SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Second

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomStratTV
The Mushroom Military Messenger
MASSIVE MILITARY MUTATION

The Sovereignty's Runaway Defense Budget has given the Mushroom Military a major boon.

Most evident of these are the upgrading of the SAF's F-15s and F-16s, the procurement of F-22s, and the development of the Yer Mom-class SSGNs.


The SSS Yer Face undergoing construction.

However, the MushMil is making progress in other systems as well. Namely the enhancement of the SAF's strategic bomber force - the development of new B-1C bombers and the unexpected return of B-52 Shroomtofortresses (perhaps based on, or bought from, the IRT's own enhancement program).


Twenty new Lancers will be available in Shroomania by the end of the year.


While thirty new B-52 Shroomtofortresses will be ready by 2010.

The Navy is seeing further developments as well. Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burkhe destroyers are being modified to fit larger vertical launch silos, allowing them to be armed with new weapons such as the Buzzkill missiles.


A cruiser launches a missile. Into the air.

Aside from bolstering its overall killiness, the Navy is also enhancing its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. By the end of the year, four new Type 23-class frigates with Sonar 2087 will increase the total number of Type 23 frigates in the Navy to 14.


The SSS Donald Duke. With its advanced sonar, the Type-23 is supposed to reaffirm the Shroomanian lead in anti-submarine warfare.

The Mushroom Marines and the Army, believed to be receiving the short end of the Runaway Defense Budget's proverbial stick, are not lagging behind at all. Though they possess a smaller allocation than the Navy or the SAF, their size also means that enhancements and modernization can be done quicker and cheaper than in the other larger forces. The Army and Mushroom Marines continue to be modern forces, professional and with the average soldier and Marine being more than just average, but semi-elite.


The Army and Mushroom Marines remain among the world's finest fighters, elite and utterly professional.


Beachgoers get a rare treat, a front row seat to a Mushroom Marine live-fire exercise involving a tank.

[Siege]

Meanwhile, on the phone...

"Excellent. The Parliament can't seem to get enough defense projects these days. The current plan is to upgrade our current airframes over the next two years."

"Excellent. I'll let Sam Ralson know your planes will be over for refurbishing."

"Though I suppose it doesn’t really matter if we get a couple dozen more bombers if we aren't willing to use them in the end. I can't escape the feeling that we are giving up too much to the Imperialists for fleeting security at best. By legitimizing the CSR's claims on Frequesue aren't we telling everyone we'll sell out to anyone with a big military who comes along? And for what? The CSR is giving us arms limits; limits it can break whenever the hell it feels like it. What exactly can we do if the CSR decides to station 100 extra bombers on the continent tomorrow? Not a god damned thing. All we are getting is the illusion of security."

President Hank shrugged. "The situation's certainly not ideal, but it'll do for now, insofar as I'm concerned. Besides, even the Reds have only so many bombers and warships. The more they station over here, the less will be available for messing about in the rest of the world. I'm convinced that sooner or later the PRSF will prove to be a liability instead of an asset to the Reds, and when it does, we'll see just how eager they are to waste their military strength occuppying an unprofitable patch of dirt on the other side of the world."

"Though it’s a little late to make an issue of the annexation now. I wasted our chance back during the coup.

Enough dwelling on the past. I'm going to give the CSR something to chew on. I'm going to deal with them only if they have a real referendum in the PSRF, open to our observers, on whether the people there truly want to join the CSR. If the CSR wants’ Indhopal to sell out on its principles, they'll have to offer up more than meaningless arms controls and the other token measures they've offered.

For security we’ll just have to pray that Tian Xia and the CSR balance against each other in our neighborhood, for the moment, anyway."

"Sounds like a plan. In my opinion it would be better if FTO members only dealt with the CSR collectively, rather than going at it as individual nations. Obviously that's not going to happen - King Brandon savours his good relations a little too much if you ask me - but at least our two nations can make common cause on this one. The more we act as a collective in matters such as these, the more Great Powers will be forced to recognize our grievances as legitimate."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Navy undertakes delivery of the first 2 of 8 Ocean surveillance vessels.

The Navy has undertaken the delivery of 2 of the first 8 Ocean Surveillance vessels. Dubbed the Invisible Hand class, these new vessels come equipped with starboard and port side torpedo launchers firing , 2 pairs of RBS-6000/12000 launchers and 8 ASROC launchers. The main sensor suite consists of a surveillance towed-array sensor system (SURTASS), a vertical line active transmit array, a multi-frequency horizontal receiver array and a real-time processing and analysis suite to accomplish both the active and passive surveillance missions for which it was designed. The Invisible Hand class is also outfitted with an extensive suite of navigation, communications, command and control and support equipment. The 2 ships will undergo shakedown cruises over the next few months.

Acoustic systems include an active low frequency towed array, which has a series of modules each of which houses two high-powered active transducers. These can be used with either mono or bistatic receivers. Oceanographic and hydrographic surveys, underwater surveillance, acoustic research and submarine support are just a few of the services these ships support. The Surveillance Towed Array Sensor is a linear array deployed on a tow cable. The ships are equipped with communication systems that relay the data to supporting escort ships and elsewhere.

The Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System [SURTASS] Low Frequency Active (LFA) is the active adjunct to the towed array. LFA adds an active transmit array and handling system, power amplification and control systems, an active signal processing and display receive system, and an environmental analysis system to the SURTASS Upgrade.

