SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the First.

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Lonestar
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Post by Lonestar »

ODN Vessels participating in WINTEX(Far South Seas/Antartic exercise):

WINTEX OOB:

Bulwark Strike Group
1 CVN: D.N.S. Bulwark
2 LHDs: Centurion, Victory
2 CGs: Susan Constant, Godspeed
4 DDGs:Fairfax City, Carter's Grove, Chesapeake, Spotslyvania
1 FFG: Allegheny
2 SSNs: Blue Crab, Eel
1 AOE: Loudon County.

Lord Fairfax Strike Group
1 CVN: D.N.S. Lord Fairfax
1 LPD: Bull Run
1 CG: John Smith
4 DDGs: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Occoquan, Newport News
1 FFG: York
1 SSN: Flounder
1 AOE: Hampton County
"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."
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Raj Ahten
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Post by Raj Ahten »

In Shroomania

The drop for the Buzzkill plans had been arranged again. The ISIA's Team was ready for it. The drop point was on a bridge in the Shroomain capital. A careful ambush had been set up to kill anyone who interfered with the operation.


They hadn't figured on what the SIS would do though. They had caught wind of the planned drop off (through the same leak as before) and planned to stop it. They were sending in two of their top operatives. One man. One Elephant. Both had trained together for years. The Elephants name was Frank, the man was known only as The Protector and he planned on protecting all of Shroomania's secrets.

Image
SIS Elephant/Man team in training.

It was time to pick up the drop. The Protector tailed ISIA's men from the consulate. When he saw them pick something up on the bridge, he sprung into action.

Image

ISIA's contractors quickly followed by initiating their ambush.

Image

But they were completely surprised when Frank the Elephant rampaged down the street, trampling one of the ISIA men.
Image

The Protector was able to escape the ambush by jumping off the bridge. In the end the ISIA team had one man killed by Frank. They did manage to recover some of the missile plans. The rest were destroyed by the rampaging pachyderm.
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DarthShady
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Post by DarthShady »

Shadow Meeting

In the Interest of regional cooperation and stability President Shady has announced that he will hold a meeting with President Zoran Stokovic of the Republic of Rohan and President E.Valjevcic of the Republic of Sargonia. Representatives of the former Zagor Empire will also be present, as well as a delegation from the Republic of Sjenska. This meeting is intended to promote peace and stability in the Region and help establish better relations between all shadow states and their people.

"Our goal is peace and not war.", said President Shady, "Our people need a better life, a brighter future. And that can only be accomplished through diplomacy and friendship."
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PeZook
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Post by PeZook »

PeZookia, near the eastern border

Roman was hit twice in the back. Kowalski pumped an additional round into him as he was dropping, to make sure he'd bleed to death before some blasted paramedic could save him.

Out of the remaining three, Milan reacted the quickest. While Kosta froze in terror, and Basil stumbled and fell while trying to run away, Milan took cover behind a tree and shot back, forcing Kowalski to duck behind the now-abandoned sedan. Of course, this also suited the corrupt border guard perfectly.

"0-4-1 calling 00, 0-4-1 calling 00, I've been discovered and fired upon!", he spoke into his radio. He couldn't see any of his former employers, but he could hear them moving.

"0-4-1, what's your status?", came the reply

"I am under fire, repeat, under fire! Suspects fleeing across the border with the hostage, permission to pursue?"

"Negative, 0-4-1. Do not cross into Sjenska territory under any circumstance!"

Perfect, he thought to himself and put on his night vision goggles

Above the scene, five minutes later

"What the hell is going on down there?!", Sebastian's voice sounded strange over the intercom system of the huge helicopter. He was trying to get a good look at a video feed transmitted by a UAV. The fact it was displayed on a five inch LCD screen didn't exactly make it easy.

The UAV was circling above the ending terminus of access road no. 5, tracking thermal silohouettes which just recently emerged from beneath the tree canopy. Four people were running down a gentle slope, straight towards a border fence. Sebastian could easily identify Amanda - running weird, obviously bound, and pushed forward by one of the suspects.

"Any word from that border guard?", he asked a communications tech riding with him, who was listening in to the radio chatter.

"Negative, sir. Last we heard from him, he was asking for permission to pursue those guys into Sjenska. Shot one of the bastards, though."

Sebastian nodded and glanced at his watch. Four more minutes before two choppers loaded with police commandos would arrive on the scene. He hoped it wouldn't be too late.

Ground level, right at the eastern border

The fence was low and rather flimsy - there was no point dragging barbed wire all throughut the place. It only served to remind people where PeZookian soil ended and Sjenska begun. Right now, for the three people desperately running towards it, it meant survival.

From the treeline to the fence, it was more than six hundred meters - of completely open ground. It was hard enough to run at night, wondering if that crazy border guard had night vision, but Milan insisted they drag the hostage along - further slowing them down.

