SD.Net World(RAR!) MK III

[Coyote]

Seaside Palace, Canissia

King Arik Coyotus-I was a wreck.

"Where is she?" he asked, as Chief Tigh had no answers to give. "Is it those Jenova's Witnesses?" the King wanted to know.

"We've been investigating that possibility," the SPS Chief assured, "But so far, it looks like they are not involved. The Jenovas in Canissia are trying to keep a low profile. We did, however, discover that they are trying to bring in many Jenovas Witnesses in from other countries where JW persecution is in full swing."

"Bringing them in?" Arik asked.
"Questionable work visa requests, questionable marriages... basically, Jenovans fleeing from places like Shroomania, Byzantium, places like that."
"Are they... wanted criminals?" Arik asked.
"Near as we can tell, they're ordinary Jenovans," Chief Tigh said, "Trying to avoid getting swept up in the crackdowns overseas." Arik thought about it for a bit, and sighed.

"If the visas are questionable, or if they're using questionable marriages to bring people in, then book 'em for immigration fraud... otherwise, there's not much we can legally do."
"Yes, sir," Tigh said, "But since we've cut their ability to send money to their international charities-- the ones with links to terrorism-- they've filed class-action suits for religious infringement."

"They should be damned glad I let them operate here at all!" Arik said, angry, "I bet that somehow those bastards kidnapped Jia!" Nearby, Siobhan and Isabelle exchanged angry looks. They, too, had the same thoughts, and they were worried not only for Jia, but themselves-- and since the King's family had now been targeted, the kids, as well, were in danger too.

"We'll do the best we can, Excellency," Tigh said, his eyes weary.
"I know, Karl," Arik said, "Just... do that. As best you can."

"Sir!" A SPS ,man burst into the room, addressing Chief Tigh, but stopping short at the presence of the King. "Excuse me, Majesty..."
"It's okay, son," the King said, "You have news?"

"Yes, sir," the agent said, "An anonymous text message from a pre-paid, disposable cell-phone," he said. "The people who have Miss Jia-- it's the animal rights groups, the hard-cores. They say that if we don't shut down the entire meat industry... humans will be the ones to pay. Starting with Miss Jia."

[Shroom Man 777]

Meanwhile...
SOFIA
Shroomanian Office - Fungal Intelligence Agency

"Yesss my pretties..." Director John Baylor cooed to the seal cubs now currently residing within his domicile, his frozen throne, his fortress of solitude. "Eat the fishies, my pretties... yess..."

"Together we shall hibernate, protected only by our furs and by our insulative layers of blubber... we shall live long. Far longer than any mortal man... in our wintry solitude, we shall find solace in ourselves amidst all these petty things in the world."

"Indeed..."

"Today Shroomania! Tomorrow the world!"

"We shall be Adam... and EVIL!"

The Director laughed, laughed!



And watching him were those obsidian orbs that were the eyes of his seals.

"Good morning, sir," Selphie said cheerfully as she entered the sanctum, wearing a thick fur coat. Icy particulates of snowflakes began to sprinkle on her short brown hair, making her look really hot despite the cold.

"Hey Selphie," Baylor waved with one hand while scratching the tubby seal cub on his lap. "What do you have to report?"

"Firstly, for one, the Jenovans we didn't nab are fleeing to Canissia - which, so far, hasn't joined in on the headhunting."

"I knew that."

"Well, these Jenovans are becoming polygamists. Which is strange, since our regular Jenovan locals aren't really polygamistic. Our initial round ups focused on the more fanatical and fundamentalistic Jenovans, since Hobart's intel was able to categorize them by demographics -"

"Hah, demographics."

"So we focused on the real crazy dudes and spared the more normal ones from being rounded up - at least, until we could organize a second wave of arrests, but a lot of these people really don't have any criminal records, so we were kind of slow on that."

"Not as slow as our dear leader," the Director joked. "I mean, in the head department."

"Anyway, we may have caused what our specialists are calling an Outside Context Dogmatic Shift. A lot of these saner Jenovans are blaming lunatics like Kadaj for the predicament they're in and are heading for greener pastures like Canissia and the Bear Republic. But it's almost for sure that there are cells and sects within them that are composed of hardliners and troublemakers."

"We'll have to keep an eye on that, then." John Baylor mused.

"Arf! Arf!" the seal on his lap arfed.

"Thank you for your time, Selphie."

"You're welcome, sir." Selphie replied as she removed her fur coat and exposed her naked body to the cold - which gave her fair skin gooseflesh, and made her pink nipples really hard.

"Now come!" Baylor declared as he got up and plopped his seal cub on an ice-sculpted pedestal. "We shall go... to the jacuzzi!"

"Today Shroomania! Tomorrow the world!" Baylor laughed, laughed!

"Oh yeah, one of King Arik of Canissia's wives has been kidnapped by eco-terrorists and they're now threatening to eat her alive for dinner."

"WHAT?!"

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Ashford City

While Ashford City offered many tempting targets for Newbern and his fellow Witnesses, one such place particularly stood out: The central office of the Church of Haruhi Suzumiya.

While doctrinal differences between the Haruhiists and the Jenova's Witnesses were obviously legion, what truly set them apart from each other was that the Haruhiists operated out in the open and had the blessing of the state, at least in the Duchy of Langley. The Witnesses were particularly resentful of the Haruhiists due to that, and the fact that the Haruhiists outnumbered the Witnesses by at least an entire order of magnitude within Langley didn't help.

Newbern parked the car across the street from the office, and Staley, Wittenberg, and Tatasciore exited. They were expecting to see multitudes of worshippers filing in and out of the central temple; instead, they found the complex practically deserted. All Staley had to say was this: "It's a trap."