These ships will be deployed to patrol our harbour and shores, and it is quite possible the Navy will purchase another 16 of these vessels to replace the Stalwart class ocean surveillance vessels currently in service. The navy is also said to be studying the need to acquire Ocean surveying vessels to map out the ocean geography.


The IBNS Invisible Hand.

[Raj Ahten]

The Phone Call.

"Sounds like a plan. In my opinion it would be better if FTO members only dealt with the CSR collectively, rather than going at it as individual nations. Obviously that's not going to happen - King Brandon savours his good relations a little too much if you ask me - but at least our two nations can make common cause on this one. The more we act as a collective in matters such as these, the more Great Powers will be forced to recognize our grievances as legitimate."

"Right. I'd always hoped for a more coordinated foreign policy from the FTO as well, but a hope is really all it is. The FTO member states are just too different for us to agree on everything all the time. I'll be sending the CSR my positions presently. It's been good talking with you. I'm sure we'll be discussing this again later."

Diplomatic Message to the CSR, from the President Of Indhopal's Office.

We have gone over your proposal on arms limits and found much to like. Indhopal is all for any moves to lessen the presence of strategic weapons systems in Frequesue.
We can not, however, enter into any long term agreements with the CSR until the political situation in the PRSF is clear. There must be a referendum, open to international observers, in which the people of the PRSF can decide whether or not they truly wish the PRSF to cease to exist and become annexed by the CSR. The previous vote on the matter can not be considered valid as it came days after a militarist coup. A vote now, after tensions from the coup and war with Westchester have cooled, will allow the true will of the people to be expressed.

[Karmic Knight]

Gizmonic Sea Gains Some Ghastly Supremacy, Gains Sturgeons
By: Gregory Smith.

Gizmonic Sea, the major supplier of both the Merchant Fleet and the Navy, has agreed to a deal with a Shroomainian ship graveyard. The deal will send five Sturgeon Class Submarines to a Macmillan port to be spruced up and to train Gizmonic crews in their use. These ships will then be sent to the Strong Bad Islands Testing Facilities, as part of project Black Barracuda .

The ships are not being bought for refitting and use as part of the Navy, but as part of the Merchant Fleet, the SBTesting Facilities hope to use the subs to create a merchant sub, to hide from the pirate infested areas around San Dorado, the Vineyards/Eutopia, Khitan, and Valaria, including the Astarian area. This sub, the aforementioned Black Barracuda project, was defended in an interview with Gizmonic Sea Project Leader, Mr. Trace Beaulieu, “The Black Barracuda is an attempt to keep cargos from being hijacked by the bloodthirsty pirates of the high seas.”


A Sturgeon in its heyday, the sixties


FILE PHOTO: Mr. Beaulieu

[Beowulf]

Ares Blog

Today, the TXAF released it's 2015 plan for force organization. Noteworthy is the fact that it includes reserve forces, a move that the TXAF has resisted until now. Also noteworthy is the change of organization from 4 squadrons into 3 larger squadrons nearly across the board. The oddest change is that it lists F-23Bs as part of the future force. It is unknown what role the failed contender for the ATF competition will serve, but it could be related to Douglas's Rapid Theater Attack proposal.

Interestingly enough, the Air Force will be buying the A-10, currently operated by both Tian Jiao and Shinra. Also interesting is the fact that the TXAF is not just get remanufactured airframes for their A-7G, but new ones. Also of interest is the fact that three of the wings are listed as to be operating MQ-12 aircraft, which indicates a resurgence in interest in drone aircraft. Also of interest is the fighter wing which does not have an aircraft listed as being operated. It may be that they haven't yet decided what to use, or it may indicate that the aircraft itself is classified.

[Zor]

Union Press

Pacific Conference is confirmed

Atlantica Palace, Port Victory-Today, preperations are being made for the accomidations and facillities to accomidate the comming Pacific pact delegations.

Velarian Mining expedition under consideration

Royal Mining and Metalurgy (RMM) Headquaters, Pacifica-Today the president of RMM has put forth a proposal to send a mining expedition to the Ironridge mountains, which has been confirmed to contain deposits of highly valuable mineral wealth. Geological teams have confirmed the existance of sizable deposits of Copper and Tungsten in the mountains. Should this grow through, Zoria's Delta based facillities would need to be increased sugnifigantly to handle not only the increased shipping.

[RogueIce]

Secretary of State Warren Wright took the podium and began speaking:

"There has been much talk recently over the radiological disaster in Shepistan. While we sympathize with the plight of those caught up in this unfortunate tragedy, the Shinra Republic will not be paying reparations to the Shepistani government. We asked for reparations when the Shepistanis bombed our embassy in the earlier War of the Cities, and they told us, in essence, to go to Hell. I should also note following that same conflict, the Old Dominion attempted to open negotiations for a lasting peace treaty with the Shepistan government. They received no response, but did have their Foreign Minister assassinated shortly thereafter by a Shepistani agent during a PeZookian diplomatic conference. Apparently their enthusiasm for the rules and conventions of the civilized world depends on whether or not it happens to benefit them. As to the suit itself, the Shinra Republic had not, at the time of the strike, taken an active role in the war. Therefore we fail to see how it is our responsibility.

"The MESS is an alliance of sovereign states, not a unified nation. The Shepistani attempt to name all of us in this utterly baseless suit is little more than a propoganda ploy. We further note that the Old Dominion government has already offered their assistance in material means, to assist in the cleanup efforts. While they have not offered monetary aid, one can hardly blame them. After all, the first 'aid' they received from their friends in Japanistan was for military projects. I personally would not be surprised if any monies we sent to help 'clean up' the radioactive mess somehow ended up funneled into further military spending.

