The United Republic used to be a beacon of hope, the new Canaan. The Frigid War put the world in a state of unease. The Republic and its rival, the Sokolov Federation, prepared for a conflict neither one could afford to lose. For 50 years, both nations carried on a passive-aggressive relationship; just when the Republic was willing to put the guns down, the Federation combined their country with their allies down south, the land of Zhong. Not only did the Federation double in size, but it also doubled in military strength. So in 1991, the frigidness of the Frigid War became less so. Things were beginning to heat up exponentially; the Republic started calling in favors from its allies to even the playing field, asking its neighbors to the north and south to unify their countries and become the ultimate superpower, but this request of unification was denied. From 1991 into 2025, minor skirmishes would occur between the two nations, either by directly fighting each other or playing puppeteer with another smaller country and having them fight. Over this thirty-four-year period, the morale and trust of the Republic’s citizens began to dwindle. And as the support of the citizens dropped, the governments' respect for their rights and freedoms dropped as well. Although the government wouldn’t just outright violate their rights, they didn’t rush to fix any issue caused by a government-supporting body. Then suddenly, in the spring of 2025, tensions were raised too high, and the event now known as the “Formosa Conundrum” marks the beginning of the third Great War. Republic soldiers bordering the Zhongese defected island known as Formosa had their intercoms sabotaged and were fed false reports and updates. The incorrect information led the soldiers to jump the gun and raid the island, thinking Zhongese soldiers were attacking the Formosan people. Zhong, playing as if they were innocent, took this situation as unwarranted aggression and executed all Republican soldiers on the island and within 10 miles of it. 

Due to the government’s abhorrent behavior, people weren’t willing to join the military. As a result, the Republic’s military forces weren’t nearly as powerful as they were a century ago during the first two Great Wars. The inaction of the people led Chief Magistrate Nathaniel Zimmer to enact a “total order” for the first time in the country's history. A “total order” is a temporary policy immediately enforced; it bypasses any checks or regulations. Essentially temporarily giving the Chief Magistrate the power of a King. Only to be used in times of EXTREME crisis, the entirety of Congress has to 100% agree to give the Chief Magistrate the ability to use it. Even if one person disagrees, all processes are halted, and the decision to use it can’t be revisited for 10 years. After weeks of discussions with his advisers and Zimmer seeking counsel from retired Magistrates, he finally decided to enact his order. On New Year's Day 2026, Zimmer made an announcement that shook the country “All non-physically disabled adults without children between the ages of 18 and 35 working Class-D level jobs and below must report to specialized locations throughout the country for physical and mental health screenings. This is not a request; this is an order, and failing to comply will carry severe consequences. All sectors of the United Republic have a quota of Soldiers they need to have war-ready within the next two years. That is how long our experts believe we can hold our enemies back. Do not fret, citizens; your efforts will not be for naught. Upon your arrival home, you will be graciously rewarded for serving your country, an apology for stripping you away from your lives and homes. Desperate times call for desperate measures; help us defend the homefront!”  

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The entire country was in chaos; those who fit the qualifications attempted to flee. Families tried to hide their children to no avail. Petitions were started to reevaluate the job-classing system. Parents whose children were taken became scornful and ratted out other families who had successfully hidden their children. Life in the Republic crumbled and the monsters that lurk in the shadows saw their chance to rise. “THERE SENDING OUR CHILDREN TO DIE”, were the cries that echoed through the streets. The countries affected by the war were morphed into twisted visages of themselves. The government had to fight a battle overseas while also quelling and chilling the hearts of the populace on the mainland. 5 grueling years the war raged on, 5 long excruciating years. Finally, in 2031, peace was brokered after the Czar of the Sokolov Federation palace was raided and assassinated. Without the support of the Federation, the Zhongese soldiers put their guns down. Diplomats from each involved country met to write a peace agreement on neutral ground. Thus the Hitchcox deal was signed and notarized, sending shockwaves worldwide. People began to call this era the “Time of the Phoenix” meaning the world was burned down and a more robust, better world would rise from its ashes. But sometimes better doesn’t rise, only the same or worse.