Meanwhile, in the 2020 timeline's 2017:
• Francis Young successfully grows three full-sized Stage Three(a) human bodies. The bodies are twisted and imperfect, and rely on drugs to survive, but they have complete, functional brains. Young attempts to imprint intellects into the clones with a new AI/Braindance process developed by MicroTech scientist Pritap Suwarti. The process is partly successful. The clones become self-aware, but their intellects are stunted by their imperfect brains.
• The Burp Cola Incident occurs in Denver. Burp Cola researchers, experimenting with subliminal advertising, crudely splice the emotions of thirst and desire for Burp Cola into a braindance program in an attempt to use subliminal advertising in the new technology. Using a "well-chromed" candidate, the scientists were too successful. The test subject assaulted two of the scientists and ripped apart a Burp Cola machine. His rampage ended when Denver Police took him down with extreme prejudice after he tore apart three Com'n'Go convenience stores.
• New ACPA units are rolled out simultaneously by Mitsubishi-Sugo and Arasaka (for the SDF and export, respectively). Both use the SegAtari VRI. The Mitsubishi-Sugo MSAS-17 Trooper is designed by popular Japanimation artist Inoue Keuma. The media provides fantastic coverage, and the SDF receives many applicants for Trooper positions.
• Germany signs a deal with Hungary, allowing the German army to train its troops in Hungary in exchange for military assistance.
• One-hundred three people are sentenced to death during the Weymouth bombing trials. Senior Justice Louis Graves earns the nickname "The Undertaker" from this trial.
• L-3 orbital colony is completed and named Galileo Cylinder (O'Neill Two).
• The Seven (nomad) Nations are established: the Snake Nation, the Blood Nation, the Folk Nation, the Jodes, the Thelas Nation, the Aldecaldos, and MetaCorp.
• John Dawson is arrested on Nov. 28, 2017 for multiple murders and conspiracy to commit multiple fraud. Dawson, the surviving half of the "Net Killers" was partially responsible for luring unsuspecting victims to his home with promises of love and sex. His accomplice, Catherine McKeever, was killed in the firefight prior to Dawson's arrest. Dawson is sentenced to death and his execution becomes the first "interactive" execution in the history of the U.S. Net54 wins the rights to broadcast the event, charging close to $3 million euro for one minute advertising spots during the broadcast. Citizens vote by 1-900 numbers and at 10 p.m., the results were tallied: 9.5 million for Dawson's execution and only 500,000 against. Dawson dies in front of a firing squad at 10:14 p.m.
• Militech supports African locals for "friendship reasons" (i.e. free). Neighboring governments declare Arasaka's lease to be valid until Jan. 1, 2018. Militech attacks Arasaka tank units, but Arasaka fends off all attacks. Shortly thereafter, the strongest warlord in the region is assassinated by a heavily-cybered black terrorist gang using new Militech weapons.
• NASA Mars mission departs.
• MetaCorp sells the JackSuit to Militech