Aftermath

January 1st, 2030, marked the dawn of a new decade. However, the celebrations were short-lived, echoing the somber tone of recent years.

Reports swiftly circulated, revealing the truth of the events on New Year's Eve. What was initially believed to be a blackout and subsequent terrorist attack in Luxembourg was a surprise invasion orchestrated by the Belgian Armed Forces.

The entire country fell under Belgian occupation in less than an hour, encountering minimal resistance. The world was taken aback by this sudden turn of events, although the invasion didn't materialize out of thin air. The "Movement for Unity and Prosperity" known for its nationalist fervor and active military involvement in various conflicts, had hinted at ambitions beyond their borders, yet a full-scale war was entirely unexpected. The movement was formed around the time of the collapse of the European Union and were radical pan-Europeanists; advocating for a united nation of Europe.

As the dream of a unified European State crumbled, their movement veered further toward extremism, ultimately gaining political ground with successful elections to the Belgian Parliament. Their leadership was surprisingly competent in governance, and they steered Belgium through the chaos of the preceding decade, managing to weather global crises far more effectively than most nations.

Minutes before the invasion, Luxembourg City was plunged into darkness due to an unforeseen power outage. It was hardly minutes after that hundreds, perhaps thousands of paratroopers descended from the skies, exploiting the chaos below. Luxembourg, lacking any significant military strength, stood defenseless against this unanticipated assault.

In the aftermath of the invasion, information about the situation on the ground is scarce and tightly controlled. Reporters have already been arrested or forced into hiding, while access to the occupied territories remains ruthlessly restricted. All communication channels, including the Internet, are completely cut off, resulting in a near-total blackout of information. Despite these efforts, a trickle of videos and images are slowly beginning to surface, offering the world some insight into the unfolding situation.

The streets went into a complete lockdown, confining civilians to their homes except for dire emergencies. Essential supplies like food and water were distributed under strict monitoring (at the same time inspecting the homes to whom it was delivered). Drones, which had become prevalent in recent years for both military and civilian surveillance, roamed the skies, aiding the military in maintaining a watchful eye over the populace.

Belgium formally announced the 'voluntary' annexation of Luxembourg, purportedly with the consent of the Luxembourgian government. Unsurprisingly, skepticism prevailed globally, with many denouncing this move as a blatant land grab and a violation of a nation's sovereignty. In a modern world that upheld principles of sovereignty and international law, such actions sent ripples through the global landscape, despite historical precedents of conquests.

Major Western nations, notably Britain, France, and Germany, condemned the invasion, yet their responses remained relatively restrained. The potential for significant actions against the Belgian government rested with these nations, but conflicts among them that occurred during the past decade might impede any united effort, should it even occur.

Remarkably, the international community appears to be largely indifferent, ensnared in their own web of affairs. Some nations even expressed sympathy toward the Belgians, viewing the episode as an opportunity to further their geopolitical interests.

Comparisons were drawn to Iraq's attempted annexation of Kuwait during the Gulf War, foreseeing a similar international intervention. However, the world's fragmented state made a unified armed response seem improbable.

The Internet, on the other hand, was flooded with conspiracy theories and discussion of the events that unfolded. Some include plots from the Illuminati, interference from China, or even extraterrestrial beings!

How things will unfold in the future remains a mystery...