Antarctic Awakening

The Antarctic Awakening was the first and only act of combat waged on Antarctica  where the kaiju Pingor  had awakened from its slumber and leveled the research facility. The attack marked the third major occurrence of the Invasive Species Skirmishes.

The Conflict

Prelude

The kaiju was discovered by humanity during World War II, first by the Nazis and then by the United States . It was in stasis within a giant, extraterrestrial, underground research facility built by the extinct Elder Things , which was then repurposed by the Xothians. Attempts for the United States to storm the base were repelled, and the two groups had a collective standoff that lasted for decades. A research facility was built on the outside of the underground facility by Majestic  and the United States to research the extraterrestrial presence, search for more kaiju in hibernation, and to study the continent. Internally, it was known as Majestic 31 but was known to the international public as the MacCready Research Base. There was initially a small military presence in Antarctica, but the United States had to withdraw its forces after the Antarctic Treaty System of 1959 banned the presence of any military action on Antarctic soil. After declaring independence in 2000, Majestic began establishing a covert military presence in collaboration with the United States for self-defense in case any of the two kaiju present on the continent had awoken. Only the United States Navy was able to be present under the guise of research purposes and had to be immensely disarmed. In 2020, U.S. and Majestic forces were able to take advantage of the Xothians' weakened state and charged into the extraterrestrial facility, gunning down any that resisted. The assault ended up damaging vital life support systems and freed the kaiju from its slumber.

Deployment

With very limited defensive options, ground forces were severely outmatched and suffered heavy casualties. The naval forces fared hardly any better as the kaiju was able to destroy the ships with great ease. The few attack helicopters present were little more than a nuisance to the kaiju, and they ultimately had to retreat to the second Majestic 31 facility several miles away.

Outcome

Any forces that were not killed in the attack ultimately perished from the freezing cold. The surviving Majestic 31 facility went into immediate shutdown to protect its inhabitants from the kaiju. However, Pingor did not seem interested in attacking the base.

Aftermath

The public reveal of the United States having military personnel in Antarctica was met with severe outrage from the international community and a violation of the Antarctic Treaty System. Others condemned the treaty as the reason many soldiers perished, feeling that military weaponry would have allowed them to defend themselves properly.

Historical Significance

Legacy

The Antarctic Awakening cost the lives of many, including one of Majestic's top xenobiologists and the world's leading climatologist and Antarctic historian. Professor Phillip Love Howardson suffered severe injuries during the attack before he was successfully evacuated, and though he was tended to around the clock for several days, he ultimately succumbed to his wounds on March 15th. His innovations in both climate and alien research were considered invaluable. Panic rose throughout South America, and both /Chile and Argentina set up defensive naval blockades around Cape Horn. Majestic was able to mask its presence and shoulder all the spotlight and blame upon the United States, causing tensions to sour with not only the U.S. and other nations but also between Majestic.

Conflict Type

Skirmish

Battlefield Type

Naval

Start Date

March 5, 2020

Ending Date

March 5, 2020

Conflict Result

Defeat

Location

Antarctica

Belligerents

Majestic Forces

• Majestic

United States Navy

• United States

Strength

• Maser tanks
• Laser weaponry

• Battleships
• Helicopters

Casualties

• Heavy

• Heavy

Objectives

• Contain the kaiju

• Contain the kaiju