Indeed, it was. The Langley National Police had been on them since the start; a LNP UH-1N Twin Huey and several unmarked interceptors had been tailing the car, snipers equipped with Accuracy International AW and AW50 rifles lurked throughout the general area of the Haruhiist central office, and a contingent of heavily-armed officers waited within the complex itself. As soon as Staley, Wittenberg, and Tatasciore entered, they were greeted by the sudden appearance of the officers, followed by a hail of assault rifle fire. Staley barely had any time to draw his katana before he was cut down. Wittenberg and Tatasciore managed to draw their gun-swords and fire off a few paltry shots at the officers, but superior numbers and firepower got the best of them, and they fell together.

Newbern heard the sounds of automatic gunfire coming from inside the Haruhiist church. He knew something was wrong from the moment the first shots rang out, but there was nothing he could do to help his comrades; as soon as he exited the car, he was stopped by several LNP officers. "Now where do you think you're going?" the lead officer, a Lieutenant Burton, asked as he pointed his HK416 at the Witness. Unlike his comrades who had walked into the trap, Newbern still had a sense of self-preservation, and he chose to go peacefully with Burton and the other officers.

Thus ended the presence of the Jenova's Witnesses in the Duchy of Langley.

[The Yosemite Bear]

Dateline Minas Morgùl:
Professor Voltburg today using one of the expensive Byzantium magnets deformed a 200kg bar of Tungstun Steel. Voltburg then went on to state that this was just the beginning within less then a year if properly funded he would be able to create a magnetic array capable of taking out or at least disrupting the circuits of the infamous SCORECARD system. Other scientists at Minas Morgùl remain suspicious of Voltberg's math, however the theortical physicist and electrical engineer seems confident in his claims.


Also the Morgùl Institute's large hhdron collider has continued again, with the latest in magnets being installed in the underground ring facliity. Some more humorus of the faculty have began painting "Elvish" script on the collider housing's outside.



in entertainment news:
Swashbuckling epics and metal madness continue to rise in the Republic

[Lonestar]

Presidential Palace, Austin

"Well! That went well!" Lonestar said as Secretary Mironov walked back into the office.

"I'm not sure if I'll describe any formal welcoming of an ambassador that ends with her saying 'Well you try giving birth through your peener-hole, you Chauvinist pig-dog!' as 'well'." Mironov said.

"She'll get over it, or die angry." Lonestar said. "What else do we have on the plate?"

"One of HRH Arik's...assistants was kidnapped." Lonestar stared at him, stood up, and walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured some Liquid Banjo.

"Damn, Which one?"

"Miss Jia."

"The Asian?"

"Yep. There's been no word on who's responsible."

"I want you to relay that the DPS will provide full cooperation if the Canissan authorities need it's help."

"Already have."

"Good man." Lonestar paused, walked back towards his desk and looked out the window. "It's all hanging by a thread. Peace, that is."

"It always is, sadly."

[Coyote]

Aerelon Province, South-West Canissia
LOCATION UNKNOWN


"Any word yet?" the leader asked.
"Nothing. And we're certain they've gotten the message," the activist said, looking over at the still figure tied to the chair. She'd stopped cursing, and kicking, and crying, eventually. Now her labored breathing betrayed her sleep, through her mouth since her nose was still clogged with clotted blood.

I told her not to struggle, the leader said.

"So there's no word on the meat industry being shut down?" he asked.
"No, sir," the activist replied.

If I kill her, like I threatened, I'll have no bargaining chips left...

"And the news?" he asked.
"Covering the kidnapping," the activist said, "And offering rewards for information... for the most part, though, it's being treated like a law-enforcement problem spurred by 'radicals'."

"Hmm," the leader said, "Let's show them we mean serious business..."


ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PROVISIONAL ARMED FACTION OF THE GENERAL INTENTION TO ABOLISH LABTESTING ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP

GIVEN that humanity is supposed to be the "top of the food chain" and represent the "pinnacle of development" and "civilization", it is unconscionable in today's world to note that humanity still enslaves and slaughters helpless life forms with which they should be sharing the planet...

GIVEN that for centuries, mankind has warped and twisted nature's fellow creatures into un-natural and subservient life-forms for servitude to mankind-- in the forms of the domestic dog and cat; cattle; pigs and similar "domesticated" animals that did not exist through either Natural Selection or God...

...IT IS THUS DETERMINED that humanity must cease its cruel enslavement of animals to serve their own purposes and restore the natural balance to the world by ending any and all animal testing for science; the slaughter and genocide of animals for their meat; the enslavement of animals for their milk, wool, or service as guardians, and the selective breeding of helpless beings in captivity.

Humanity shall pay the price for its transgressions against the natural world, and who better to judge humanity than those humans among them who recognize this injustice for what it is and put a stop to the cruelty of their peers through immediate action--

To show that we are serious, the PAF-GENITAL shall release the hoof-and-mouth disease from vials obtained from the outbreak two years ago in the Windward Isles; that this release shall be aimed precisely at livestock herds in captivity; that the only way to stop this infection is to end meat and dairy production, end lab testing, free all pets to live out their lives naturally, and have all humanity switch to a vegan diet.

If no action is taken within 48 hours to meet these demands, more of this disease will be released worldwide, and the life of the King's consort will be forfeit.

[RogueIce]

Presidential Residence, Shinra Republic

What the fuck is wrong with these idiots? President Shinra had just finished reading the demands released by the eco-terrorists and could only shake his head. Bio-terrorism in the name of animal rights? Jesus Christ, why did Q populate this damn planet with so many maniacs? If it was anything like it was back on Old Earth the danger to humans was fairly small, but it could kill a lot of the cattle and other livestock this terrorist group was saying they wanted to protect. He didn't quite understand the logic behind that, but then crazy people did crazy things.

Although his technical title was "President" and he was in charge of a "Republic" the simple truth was that he more a dictator than an elected head of state. Through various legal edicts in times past, the Republic had essentially been given to the "Shinra family" to rule. A dictator, yes, but Rufus had always tried to be the benevolent kind. And besides, sometimes swift, decisive action needed to be taken.

