Rhona W

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

Organisations and Other Non-State Actors

Aside from national powers, there are various non-governmental organisations - NGO's - that are powerful and influential in their own right, and have a considerable impact over current world events and the balance of power in the post Heavenfall Era. Some are large and powerful enough to rival or even outdo nations with their power and influence, while others are smaller and act in smaller ways, but to just as great effect and influence.

Their goals are many and varied, and while an extensive breakdown of each one would take vast amounts of space, this section of the guide should present an overview of many of the more important and influential ones.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it should provide something of an idea and an overview of major NGO's and organisations that have an influence over global events, policies, actions and people, and that are likely or possible to be encountered or mentioned during the course of any RP set within the Heavenfall Universe.

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

Antarctica, Earth Orbit, And Beyond
The world developed and changed rapidly during the 1990s and the early 21st century, as the technological and ideological arms-race continued between the East and West, each desperate to claim the 'high ground' over the other. More and more frontiers were pushed and expanded, leading to mankind venturing and inhabiting places beyond terra firma itself.

And in the wake of the Heavenfall, as Earth's global climate changed as the ice caps and polar ice retreated and melted. For the first time, the barren territory of the Antarctic became moderately more hospitable to human life and exploration, resulting in new opportunities for those in a place to take advantage of them.

The Antarctic
While still the most inhospitable place on the Earth's surface, Antarctica has undergone a period of rapid thawing after the shift to the Earth's axis of rotation as a result of the Heavenfall, and the global temperature increase. While this has not completely melted or removed all of the ice that coats the continent, it has changed the weather patterns enough, especially in some of the more outlying coastal peninsulas, that human habitation is a realistic prospect, much like in the farthest northern reaches of places like Canada, Alaska or the Scandinavian countries, albeit with very little in the way of resources. However, even these are being transplanted.
This has caused international consternation, as it is against previously signed and agreed treaties, but the Argentine government - the only nation to attempt the scheme so far, and the one that devised it - have continued with their experiment, and the community is slowly growing. The Argentinian government has shown willing to protect their claim to the region, and for the moment it remains the only permanently civilian inhabited part of the Antarctic.
Exploratory surveying has taken place, and there have been rumours of mineral wealth and resources beneath the Antarctic crust, as well as possible oil and natural gas reserves, but so far no attempts at extraction have been made, due to the fears of international recrimination. However, the Argentinian government is guarding the exact nature of its' activities and who is involved in them very closely, and has dissuaded and intercepted attempts at overflights and reconaissance and intelligence gathering.

Earth Orbit
During the Cold War, both the Eastern and Western powers, as well as the PRC and many others were all aware of the strategic importance of space assets. At first it was surveillance and reconnaissance satellites, but then countermeasures to those satellites and to sub-orbital ICBM's became a concern, alongside the ability to monitor the space programs and their activities of their rivals.
While the US Space Agency remained primarily a civilian entity, it did co-operate extensively with the US Air Force, and in turn other members of NATO and the Western powers had their own space programs, albeit lesser developed and extensive than the US one.
A manned space station was launched in the late 1990's following the Skylab program of earlier decades. Unlike Skylab, this new station was a much larger, modular construction, built up with numerous modules of various purposes, and with international co-operation in both crew and construction.
This station, named 'Freedom', was purely scientific, and indeed; Russian cosmonauts were welcomed to inspect the station on several notable occasions.
However, the second space-station, 'Silver Tower' was a purely military installation. Born out of the 'Star Wars' defence program, Silver Tower also featured the first nuclear reactor in orbit, which was used to power the solid-state laser built into the station. This laser was capable of intercepting ballistic missiles or other objects in orbit, and even in the upper atmosphere. It's more critical and important 'weapon' however, was a massive radar array that was capable of tracking objects across a huge portion of the Earth's surface at a time and relaying this information to friendly forces.

Unwilling to concede such an advantage to their opposition, the Eastern Block, and namely the USSR, launched their own rival station. The Mir space station expanded over the course of the 1990's and early 2000's, although it was beset by several accidents during this time, but managed to soldier on, and even hosted Western, Chinese, and Indian astronauts on various occasions.
The Soviet military also launched their own military station, 'Pobeda', or 'Victory'. It was somewhat more crude than the American station, with it's main focus being on interception and countering of the US station or other Western orbital weapons or space platforms. It relied on kinetic space-to-space interceptors rather than a laser. It also had the ability to bombard surface targets with the same kinetic projectiles, and had a similar, if cruder, radar tracking array.

Both military platforms were damaged during one of the many 'small wars' between the East and West at around the turn of the century, but their exact state has never been confirmed by either side.

There are reportedly several other orbital weapons platforms still in Earth orbit, the exact nature and functionality of which remains unknown, and has never been officially confirmed or denied.
What has been widely confirmed is the existence of a Soviet lunar installation, built during the 1980's and late 1990's. The functionality of it remains unknown, and whether it is still active or inhabited is completely unknown, as are it's capabilities of any kind, as its' existence was only confirmed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the post-Heavenfall era.

Beyond Earth's Orbit
No manned missions have ever been launched past the moon, despite the declared intentions of the USA before the Heavenfall to place an international crew on the surface of Mars by 2020. Space exploration has stalled since then, and this has obviously fallen as a priority since then, with any mention of the space vehicle itself consigned to a distant memory.

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

Oceania
For the purposes of this guide, 'Oceania' includes any and all island nations in the Pacific Ocean other than those addressed in above sections, as well as Australia and New Zealand

Australia
Australia was a key ally during the Cold War, and this remained the case after the Heavenfall. As the impact did little to affect Australia, the nation was instrumental in supplying relief and support to its' northern hemisphere allies in the wake of the disaster.
As one of the major advanced and developed nations of the Southern Hemisphere, Australia took a leading position in the N/UN along with Brazil, and was one of the founding nations of the newly formed international alliance.
Australia has welcomed and accommodated many displaced people to its' shores following the Heavenfall, resulting in many towns and cities expanding in size. The country has somewhat struggled to cope with this influx of people and initially there were struggles for emergency services and public utilities and the economy and other social systems to cope, but this has started to become less of an issue as more investment has been put into these areas.
As part of its' new world-leading and facing role and increased importance to and in global affairs, Australia has also expanded its' armed forces, especially with reference to long-range naval and air assets and the ability to project power globally. The Royal Australian Navy recently bought its' first new aircraft carrier for decades into service, along with a fully capable air wing, and this has been a contentious presence in the region, due to concerns about the shifting balance of power.

