MariusRoi wrote:
Effects - The RoA is now seeking partners in a GPS project.
Official Response
The Republic of Cascadia is planning to implement its own space programs soon, though a host for a launch site has not yet been chosen. We would be willing to join a GPS project with the Republic of Alaska.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
From out at sea you could see a long white beach stretched east and west as far as you could see. Behind the beach rose the tall dark jungle, covering the rolling hills to the interior. The waves dashed against the white beaches, and a few native fishermen were readying their boats. It was beautiful, bucolic even.
Of course the Astarian taskforce a few miles off shore did clash a bit with that image. Especially as fast moving hovercraft drove towards the beach, drowning out the sound of the waves against the beach. A pair of helicopter gunships circled above the landing craft, lazily aiming their gatling guns at the jungle beyond. The fishermen fled long before the hovercraft hit the beach.
The moment before they disembarked the Astarian Marines yelled, "Yaa Dhiskiaon!" Then they flooded ashore, spreading out quickly and establishing firing positions towards the jungle. There was not much need though, the natives were not in a mood to fight, and it'd be hours, maybe days, before either Zakariyah or Aylaniyah could figure out what was going on.
Private Randy Webber clutched his Janson rifle, and peered into the jungle. IT was deep and dark; every shadow seemed like a tribal warrior clutching a bolt-action rifle, or even and old fashioned spear. At first the loud command cries and hovercraft engines overpowered the sounds of the jungle. Then the hovercraft retreated, and exotic birdcalls began to mix with weird screams.
Further back Captain William Cooley had unfolded the Astarian flag, and now he planted it onto the beach, "I claim this land in the name of the People and Parliament of the Free Republic of Astaria!"
Coilerburg's land and air forces have continued their contribution to Operation Stabilizer, with mechanized units advancing across the CFR and airplanes striking targets all through it.
A Coilerburg Phantom on a strike mission in support of Operation Stabilizer
Escorted by a flight of Ninhursag F-16Es the diplomatic delegations of the Crimson Star Empire and the Byzantium Empire touched down at Ninhursag International Airport. Escorted under heavy guard to the Kun-lun Arcology, an interconnected complex of skyscrapers. The delegations were provided their own secure compound within the Government Sector of the arcology in addition to a secure communications' link to their respective homelands.
With all parties involved intent on a quick resolution to this matter little time was spent on pomp and ceremony. Retiring in the evening after a series of normal diplomatic procedures the delegations were provided with an early draft of the agreement for discussion and finalization.
Proposed Language of Founding Document - Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation wrote:We, Heads of State or Their Representatives from the Black Sea region: Crimson Star Republic, Byzantium Empire and The Most Serene Republic of Ninhursag;
Considering the far-reaching democratic transformation process currently under way in the Black Sea Region, and its growing relevance in a globalised world, where increasing interdependence requires a new impetus to be given to regional cooperation;
Acknowledging that such regional initiatives, processes and structures would foster closer cooperation in the region and encourage the participating countries to seek regional answers to their common challenges;
Affirming the conviction that the States in the Black Sea Region should continue to uphold their responsibility for maintaining peace, stability, prosperity and good neighbourly relations in the Black Sea area, by utilizing effectively and efficiently all available organisations, initiatives and processes in the area, contributing to democratic transformation and sustainable development;
Emphasising that the evolving common security challenges in the region, such as those pertaining to energy, terrorism and WMD proliferation, environmental degradation, natural disasters, illegal trafficking, organised crime require correlated and cooperative responses of the countries in the region;
Stressing that unresolved conflicts in some Black Sea states represent a challenge to security and stability in the region;
Recognising that a reinforced strategy of an action-oriented nature, which will build upon the existing regional cooperation initiatives and make use of all other relevant mechanisms and programmes, as well as the contribution of interested parties in a complementary fashion, is needed to effectively deal with these common challenges;
Hereby announce the launching of the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation, a process that will serve as a regional platform designed primarily to define a common vision of democratic and sustainable development. The Forum will thus help consolidate regional commonalities, through providing new ideas and proposals for an intensified dialogue and cooperation within the Black Sea region, based on good neighbourly relations and effective partnerships, while taking full account of the existing regional and international endeavours that can be of assistance in the pursuit of this fundamental objective. The Forum will therefore provide an inclusive, flexible and open framework for generating new ideas, channeling and mobilising governmental and nongovernmental, regional and international efforts and resources in the pursuit of these goals. Leadership of the Forum will rotate yearly between all parties with a direct territorial interest in the Black Sea Region and are the only permanent members of this body.
For the express purpose of defining territorial control and use of the Black Sea the Forum establishes that the territorial waters of all States in the Black Sea Region to extend 12 nautical miles out from the internal waters (all water and waterways landward side of low-water coastal areas). The contiguous zone extends an additional 12 nautical miles beyond the territorial waters. For the purposes of waters, waterways and straits between two nations with a width less than 48 nautical miles between internal waters this accord evenly splits control of said water, waterway or strait between the two nations with zone boundaries adjusted accordingly. The Forum also declares the designation of all waterways providing through traffic to the Black Sea as strategic straits and thus may not be closed to traffic nor may that traffic be forced to pay any tax or tariff for innocent passage.
Foreign vessels have no rights of passage through internal waters. All vessels (including military vessels) are permitted innocent passage through territorial waters including strategic straits so long as such transit is in a peaceful, non-threatening manner towards the controlling nation. However no foreign vessel is permitted to legally engage in acts such as fishing, polluting, weapons practice or spying in another's territorial waters and the government controlling the territorial water is permitted to shut down access to such waters as a temporary security measure. For the purpose of engaging in law enforcement activities (such as preventing illegal immigration or prevent smuggling) or develop offshore resources (such as drilling for oil or operating a fishery) a government is permitted to operate vessels in its contiguous zone, though it may not deny access to the area for the purpose of innocent passage of foreign vessels.
All remaining Black Sea Region waters are the exclusive economic zone of the three permanent members of the Forum jointly through this body. All military vessels of the Forum's permanent members are duty bound to enforce resource extraction limits set by this body in the exclusive economic zone. The Forum is also required to ensure the protection of the Black Sea Region as well as the protect legitimate research in all waters covered by this agreement.
OOC: Sorry for this lazy-ish post, kind of hard to type with an infant sleeping on your chest.
“There are two kinds of people in the world: the kind who think it’s perfectly reasonable to strip-search a 13-year-old girl suspected of bringing ibuprofen to school, and the kind who think those people should be kept as far away from children as possible … Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between drug warriors and child molesters.” - Jacob Sullum[/size][/align]
Time stopped in the familiar old way just as Arik had left the presence of a few of his wives. There was no particular reason for it, this time. Everything was at least officially going quite well. Other than the world constantly being on the verge of a major war courtesy of the Shepistanis, but that was to be expected. Of course, it could only mean one thing even now, and it remained to see where she arrived...
There she was, close to the wall, and indeed standing for only a moment before she settled back against the wall, and cleared her throat with a series of hacking coughs worthy of a tuberculosis patient. She spat, and smiled very wryly. "It'll be dead by the time the cleaning people notice it. Sorry for messing up your carpet, but it's as hard as hell to talk with that stuff in your mouth, and it would be weird for me to ask you to keep a spittoon around here. Though I suppose you can try if you think that you won't have ten women getting worried that you're going to take up chewing tobacco." The grin was more distinctly her old self. "How are you doing, Arik? I have something important to talk about, but we've got enough 'time' that we don't need to get straight to business."
