in 2092, the world grew wary of the Republic of Zaftra. Zaftra began losing foreign investments and many businesses withdrew from the union, resulting in major economic losses. Superpowers such as the United States of the New Continent (USN) refused offers from the union to import their natural resources, the major economic driver of their economy. With a failing economy and growing distrust from the world community, the Republic of Zaftra disbanded the Peace Mediation Organization (PMO) in 2094. Meanwhile, the discovery of natural resources in Poland led the European Community (EC) to stop importing raw materials from Zaftra. Consequently, Zaftran citizens began migrating to other countries in search for work. In 2096, the Republic of Zaftra returned to the spotlight after a mysterious blitzkrieg of EC military bases leaves Europe in an imminent resource crisis. Elsewhere in the world, Venezuela suddenly declares independence from the USN. The plot of Front Mission 4 revolves around two individuals - Durandal recruit Elsa Eliane and USN sergeant Darril Traubel. In 2096, five military bases in Germany are simultaneously attacked by unknown assailants. The EC leadership discuss the attacks and appoint the union's Durandal military research unit to lead the probe. While probing for evidence at a Bundeswehr base, they encounter Rolf Wagner, the leader of the Bundeswehr's elite Blauer Nebel special forces unit. The Durandal theorize that the attackers staged out of a small base in Denmark and run into some opposition there, but another set of wanzers ambush the Durandal after they return to Germany with their findings, which includes a wanzer AI microchip. The team delivers the microchip to Niklas Glaeser, a German general leading the investigation. In a news conference, Glaeser's revelations that the attackers were USN puzzle the Durandal, who believe they were of Zaftran origin. Meanwhile, Venezuela suddenly secedes from the USN. In response, the USN sends in the 332nd Mobile Company to force them back into the fold. Darril Traubel and his two of friends are on patrol duty when they witness a Venezuelan State Army (VSA) transport crash in the jungle. Inspecting the remains, they find a crate carrying gold bullion worth $25 million. The three then decide to steal the gold and go AWOL. However, they are discovered by the VSA and are forced to escape north to Cumana, where a Chinese businessman named Chang offers to help them escape. However, this fails when