SD.Net World(RAR!) MK II

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

News Headlines

Byzantium seconds Shepnukistan's request for a summit.

[TimothyC]

Public Memorandum from the Office of the King of New Patria

New Patria offers its services in the defusing of tensions by supplying the necessary security measures for the conference and using it's diplomatic ties with all civilized nations (Intellectual Property thieves are not civilized) to arrange the necessary transport and diplomatic niceties.

[Phone Cont.]A click is heard on the Shep-Stas line and a gasp from both ends is heard

"The line is secure your Majesty"

"You know you guys need to get your OP-SEC down a bit more I mean you guys are really lucky that I'm the one the line runs through.

"Stas - I'm going to open my embassies in the MESS countries to your citizens so that they can evacuate to safety. The fact that they will be leaving the Mess countries as Citizens of New Patria will be overlooked by my government. But Shep is right - it's much easier to de-escalate now then when I'm a pile of rock that happens to be underwater.

"Shep - please remember that just because I'm small doesn't mean I don't have a medium bomber, remember those P-3s that 'crashed', well they've been getting a silver spoon in their mouths if you will.

"Third or C. There is only so much I can do, and I'll need some help in getting it done, although some help on the Tejas including some pre-orders would be some nice grease".

The line stays silent for several seconds.

[Zor]

Minerva

Parliament torn in two over nuclear development

Parliament Hill, Zortropolis: Today in a suprise meating of Parliament, the House of Equals was suddenly divided over the suprise nuclear detonation by the OMSK Pact. Many have condemned this move of nuclear weapons development and the potential consequences it might have while others hold true to alliances. The split has gone through party lines and has polarized the political climate.

"OMSK pact has overstepped it's boundaries With the Development of Nuclear Weapons," Conservative Party leader Kyle W.B. Day said to the Press today "This will only lead to increased political tensions around the world that very well lead to Atomic Weapons falling down on our or our childrens heads!"

Others were of diferent opinion "The Red Technocracy was there when Syndromia attacked our shores and helped us Stabilize the nation Post War" Social-Democratic Party MP Felicity Stukov told the press "With this power, they can keep the power of hostile militirized nations such as Saddamistan in line and bring about security."

The King has not made an official statement on the matter.

New Naval Defense System Announced

RZNEC Headquarters, Victorium: In responce from the threat of Krakens and Pirates, the Royal Zorian Navy has plans for a new level to our nation's naval defense, Neptune.

Neptune calls for a network of unmanned underwater station positioned at strategic positions along the coastline in our law of the sea claim (which is at most 200 meters deep and should prove to be a major problem for service teams) each containing sonar and radar systems to detect and monitor activity and defend our coasts in case of monumental dissastor. To this effect, each Neptune station will be outfitted with turret carrying four torpedoes or a 30mm supercavitating machine gun. In times of peace, the Neptune network shall only fire supercav ammunition on Krakens, which have a considerably diferent Sonar profile to any ship in service although Naval Command shall have over-rides to destroy confirmed pirate vessels. Vulcan Computer and Robotics, makers of the MICRS is expected to design the computer system while the actual mechanical systems will be made by the Crown Owned Royal Zorian Nautical Engineering Corperation.

Should the Neptune Program be approved is expected to cost 10 billion dollars in total and take at least three years of R&D before actual construction and deployment begins. His majesty's Government expects to export the technology to friendly nations.

[MKSheppard]

Union Aerospace Corporations' RAR division continues work on Nukebeard Space booster

The first sub-scale prototype engine, part of the developmental process for the Nukebeard space booster has been fired at the Neverhood Testing Range in Shepnukistan. It successfully developed several thousand pounds of thrust; validating the core design ideas behind the project. At the conclusion of testing, the Nukebeard A engine was deliberately oversped to gain information on reactor failure modes.

[The Yosemite Bear]

report:

"Prince Nobody"
unknown internet terrorist sympathizer
currently unknown, wears a black guerilla type guarb, with a featureless face mask.

leader of the "People's Freedom Party" and internet personality, believed to be highly skilled/trained in chemestry. Current activities unknown, believed to be responsibile for theft of fuel cells, and large quanities of sodium and lithium.

[RogueIce]

Defense Ministry Press Office, for immediate release:

Shinra Republic enters talks with Tonkin on acquisition of JOCAM equipment

[K. A. Pital]

Supreme Council Communique

A bank transfer totalling $25 has been transferred to Tian Xia in accordance with it's demands for reparations.