"I'm doing well," Arik said, smiling... "And it's six women, actually... I had to draw the line somewhere, and, let's face it, how many times in one night do I really want to take out the garbage, anyway?" Marina laughed, a laugh that turned into a hacking cough that had him worried. "Ahh... sorry..."
"S'okay," she rasped, regaining her breath, "Talk about watching what you wish for..."
"Yeah... I admit, I am surprised, after all the legends about vampires being all.. I dunno, all sexy and stuff, I guess."
"Would you have paid to see Kate Beckingsale all dessicated and hacking--well, stuff you don't want to know about?" she asked.
"Good point."
"Do you like this world better?" she asked, seeking to gauge his reaction.
"I do," he said, "It's more... complete. The people last time were, I don't know... malleable, somehow. A little too accomodating, if you know what I mean. I'm not saying they're argumentative here-- they're just more complete, with real backgrounds and lives."
"That was the idea," Marina said, "Make it a more complete experience."
"Well, it also makes it more sobering. I kinda feel the loss of people here, more... the deaths are not the ending of an organic automaton, but a real person with a history..."
"It's true, and that's why the responsibility is so severe. You're working with real people here, a real planet which will exist after you all die--as will your children, surviving relatives, und so weiter. So you need to be thinking about the future..."
"At any rate," she smiled again and shifted a bit on the wall, frankly looking more comfortable as she did. "I've been busy today monitoring the situation in the south with the Czech's little war and Stanislav's reply. Making sure things stabilize, more or less. So I'm pretty tired and I should be in a recliner with one of my girlfriends about now.." Marina shook her head and looked rather wry. "We may both be polygamists, but I only have two. You're crazy, Arik. Anyway..."
"I want to help the people of this world get into space in a big way. By rules-lawyering Q's instructions for me. Q appreciates that sort of thing, he loves to make people work their way through riddles. So.. Do you want to hear my idea? It may shock you, and it's certainly not ethical, but if Shep ends up going nuclear it might save a lot more of the population of this world. And it will guarantee them a brighter future."
"I am definitely for anything that will save more people from Shep," Arik said. Mention of Terranova's primary adversary piqued Arik's thought process.
"Since we're on the subject," he said, "I don't suppose you've made it clear to him that this isn't fooling around this time, once he's out, he's out, right? And that we're all aware of what he's up to-- as much as we can guess, not that it's that difficult."
"He knows," Marina said, "I've told him."
"I wish there was a way to get Skimmer peeled away from him," Arik said, "Skimmer's got no reason to go down with Shep... it doesn't make sense. I don't suppose you could..."
"No, I really can't," Marina warned, "That would be taking sides in your plan."
"Curses, foiled again," Arik said.
"Now, do you want to hear my plan or not?"
"Absolutely..."
"I want permission to go around vamping people, basically," Marina said, as dead serious as she could muster. "Probably some of your soldiers Velaria. It's... Not really a good life, but as you know, has its advantages. I only am awake for about ten hours a day, and can only spend four hours highly physically active--the rest is spent lounging. We are, after all, high-end predators. The vampiricism is basically a colony of several protists mutually infected by a retrovirus.. Eh, you don't really want to know.. That converts most of your body tissues into copies of the crucial parts of the infection, one cell at a time, until your whole body has been changed.
"So, yes, if you did a DNA sample on me, I wouldn't even be completely human, and my RNA would be screwed to hell." She smiled vaguely. "The key being--this thing is completely extraterrestrial in origin. You're on a Parallel Earth, but it still has all the same genetic history as our planet. That means that when you find this thing, the only possibly explanation for it is that it's an extraterrestrial infestation."
The smile turned into a grin as she coiled rather sensuously against the wall. "So, I can wander around without detection, nabbing a few people here and there. The best part is that they'll have pretty normal lives--length will compensate for the disabilities of our condition, since the disease licks the copying errors in cell reproduction--and you don't even need to give them blood. We'll survive just fine on sucrose, that's what we look for when we drink blood, actually, it's just a rich source of sucrose. Now, you know that this is going to create a panic. This planet has science-fiction and horror as detailed as our own. The popular image is going to be fired by the idea that you've been invaded by a space disease. Possibly intentionally, because it effects sapients so well, your doctors might well assume it is intentional. You'll be able to use it, quite simply, to stoke people into a panic which will let you dump an order of magnitude more cash into a space programme than you otherwise politically could accomplish.
"Now, the reason why I propose your soldiers is simple--they're already covered in the VA system you have and have good resources for permanent disability, of which vampirism is far, far from the worst. It basically gives you free reign to perpetually work twenty hours a week and spend the rest of the day getting backrubs or browsing the internet. As it did for me before the world went to Hell back home. But more importantly, they did volunteer for the risk, and it would be rather immoral of me to go after civilians. I've brought people across before, but I also invested decades in preparing for this life and supporting them afterwards. In a dump and run scenario.." She looked a bit unsteady at the idea, even, as she finished: "Well, it's like abandoning my kids on the street. I could have just done this, given you a boost without realizing it. But then I wouldn't have known how you would be treating them, and... I couldn't live with myself over that, y'see. So what do you say?"
Arik sat down, leaning against the back of his very comfortable chair.
"Wow," was all he could say, then, after a moment, "Wow," again.
"Ummm...." he fumbled for words. "You're talking about... wow." He sighed, and his mind began to race with the idea. "I'm running through all the potential unintended consequences," Arik said, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger. "If it happens in Veleria... there are two alternate theories," he said, "One-- a Japanistani or Shepistani chemical or biological weapon could be blamed. Shep has a history of using bio-chem stuff in the area.
"Another theory would be that it is something hideous from inside the interior of Veleria, and promote a slash and burn mentality there."
"I can see those as initial reactions," Marina said, "But study will rule those out. From human to virus, the origins of everything on this planet can be traced back... eventually. This will be completely unrelated to anything else on this world. You'd see more commonality between humans and elm trees before you see a commonality to this," she assured.
"True..." Arik said, "But before that definitive proof is made, who will panic and press a button..." He ran it over in his mind. "Although..." he said, and wandered off. Marina looked at him strangely.
"Although.... what?" she asked. Arik got up and went over to the computer on the table and called up 'Binoculator'.
"Binoculator," he said, "I suppose it makes more sense than 'Google', but it is more of a mouthful to say: 'I binoculated it...'... anyhow... hmmm... yes. In a couple weeks we pass through a regular series of meteor showers. Like back home, there's always the Perseids and the Leonids, right? Well, here they have, the ummm.... the 'Keres'."
"The sisters of violent death?" Marina asked. "Well... comets and the like were frequently seen as harbingers of doom and death..."
"Well, the Keres have a bad rep here too," Arik said, "In Ancient eras here, the Qalqayyid Empire noted that there was always some sort of disaster around the time of the Keres... rats ate all grain, an unusual number of stillborns, that sort of thing. In the Medieval times, the falling of the Keres usually meant that an unfortunate old woman would be picked from the villages to be burned as a witch to ward off evil spirits..."