Such was the case here. By executive order he placed the various meat-producing areas under immediate government security. While nominally the police would handle the checks, if they didn't have the numbers military personnel would supplement them. Strict controls and inspections would also be enacted. Furthermore, the "General Intention to Abolish Labtesting Animal Rights Group" and all affiliated organizations was declared a terrorist organization, immediately outlawed and all known members to be detained pending investigation. Finally, any person, affiliated with the group or otherwise, found attempting to infect livestock with FMD would be, upon determination of guilt, sentenced to death for commiting acts of bioterrorism, determination of guilt to be decided by military tribunals.

Bio-terrorism, as far as President Shinra was concerned, was little more than an Act of War, and indeed a war crime, no matter what cause the perpetrators claimed allegiance to. Those found guilty would be dealt with appropriately.

It was probably the harshest measures he had ever had to enact in his tenure, but he hoped the message would be loud and clear: keep this crap out of his country. Or you will pay a very high price.

============================

Thomas Seng, a supervisory agent of the Special Investigation Section, had just boarded a military transport in the west coast city of Junon. His destination was the People's Republic of Canissia. His mission was to liase with the Canissian SPS and lend whatever assistance they could to find the kidnapped Jia. Their secondary mission was to find out all they could concerning the terrorist "animal rights group" that was behind the kidnapping, and had threatened to release a biological attack on the world's livestock supply.

Agent Seng had no hard information, but he suspected this mission had come from the very top: the President himself. The recently issued Executive Order simply gave more weight to Seng's suspicions.

President Shinra was obviously not in his usual diplomatic mood when it came to these sorts of things. Privately, Agent Seng couldn't blame him.

[Coiler]

Commodore John Coleson had thought of the plan immediately. His Northern Squadron would normally help the Canissians any way they could but-desperate times called for desperate measures. The plan sounded insane-but then again, he was dealing with insane people.

"I order all of our helicopters to take off, fly into the wilderness, find the nearest herd of animals, and follow them, keeping their weapons ready. The rarer and more endangered, the better."

The helicopters lifted off and complied with his orderes, and Commodore Coleson immediately called PFL Iler to tell him of his plan, asking what he thought of it.

PFL Iler's eyes lit up when he heard it. "That's so crazy, it's good." He ordered Coilerburg's military to get into the proper positions, before quickly telephoning King Arik and telling him of the plan.

"King Arik, this is President for Life Iler. Commodore Coleson of my Northern Squadron has come up with a plan to use against these lunatics. It is an extreme, almost insane plan, but these are not sane, normal people. Already his helicopters are pursuing the plan, and my military is getting ready.

The plan amounts to holding as many wild animals and environmental factors hostage as possible, then telling them that if they kill your consort or spread their disease, that you will wipe them out utterly. It gives us a bargaining chip as well. If you want more details, call me or the Commodore. I have to get my part of the plan going.

Oh, and one more thing. If you open talks with these people, put me on with them."

With that, PFL Iler hung up and set the Coilerburg phase of the plan in motion.

[MKSheppard]

Somewhere in the Great Western Ocean

The joint Shepnukistani and Saddamistani UAR convoy plodded through the great ocean, bound for Saddamistani ports; being the first convoy put together since the Shepnukistani Civil War ended; and normal trade between the UAR nations resumed.

Bridge of Nuclear powered guided missile Destroyer Leader Rockville

"Sir, the Pinkpeace cutters are once again attempting to break into our convoy; we've also recieved reports from watchstanders of zodiacs being lowered into the water."

"Damn, no doubt to try to lay limpet mines on our hulls." muttered Commodore Raleigh.

"Deal with them, Gridley."

"With pleasure, sir."

With that, Commander Gridley picked up the 1MC.

"Man Battlestations, repeat man Battlestations."

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Royal Palace, Ashford City

"Your Highness, we've suppressed the last of the Jenova's Witnesses," Marquess Schneizel reported to his younger brother. "What should we do with them?"

"Just keep them in the detention facilities until I order otherwise, Schneizel," Lelouch said. "I'll figure out a way to deal with them later."

Lelouch's chief of staff, Milly Ashford, burst into the office. "Duke Lelouch! Marquess Schneizel!" she said, slightly out of breath.

"What is it, Miss Ashford?" Schneizel asked.

"Canissian animal-rights activists just kidnapped one of King Arik's consorts," Milly reported. "They're threatening to kill her and release foot-and-mouth disease among Canissia's livestock herds unless they forcibly shut down their meat industries."

"Which one did they kidnap?" Lelouch asked.

"I think it was Miss Jia," Milly replied.

"Those sons of bitches," Schneizel muttered. "What should we do, little brother?"

"We should do what any good neighbor would, of course," Lelouch said. "Inform King Arik that our law enforcement agencies and military are at his disposal should he ever need them."

"What about here at home?" Schneizel asked.

"Have the National Guard secure our livestock areas. Order the National Police to detain all members of the GENITAL within Langley. See if we can work on a counter-ultimatum."

"Intel reports that the Coilerburg Northern Squadron has been mobilized. What should we do about them, Your Highness?" Milly asked.

"Contact President for Life Iler and tell him that we're willing to coordinate with his guys should the need arise."

[PeZook]

Canissia, PeZookian embassy

The military attache - or, to most people in the business, embassy spymaster - assembled all five of his officers in his secure office, below the embassy building.

"We all know the situation, people. I have requested instructions from Astoria, and they want us to co-operate with Canissian authorities on the matter. So...we should do our best to help. Kamil, I believe you have an agent who's a member of that animal rights group?"

Kamil Broniecki, a brilliant young officer who was the first to recruit an agent in Coilerburg's Northern Squadron, nodded.

