By Scott D. Haring
The History of Terrorism
1980s:
Terrorism becomes a world-wide theater in which any small group,
sufficiently armed, can grab headlines for their cause around the
globe. Western countries are the most frequent targets, but by no
means the only ones. Response is ineffective, as nearly every
terrorist group has some country that secretly supports it.
Americans stop traveling to many parts of the world for safety
reasons.
1991:
A small but dirty thermonuclear device obliterates Beirut,
Lebanon. The death toll is estimated at 1,300,000. Tremendous
groundswell of public opinion in all nations results in a special
86-nation summit conference to deal with world terrorism.
1992:
The "Beirut Accords" are signed by every sovereign
nation on the planet - not surprising since one of the points of
the accord is massive economic sanctions against
non-participating countries. Other points include strict
prohibitions on harboring and training terrorists, and worldwide
extradition.
Late 1990s:
As the oil supply dwindles, economic collapse and revolution
overtake many Middle Eastern countries. The regimes that rise
from the rubble are a varied lot, but none recognize the Beirut
agreement, decrying it as a "capitalist Zionist tool to deny
us our freedom."
2002:
Worldwide energy shortage puts an end to regular air travel to
many parts of the globe. Deprived of two traditional targets -
airplanes and tourists - the "new breed" of terrorists
turn to attacks within their home countries.
2005:
A new way to export violence is found - via the worldwide
satellite communications network. Using telecommunications and
extensive "hacking" skill, these new terrorists
infiltrate control systems at industrial plants, defense bases,
and air stations, causing as much damage as possible. Some
consider it vandalism carried to a new extreme; other experts
label the activity "techno-terrorism."
2012:
The Grain Blight. Famine in the Third World countries takes a
horrific toll. What little food is available goes to the
best-armed. Terrorist groups change their priorities from
revolution to survival.
2016:
The Food Riots hit the U.S. Disappointed by the inability of the
federal government to keep order, the Anarchy Party is formed.
Their motto: "No government is better than bad
government."
2021:
The Anarchy Party makes some modest gains in local elections,
where members run on the premise that if they win, candidates
will abolish the post they were elected to. Frustrated with a
lack of recognition on the national level, however, the party
decides on a more direct plan of action, and the Anarchist Relief
Front is formed.
2027:
A new ARF manifesto calls for stepped up activity on the
highways. "To curtail intercity traffic is to isolate each
community, and anarchy will prosper." In local response, ARF
members take to the highways, shooting at anything that moves,
including, in cases of overexuberance, each other.
2029:
The ARF becomes the #1 threat to domestic security in America,
according to FBI statistics.
2032:
A series of Washington car bombings eliminate 8 of the 10 members
of a special Congressional subcommittee investigating the ARF -
since no one volunteers to take their places, the investigation
stops. The remaining two were saved by luck - the bomb failed to
go off in one case, and in the case of Minnesota Senator Albert
Wesley, the bomb claims his wife instead. Wesley vows revenge.
2033:
ARF operatives steal a Dempsey XM-6 from an Army base near
Midville, Ohio, and attack the town. Midville townspeople put up
a tremendous fight, now chronicled in "Massacre at
Midville", Space Gamer 58.
Today:
Through hard work and inspirational leadership, Wesley has
reassembled a Select Subcommittee with far-reaching subpoena and
investigative powers. Rumors in Washington corridors of power say
that this time, Wesley may actually pull it off... if he lives.