"I have been told the Old Dominion will conduct an internal review to answer the question of whether the strike itself was justified or not. We will offer them our assistance if it is so requested.

"Thank you for your time, ladies and gentlemen of the press. No questions, please."

And with his speech concluded, Secretary Wright walked out of the press room as reporter shouted questions at his departing back.

[MKSheppard]

Southern Coastline of Shepistan

Slowly, the convoy of radio-active waste ships began to move. The original plan had been to use specially built Japanistani ships with refrigerated holds to keep the waste cool, but it had been discovered that spraying the drums constantly with seawater sufficed enough for coolant purposes; and thus several dozen Shepistani Merchant Marine vessels were loaded with innumerable 55 gallon drums full of low level radio-oactive waste; while tugs pulled on special barges bought from Japanistan which each held a 300 ton part of the ruined reactor itself; which was most of the high level waste from the incident.

Slowly, the convoy of radio-active death set out for sea...

[Coiler]

For better or worse, the problem of slavers operating in Coilerburg was easily taken care of by a few surprise raids and replacing of naval officers. General Helmut's government could now turn its attention to more important matters, such as the formation of the New Army and the issue with San Dorado.

"The fact is that we have irrefutable proof that San Dorado-based corporations are sellings weapons and ammunition to the militant groups that plague us constantly", an officer said to the junta at an official briefing.

"This photograph was taken by a RAT in the CFR."

The photo showed a group of CFR militants taking San Dorado-built FAMAS rifles out of a crate. It was only the first of many San Dorado-built weapons being used by militants throughout Frequesue.

"As bad as the weapons deals are, the worse part is the gems for money deal."

Documents were provided that showed militants-including the CFR's Revolutionary Front- selling gems and other valuable minerals to San Dorado jewelry companies.

After the briefing, General Helmut immediately demanded to be patched through to President Hank. His mood was not a pleasant one.

[Raj Ahten]

State Bussiness

Normally when the members of the FTO needed to talk with one another, they just picked up the phone. But now Indhopal's ambassadors were getting hand delivered messages from the ambassadors.
(FTO huys, check your PM's)

[Raj Ahten]

Inside the CFR

It was time. After months of meticulous planning and preparatory operations, it was time to rescue Indhopal's negotiators and the captured Bearnish soldiers held by the Revolutionary Front. The operation, named Iron Still, was a large one. 6 different sites were being raided at the same time. Over three dozen aircraft were being used directly.


A Helicopter involved in Iron Still

All the careful planning paid off. All of the hostages were extracted and casualties amongst the SRG rescue teams were slight. An unexpected bump in the operation was the sheer number of civilian prisoners the Revolutionary Front was holding. Extracting them was a big strain. After they were interrogated, many said they were being taken as slaves by the Revolutionary Front, either to work in diamond mines or be shipped overseas by human traffickers for profit.

Despite that dark discovery, the general mood was triumphant. 16 diplomats from Indhopal, 46 soldiers from Bearne and 527 civilian prisoners were released all told.


Some of the Hostages Return Home to Indhopal

[phongn]

Ridiculous Rampant Runaway Ruinous Defense Spending: Ravaging the Global Economy to Recession?

Financial Times

HUE - In the aftermath of the recent One-Week War and the clear demonstration of military power, especially the transformational weapons systems used by Shepistan and created by Japanistan, world defense spending has climbed upwards. Massively upwards. Defense budgets are reaching unheard of levels for peacetime procurement, in many cases exceeding 8% of GDP - or more. Emergency procurement of every type of weapon system dominates emergency spending bills in government halls around the world. Even nations traditionally with tight fiscal discipline such as Sovereignty of Shroomania have bought into wild defense budgets.

Smaller nations, such as Cascadia, too have raging arguments over new weapons systems. Even small-power blocs such as the FTO are believed to have approached Tonkin over the sale of entire aircraft carriers, weapons systems grossly beyond their means. As for the largest of alliance, the MESS, significant numbers of men and much material were lost in the war: material that must now be replaced lest other powers such as the CSR or Tonkin threaten their naval dominance. Indeed, it seems that the only winners here are arms dealers, while global savings rates plummet.

Coupled with the serious concerns over global radiological contamination from the catastrophic meltdown of the Calvert Cliffs reactor, now badly effecting world agriculture and fisheries trade, we here at the Financial Times believe that significant economic damage is inevitable. Even nations such as Tonkin, who now buy up treasury bills by the hundreds of billions to fund world military expansion, are not immune. Nations such as the IRT rely extensively on world trade for economic strength: major sales of military equipment and interest payments on foreign loans will not offset it should world trade slow down. Other nations, such as Shroomania, strongly rely on consumer spending, and the latest confidence indices show a disturbing trend downwards.

Unless fiscal discipline is brought in - and soon - global recession is inevitable. And it is during these trying times that world conflict is most likely to break out, conflict that this world can ill-afford.

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Communique
FROM: His Grace Duke James of Baerne, in consultation with the BDA personnel recently rescued from Revolutionary Front captivity.
TO: His Excellency President Raj Ahten, and the members of the Indhopali soldiers assigned to Operation Iron Still

Your Excellency,

It is great pleasure to extend the thanks of the Sovereign Duchy to the heroic members of Indhopal's SRG who, earlier this week, risked their lives to rescue Baernish citizens from slavery, torture, and death. We extend to them the Ducal Victory Medallion, which is the highest military decoration it is within my power to award to a non-Baernish soldier.