"He's middle-management. Organizes protests, keeps in touch with various people, runs errands. Nothing major - you'll remember that I recruited him because he's a military reporter and could tell us about excercises and the like."

"Yes...but I need you to activate him and find out any information you can. How fast can you arrange a meeting?"

"Right now. Give me five minutes."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere else in Canissia, five minutes later

"You will arrange for this package to be delivered to the adress on this card. Don't lose either, and avoid the police.", the shady-looking man claimed to part of the PAF-GENITAL, and it was not Clyde Truman's nature to question such things - but this entire meeting seemed...odd.

He was told he'd need to deliver protest supplies - things like posters or flyers or, at worst, petards and blowhorns. But he met his contact in a rickety old apartment somewhere out in the boonies, and now was told he was to avoid the police. What the hell was going on?

As he walked out into the street, his cell phone rang.

"Hi, Clyde. This is Kamil. We need to meet - immediately."

Oh, Jesus no..., Clyde thought. He knew, of course, that Kamil was an RIS officer. He knew it perfectly well, and he took money for passing on information about Canissian troop movements and planned excercises. But this wasn't about his work...for some reason, Clyde was certain it had something to do with the mysterious package he was given.

"Tomorrow.", he spoke into his cell phone.

"No, today. Within the hour."

Shit..., now Clyde was convinced it was about the PAF. There was never any urgency to the usual questions.

"Uh...okay. I'm out of town, I'll need about 90 minutes to get back."

"All right. Meet me at the fountain."

"Okay. See you there."

Clyde cursed, loudly. Some people looked at him strange, but he didn't care. This would be a long day.

90 minutes later, Canissian capital

"The Fountain" was a rather nice looking piece of art placed not long ago in the center plaza of the Canissian capital. Lots of people came here every day to hang out, talk or visit one of the many museums and restaurants circling the area.

Incidentally, the crowds and noise of the water flowing made it one of the favorite spots for intelligence agents to hang out.

Both sides knew that, of course. But Kamil didn't care - the Canissian counter-intelligence service had an 'understanding' with the RIS - the RIS wouldn't try to gather any sensitive information about Canissian affairs and would make their officers known to counter-intelligence operatives. In exchange, Canissian secret services would let the RIS do their thing with minimal interference.

Thus, the fountain was a comfortable meeting place, since it gave the Canissians a signal that everything was okay, and the RIS wasn't trying to screw anybody over.

Clyde arrived a little late, and found Kamil sitting on a park bench, feeding the pidgeons and enjoying the summer sun. He came over and sat down n the same bench.

"Hi", the PeZookian officer said

"Yeah, hi. What is this about?"

"About your friends at the PAF-GENITAL."

Clyde sighed. His intuition was correct, for once.

"What about them?"

"Well, besides the fact they've taken an important person hostage and are threatening to engage in bioterrorism unless their ridiculous demands are met? Not much."

"Bio-terrorism? What the fuck are you talking about?"

"They want to destroy the meat industry, and if the Canissian government doesn't do that willingly, they will kill as many herd animals as they can with hoof-and-mouth disease.", Kamil threw another piece of bread to the pidgeons.

Oh, shit..., Clyde knew he was in trouble now. He was just a pawn, and he was sure the PeZookians would throw him to the wolves to foster better relations with Canissia.

"Yeah, you probably know what this means. It's miss Jia, by the was, and they want to kill her. You probably know how your King is going to react if they go through with the threat, eh?"

Clyde could imagine. And he was sure Canissian security agencies had his name stashed somewhere on file in case they ever needed to do Bad Things to him.

"So what do you want me to do?"

"You're a manager, of sorts. I need anything you can tell me - names, adresses, faces, meeting places."

Clyde remembered the package he was given,and got the chills.

"I was told yesterday to deliver something."

"Oh? Tell me more..."

And Clyde did.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canissian Interior Ministry, some time later

The courier was RIS too - just not an officer. He had a low-level Canissian security clearance and was well known by Ministerial staff - but he only showed up with important information.

The people in the Ministry knew something was up when he walked into the building and was cleared through the checkpoints. He walked up to the third floor, and knocked on the door marked "Division III: Domestic terrorism".

The door opened, after a guard examined him carefully. The courier walked into the small, cluttered office and shook hands with a Canissian wearing a creased black suit, no tie.

"Hi, Karol. What do you have for me?"

"Some names and descriptions, and two adresses for you to check out." - he pulled out an envelope from his inner pocket - "One of particular interest. A mid-level PAF-GENITAL member was told to deliver a rather heavy package there. He made the drop less than an hour ago, so you may still catch somebody there."

[Coiler]

Somewhere over Northern Canissia

The Northern Squadron helicopters discovered the herd of animals. The crews didn't know what they were at first, but a big herd of animals was a big herd of animals. They followed the orders of Commodore Coleson, dropping the marines into camouflaged firing positions and keeping an airborne eye on the herd. "Commodore, we've found the right herd."

Coleson smiled.
Coilerburg

"Mr. President for Life, all of our warships and armored vehicles are in position. They await your signal."

"Good."

"Sir, the Duke of Langley has just called."

PFL Iler received their message and told the Langley government about the Coleson plan, strongly recommending that they follow it. He then broadcast the following message, intended for PAF-GENITAL.

Dear PAF-GENITAL:

Coilerburg does not take kindly to your threats of unbalancing human society and killing many. My army and navy are already moving into position to unbalance your precious animal society and kill many.

If the consort of King Arik is killed or any biological weapon unleashed by you, my military will use all of the wilderness areas of Coilerburg for target practice, and will light whole forests ablaze. Additionally, my Northern Squadron has located a herd of wild animals numbering in the hundreds in Canissia. Should you carry out your insane mission, all of their lives are forfeit.

Keep that in mind.