"So, if I coincide the vampirism to the Keres meteor showers..."
"Imagination will take over," Arik said, "And steer people to look up first, even if it is based on old legends."
"This is silly," Marina said, "It'll be obvious with just a bit of study..."
"To the scientists, but as you know-- science fiction, horror... and religion, susperstition... they all run stong and deep, even here. The scientists may know the truth, but the fun part will be getting the people to accept it."
"And coinciding this with an established time of legend and superstition... even if it makes an impression at all, it'll serve to reinforce their superstitions," she said.
"Well, it is an idea," Arik said. "I.. reluctantly give my approval, because I think you're right-- it will spark serious moves into space. And if sucrose works, then I feel better about it than if it were actual blood... just... let me get files on some guys, maybe... unmarried, folks with... with not much going for them, if you know what I mean. No sense tearing up some poor shmoe's family..."
"Yes, I quite understand that. I shouldn't force you to choose, though--just let me use your computer access to download the personnel files for the deployment. I have my own standards in people I'm going to give my genetic legacy to, so I'll wean it down to a couple dozen who are suitable. Probably hit a few village girls along the way just to mix things up and make it seem like it's not intentionally targeting military personnel--they'll frankly be a thousand times better off after you bring them back here for treatment, anyway, even if they don't have the whole social network, as sad as it is to say."
She sighed and pushed herself up a bit. "Sorry to turn you into a right bastard, though, Arik. It is however the sort of thing inclined to impress Q--we're using humanity's fear to advance the human condition. That's why I'm absolutely certain he'll let it pass. You know how he is about such clever subtleties, he thrives off of them."
"Alright," Arik said, feeling relieved and... cowardly. But she did know what to look for, better than he did. He gave her th ecomputer access, and stepped back. After a while, he turned from where Marina was working, and went to the enterainment room's minibar, and mixed himself a stiff drink. And then another...
It was a while later when she finished, having long since dropped the time barrier--Arik had just asked his wives to be alone for a bit, and she'd gone on to access to the secured networks and start her hunt. It was easy enough; she just first narrowed it down to deployed personnel who were unmarried and without any dependents and then went over those lists, slightly disproportionately favouring officers to add a bit more menace, and speculation that the attacks were targeted. They were, of course; she was very discerning about her children, as she'd put it.
About two hours later, just as Arik's family was starting to get concerned, she finished the work, uploaded it all into one of the thumb drives laying around, and stood up to face the rather drunk King of Canissia. "Sorry, Arik, that, well, I'm limited to these sorts of things in helping you guys out. But." She hugged her old friend fondly. "Take care of yourself, and I just hope that someday in the future I can sit down to dinner with you and your wives. I'd really like to get to know them."
The door opened, though, and before the woman could see Marina, or Marina could even see her, she offered a last fleeting smile to Arik and then disappeared, which in the dim light was not visible. And that, was that. Until the attacks started, of course.
The threshold for inclusion in Wikipedia is verifiability, not truth. -- Wikipedia's No Original Research policy page.
The GS-13 went tearing down the hall and slammed the door open.
"It's called the X-1!" He said, breathlessly.
"We know, sit down." Said one of the men around the table.
"As I was saying..." Lord Wythe began, "I, for one, will not go to bed by light of a Shepistani Moon! I lost my Coccyx at the battle of Sterling, inflamed by Shepistani chemical weapons! Now, how the hell did two nations of rockchuckers and seaweed eaters beat us to space???"
"Zee did not beat us, Lord Wythe." Dr. Baron Von Blitzschlag said. "Our mad zcientists, they are better den zere mad scientists. After all, vee put zee first mil-grade sats up."
"If I may," Came the aide at the end of the table. "We have acquired footage from the Shepistani branch of their space program...be advised that this was acquired at great risk of life. May I sir?" He said, asking Lonestar.
"Of Course."
"To the left is Doctor Subraman bin Blackstool, to the right is Colonel Vieddek Kahn. Doctor bin Blackstool is a Biochemist, who has held a grudge against the Old Dominion ever since the Virginia Tobacco Company reversed engineered his 'Tomacco' crops. He is in charge of a project known as 'STINK RAIN', we have found the name to be ominous, and upon further research it seems he intends to drop gonosyhaititis-infected fecal matter on OD cities once the space program is up."
"Colonel Kahn is something more of an unknown, we believe he is heavily involved the Shepistani Atomic Weapons program..."
"And why don't we have THAT yet???" Wythe shouted.
"Lord Wythe, as you know most of the project sites are located in Tian Xia for security purposes. We've made significance progress in that, as well as project 'SNYDER'"(a few men looked around nervously, the information coming out of that biological study was unnerving)"But..."
"Someone get that bastard off the screen!" Lonestar said, as Al-Tikriti appeared. The film footage ended.
"Speaking of whcih," Wythe Drawled, "...when will Operation TAINTED LOBSTER begin?"
"Soon."
"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."
The Village of Al-Tevari, part of the Shepistani Autonomous Tribal Regions (aka Kanehewa)
Colonel Jones, of the Old Dominion's Bureau of Military Intelligence, stared at the vista of devastation that stretched before him. Several weeks ago, Agent RYAN, one of the BMI's top assets in the Shepistani side of Kanehewa, had stopped transmitting his regular status reports.
Jones had been sent here to find out what had happened. Jones was a hardened man, he'd seen almost everything in his years of service with the BMI, from people being fed inch by inch into shredders, among other things; but the sight before him sickened even him.
The village of Al-Tevari was still there; but the former inhabitants of the village lay spreadeagled in the streets; their faces frozen in horrible rictuses of death.
"Shepistanis. Gotta be. I HATE Shepistanis," he muttered under his breath.
Pulling out the MESS standard MOPP suit he carried with him at all times (it made a handy raincoat), Jones put it on, and slowly ventured into the village.
Thirty minutes later, Jones was sure everyone in the village was dead. It was then his task changed from locating RYAN to bringing back evidence of whatever had happened here to BMI back home in the old dominion.
Pulling out a sample kit; Jones took samples of the soil at random locations, and pulled blood and tissue samples from random dead villagers.
Sealing all of the samples in triple layered baggies marked BIOHAZARD, Jones waited until he was several miles upwind of the village, and then jumped into a stream to wash off any possible contaminants on his suit, before removing it.
Now came the hard part of evading Shepistani patrols and gunships to slip across the boarder into the Old Dominion half of Kanehewa, where his pickup was waiting....
Results
Old Dominion soon will gain partial evidence of one of the following Shepistani Agents (pick one Lonestar):
Chemical Weapons - Designated in the "C" Series.
Blood Agents
C100 - CK – Cyanogen Chloride
C101 - AC – Hydrogen Cyanide
Nerve Agents
C200 - GA - Tabun
C201 - GB - Sarin
C202 - GD - Soman
C203 - GF - Cyclosarin
C204 - GV
C205 - VE
C206 - VG
C207 - VM
C208 - VR
C209 - VX
C210 - Novichok Series - 5 to 8 times more potent than VX. Secret Russian program in 1970s-1980s to develop an agent that was indetectable by NATO chemical detection systems.
Last edited by MKSheppard on 2008-09-04 07:21pm, edited 1 time in total.
