History Lesson 02

The Day It Fell to Earth.

In 1999, after a large number of explosions were observed in high orbit, a huge space ship crashed into a small island in the Pacific Ocean. Teams from several countries rushed to investigate. Although a tight lid was kept on the event, enough info leaked out to make a Roswell style cover up impossible.

The ship although badly damaged was still alive. That is to say; the AI was functional and its auto repair systems would eventually rebuild it. 

 

Humanity was publicly faced with the reality that aliens did exist. The UN-EDF ( United Nations Earth Defense Force ) was quickly formed to examine the ship and determine what should be done next. Several key members of X-Com were given leadership roles in the new organization.

The secret, about aliens already being here, was reviled to world leaders but kept from the public. 

In the face of growing panic and wild speculation, a major media campaign was launched to stress the dangers and opportunities at hand.Although some leaders wanted to downplay the dangers, the new high command of the EDF issued very honest reports about what they knew of the recent events and the implications for all of Humanity. 

"If we do not unite fast and grow beyond our limited point of view, we will not be ready when the aliens come again. The time is here to stop bickering over trivial things, to stop saying this or that cant be done because it costs too much. If we do not try our hardest we have no chance at survival." 

The ship (named Arcadia) was the automated defender, left by the Ancients. It had been involved in a battle with a sizable fleet, which clearly intended dominance over the Earth. Unfortunately details about the enemy were very few. Speculation was strong that it was the Gray's enemy. Unfortunately there was no easy way to verify this guess. The Arcadia AI’s galactic info, although valuable, was 100,000 years out of date. The type of ships used in the battle were unfamiliar to it.

The AI was helpful, but unwilling to cooperate totally with the researchers. It provided very valuable info on what it called “galactic standard technology” including gravity control units and faster than light travel. It confirmed a lot of what had been pieced together from the Grays and Saurian. The AI bluntly refused to talk about certain subjects or give access to the inner workings of the Arcadia. In a warning to Dr Zaya it said “I am here to protect Humanity in general, if killing a few of you is necessary for the good of all, so be it.” 

Meanwhile, several missions were sent up to orbit to salvage the alien wreckage left there. A lot of valuable technology would be reverse engineered from these ruined space craft. Also the EDF would get a look at the enemy, as several bodies were recovered. 

The year 2000 in may ways became a new year 0. for the Human race.