The French occupation forces in Post-War Germany acquired many resources, significantly reducing the backlog of Reparations called for in the Treaty of Versailles. But the deaths of German civilians cost them far more in international relations. Germany became the downtrodden victim in many eyes, and France the jackbooted thugs. Seeing their support erode, France pulled back and left the Germans to their ruins, but they had already forged their inimicable future.
I have visited hundreds of worlds in my time. Maybe more. And I’ve seen plenty of sights, from the dangerous deserts of Alpha Ceti V to the floating mines of Capella. Alpha Ceti V’s star just doesn’t have the normal life supporting stuff, but it’s got a good location and many people use it to exchange cargo of…questionable legality. It’s also home to a rather nasty slug that thinks humans are grade A steaks or something. Let’s just say, we go well armed there.
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.
Forge of War on Amazon
Angel Flight on Amazon
Angel Strike on Amazon
Angel War on Amazon
Wolfenheim Rising on Amazon
Wolfenheim Emergent on Amazon