"If scientists and inventors who develop disease cures and useful technologies don't get lifetime royalties, I'd like to know what fucking rationale you have for some guy getting lifetime royalties for writing an episode of Full House." - Mike Wong
"The present air situation in the Pacific is entirely the result of fighting a fifth rate air power." - U.S. Navy Memo - 24 July 1944
"This had better be of interest." General Sheppard warned.
"Yes, of course sir. As you know, several months back the War Ministry of the Old Dominion handed out two contracts to the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia."
"Yes yes, Bioweapons projects. What of it? Our own special projects are not insubstantial."
"Yes sir. However, we have received this rather interesting tape...it seems that the Old Dominion is moving forward with some kind of revolutionary gene alteration."
General Sheppard frowned. "Gene Alteration? You mean genetic engineering?" Huh. Space Marines already?
"Oh, no sir. We have scant information on the projects, 'SNYDER' by UVA appears to be the more advanced of the two, 'ROMERO' by CW&M seems to be lagging behind. But...in both cases it appears to be less engineering than genetic alteration of a new, previously unknown contagion. Uh, we have a short tape recovered from 'SNYDER'."
SNYDER? ROMERO? Where have I...oh. "Well, roll it then!"
++++
***A man is appearing gaunt, with extended fangs. He seems to be perpetually wincing under the light. He has a severe case of 2nd Degree sunburn, with blisters***
Man's Voice: State your name for the video tape.
***tape pans out, the man is strapped to a chair***
Waliji: I am Waliji, what have you done to me...
Man's Voice:Subject is identified as Waliji, an East Shepistani National who illegally crossed the border 2 weeks ago smuggling cocaine, joysticks, and Hashish...He was infected with the type 2 alteration after being remanded to SNYDER a week ago.
***Waliji's muscles bulge as he strains against the restraints.***
Waliji: I'll, I'll kill you!
Man's Voice: In the original sample, complete infection typically took several weeks. As you can see, insanity sets in much quicker. However, it should be noted that thus far both alterations of the original virus have resulted in uncontrolled tumor growth, especially around wounds and injuries. This man will be dead in a weak.
Waliji: NNOOOO!!! *snaps lose, men Burst into room and gun Waliji down*
++++
"That's it sir."
Sheppard leaned back. As soon as he saw the man who knew...somehow they Enemy had replicated Marina's infection! But how...
"Your gun won't work, Q didn't want a repeat of the incident with Lonestar."
"Sir?" The briefer said.
"You magnificent bastard." Sheppard whispered.
"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."
In the end, the two and a half months worth of mineclearing was being cut short. The Republic of Cascadia, though having not yet fully recognized Caravoland as of yet, was ceding to the demands of that new government to depart from Caravo territory, which el-Kalim was considered part of.
With the situation partially settled, the decision had been made from on-high to depart and leave the Caravo and their Japanistani "allies" to clean up. Unless Cascadia was asked for a troop commitment to Katangwaland, the focus of the Cascadian effort in Veleria would now be on Van Halstoff and points east, maintaining the newborn and untried coalition that painstaking diplomacy had put together just to see it undermined by the Japanistani and Shepistani suborbit stunt.
There would be no formal transfer of power here. Just the Cascadian Marines piling up into amphibious craft that had been landed in the mine-free waters near Kashrash to be returned to the two carrier groups off shore. The detachment from the Airborne brigade was on its way out at almost the same time, being flown back to Van Halstoff.
The T-12Bs and T-14s weren't coming in empty, though. They carried with them stockpiles flown in from Cascadia when the order was made for the withdrawal from el-Kalim. Helicopters flew the cargo out to Intrepid and Defiant for their NSF-11 Sea Shrikes to be equipped with. And as the arms were delivered to supplement the small stocks on-board or on the replenishment ships, the two carriers' complements of Sea Shrikes commenced the work of laying the advanced 1000 and 2000 pound mines in the swept areas of el-Kalim harbor, each set in similar fashion to the Shepistani with variable counters and multiple triggers.
By the time that the withdrawal had finished and the carriers were on their way out, two hundred mines had been laid to join the remaining Shepistani barrage.
The final flights out of el-Kalim were not limited in cargo to the Cascadian Airborne. Each of the last four flights carried a pair of extra passengers: slaves from the Astarians who had risked their lives to slip over the control line in the dead of night to seek freedom and asylum in the Cascadian Republic, including a young couple of educated household slaves from the local colonial bureaucrat who had set up the government oversight of the military buffer zone. The husband and wife had provided translation for the others in asking for protection and freedom. The commander on the scene, with Colonel Watson no longer present, had opted to take them to Van Halstoff and let the government sort things out from there.
As for the Astarians, they had undoubtedly noticed the Cascadian preperations over the prior days, and the departing forces didn't quite care if they decided to "secure" el-Kalim and Karshash before Japanistani or Caravo forces could....
Action
The Republic of Cascadia has pulled out of el-Kalim and Kashrash. Due to the withdrawal of Cascadian forces from the port of el-Kalim, the port is again considered a potential haven to piracy, so the mine barrage has been partially restored with an extra two hundred mines of mixed capability and counter settings being laid over the final days.
Eight escaped slaves from the Astarian zone have been flown to Van Halstoff. Odds are that the Cascadian government will permit them asylum visas.
As Norseman already established that the Astarian buffer zone came straight up to el-Kalim
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
[b]Partially Declassified Document[/b] wrote:
The Vinish-Eutopian Intelligence League
Command:
VEIL Director: Roger Shrubber
Procurement Director: Edward Bacca
- Air Division: <Censored>
- Armored Division: <Censored>
- Motorized Division: <Censored>
- Recruitment Director: James McNamere
Black Ops Director: Anticitizen One (Alias of <Censored>)
- Zone 1: <Censored>
- Zone 2: <Censored>
- Zone 3: <Censored>
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- Abroad: <Censored>
Normal Agent Dispatch Director: Charlemagne Martel
- Zone 1: <Censored>
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Equipment
<Censored>
VEIL Headquarters, <Censored>
“I miss the CFR.”
“I know sir.”
“Well, no use missing what we can’t have, bring in my newest analyst.”
“Sure, sir.”
The Eutopian man was shoved bodily into the silent conference room shouting, “He said I was dead, he said I was dead, that there was a nerve agent, what is going on.” During this rant, one of the guards who dragged him in decided he would be brave and kick the hysterical man to the ground, he was stopped by a sharp look from the men already in the room. The guards took the hint and made a hasty retreat out the door to the conference room. The hysterical man had calmed down a little, and looked up at the men in the room while asking again, “What is going, who are you?”
“I am the VEIL director, and this is my lackey,”
“Aide.”
“Whatever, what I am telling you is, you are going to be joining my staff as an analyst, the people you were working for before were small time, now you get a look at the big time. You will be joining me and my aide as we travel from base to base if necessary, determining why the enemy is doing what. Now, what sized suit do you wear, I’ll not have my staff looking like shit, that wouldn’t be proper for when we mock Brandon?”
“What if I refuse?” asked the analyst.
The Aide was the first to speak up, “He didn’t phrase it as a question.”
“So I have no choice? I have to agree, or what, I’ll die, for a second time,” the analyst asked.
“No, you will just do your job, now, talk to my aide about your new suit, and tell him what the name tag should say,” replied Shrubber.
“Alright, take me where you need me.”
“I was planning on it.”
