"The depth of our commitment to greatness will be measured by the depths to which we will dig to unearth the hidden knowledge that timid nations will never have the willpower to seek out. Only by our boldness will we realize the dominance that we deserve to enjoy among the inhabitants of the Earth."

• Fang Guo, Public Health Director, Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, Confederacy of Eastern Nations

Being in a de facto state of war with the Alliance, military operations were conducted by Russian and Chinese forces that resulted in dozens of naval and air skirmishes over contested waters and incursions into Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Ukraine, and Poland. South Korea's occupation by China grew even more austere, with access to food and basic medical supplies intentionally restricted by the occupying forces.

Now, the same allies who stood against corruption in the Alliance's most advanced military program have to decide whether to answer the call to action once again, as the Confederacy has developed potent new capabilities that will allow it to spread its terrible reach across the Earth.