My thanks, and those of the nation,
James of Baerne

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

A speech given by Strategos Davien, Chief of Staff of Army

"In the history of the Byzantine Empire, praise the Lord for his kindness, the army has steadfastly defended our borders and against all known threats. We have always emphasized on our tough training, and technology to defend our borders. But now, we face an enemy with equal technology, and also vast numeric superiority. If one looks at the much publicised Imperial Japanistan OOB, we would all know immediately that if the full weight of Japanistan forces were to be thrown at the Byzantine Empire, there is no way that our army on the field can possibly resist a force that outnumbers us by many orders of magnitude. We have, at most, an equivalent of 2 Shock Armies, and 1 reserve shock army.

We have long plowed our money into investing in technology, spending more than the average Tsardom. Most of our expenditure has gone into our navy and air force. However, the Army has received its own fair share of expenditure. Constant upgrades to our artillery, procurement of new advanced tanks, procurement of aircraft have kept our army as modern as it ought to be, and as fit to fight as it should be.

Now however, it is time to go beyond mere technology. We need numbers. As it stands, an Kataphrateoi Legion and Comitatenses Legion have the following structure:

Each Kataphrateoi Legion shall consist of
- 3 Kataphrateoi brigades
- 2 Mechanised Comitatenses brigades
- 1 Cavalry Kataphrateoi brigade
- 2 Onager brigades (artillery)
- 2 Air Defence Onager brigade (Light/Medium Air Defences)
- 2 Heavy Air Defence Onager Brigade (Heavy AA defences)
- 2+2 Attack Helicopter Brigade (12 Helicopters each)
- 2+2 CAS Brigade (12 aircraft each)
- 2+2 Combat Engineer battalions
- 2+2 Heavy Helicopter battalion
- 2+2 Utility Helicopter battaltion

Each Comitatenses/Limitanei Legion shall consist of
- 2 Kataphrateoi brigades
- 3 Mechanised Comitatenses brigades
- 2 Cavalry Kataphrateoi brigade
- 2 Onager brigades (artillery)
- 2 Air Defence Onager brigade (light/Medium AA defences)
- 2 Air Defence Onager Brigade (Heavy AA defences
- 2+2 Attack Helicopter Brigade (12 Helicopters each)
- 2+2 CAS Brigade (12 aircraft each)
- 2+2 Combat Engineer battalions
- 2+2 Heavy Helicopter battalion
- 2+2 Utility Helicopter battalion

As of now, Legions themselves operate as autonomous structures, that are capable of being organised to work in unison with other Legions if so required. What I propose now is that we form a new structure above the Legions, to be headed by a High Strategos.

Imperial Tagmata
A Kataphrateoi Tagmata shall consist of
-3 Kataphrateoi Legions
-1 Comitatenses Legion
-4 Air Defence Legions
-1 Heavy Artillery Brigade
-2 Light Rocket Artillery Brigades
-1 Rocket Artillery Brigade
-3 Heavy Combat Engineer Brigade
-4 CAS brigades (48 aircraft total. Su-39 and possibly Euro Typhoon)
-4 Combat Engineer battalions
-4 Heavy Helicopter battalion
-4 Utility Helicopter battalion

A Comitatenses Tagmata shall consist of
-1 Kataphrateoi Legion
-3 Comitatenses Legions
-4 Air Defence Legions
-1 Heavy Artillery Brigade
-2 Light Rocket Artillery Brigades
-1 Rocket Artillery Brigade
-3 Heavy Combat Engineer Brigade
-4 CAS brigades (48 aircraft total. Su-39 and possibly Euro Typhoon)
-4 Combat Engineer battalions
-4 Heavy Helicopter battalion
-4 Utility Helicopter battalion

Yoou might all immediately notice that we cannot possibly even form more than 2 such Tagmata, and we lack the said Heavy Artillery Brigade and Rocket Artillery Brigades, and Heavy Combat Engineer Brigades. Heavy Artillery Brigades are organise along the same lines as our artillery brigades, but they are to operate heavy Howitzers of 203mm caliber, or more Koalition-SV 155mm guns, and 2S4 Tyulpan CSR SP mortars. The Light Rocket Artillery brigade will operate MLRS at a Tagmata level, and of course all the latest munitions that can be acquired from the MESS. Rocket artillery brigade however, will operate short to medium range ballistic missiles which possibly are of the following specifications:

Proposed Rocket Design
-400km max range, 50km min range
-5-10m CEP
-1000kg warhead (Unitary, bomblets, thermobaric, Greek Fire, tactical earth penetrator, EMP)
-Solid Fueled
-Guidance System: GPS/GLONASS/Inertial/IR/Radar
-titanium reinforced to withstand point defence gun systems
-Designed to follow a non-purely-ballistic path, which includes such features as violent maneuvers in the terminal phase of flight and the release of decoys. The missile never leaves the atmosphere as it follows a relatively flat trajectory.

We have been discussing about the possible use of hypersonic missiles in use in the Navy and that is under discussion at the moment. Kontos Munitions tell us that the SS-26 Iskander is similar to our requirements, and they have started work on the required missile since the start of the year. We expect to either deploy a hypersonic missile, or a SS-26 in the interim. These missiles are designed explicitly for the neutralisation of enemy SAMs, and hardened targets.