VEIL Branch, the Settlement
It has to be done.
The words had been etched into Joshua Earles as soon as he had gotten back from his trip home during the War in Westchester. His time out of the Settlement was well spent; he proposed a plan, the Earles Plan, which increased the number of professional soldiers in the VRA by 5,000, while creating local Militias to deal with possible invasion, or problem. The Earles Plan had made Earles famous, much more so than his uncle, who was immortalized in the Earles Bay Nuclear Power plant as a player in the agreement of the decedents of the heroic explorer.
Even the news of the Plan’s success couldn’t lift Earles spirits, it all just brought him back to the point where his King had told him, “The Settlement is no longer a little operation, you now have borders, you will take steps to consolidate the government of the Settlement.” This had forced the young military advisor into a desperate situation, his ruler had told him to consolidate a government, but he did not believe that Bordeaux could be Governor-General of the Settlement, which means he would have to convince him to form a representative democracy, which are inherently unstable when not prepared. His only other choice was to commit him and the forces in the Settlement to force a coup. This is where he found he couldn’t commit, he would be destroying all he knew for to follow an order. Earles had already had a governmental plan etched incase he decided to overthrow John Bordeaux; it would have a unicameral legislature, consisting of a representative sample of the populace and it would follow the Vinish Law and court system.
He looked up from his notes, he was in an open air café, one of the few luxuries of the Settlement, and he saw no plume of smoke lifting itself from the San Doradan side of the Lake. This was an odd change, the VWS and the Settlement had sent 43 different protestations to the San Doradan Government, about violations of everything from environmental laws, to shipping agreements. The fact that they weren’t destroying their side of the lake would be a welcome change, if Earles wasn’t sure that this was just a lull in the devastation. He looked over to the café’s door, only to see a protest happening in front of Bordeaux’s home. That was interesting, if the people wanted a change, then Earles would just be accommodating. His spirits lifted, he turned to his notes, now looking up ways to subvert and eventually overthrow, Jonathan Bordeaux.
Results:
Declassification of the VEIL Command Staff has forced the Gman (Shrubber) to appoint speciality advisers that will not be part of the command staff, and thus still classified.
The VRA (Vinish Royal Army) is training 5,000 soldiers.
Local Militias are being trained to defend their homes in case of invasion.
A coup will happen in the Settlement, putting Joshua Earles in power.
Complaints Lodged against the San Doradan Exploitation of their Wilderness Zone.
This is an empty country and I am it's king, and I should not be allowed to touch anything.
Message to the Canissia Government from Imperial Japanistan
Japanistan is satisfied with the Canissian reply to its earlier grievances. In addition, following independent negotiations conducted between Japanistani, Zunpuntra leadership and Caravo leadership it has been decided to propose a modified separation plan. Under this plan the Zunpuntra Special Autonomous Region territories inside al-Akharabat will become formally independent of and thus eligible for formal admission into the Imperial Japanistani Empire proper, ending all possible complications in a future united al-Akharabat. Retaining the Zunpuntra Special Autonomous Region as a part of al-Akharabat is incompatible with its desire to remain a member of the Co Prosperity Sphere.
It is the view of Japanistani that the division of the remainder of al-Akharabat into Katangwan and Caravoland zones is undesirable, and will only lead to future warfare if neither faction is supervised, however Japanistan will now accept this proposal as an interim measure to be reviewed every six months.
Japanistan will withdrawal most forces from Katangwan territory, retaining only its coastal logistics bases and lines of communication to Caravoland. When possible all of these bases save that at Al-Sukin, which contains vital upgraded port and airfield facilities, will be shifted to new locations in Caravoland. Japanistani end strength will decline from 87,000 to 80,000 men, with the remainder redeployed to areas of the Zunpuntra Special Autonomous Region outside of al-Akharabat in existing Japanistani Colonial Territory. In addition, owing to the more rugged nature of southern and eastern portions of the former nation, Japanistan will replace certain elements of it 524th Mechanized Corps with elements of the 41st Motorized Infantry Division, joining the 41st 18th and 29th Motorized Infantry Divisions already on the ground. With hope the new longer route of the Al-Sukin- Zunpuntra railway will be pushed south to Caravoland within a year, the route running mainly though Japanistani Colonial Territory.
"This cult of special forces is as sensible as to form a Royal Corps of Tree Climbers and say that no soldier who does not wear its green hat with a bunch of oak leaves stuck in it should be expected to climb a tree"
— Field Marshal William Slim 1956
Baernish Ministry of Finance, Economics, and Industry
Internal Orders
SOURCE: Office of TFEI
FILE: Project Mereen - II Greenlight
Mereen - II has been greenlighted; begin preparations for embarkation and transport of colonists. The city is not yet finished, but large portions of it are, and have been deemed sufficient for habitation by the first load of citizens.
----------------------------
Baernish News Service
File BNS-6-49
The Innerlake Transport Co. passenger freighter Cutworm departed Greenport today, carrying two thousand citizens to their new homes in the Baernish Wilderness Area - a city called Mereen. Though construction has not yet been completed throughout the city, sufficient space exists for the first loads of colonists to live and work in the comfort of an entirely modern city.
Conversion Table:
2000 Mockingbirds = 2 Kilomockingbirds
Basic Unit of Laryngitis = 1 Hoarsepower
453.6 Graham Crackers = 1 Pound Cake
1 Kilogram of Falling Figs - 1 Fig Newton
Time Between Slipping on a Banana Peel and Smacking the Pavement = 1 Bananosecond
Half of a Large Intestine = 1 Semicolon
A man once said: "It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it." Tian Xia has protected Tian Jiao, and will soon be withdrawing our naval and air forces from the area. We will remember those who aided our enemy in our time of need, and those who offered help. We offer our condolences to the families of those men killed by their government's recklessness in invading a sovereign country.
---
Eastern Tian Jiao
"Hey, whatever happened to those Commanches we loaded up back home?"
"Fuck if I know."
Data masked
Data masked
Data masked
The Commanches had been unloaded under the cover of night, and had been making nightly training flights since then.
---
RATTLRS development continues
Lockheed Corporation has been given a contract to develop the RATTLRS flight demonstration vehicle into a weapon system, as a result of their successful demonstration of key technologies. The missile has been designated xGM-175.
KMW recieves order for undisclosed number of new Armored Howitzer 2000s
Douglas Aircraft recieves contract to integrate HARM carriage on to F-15F fighters
"preemptive killing of cops might not be such a bad idea from a personal saftey[sic] standpoint..." --Keevan Colton
"There's a word for bias you can't see: Yours." -- William Saletan
PRAVDA: Unexpected visit of Prime Minister Shroom to the CSR.
Prime Minister Shroom visited the CSR as a sign of easing tensions between the two powers of the Old Continent.
President Stanislav personally met his counterpart and discussed several important new projects, which included the cooperation on laser science (Terra complex in the CSR Far North is being the prime research facility of the Crimson scientists), bionics - including the creation of animal-cell grown brains for cyborgs of a new generation - and nuclear technologies.
Livorno, PRSF. Early morning.
The fog slowly lifted off the shores around the PRSF capital city. Waters were still and slow waves played with early dawn's orange lights.
The ships approached quietly, following a group of destroyers and frigates on-guard.