New Zealand
New Zealand remained a strong ally throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century. When the Heavenfall struck, severe earthquakes and volcanic activity beset both North and South Islands of the country, and extensive rebuilding followed.
In the wake of this, New Zealand emerged as a key member of the N/UN, though did not undergo the same expansion of its' population or armed forces like Australia, though some investment and development was made in these areas. Nonetheless, the countries' economy has expanded and it has welcomed a moderate intake of displaced persons. Industry has developed more into white-collar professions and services, though farming and agricultural exports still remain a high priority and major source of national income, along with tourism and the film and television industry.

Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia
Author's Note: the sheer number of island nations and individual islands in the Oceania region makes individual entries - especially distinct and non-reptitive ones - a massive task, so as such, they will be condensed into a single entry for the meantime that gives a broad overview of the state of the region as a whole.

The pacific island nations comprising the areas of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia were savagely damaged by the tectonic and tidal activity of the Heavenfall. So many of them relied on maritime trade, industry and transport for their well-being, that the initial damage followed by the heavy flooding from rising global sea levels devastated many of these small, but historically and culturally rich places. Some islands were rendered uninhabitable, or even completely disappeared in the wake of earthquakes or volcanic activity. Others experienced tremendous hardships as they were forced to rebuild from ruins and ashes.
Some were heavily invested in by megacorporations, while others allied with the N/UN, NCAA or other groups, forming a very patchwork region. As such, development on many of them has improved with modern roads, harbours and port facilities, airports and other such transport links, as well as new hi-tech industries and services, housing, education and medical facilities and other such modern utilities.
Nonetheless, marine agriculture and other maritime occupations along with tourism remain key industries for the survival of these nations, and they still adhere to many of their key traditions and cultural identity.
Most of them have no formal defence or military forces, and rely on their alliances and treaties for safety and security.

San Borondon
A large island nation in the Pacific, San Borondon is remote, sitting approximately three thousand miles away from Hawaii. Discovered by the Spanish in the late 1600s, the island was found to be rich in natural resources (namely gold). This and its tropical climate, well suited to a variety of cash crops, made it a target for the European empires. It switched hands from the Spanish to the French to the English, and briefly during World War 2, the Japanese. Throughough its three hundred year occupation, San Borondon's native peoples fought an on-and-off guerrilla war against the various foreigners.

San Borondon was essentially in the middle of nowhere but occupied an important strategic space as a midpoint between the Americas and Asia. Thus, it spent the Cold War being courted by both sides.
The country dealt in a huge amount of shipping as well as the sale of natural resources, but the wealth remained with a few important families and their friends/investors. Most of the island lived in poverty, with those on the coast subsisting on fishing and those inland mining or farming, or working in the cities. The capital was essentially a larger Kowloon, millions of people packed into high-rise tenements and shanties. This was of course a breeding ground for crime, with foreign and domestic gangs seeking to control the smuggling on the island.

The reigning monarch has inherited a shaky political and cultural situation following the death of his father, and San Borondon remains in a state of flux between various cultural, political and ideological groups, all vying for control of the county. Currently unaligned to any international group or entity, the country is a hotspot in the South Pacific, important strategically for its' resources and location, but a difficult situation to approach and even more so to resolve quickly or easily.

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

Central & Southern Africa
The Central region of Africa has undergone the most change in the post-heavenfall era. As many of the nations in the region underwent dramatic reforms following the Heavenfall, a new global power emerged from the reason, spurred by international investment. This has changed the global balance of power somewhat.
The southern regions of the continent likewise underwent great change in the latter years of the 20th and early 21st century, and following the Heavenfall and being spared of much of its' devastation, remained a strong presence and something of a bulwark against the growing power to their north, and an important ally and contact in the region for the growing presence of the N/UN.

The New Central African Alliance
During the 1990s, much of this region was beset by civil war, proxy wars and conflicts between the West and East, and other such tragedies. Soviet advisors and contacts supplied and rendered aid to the nations of the Central and South African nations as an attempt to sway them from Western influences, especially in their post-colonial phase. However, the clashes of tribal, ethnic and religious identities resulted in genocidal conflicts and human rights atrocities, and the rise of many dictators to prominence.
During the Heavenfall, the cutting off of these influences from West and East alike left things to burn themselves out to mere embers of what they had been.
Following the disaster, unknown powers took hold of the region, and opened the borders to investment from foreign nationals, trading on the rights for the wealth of precious materials, resources and land as an incentive. Restrictions on scientific research and experimentation as well as the relaxing of 'green' policies and industrial standards were offered as well, and were too tempting for many MegaCorporations to resist. However, their presence was conditional on the fact that they invested into the infrastructure of the region and employed locals as a majority of their workforce.
This allowed for rebuilding of the region and for an increase in quality of life that came about rapidly - improvements in education, healthcare, housing, public utilities, transportation, and more all followed and the collection of countries entered into a coalition of nations, collaborating on issues of defence, economic policies, law, education and other such shared ideals.
No one is quite sure how this came about so quickly and readily, or how it was administered to. There seems to be evidence of some party or group pulling the strings, but it is uncertain who and why, but the results have been the creation of a super-state that challenges the N/UN for wealth and presence on the global stage.
The NCAA has considerable manufacturing, industrial, agricultural, medical and financial industries. The NCAA has friendly trade and defence arrangements with the CAA, and trade agreements with the ISL and China. The international community has levelled accusations of aiding insurgent groups and political agitators against the NCAA, but there has been no direct evidence. However, the NCAA acts as a home base for several PMC groups that have been charged with violations of human rights and numerous war crimes.
The NCAA exports several products from the MegaCorporations that have many key facilities, manufacturing plants and other installations within its' borders. This creates a difficult situation for the N/UN, as the products manufactured there are important world-wide, but the way they are manufactured, the conditions under which they are manufactured, and the policies of the country where they are made are ethically and morally questionable.

The NCAA is thought to possess weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons. The alliance has a modern, powerful military including naval forces capable of blue-water combat and operations and with naval aviation, long-range aircraft, and capable, large land forces.
The NCAA has a space program, but with no manned missions as yet. There is suspicion they may possess space-borne weapon systems, but with no confirmation as yet. Their rocket launch capabilities may also adaptable into long-range ballistic missiles, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Kenya
Kenya had a troublesome period of transitioning to full democracy during the 1990s, with a lot of fallout after elections resulting in harassment and intimidation. This began to change in the early 21st century, and when the Heavenfall struck, the people of the country were galvanised in the wake of the disaster and widespread reforms lead to a stable democratic leadership. Changes to the constitution in the early 2010's lead to further increased stability and growth, and the country settled into what seemed to be a brighter period, although hampered by the growth and presence of the NCAA to its' west.
As such, Kenya sought membership in the N/UN and forged alliances with the other nations to its' south, while also building up its' own military power and presence in an attempt to ensure their own sovreignty and safety for its' citizens.

