World War III

A major confrontation finally broke out in 2085 over control of a critical oil field in the Middle East, beginning a ten year campaign that would see conflict on every continent. In 2090, a line was drawn between two factions - The Allied Powers and The Coalition of Free Nations. World War III had begun.
The threat of mutually assured destruction had continued to quell the use of nuclear weapons, so a new arms race ensued over the next 15 years across the divided countries.
Historically marginalized and exploited by Western powers, The Coalition was led by a group including Russia, China, and various Middle Eastern countries. They finally took the opportunity to challenge Western dominance and secure their own access to valuable assets and resources. They saw themselves as fighting for a more just and equitable share of the world, one in which they were no longer subservient to Western dominance.Their military capabilities were outclassed but their will to triumph could not be toppled.
The Allies were led by a union of wealthy and powerful Western nations. The United States, much of Europe, and Japan were driven by a desire to maintain their dominant position in the global order. Their military capabilities were advanced with a focus on technological superiority and overwhelming firepower. While they saw themselves as the defenders of democracy and freedom and their international politics were guided by misguided moral righteousness, their true intention was control.
New technologies had begun to take hold around the world, and after five decades, the Aoki Hydrogen Engine finally was viable and widely available. It was absolutely invaluable for maintaining transportation industrial production. It proliferated the global market both despite and because of the war. Because of the ever-dwindling natural fuel availability, The Allies invested heavily in research and development for new technologies to help in the war efforts, and the hydrogen engine would lead to a huge shift in traditional weaponry.
Humankind had advanced its technological prowess throughout the centuries but it never quelled its thirst for destruction. Defense organization GenTech had been working closely with Allied commanders to develop a new kind of soldier that would give the ultimate advantage. It didn’t sleep, it didn't eat, and most importantly, it didn’t die. And thanks to the Aoki engine and a limitless fuel supply, it never stopped. A fully autonomous combat machine that would both assist and replace human combatants on the battlefield was now a reality. The new face of war was unleashed - the GenTech Hunter.
GenTech also developed a brand new artificial intelligence to operate the Hunters without the need for human supervision. It was a marvel of science, engineering, and warfare. The first prototype was field tested in 2105. Deployed along the front lines of eastern Europe, it was met with astonishment from both sides.
The Hunter was an imposing presence at ten feet tall and over two tons. In spite of its size, its agility and versatility was unmatched. Activating its sensors, the slightest movements and sounds from miles away could be scanned and threats instantly established. After engaging with enemy combatants, it was obvious they didn’t stand a chance. Its overwhelming barrage of weaponry with deadly accuracy and impervious armor plating obliterated the opposition with ease. The results were clear, and the GenTech Hunter immediately went into mass production, forever changing the face of warfare.
Facilities around the globe started producing Hunters as fast as possible. Self-automated replication facilities were established to increase production as well. Several design changes were implemented to suit their respective deployments, and soon, fleets of various weapons platforms would be on their way to every single front. Within five years, The Coalition would be no more and the new world order of the Allied Powers would reign.
Peace by force finally seemed near, but growing fears over the control the new governments held as well as the massive threat the Hunters posed forged civil unrest. If Hunters could be set loose on an enemy nation, nothing was stopping them from being used on anyone else who disobeyed. Protests began to dismantle the program and destroy the weapons as they were seen as far too dangerous to exist, even in the hands of the well intentioned. As protests turned to riots and violence in 2120, the fears of the citizens came true and the Hunters were given a new target. Not only was this a despicable act, but it signaled the beginning of the end.