Although the circumstances of the incident point to Tian Xia shooting the drone which was still not at flight range limits and far from termination, forcing it away from it's trajectory and down on their own heads, with "victims" highly probable from the military recovery team, the Red Technocracy wishes to settle the matter as Tian Xia released no further information.

However, Tian Xia becomes the second nation we fully sever ties with. According to intel data, they were the most active and knowledgeable MESS nation to participate in the Lone Star Nuclear Programme. They are procuring Lone Star made WMDs and providing the MESS with means of delivery of said WMDs.

Their prior attempts to launch heavy spy satellites for extreme hi-res imaging over OMSK and FUNGAL Axis nations, which caused the last tension row, have not been forgotten either. Blatant airspace violations with their early launches and secret nuclear testing allegations are just icing on the cake.


The Red Technocracy embassy evacuates all of it's personnel from Tian Xia

Lone Star Reviled in Technocracy's Press

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Ashford Times Headlines in Brief

Duke Lelouch Approves Emergency Military Spending Bill
Emphasis to be placed purely on defensive measures

Navy Attempts to Reopen Talks with Tonkin Concerning JOCAM Equipment
Very few options left for anti-ship defense, Chief of Naval Operations states

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE? Y / N

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Bright Star Gospel
-Your weekly spiritual food

Pastor Bright Star Converts Triad Gang Leaders

[img=right]http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/7440/154e1bcavl0.jpg[/img]

[Kamalan] Last Thursday, at an undisclosed location, the boss of the United Oaks has confessed and repented his sins to the wonderful Pastor Bright star and became a new Brother. There were 20 Tong Masters who witnessed their former leader's change, and they also became Brothers.

Neither the Blue Party, the Green Party, nor the President could solve Triad problems. Only by the Gospel of Pastor Bright Star, the Triad problem can become a positive force in the nation.

Once again, Pastor Bright Star urges President Ma to repent his sins. "The nuclear testing as well as the hightened international tension are both testimonies of the end of days coming near. The President, like these new 21 Brothers, should repent and confess, and become a Bright Star Brother. Only then the nation of Mangka will be saved."

[phongn]

Rumored IRT Arms Deals

HUE - Anonymous sources within the TSDF today indicate that the major arms negotiation may be in the works with the Duchy of Langley and the Shinra Republic...

Emergency SAGE Expansion Planned

HUE - The TSDF today announced that emergency plans for improving the Semi-Automated Ground Environment air-defense systems are now in motion. Emergency spending bills have also been authorized for procurement of radar, missile and computer systems to defend the IRT against any attacker.

Libertopian Mining Lucrative

LIBERTOPIA - Tonkin heavy industry corporations have discovered a mining bonanza in Terra Libertia. Working in concert with local leadership to improve the political and economic stability of the region...

[MKSheppard]

Shepnukistani DoD Release

The 100th Bomb Wing, the 305th Strategic Reconnaisance Wing, and the 357th Strategic Fighter Wing along with their assigned heavy aerial refuelling squadrons have been placed on high alert for possible deployment to OMSK Pact members if this international crisis deepens.

"We very much hope for a peaceful resolution to this crisis; but we are very pessimistic; and are planning for the worst." -- SECDEF Slade.

Nukistani Times

Unconfirmed reports from Annapolis indicate that the Ranger CVBG has recalled all personnel from shore leave; and that MPs are patrolling the bars for sailors...

[Beowulf]

"Hey Matt, line secured?"

"Hey Matt, line's secured."

"I might be late to the summit. I have a couple families to go comfort. I'll try to make the dining out, but no garauntees. Give my regards to the others if I'm late."

...

---

Names of the Deceased From the RT Mistake Released

The government has finished identifying the deceased and has contacted their families. As such, it has deemed it suitable to release the names and ages of the deceased.

• * Robert Chin (30)
  * Julia Chin (29)
  * Thomas Chin (3)
  * Kai-tan Leary (27)
  * Fate Testerossa (24)
  * Konata Suzumiya (15)
  * John Suzumiya (18 )
  * Christopher Helwig(45)
  * Jeffrey Duplin (32)
  * Rosanna Duplin (30)

It has also released an image based off of previous aerial photomapping surveys of the impact location:



Actual imagery of the crash site is unavailable due to obscuring smoke.

---

Tian Xia Evacuates Embassy

Tian Xia evacuated it's embassy in the Red Technocracy today. The personnel left via Canissian-owned air transports. As they left, a distinct thump could be heard, followed by a comment by a guard: "Do you think we used too much C-4?"