Tanzania
Tanzania has remained a stable and safe country through its' history, and remains so during the post-Heavenfall era. However, the presence of the NCAA to the North-West and its' intimidating posture and overtures toward Tanzania and its' neighbours has lead to the forging of mutual aid and assistance treaties with the other South African nations against NCAA aggression. Tanzania has also gained membership in the N/UN, and is an important contributor to the international alliance.

Mozambique
Mozambique spent most of the 1990s recovering from a civil war that had raged for the previous decade. Insurgency was still a problem in some regions of the country, and this strained efforts to bring stability, progress and growth to the nation. Nonetheless, democracy remained stable and slowly but surely, the economy started to grow.
The Heavenfall had relatively little effect on the country, but following it, there was a considerable surge in economic activity as the nations of the world elsewhere were in dire need of material resources, manufacturing and agricultural products to aid in their own rebuilding. The government in power at the time consulted carefully and extensively with experts and planned their acquisitions carefully, and used this boon of trade and investment to put back into the countries' economy, and started to resolve the deficiencies in the quality of living and standards of living that had been an issue for the nation for years.
While Mozambique is still under-developed compared to many nations, levels of healthcare, education, and development have begun to greatly increase and new programs of building for roads, public utilities, housing and other needed facilities have begun in earnest.
Mozambique is part of several important regional trade alliances and agreements, and is a member of the N/UN.

Zimbabwe & Botswana
Zimbabwe has suffered under an authoritarian regime since before the Heavenfall, and still endures it depradations in the current era. Individual freedoms are few, and human rights violations are frequent. The disparity between the rich and poor is excessive, and the country is in a state of economic ruin. State security and secret 'police' are excessive in their methods, and act as a private army that root out dissent against the president and ruling party.
Protests against the government and the economy are frequent and loud, but are met with brutal suppression.
The country has been courted by the NCAA, but currently has refused all attempts at joining the alliance, and has also been refused admission to the N/UN, though the continued abuses of human rights are condemned regularly by the international alliance and have placed the country under continuous sanctions, with warrants for arrest issued for many of the ruling members of the country for these violations.

Botswana on the other hand has been the most stable and peaceful democratic country in the region for decades, and this continued throughout the 1990s and even through the Heavenfall. Its' economy is relatively stable and steady, and has undergone growth and expansion during the 21st century and post-Heavenfall as it has attempted to expand industry with the help of the N/UN after being admitted membership. It has solid alliances and treaties of co-operation with its' neighbours, and is seen as a stabilising force for the region.

Madagascar
The island nation of Madagascar was hit heavily by the tidal activity and flooding as a result of the Heavenfall. Already a under-developed country, inhabited regions along the coast were affected heavily, and many died or were injured. Sickness and starvation followed, and the country was forced to rely on international assistance and aid to rebuild to any extent.
Much of this aid was granted by the Chinese government, who invested heavily in the region and forged alliances with the Madagascan government, signing numerous trade and other agreements for co-operation as part of the redevelopment and reconstruction efforts.
Madagascar has become an important Chinese ally in the region, though also maintains friendly ties with the N/UN.
With the efforts at reconstruction and redevelopment, quality of life has improved greatly in Madagascar, though there is still a lot of work to do, especially in the form of developing infrastructure and industry, but the country is clearly on the road to becoming a more developed economy and nation.

Namibia
Nambia has struggled since gaining it's independence. Despite a politically stable leadership and significant natural resources, the country has suffered with extreme poverty, and the standards of living for the majority of its' sparse population are quite low by comparison to other worldwide standards.
The Heavenfall's effects on Namibia were less physical, and more incidental. Skilled workers, resources, raw materials and other products that the country could manufacture and export were required. Protests against corruption and outdated policies followed this, and this lead to reforms. As investment and capital started to trickle into the country, it was in turn reinvested into the economy and state, and a period of rebuilding and reconstruction followed, marking a turning point as the countries' economy began to grow and unemployment started to fall. Education and healthcare received significant investment, reducing the problems that had been ever-present with HIV/AIDS and domestic violence, and development and construction of more modern communities, housing, and infrastructure for the people was made a priority.
The country has also begun to rebuild and modernise its' armed forces through collaboration with the N/UN, and in particular European nations and South Africa, with joint training and instruction programs well underway.

South Africa
The formal end of Apartheid in South Africa came about in 1994, but it took far longer for the stain of it to be excised completely from the country as a whole. Tensions ran high throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and the country's citizens still lived in a disparate state of inequality between the richest and poorest, and between urban and rural areas.
The Heavenfall had significant effects on South Africa; many of the poorest regions, full of condemned buildings or shanty towns and shacks were wrought with devastation, due to their poor maintenance and construction. Widespread illness and casualties followed, and it was a wakeup call to the government that things had to change on a large scale.
General elections were held, and the newly elected government enacted widespread reforms, especially in the face of the NCAA building its' power to the north, and with the northern hemisphere powers being forced into a state of rebuilding and comparatively reduced in power, South Africa as one of the more technologically advanced and modern nations on the continent was forced to take a leading position.
Reconstruction efforts focused on modernising utilities, infrastructure, public services, housing and industry; providing jobs and secure living conditions for those that had historically fallen through the gaps in society. New education and healthcare initiatives bought a better quality of living and greater employment to even more.

The presence of a new and threatening challenge to security and stability on the continent and the global stage alike also served as an incentive for South Africa's defence forces to modernise and expand, investing in their friendly relations and membership of the N/UN to improve their abilities and expand, becoming one of the better trained and most modern forces on the African continent.

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

West Africa

Western Africa was caught in a back and forth of clashes between tribal, ethnic and religious groups across the countries that made up the region. Crashing economies and rampant government corruption were characteristic of the region.
UN peacekeeping forces and foreign military intervention was frequent in the area throughout the 1990s in efforts to mediate the rampant civil wars and atrocities that occurred regularly in the area.
Crime was also rife, especially in the form of illegal mining, smuggling of precious metals and stones, arms smuggling and dealing and other such activities.
Political stability was virtually unknown in the region, with military coups and government corruption running rife.

When the Heavenfall came, the tidal activity devastated much of the coastal regions, including a lot of built-up and heavily urbanised areas where much of the population was concentrated. Following the disaster, the region was ravaged by disease and in the throes of crippling devastation. With other countries already strained, aid was long in coming.
In the meantime, warlords set themselves up in positions of power, using their influence to provide for those that rendered service to them, supplying them with what little they could by raiding others, and turning the anger and frustration outward. Piracy and other raiding practices became common, and the ethnic and tribal violence continued, and these bands grew bolder and more brazen in their assaults. These would-be countries also sought aid and all from and rendered assistance to groups such as the CAA and the ISL.
Finally tiring of the increasingly aggressive actions toward their civilian and military shipping and against their allies in the region, the N/UN mobilised their forces and PMC's to engage key targets in the region, before moving battlegroups into the area and launching a full amphibious invasion, with the intent of subduing resistance and occupying the area until a functional government could be installed to facilitate the rebuilding of the various countries in the region into a functional economic, independent state.