I propose that we organise a total of 2 Kataphrateoi Tagmata and 2 Comitatenses Tagmata. This would require that we build 4 new Kataphrateoi Legions and 2 Comitatenses Legions. This will take approximately 3-4 years to complete. Which is just as well; I am told that Kontos and Byzantine Heavy Industries are about almost ready with the new B-2 Black Panther upgrade. The Emperor has given his blessing to this expansion, and we will be more ready to defend the realm against enemy attack in the future.

[MKSheppard]

50 nautical miles off the northern coast of the Old Dominion

The convoy of Radio-Active Death slowed down to a crawl, in preparation for the first phase of Operation "Vacuum Cleaner".

The tugs that had towed the huge barges carrying the 300 ton radio-active pieces of the reactor core cut their lines and steamed away at top speed.

Minutes later, the scuttlign charges on the barges blew; and slowly, the barges began to sink deeper into the waves, until they capsized, and disappeared, leaving roiling foam on the ocean's surface.

The Old Dominion had wantonly caused a major nuclear disaster, and then sent plastic zip loc baggies for "cleanup". Now, the Shepistan Goverment was returning the favor by dumping the hottest nuclear debris from the incident 50 nm off the OD Coastline.

Elsewhere in the convoy, a few ships were settling deeper into the waves; their scuttling charges having been blown at around the same time as the barges. These were the ships which were too old or too worn out to make the voyage to Veleria; and thus, they were being scuttled here for the safety of their crew.

Within 45 minutes, 1,000 tons of very hot reactor wreckage and three ships containing close to 10,000 fifty-five gallon drums of low level waste had been sent to the bottom, and the convoy resumed it's slow voyage to Veleria, where the remaining drums would be unloaded and sent to the new joint Shepistani/Japanistani Central Waste Site (CWS).

[MKSheppard]

Shroomspace Weekly

Shepistan/Langley Arms Deal

According to Shroomspace's sources, the Duchy of Langley and Shepistan have reached an agreement over an arms deal which will dispose of much of Shepistan's excess aircraft; including a squadron or two of strategic bombers. The more advanced equipment like the F-106Hs etc, will be turned over in squadron lots, as each squadron in the Shepistani Air Force flying F-106Hs converts to newly supplied Japanistani equipment over a period of time...

Also, Shepistan has agreed to consider the T-50 Golden Eagle for an air force reserve craft, and has ordered a competitive flyoff between it and the Japanistani A-45 Fire Dragon (Su-17M4 FITTER) for the strike role. The proposed F-84 replacement deal was deemed implausible due to the extremely low numbers of F-84s that survived attrition during the One Week War.

[Steve]

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Cascadian Defense Department, State Department hold firm on "Tankers for Food" program.

ADAMS, CAPITAL DISTRICT - Despite fierce protest from various groups the Defense Department and State Department have independently confirmed their intention, with the "cautious support of the Executive", to go forward with the "Tankers for Food" program negotiated with Shepistan with the help of Tonkinese intermediaries.

According to the rules of the program, the surplus cargo and tanker aircraft fleet that the Shepistani Air Force must get rid of to meet the armistice limits on their forces will be bought by the Cascadian Defense Department. Payment will be made in the form of credits which the Shepistani government can use to pay for food and rebuilding programs.

The Cascadian House has recently voted against a resolution to demand the President terminate the program by a narrow margin. The Senate voted two to one in favor of a resolution supporting the President's action.

Protests in Adams had increased in recent days, led by both Labor Party and Stalwart Party activists in a rare sign of solidarity. "This is a horrible mistake, a disgrace!" one protestor shouted. "We're paying for Shepistan to sink more cargo ships!"

The Defense Department has not remarked on the likely use of the many cargo aircraft that will be acquired by the agreement.


Star of Sweethaven escapee to tell all in live interview

SEATTLE, OLYMPIA - A Cascadian International Peace Corps volunteer who joined the organization after his National Service was over, Alejandro Marchez - a native of Santa Anna in Rosario - has agreed to tell his story to the public on CNS' "Good Morning Cascadia" segment sometime in the coming month.
The twenty five-year old Marchez was one of the lead mutineers who snatched weapons from their Astarian captors and seized control of the old merchant vessel Star of Sweethaven ten days ago. He was the second-oldest among six Cascadians taken by Astarian slavers from villages in Bissauru weeks ago in a scandal that is now rocking the world and forcing governments everywhere to reconsider their positions relating to the island nation of Astaria. Astaria, which has resisted all attempts over the past hundred and seventy years to end the practice of chattel slavery - including the Shroomanian law that led to their declaring independence in 1848 - has little diplomatic representation in the modern world. Their delegation in Hue, IRT, has only released a press release from their government remarking that the enslavement of the volunteers was "illegal under our law, and a regrettable circumstance", while also expressing "regret" over the Cascadian Navy "seizing the vessel without just cause on the high seas in defiance of internationally-recognized law".

Another escapee, Amber Sanchez, has been asked to testify to a joint session of Congress called by President Garrett, who is also inviting the Cascadian volunteers to a private dinner.
In a press release from the Presidential Mansion, the Presidential Press Office has responded to requests for information on President Garrett's plans to respond with the statement of "The President is weighing all of his options at this time and is in communication with other governments concerned with the situation in South Veleria."