---

Military Leaves Canceled

Sources indicate the leave has been canceled for all Air Force personnel, and some Navy personnel. TXS Vindictive was seen steaming out of port, ahead of it's planned rotation. As yet, there is no report of airborne alerts by the Air Force, excepting the previously announced E-767s.

---

Office of the Executive

Open letter to the Secretary General of the Red Technocracy:

You have belittled my nation's suffering. You have insulted us by suggesting that the lives of our citizens are worth $2.50. You have the gall to claim that these dead citizens don't even exist. Fuck your mother.

You go crazy over the thought of Tian Xia orbiting a spy satellite, claiming a need for secrecy, but see nothing wrong with violating other nations airspace with high-speed cruise missiles, and do so soon after declaring that you have the Bomb. Not to mention that Tian Xia does not possess any spy sats, but rather the threat existed entirely inside your deluded mind. You thought the only purpose of satellites in low earth orbit was for spying, and so you assumed any need for low earth orbit satellites would be for spying. OMSK has publically announced that it launched spy satellites, and you have the nerve to complain about the MESS owning any. You shit on our proposal for increased transparency, instead deciding that unannounced violations of airspace were the right and proper method. Get fucked by your father.

You cannot figure out how to read a map. Maybe you use it for toilet paper. I doubt you could figure out how to pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel. Pig's snout, mare's arse, slaughterhouse cur, screw your own mother!

The moon's in the sky, the year in the book. The day's the same over here as it is over there. Behanchod.

// SIGNED //
Beowulf
Huang Di of Tian Xia

[MKSheppard]

General Secretary's Office; Red Technocracy, 1700 Hours

"Are you sure this line is secure?"

"Yes, we've applied further encryption to prevent unauthorized eavesdroppers."

"Good. What the shit is going on here? I see that Tian Xian has blown up it's own embassy in your capital, and unconfirmed reports say that several bystanders were injured or killed by flying debris. This thing looks like it might get out of control, Stas."

"It might."

"Can you prepare the prototype YRB-71 for immediate launch at your space center? I'm flying over a crew right now; they've been trained in the simulators as much as they can be. Also, get your engineers working on trajectories taking them over Tian Xia. I really want to get a good look at the supposed "crash site"."

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

The Ashford Times

NAVY INVESTING HEAVILY IN ANTI-SHIP DEFENSE
Guaranteed delivery of Shepnukistani Blackbeard battalion; negotiations underway with Tonkin for air-launched JOCAMs


FILE PHOTO: A Gepard class FAC from NS Dominion Island patrols the Ramius shipyards

In the face of increased tensions between various member states of the MESS and the OMSK Pact, the Duchy of Langley has begun a crash build-up of its defensive assets, starting with its navy.

Last year, the Langley Navy placed an order for a single Blackbeard anti-ship missile battalion from fellow OMSK Pack member Shepnukistan; however, clerical errors on both ends caused the order to be lost for some time until it was recovered again by Shepnukistani officials. One of the battalions earmarked for delivery to the Shepnukistan military is now in the process of being reprogrammed for delivery to the Duchy.

The Incorporated Republic of Tonkin produces the JOCAM, an anti-ship missile capable of being delivered from various platforms; unlike the Blackbeard, it can be deployed from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. In order to completely round out its anti-ship capabilities, the Navy has recently entered into talks with Tonkin to acquire the air-launched variant of the JOCAM to equip its SH-60 Seahawks and supplant the Harpoons equipped on its CP-140 Auroras.

[PeZook]

Inside of the limo it was cool and comfortable, but the King was far from it.

"I've brought several of my military aides here so that they can work with your people on that attack. This here is major Kulinsky, he and his team were performing interrogations on people we've identified as complicit in the hostage taking incident, and..."

Paul raised his eyebrow, as the fax machine inside the limo came alive and spit out a piece of paper. Arik ripped it off and read the communique.

"Shit"

"What's wrong?", suddendly, it seemed like terrorists were the least of all worries

"Well, if the pissing contest continues like this, we'll have a war on our hands.", Arik handed the communique to his counterpart

"Jesus christ...that looks pretty bad...leaves recalled...and that statement by Tian Xia...damn! I need to get my hands on some comms equipment, fast."

The entire motorcade came to a stop and turned around suddendly, heading at top speed back towards the airbase.

