Planetfall & Aftermath: Ace Combat Strangereal History

Summary

In 1998, the construction of Stonehenge, a vast anti-air railgun network, aimed to protect the continent of Osya from the fragments of the asteroid Ulysses. However, miscalculations showed the network's 1,200 km range was insufficient, leading to global tension and desperate defensive measures by surrounding nations. As Ulysses fragmented and impacted the planet in 1999, various nations scrambled to protect their populations with shelters or alternative weapons. Despite Stonehenge's efforts, several regions were devastated, triggering humanitarian crises, border disputes, and economic collapse. In 2003, tensions escalated further, leading to the brink of war.

Takeaways

• 🏗️ In June 1998, a complex called 'The Defender of Asiya' was completed in the Eyes Desert, West Osya, designed as an anti-air rail gun network called Stonehenge.
• 🎯 Stonehenge had a firing range of 1,200 kilometers, intended to destroy fragments from the Ulysses asteroid before they could strike the surface.
• 💥 In July 1998, new findings revealed that Ulysses had a hollow interior, causing it to break into multiple fragments, affecting a much larger area than anticipated.
• 🌍 The asteroid was expected to hit multiple regions, including Russia, Ameria, and Esto Vakiya, leading to widespread panic and protests.
• ⚙️ The FCU refused to upgrade Stonehenge's range, fearing it wouldn't be operational in time for the asteroid's arrival.
• 🏰 Ameria, under Lord Alberta Lawrence, devised a defensive plan, building an underground shelter beneath Grace Maria Castle for 200,000 civilians.
• 🔫 Esto Vakiya attempted to build its own defense weapon, the Chandelier, a massive railgun mounted on an iceberg, but couldn't complete it in time.
• 🚨 On July 8, 1999, fragments from Ulysses began hitting the planet, with Stonehenge firing rounds to intercept them, though one railgun was disabled by a fragment strike.
• 💔 Despite the efforts, some regions like Esto Vakiya and Arusha suffered severe destruction, with Arusha losing 500,000 lives in its capital due to an asteroid fragment.
• ⚔️ In 2003, Arusha, devastated by economic collapse and refugee crises, launched a surprise invasion to take over Stonehenge, signaling the start of a new war.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Stonehenge complex mentioned in the script?

Stonehenge is a vast anti-air railgun network created to intercept and destroy oncoming fragments from the asteroid Ulysses, which is predicted to strike the planet.

Why was Stonehenge’s firing range considered insufficient?

Stonehenge’s firing range was limited to 1,200 kilometers, which was initially thought to be enough. However, recalculations showed that Ulysses would break apart into smaller fragments, striking a much larger area of the planet than originally predicted.

What was the key issue faced by the nations of Anja regarding Stonehenge’s coverage?

The nations of Anja, particularly Ameria and Estovakia, were concerned because Stonehenge’s range would not protect them from fragments. The FCU, responsible for Stonehenge, refused to upgrade its range, leading to dissatisfaction among the Anjan nations.

What was Ameria’s defensive plan against Ulysses fragments?

Ameria decided to build an underground shelter beneath Grace Maria Castle, capable of housing up to 200,000 civilians. The location on a hill would also protect against potential oceanic waves caused by asteroid fragments.

How did Estovakia respond to the FCU’s refusal to upgrade Stonehenge?

Estovakia decided to construct their own anti-asteroid weapon called 'Chandelier,' a massive railgun designed to shoot shells loaded with cruise missiles at the incoming fragments.

Why wasn’t Estovakia’s Chandelier completed in time?

The complexity of Chandelier’s design caused delays in its construction, and only part of the barrel was completed before the Ulysses fragments began striking.

What happened when Ulysses fragments began hitting the planet?

On July 8th, Ulysses fragments entered Earth’s atmosphere. Stonehenge responded with volleys of anti-asteroid rounds, but one fragment damaged the main power supply of one of the railguns, leaving only seven operational guns.

How was Ameria affected by the Ulysses bombardment?

Ameria’s capital, Grace Maria, was unharmed, but their trade routes and economy collapsed due to fragments hitting western cities and ports. Despite this, Ameria sustained few casualties and was able to recover quickly due to their defensive planning.

What was the humanitarian crisis following the Ulysses impact?

After the bombardment, 600,000 refugees were left without food, water, and shelter, especially in regions like Arusha. The country struggled to accept more refugees, leading to a crisis exacerbated by a boycott of Arushan exports.

What marked the beginning of the next conflict in 2003?

In 2003, Arusha launched a surprise invasion, targeting the Stonehenge complex as part of their plan to recover from the Ulysses disaster. This marked the beginning of another war.