This goal was hampered by interference from the NCAA and its' forces, which have harassed N/UN forces and covertly - and overtly - supplied aid, training and materiel to the independent warlords in the region, and have attempted to force the N/UN to negotiating tables with the forces already in the area.

Megafloat
Sitting approximately mid-way between the Canary Islands and Bermuda is the largest man-made island and free-floating structure ever built. The result of a collaboration between several nations, the 'megafloat' as it was named, was originally intended as a military and civilian facility for the resupply and refuge of ships and aircraft crossing the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the event of an all-out war. It was to act as a staging point for Western-block convoys across the Atlantic, in an attempt to avoid the 'wolfpack'-style raids of the Second World War, and maintain the superiority of the Atlantic for NATO and Western forces.
Constructed under much objection from the Eastern Bloc and their allies, it nonetheless persisted.
Construction itself is a marvel of engineering; utilising skills and techniques - as well as reserves of capital and raw materials - thought to be infeasible and impossible.
However, the project stalled and faltered, and by the early years of the 21st century, progress had slowed to a crawl, with private contractors bought in to bring the project back on track.
The Heavenfall caused further delays, and left the bare bones of the floating island intact.
In the post-Heavenfall era, it received new attention as various peoples took refuge on the floating construction. Boat peoples, displaced people, criminal elements, private corporations and eventually national interests all ended up contributing to the development and construction of the platform, expanding it well beyond its' original purposes and into a kind of multinational 'free zone', with its' own laws and ideals.
While there are international military presences on Megafloat, even they are no guarantee of security, and the place is almost like a modern-day pirates haven, like the Tortuga of years past.
While it is a more lawless and rough place, outright criminal activity such as theft, murder, assault and other such openly criminal actions are punished with the harshest justice. Other more questionably legal activities are more welcome, even if not openly discussed. Sales and trade of items that are 'restricted' elsewhere openly take place with few questions asked about their origins. Gambling is rife, as is the consumption and dealing of narcotic substances - although, there are harsh punishments for providing unsafe or impure product. Slavery and human trafficking is outlawed and punished by execution as well, and any crime against children is punished in the same way. Of course, without a formal government, police, or judicial system, many of these crimes are hard to prosecute and act upon, and 'not getting caught' or simply being more powerful and wealthy enough to pay the hired enforcers to look the other way can sometimes be enough - if you know the right people.
Megafloat's ruling body is a council of those with the highest stakes and presence in keeping the place running, a coalition of private individuals who are smart, cunning, and ruthless enough to make decisions and to have taken power where needed. They are not at all necessarily bad, or untrustworthy people. In fact, many of them are people who have stood up for various communities or groups that have arisen. However, they have their own forms of law and governance, and it can be a dangerous place, especially to assume things.

The pseudo-nation welcomes, or at least tolerates, the presence of international military and other vessels, as they bring business, and their using of the platform acts as a guarantee of its' usefulness and necessity, and is an insurance for existence, despite the arguably disagreeable acts that happen there.
Megafloat has no military forces of its' own, but has a permanently stationed or employed PMC of its' own, Trident, who act as security and protection for the floating city-state, and are relatively well equipped and capable.

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

North Africa
Egypt has already been addressed elsewhere. Some of this region may be dealth with as 'geographical' regions rather than nations, for ease of convenience.

Libya, Tunisia & Algeria
During the 1990's and early 21st century, Libya remained a dictatorship under the reign of Muammar Gadaffi and the military dictatorship he had installed. The country remained a prosperous nation due to the great reserves of oil, and despite surprisingly forward social policies - such as equality and freedom for women, and democratic aspirations - the administration of the country still funded terrorist groups world-wide, and provided training facilities for terrorist groups, as well as supplying arms and aid to these groups.
Internally, suppression of religion was brutal, especially after dissent from muslim leaders and tribal groups attempting to foment political dissent and overthrow against the Gadaffi regime.
Libya had a good relationship with the USSR in the form of arms trading and exchange training of military personnel, but they remained at a distance due to political and ideological differences. However, Libya also had a belligerant relationship with Western powers, and frequently clashed over territorial rights.
When the Heavenfall struck in the early 2000's, the devastation rocked the country, especially along the heavily populated coastal areas. In the following chaos, upheavals and protests tore through the country, and during this Gadaffi was assassinated during an attempted coup. The resulting civil war was brief, but bloody, and resulted in the elimination of the coup leaders and their followers, and the new leaders of the government emerging as an even more authoritarian regime. They invested heavily in the military and sought to expand their borders for purposes of security and prosperity, while maintaining a choke-hold on their nation.
As such, they have forged relations with the NCAA and the CAA, as well as trade with the PRC. They see the N/UN as an existential threat and an infringement on global freedom and peace, and actively sponsor anti-UN activity world wide.
Not long after the coup, Libyan forces invaded and seized Tunisian territory, and have likwise moved across Algerian borders and seized territory and settlements. They have also attacked and engaged N/UN chartered shipping and flights providing aid and relief to Malta, with a stated intention of seizing the island nation as a 'safeguard' against N/UN expansion in the Mediterranean region, having already invaded and seized the islands of Linosa and Lampedusa.
N/UN intelligence agencies have noted that Libyan representatives have been seeking expertise and materials for the construction of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons manufacturing and delivery systems, as well as expanding their blue-water naval assets and long-range military aircraft.

Algeria had been mired in civil war since the early 1990s, and this conflict showed little signs of end as the Heavenfall hit. Following the disaster, the government and country was in shambles, having been engaged in conflict prior to the disaster, it had little remaining infrastructure and services to deal with the fallout from the earthquakes, tidal waves, and other disasters.
As such, when the Libyan armed forces invaded in the late 2000's, they saw little resistance and were met with welcoming arms by many in the country, or faced with providing food, aid, and reconstruction in order to take control of the assets they had intended to seize.
Since then, the Libyans have gone about organising an interim government of their own choosing in order to facilitate the occupation. As such, Algeria is barely a shell of a nation, slowly rebuilding under Libyan guidance and with little in the way of its' own identity or independence on a global stage.