President for Life C. O. Iler

[Raj Ahten]

Alexandria

While the world at large grappled with an increase in extremist cults and terrorism, Alexandria was having problems of its own. The monetary system was now in use in much of the country, even if the Mark fluctuated alarmingly and the National Police Force was setting up in much of the country. The problem was those in the interior communes were refusing to let police in or National Police forces to be recruited locally either. They also rejected the currency and wouldn't let government officials in.

General Alexander called a conference in which some sort of compromise was to be worked out. It was to take place in the town of Freiberg. Traditionally it was considered neutral ground in Alexandria. Many communes said they would send their leaders or representatives to the conference, while others said they wouldn't go or remained silent on the issue.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

"Just when you think that one crazy cult is bad enough, more nonsense appears out of no where. We now have a bunch of crazy militant environmentalists, and what not," the Emperor grumbled.

He was having dinner with President Rufus, under the raining sky. The atmosphere was as gloomy as it can get, and lightning struck the sky.

"So what do you plan to do with the latest threat? I have already instructed my security forces to look out for these maniacs, though they have their hands full with the chaos the Jenova's Witnesses have caused," asked the Emperor.

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin

Security increased at Korolev Spaceport

With the recent tensions over animal testing, including threats of murder and biowarfare, the Korolev Spaceport Administration has requested an upgrade in security of the spaceport.

The Administration was granted this request. Especially with the planned repeat of Selene 1A test mission, involving a chimpanzee passenger, fears of eco-terrorism prompted a massive overhaul of the spaceport's security procedures.

A new CCTV system has been installed and equipped with image-recognition software capable of identifying faces and reading licence plates. All personell and vehicles present at the spaceport must be equipped with locator transmitters, and will be subject to search without warning.

Two companies of Interior Ministry troops have been deployed to the facility to act as guards and patrolmen, and a large amount of sophisticated sensors has been scattered throughout the facility. Thanks to these upgrades, security can track all activity in the compound - especially near sensitive areas like the Vehicle Assembly Buildings, launch platforms and communications areas.

Selene 1A-bis on schedule

Preparations for the Selene 1A-bis test flight are moving on-schedule. The Soyuz capsule has arrived in Korolev last week and is being prepared for mating with the launch vehicle, while the new chimpanzee passenger to orbit Nova Terra is undergoing training in Korolev's ATC facilities.

Untill repairs are completed at Korolev's R7 launch pad, however, no launch can take place from the facility. This is why the Selene 1A-bis mission is planned for early weeks of December.

[Lonestar]

Formal Notice to Coilerburg
To: Coilerburg
From: Secretary Evan Mironov, LSR
Re: Violations of MESS airspace.

Unless otherwise informed by HRH Arik, you will vacate the vincinity of Canissa immediately(24hrs). Due to the importance of the North Canissa coast in regards to Shepnukistan, the LSR considers your actions to be dangerous and damaging to it's national security.

Failure to vacate will result in unspecified punitive action against your country.

Formal Notice to Coilerburg

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSa/StrattTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
KWIK KONFERENCE

In light of the kidnapping of King Arik's consort at the hands of eco-terrorists, the Prime Minister has issued a statement condemning the actions of the groups responsible and swearing that any organizations supporting the PAF-GENITAL in Shroomania will face the full force of the law.

After the recent Jenova's Witnesses crisis, it seems as though many terror groups in the New World are taking the opportunity to strike at the world governments in ever more audacious fashions.

Despite fears of further terrorist action, the Prime Minister's plans to visit PeZookia have not been altered in any fashion and...



*click*


SOFIA
Shroomanian Office - Fungal Intelligence Agency

"What?!"

The Director leapt out of the bubbling jacuzzi, startling Selphie (whose head was underwater) and giving Scruffy a first-hand and full-frontal view of the naked body of one of the most powerful men in the New World.

"Goddamn Coilers!" John Baylor spat out ice cubes. "They could've settled with killing their own goddamn cattles and kittens and donkeys and dogs, but no. They had to threaten going into Canissian territory to fucking kill Canissian livestock. What the flying fuck is that? Can that be considered as some sort of contrived and half-assed justification for an invasion? What the hell is wrong with those people?"

"Indeed, sir," Scruffy agreed. "The international rumor mill has been going on about the apparent inanity of President For Life C.O. Iler, they say he's twice as mad as our own beloved leader, but is also twice as... well, they say he's no fun. Last time, they heard him screaming about battleships while he had himself confined to a toilet."

"Must've fired quite a torpedo," Baylor muttered.

"What are we to do in light of this, sir?"

"Well, we keep a close eye on our fucking eco-loons. We have agents in their organizations, right?"

"Yes, sir. Very much like the PeZookians."

"Right. So if we ever hear so much as a peep... well, we'll bust their asses."

"Is that all, sir?"

"Not quite. Tell our operative who has infiltrated the PeZookian animal-rights protesters to begin his mission."

"Ah, very good, sir."

"Yesss..." John Baylor interlaced his fingers as he submerged himself back into the jacuzzi.

Scruffy went away and now it was just John and Selphie.

"Hmmm..."

"Mmmm..."

"Oh! Ahhh!"

"Mmm... delicious."

"Oh mein gott!"

"Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah!"

"Selphie," Baylor said breathlessly.

"Yes?" she replied as she leaned her head on his shoulders.

"Bring one of the seals into the tub!"

[Coiler]

The Coilerburg Northern Squadron has withdrawn its helicopters and marines away from the Canissian herd and back to their authorized base at Pearl Point. Commodore Coleson has called a press conference to explain the situation and prevent it from getting worse.

"First of all, this was not the beginning of hostile military action against Canissia itself. This was simply a misguided attempt to attempt to gain leverage against the environmentalists. I take full responsibility for it, admit that it was done both without Canissian national approval and without thinking it through as a gut instinct.

