The Week of Sorrows is the name given to humanity's first contact with the Shiplords in 2065.
Description
The Weeks of Sorrows began with the emergence of eight Shiplord Tribute Fleet craft at the edge of the Solar System, an event that at the time prompted shock and joy that humanity was indeed not alone, and hope that they might be able to learn from the example of a race clearly so much older than them. The ships moved swiftly to the closest orbital to them, ignoring all attempts to communicate, and opened fire on the orbital the moment they entered weapons range. That orbital, known as Icarus, was utterly destroyed in moments, and the act set the stage for what was to come. In the course of little more than a day, the Shiplord force devastated humanity, utilising highly advanced weaponry and what is now known to be specifically designed anti-Second Secret countermeasures to lame the fleet of Dragons before engaging.
Two of the Tribute Fleet craft were destroyed during these actions, despite their advantages, an act which appears to have proved humanity's worth as a species to be allowed to continue. They would not, however, continue without cost. The remaining six craft advanced on Mars, with humanity still defiantly prepared to fight to the last, and then with deliberate steadiness set the atmosphere of Mars aflame. This act, known as the Burning, served to destroy any remaining resistance by the human species in a single stroke by showcasing the vast difference in capabilities between the two races, and how the Shiplords were quite simply without mercy.