Occupiers: 3rd Free Worlds Guard
Partisans: Terran Resistance (non-Mech, irregular foot infantry, unknown size)
Battles: Beersheba (Region)

Briefing:

The trade world of Zion continues to suffer under the occupation of the Free Worlds League. This is especially ironic as House Marik was originally bought in to boost commerce during the Star League. For a long while the decision to share possession of this world proved fruitful. Both Terra and Atreus profited well from their partnership on planet creating a free market zone that would become the model for many others established during this Golden Age. Merchants from all over the Rimward side of the Human Sphere flocked to do business on Zion. This came to include the Federated Suns, the Magistracy of Canopus, the Taurian Concordat, as well as the Capellan Confederation. The only significant problem which has never really been dealt with is House Liao’s constant demands to be included in the original Cameron-Marik partnership. The Capellans have always felt that they helped build Zion’s markets by providing the first interstellar consumer base for the Hegemony. This hasn’t stopped Liao from frequenting the giant bazaars of Zion but it gives them another reason to complain.

The Amaris Coup was the only thing that stopped the furious economic activity on Zion. Until the world was liberated by the SLDF no foreign trade was forthcoming despite the Usurper’s pledge to keep Zion open for business. Thankfully this complete lack of commerce limited Rim World interest in the planet and greatly reduced the amount of damage the planet suffered. House Marik was quick to garrison the 3rd Free Worlds Guard on Zion after the SLDF moved onto finish the Hegemony Campaign. Promising a return to prosperity the FWLM presence was initially welcomed by the merchants of Zion and most of the populace. However, as time went on commerce didn’t return to the planet as the rebuilding Hegemony and the Capellan Confederation boycotted Zion’s occupation while the other distant realms decided to cut their losses. Efforts to crackdown on the small but determined Terran Resistance on planet only made matters worse for the Free Worlds League. The suspension of civil liberties and the institution of martial law enacted to stop the terrorist attacks against Marik possessions gradually eroded public support. Realizing that they had made a poor decision the merchants of Zion have quietly reversed course and now back the Terran Resistance much to the delight of the planet’s citizenry.

Ill equipped to fight a guerilla war the 3rd Free Worlds Guard continues to lose ground and public approval. Controlling the urban areas on Zion is a daily chore for these soldiers who were once welcomed as guardians. Reinforcements are currently en route to the planet but the situation continues to grow worse. The Resistance continues to grow in strength daily as people don’t want to be even remotely associated with the Marik Eagle. Collaborators are often found mutilated with that hated crest inscribed on their remains in some fashion. Increasingly the Resistance is better armed thanks to CIB’s Foreign Service Department (FSD or the Outsiders) which is being actively aided by merchants who smuggle them all types of equipment. Rumors abound that a NovaStar Guard or SAS unit will soon be inserted on planet to further assist partisans. SAFE’s Counter-intelligence Directorate is doing its best to halt these operations but maybe forced to call upon the Eagle Corps for support.