Boeing Company stock goes up as global military expansion leads to large orders

SEATTLE, OLYMPIA - The Cascadian Industrial Exchange closed yesterday with Boeing Company's stock at a twelve year high. The aerospace conglomerate has reported increased sales across the board as it has won numerous contracts from both the Cascadian government and other nations for military aircraft. According to officials Boeing has won contracts to produce a large order of new "Super Shrike" naval fighters for the Tonkinese Navy, as well as an Alaskan contract for transport and refueling aircraft. A source inside the company has claimed that Boeing is "very near" a finished contract with Tian Xia for refueling aircraft as well.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

This year is surely a year for Defence Stocks

Government spending on Defence has rocketed to at least 20% more than last year, has definitely seen investors buying heavily into defence related stocks. Even Icarus Electronics' share price has risen to an all year high, since Kontos Munitions often subcontracts a number of jobs to Icarus Electronics.

Questions are certainly abound on whether the economy can take such defence expenditure. The government typically aims for 1-2% growth yearly and consumer spending still remains steady this year. Government R&D spending has certainly been slashed by a quarter from a high of 120 billion, but it should be noted that research grants last year are more than enough to give researchers a leeway on funding, and the defence establishment has been funding academic research rather lavishly, which more than makes up for the cut.

So what next for next year? The government indicates that it is staggering all its expenditure to ensure that it has enough cash to pay for its purchases, and even the recent announced expansion of the army will be staggered over 3-4 years or more. Anticipated GDP growth is forecasted to be around 0-1%.

64 Tu-160BM and 32 Tu-22BM and 16 Tu-95MS(16)-BM and 16 Tu-142BM, 16 KC-45 to be ready by end of the year.
The bomber force is expected to grow with the entry of more than 100 bombers. "It was no easy feat increasing our production. 64 Tu-160BM came in this year because last year's order for 32 was delayed pending some revisions in the fuselage of the aircraft. Next year, we expect 16 Tu-160BM to be completed. The Navy indicates it may cut back on Tu-142BM purchases, so we might be able to produce more Tu-22BM and Tu-95MS(16)-BM instead. It's hard going expanding production, to be honest," said the spokesman for Byzantine Aeronautics.

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin

Mercury 2 launch greenlighted

After four months of additional booster testing, further delayed by moving the launch control center to the newly constructed Launch Control Facility and Mission Control to the Shroomanian Comona Island "Space city", FASTA mission planners have okayed the Mercury 2 orbital mission.

Mercury 2 will break several milestones: it will be the first orbital flight carrying a fully functional space capsule, it will carry Earth animal life to orbit ; It will be the longest orbital mission to date. Followed by four additional Mercury 2 flights carrying a biological payload, this mission marks a very important date in space exploration.

Which is why preparations are very careful - never before has so much manpower been used during preparatory stages. Utmost care is being taken to avoid a catastrophic failure of booster or capsule systems - incidentally, this care is causing immense cost overruns for the historic launch.

Present at the launch site will be VIPs from several countries, including a special Japanistani delegation eager to observe the R-7 series of boosters in action.

Japanistani satellite launches scheduled

Using the newly constructed R-7 Launch Pad B, the agreed-upon launch of three Japanistani-designed satellites has been introduced into FASTA launch schedule.

While the launches will consume significant amounts of manpower and resources, they are part of an internatoinal agreement, according to which Japanistan will allow manned overflights of its territorry for the purposes of facilitating the Moon landing, greatly simplifying mission planning.

[phongn]

Svalbardia Sea Gripen Chosen

Reykjavik - The IRT's Ministry of Defense today announced that the SAAB Sea Gripen design has won the Joint Lightweight Fighter competition intended to replace the A-57 Skyhawk in service with the Tonkin Air Force and Navy. This advanced fighter will greatly improve the capabilities of the light carrier force ...

Boeing Super Shrike Arrives

Haiphong - The first of the Cascadian Sea Shrike fighters have arrived to be accepted by the Tonkin armed forces. Intended to replace the venerable Phantom, this highly capable yet affordable "4.5" generation fighter design will bring the IRTAF and IRTN into the 21st century ...

Foreign Military Imports?

The recent spate of foreign military imports, from Japanistani interceptors to Svalbardian light fighters to Cascadian multirole aircraft have introduced a disturbing trend by the current President of the Board, Phong Nguyen. In his haste to embrace international arms trade, he is weakening the domestic arms industry. Sales of munitions and weapons systems to foreign countries is only growing our trade surplus, but the large foreign imports threaten to reverse this. We call on President Nguyen to reverse these ill-considered contracts in favor of locally produced weapons systems ...

[PeZook]

Orena Evening News

Jozef Muszynski returns from Border States trip ; Declared a change in political views

Jozef Muszynski, renowned for his fervent anti-communist rhetoric, has returned from his trip to the former Border States, where him and a delegation of PeZookian volunteers experienced first-hand the conditions suffered by local people.

Straight off the airplane, during an impromptu press conference, Mr. Muszynski announced the voyage was an "eye opening experience" and that he will no longer criticize the USSR's annexation of the Border States.

"The people who had to live under broken governments of these republics have suffered incredibly. I have personally seen the horrible crimes their former rulers inflicted upon them, including Zagorian mass graves and political prisons in Sjenska. A change from that - any change, even to a communist dictatorship - is a positive sign.", said Mr. Muszynski to the gathered reporters.

"I have also met a lot of Shadow, CSR and Byzantine soldiers working to restore a semblance of proper society in the Border States: unlike most stereotypes, they are mostly kind, hard working people full of genuine compassion for their fellow man. I will push for PeZookia to provide peacekeepers for the region in the future."