Morocco & Western Sahara
Morocco was a key ally of the West during the Cold War, acting as a check against Communist expansion in Northern Africa. Relations between the West and Morocco were good, and remained so throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century. Despite there being some questions of human rights and freedoms by comparison to other nations, the country still remains a modern and relatively progressive one by comparison to other Islamic nations.
The nation was heavily affected by seismic activity following the Heavenfall, but rebuilt quickly and was able to administer aid and relief to both its' own citizens and those in the contested territory of Western Sahara. Following the Heavenfall, Morocco allowed entry for refugees fleeing Algeria after the civil war and following Libyan invasion. With the assistance of the N/UN, a peaceful agreement was reached for the resolution of territorial issues with Western Sahara, with the region being acknowledged as an autonomous region, with Morocco aiding in the transition and preparations for independent leadership and governance. As of 2014, this process is still ongoing, with much international support and advisors in place, especially aiding in the dismantling of defences between the former Moroccan-administered territory.
Morocco and now Western Sahara are important N/UN allies on the African continent against the NCAA, which has expressed anti-N/UN sentiments in the past.

The Sahara Desert
While the Sahara does not constitute a country - or countries - in itself, it covers a vast region of North Africa across many countries. The region is vast and incredibly sparsely inhabited, with little in the way of easily accessible natural resources. The region has not been colonised or occupied historically due to the challenges of doing so. However, in the wake of the Heavenfall and the early 21st century, MegaCorporation activity in the newly-formed NCAA with little restriction or oversight has lead to many experimental programs to explore resources and usage of the region. The alteration of the global tilt following the Heavenfall has affected the climate in the region, and the full extent of this has yet to be understood, but the change in global weather patterns has affected the Sahara, and has resulted in rainfall increasing in the area.

Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti
Somalia was a fractured nation during the 1990s and the early 21st century, wracked by civil war that lasted into the 21st Century. Despite international intervention by various United Nations forces, the situation failed to improve. A new federal government was finally installed in 2004 - just as the Heavenfall occurred.
The disaster lead to the overwhelming of the international forces stationed in-country, as they were cut off from their support and logistics, and the country was thrown into the grip of warlords and extremists. The conflict continued until 2008, when an Islamic majority government was established, forming ties with the ISL.
While this government now controls the majority of the country including the capital city, the country itself is still in disarray.
China has attempted to render aid and assist in establishing a legitimate government and rebuilding of infrastructure, but has been met with resistance from the ruling religious council, which has slowed progress. Additionally, there is little ability to enforce control over much of the country, and tribal control remains in place, with piracy being the main form of economic actvity along with the cultivation of narcotics and other criminal activites.
Several less-than reputable PMC's have been contracted by various factions in the region, either acting in favour of, or against, the pirate clans or the Islamic government as enforcers. This activity also has a knock-on effect to the region, making it a dangerous area to traverse.

Ethiopia continued to struggle with internal conflicts among ethnic groups. Human rights violations and democratic backsliding were concerns throughout the 1990s and early 21st century.
During the Heavenfall, the country was affected greatly by tectonic activity, and the resulting devastation further crippled the country, causing widespread homelessness, starvation and disease, due to the governments inability to effectively deliver disaster relief to those affected.
In the years following the devastation, foreign investment into the country came from MegaCorporations, stimulating the economy and leading to increased growth and development. As these companies were in need of workers, they invested into education along with medical facilities, and improvements in infrastructure such as clean water, waste management, and other such utilities.
Ethiopia has resisted joining the NCAA so far, but has been courted to joined the multi-national alliance. They maintain cordial diplomatic ties with the NCAA, as well as with China and the N/UN alike, while remaining a developing and progressing power.

Djibouti was engaged in a civil war during the 1990s and into the 2000s, until a peace treaty was finally signed between the warring factions. Democratic elections followed, and there was a period of peace and stability, but this came to an end as the Heavenfall crashed down and the country was ravaged by destruction and disaster. Following the chaos, the country was swallowed up by Somalia and its' support for the ISL.

Raven Squad: Second Storm (Military/Spy-Fi RP) (COMPLETED)

Vulpine Space Command Centre, Île de la Tempête, Reunion

Suited and Booted

0800 Hours

Eloise saw Purna return from whatever had him elsewhere, and after Skye spoke to him, she quickly stepped over to him herself.
"Look," she said in that lilting accent of hers as she looked up at him. "I'm not very got at talking to people. And I'm even less used to working with them too. But thank you for helping find my place. We work well together. And well," she frowned and tried to shrug with the bulky, awkward suit on. "I wouldn't say it was fun, exactly, but you know what I mean. We did well, and I'm glad we had each other's backs". She hesitated and then stood on the tips of her toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"And we'll work together more in the future too. I hope we can also learn more about each other off the battlefield too. I'd like to be actual friends as well".
She gave his hand and forearm a firm squeeze with both hands, before crossing over to the truck to board.

Before she could work out how to climb up, she squeaked in a decidedly unflattering (but remarkably cute) way as Athena picked her up and put her on the seat. She looked back to protest, and found the gorgeous giantess' face at the same height as her petite, suit-clad torso. Her heart leapt into her throat and made a bid for escape at the first part of Athena's words toward her, and she felt as though she was about to plunge into the darkest pit in the Earth - until she continued and the second part of her words sank in, after a moment. Then that heart-fluttering sensation was all for a different reason and she felt a slight dizziness.
Eloise wasn't nearly the well-spoken woman that Athena was, and her lips faltered and scrunched as she tried to find the right words, before just setting for placing her gloved hand on Athena's cheek with a resolved smile.
"When we get back, we'll definitely go out somewhere. It's a promise," she said with a voice that sounded a lot bolder than she felt. She shuffled over as she saw Skye come along, and Athena move to lift her in too, looking to Skye as the team leader took her seat, checking over her gear. She gave one of her characteristic small, shy-ish smiles as Skye addressed her and her skills. She gave a little laugh, the sound soft and somewhat musical.
"If you had told me that we would be going up into space to track down an evil clone of you when I arrive... well, I probably would have been even more eager to sign up, honestly", she said with a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "But thank you for having faith in me. I will do everything in my power to make sure it's well placed. I am with you - all of you - in this to the end. You gave me a chance to be a real person again. I want to survive to get back and see what that's like. And if not, well... make sure that other people can have a world to do it in".

Launch Pad, inside an Arianne 7, Île de la Tempête, Reunion

T-Minus.....Raven One

0830 Hours

As the elevator clattered up the gantry alongside the Ariane rocket, gleaming white in the morning sun. It was magnificent, and Eloise couldn't quite comprehend the fact that yes, she was about to climb into it and blast off into space.
Even as she climbed into the crew module at the top of the rocket, her mind was whirling in a flurry of nonsensical thoughts as she strapped herself into the seat.
As Skye spoke, she couldn't contain it anymore and giggled, starting to sing somewhat off-key but recognisable as she did.
"And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no, no, no
I'm a Rocket Man..."

