::General Setup::

Humanity on Earth is standing on its own legs again.

Soon after the fall of a major Citadel, the resistance bolstered to staggering numbers, and the Universal Union was routed from power. The people drove the Union out, eliminating most of what was known as the Combine from the face of the planet. But this does not mean all are gone, merely a large number of them.Surviving Combine units left alive are scattered, stranded and outnumbered, withdrawing into hiding and waiting for the day they can rejoin the main forces of the Universal Union and retake the Biosphere. Sympathizers infecting the ranks of mankind, although few and far between, assist the remaining forces, feeding intel and supplies to the remnants of the UU. The Combine on Earth are conducting reconassiance, gathering intelligence and progress and trying to find a way to open up a rift to bring reinforcements.

The Resistance has involved all of the remaining population of Earth; every man, woman and child participating in some way to assist their species to grasp control of their homes once again. Out of the efforts to unite the people against the common enemy, the Earth Federation is born: now a democratic government with a trained military and somewhat abundant resources. Differences between people of all kinds take a backseat in priority, and most humans work hand-in-hand to combat the threat that has terrorized their families. Productivity for all newly-founded factories, research, development and agriculture skyrocket, exceeding pre-war production by large margins.

Scientific development has led to various new technologies, although not yet wide-scale, things like nano-technology manufacturing, biogenetic manipulation and engineering have advanced tenfold due to the remnants of the Combine. Things like Medical training, equipment, and procedures as well as communications, synthetic replication and precision engineering with electronic development have made major breakthroughs with the use and reverse-engineering of Combine technology. Energy manipulation research has made things like “plasma shielding” and “pulse weaponry” possible, with smart munitions along the way.

Man has won an enormous victory, but the war has yet to be won.