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Fiction > Aurora
Weltenbrand
Greifenstolz:
So, hi. I'm new to the forum, but have played Aurora for a few years now. Long time lurker, if you want. I absolutely love the game. After reading a few of the fictions/AARs here, especially Steve's "Colonial Wars"-campaign, which inspires this one, I really want to try to write one too. It's been a while since I last have written an RPG-like AAR, 5 years or so, and english is not my native language. So please show me some leniency if I misspell a word. Some words regarding the setup. This is a multi-faction conventional start campaign. As such, I have added a few resources to the following celestial bodies: the Moon, Mars, Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto and Titan. I tried to keep the amount added reasonable, while giving the nations an incentive to colonize as much of Sol as possible and preparing some story events and potential later on. With this out of the way. . .
[edit]Is it just me, or is the forum screwing with my formating? It keeps adding space after periods. [/edit]
[edit2]All ok, figured it out, it's absolutely normal. [/edit2]
Prolog & Setup
The 21st Century was supposed to be a time, in which the technology would reach unknown heights, Democracy would be embraced by all and humankind would finally reach for the stars. Unfortunatelly, it wasn't.
In 2020 a series of asteroids hit Earth and devastated the planet. Australia was, miracelously, barely affected, though the saying that "the asteroids had to much fear" is most likely wrong. Europe was hit, but when comparing it to the disasterous situation in Asia it came out with a blue eye, a lost arm and lung punctures. Matters where made worse, however, when the EU was unable to effectively organize the necessery relief efforts.
The rest of the world had not such "luck", with many governments and nations crumbling or on the verge of collapse. The 21st Century was hence dubbed the "Lost Century", as countries and humanity itself struggled with the aftermath, with a lack of resources, civil unrest, famines and rampant diseases defining the next 50 to 60 years of most of the world.
Now, the 22nd Century begins. The world population has reached 1. 5 billion once more. Most of the surviving nations have stabilized, new nations have formed and the world has rebuild as far as it can. Science took a new leap after scientists in CERN discovered in 2097 new elements with fantastic properties. These so called "Transnewtonian Elements" seem to be the answer not only to immediate ressource shortages, but also to a dream thought dead - the return of space flight and the start of colonisation. The six great powers that emerged from the ruins are now set towards the second space race, and a new golden age awaits – or a new time of dread and conflict, as old and new rivalries emerge.
The Great Powers
British Commonwealth
The United Kingdom had just left the European Union when the disaster struck and had, thus, to fend for itself on its own. But never underestimate what a nation can do with a strong leader. The royal family assumed more control, and Britain rebuilt and sought closer ties to the other surviving members of its Commonwealth. Nations like Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka, that survived the onslought. Together they pulled each other out of the pit the world had become during the decades after and finally united in 2077, forming the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth IV. was crowned Empress of the Commonwealth soon after.
Today, the Commonwealth is the second most powerful of the great powers in terms of industry, population and military strength, and has a solid research base in terms of laboratories. It lacks in experienced research leaders, though. If they play their cards right, they might be able to copy the success of their old Empire and once more eclipse all others.
Stats:
Population: 133 Million
Industry: 800 Conventional Factories
Research: 4 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2680
Army: 10 Infantry Division, 5 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 100 ICBM's
Pacific Federation
The Pacific Federation grew from the remnants of the old ASEAN nations, which like all of Asia where among the hardest hit. It took decades to rebuild somethin that resembled a government in those nations, but hard work and the will to survive enabled those nations to rise again. Over time, more countries joined the Federation, most notably Japan, Korea and a few Chinese nations that formed on the ruins of the People's Republic.
The Federation is at the moment the third most populous of the great power, with 128 million people. It also shares the third place in terms of industrial capacities with the European Union, and is one of the nations with the most research personel. Since the Federation concentrates on improving the living standard of its population and shows no signs of agressive expansion, it enjoys universally cordial relations.
Stats:
Population: 128 Million
Industry: 750 Conventional Factories
Research: 5 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2580
Army: 12 Infantry Divisions, 3 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 80 ICBM's
European Union
The European Union is only a shadow of its former self. Where it once encompassed most european nations, its inability to organize disaster relief efforts and help its member nations to remain in control of the situation lead to most countries following Britains footsteps. The last nations to leave the EU where Germany and the Netherlands. In the end, only France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy remained. However, since those nations now where able to support each other to a greater degree, their bond grew. Over time the situation improved greately, and the EU was reformed.
