Articles of Acceptance

[2376-Jan 2378]

Articles of Acceptance: Guaranteed virtually complete autonomy in local affairs for member worlds, provided each agreed to honor all reasonable military demands made on them for common defense and contribute a portion of planetary gross income for maintenance of a standing army. Articles also made Archon supreme commander of LCAF and any private armies existing in the Lyran Commonwealth

[2376] 22 worlds refused to sign these articles, siting encroachment upon personal/planetary freedoms. Most of these worlds were `persuaded' to sign when LCAF warships parked at their jumppoints, blocking food shipments, in attempts to starve them into signing. Eight self- sustaining worlds held out the longest, causing Archon Robert Marsden to order invasions of Tamar, Skye, Bountiful Harvest, Ryde and four other hold-out planets. These orders earned Archon Marsden the nickname of `Crusher'. Fighting was bloody with no quarter given.