The year is 2029, and the world stands on the precipice of an unparalleled period of upheaval. The harrowing aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic cast a dark shadow over the world. Exacerbated by a lack of coordinated response and decisive action from world governments, the virus spread uncontrollably, claiming millions of lives and left society grappling with the repercussions.
In the wake of the pandemic, governments worldwide faced scathing criticism for their carelessness and ineffectiveness in managing the crisis; the failure to contain the virus not only led to a staggering loss of life but also unleashed an economic catastrophe of unprecedented scale. Supply chains crumbled, leaving countless people in unemployment, poverty, and worst of all, a bleak future.
Adding to the global tumult was the years-long Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Russo-Ukrainian war concluded in a tense stalemate, ended only by a series of devastating civil conflicts within the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, Ukraine, battered and scarred, struggles to rebuild its economy and society, bearing the weight of the invasion's destruction.
The pandemic-induced disruptions, coupled with the blocking of Black Sea grain exports, precipitated hunger and famine on an unprecedented scale, leading to the onset of the Great Famine. Africa, already suffering deep-rooted food insecurities, found itself at the epicenter of this crisis, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the brunt, accounting for a staggering 70% of deaths caused by starvation.
Despite all the collective suffering and hardships endured, it appeared humanity was destined to remain ensnared in a cycle of conflict and fleeting peace. The scars of history seemed to fade too quickly from collective memory, and the world found itself hurtling towards familiar patterns of discord and warfare. The question loomed ominously: can humanity truly learn from its muddied past and pave a new path forward?
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December 27th, 2029. Brussels.
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Prime Minister Victor Leclarcq of Belgium sat at the head of the table, surrounded by military strategists and key cabinet ministers, in a highly secured underground facility. The room buzzed with urgency as personnel moved about their duties, finalizing plans for an operation that had been years in the making. The operation, set to commence on New Year's Eve, was a carefully calculated endeavor, strategically timed to coincide with the onset of celebrations across Central Europe.
"Everything's going according to plan," Victor remarked, eyes fixed on the holographic displays hovering above the table, projecting a detailed view of the mission's objectives.
"It really is," responded Valerie Dupont, a seasoned military commander known for her expertise in subterfuge and strategic operations. She held a prominent role as the main commander of the Belgian Expeditionary Forces, overseeing operations in Africa. Though her name isn't known of in much of the world, she was nonetheless infamous in the continent.
"I have full faith in your abilities, General," Victor praised. "We needn't worry about the outcome."
The others in the room nodded in agreement, having witnessed firsthand the prowess of Dupont's strategic acumen. As the meeting progressed, the pieces of a carefully orchestrated plan fell into place, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in the days to come.
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December 31st, 2029. 23:00.
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Deep within a subterranean airbase, hundreds of soldiers, clad in dark uniforms, stood prepared and vigilant. Their target? The heart of Luxembourg City.
Among the soldiers stood Emile Vandersteen, a seasoned veteran whose journey through the military led him through many trials and triumphs. Emile's commitment to duty was etched deep within him, a product of his many years in the army and the countless battlefields he had traversed, most notably in the African Anarchy. The continent has been and still is a theater of chaos and conflict, and Emile was at the forefront of Belgian efforts to take advantage of it.
Years of combat and sleepless nights had forged Emile into an experienced soldier, well-versed in the harsh realities of warfare. He had become a decisive leader, capable of making difficult decisions in the most trying circumstances. Recognizing his skills and dedication, Emile earned his stripes and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Returning home, he was entrusted with the responsibility of leading his own squad, a testament to the trust placed in his abilities.
When the orders for the upcoming mission were disseminated, it was clear to him and his comrades that these orders completely disregarded international law. However, none protested.
Emile, for his part, bore a solemn demeanor as he contemplated them. He steadfastly adhered to a code to avoid harming innocent civilians. His desired only to protect and provide for his family. A tall order in these desperate times.
The dilemma of upholding orders and preserving innocent lives gnawed at his conscience. It was a struggle to reconcile his duty as a soldier with his sense of morality, but regardless, Emile would try his all to honor the allegiance he had to both his nation and humanity at large.
After hours of anticipation, a message materialized on the soldiers' displays. This was the moment they had been waiting for, and the message was delivered completely discreetly, ensuring that not a single sound broke the silence that enveloped the underground base.
The troops readied themselves just as the colossal hangar doors, meticulously designed for stealth, began to part above them. The engineering marvels of the doors ensured that not a single sound escaped, allowing the helicopters concealed within to emerge unnoticed. Slowly, the massive steel doors revealed the night sky, which too shrouded the helicopters in a cloak of secrecy.
With the utmost precision, the helicopters lifted off, their rotor blades whispering through the stillness of the night. The troops' departure was seamless and undetectable, ensuring that their mission remained concealed from prying eyes.
It didn't take long to reach their respective targets. Hundreds of paratroopers and dozens of helicopters were flying right above Luxembourg City, yet no one knew. In fact, it was nigh impossible; the city was in utter and complete darkness.
Emile didn't expect the saboteurs to accomplish such a large-scale disruption, despite his briefing advising against such expectations. Nevertheless, this unexpected advantage promised a far smoother operation, for the city's gaze would be fixed on the events unfolding on the ground, not in the skies.
All were assigned a specific target(s) to occupy, mainly public offices such as police stations, hospitals, universities, major streets, and even hidden black markets that not the local police didn't know of. The operation kept the long term in mind. Underground operations were notorious for housing dissidents.
Touching down in a dimly lit alley, Emile and his team wasted no time infiltrating the adjacent police station. The officers inside had managed to get their emergency generator running, but were woefully ill-prepared for what was next.
With lightning speed, the squad swiftly neutralized the officers one by one. A few made a desperate attempt to resist, firing shots at the intruders. Yet, their efforts were futile against the seasoned expertise of the veteran special forces. Although any police officer from around the world would have had training on how to deal with various circumstances, it's unlikely any could handle this much better.
One of his squad mates ended up being shot, a fatal bullet piercing his chest and ending his life in an instant. Sadly, the policewoman who pulled the trigger didn't fare much better either, as another of his mates consequently shot her without any remorse, an unnecessary but understandable response.
Accustomed to the stark realities of war, Emile harbored little emotion for the fallen soldier. However, he couldn't help but feel some pity for the policewoman; after all, she was just trying to defend herself.
After what just happened, none of the officers dared resist any longer. They were locked up in a small prison inside the police station. An ironic twist of fate, becoming the prisoners of their own cells.
Having secured their main target, Emile and his team immediately moved to other strategic locations in the vicinity. A similar scenario unfolded throughout the rest of the city.
Critical government buildings like the Chamber of Deputies were swiftly seized. The fate of the cabinet and other officials remains a mystery, but can be presumed to either be executed or imprisoned.
Journalists, politicians, and other key figures were apprehended. Few were able to escape the hands of the special forces. The deployment of modern drones proved instrumental in tracking any and all traffic in the city.
The whole country was conquered in a mere 35 minutes. The world knew little of what just happened, aside from what appeared to be a large-scale terrorist attack.
Amidst the chaos, the public had no time to panic or resist. Urgent warnings blared through the city, instructing everyone to stay indoors. Those who didn't comply were escorted back to their residences or even arrested. Unable to comprehend the situation, most simply remained in their homes.
As soon as the paratroopers landed in the city, Belgian troops stormed the border to "stabilize the situation" but in reality to facilitate the special forces in occupying the country.
Only when the sun rose that the world realized the magnitude of the situation...
In a surprise, lightning-fast invasion, Belgium swiftly occupied and annexed the nation of Luxembourg, heralding a new era of turmoil and uncertainty...