Coilerburg and its Northern Squadron means no harm against Canissia and in fact fully supports it in this crisis. I do not want this to spiral even more out of control. All soldiers under my command are back in base, with the mission aborted. We are homeported at Pearl Point, but will leave the nation should Canissia desire it.

I want to caution everyone involved in this crisis to think things through before they put them into action. Don't make the mistake I made."

[Coiler]

Formal Response to Lonestar Republic

Commodore John Coleson of the Northern Squadron has admitted that his plan was put into action without thinking it through. He has explained the situation clearly to the press, aborted the plan, and has confined the entire Northern Squadron to its base in Pearl Point. Not one man, helicopter, or patrol boat will leave the base until Canissia's government gives it permission.

Is that sufficient, or will they have to leave the country?

Formal Response to Lonestar Republic

[Coyote]

Fort Garou Military Base
North-West of Neve Tikveh




"This is her?" King Arik Coyotus-I asked. Inside the room was a young woman, in her mid-twenties, with green and red-tipped hair and multiple piercings, tattoos, and black faux-leather accouterments. She seemed rather innocuous, not the image of a terrorist leader.

"This is her, Majesty," Chief Tigh said, "Myra Foxglove, leader of the GENITAL."

"Well, miss Foxglove, what have you to say for yourself?"
"Sir," she said, looking tired-- and scared-- "I have no idea where they took Jia. I really don't!" she said shrilly, as Chief Tigh moved in, anger in his eyes and a shock prod in his hand. Arik put up a hand to wave him back.

"Please, sir," Myra said, "I believe that all life is precious, human and animal. I organize protests, I am committed to healthy vegan lifestyles... I admit, I'd love to see the meat, fur, dairy and pet industries become obsolete but not through violence. I am dedicated to peaceful change."

"Not all your people seem to agree," Arik said, willing to extend her the benefit of the doubt... for now. Myra shook her head sadly.
"Ever since last year's demonstrations, there's been a growing movement within the GENITAL to take more radical actions," she said. "They've gone into hunting and trapping areas to release animals, they've let herd go wild, and they broke into a couple labs where they thought animal research was taking place," she said. She looked up at them, her face somewhat red. "But there's not much actual lab testing done on animals in Canissia."

"Miss Foxglove, I love animals, too," Arik said, "How could I be the leader of a country named for the Coyote-- Canis Latrans; Canissia-- and not have a compassionate spot in my heart for animals? If these people are a part of your organization, tell me-- who leads them, where are they... and how did they get ahold of hoof-and-mouth disease?"

"Their leader is probably a guy named Kert Swanson," she said, "I am almost certain it's him. He's been the loudest advocate for violence in the organization. He always felt that human life was expendable to further the cause. He wants to eventually bring about an end to most technology and have people live as subsistence farmers in harmony with the animals."

"I see," Arik said, as Chief Tigh made notes of the information she was giving.

"As to where they are, I honestly don't know. They would base somewhere close to the coast so they could make an escape after releasing the virus. They talked about re-colonizing one of the lesser, abandoned islands to start re-making paradise there."

"And where did they get this virus?" Chief Tigh asked.
"GENITAL is active in all the universities," Myra said, "Especially in the veterinary sciences department at Tauron University. They were the ones sent to the Windward Isles when the Aquaron Province had that outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease two years ago,"

"So they saved some of the... cultures, or whatever they're called," Arik said. "Chief Tigh, subpoena all the student records from the Tuaron University records clerks, and see if there's a Kert Swanson there-- and see if we can piece together a picture of his known associates."
"On it, sir!" Tigh said, with a predatory smile now that he had something to focus on.

"So, Myra, they would hurt Jia? They're not bluffing?" Arik asked.
"No, sir, they'll hurt her all right. They may not live up to the 48 hour timeline because Kert's no fool-- if he kills her, he has nothing to hold up between you and him... but if he gets backed into a corner, he'll become ruthless."

"Alright," Arik said, "Let's get this information out to the international law enforcement agencies that have pledged help."



=============================================



Somewhere on the Central Sea




The small boat had rounded the tip of the Red Technocracy's far-western territory and out into the open sea. It was a fishing boat, of all things, certainly not the type of thing that most people would associate with the PAF-GENITAL, which was precisely the idea.

Jia sat, tied to a chair, a bag over her head. She was numb now from all the rough treatment, and fairly compliant. She'd been fed cold soup every six hours, and after eating allowed a five minute bathroom break. Otherwise, she was kept on the chair.

"We released what we could, sir," the activist said, "Hopefully the Aerelon herds will spread it around."
"We can't rely on hope," Swanson replied, "I'm certain once the Aerelon herds start to show signs, the rest of our activists will know enough to release their own packages as well."

"How long before they start showing signs?" the activist asked.
"Within a month, certainly," Swanson said, "In fact, by that time, the damage will be pretty much irreversible."

"They'll follow us to Eden, sir," the activist said.
"Eventually," Swanson said, "But they'll have other problems to worry about. Where else do we have agents, again?"
"Lonestar Republic," the activist said with disgust, "They're ready to destroy not only their horrific beef industry, but strike a blow against their barbaric sport of rodeo," the man said with disgust evident in his voice.

"Let's send out the signals to all our people, worldwide," Swanson said, "Tell them than Operation Harvest is a go..."




Results:
PAF-GENITAL release some hoof-and-mouth disease on Canissian herds, flees to unknown location-- code name "Eden".
All PAF-GENITAL activists are to make their moves to release toxins in what is called "Operation Harvest". Of particular high-value targets are the LSR's rodeos.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
ASTORIAN ARRIVAL

Shroomania's Prime Minister Shroom the 777th has just arrived in Astoria International and was greeted upon touchdown by flocks of PeZookian citizens. The crowds were divided to two seemingly equally-sized congregations, one of which celebrated the arrival of the FUN's Founder, while the other party booed and jeered at the coming of an ally of the controversial King Paul.