Many see the statement to be political suicide for Muszynski, who built his career by fervently opposing the "encroachment" of communist ideologies in the Old Continent. Such outright support for USSR policies may cost him his electorate.

Protests rock Orena over Star Of Sweethaven incident

More than three thousand protesters gathered on the streets of Orena today, demanding the government take action against Astaria after it was uncovered that two PeZookian nationals were kidnapped from a Velarian village, where they were performing humanitarian duties.

Both were recovered safely by the Cascadian navy, however the incident has brought the world's attention - again - to the matter of Astarian slavery.

"You have to understand that this is a systemic problem in their society", a Foreign Ministry spokesman commented earlier to a OEN reporter, "With price of educated household slaves on the rise, it has become cost-effective for slavers to kidnap foreign nationals and smuggle them into Astaria. The problem will only grow, and what we've seen is only a small glimpse of the horrors that may follow."

The governemnt is reportedly not considering any action against Astaria: justifying the decision with the fact that at this point, any punitive action would have to be military in nature, since all other options have been long since exhausted.

Premier Shady to visit Orena

The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Premier Shady will be visiting PeZookia at some time near the end of the year. The precise date has not yet been set, but a rough plan of the visit includes a live TV appearance and a tour of the Old City, where the Premier will tour museums, galleries and other cultural facilities of our capital.

[Siege]

State Business

After the briefing, General Helmut immediately demanded to be patched through to President Hank. His mood was not a pleasant one.

The general was left to wait for a considerable time. One did not just pick up the phone and 'demand' to speak to the President of San Dorado; President Hank was a busy man with a great many obligations. Moreover, 'demands' to do anything didn't go over very well with the President, who was arguably one of the most powerful men on the continent.

So it was that it took roughly an hour and a half before Sidney Hank finally picked up the phone in his office to talk to the irate general.

"General Helmut. What an unexpected surprise. I've been informed that you wanted to talk about something?"

[Karmic Knight]

Vinish Politics: A VNN Intercontinental Report

Prime Minister Black Speaks out against Coilerburg Junta, proposes sanctions

After being sworn in as Prime Minister, Martin Black set to work, he proceeded to spend a few months trying to propose a bill that would show enough dissatisfaction with the Coilerburg Junta, without calling for their suspension or removal from the FTO. In the end, Prime Minster Black ended up with a series of limits he would propose to the other nations of the FTO, limits in arms sales, munitions sales, and military transportation sales. Prime Minister Black states that this program should be enacted until a reliable civilian government could be in place, as he does not trust the Coilerburg Junta to keep their people in an acceptable standard of living.

Prime Minister Black received overwhelming support for his proposal in the Senate, going so far as to claim it was a wonderful blueprint on how to handle issues like this in the future. The plan was signed by the Senate, and enacted just three days ago, though the lack of Vinish heavy industry does seem to make the point moot. While the Senate passed the law, they sent a version of the law to the various FTO government apparatus that would deal with the law. The law though has seemingly stalled, as the Office of the Sovereign has decided to sit on it instead of enacting the Whitewash Clause for when the King returns from his trip to the Old World.

[K. A. Pital]

Palace of the Soviets, Andropovsky's cabinet

- But sir, they may not have known that our citizen was enslaved! - a young major ran after the PCIA chief through the corridor. - We can still call them off before it's too late...

- The Supreme Soviet voted in favour of BITTER END in a secret session last week. You should know that I'm legally binded to execute the will of the people. The CSR has no mercy for slavers, - Andropovsky clenched his fists. - The worst part - she was a high-profile peace ambassador. Do you realize what they did to her? Now that comrade Katarina is safe, we aren't going to play with our gloves on. Comrade Pashkov, better hurry to GO-82 now. The President is already there, and I will be arriving as soon as the Commitee has drafted various letters.

37th Strategic Air Army Headquarters

President Stanislav was personally present at the headquarters located in a GO-82 command bunker deep under a secret city - COMMUNE-2. The GO-82 bunker was unique because it was constructed very far away from it's construction entrance, under a small village house, after which a second entrance was opened from below. To a spy plane, if any dared to fly over CSR airspace at all, this facility would look like a bunker with an entrance somewhere on the outskirts of Stasograd, but the real entrance was in fact over 20 km away.


- Asiatic Horde, we hear you. Asiatic Horde, priem.

- Hordynets-1 here. We reached the Final Sea.

- This is Gengis-Khan. Horde and Sea, pour BITTER END.

50,000 feet over the ocean, some 700 km west of Astarian coastline, between Astarian and South Veleria

Kiddie gloves were off.

A group of 20 MiG-31M fighters, flying slowly in the company of their bomber allies, were trailing the CSR's entire 37th Strategic Air Army. They were refuelled mid-air several times by now - and their necessity was dictated by the type of operation that lie ahead of them.

Five supersonic Sukhoi T-4 bombers following them were now fully armed with two Kh-45 supersonic missiles. They flew slowly, as the whole formation did. Eighty Tu-160M bombers were flanked by ten Tu-160PP - Tu-160 bombers converted to specialized supersonic support jammers. Finally, 30 Il-78M tankers were following them.

The Crimson Star Navy 2nd and 4th Carrier Battlegroups, augmented by the recently-overhauled missile cruiser CSN "Admiral Ushakov" were dispatched from Rovno a week ago, and once the Tu-160s entered their operation zone, 25 Su-33 and 20 MiG-29K were lifted from the deck of the Ulyanovsk-class CSN "Tashkent" to provide cover and escort for the bomber force.