The EU today is a confederation of the five countries, with France in a leadership role. This lead to it being often called Franco-Europe, something the French people quite enjoy. It is the fourth most populous great power and shares the third place in terms of industrial capacities with the Pacific Federation. Its research capabilities are slightly smaller, but the EU employs the most scientific experts of all the nations. It seeks to reunify the entire Union, by force if necessary, and thus has regular diplomatic clashes with Germany and is regarded with suspicion by the Commonwealth.
Stats:
Population: 123 Million
Industry: 750 Conventional Factories
Research: 4 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2580
Army: 10 Infantry Divisions, 4 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 70 ICBM's
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Germany is no stranger to catastrophe. Being the toy of other great powers during the late period of the Holy Roman Empire, two world wars and economic crisis were not able to bring it down, and the german people would not be defeated by some space rocks!
Such was the narrative when the Republic did what it does best - rebuild after being brought to its knees. Seeing that the EU had all but failed and with nationalism on the rise, it was one of the last countries to leave the Union and concentrated inwards. Halfway through the century, Austria joined Germany as the 17th Bundesland, since unity was considered as more important than ever before. And the Netherlands, too, choose the Anschluss at the end of the century - if only because Germany was seen as the lesser evil compared to the threat of an EU invasion, and many concessions regarding a special status where made.
While being a great power, Germany is on the weaker end of the spectrum, having the second smallest population and industry. But it has the highest number of research institutes of all nations employs many lead scientists, planing on defeating quantity with quality if necessary. It also has a close relationship with the Nordic League, with both countries ready to defend each other if the EU tries something funny.
Stats:
Population: 97 Million
Industry: 600 Conventional Factories
Research: 6 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2156
Army: 7 Infantry Divisions, 3 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 40 ICBM's
Nordic League
Sweden, Norway and Finland were among the most lucky nations in terms of damages, but even then the aftermath was scathing. With the slow collapse of the EU, the world economy in shambles and Earth at large being a humanitarian nightmare, these countries decided to find their own path in a changing world. Thus, the Nordic League was born, with formal unification taking place as early as 2053. Over the following decades, Danmark and Iceland followed suit.
Although the League is the smallest of the great powers, it enjoys cordial relations with most others. Only the EU is seen as an imideate threat, and the UK as a potential rival. New treaties with Germany promise security though, and the potential of even deeper future cooperation could offset the current handicaps of both countries.
Stats:
Population: 45 Million
Industry: 350 Conventional Factories
Research: 3 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 1012
Army: 4 Infantry Divisions, 2 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 20 ICBM's
United States of America
The years since the disaster have not been kind to the United States. Not only lost the country vast parts of its population, the civil strife that followed made the situation only oh so worse. The US already had problems with racial tensions, politics of extremes and a rapant violence problem. All that exploded, and the nation was almost brought to the brink of total destruction.
Hence, the US was forced into isolationism, desperately trying to sort itself out. Fortunately, after years of civil war like conditions, the country was able to pull itself together. Now, the US is the most powerful nation on Earth once more. . . however, its status as the absolute super power is lost. If the States want to have a Pax America again, it has to show that the American Dream was not just a fluke and that it has the potential to lead the world into the future. Those ambitions and claims to superiority strain the new diplomatic relations a bit, though. However, the US takes this in a stride and tries a diplomatic aproach for now.
Stats:
Population: 155 Million
Industry: 850 Conventional Factories
Research: 5 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2808
Army: 12 Infantry Divisions, 6 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 150 ICBM's
United Nations
While all human nations are part of the UN, it represents mainly the countries that do not have the ressources, knowhow or manpower to develope transnewtonian capacities. The six Great Powers are all permanent members of the security council due to the shift of power during the "Lost Century".
The Headquarters of the UN-Headquarters is today located in Swizerland, which is still perpetually neutral.
Stats:
Population (non-Great Power): 819m
World Population: 1500m
Available minerals on Earth:
Comparission table 2100:
Greifenstolz:
Well, a quick search explained why the formatting of my post is off. As long as you have less then 10 posts, it happens in order to break pictures and links. A bit sad, but understandable. I'll just post the updates as it is for now and edit the planned pictures for the comparison and eventual map later in, as well fix the formatting, maybe find a workaround.