It was an agonizing run. It took more than four minutes to cover that distance, and with every step they risked tripping in the dark and breaking something. But finally, Basil slammed into the flimsy fence. Right at this moment, he was the happiest man in the world.

Until he saw the area lighting up.

"Come on, move it! Over the fence!", Milan screamed, holding Amanda in an iron grip. The girl's constant attempts to flee have slowed them down considerably - but without her, Milan would be stranded in Sjenska, with no money and nothing to sell. He may even become a slave himself, and he'd rather die before that happened.

The two police helicopters came in low, sweeping the area with their searchlights. Feeling the precious seconds slip away one by one, Basil and Kosta scaled the fence. Milan brutally pushed the girl across, and then climbed it himself. It was at this point when the searchlights found them, covering what just a second before was darkness in a brilliant, white, blinding light.

"THIS IS THE POLICE! YOU HAVE NO CHANCE! SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY, OR YOU WILL BE FIRED UPON!"

Basil smiled and flipped the helicopters off.

"Fuck you!!! We're in Sjenska now, bitches! You can't touch us!"

"Shut up, you fucking idiot! Run!", Milan had to, once again, call Basil to his senses. He grabbed the girl by her neck, lifted her off the ground and ran, keeping her close. He was a big man, and this was easy for him - and he knew the cops would not shoot him for fear of harming her.

Kosta took off aside him, but Basil - high on adrenaline, and drunk with his perceived victory - continued screaming at the helicopters. He only turned around when he saw one machine land and disgorde a dozen police commandos, who all started advancing towards him. Biting his lip, Basil ran out into the night, followed by the brilliant, but impotent light of a police searchlight.

Fifteen minutes later, right at the border

Sebastian was furious. They were so close, they practically had them...and now they slipped away!

He contemplated crossing into Sjenska, chasing those scum down and executing them all. He knew that Amanda was pretty much dead now - she'd disappear somewhere in the Border States, sold into slavery or, perhaps, simply executed as soon as she stopped being valuable to her captors.

His superiors, however, threatened to throw him in prison if he did that. Sjenska was a sovereign country, they said, and police couldn't operate there without permission. And, of course, that slave-running bastard Karic would never give permission for that.

Still, we got one of them, Sebastian thought. Well, it wasn't the police, but he was dead enough.

It was luck more than anything else, though. The border guard - Kowalski - explained how he stumbled upon the group during his patrol. He was told not to intervene, but was spotted anyway - they fired at him and tried to run, he fired back and hit one. Sebastian already saw the place where it happened, and examined the body. Right now, there was only one thing left for him to do.

He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number. He had to tell Amanda's father they lost her.

And ask him for help.

Orena, 'Green Meadow' government housing compound, 4 Elf Street

Kulinsky was choking on the radioactive dust, knowing he was dying. Everything he fought for - everything he knew and loved and worked so hard to protect - was gone, destroyed by the blastwave...burned with atomic fire. With the moment he took his first breath in the overturned car, he was already dead.

Wincing with pain, with bloodied fingers, he fished out his service pistol out of its holster...and woke up, hearing the horrible, horrible sound of his cell phone. It woke his wife up, too - though he was sure his screaming would do that eventually.

He picked up.

"Kulinsky speaking. Yes. Hello...what? You're kidding me...no, I had no idea...what do you mean, Sjenska?!"

The expression of Kulinsky's wife turned from mild worry into abject horror.

"John, what's wrong?", she asked. Her husband raised his hand, listening intently to the man on the other side of the line.

"Okay...yes. I need a name, if you have any...right. Yes, you did the right thing...yes. It's our turn now. Could you wait a second?", he covered the mouthpiece with his hand and turned to his wife.

"Amanda was kidnapped tonight.", he said to his wife

"My God! When? Where?!"

"Around four o'clock, in Fabowice."

"Jesus, John...why didn't anybody tell us?!"

"I'm wondering about the same thing. Listen, honey...the kidnappers managed to cross into Sjenska with her. The police were right on their tail, but they didn't make it in time."

She only nodded, but her eyes said she was terrified...and angry.

"They have a name...but there is very little time. I need to get my people together...", he started getting out of bed, and remembered the phone.

"Comissar, I want to see you in Orena ASAP. Come to the RIS headquarters, directly to me.", he said and hung up.

"Somebody should tell Tom."

"Yes."
Image
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.
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PeZook
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Post by PeZook »

Coyote wrote: "True," Arik said, also glancing about for anyone that might hear their 'secret' codes for others in the 'game'. "But the style fits. I looked them up in history on the interweb, here-- they largely stuck to their treaties, aside from the Sumatra stuff in '72. Now, all of a sudden. it's not just al-Akharabat but their whole manner of push-and-bluster that suits Skimmer's style."

