User Guide

1997
Peace is restored in the Middle
East as the Western powers
strangle the East economically
and militarily, but at a price; a majority of
Eastern oil fields are destroyed, resulting
in a global oil crisis. Despite strident
protests by Alaskans, drilling is increased
in Alaska. Additionally, a U.S. policy shift
toward escalation of offshore drilling and
promotion of nuclear energy is greeted by
concerted environmental protests
organized by militant environmental
groups. The incidence of eco-terrorist acts
increases over that reported in 1996 by
an estimated 700%.
1998
Alarmed by escalating ter-
rorism, and to prevent nation-
alism from further dividing an
already unstable global power structure,
the U.S., Britain and Germany commit
troops to the CIS in order to assist the
central government in putting down
rebellion within the CIS.
2000
Western forces operating on
behalf of the CIS are defeated
and withdraw, leaving the CIS
alone and in chaos.
The second American economic col-
lapse begins April 16, 2000, when an
international run on oil futures, exac-
erbated by a low dollar to yen exchange
rate, precipitates “Pay Day,” the worst
stock market crash since the Great
Depression of the 1930s. Unable to lean
upon Japanese brokers for bailout as they
had so often in the past, the three largest
financial institutions in the West —
FISCOMP, First Allied Bank and Trust,
and United States Commodities — close
their doors, prompting a run on all
domestic banks and S&Ls. The federal
government nears bankruptcy, trying to
cover FDIC debts.
Meanwhile, “The Big One” finally hits
California, an earthquake that destroys
the Oakland, San Mateo and Richmond
Bridges in San Francisco and cripples
most of the freeway systems and free-
standing structures in Los Angeles.
California industry virtually grinds to a
halt, and hundreds of thousands are
reported dead or missing. When the
federal government refuses to supply
disaster aid because of the financial
crunch, there are riots in San Francisco
and Los Angeles. California threatens
secession from the Union, and the U.S.
government sends in federal troops. Local
resistance, however, proves fierce, and
although the federal government readies
sufficient power to crush California,
excessive force is deemed unwise due to
California’s valuable natural resources,
and in light of public opinion.
2001
As the Fed searches for solu-
tions to this problem, Congress
levies new taxes to compensate
for the FDIC debacle. At this point,
legislators, believing they’ve devised a
solution to the California question, offer
relief to California in the form of tax
breaks scheduled over the next hundred
years. This satisfies California.
It does not, however, suit the rest of
the nation.
Texas is the first to secede, with-
drawing from the Union and then
splintering into three states because of
infighting over debt. Then Alaska secedes,
declaring itself an independent nation,
shutting off the Alaskan pipeline and
proclaiming their oil a national resource.
Congress resolves to apply military force
against Alaska in an attempt to secure
the oil that is even more vital now, in light
of the global petro-economic situation; in
the mean-time, however, Canada has
signed a mutual non-aggression pact with
Alaska, recognizing Alaska’s sovereignty
and guaranteeing aid in the event Alaska
is attacked. This conflict escalates into a
multilateral, international conflict known
as the PetroWar of 2001, in which the
U.S., Canada, Alaska, OPEC and the
remnants of the CIS wage limited non-
nuclear war over Alaskan oil rights. As a
result, the majority of Alaska’s wilderness
is set ablaze when oil fields ignite, and
heavy losses are inflicted upon Canadian
and U.S. naval forces.
SUDDEN DEATH •
July 2011
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