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

Foreign Ministry urges PeZookian citizens to leave OMSK, Tian Xia and Lonestar Republic

In response to growing international tensions, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement today, urgin all PeZookian citizens to finalize their matters and leave OMSK nations, the Lonestar Republic and Tian Xia as soon as possible.

PeZookia's own military readiness has been raised one level today, with worries over an impeding international conflict dominating the news. The Foreign Minister stated that PeZookia has no intention of taking part in a shooting war, and called all national leaders to their utmost to de-escalte tensions.

"Let us give one more chance to peace", the Minister urged during a televised press conference, "We have been able to resolve such crises before. PeZookia would like to second a motion for a MESS-OMSK conference at Atlantis Island, during which problem could be resolved with words, not weapons."

A separate statement by PeZookia's foreign ministry claimed that the Republic would remain neutral should hostilities break out, and will cancel OMSK basing rights in such a case.

"While we do have close ties with the OMSK pact, and have granted basing rights in exchange for their support to out military, we feel that an armed conflict resulting from international misunderstanding which neither side seems willing to resolve peacefully, will clear us from any obligation we might have taken upon ourselves."

Civil defence drills were ran today at all major cities, and volunteers were seen giving away gas masks, MREs and civil defence guides.

[K. A. Pital]

RED INQUIRER

The Supreme Council ordered the remains of Tian Xia embassy bulldozed; a memorial commemorating the first RT Cosmonaut will be erected there. The blast did inflict property loss on neighboring buildings; luckily, no citizens have been harmed. Due to the absence of any diplomatic ties between Red Technocracy and Tian Xia, there are no venues to demand a retribution of the damage. No demands therefore have been levied.

The former Lone Star Embassy site apparently will become a memorial park and a war grave for soldiers who died in the Syndromian conflict, with the main exhibit being the first bomber to drop an OMSK nuclear device.

Other than that, no statements have been made by the Red Technocracy. No alert level operation orders have been issued to the Navy and Airforce, and no RT warships have left port.

[Shroom Man 777]

A sombre mood had gripped Shroomania these past few days. No protests at the prospect of nuclear annihilation. No violence. No riots. Silence, as palpable anxiety and unease fell upon an entire nation's people. There were rallies, but they were not loud or vociferous. People gathered, but they were quiet, and together they went - some praying, others humming hymns, it was more like a funeral procession than a march for peace. They went to the capital.

That silence was more audible to the politicians than the rallies and riots that had beset the other nations. Foreign nationals in OMSK and MESS embassies forgot their fears of impending violence, and instead watched this sight with morbid fascination.

Those who had gathered by the thousands were calling for an end of international hostilities and tensions. Like many other protesters around the world, they condemned the creation of nuclear weapons - mourned for the death of their hopes for a more peaceful world.

The politicians in Parliament were also struck with indecision. For once, there were no arguments or brawls. There was a bipartisan befuddlement, a loss of what to do in light of recent events.

What will the government do? What will Shroomania do? Where is the Prime Minister when he is most needed?

These were the questions everyone, civilians and soldiers and politicians alike, were asking.

Soon, they would get their answer.



The Prime Minister had returned.

[Mr Bean]

Riverside House, near Ankh-Morpork
The clink of ice in a glass is the only sound that is heard. King Blackadder the VI sits in chair overlooking the fast flowing river that flows near the house. Like Mountain-Home, this place was built on Crown land, with the nearest civilians over four miles away. Nothing but old world spruces, pine trees and three hundred Gurkha's practicing woodland warfare against half as many Royal Guard.

"It's all gone just as I predicted" he mused staring into the flowing river beyond the balcony.
Has it? A voice from nowhere and everywhere. "Q, so good of you to drop by" he turned. He was not expected to see a nine foot giant in flowing robes with a floor length beard instead of the normal John de Lancie lookalike.
"Trying out a new look? Are you going to gifting me with some stone tablets next?"
The giant smiled stepped, and it was Q again, more life sized and with that damn impish grin of he always wore right before the shit hit the fan.
And what predictions did you make my dear King? said Q.
"That this world would end in fire and flame if I let it, that the Mess would be the cause of it.
The trigger would be any one of a dozen people. Sheppard, Sea Skimmer, Poe, Spanky, Bear.
I could go on, we have a dozen members who are mega nations by the rules you set. And by those rules they have the power to start the end of the world.

