This timeline is based on the original TCI timeline as found in the original game, and updated (where possible) with some dates and information from the kits. As can be seen, it is fairly different from the Japanese timeline. Centuries ago: In World War III the nukes flew. Some fled. Most burned. Earth lost. The planetary colonies kept their national heritages alive, for the day which the drabness of colonial life made everyone look forward to the day that they could return. World War III lasted about six months. The first phase was nuclear, and was over in four hours. The second phase was biological. By the time it was all over, 80% of the Earth's surface was wasted, and no humans were left. All had fled, or died. The colonies prospered, growing, expanding, reaching out for the stars. The earth was abandoned as worthless. June 2, 2807: Some colonies return to a regenerating Earth. But, chaos and anarchy are the result. The nukes are gone, but the humans are back. The colonies settle in Australia initially due to the fact that it wasn't nuked as badly as the rest of the world, and thus appears to have recovered better than other areas. It has no severe residual fallout areas remaining (although plenty of small areas), plenty of territory for development by colonists, and because of climate changes caused by the mass nuclear strikes, the desert is no longer too arid or hot. Later, colonists will also land around the globe, but will settle mainly in Canada, Africa and Australia, with the latter being the most popular. 2809: Establishment of regional capital and major spaceport at New Canberra. Raw materials begin to be exported off-planet. March 1, 2875: The PK40 goes into production. August - November, 2882: The German colonies form the Shutoral Government and announce Planetary Dominion and impose punitive taxation upon the population. This action was heralded by some as a move toward order from disorder. But the larger segment of landowners resisted, remembering the totalitarian governments of the history books. However, wealthy as the settlers had by now become, they were unwilling to pay taxes to what they rightly regarded as an unwelcome intruder, and unfortunately for the Shutoral government they had the means at their disposal to fight back. In short order the settlers in Australia had hired mercenaries to defend their interests. The rebellion had started. New Canberra City became the prime target of the mercenaries. After it's capture, New Canberra will become the focal point of the war. November, 2882 - November 2884: Sporadic, escalating incidents of armed police-action and resistance leads to organised rebellion. The lack of sufficient manpower and the abundance of money on the Rebel's part causes them to seek out and develop individual protection. The one-man powered armour suit's advent changed the face of the conflict, making the viciousness of early skirmishes seem like picnics in Peace on Earth Park. Naturally, Shutoral responded in like kind. June, 2883: The AFS sees combat for the first time, easily winning over ordinary troops. 2884: The Krote enters service with the Shutoral forces. September, 2884: The Shutoral forces field the PKA ausf H0 (or "Heinrich") suits in an attempt to equalise with the Mercenary AFS. September 23, 2884: The Hornisse PK41 gets into combat with the 362nd Assault Scout Company and gradually gains air superiority until the Mercenary Falke enters operation. September 2884: The Neuspotter makes its debut October, 2884: The Nutrockers makes its combat preview, with the newly refitted 300th Airborne Regiment. December 14, 2884: Four prototype SAFS are delivered to the primary company of the 14th Armoured Hunting Regiment of the Mercenary forces. December 18, 2884: Australian mercenaries storm a Shutoral supply depot. AFSs and PKAs alike were stunned by the power and speed of the 'Super' AFS which was being field tested here, and the Mercenaries ruled the day. December 21, 2884: The Shutoral 3rd Mobile Corps lands at Victoria Beach, NSW, Australia. Purpose- Quell the rebellion in the Outback. What they were not aware of at that time was the extent of organisation behind this 'revolt'. The war went on for two years. December 25, 2884: The SAFS makes its first combat appearance, with Corporal Robert Bush easily defeating a Nutrocker hover tank. January, 2885: The Mercenaries answer to the Nutrocker is released - The Dollhouse. January 11, 2885: New Canberra City falls to Australian forces. The Germans retreat south, skirting the desert. Mid January, 2885: The Jerry HAFS begins production by the mercenary forces. February 3, 2885: Shutoral forces, isolated, make an abortive drive on the township of Gibson. A beachhead rescue saves most of the force. March, 2885: The Firefly prototype on a routine test flight, crashes and gets captured by Mercenary forces. April 25, 2885: Shutoral scientists make a secret presentation to Command of the prototype Krachenvogel, armed drone recon. This weapon will be particularly nasty to the allies because of its similarity to the unarmed Neuspotter. April 26, 2885: Plans begin for a new Shutoral offensive toward New Canberra City. The directive is "Take, or destroy". 2885: The Falke, built from the captured Firefly prototype, is introduced by the Mercenaries to control the skies, and this is exactly what is does. December, 2885: The PK43 aircraft (a PK41 modified to carry the PKA Gustav suits) takes it first test flights February, 2886: In response to other nations of the earth forming armed militias of their own (mainly South Africa and Canada - the other two main colonist areas, although no where near as large as the Australian settlements), Shutoral Planetary Dominion lands a peace-keeping force of ten battalions on the west coast of Canada. Here they immediately met resistance, not only from the militias, but from Australian forces as well. February 5, 2886: Canada officially breaks off relations with the Shutoral Government, and asks for Australian assistance. They receive the aid of six Mercenary Battalions. The war continues on two fronts, each with it's own tactics, and each with its own problems... With the advent of the Mercenary Fireball space SAFS, the conflict truly becomes global and is dubbed World War IV by the historians.