The descendants of Switzerland had reasons and motives that were more
subtle, if equally implacable. Europe's perennial pacifist and bastion
of neutrality had been left behind for purely economic reasons. Its
stable and rigidly controlled economy was no longer needed by the rich
and powerful as a safe deposit box for (often unscrupulously)
accumulated wealth. Concurrently, its self-contained, standoffish
political posture had become obsolete, almost laughable in the face of
the growing opportunities of Space. Like so many other nations without
an early Space program, the inhabitable and exploitable regions close
at hand had been divided up without them. The modern-day Swiss
accepted the consequences of this flux without bitterness, outwardly at
least, but were now inexorably committed to improving upon Fate.
Still, the Swiss view of the coming campaign was somewhat different
than their ally's, less zealous, and their actual dislike of their
enemies and desire for battle were much less vehement. In their view
the Belgians were to provide the fire, they the cool edge of
professionalism. Between them they formed a somewhat inexperienced,
but sullenly determined foe, not to be taken lightly by the smaller, or
similarly stationed powers of the region.
THUS THE ATTACKERS, AND THOSE WHO WERE TO REMAIN NEUTRAL, IN THE DRAMA
ABOUT TO BE PLAYED. HERE NOW THE DEFENDERS.