A World Turned Upside Down - A Military R&D Quest

2038 External Report - United American Military Development

Alright, so good news first. DARPA partnered with a small firm that's produced some damn good results. The new HIMARS has a standard range of 500 km, with extended-range munitions reaching out to 700 km, while managing a CEP of one meter. There has also been some preliminary work in more advanced digital cyberspace designs, although the military isn't sure if the cost will be manageable. Right now they're predicting it'll triple the price of all systems in order to integrate it properly.

The bad news is that the corps have effectively grown powerful enough that they're trying to mess with the UA military. We've got 37 different lawsuits, industrial espionage and sabotage, and severe delays in almost all military projects.

Officially speaking, nothing is going to happen. Unofficially? I wouldn't be surprised if the CIA or OSI are going to be a bit more active than normal. - Arthur

2038 External Report - Italian Military Development

Uhh, well, let's just say we're suddenly very interested in what the Italians are up to now. We're looking at shit that'd make Unit 731 queasy. There's talk among the intelligence services of a more quiet intervention as a result, but there's a lot of worries that'd cause the Italians to become even more unhinged than they already are.

I should note the OSI, KGB, and MI6 are considering a direct face-to-face with their Italian counterparts over this development to try to rein in the national government after most recent events. I'm required to say, though, that I, and by extension, this administration has not and will not negotiate with an enemy state. - Arthur

2038 External Report - Soviet Military Development

As always, gathering information on the Soviets is difficult. But the war in Sweden has helped us get some more accurate numbers. The Red Army retains 15 million personnel, with 80 million reservists that can be rapidly mobilized and continues to grow. Furthermore, we have identified underground bunkers that can hold 800 thousand personnel and 8 million above-ground facilities that may provide some level of relief for trained soldiers. There has also been a significant campaign for the production of basic NBC equipment for all Soviet citizens, with over 150 million units already produced.

Not much to say on this subject. OSI knows that the Soviets are taking the end of the world a lot more seriously than the public here in the Americas. Then again, I think people are starting to wake up to reality, just not fast enough. - Arthur

2038 External Report - EAC Military Development

The EAC has been struggling with its more recent designs. Their most recent strategic bomber proved incapable of long-distance travel, their new SSN had micro-fracturing issues, their new IFV had oil leaks, etc. There are indications of severe factionalization among the confederacy, with a split forming in their current politics over Japan. Due to the lack of decisive action while human rights violations continue, Korea in particular has been growing more and more belligerent. This has been exacerbated by Australian comments that were inappropriate and insulting, leading to significant infighting in both the political and influence spheres, which has in turn affected current projects.

Much as politicians like to crow about how "any day now," the Aussies and Kiwis will come back to join the Anglo community, clearly forgetting why they left in the first place. The rest of the EAC won't fracture until after a global nuclear exchange. India, China, and the others will stick by this to the very end. - Arthur

2038 External Report - British Military Development

Information restrictions in Britain have been implemented as a result of the war with Norway. Due to the higher-than-expected efficiency of MI5, multiple intelligence operatives have been burned resulting in little, if any, information on British R&D.

2038 External Report - African Union Military Development

There isn't much to say, but the African Union has continued to work on its larger-scale anti-ballistic fortifications, nuclear deterrent, and coastal defenses.

2038 External Report - Orders from the CIA

Begin construction of a Science City within Alaska. Ensure this facility contains security to house the technicians needed to construct the Goliath. Guards and funding for the facility will be provided. Expect further contact.

2038 Internal Report - Meeting with Vice President Dugan

Asher: "...which is why it's more important now to ensure the breakup of the megacorps involved in the MIC."

Dugan: "I have heard similar suggestions before. A few voices have begun calling for the breakup of your company as well."

Asher: "And what do you think of those voices?"

Dugan: "I have concerns for the military that I'll be addressing. The whispers of the military's weakness demand as much."

Asher: "I do have some suggestions, it may behoove the CIA to be more … hands-on in the Americas."

Dugan: "Intelligence agencies will not be arresting loyal United American citizens without due process."

Asher: "So disloyal is different then?"