The guard destroyers fired several missiles at designated targets - due to heavy infiltration of PRSF coupist troops by People's Commisariat for International Affairs agents, the location of the coup's leaders and loyalist troops in coastal defense were well-known.
Left without whatever coastal defense they had, and with crumbling command structure, the PRSF lost any ability to withstand the CSR landing.
The troops went out and assembled in positions around Livorno, surrounding and disarming PRSF Army units - many of which voluntarily gave up arms in the hope of retaliation war - now under the CSR banners.
Colonel Sergey Ivanov commanded the 1st Guards tank brigade that was given the task of occupying the PRSF. Half of the day had passed. Right now he was looking at the city of Livorno.
General Vladimir Korabelnikov sat on the same BMP-3. He was in charge of the whole division that arrived on the shores of Frequesque.
- Serge, you feel it's done? - the PCIA agent asked.
- Mostly. The PRSF population and most importantly their army, due to colossal losses inflicted on it during the war, is filled with revanchist ire. Many army units are thinking that the CSR will immediately assault their enemy and thus are joining our ranks. Some are disoriented and surrender on first sight. Not many remain loyal to the junta.
- Our total losses... so far?
- Around 12 men are dead and around 60 are wounded, according to the frontline reps, - Ivanov looked through the lates papers he had in his hands. - Our rear troops are bringing aid - most importantly food and water, since some public infrastructure objects were destroyed during the war - water refineries, energy plants and fuel reserves most importantly. The aid distributors are much welcomed, just like we thought it would be. The nation is on the brink of total collapse I think. Since we opened Special Passport Regime for Victims of Imperialism around a month ago, over 10,000 people in Livorno received C.S.R. passports and many more are willing.
- The juntists were captured an hour ago by my "Alpha" troops. We will have to stage a mock trial probably, - slowly said Korabelnikov. - And what do you think of possible partisan resistance in the next few weeks?
- The CSR-sympathetic citizenry right now is composing the key to victory. We have urged them to write reports about any anti-Crimson talk or activities. The political machine here is all but destroyed, so a provisional administration will be needed for the time being, - Ivanov carefully weighed his next words. - A mock referenda will be possible in a month or later, after we figure out the political situation. I hope the currently re-grouping PRSF army units in S.A.R.E. will not pose a problem?
- There are several divisions, but all of them are in disarray. Well-trained frontline troops have perished, and the rear men are mostly supply battalions. One of the generals in Livorno... what's his name? Ah, Rolando something - will assume command, - Korabelnikov smiled. - We have bought and convinced him that the CSR is the only way for PRSF to save itself from collapse.
- Will he be able to hold order?
- He started massive purges - the PCIA agent paused. - No, can't call that purges. He just dismissed from the Army and denied access to firearms to those of questionable loyalty around Livorno.
Lì ci sono chiese, macerie, moschee e questure, lì frontiere, prezzi inaccessibile e freddure
Lì paludi, minacce, cecchini coi fucili, documenti, file notturne e clandestini
Qui incontri, lotte, passi sincronizzati, colori, capannelli non autorizzati,
Uccelli migratori, reti, informazioni, piazze di Tutti i like pazze di passioni...
...La tranquillità è importante ma la libertà è tutto!
Captain Carlotta Pisano, paroled by the Vinish authorities, arrives at the CSR consulate in the Vineyards and declares that the navy crews will, considering their sacrifice against the Junta, paid in public, and its willingness to surrender, support the CSR's administration of the PRSF, and asks for diplomatic aide in gaining the release of her cruiser Giulio Cesar, eight Kilo type SSKs, and the destroyer Impetouso from detainment under neutrality laws in the Vineyards, since the external conflicts of the PRSF have ceased and the ships should therefore be released; and also that the necessary assets be provided to assist in their return to the PRSF for repairs and reconstruction so that they can join the CSRN. In the tiny fishing village that it arrived in, the Giulio Cesar has been refloated after assistance of the local authorities (it was blocking access to some of the fishing piers) and remains at anchor with the crew, officers excepted, confined aboard, the same being the case for the Impetouso and the submarines.
The threshold for inclusion in Wikipedia is verifiability, not truth. -- Wikipedia's No Original Research policy page.
Port Adria Scientific Base (Formally designated Alpha Camp), Dragonsnake River, Velaria-Recently, over two hundred foreign scientists from Ninhursag, Langley and the USSR as well as a few hundred additional soldiers and the delivery of a large number of amphibious APCs, the Zorian Government has recently stated plans to expand the civilian staff of the facillity by 750 people. The Base's community have so far responded positively to the plans.
"This is going to be a big improvement" said RZMC chief of Security Pilum Primus Homer McFredricton. "We still have alot of work to do before this base is fully operation. Not to mention that we are along ways away from the Kingdom, and anything we can do here is going to save the Kingdom millions of dollars."
Meanwhile, Zoria is continuing to offer the international scientific community access to Port Adria and its facillities and is willing to accept additional scientists to aid the cause of advancing human knowlage. Already, dozens of newly species Plants and Insects have been catolouged while geological samples from the local areas have been taken to gain deeper understanding of this largely unexplored region of the World.
HAIL ZOR!WE'LL BLOW UP THE OCEAN!
Heros of Cybertron-HAB-Keeper of the Vicious pit of Allosauruses-King Leighton-I, United Kingdom of Zoria: SD.net World/Tsar Mikhail-I of the Red Tsardom: SD.net Kingdoms WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE ON EARTH, ALL EARTH BREAKS LOOSE ON HELL Terran Sphere The Art of Zor
HUE - Tonkin's national space development agency formally announced today the success of the first component of the Infrared-Camera Observation Network (ICON), intended to provide advanced weather imaging of unsurpassed scope. In particular, this network will permit superior early warning of tropical cyclones over today's weather reconnaissance aircraft.
The satellite, which primarily uses off-the-self technologies, will be transmitting to any interested party in the name of international science cooperation ...
EDIT ...
TIACAD
" Director, it works. " The lead engineer was all smiles - and this was a very risky test. Three missiles lashed together? And staging? The principles were well-known, of course, along with stage separation. Tonkin's heavy SAMs were staged, and continuing high-altitude ABM research required a maneuvering kill vehicle. But .... this was something more - a lot more.
" We'll be rolling out more of these for improved coverage - and also requesting overflight rights, as well as working on improved generation satellites. Really, there's nothing to ICON Generation I that's novel except that it's in space.
" Our objective is to launch early and often to learn as much as we can. The rockets are reliable - the real question comes when we start testing our real designs for lift ... "
The meeting went on for some time but then, towards the end, someone rushed in with a laptop. The Director looked irritated - but not when they showed the pictures. " This is from the latest overhead pass, " the young scientist said, excitedly. On it was the rather clear image of a tropical cyclone well offshore - indeed, the first image ever of one from space, or one detected so early.
Last edited by phongn on 2008-09-05 04:19am, edited 2 times in total.
"All personnel, clear the launch area. All personnel, clear the launch area!"
Megaphones were repeating the message for the last five minutes,while technicians and construction workers were evacuated. The rocket itself was rather small, considering FASTA's ambitions for the future, but it was still more than a hundred tonnes of rocket fuel which only made one flight so far.
The entire launch area was very basic, however. There was only one bunker and a makeshift radar station, so launch center personnel had to take shelter in trenches and behind construction equipment littering the area just outside the protective fence.