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

South America
The countries of South America were spared much of the destruction caused by the Heavenfall, as did the Southern Hemisphere overall.
Despite this, the region was still faced with its' own problems of insurgent organizations, corruption and violence, especially as influence from the Northern Hemispheres' nations and former superpowers was less heavily felt.
In the post-Heavenfall landscape, however, many of these nations have found themselves as economic, cultural or otherwise influential nations and presences on the world stage.

Brazil, Suriname & Guyana
Brazil in the 90s underwent a stable transition to full democratic representation and governance, after years of unstable governments and leadership. The country started to transform economically, after suffering with hyperinflation causing trouble for years, though there were still continuous issues with crime, inequality and inefficiency within the government and legal systems. As a result there were frequent political protests.
On the upside, Brazil had a rapidly developing, powerful economy and a growing industrial base that covered a variety of industries.
The Heavenfall spared much of the Southern Hemisphere from the major impacts, and Brazil was no different, suffering comparatively less damage than countries north of the Equator. The subsequent flooding and other impacts due to the 'long night' as dust and debris filled the atmosphere caused damage.
This disaster underscored the need for reform and reorganisation on a large scale, and this lead to improved conditions after reforms in the legal and economic systems of the country, as well as overhauling the political bodies and organizations in place.
Extensive construction projects were also launched, aimed at providing better housing fit for purpose that eliminated the shanty towns and favelas that had spread around urbanised areas, and the renewal programs created more and better jobs, as well as fuelling the economy.
This increase in the national economy and in security and stability allowed the Brazilian government to render aid and assistance to its' neighbours, smaller and less-developed nations that had historically suffered. The smaller nations of Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana to the north suffered more damage from rising sea levels and the geological and tidal effects from the Heavenfall, as well as from the WANC and CAA and their actions. This lead to greater co-operation between them, with Brazil signing treaties for co-operative agreements for trade, defence, aid, and other matters.

Brazil itself escaped much of the depredations of both the WANC and the CAA. As the nation with the largest and most powerful military in South America and one of the largest and most powerful in the southern hemisphere, the Brazilian Armed Forces were instrumental in turning the WANC away from South America at last, and halting the expansion of the CAA southward by leading a coalition of other South American countries in a security agreement.

With their manufacturing base, robust economy, strong military, and stable political leadership, Brazil has been a core member of the N/UN and has been a leading presence in the post-Heavenfall world. Shouldering this role has been a difficult task, and has resulted in a program of expanding military forces, especially with an eye on being capable of global reach and influence, as opposed to their traditional role of being focused only on regional security.
Despite this new leading role and presence on the global stage, Brazil still suffers with issues around criminal activity within the country, especially deep within the Amazon rainforest, and in the North-West regions of the country where it borders CAA territory, and the CAA sponsoring and supplying insurgent and activist revolutionary groups within the jungle. Illegal poaching, logging, and other disruptive activities to the rainforest are also issues, along with human trafficking through the Amazon region.

Colombia, Ecuador & Venezuela
Colombia had always struggled since the 1950's with internal violence. Much of this encouraged by the USA's interference in the countries' internal policies against the insurgents as part of their global crusade against communism. The country has also had terrible issues with drug cartels producing, supplying and exporting narcotics on a global scale, and the government has struggled to control this and suppress it, especially with external pressure to do so. International aid and assistance had concentrated on controlling this activity as well.
While the Heavenfall did not cause a great deal of damage, the chaos and uncertainty it did cause, coupled with the activity of the CAA and the groups it represented erupted into a civil war, as they armed and trained the cartels as part of their expansion. It was only through assistance from Brazil and the N/UN that this civil war was bought to a halt, though this has left the country fractured and the government and military stretched and in great need of support and rebuilding and reconstruction.

Ecuador had it's own conflict with Peru that stretched through much of the 1990's, with the dispute only being resolved in the early 21st century, though anti-Peruvian sentiment was still high among some sections of the population.
After the Heavenfall, Ecuador was not especially heavily affected, though the Galapgos Islands were notably affected by the rising sea levels and changes in climate.
In the post-Heavenfall era, liberal reforms of the economic structure of the country have lead to massive reductions in unemployment and hugely stimulated the economy, aiding in rebuilding and creating a positive environment for investment and development. This has lead to the country being one of the stronger economies in the southern hemisphere, and this has resulted in turn in the increasing presence of Megacorporations within the country. The standard of living for the common citizen has gone up, and individual wealth has improved.
However, the country has a poor record of individual freedoms of expression and freedoms of the press and media, with repeated reports of intimidation of journalists and members of the press. Individual liberties - such as LGBTQ rights - are protected under the constitution.

The Ecuadorian military has been expanding and modernising as the economy improves, and this had lead to it being a stabilising influence in South America, and becoming an important member of the N/UN.

Venezuela suffered from extreme political unrest during the 1990s. It was a decade marked by failed coups, civil unrest and protests, and government scandal. It wasn't until the latter years of the decade that a series of elections were held and the countries' new constitution imposed. Increased spending lead to a rise in the overall social quality for all, but the Heavenfall and the resulting worldwide crisis stalled efforts at reform and improvement, and the economy collapsed into a depression, while the government itself spiralled and fractured, especially as more authoritarian measures were enacted and questions about the legitimacy of democratic elections and funding of candidates campaigns lead to more questions regarding corruption. Unemployment and poverty rose, and this has lead to external factors further influencing the country and its' course. The CAA moved in, assuming control with relative ease, and engaged in clashes against the WANC, who seized much of the countries' wealth, military equipment and materiel, and used it to fund their campaign through the Carribbean and for planning in their ongoing campaigns. The CAA managed to oust the WANC, and assumed control over the country, taking control of Venezuela's oil reserves and production to finance their own national aspirations.

