Message #39818

[TRHeadshot]

   The Beginning:

      The world is an entirely different place. Following the surge of bio-terrorism incidents during the (20)20's, most of the old world was destroyed. First to go was the United States... Bio-Terror outfits worldwide hawked their wares to Middle-Eastern radicals, who gladly carried out the will of their leaders, without second thought or hesitation. Upwards of fifty thousand unique bio weapons were unleashed upon the once great nation, killing no less than 50% of its citizens.
   
   Then, in retaliation, the US released Project Trinity; a 3 part Bio-Weapon attack; upon its presumed enemies.

Step 1) An aerosolized agent was spread across the entire area of dominance exhibited by the radical Middle-East. X-PTRz33: Essentially a super form of the A.I.D.s virus, (that cripples the human immune system) infected 100% of the population.

Step 2) Air-dropped canisters of XM-BIO-XX-23 were released into the "Quarantine Zone" (which was erected just prior to the infection attack, to contain any possible outbreak), a devastating virus that erodes the brain, and causes the infected to become enraged, killing everything in its path.

Step 3) Sanitization... A highly specialized species of B.O.W. known as Extractors were released into what was now known as Effect Zone-0. Extractors hunt down and eliminate all hosts infected with XM-BIO-XX-23, they utilize a razor sharp proboscis to penetrate the skull of the host, draining it of all infected material and neutralizing the target. Extractors who consume their entire body weight in infected material are then disposed of (their enhanced digestive system neutralizes all toxic material). Following this, over 30 kilotons of extremely potent Neutron weapons were deployed across the zone, sanitizing the area of all organic life.

   Following this, the US sealed its borders, and attempted to rebuild. Sadly, their efforts were in vain. The following year, infiltration teams organized by the Bio-Terrorists were dispatched into the heart of the former US, and released the US's own weapon against themselves, XM-BIO-XX-23. The US is now known as Effect Zone-1, and has remained quarantined by the remaining world powers ever since.

   The remaining survivors of the European continent were split around the cordon, becoming Western Europe, and the Conglomerate of World Powers, respectively. The leaders of Western Europe quickly descended upon the remains of the Americas, seizing control of Upper North America (Zone-Alpha) and South America (Zone-Bravo).

   The CWP, on the other hand, swiftly engulfed the regions of Asia, and swung around into the heart of Africa, before the Western European forces could seize control. Japan, fearing invasion, sealed off its borders. No one was allowed in, or out, from that point in time on. Japan remains as the single region to never have been struck by a Bio-Terror event.

   As the rest of the world descended into chaos, the Vatican opened its doors to all members of its faith, and any and all refuges from foreign occupations. Taking upon the name, Crux Novus, they swore to uphold holy law, and crush any who dare invade their lands. All of Italy, and most of the surrounding area was subsequently annexed, and an elite commando force, known as the Manus de Crux Novus, was henceforth erected. They are a force to be reckoned with.

   It's been 23 years since that time, and HAVENS, safe areas free of infection, have been springing up all over the world in areas of both contested territory, and areas that lack designated control. HAVENS are highly guarded, densely populated strongholds, designed to emulate cities. They are humanity's last hope to survive the rest of the century...