination of Act 4 and a major transition within the wider history of the Omicron Galaxy.
The Terrorism Control Agency and Free Order Rebellion, whose conflict dominated much of the previous era, effectively collapse following the battle.
At the same time, the Free World Order demonstrates that it has developed into a military force capable of directly interfering in a conflict between major powers.
The resulting cooperation between surviving TCA and FOR personnel also creates the foundations of the Hell Hosts.
The battle therefore represents both an ending and a beginning.
The old conflict dies at Virex Prime.
New powers emerge from it.
Themes
Act 4 focuses heavily on creation, identity, leadership, and the transition between old and new powers.
Michael begins the Act separated from the person who had defined much of his earlier life. Rather than returning to what he lost, he attempts to create something of his own.
The Free World Order consequently develops alongside Michael’s transformation into Onyx.
The Act also explores the difficulty of transforming an idea into an organization. Free World must develop its own people, structure, military capabilities, and identity before it can survive alongside much larger established factions.
By the end of the Act, the wider galaxy is undergoing a similar transformation.
The TCA and FOR are collapsing.
Free World is rising.
And the Hell Hosts have been born.
Consequences
By the end of Act 4, the political and military landscape established throughout the earliest Acts has fundamentally changed.
The Free World Order has developed from Michael Cross’s vision into an established military faction under the leadership of Onyx.
The Terrorism Control Agency and Free Order Rebellion, after years of warfare, collapse following the events at Virex Prime.
Their surviving forces are brought together through the circumstances surrounding Operation Hell’s Hosts, ultimately creating the Hell Hosts.
William Grant is not involved in the original creation of the faction and remains outside the Hell Hosts at this point. He will join the organization later and eventually rise to leadership following the death of Monster and disappearance of Jordan Thompson.
The events of Virex Prime therefore establish two of the factions that will become central to later galactic history.
The Free World Order has risen.
The Hell Hosts have been created.
And although William and Michael do not yet stand as the leaders of opposing superpowers, the foundations of that future conflict now exist.