Another 12 Su-33 and 16 Yak-141 rose from the deck of the 4th Battlegroup flagship, carrier CSN "Varyag".

The 20 MiG-31Ms did their last re-fuelling and streamed ahead towards the coast of Veleria and Astaria along with the bomber group, carrying 6 KS-172 long-range missiles each.

The whole group split in two formations - one flew to Astaria, and the other to South Veleria. Bombers slowed down, waiting for the fighters to give some rough coordinates on the enemy positions.

Approaching the coastline, the fighter planes went lower and slower, not to tick off a possible AEW craft while they were still not in range of a missile strike.

The Astarians had several retired Slavic National Confederacy A-50 AEW&C craft, and it was possible that several of them were lifted in the air due to the recent tensions. However, almost a week had passed. The Astarians, with whom the CSR maintained zero diplomatic contacts, have probably been somewhat elated. Truly they did not know what would await them in a short while.

Astarian AEW&C plane, some 100 km west of the coast of Astaria

It was a sunny day, until the Shmel radar on board sounded a warning. The ECCM operator gulped. 20 undefined craft were incoming at almost Mach 3, ticking the AEW off at 380 km...

- Scramble all!

The targets approached at an alarming speed - they were flying somewhere at 18,000 m and ticked off the radar since they were rapidly climing.

Cockpit of "Russian Roulette" - Svetlana Savitskaya's MiG-31M of the Agressor Squadron, approaching Astaria

It took the 10 Agressors around a minute and a half to cover some 80 kilometers in the general direction of Astaria, when their PESA "Zaslon-M" radars flared the Astarian AEW&C craft and it's MiG-31 escorts. Svetlana and her companion Elena were the first who fired. Two KS-172 missiles streaked ahead, and the Astarian AEW&C with it's crew had only four minutes left to live. The next plane launched 3 KS-172 against the forward enemy MiG-31 escort.

- Agressors, keep an eye now, - Svetlana spoke into the group channel. - Their IADS have been alerted. We have been advised to keep an eye for S-300V devices - they hardly have anything heavier, but even one such battery could seriously complicate the deal. Let's give rough coordinates of their harbor objects.

- It would take several minutes before any of their fighters would take off, so let's do it and go off, - spoke Elena calmly. - We're spreading out. Mongols, after me, and track them all. Closed datalinks raised, me and Svetlana will relay the targeting data to the Final Sea.

"Baikal" IADS control complex, off Astarian harbor

- Fuck, fuck, fuck! - screamed the Astarian major. - Drakafuck!

The control facility rolled out from below the mountain. The radar truck was a little off in the distance, up on the hill to provide coverage but not close to have a least some chance of survival for the battery. Astarians may have been using obsolete equipment, but they weren't unexperienced much for a pariah state. It was rumored that they extracted lots of military knowledge from kidnapped military servicemen around the world who were listed as MIA, but were in fact subject to slavery in Astaria.

The S-300V battery rapidly deployed in four minutes - it was one of the best units in all of Astaria, and the projected time of 5 minutes was even slightly overdone. Their radars were already screaming murder - 5 targets were approaching fast at 300 km away, from the seaside - but the SAM did not allow action yet.

- Closing in... closer... closer... broke 100 km! Launch!

The large missile tubes whistled, releasing one missile, then a second, third, fourth...


- They are turning away! Sir, they are...

21 km over Astaria

- Misha, climb! Get the hell out of there!


Mikhail Ilyushin launched flares, but one of those 4 SAMs caught up with him still. Capable of engaging targets at speeds far greater than the MiG-31M was running at, the missile even managed to evade - maybe by pure lack - a rear-launch of a countermissile by Misha.

And his plane erupted in a fiery fireball.


Meanwhile, bombers were releasing their Kh-90 supersonic cruise missiles at 700 km away.

Bomber battlegroups #1 and #2, 50,000 feet high, 500 km north of Astarian border, between Astaria and South Veleria


Finally the data from the MiG-31 recon group was translated to the bombers as well, and they launched their Kh-90 supersonic ALCMs at the coordinates given.

In total the bombers launched a salvo of 80 Kh-90 ALCMs against western-coast Astarian harbors and 80 Kh-90 ALCMs against naval facilities in South Veleria - those were far better designated, since the MiG-31Ms did not have to turn away to avoid a dense IADS network, like the one Astarian mainland had.

Flying on inertial guidance with a Mach 4 cruise speed, with 800 kg warheads, those missiles impacted indisrimnately with a CEP around 300 m, each destroying structures in the docks and ships that happened to be in the harbor at the time indiscriminately.

The bombers then turned away and flew back to the CSR.

T-4 special anti-ship wing, over 50,000 feet high, flying along the South Velerian coastline at Mach 3,1

The five bombers flew high in a tight formation.

- You see any hulking warship, you lob those missiles down there, Petya!

- Of course, Vassili Ivanovich!


The five bombers were soon out of missiles - they had only ten... but the strike was co-ordinated with the Navy's SSGNs and CGs, dealing a crippling blow to whatever naval assets the Astarians might have had in the striking range of the Crimson CVBG.

[Ships: see here, carrier groups 2 and 4 assigned to ROVNO NAVAL BASE:
Navy

The SUBRONS have been forward-deployed to kill Astarian Navy ships which could be operating in the area. All AEW copters and 8 Yak-44E are in the air, towed acoustic stations deployed, and the fleet is laying silent in the sea, so far somewhere ~700 km away, west of Velerian continent, north of Astaria]