For now, I'll use a timeline update system, since not much happens in the beginning. As soon as events get denser and more interesting, I'll most likely switch to national updates.
[edit]I'll also add the comparision pictures as attachments, for those who like tables. [/edit]
Update 2100 – 2104
16th February 2103 - Commonwealth scientists of the university of Cambridge are the first to anounce the developement of Trans-Newtonian Technology. The world is baffled, since the Commonwealth has solid laboratories, but has lacked behind in terms of investments and lead scientists.
27th February 2103 - The House of Commons decides, after a review about the potential benefits and risks, to start the conversion of their industry by signing the Conversion Act 2103. Since the new production techniques and technology promises to increase productivity tenfold, it is considered a priority decision.
28th February 2103 - While still waiting on a success message from their own laboratories, the other Great Powers start to prepare implementation laws of their own in order to catch up as quickly as possible.
15th March 2103 – The Max-Planck Institut, Germany, develops Trans-Newtonian Technology and presents an implementation plan to the government.
16th March 2103 - The Bundestag signs the "Industriekonvertierungsgesetz" (industrial conversion law) that starts the conversion of the German industry. In order to do it as efficiently as possible, Hans-Joachim Schneidermann is appointed as the new Minister for Industrial Developement.
27th November 2103 – The French Research Center CNRS has a breakthrough regarding Trans-Newtonian Technology.
1st Devember 2103 - The European Union begins to retool its Industry and hence joins the Commonwealth and Germany on the path to the future.
2nd December 2103 – Considering a lack of American success so far, Senator Murphey demands an investigation regarding the US scientific department.
19th December 2103 - During a hearing Lead Scientist Dr. Marcia Galbo cites the lack of specialists as the main reason for the delay and questioned the current effectivity of the US education system.
1st January 2104 - The TUS, Pacific Federation, develops Trans-Newtonian Technology. Industrial modernizations start immediatly.
21th February 2104 - Commonwealth company Geotechnical Instruments Ltd. presents a new geological scanner. The Commonwealth commits to future space exploration.
26th February 2104 - US scientists develop Trans-Newtonian Technology. Industry starts to adopt.
1st March 2104 - Not wanting to be given the slip, all other Great Powers anounce the expansion of their space programs throughout the week.
2nd March 2104 - Siemens AG, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institut, has developed its own version of a new geological scanner.
18th August 2104 – The Nordic Scientific Council anounces success on Trans-Newtonian Technology research. The League starts subsidies for industrial convertions.
19th August 2104 - EU based company Photonis S. A. S. developes a geological scanner.
7th November 2104 - Shenzhen Longteng Electronics presents its own geological scanner to the Pacific population.
19th November 2104 - General Electrics followes step and reveals its geological scanner to the public.
31st December 2104 - The convertion of conventional industry in Germany is far ahead of schedule. This success is attributed to the earlier appointment of Schneidermann, as industrial efficiency has risen by 35% since he started his work.
Comparision table 2105
World Population: 1738m
Comment: It is amazing what difference a really good governor can make this early in the game. While in terms of actual factories the Commonwealth is currently number 1, their govenor is way worse than the ones of Germany and the US. As a result, in terms of effective industrial output the US is currently still leader (with 1377 BP), followed by Germany (1201). The Commonwealth comes in third (1199).
Panopticon:
Good stuff so far, looking forward to the rest. FYI I don't think you have any apologies to make for your language, you seem to have a better grasp of English than at least half of the Americans I know.
Erik L:
If you put the links in as normal, I or another mod can go in and fix them. Just don't edit it after it's been fixed :)
Greifenstolz:
--- Quote from: Panopticon ---Good stuff so far, looking forward to the rest. FYI I don't think you have any apologies to make for your language, you seem to have a better grasp of English than at least half of the Americans I know.
--- End quote ---
Thank you for your kind words. So far, the campaign has been a very interesting experience since it is the first time I tried a conventional multi-faction setup. It really shows the impact of a good governor or scientist in the beginning.
--- Quote from: Erik Luken ---If you put the links in as normal, I or another mod can go in and fix them. Just don't edit it after it's been fixed :)
--- End quote ---
Thank you for the offer, I've edited the images in again. I just love tables, they make everything better :-)
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