Returners Expeditionary Force

After early Esperian defeats in the Leviathan War at the hands of the Scandian League, Theodore Orville Halberg sent out a webwide call for volunteers for the Returners Expeditionary Force to oppose communism. With a name hearkening to both the famed anti-imperial resistance movement, the Returners, and the Republic Expeditionary Force, the Retruners Expeditionary Force had wide appeal.

Mustering at Maranda, the REF was a diverse mix. Halberg, a charismatic individual, was able to enroll a huge number of volunteers from outside the Esper Union, mostly from Tasnica. From his own personal fortune (and considerable fundraising), Halberg was able to hire several of the Web's premier mercenary units. Many of the Web's [[[AAA corporations]] from Tasnica provided some of their own 'security' (military) assets for the REF, as well as supplying and equipping Halberg's force. Guardia also used the cover of the REF to provide aid in the form of several Archon units. Forming the core of the force was Halberg's own unit of STORMs.

"The Return" came in 36 WR, as the REF attacked Nikeah while Halder Skalice and several of his units were in the Crystal Dimension propping up Damcyan. Despite the problems inherent in having such "stitched together" group, the REF was able to stand up to SLCM-Ground under Skalice himself at the Second Battle of Hosluftgrad, leading to the end of the war.

After the war, the REF essentially disbanded.

Halberg's ability to create a whole army virtually out of thin air saved the Esper Union, and made him a near-legendary figure throughout the Web.