But not to end it? I find that curious, the person who kicks off global thermonuclear war is generally tagged as the person who kills the world, not the person who retaliates. asked Q.
"In some cases yes, but not here, not now, not in this world. The Mess? I'd say of all forty of us, only three of us have the shear ruthlessness to nuke someone if they've not nuked us. And none of us would because we know the long term problems if you do use nukes on a battlefield. Even clean nukes.

No Nukes are there to say, ok... wars over folks, you can't invade me anymore because even two old men with guns would buy me enough time to remove your country from existence.
It's easy to spread your weaponry far enough apart that no surprise attack would get them, and with the size of our nations such a surprise attack is almost impossible"

Almost?
"Almost, there are two methods one of which is impossible in this world, to few ports to much security. And the second is still a ways of technology for both the Mess and Shepnukistain.
Besides they should both know damn better, for fuck sake this is Sheppard we are talking about!
The King snatched the glass off the nearby table and flung it full into a nearby fireplace.
Pfaf! That's for Beowulf and the rest of them. Fools the lot of them, so blind they can't see what's in front of their own face. They'd rather be De Gaulle than Goering or Stalin. By all that is in this world I will carry my people through this!"
Q was silent for a moment staring hard at the King...
Your the second one who's realized that. said Q almost... Sadly?
"That they are people? That there are sixty some million living breathing human beings out there who depend on me for leadership and guidance?
Your damn right I know. It's the reason I picked my government as a Kingdom, to ensure a free hand to act, but used the Star-Kingdom model so when I'm gone they will be a clear path of succession. Hah! Succession, I underestimated the problem on that side of the house.

Tell me, how many of them still see their people as nothing but pieces on a chess board?

At most half a dozen think it, but only you and one other seem to have gotten it deep in your very being.
There was a knock at the door, Q turned smiled then vanished just before two senior Generals walked in

"Ahh my Generals, so good of you to come, tell me how goes Operation Scorecard?" the King asked
Well your Grace we've changed the codename. It's now Operation Millennium.

"A hopeful name, alright General how ready are we?"
Not very your Grace, should it come down to it, we will have some impact but the full operation is pretty much sure to fail if we attempted it any time during the next two years.

The King strolled to the win and stared back into the River again
"Gentlemen what we are after is nothing more than world wide peace, we can not fail in this endeavor.
With the increased tension between Shepinukistain and those two fools off our shores we can not fail in this, for to fail means our very nation may face annihilation.
We must ensure no nation uses nuclear weapons in anger in this world. That is our goal."
As they talked the King reflected, why now? The one time he had seen q was when he had been plunked from Old Earth and brought to lead a country he could himself shape on a planet that no one knew exited. He had heard Q made almost week visits to some people and had never revisited others. Over a year, why now?

------------------------------------------------------------------
BBC News

"In International news tensions continue to increase between Shepnukstain and Paraliment has passed a resolution condemning both the Lonestar republic for hiding it's nuclear tests and for the Shepnukistan for it's above ground tests. There is a bill pending in Parliament asking for a ban on all above ground tests from all nations.

"Also in International news the Crown has stated that the Embassy's in Mess nations would not close. Over the past year the UKB Government has sought and received permission for Embassy's in most nations. The King went on to state that closing Embassy's was counter-productive to our stated goal of long-term world peace. "

"In National news the OMSK free trade agreement has passed through both houses with a near unanimous vote in the Lords, only Lord Hightower of Lock land and Lord Stark of the Range voted against, both siting concerns about reduced security and calling for a new updated common National identification system. The Commons's vote was similarly close only the Far-Right Conservatives holding out stating that their party line that while they approved of the non-committals nature of OMSK they to sighted security concerns in voting against the measure. "

"And in National news a full up system ENERGIA/Vulkan test was scheduled for today and went off successfully. The Vulkan rockets are based of the Russian Energian rockets and have been perfected over the past year. They officially entered service in late FY'08, two have been losts so far and over twenty launched.
The UKB "Vulkan" test today was to further the goals of a possible moon mission in earlier F'10. The rocket launched from White Sands International Space Center carrying a mock up of a possible manable moon return craft designed to carry astronauts back from the moon along with enough dead weight to meet the Vulkan's theortical dead weight maximum MEO of 108 tons to MEO(3,500 km).
The Vulkan today carried only 95 tons however and the payload and lander deorbited after six orbits of the planet. The weight-payload was dropped in the UKB center sea to avoid accidents and the land was schedualed to splash down in the same area.
However when it was recovered intial devices discovered the G deceleration of the craft had been to harsh and had any astronauts been in the craft they most likely would have died from over four minutes of 14 G forces. Addition tests will be required before any living beings will tested inside during the next launch when the Vulkan rocket is loaded to 106 tons two months from now."