Argentina
Argentina was unaffected by the immediate aftershocks of the Heavenfall, but the subsequent rising sea levels proved to be a difficulty, as flooding struck many coastal areas.
The country had been stuck in an economic depression prior to the Heavenfall, and it took the worldwide chaos and nationwide emergency to shake things up enough for reforms to take effect. The need for rapid changed and sweeping reforms lead to a radical party in control of the country. This stimulated the economy, but there was also a considerable deal of unrest that became more pronounced as the new government were longer in their role. While the country underwent a great deal of modernisation, improvements in infrastructure, improvement in the standards of education and healthcare and a rebuilding and modernisation of the military, there were also frequent claims of corruption within the government, courts, and police, restrictions on individual freedoms - such as freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press- and reports of human rights abuses, torture, and brutality against suspects by the police and military police.
This situation has - unfortunately - persisted, but has not stopped Argentina becoming a noteworthy and strong regional power, forging strong ties with the NCAA and PRC. Argentina has not sought any conflict with the N/UN, or opposed their actions, and has signed up to many treaties of mutual benefit, such as security treaties for shipping and contributed to anti-piracy initiatives. However, they have resolutely refused any investigation or interference with their internal policies, and fiercely guard their borders.
A brief second Falklands war was launched in 2010 to try and reclaim the islands from the UK, after substantial and ongoing claims that they were going to do exactly this. The reprisals from the British wer decisive and powerful. While the Argentinians managed a swift and decisive attack that managed to crippled the RAF contingent at Mount Pleasant, the Royal Navy had already had a carrier battle group en route, reinforced with allied assets from the N/UN allied navies, and covered by the upgraded and modernised Nimrods and Vulcans flying from Ascension Island striking shipping and ground forces alike.
The carrier group landed land forces rapidly and the land battle grew quickly. As soon as the airbase was retaken, land-based aircraft quickly moved in, and this time the RAF didn't hesitate, launching strikes on the Argentine mainland and crippling the Argentinian air force and navy at home, with the Argentinians surrendering unconditionally thereafter, and forced to abandon their goal, while rebuilding their shattered armed forces.

Paraguay
Paraguay had a turbluent history during the 1990s and early 2000s, notable by the frequent changes in leadership and disagreements in policies, and abuses of power. This resulted in numerous civil protests. Under such criticism, the government entered into a coalition and pursued economic reform in order to try and provide a better and more stable state.
However, before much could take effective action the Heavenfall struck.
While Paraguay was not heavily damaged, the chaos and damage to the rest of the world had knock-on effects to the country itself.
Following the Long Winter, Paraguay struggled further with its' economy. Exports of beef and agricultural resources that were its' mainstays, dropped drastically. The paraguayan government petitioned for assistance from their neighbours, and Brazil responded. The Brazilian government rendered considerable financial and material aid, something that bought the Paraguayan government into their sphere of influence. This also lead to greater reforms of the government and democratic processes, enabling greater stability within the country, and slowly transforming it into a more stable and steady nation, with greater comforts and quality of living for its' citizens.
Paraguay has since become part of the N/UN, albeit a minor member, but still a contibuting one.

Uruguay
Uruguay suffered from terrible economic decline in the 1990's and early 2000's, with public opinion turning against the free market policies that had been introduced during the period. Plans to privatize the national water and petroleum companies were made, but they were halted as the Heavenfall occurred, leading to emergency measures to cope.
The long winter affected a lot of the exports and imports that Uruguay depended on, and lead to higher levels of unemployment, homelessness, disease and crime.
It wasn't until the next round of democratic elections that a new government started to take action to address these issues. Programs of reconstruction were launched that created more jobs and stimulated employment and the economy. Introduction of social security reforms bought in new public healthcare available and affordable to all, along with other social programs for support. Progress was somewhat gradual, but showed improvement. Other economic programs allowed for greater investment into industry and made the country attractive for corporate investment.
Since then, Uruguay has become a stable regional power with a growing economy, and has joined the N/UN.

Chile
Chile enjoyed a relatively free and liberal government during the 1990s and early 21st century, through a coalition government. The country remained stable and prosperous, especially after coming out of a precious decade and a half under a military dictatorship.
Chile suffered significant damage from earthquakes related to the Heavenfall and the flooding that followed - especially to it's island territories - but was able to rebuild quickly and efficiently. As a stable regional power and presence, the Chilean government rendered aid to other more heavily affected powers in the Northern hemisphere. Chile is an important contributor to the N/UN, and has strong alliances and contact with many other countries. Chile maintains a relatively robust military, which it is continuing to steadily expand with a regard to strengthening its' ability to project power wordlwide as part of its' commitment to the N/UN.

Peru
Peru in the 1990's was marked by a stark contrast. While inflation in the country fell drastically and its' economy was growing thanks to substantial economic reforms, the country was tarred with the brush of atrocities committed by the armed forces in cracking down on the insurgent groups and in pursuing them and clamping down on support for them. The rule of the president during this time was strongly authoritarian policies that steered the country into his vision and criminalised left-leaning policies, ideals or views as 'terrorism' or terrorist activities, and creating a climate of fear.
The president was ousted in the early 2000's, but escaped prosecution for humans rights abuses.
The Heavenfall lead to a round of new elections, but corruption was still endemic within the government, as many of its' ministers clung to control of the departments, agencies and institutions that allowed them to maintain their power previously. Progress in human rights and individual freedoms have progressed despite strong opposition, and the new government has conducted fair and free elections.
The current government is the most liberal Peru has had for some time, but faces considerable internal opposition from the remnants of the authoritarian government and the deeply entrenched views and concepts held. Inequality is still rife, but slow progress is being made. Peru is experiencing improving, and has strong ties with its' south American neighbours, though relations with Chile are still wary, due to previous antagonistic incidents and conflict.

Bolivia
The economic growth and reforms of the 1990s in Bolivia were followed by a struggle in the early 21st century over the vast natural gas resources within Bolivia. The conflict lead to armed clashes between protestors and armed police, something that drew a lot of attention on the international stage. The protests continued, but the Heavenfall interrupted everything and drew attention away on the international stage.
Elections conducted in the wake of the Heavenfall lead to a democratically socialist government that pursued nationalization of the gas reserves. The profits from this were used to institute sweeping economic reforms that lead to essential growth within the country and Bolivia emerging as the fastest growing country in the region and increases in wages for all workers. The same reforms also lead to better education and healthcare for all, with Bolivia starting to emerge as a more stable and strong nation than it had been in the 20th century.
Bolivia is a member of the N/UN and has begun to modernise its' military forces as part of its' commitment to N/UN treaties.

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

The Carribbean
As the Carribbean is a region of entirely island nations, it was affected heavily by the Heavenfall, and the region was then swept through by the WANC following their regrouping in South America. As a result of this the population of the region was drastically reduced, and organised governments in many of the smallest nations were rendered defunct, especially as so many of them had only small and outdated armed forces, reliant on treaties to aid in their defence.
Precious few nations in the area survived, greater details are provided below.

In this guide, the West Indies are also included as part of the Carribbean region. If an OTL nation is not listed below, it can be assumed to have been rendered ineffectual or destroyed in the Shattered Steel timeline.

