Marceum

Marceum is a unique synthetic state of matter used first used by the Providence Union in Florathel. The technology relies on antimatter to catalyze a fusion reaction but, unlike normal antimatter catalyzed fusion weapons, marceum relies on degenerate matter to further accelerate the fusion reaction, breaking down at least ten percent of the involved protons altogether. Used in warheads to great effect, Marceum weaponry is in a class of its own for raw destructive potential.

While falling out of use due to developments in Atomic Weapons, marceum bombs became central to the War of Saiheran Succession. In particular, micro-scale marceum shells, whether used in artillery or in space ship guns, redefined the conflict.

History

First Usage

First used by the Providence Union as a proof of concept, it was used in great effect to put down the rebelling Kajikali Nation and nearly sterilized Vecroxmer. Due to the great cost in producing the bombs, and disinterest in the technology from the Union's neighbors, the technology was largely abandoned after the Union produced over ten thousand warheads. With the advantage of being "clean burning" as its designers put it, Vecroxmer was resettled within the generation, but not by the planet's original inhabitants.

The Providence Union used the bomb several more times to clear out rebelling worlds and even to clear the cluttered orbit around the capital world Nerax. During the Tripartite War, Carlea, Darvikus, and Artaclate exhausted the remaining supplies in their conflict. Several remained in the possession of collectors, but due to the gradual decay of all antimatter containment and sloppy storage of degenerate matter, the bombs became worthless.

Origins

Marceum was rediscovered by Sarephan scientists at the request of princess Kalea Atherian. She requested the creation of Marceum as a way to kill her siblings so they could not claim the throne after the assassination of their father, Oram. However, an underling of her brother, prince Karnak, found out about the secret alliances she had been forging with the Sarephan military and other powers. When this information was revealed to the other heirs, they spread out across Florathel (save for prince Sais, who stayed on Dimostah), forging alliances with other powers in order to build up their forces for the coming conflict.

When the War of Saiheran Succession broke out, Marceum was initially not used as all sides stuck to relatively small-scale atomic weapons. However, sometime after the Battle of Erae, the warring nations realized that the current battle strategies they were using weren't really getting them anywhere. At this point, they had just wanted to end the war and emerge victorious. To this end, they resorted to exceptionally brutal tactics and the usage of horrific weaponry. Marceum Bombs were one such weapon.

The Scouring of Arnot

Perhaps the most infamous example of Marceum's power was during the Battle of Morlac. The Trezhath-Khae Alliance, led by Kalea, confronted the fleet of the Arnot Republic, led by Karnak. While both fleets were approximately equal in size and strength, Karnak's refusal to use Marceum bullets led to a massacre as his fleet was utterly wiped out. Morlac itself was soon destroyed afterwards, although Karnak managed to escape into the intergalactic void.

After the battle, Kalea ordered the remaining major worlds of the Arnot Republic to also be destroyed, leading to the complete collapse of the nation and 99.5% of its people being wiped out. This event would later come to be known as the "Scouring of Arnot" by historians.

Alliance Against Kalea

After this horrific display of brutality, Kalea's remaining two siblings, Sais and Zelera, knew that they couldn't let their sister win the war. An alliance was formed between the two sides as they agreed to destroy Kalea's Marceum factories. They had managed to locate Kalea's Marceum production ships stationed in orbit above the planet of Kaledar. Out of character for the nations of Florathel, they dispatched magus special forces to seize the factories. Kalea ordered the factory ships scuttled and the captain aboard decided to detonate every bomb he had rather than let the magi seize them. The explosion, the largest artificial explosion in history, slagged an entire continent on Kaledar and killed Princess Kalea. It represented the last major use of the technology during the war.

War of the Ancients

During the War of the Ancients over in Aylathiya some centuries later. The lessons learned in Florathel did not transfer. Over three hundred Marceum Bombs detonated throughout the war, mostly in space combat. As the realities of war changed from the mostly siege-based tactics of the Saiheran Succession, ship-to-ship conflict became far more common. Only a handful of bombs ever reached populated areas, but when they did the results were disastrous.

Characteristics

Marceum is an extremely dense form of matter similar to white dwarf degenerate matter. A form of Electron Degenerate Matter made entirely of deuterium and helium-3, Marceum fuses exceptionally well. A pinch of antimatter is all it takes to create a fusion reaction that sustains itself for hours, more like a burning candle than the instantaneous atomic bomb. It is very difficult and time-intensive to produce electron degenerate matter and its only application is releasing large amounts of energy.

Sagittarium created an artificial asteroid-sized star powered by only a kilogram of the substance to light the planet Euterpe. While letting off a harsh white light, Euterpe's atmosphere absorbs most of the radiation, further heating it and making the planet much more livable. Several more of these stars would need to be built, but this represents a viable use-case in warming worlds that orbit very far from their parent stars.

Notable Users of Marceum

Trezhath-Khae Alliance - The Trezhath-Khae Alliance were the most infamous users of Marceum during the war. The destruction of Morlac and countless other worlds highlighted to the rest of the galaxy the sheer destructive power of Marceum.