The largest result of the Second Great Depression in the Eastern World was the rise of China into a true superpower. Japan and the largest concentration of developed AIs on the planet stood alone against that juggernaut for years. Zelda coordinated Japan’s point defense networks, shooting down every Chinese missile, while Kasumi infiltrated their networks and slagged every computer she could access. Other AIs joined in, and the Chinese did not enjoy the experience.
The War galvanized the people of Earth in a way nothing else could have. Most people looked at the stars in wonder, amazed at the secrets they told. Then The War came, and then billions of people went out to fight amongst them. An entire generation of humanity saw War in those stars. Earth was divided in those days. We fought each other. And we fought “them.” In time, “they” became the priority. The War changed things far more than most people thought.
The German economy had shattered under the stress of The War, and paying the reparations cost them nearly all of their precious metals. Without them to back their economy, hyperinflation soon made it impossible to pay, and they began to default on the payments. The French, indignant that the Germans would honorably sign a treaty and then not follow it, sent troops into Germany to confiscate raw materials. The German people did not cooperate. Many died.
You know a proper celebration of New Years requires a nice long break from work, right? Just like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Kazoo Day. What? You didn’t celebrate all of those? Well, you’re missing good excuses for taking a day off and relaxing. And trust me. Nothing cures a good case of “Iworkedtoomuchitus” like a relaxing day off. So every Christmas through New Years, I take some time off. It’s the healthy thing to do.
Sarah had originally been designed as an infiltration program, so she easily smashed through the Iranian computer systems and wrested control from the Jihadists. Then she established communications with local resistance groups and helped them coordinate to overthrow their religious rulers. The most powerful revolutionaries gave her the name “one who brings benefit.” Those followers of Zoroastrianism built the modern-day Persia out of the ashes of Iran.