Cuba
Cuba survived the Heavenfall and the resulting disaster surprisingly well. Further, the collapse of the USSR and Russia did not hinder the country as much as expected. Cuba has remained a socialist country with a planned economy and services provided by the government, such as higher education and universal healthcare, as well as means of production owned and operated by the state. Unlike in many other nations that have tried it over the years, Cuba has been the only relatively successful one, though even then has made several concessions and reorganised and adapted as need be.
In the wake of the Heavenfall, these reforms became more extensive by necessity, and the Cuban government formed stronger ties with the PRC and the NCAA, both of which assisted in a program of modernisation for the country's ailing infrastructure, and raised the quality of living. This also lead to modernisation of the armed forces.
One especially notable fact is that the Cuban government expelled the US Navy from Cuba after ending the lease held on the land that Guantanamo Bay occupied, and the base and land reclaimed for use by the Cuban government.

The Bahamas
The Heavenfall ravaged the Bahamas, and left the country in ruins. Due to the wealth heald in the country in offshore accounts and other capital, it managed to rebuild, but the destruction across the United Kingdom rendered them unable to fulfil their obligations to defend the country from aggression, other than a token show of force to dissuade the WANC.
As the N/UN was rapidly established, one of the Bahamian Islands - formerly used as a reserve airstrip and flying boat base during the Second World War and early years of the Cold War - was rapidly developed into a fully-fledged military installation including a harbour and habitation and facilities for those living and working on the island, with both air and sea links to other islands of the Bahamas.
In return, Shattered Steel act as the de facto defence forces for the Bahamas, as well as providing services such as counter-terrorism, counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, search-and-rescue and reserve air-traffic control, weather surveillance and so on, along with training and instruction for the Bahamian Defence Force itself.

Jamaica
Jamaica was heavily affected by the disasters of the Heavenfall. Earthquakes and tidal waves wracked the island nation with destruction, and the resulting fallout from these incidents and disasters further caused damage. In the aftermath, the Jamaican government was forced to rely on foreign aid to rebuild, the process taking a long time. However, this forged greater alliances with the nations of South America, and later the NCAA, when it came to rebuilding the economy and industrial base of the country. PMC's provided by the NCAA also provided security against the WANC and CAA, allowing Jamaica to retain independence and security, and begin to improve its' economic standing. Jamaica has not requested to join the N/UN as yet, and remains an independent nation with friendly ties to the NCAA, Cuba, and the TSA among others.

The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands were all-but destroyed by the seismic and tidal activity of the Heavenfall, with the major centres of population utterly devastated. What people remained were evacuated to nearby safer countries while rebuilding was due to start.
As such, when the WANC swept through the area, they pillaged the ruins of the Cayman Islands, seizing the territory. George Town is the closest thing that the WANC has to a city or capital, and the Cayman Islands have become their central 'base' of operations, though they maintain a highly distributed and mobile presence across the region.

The Heavenfall Universe - A Guide

Central America
Author's Note: Mexico is included within the Central American entry for the sake of convenience, and due to the involvement of the other neighbouring countries with the fate of Mexico. Additionally, due to the presence and influence of the CAA, some traditionally South American countries are included.

Mexico
Mexico was beset by civil unrest and violence during the last years of the 20th century and during the early years of the 21st century, due to the increasingly powerful influence of Drug Cartels in the country. Their financial and military influence, as well as holding sway with people due to a combination of violence and the provision of jobs and services that provided better than the legitimate government meant that, especially in rural or remote areas or in cities, towns, or provinces remote from the central government, they had more power and were engaged in what was essentially war against the government.
Few of these cartels had much in the way of political aspiration or ideology beyond the freedom from restriction to manufacture and traffic their product, and to create an environment where they can do this without challenge.
When the Heavenfall came, the geological upheavals and disasters wrought havok through the country. The elected government's ability to respond was hampered by the conflict with the cartels and their influence. Cartels mobilised their forces throughout the country and the region at large.
The Mexican government pleaded for help from the USA and other allied nations in combating the Cartels, and this resulted in a massive military operation, with elements of the armed forces, police and government turning in open rebellion against the rest. At the end of operations, the country was split in two with everything north of a line coast-to-coast with Puebla in the middle being in control of the legitimate and elected government, and everything south of that line a part of the (lengthily named) Mexican State of the Central America Alliance, often called CAA Mexico.
Additionally, the Baja peninsula was ceded to the United States, with the border along the Colorado River.
Despite the extensive and costly military campaign, Mexico still struggles with insurgent action and resistance from CAA affiliated groups throughout its' territory, along with White American Nationalist Clan activity, especially in coastal regions.
Mexico has aligned with the N/UN, and has attempted to rearm and reinforce its' military in a program of modernisation and accelerated training, employing many PMCs as training, support, and advisory personnel, especially in border regions.

The CAA
The Central American Alliance came about as a consequence of decades of government corruption, criminal cartels, insurgencies and military coups throughout the central american countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama and Nicaragua.
When the Heavenfall crashed down and the devastation that came along with it, the destruction ravaged these countries all-but crippled their governments and their ability to respond. Following this, the WANC swept through the area, ravaging and stripping the region of military assets and further cutting a swathe through the population. Cartels, insurgent forces and radical groups seized power and forged alliances between one another, overthrowing the legitimate governments and forming their own systems and forms of governance and control.
After years, and infighting between various factions, the dominant governments of these regions were formed of a coalition of drug cartel barons and their followers, marxist groups or religious sects. Forming a coalition of representatives, they signed and organised treaties with the NCAA, who have greatly invested into the region, along with MegaCorporations, the ISL and other nonaligned entities. Colombia later voluntarily aligned with the CAA and NCAA.
While the CAA does not yet possess any known weapons of mass destruction, they have been actively pursuing them, with suspected capability for basic chemical weapons and possibly crude biologicals or radiologicals. Their strategic power projection is lacking, with no major naval or long-range air assets, but this is being rapidly changed thanks to agreements with the NCAA.

Independent Panama
The Panama Canal remains a highly important shipping connection between the Atlantic and Pacific and of strategic importance. As such, when the NCAA was being formed and Panama was unravelling, a coalition of NATO and allied forces - including from several South American nations - thrown together hastily launched a limited campaign to secure territory around the canal and established a secure zone that would later become known as Independent Panama. The region was garrisoned by N/UN-licenced PMC's and N/UN national forces to provide a barrier of security, and is a hotspot of insurgency, surrounded as it is by hostile forces.

Costa Rica
Almost the only surviving independent nation in Central America, Costa Rica weathered the rise of the CAA through fortune and the grace of the N/UN and PMC's. The resistance against CAA aggression was one of the first large deployments of PMCs including Shattered Steel, and the first time they fought alongside national forces.
Costa Rica has remained a country with a robust democratic government, and has maintained its' free trade zones, which have become a haven for MegaCorporations, who in turn have bought much of their own security forces into the nation, a situation that has lead to tension, given that Cosa Rica has no standing army of its' own. The government has had intense discussion about either establishing their own military, or hiring a PMC on a long-term contract to provide stability and security, although currently this has only been maintained at the border against CAA activities.