Inside the only concrete structure of the pompously named Space Center, dozens of people milled about, either manning sensitive equipment or simply observing the launch. One of them was colonel Myamoto Ebisawa, assigned here to inspect rocket payloads - which he personally considered a punishment. Most of the Space Center peronnel still lived in tents, after all.
"Well, colonel, this is a big day", general Konstantin Solnetzin said, lowering his binoculars. The perpetual smirk on his face irritated colonel Ebisawa even more than this assignment. The barbarian thought this rocket test actually meant something!
When the entire world will tremble before the Emperor, you will realize just how much of a fool you are, the colonel thought, paraphrasing one of his high school teachers.
The mission clock inside the bunker started counting down the seconds. Everyone who didn't have a particular duty crowded the vision slits in the front wall of the bunker. At ten seconds to launch, the rocket began spitting out flame, and a low rumble made all the loose objects inside the bunker shake.
At T-five seconds, something weird happened. The flames blasted a brilliant white for several seconds, and then puttered out. Only thick, black smoke came out of the now-inert rocket.
General Solnetzin turned to the Chief Launch Controller, a Shroomanian named Common Carter Connoway, who shrugged.
"Ignition failure, general. Such things happen."
It was colonel Ebisawa who smirked at his CSR colleague now.
Result: The 8K72 rocket fails to launch during an orbital test. Orbital test launch moved back two weeks.
JULY 20TH 1969 - The day the entire world was looking up
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. - NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.
Communist Posturing Brings Massive New Defense Bill
In session today, the House of Lords near-unanimously approved a new defence bill, slated for nearly sixty billion pounds over the next six years, proposed by Governor Xavier II Westchester, Duke Westchester, and senior politician in the Imperial Colony of Tian Jiao. The bill, created some years ago, was only just now brought to the House a week after the brutal annexation of the People's Republic of South Frequesue by the Crimson Star Republic.
The document proposed a flat ten-billion-pound increase in defence spending for the next five years, in order to fund, amongst other things, the doubling of the standing Army, as well as the expansion of the Marine Corps and funding for the Army's budding paratroop program. The expansion of the nation's ground forces will allow the Army and Marines to better defend us from encroaching Communist forces in the near and dangerous future.
The document also allotted nearly thirty billion dollars over the next six years for expansion of the Navy, including funding to accelerate the completion of the nation's first nuclear carrier, the V-class nuclear aircraft carrier Victorious, as well as the accelerated completion of two nuclear escort cruisers, the Valley Forge-class ships Valley Forge and Zhu Rong. Funding also includes the construction of a second nuclear carrier by 2015 and two more conventionally-powered light carriers, as well as a number of escorts, amphibious landing vessels, and shore-patrol cutters of the budding Tian Jiao Coast Guard, or TJCG.
Most striking, though, is the bill's plans for the Air Force; the replacement of the entire Phantom force with F-15C and F-15E aircraft being phased out of the Tian Xia Air Force, as well as the addition of a second wing of Warthog ground-attack aircraft and two wings of Flanker multirole heavy fighters. Also included are plans to replace the extant B-66 Destroyer force with B-1Cs and equip the Lancer bomber force with antiship missiles capable of long-range strikes against hostile enemy shipping.
It is estimated that this expansion will bring nearly ninety thousand new jobs to the pool, to be filled in by our generations of youth coming of-age in the next few years. Truly, it is a good time to be a citizen of our fair land.
Statement of intent signed with Canissia regarding an open borders agreement
After a brief discussion with King Arik Coyotus I of Canissia, the Royal Government has announced the intent to enter an open-borders arrangement with our westernmost neighbor.
"This arrangement is long overdue. Several border regions already have similar bilateral arrangements, allowing pepole living near the border to visit relatives and friends for brief periods of time. Relations between Canissia and PeZookia are very good, and thus we see no reason to restrict trade and travel between our two countries.", said the King during a press conference.
Electronic ID project announced, submitted for consultation
The Royal Government has authorized us to release information on the Electronic ID Initiative.
The Initiative, in its most brief description, is a concept designed to simplify public services by migrating to a centralized database holding all data currently distributed amongst several documents.
The goal of the EIDI is to greatly simplify national administration and reduce time spent by citizens in various public offices. Only a single, unified ID with an embedded electronic chip will be used for most day-to-day business, serving as a driver's licence, ID card, medical records card, professional certification and student ID. The actual data would not be stored on the card, however, but in a centralized, secured government database, with the card serving as a "public key" necessary to access the data.
The Royal Government would like to assure the public that the concept will be througly dicussed with the population, and no data other than what is currently held by the government would be stored in the database.
JULY 20TH 1969 - The day the entire world was looking up
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. - NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.
“So”, President Hank began the meeting of the Board. “Now that the crisis isn’t a crisis anymore but a cold war, we’ve finally got time to do a round of updates. So people, tell me what’s happening? Morgan?”
Director Iago Morgan, DIFEI
“We’re actually doing pretty well,” said Iago Morgan of DIFEI. “REAL EIGHT will be ready to begin operations next week, and is way under budget, mainly due to the influx of Tanstaafl soldiers and Indhopali cash. And with the new open borders agreement between FTO members, our industries are working overtime pumping out enough goods to satisfy the market’s demands. Our analysts are predicting we’ll turn a massive profit at the end of the fiscal year.”
“Right,” nodded the president. “Helena?”
Director Helena Skye, DEPICOR
DEPICOR director Helena Skye cleared her throat. “I haven’t got much,” she admitted. “Relations within the FTO are as good as they’ve ever been; relations outside it haven’t really changed. We’ve pulled back our diplomatic missions from the PRSF and Tian Jiao. We don’t expect either nation to be a big market for us anytime soon, and we wouldn’t want our valuable personnel to end up in the warzone when the shit inevitably hits the fan down there. Relations with the IRT aren’t really coming along either – it seems they’re expecting us to join as a subsidiary or some such.”
“As if,” snorted the president. “Right, well, reassign those people to any of the Great Powers who might be sympathetic to us. PeZookia maybe…”
“They’re slavs, sir,” noted Sam Ralson.
“Well, whatever. They can’t all be bloody communists, can they? It’s worth the try insofar as I’m concerned. Daphne?”
Director Daphne Sinclair, DELEJ
“Business as usual sir, Urban Alert Level is three; we’ve had some riots recently, probably due to the political tension and so forth, but nothing we couldn’t handle. The new emetic gas is working wonders. We’re expecting some more trouble when REAL EIGHT goes active, but we’re coordinating with the Shroomanian embassy, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Well, then let’s get to the meat of this meeting… Sam?”
Director Sam Ralson, CORDEF
Director Sam Ralson of CORDEF leaned back in his chair. “Lots to talk about,” he drawled. “First things first. The Simoleon is functional, we’ve got proof of concept for a rocket that can lift cargo into space. Main issue now is to scale up. We’re thinking of roping a bunch of rockets together so we can lift more stuff up topside, but in the long run we’re going to need more efficient fuels. Our own folks are working on it with the help of other FTO experts.”
“Next,” he continued. “Training for the new air assault brigade is progressing nicely. If Universal Motors can deliver their gear on time-”
“-it can-” injected Skye merrily.
