Flavor Tlatelolco Cluster

Tlatelolco Cluster
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Following the rise of the Stargazers, Avians expanded exponentially across the galaxy, constructing numerous colonies in the wake of their exploration. So many colonies, in fact, that when Florans started pressuring Avian worlds, the Avians couldn’t muster enough bodies or resources to defend them. As the Floran threat and multiple other issues became apparent, the colonists realized how overextended and vulnerable they were. They quickly fled back into the more heavily defended core sectors of Avian space, leaving abandoned colonies, temples, and villages strewn about the stars.

However, not all colonies were fortunate enough to make a clean retreat. Tlatelolco, an area of several colonized planets near the outskirts of present day Antares, was struck by several waves of Floran attackers before a formal evacuation could be planned. Fortunately for the Avian colonists, a division of fleet ships were stationed near the planets. They swiftly destroyed the Floran invaders and created a barricade around Tlatelolco to prevent further incursions. Of course, with the astonishing reproduction rate of Florans, the attacks on this barricade seemed never ending. The fleet found themselves unable to pull a single ship from the blockade for evacuations, leaving the populous of the Tlatelolco isolated and stuck.

The fleet hoped the attacks would eventually relent, but this, of course, never happened. Faced with the reality that they must escape or eventually be worn down, the fleet took a brash action. They removed a small squadron from the blockade and sent them to seek and destroy the source of the Florans. The mission proved to be a critical failure. The entire squadron was lost, though their final fate was never confirmed, exposing an opening in the Avian’s blockade. The fleet scrambled to recover from their error, but it was too late. One of the planets was invaded and overrun in a matter of days, forcing the fleet to draw back and protect the remaining planets of Tlatelolco. This infamous event would heavily discourage any future attempts at offensive maneuvers, turning the fleet’s mentality even more defensive.

Around this time, the remainders of the fleet declare a sort of martial law on the remaining colonies, calling all able-bodied male Avians to begin training for combat. Millions of Avians were uprooted from their homes, leaving the women to care for children, run the household, and often times take over jobs typically performed by men, making the average female more autonomous. Food and supplies were rationed out weekly to prevent waste, but the given amount was never truly satisfying. The pressures of constant wartime put strain on all members of Tlatelolco. Many males did not wish to become warriors, causing some to fake illness, injury, or possibly even flee the area. The lackluster rations left many hungry and discontent. The constant threat of a plant-induced death hung over society like a dark cloud, often leaving the inhabitants feeling dreary or disheartened.

Whether they were dodging the call of war, tired of being hungry, or wished to be free of constant fear, many Avians have been known to flee the Tlatelolco cluster. Though ships aren’t allowed to pass through the blockade, Avians found it simple enough to sneak past using FTL. Some fleeing Avians simply blamed the location and circumstances based on why they fled, but others began to question their faith as a result of the Tlatelolco trap. Why would Kluex let this happen to them? Why would their priests and Stargazers encourage such a backwards society? Valid questions. For some, it was enough to flee not only Tlatelolco, but also their faith.