Historic Timeline in the BETAverse (Part 08)

Divergence Point and Timeline (Continued)

• 1994
  - February: In the @Empire of Japan, the much-desired, purely domestically-developed Type-94 Shironui, developed by the three companies of Fugaku, Mitsuhishi, and Kawazaki by utilizing the data from licensed-production of the @Type-89 Kagerou, is finally deployed in combat for the first time. The first TSF to boast of a high level of performance conforming to 3rd generation TSF standards, strict adherence to the design used would resulted in meager adaptability for future modification plans, leading to complications in its upgrade plans in later years.
  - The ECTSF tech demonstrator machine, the ESFP (Experimental Surface Fighter Program) prototype, is finally completed by British Aerospace, after a long process of independent development by the @United Kingdom. Control of the ESFP is transferred to the Euro Fightas, and the Rain Dancers Squadron, with the backing of the British government, is dispatched to the @United Nations's European force, with the aim of appealing to various European nations via a demonstration of its capabilities in live combat.
  - @The United States of America (USA) first deploys the F-18E/F Super Hornet, a high-performance all-rounder upgrade of the @F-18 Hornet. With the completion and deployment of a unit with such an excellent cost-performance ratio, the retirement of the @F-14 Tomcat, which until then had continued to defend its absolute position as the Navy's mainline TSF, would begin to be pursued.
  - The @Unified Front of China first deploys the J-10, A 2nd-generation machine covertly joint-developed by Shengdu and IEI, based on the F-16C, it would later become the most successful @F-16 Fighting Falcon-derived TSF.
  - @The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) first deploys the @MiG-29 Lastochka. Developed by the Mikoyam Guluvich Design Bureau, it is a high-performance TSF, said to be the culmination of Soviet 2nd-generation machines, with mobility and close-combat capabilities pushed to their limits. However, the MiG-29 did not flourish in domestic procurement, and a lifeline for the TSF is sought overseas.

• 1995
  - Construction begins on the @Mandalay Hive, Objective 17, in the Burmese territory of Mandalay. In response, the @United Nations, along with the South-East Asian nations, begin construction on the @Malaysian Peninsula Defence Line, as well as a final defence line at the Kula Gulf of Solomon Islands.
  - The @United Nations, after scrutiny of proposals by candidate nations, decides to adopt the Japanese plan for @Alternative IV as a replacement for the stagnated Alternative III when the research of Dr. @Yuuko Kouzuki of the Imperial University catches their eye. Japan's proposal is adopted and elevated in status to the Fourth Alternative Plan without a preparatory period, with data produced by similar plans in the past immediately requisitioned for the Alternative Plan, while Dr. Yuuko is immediately sworn in as the plan's chief supervisor. Establishment of the Alternative IV HQ could not be done in time for the sudden decision, and a in-name only headquarters is set up at the Imperial University's Applied Quantum Physics Research Facility. Meanwhile, in opposition to Alternative IV, @The United States of America (USA) continued their coercive lobbying for the revival of their own anti-BETA plan.
  - @The United States of America (USA) and its Alternative V allies begin the infrastructure construction in space for the purposes of completing their colony ship backup plan to Alternative IV.
  - Work on the @00 Unit by both Alternative IV chief supervisor @Yuuko Kouzuki and Professor Kiriyama of the Imperial University begins. In order to set up the 00 Unit's candidate selection pool, the 207th Training School is established at the Imperial Army's Hakuryou Base, under the direct control of Alternative IV. Outwardly, the 207th would be presented as any other training school.
  - With the @Empire of Japan's selection as the host nation of Alternative IV, more Imperial Army facilities are opened up to units of the @United Nations military's Far East Force called upon by the plan. Hakuryou Base is one of them; units of the UN Pacific 11th Force are also stationed bases in Kadena, Iwakuni, Misawa, Chitose, and other locations.
  - The @United Nations starts the Blue Book Program, the goals of which partially align with those of the Alternative Plans.
  - As part of the revision of their Military Service Law, the @Empire of Japan passes an amendment to extend the conscription effort to include unmarried women over the age of 18.
  - @The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) begins the П3 (Total Eclipse) Plan, their own anti-BETA initiative to recapture their national territory. Due to the very small size of the plan and its research, little is known about it to others.
  - The @United Nations Statistics Division announces that the world population has fallen to approximately 50% of the pre-BETA Wars figure. However, it is also noted that the rate of decline had vastly fallen compared to the 30% worldwide casualty rate immediately after the first year of the BETA War; the introduction of @Tactical Surface Fighter (TSF)s, which allowed military forces to check against the intensification of destruction wrought by the BETA, was attributed as a reason.
  - @The United States of America (USA), throughout the bidding process for Alternative IV and even after, continues to pressure the @United Nations into ceasing operations for Alternative IV prematurely, and reviving their own anti-BETA strategy as Alternative V. Measures taken include suggestions from the USA that they would consider withdrawing US troops from the UN's low-orbit space fleet and from the orbital defense network if the UN did not acquiesce.
  - @The United States of America (USA) first deploys the modernized version of the @F-15 Eagle, the F-15E Strike Eagle. This is in part due to a shift in focus from the production of 3rd-generation TSFs into updating 2nd-generation designs to keep them relevant in the frontline role.
  - @Kasumi Yashiro, a man-made 6th-generation @Human ESPer produced during the final hours of Alternative III, is requisitioned and transferred to Alternative IV at the same time alongside other resources. Her powerful reading ability would later provide a great contribution to Alternative IV.
  - @BETA - Soldier Class, the smallest BETA strain to be encountered, are first confirmed after studying several specimens of the species.
  - November: A combined @European Union force, including the Rain Dancers Squadron, using the brand new testgroup of @EF-2000 Typhoons attempt to create a new foothold in @Europe with the goal of retaking parts of Italy from BETA control. It ends in utter failure, with the force being unable to neither create a foothold nor retake parts of Europe.