Major Fisk's M1 Abrams came to slow and grinding halt upon the shoreline. Or rather, the historical shoreline that was. It had receded so much it was barely recognizable. Even in its current state though it was a strategic objective of the utmost importance – fresh water. The water crisis began closer to about a decade ago though it depends on who you ask. The warning bells were ringing back then, only nobody was listening. Everyone was either blind or just plain skeptical. Well, now it wasn't just a problem, but a BIG fucking problem that shook every foundation underlying society as we know it on Earth.
Being a tank commander only exacerbated the problems for Major Fisk. It placed him right on center stage for the coming conflicts. Apparently the world wasn't willing to come together and fell to petty squabbles over what remained to them. Only, what remained to them quickly evaporated and entire populations starting migrating to known fresh water sources. The few desalination plants that were operable at the time quickly got overworked and overwhelmed. Once the world broke into chaos there was no one left to manufacture the parts to keep them working as production was swinging to produce war materials for the inevitable.
The Major popped the hatch above him and was instantly greeted with a kiss of cool, fresh air. It felt good so he inhaled a deep breath and held it for few seconds slowly letting it out through pursed lips. He smelled to high heaven he knew. Due to water rationing he nor his crew had bathed recently. Not to mention their uniforms hadn't been washed in weeks. He took in his cramped surroundings and noticed what crew that could see him was simply staring at him awaiting instructions. All it took was a simple nod to gunner and they all began to dismount the steel beast.
On his way out he grabbed a military issued tablet and thumbed his way through the screens until he found the document he was looking for. This particular document had set the world on fire...figuratively anyway. It was a government document simply titled “The State of Affairs” and it caused much of the chaos known currently when it was leaked. It was a comprehensive report on how the rest of the world was handling the water crisis and it was not good. Fisk looked around and tried to locate a place to sit that was at least not uncomfortable. He settled in to a welcoming patch of dirt and began going over the broader topics.
The first section was skimmed or skipped completely. It focused on North America but as he was currently embroiled in that particular conflict he didn't deem it necessary to read completely. The second section was mostly short and to the point. It contained the particulars, or rather, the lack of on South America and Africa. People were leaving in droves but nobody was going in so info was scarce. However, there was a much greater section on the greater eastern hemisphere. The words on everyone lips was Lake Baikal. It was enormous lake in Russia, just north of the Mongolian border. It was probably the only place in the world right now that contained more fresh water then where the Major currently sat. Previously, the Russians and Chinese while not friends or enemies at the time were currently fighting it out for control of that last bastion of fresh water.
So where was Europe and the rest of the world? Right, they were squaring up on the other side of the lake from Major Fisk. The water crisis had turned old allies into bitter new enemies over the last remaining drops of water. As custodians of roughly half the Great Lakes, the United States sought to expand that control over the last fresh water this side of the world. Well, Canada took great offense to this and called on her commonwealth allies and of course Great Britain and the rest of Europe followed suit.
A European fleet currently sat at the mouth of the St. Lawrence river blocking all traffic in. However, the Major knew the US Atlantic fleet was going to just steam past them then go up around into the Hudson Bay and simply leverage their best asset, the aircraft carriers, while the Coast Guard harried the enemy where ever they could. On the other side of the lake from Major Fisk mechanized divisions of troops and armor from a combined Canadian/Anzac/European force were forming up, ready to defend their claim. Suddenly, Major Fisk received some traffic on his radio that immediately made him jump from his seat. He raised his forefinger and spun it in a quick few circles indicating to the crew to mount up. They buttoned up inside the tank and got focused. The battle for Lake Superior was about to begin.