July 1999: This home video footage shows a fragment of the asteroid Ulysses entering the atmosphere.

The World of AC04 * * * * Asteroid Ulysses Enters the Atmosphere Situated on the western side of the Usean continent, Erusea, as well as many smaller countries on the continent, have long maintained an armed peace. In 1994, an asteroid, first labeled '1994XFO4', and later renamed 'Ulysses', was discovered approaching the Earth's atmosphere. On July 8th 1999, five years after being identified, Ulysses passed the Roche limit and split into more than a thousand pieces, which then plummeted to Earth. Over 500,000 people perished within the first two weeks, and damage was estimated to be the equivalent of 18 months of the total GDP for the entire continent. Smaller meteorites continued to fall intermittently for several more years. Although the end of civilization as portrayed in science fiction literature did not occur, financial turmoil and the mass influx of refugees caused panic throughout the continent. Four years after this tragedy, Erusean forces began their invasion of San Salvacion, a neutral nation.

* * * * INVASION! A city of importance due to it's strategic location, San Salvacion has been the site of many battles. Once again San Salvacion became embroiled in conflict. After intense air raids followed by three days of groundfighting, the capitol was taken and occupied by the Erusean military, who also gained control of 'Stonehenge' and placed it under military supervision. 'Stonehenge', a huge railgun, was originally developed to destroy asteroids that failed to burn up completely upon entering the atmosphere. It was a cooperative project developed and built by the international community. In response to the attack, neighboring countries banded together to form the ISAF (Independent States Allied Force). However, the Erusean military modified Stonehenge, turning it into an anti-aircraft weapon, with a range covering the entire continent. The ISAF, without the option of air support, began retreating to the east in the face of heavy ground attacks.

Stonehenge in action

This photo of the 5 Erusian aircraft has been censored by the ISAF and marked with a large red cross, indicating its unsuitability for public dissemination.

* * * * Withdrawal from the Usean Continent The ISAF, which had withdrawn to the eastern city of Los Canas, out of range from enemy attack, bided its time, waiting for an opportunity to destroy Stonehenge. A special attack force was created, with the best remaining pilots recruited to pilot twelve F-15E fighters armed with reserve weapons for the long-range mission, and twelve air superiority F-15C fighters to fly as escort. When the opportunity arose, the ISAF commenced its attack. As the attack group approached Stonehenge, the supporting AWACS plane picked up five unidentified aircraft incoming on radar. The five aircraft engaged the ISAF attack group, and in a stunning display of aerial skill, soon decimated every single ISAF aircraft. The attack on Stonehenge was a complete failure. The city of Los Canas surrendered several days later. Without an organized resistance, ISAF forces were pushed back towards the East Coast. ISAF GHQ decided to abandon the continent, and a large-scale evacuation to the island country of Northpoint, located to the northeast of the Usean continent, was commenced.

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