BBC reports

[Lonestar]

Fort Sam Houston, outside of San Antonio

There had been some discussion on where the actual summit would be held, what hotel, what government buildings, etc. Ultimately, the attempt on King Arik's life and the upsurge in tensions between the RT and LSR had made the decision for the summit leaders; it would be held at the facilities on base, specifically, at the command center under the TRANSCOM building. The TRANSCOM personnel were particularly busy, arranging for C-17s to fly to Omsk to retrieve embassy personnel and any equipment that could be removed(the rest being destroyed). Most of the other commands on base had been given the day off, and security was a nightmare for the remainder that had to go into work.

A Battalion of 1st Mechanized("The Filibusters") was manned and deployed on base, and UH-1Ys and AH-1Zs criss-crossed the city.

Despite all the trouble whenever a motorcade exited one hotel or another, San Antonio proceeded about it's daily life. Everyone was anxious to get done with work today, it was, after all, Cinco de Mayo. An important institution in any Texan city, even with a missing Mexico on the South border. Some of the population was already taking part in the festivities.

The Heads of State made their way onto the base and downstairs into the conference room. Most opt to take the stairs after the elevator got stuck transporting King Arika and his retinue.

The conference room wasn't very deep, or grand or impressive...just a low-ceiling room with two projectors, a VTC set up, and a small control room. The AC was operating at full blast, normally a handful of Flag and senior civil servants would be in here, now it would be filled with MESS Heads of State and the hangers-on. More than a few had started to enjoy Cinco de Mayo a little early, judging from their breath. There was chatting, and shit-talking, some of which surprised the aides but many knew each other and all fell into the familiar roles of comrades-in-arms easy enough.

Beowulf was absent, he wouldn't be arriving until later on today, Lonestar...where was Lonestar?

In fact, Lonestar was in the next room over, the Comms room where there were three rows of comms racks, with a grate "shelf" over the room that transported the cables from one rack to another. The Petty Office ron duty was trying very hard to stay out of the way, and was in the back of the room. The second unmanned Orion launch with a CSM had taken off this morning, with the CSM making one polar orbit before splashing down west of the Shinra Republic in the Eastern Sea. But that wasn't what he was waiting for. The secure phone rang.

He picked up the phone before his aide could. On the little LCD screen the ***Going SECVOICE*** was displayed, and Secretary McDermott's voice could be heard, in that annoying echo the secure lines provided.

"ROCKFISH was a complete success. It was underground and a minimal amount of radiation escaped. Yield was approximately 3MT, as predicted."

"Thank you Ian. I'll talk with you later." Lonestar put the phone down, turned to SECSTATE Miranov. "Alright, let's go."

The two walked into the conference room. Lonestar waved at the heads of state, Arik grinned and said "How you doing, you whore???" There was some laughter while most of the aides and hangers-on gave looks of disapproval. Lonestar sat down near the head of the table.

Lonestar drank some water, and cleared his throat.

"Before we begin, I'd like to make an announcement..."

[Vohu Manah]

News from the Qudlivun Free State

Special Session of Parliament?
High level cabinet meetings have been held overnight with the Grand Duke in attendance. According to a low level source with knowledge of the meetings a special session of parliament is being called to announce a series of plans to be put into effect as a result of the growing international tensions with goals for some plans set as far out as 30 years.

New Patria caught in their lies?
In light of the international declaration of intellectual property theft made by the Kingdom of New Patria against our nation the Minister of Justice has put forward our case refuting all charges. "Apparently according to the New Patria government if you produce an independent product with similar specifications you are guilty of intellectual property theft." stated a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, "We can come to no other conclusion based on the evidence."

Reams of documents have been made available for review of the Ministry of Justice intranet site that make our case against New Patria. These documents show that no communication nor shipment of property of any size or shape prior to the New Patrian declaration of theft has been made between New Patria and either our government nor the private manufacturer behind the MQ-1 Reaper UAV. No citizens with New Patrian passports or claiming New Patrian citizenship have entered the country nor have those with Qudlivun passports nor claiming Qudlivun citizenship have left for New Patria. The Ministry of Justice notes that if New Patria could substantiate their claims they would have already done so.