Dugan: "If that's your interpretation."

Asher: "Alright, seems like we're playing the 'I want to remain on the fence' card then. Well, can I expect future purchases of Goliaths?"

Dugan: "I'll sign the forms right here if I must, the nation hopes to order 400 platforms over the next century."

Asher: "Well-"

Secret Service Agent: "Mr. Vice President, we need to go, now!"

Dugan: "I'm sure -."

*Sounds afterward indicate Secret Service Agents physically drag Vice President Dugan to a readied vehicle.*

Secret Service Agent: "We have confirmed launch signatures."

Asher: "...oh fuck me."

2038 External Report - Sparks at Midnight

The end of the world has been forecast for years at this point. With pundits around the world claiming that a single spark would set off the powder keg that geopolitics had become. On November 27th, the world saw that spark.

After months of a grinding stalemate in Denmark, there was finally a breakthrough. Unfortunately for the Italians, it was not on their end. That breakthrough came from Danish special forces who managed to infiltrate the Italian rear-line forces with multiple tactical nuclear weapons before detonating them.

One hour later, 300 Italian ICMBs were launched.

2038 External Report - The World's Response

Thankfully for the world, there were no follow-up launches, although it certainly was close. The United Americas, Britain, and the Soviets were informed by agents within Italy that this launch was directed solely at Denmark and Sweden. This was later confirmed by analysis of the launch profiles and ICBMs in use which only had the range to target nearby areas.

The African Union meanwhile was less informed, but nonetheless was of the desperate hope that this was simply a glitch within their systems. As a result, they elected to wait a further 15 minutes for their early warning system to cycle. Time in which OSI, KGB, and MI6 assets managed to provide proof that the launches were only directed at Denmark.

The East Asian Confederacy was, in their own words, under one second from the end of the world. Their description of events follows a rapid reboot of multiple warning systems, followed by launch authorization. When the keys were turned, the abort message was sent out, leaving 1 out of the three launch keys unturned. And the world avoided its end by a single action.

2038 External Report - [REDACTED]

Operative [REDACTED - UA] and [REDACTED - UK] were extradited from the EAC following impromptu joint operations in the nation. Their effort in preventing the third key from turning delayed EAC response times by 2 minutes, allowing for improved analysis of the ICBM launch profiles, thus saving the world. Operative [REDACTED - UA] has been given the [RECATED MEDAL]. This report is set to be declassified in 2088.

2038 Internal Report - PMC and Security Expansion

As suggested, we have conducted a thorough review of the Winter Tigers and Security Forces in preparation for a variety of improvements. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of slots in the nuclear bunker, expanding the security forces has been determined to be untenable. At this time, there are 500 trained military personnel on site, of which only 300 have spots open within the nuclear bunker. The Head of Nuclear Security has stated that they do have plans for further expansion, but warn that it'll take until 2041 for this to be completed.

Pick as many as you wish
[X] Medium Military Equipment - Raising the standard of gear for the security forces to the level of the average infantry unit, on par with the Winter Tigers, would be a standard base to improve from. *Outfits 100 security personnel - $20 million. Total $80 million*
[] Heavy Military Equipment - Mechanizing the force with IFVs, APCs, and an MBT will certainly improve their capabilities. As well as allowing for a limited degree of force projection following the end of the world *Outfits 100 security personnel. - $200 million each. Max of x5*
[] Advanced EWAR Equipment - By purchasing advanced EWAR assets, we can improve the ability of our forces to handle precision munitions being deployed against our own facilities. While they will be of limited utility against nuclear weapons, they do provide a tiny improvement. *$200 million. Max of x1.*
[] Anti-Air Systems - Purchasing an integrated air defense network will be exceedingly expensive, but will nonetheless ensure the safety of Innovation Institute from hostile air assets. It will, however, also require months of training for our forces to adapt to. *$1.5 billion. Max of x1.*
[] Experimental Robotics - An offer provided by the military, they do have a number of advanced projects in the works involving autonomous walkers and unmanned vehicles. While we don't know what to expect, they may nonetheless prove valuable. *$2 billion. Max of x1.*