Twelve years ago tensions were rising between the Lux Kingdom and the nation of Jara. The neighboring nations once amicable existence had seemingly overnight become tempered and tense.
Initial reports and rumors of Luxen radicals in Jara who wanted to overthrow the government in favor of returning the land to the Lux Kingdom. Following this new group forming fear mongering think pieces were published and belief in Jara grew that the formerly empirical Lux royal family may attempt to return to their conquering roots and they would be the first victims.
The fear reached even the highest government officials. An emergency summit was held during which Luxen diplomats assured the Jarans that these men were merely old fashioned radicals and did not reflect the sentiments of the Lux Kingdom.
Meanwhile in the Lux news of the radicals had put the Jaran population in Lux in edge. Some of whom had seemingly overnight become targets and victims of discrimination.
Things took a dreaded but inevitable turn days later with a specific incident. "And with that we can now confirm the first death to occur due to these attacks. A young man whose home was allegedly vandalized has reportedly beaten one of the vandals to death with a weapon we will bring you updates as and when we receive them" a news reporter spoke.
Subsequent news was leaked that the man who was murdered was actually a fifteen year old boy connected to the torching of a Jaran owned home. The homeowner had allegedly chased down the masked arsonists and caught one and beaten him with a bat.
With his identity now public the man wound up beaten and burned. This act of retaliation incited riots and civil unrest throughout Lux which had stoked the fires of Lux supremacists in Jara as well. Anti Luxen sentiments became rampant in Jara as well with many fearing for their lives in the belief that the Lux royals would throw away fifty years of peace and declare war.
Two nations thrown into disarray and turmoil which was proving to be an issue as even high ranking officials and politicians were weary of the other sides intentions. In an act of desperation Jaran spies were dispatched to Lux to investigate their military activities.
At last there was a sign of peace as the intel gathered by the spies was that there was currently no plans set in place by the Lux royals to mobilize their army. Despite their best efforts however they were subsequently compromised and held for questioning.
An emergency summit was held between the countries and a deal was struck to attempt to temper the tensions and violence of their states.
In an attempt to establish a sense of unity in these times the Luxen and Jaran governments united to host a peace festival in an attempt to at least lessen the looming civil war. The unexpected assassination of a Luxen minister on Jaran soil during the festival however sent people over the edge. The festival was immediately halted and hordes of people began to riot.
Within hours higher ups reflected the beliefs of their people. The death of one of their own compounded with the fact spies were caught on their soil incited the royals to declare war on Jara.
Within days Troops and air forces had mobilized and were in the midst of an all out war. Civilians were caught in the crossfire and evacuated to safe zones. Due to tensions still running high and to ensure people's safety they were separated by nationalities.
During the Luxen populations time in the Jara they were suddenly held hostage. Trapped with nowhere to go people who had considered this country their home were now held.
Now held captive in undisclosed locations Jara used their lives as bargaining chips as a tactic to stop Lux from continuing the war. Attempts to negotiate were unsuccessful resulting in Lux returning the favor and going one step further then Jara by moving the Jarans underground to the old capital city.
"Now you know all know how we got down here. Twelve years held down here to the point where we can't even be sure if our home is still trying to save us so we are going to save ourselves" Captain Williams said to everyone in the auditorium too young to have remembered how they ended up underground with some confused faces looking towards their parents and guardians. Confused murmuring filled the room with the captain calling for everyone to remain focused.
"Now now, please don't blame your parents for not telling you. It was an agreed mandate that we wouldn't do this until everyone was old enough to know the truth and handle it. So please don't prove me wrong in believing that you could handle it" he continued before spotting a raised hand in the crowd.
"I was not planning a Q and A but yes you young lady what's your question?" he said to a full figured brown haired lady with glasses. "Uh yeah so these Lux people put us down here what's the plan for fighting or whatever once we get out?" she asked with an air of skepticism.
"Alright I'll level with you. There is no perfect plan in place, the truth is our scientists are running low on the needed chemicals and nutrients to continue synthesizing our food. If we don't get out of here and fight we're going to run out of resources" he responded coldly. The murmuring continued once more but now with fear mixed in with the confusion.
"We're doomed then!" shouted a man from the crowd. "Yeah!" was the response from elsewhere. Pinching the bridge of his nose Captain Williams snapped.
"ALRIGHT LISTEN UP! YEAH I GET IT YOU'RE ALL SCARED BUT YOU DON'T HAVE GUNS IN YOUR FACES SO WHY ARE YOU ACCEPTING DEATH. NO ONE WANTS TO BE DOWN HERE OF COURSE YOU FUCKING DONT BUT HERE WE ALL ARE SO YOU CAN EITHER COMPLAIN AND STARVE OR YOU CAN STAND AND FIGHT SO WHAT WILL IT BE?!!
The murmuring stopped as hordes of people instinctively stood. One by one others followed suit until everyone in the auditorium was on their feet.
"That's what I thought. Now help me welcome the people who will spearhead our climb to freedom. The Exploration Team!!"
The ten recruits stood forward with five of the Explorers from the previous regime on the stage in their new Exploration suits. Complete with combat boots, utility belts and helmets they stood saluting the sea of people they were tasked with saving.
Mostly stone faced all except Brodie who leaned in to Kosi and said "this fucking rules" attempting to hide his grin. "Yeah it's awesome" Kosi replied. They were all met with sea of applause and cheers for their heroism.