The arrival of the Prime Minister has been interpreted by many analysts as a show of support for the PeZookian King who is facing quite a challenge in his homeland, with decreasing popularity and with increasing protests against his leadership of the country and his involvement in FUN matters.

Officially, the Prime Minister's visit is said to be the first of many planned journeys to the nations of the FUN. Though the Prime Minister is regarded by many as a central figure in the FUN's political structure and in international affairs, the eccentric world leader has been noted to travel to other nations only for international conferences - such as those held in Atlantis.

However, with the recent international fallout after the Nuclear New Year's Nightmare, analysts have also predicted that the Prime Minister may be making more 'house calls' in the near future. Without Atlantis, impromptu meetings such as those recently held in Shinra may be the order of the day.

The Prime Minister's tinerary includes a visit to ISCA shipyards and famous industrial facilities of PeZookia: the Minehead Steel Mill, Amelia National Shipyards, National Missile Production Facility and the Electronics Development And Manufacturing Complex, as well as a lecture at Astoria University. The Prime Minister will also meet with the King for talks concerning several important matters of state, and deliver a televised address to the PeZookian nation.



*click*


Astoria, PeZookia

Shroom was drenched in sweat. Goddamn humid weather. It was sort of like that all over the New World, not that much variety in weather. Now he could see why that crazy FIA Director was trying to freeze himself like a mastodon...

Now, he was in Astoria, PeZookia. He had opted to land in a sensibly-sized private A340 rather than the obscenely hueg A380 that was his own personal craft. He didn't want to make those angry PeZookians blow a gasket.

Apparently a lot of Paul's people were pretty uptight, and so he had to be careful here in PeZookia. This wasn't Shroomania. But at least it wasn't Shadow, wherein he had to bring his retinue of Shroomstaffel men to make sure no one would ploink him in Sarajevo. Neither was it Atlantis...

Shroom shivered and remembered the taste of those donuts.

Times were tough, and though things were looking for the better, facts were facts. People were scared. No one was going back to Atlantis. Least of all Shep. And, of course, yours truly - who thought he had actually tasted Shep's brains.

Whether Shroom was glad that Shep was alive again, or disappointed at the fact that it wasn't really Shep's brains he tasted on those donuts... he didn't really know for sure.

Still, in the aftermath he remembered how he had met with Paul and Heraclius and Stas and the other folks - drank the wine to wash away the taste of (fake) Shep's brains and all that...

Oh, Paul. That wonderful man was also The Man Who Saves The World and he owed him one. They all did.

Goddamn these protesters.

God bless those crowds of supporters (Shroom waved at them when he made his procession out of the car)

The limousine rolled out, like a tank, and the motorcade and the security folks made sure everything was in order. It would not do to have a mang running into the middle of the road with a protest-sign ending up as street pizza...

Wouldn't do for any of those madmeng to pull out RPGs to bust a cap on his ass, either.

Even PeZookia wasn't safe anymore, Shroom sighed. The world was changing. Though they all had optimisms... well, goddamn reality.

Shroom's secretary, Alison, broke his melancholic stream of thoughts by handing him his itinerary.

"Thanks, Aly." Shroom said. "Hrm... so first up is meeting Paul, and then that speech at the university? And then we go to the ISCA shipyards, oh yeah."

"Yep," his personal aide nodded. "It's gonna be a big day, sir."

[Coyote]

Big Star Rustlin' Grounds
LoneStar Republic



His real name was Percy McMilque, and in his original plan, he'd be sipping lattes in a college town, impressing Granola-girls... maybe trading wooden block jewelery, or comparing leg hair. But alas, it was not to be.

Now, after a couple years at the Tauron University's Veterinary Studies department, he'd qualified as a veterinary nurse for livestock, a path suggested to him by Kert Swanson in his second year. Kert had connections to get fake IDs made up that went beyond drinking ages-- he could get ahold of whole backgrounds an documents to back up an identity.

Now, instead of Percy McMilque, he was instead Punch Rockgroin, a cowboy veterinary nurse, and-- thanks to the MESS ease of travel between member nations and their universities-- "Punch Rockgroin" was easily able to get a job at the Big Star Rustlin' Grounds, one of the biggest rodeo outfits in the entire LSR.

He spent his time striding around in leather boots and chaps, with a leather belt-- the whole idea made Percy cringe, but "Punch" ate it up. He was dedicated to his cause, and even went so far to wolf down steaks and buffalo burgers and fried chicken when among the guys who'd accepted him as a fellow cowpoke.

All that changed when his cell phone vibrated in the inside pocket of his leather vest.

He pulled the phone out, and knew it was time to act-- usually, his ring-tones were set to things like "Yellow Rose of Texas" or "Darling Clementine", but only one ring-tone was silent vibrate.

It was Kert Swanson, and the simple text message was easy enough to read:
OP HRVST GO

"Punch Rockgroin" smiled and went to his trailer, bypassing all the herds and the cowboys and cowgirls in their leathers and cowboy hats and sixguns, waving casually and nodding as he passed by friends and acquaintances. He went into his rodeo trailer and opened the combination on his medical supplies locker, and pulled out The Package. He carried it, in a simple leather bag, as if he was getting ready to go saddle up one of the horses for a ride. He walked through the rodeo grounds between the horse corrals and the steers for the giant "stampede head-off" events, and opened the bag.

The wind was just right, as if nature herself approved of his actions.

"Be free, poor slaves," he said as he released the contents of the bag over the various animals, none of which seemed to suspect the human in their midst as being anything but another friendly creature.

He put a saddle on one of the horses and rode calmly back towards his trailer, where he hitched the doomed animal to the side.