The Grand Duke has stated that clearly the New Patria government cannot be reasoned with and, in conjunction with the Prime Minister, pushed a bill through parliament severing all ties with the rogue state. Included in the severing of ties a full travel ban will be put into effect baring New Patrian citizens (even those with dual citizenship) and passport holders from entering Qudlivun and the same for Qudlivun citizens or passport holders in regards to New Patria. As part of the Qudlivun Free States "Default Open" travel policy, ships and aircraft arriving in our nation with such persons will be allowed to use our facilities however such passengers will not be allowed to disembark. The ban does not include other member states of the O.M.S.K. and will not do so until they openly side with New Patria in the dispute.

Op-Ed by the Grand Duke: "We are alone"
In a recent opinion written by His Grace made available to all members of the press for release, the Grand Duke takes shots at the international community over their ignoring of smaller nations. Noting the recent bullying of his own state by the Kingdom of New Patria, he stated that only in light of their alliance with troubled O.M.S.K. did the Kingdom probably attempt their actions.

"I'm not going to mince words here," wrote Grand Duke Vohu Manah, "but I can divine no other reasonable explanation for their stance. They have provided no evidence to back their claims whereas we have shown no exchange of information or technology took place. I'm certain the Kingdom fully expects the O.M.S.K. members to simply fall into line regarding their stance with our nation. So be it if they choose to blindly support one of their allies, it would only further highlight a symptom of the disease currently infecting the great alliances."

Towards the end of his letter the Grand Duke lamented, "It is sad that in light of the cock-waving contest that is the current O.M.S.K./MESS diplomatic flare up, we again find reaffirmation of our government's official stance that these formal alliances are a waste of time as is the research and development of weapons of mass destruction. It is a sad day in international affairs when the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Empire of Saddamistan looks downright sane compared to any New Earth international alliance. We are alone in this world, and we should probably start acting accordingly."

[RogueIce]

Just prior to joining his peers at the MESS Summit, President Shinra briefly stopped to give a statement:

"This Summit, which had been planned and expected well before the sad events of the past week, has suddenly gained a new purpose, a new focus. The Shinra Republic does not want war, and we will continue to do all that we can to keep it from happening. This meeting between the members of the MESS is clearly long overdue. It is time we all got on the same page. Actions taken in the heat of the moment by one affect us all. We can not ignore this.

I pledge now, before the people of the world, that I will continue to do all I can to prevent the outbreak of war. Thank you."

After initially heading for his transportation to the summit, the President quickly turned around and added this to his remarks:

"And to my fellow world leaders, let us remember that while this may be the 'SDNet World' it does not have to be the same as the original SDNet. Being absolutely right and proving the other wrong could come at far too high a price for it to be worth it, just to satisfy your pride. Sometimes being 'right' is not the best option."

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

As his motorcade drove on to the Summit location, Rufus leaned back and sighed. Here, in the privacy of the limo provided by Lonestar, he could afford to drop his guard for a brief moments. And he thought about his people, back home.

Home? So that's what it's become now...

He wasn't sure when he had come to think of the Republic as his home. He had pledged long ago to protect them, to keep them safe. He didn't know where they'd come from; if they had always existed or if Q had created them. And he didn't care. They were his people, and he wouldn't let them down.

But home? He'd never made use of that portal, to go back to Old Earth. He had simply been too busy, he told himself. Maybe later. But now he knew the truth of it. The Shinra Republic had become his home.

And now the egos of a few threaten to destroy it.

I won't let that happen. I will die before I let my new home, my land, my people, be wiped away by the egos of men.

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

President Shinra walked into the conference room, glad to meet many of his old friends, some for the first time, face to face. He could tell that some of them had already been partying, but he knew that he would find no such release. Not now. As he talked amongst his peers, he looked up as Lonestar entered the room.

"Before we begin, I'd like to make an announcement..."

[DarthShady]

Shady News

The pirate attack on imperial shipyards has failed, the pirate ships were destroyed and the shipyards sustained no damage. Imperial forces have not managed to capture any pirates, due to the fact that their ships were filled with explosives and exploded quite violently. It is now obvious that the pirates planed to destroy the shipyards. Security has been increased in the Empire and imperial agencies are investigating the matter further.

In other news, the great Emperor Shady has announced that he shall be absent for a few days, because of family matters.

[PeZook]

Canissia

"Well, looks like we've avoided a world war. Again.", Paul the First, Sovereign of the II Republic of PeZookia looked like hell. It would be quite an understatement to say the last couple of hours were nerve-wracking, "Thanks for letting me use your comms suite. If this blew up, my people would've been at least somewhat prepared."