“-then we should be able to hold a first parade march and whatnot two months from now,” Ralson continued. “Afterward we ought to send ‘em down south first, let them get a feel for the action against the militias or something.”
“Fine, as long as we coordinate with Baerne,” nodded the president. “What about the new Aardvarks?”
“That order ought to be ready for delivery in a month,” Ralson answered smoothly. “Any thoughts about a name for the new squadron?”
“Not yet,” Hank shook his head. “The status of our new anti-shipping missiles?”
“More design work needs to be done. FTO members are beginning to pitch in ideas now. Once that’s done though we think we ought to be able to whip up a supersonic cruise missile pretty swiftly.”
“Anything else?”
“Yeah. About those warheads for the Simoleon-X… Are you certain we want to stick to conventional?”
“Yes,” the president threw him a piercing glance. “We’re not doing nuclear weapons. Far too expensive.”
“But,” Ralson said slyly, and he sounded as if he’d given this some thought. “If you let me inquire with Shepistan…”
“You want to do biochemicals,” the president stated flatly.
“Yea-ah.”
“No.”
“But…”
“I don’t think you quite understand me, Sam. No means no. We’re not buying biochemical weapons from Shepistan. For god’s sake man, think of the PR disaster it would be if the public were to find out!”
“May I remind you that SiNtek is one of the largest biochemical/pharmaceutical corporations on the continent?” Daphne interrupted. “If we really want to research this option, we can easily do it in-house.”
“Fair enough,” Ralson shrugged. “What do you think, Mr. President?”
“I think that I don’t like the idea of putting biochemical warheads on our MRBMs one bit. If we ever so much as accidentally bleach the skin of a citizen of a Great Power they'll bite our fucking heads off. But beggars can’t be choosers, and all things considered a potent deterrent force may be in order. Fine. Get some inquiries done, Daphne. At every step though, you consult with me. You understand? Not a single germ leaves your laboratories without me expressly approving it. Is that understood? Then this meeting is adjourned. I'll see you all next week.”
Result: * San Dorado sends a diplomatic envoy to PeZookia
* San Dorado is now researching – in utmost secrecy – the possibility of mounting biochemical warheads on its slowly expanding MRBM arsenal.
* A joint FTO space program (primary aim: a bigger rocket) is underway.
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New R-7 production line opens at Comrade Stanislav Missile Factory, CSR
Contracted by the FASTA, the Comrade Stanislav Missile Factory has opened a second production line of the R-7 "Atlas-Sputnik" rocket. Employing nearly two hundred people, the new production line will allow FASTA to double their test launch numbers, thus brining the rocket to operational status much faster.
Many see this development to be a reaction to the fact that, apparently, the FASTA seems to be lagging before other space agencies. While the Old Dominion, and now the Incorporated Republic of Tonkin were able to put communications and weather satellites into orbit already, the FASTA has not been able to succesfully launch a single orbital flight of the Atlas-Sputnik rocket.
"This is a misleading statement", said Damian Kaklamanis, FASTA director of operations, "The FASTA is not a commercial launch enterprise. Our goals are long-term, and thus will bring fruit much slower: the R-7, for example, will allow cheap and reliable access to far more orbits, and is a dedicated launch vehicle, rather than a modified ballistic missile. The technology and techniques we fund and develop will be used by many other people for a variety of applications. The expansion of the CSMS production line was planned well in advance. It should be obvious: there is no way we could've rapidly opened an entire new rocket production hall in the time between the IRT satellite launch and now!"
Weather satellite launch scrubbed ; Mercury goes to the forefront
With the recent launch of a weather satellite by the IRT, FASTA directors decided to scrub the orbital satellite mission altogether, and proceed with unmanned Mercury launches instead.
This will allow the FASTA to accelerate the Mercury program significantly, owing to the far earlier acquisition of flight data for analysis.
FASTA launch plans adjusted
With the opening of the second R-7 "Atlas-Sputnik" production line, FASTA has accelerated the orbital testing schedule for the rocket, setting a goal of one test launch every two weeks.
"Previously, we had to carefully plan every test in advance, since the rockets came at a slow trickle. Now we can get twice as many of the things, which allows us to rigorously test them at a much faster, stronger, deeper pace. The fees for them are outrageous, though.", said Common Carter Connoway, in charge of launch operations at the Jerusalem Space Center.
Results:
- FASTA accelerates development of the Atlas-Sputnik
- Satellite launch scrubbed, will go through with a real (unmanned) Mercury capsule
JULY 20TH 1969 - The day the entire world was looking up
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. - NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.
Soon after the Cascadians had left, various gangs began shooting and looting. The inhabitants of El-Kalim generally hid, and tried to protect their property and families. For a moment it looked as if things had gone back to how they used to be.
Colonel Al-Icanti smiled widely as he surveyed the scene through his binoculars from atop of his Vanguard Command APC. The city was consumed with chaos, several buildings were on fire, and he'd spotted a dozen or so vehicles trying to make it out. If anyone was going to intervene this would be a perfect time.
"Activate Blue Cow," he told his radioman.
"Yes Sir!"
Moments later the intensity of gunfire rose, as the looters and gangs came under highly accurate fire from multiple buildings. If any of the gangs thought this was strange, they soon had other things to worry about; As a large column of Astarian vehicles, with heavy infantry screens, advanced into the city.
The moment that the main street was cleared cheering crowds burst into the streets, holding beautifully printed banners, and tossing flower petals at the advancing Astarian troops. As Colonel Al-Icanti entered what could best be described as the town square, a wild cheerful shout rose from the crowd. A moment later they began to sing the Astarian national anthem, at first it was jagged, but little by little the singers found the tune.
God be our shield, at home or afield,
Stretch Thine arm over us, strengthen and save.
What tho' they're three to one, forward each sire and son,
Strike till the war is won, strike to the grave!
Strike till the war is won, strike to the grave!
God made the right stronger than might,
Millions would trample us down in their pride.
Lay Thou their legions low, roll back the ruthless foe,
Let the proud spoiler know God's on our side.
Let the proud spoiler know God's on our side.
It was beautiful, heart warming really, and the TV crews were there to document the whole thing. You could almost believe that the Astarians had carefully rigged this display. Especially since they could still hear gunfire from other parts of the city. Of course Colonel Al-Icanti had no time to muse, several local leaders had already gathered, and were waiting for their reward. For assisting the Astarian liberation of course.
Last edited by Norseman on 2008-09-05 07:51am, edited 1 time in total.
The now infamous former Emperor of the Zagor Empire was on trial with charges of ethnic cleansing and mass murder of the Sargonian people. The Emperor was found guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad. The sentence was carried out a few hours after the trial.
"An evil man dies today, and the Sargonian people finally have justice.", said President Shady at a conference held after the trial, "The Sargonian people have my personal guarantee that his accomplices will meet the same fate."
Shadow Industries delivers first 200 T-90 MBT's to the army
The first 200 T-90 tanks were delivered to the USSR army today. These tanks are part of a program to increase the military strength of our glorious nation.
Shadow industries delivers 20 new MiG-31 Interceptor aircraft
The USSR air force has received 20 newly built MiG-31 Interceptor aircraft, production will continue until the air force gets an optimal number of planes. After that the MiG-31 will be available for export to other nations.