"Hey, Punch, I thought you was goin' ridin'," said a sweet voice from behind him. Punch turned, startled, to see the lovely blonde visage of the prettiest cowgirl in the entire rodeo, Belle Sweets. He liked her, and found her to be the one redeeming thing about rodeo that could shake his resolve. He was glad he met her now, after the deed was done, rather than before-- he knew he wouldn't have the resolve to do this after seeing her lovely, smiling face.

"I was," Punch said, "but ah fergot somethin'." He still had to remember to drop his 'g's sometimes.

"You shore 'nuff did fergit somethin'," Belle said, "Y'all fergot to invite me."
Uh-oh, Percy realized that if he made an excuse to get away from Belle, it would look fishy. He had to take her along.

"Well, cowgirl up, li'l sweetie," he said, "Ah was goin' to check out th' mustang herds over by th' south waterin' hole." Belle smiled at him.
"Ah'll go grab my horse," she said. "What'd you fergit?" she asked. 'Punch' reached into his trailer and pulled out his sixgun.
"Can't b'lieve ah almost fergot mah hogleg," he said, dropping it into his holster.
"You sure is a funny one, Punch Rockgroin," Belle said with a teasing smile, and went to get her horse.

Percy didn't know what to do. Everyone in the rodeo knew that "Punch" and Belle were "an item", and he never passed up an opportunity to ride with her. He was going to spread more toxin to the various other herds, but how was he to do that with Belle over his shoulder? His hand rested on his sixgun.

Oh, Belle, sweet, sweet Belle... he thought, his heart torn. If there was any woman who could get him to change his ways, it was Belle.

I'll try to release the toxin without her seeing it... he thought But, God help me, if I have to... I... I don't know what I'll do...

[PeZook]

Astoria, PeZookia

Paul watched the limo drive through the gate of the Royal Palace. Astoria was calmer than expected today: many protesters have left, and those who stayed seemed anticipatory. He receiver word that the University of Astoria has to fix up telescreens outside the main lecture hall - there were so many people who wanted to see Shroom there.

Before that could happen, though, Paul wanted to meet the Prime Minister. And so - the entire ceremony was organized.

When the limo stopped before the steps leading up into the palace, camera flashes started bombarding it. An orchestra began to play the Shroomanian Hymn, and as ridiculous as it sounded in the official setting, most of the assembled welcoming comittee has managed to keep their composure.

Paul walked up to the limo and greeted his friend. Judging from the amounts of flashes, they had at least a couple hundred photos taken of this moment alone. The age of digital cameras...

"Welcome to PeZookia, Prime Minister.", he said, officially, "There are plenty of important matters to discuss today, I believe. Allow me to introduce my wife, Agatha."

Shroom kissed the Queen's hand, managing to appear dignified. When they started walking towards the palace, he managed to wipe the sweat off his face.

"Jesus, it's hot here."

"Well, a tropical paradise has its downsides.", Paul said and smiled wryly.

Shroom smiled as well. They entered the palace, and soon sat down in the Fireplace Room - nice and silent. There was a platter of cookies, water and some other appetizers. Journalists remained outside.

"Whew...well, now that this is over with, we can discuss some serious matters."

Paul grabbed a cookie.

"Feel free to grab one. I thought they'd be more appropriate than donuts..."

The joke obviously wasn't very funny for Shroom, but he grabbed a cookie nevertheless. He munched on it, and immediately decided that he would have to grab some more on his way out.

"Anyway", Paul started again, "I'd like to ask you about a couple of things...first of all, Indophal's accession into the FUN. What do you think about it? Personally, I think I will vote to allow them in. I owe them one, but besides that - they've shown a willingness to co-operate with the world, reining in ProTec when appropriate."

[Coiler]

"Mr. President for Life, Commodore Coleson has retracted his plan and admitted it was a bad idea. You should do the same to the domestic Coilerburg portion of it."

The ruler of Coilerburg looked at his aide and said "Well, maybe. I might tone it down. Get rid of the burning entire forests part of it. Or just scrap the whole thing! IT WAS STUPID, I WAS STUPID!"

The aide tensed for another outburst, but PFL Iler seemed to get himself back under control. "Abandon my plan. If its original owner says it was stupid, it's stupid."

"Contact King Arik, and mobilize the navy and air force. We will offer to help search for these maniacs with every ship and helicopter we have. And give full permission to let any ship helping with the search refuel from Kangaroo"

[Lonestar]

Fort Worth Stockyards
Sable Shirly, Goddess she hated that name!, waited nervously in the Geo Metro parked across the Stock Exchange. The city had gone to great effort to keept the historic stockyards together for tourist money, although the livestock aspect had shrunk to the point of auctions, what with the Armour plant being shut down.

The Stock Exchange itself was mostly used for rodeos and circuses nowadays, which was the reason why she was there. Moon Unit was inside casing the place for the rodeo tonight, where their operation would be put into effect. These wonderful creatures would be freed from their slavery from their uncaring masters, she thought. Idly she stared back down at the Toursit book she had. She'd been sitting there for 40 minutes. She wondered if Moon Unit got lost.

There was a knock on the window. She jumped. Two city cops were standing there. The first one said "Miss? Are you lost?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to find my way around." She was a pretty girl, which was one of the reasons why the officers had stopped to ask(and that they had noticed her sitting there when they went into the shopping area and when they came out.

"I'm Officer Denehe…your accent...Canissan?"

"Yes sir, I'm here on a vacation. I'm Kara Przewalski." She noticed that Moon Unit had started to walk out the front of the Exchange.

"Like the horse? My cousin raises hor…" Officer Denehe stopped, noticed that she was looking across the street, he turned and looked over. A young man in a T-shirt and jeans looked at him and turned and ran. "Hey!" Denehe shouted. "Bret, Get him! Ma'am step out of the car. We're going downtown."

Instead Sable accelerated her subcompact, and crashed the Metro into a F-150 King's Ranch edition.