"No problem. Listen, I do have the MESS summit to attend pretty soon. I think we can move any informal talks to after it's done.", King Arik seemed just as relieved as his counterpart, but eager to leave for the summit.

"Yeah, I agree. We'll do a press conference here, and then I'll leave for the Red Technocracy. Hopefully, nothing will blow up in the meantime."

"Right. Damn, I need a vacation...again."

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

II Republic praises nations for de-escalating tensions

King Paul the First of the II Republic of PeZookia has stated in front of the assembled Canissian press corps that he was "Relieved and satisfied that cooler heads prevailed" during the OMSK-MESS crisis.

"These are worrisome times, and I must admit my cabinet was very worried over the possibility of war. All it would take would be for one too many nation to mobilize its naval forces,and we would've seen an international conflict of incredible scale."

"While the government of the II Republic is saddened that diplomatic relations between the Red Technocracy, Tian Xia and the Lonestar Republic have suffered heavily, it is noted that Secretary General Stas chose not to issue operational orders to his military in response, de-escalating the situation."

"The II Republic would still urge, however, all the world's nations to initiate the Third Great Conference, discussing this time not matters of international law, but matters which lead to conflict and misunderstanding between great nations. Should a mutual agreement be worked out, our world would be much better off."

When asked about tensions between the Quidluvin Free State and New Patria, the King had the following comment:

"This entire row is completely pointless ; Patria cannot prove any infringement, and all evidence seems to point towards Quidluvin's design being indigneous. We have to understand that this kind of technology will look very similar to each other because of aerodynamics, and thus the similarity is probably completley superficial."

"The conflict should be resolved peacefully, and the II Republic urges both countries to settle this particular grudge as soon as possible without any hostile action. We don't need a shooting war at all, much less in a crucial shipping lane like the Central Sea."

[Lonestar]

Fort Sam Houston, Outside of San Antonio

"Before we begin, I'd like to make an announcement..." Lonestar cleared his throat. "Sorry for the delay, I was in the comms room, I've just received a message from the Midland Missile Range. We have successfully tested a 3 megaton thermonuclear weapon, underground, with a minimal amount of radiation released."

Much of the room was remaining studiously impassive, except for RogueIce, who groaned.

"Problem Mike?"

"Was it absolutely necessary that you did this?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because," came Yenchin's voice "It shows the OMSK Pact that they have nothing special with their mark 3 device. We have the same technology as you, so we are not to impressed with it."

"Is this what this is? An ego thing?" RogueIce's voice had an edge of despair in it. Lonestar was surprised.

"Politics is always an ego thing, in it's simplest form." Lonestar said. "In this case, it's to not let the OMSK Pact's egos run away with themselves. The device we just tested was, in fact, smaller than the Shepnukistani device, but unmistakably a fusion device, which is what's important."

"And when were you going to tell us that you were going to test a thermonuclear device?" RogueIce looked around, and saw that most were looking at him with mild astonishment. "What?"

"We all knew that Matt had the components for a thermonuclear device," Arik said slowly, "I took a test like this to be a foregone conclusion after the recent shenanigans." There were some nods around the table.

"Mike," Lonestar began, "I'm not planning on nuking anyone first. For that matter I have no real long range strategic deployment capabilities..."

"No, but you gave Beowulf nukes and he does." RogueIce snapped.

"Yes. I did. And if you asked I would fabricate the devices for you. Or Arik. or Greg. Shep is doing the same with the OMSK Pact. That's...just how it is."

"And what are you going to do when the Supreme Council of the Red Technocracy accuses you of another 'secret test'?"

Lonestar smirked. "I left instructions for a press release as soon as we confirmed the test was successful. Odds are they are watching it on the news now."

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

The Ritona Reporter

TERRORISTS ARRESTED IN ATTEMPTED EMBASSY BOMBINGS
Lonestar, Red Technocracy, Shepnukistan, Tian Xia embassies to have been targeted

ASHFORD CITY - With increased tensions between the MESS and the OMSK Pact, anarchist and terrorist scum of all sorts have seen it as a golden opportunity to try and push the world into chaos. One such attempt at instigating war between the two factions was narrowly thwarted in Ashford City today when several trucks en route to various embassies in the capital were discovered to have been carrying alkali metal-based explosive devices. Langley Bureau of Investigation and Langley Intelligence Agency officials both suspect a connection with Bear Republic-based Internet personality "Prince Nobody," who is wanted in his home country for the theft of hydrogen fuel cells and alkali metals.