"I've been trying to wean him away from Shep, but I don't think he's taking the bait. They never answered my offer to expand diplomatic contacts or meet to discuss regional trade agrements. We can offer him much more than Shep ever could, but... this is the course he seems to want to take."
"Knowing him, there is some sort of a master plan involved. But, frankly, staying ahead of him is...difficult. Either way, I fully intend to engage him diplomatically, should he want it - and we've done some things already, like the flyover permission for FASTA."
Coyote wrote:"Something else I was wondering about," Arik said, "This recent war on your borders... do you need any help with peacekeeping, or a neutral venue to keep POWs or hold tribunals? Canissia would love to help-- and we're eager to expand relations on the Continent."
"From what I know, what's needed mostly are medical supplies, food, clean water, that sort of stuff. There aren't actually many POWs...though I do think it would be a good idea to hold tribunals in neutral territorry. Marek The Cruel had it coming, to be frank, but I fear other people the USSR captured will be judged under his shadow. I will have someone speak to Shady about this idea."
Coyote wrote:"Can I interest you in a laser cannon?"
"Do tell me more,please", Paul said, taking a sip from his glass.
Image
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.
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Grand Moff Yenchin
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Post by Grand Moff Yenchin »

Serenity Sentinel

Image

Akori Republic Officials Arrive at Serenity

Earlier today, the Akori Republic Visiting Group, led by Senator Peter Subam, of the Akori Assembly, was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Shirley Fang at the Xiang Wentian Memorial Airport.

Due to the success of Blue Sun in Akori, followed by various Serenity corporations investing in the nation, the Akori Assembly has been considering of increasing the relationships between both nations. According to insiders, the visiting group might discuss some issues on this subject.
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Post by Steve »

Adams Capitol District


As Vice President, it was Alexandra Verdes' duty to attend the Senate when it was debating crucial matters. The matter being debate now was something that had not come to the floor of the Cascadian Senate in over a hundred years.

The House had already passed a supportive resolution, leaving it to the Senate to agree to the proposal of the Cascadian President to formally annex Van Halstoff Land into the Republic as an "executive administrative territory", which was a cute way of saying it was currently primarily a military base. However, the finding of an untapped diamond deposit and smaller geologist discoveries of quartz and tungsten hinted at further treasures to be taken from the area and so consideration was now being given to formal annexation.

And so the vote was taken...


Official Notice

The territory of Van Halstoff Land has been formally annexed into the Republic of Cascadia as an Executive Administrative Territory. The Senate has agreed to retain the local Cascadian military commander of Van Halstoff Base as Territorial Governor for a term of six months, after which the situation in Van Halstoff will be re-examined to determine the suitability of a government-appointed governor.

Extent of Cascadian annexation.
”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
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Post by Coyote »

PeZook wrote:"From what I know, what's needed mostly are medical supplies, food, clean water, that sort of stuff. There aren't actually many POWs...though I do think it would be a good idea to hold tribunals in neutral territorry. Marek The Cruel had it coming, to be frank, but I fear other people the USSR captured will be judged under his shadow. I will have someone speak to Shady about this idea."
"Consider it done, then," Arik said, "Well, the food, water, emergency supplies and so on. If you'd like to hold tribunals in Canissia, I'd be willing to help..."
PeZook wrote:
Coyote wrote:"Can I interest you in a laser cannon?"
"Do tell me more,please", Paul said, taking a sip from his glass.
"Well, I have been wrestling with my Parliament ona military spending bill for THEL, the laser defense system I've... worked on before," he said, as one of the aides drifted by taking notes as he listened to something on a cellphone. "It is expensive, but I finally got the Kingdom of Serenity to pitch in on the deal and help lower costs somewhat. I've also sent my Defense and Trade Ministers to Shroomania to see about getting them on board...

"Basically, it's what I want to contribute to the Continental Defense plan. An integrated system of laser missile interceptors spread across the continent. I personally will deploy them in clusters of threes, supported by Patriot missiles and CIWS-- I've already got thos einstallations built, I just want to add THEL to the package."

"So... are you building these lasers now?" Paul asked, intrigued.

"I have a prototype, and it's working," he said, "It has a 100% intercept rate at up to 5 kilometers, anything beyond that is not guaranteed."

"Still... 100% at 5 kilometers is still impressive."

"I thought so," Arik said, "I am having the Royal Corps of Engineers build the bunkers and foundations for the lasers with the rest of my air-defense installations, but so far only the prototype is installed. I need more investors to get the costs down, and since it dovetails nicely with the Continental Defense plan..."

"I see," Paul said, "So you're hoping to bring pretty much everyone else in on the deal?"
"I don't deny it helps me," Arik said, "But it also helps you, and the rest of my neighbors."

"I'm sure you're aware that I am part of the Slavic alliance," Paul said, "As is Comrade Stas. There's been... rough spots between Stas and the MESS of late."
"I know," Arik said, "But Byzantium is also a partner in both alliances, too," Arik said, "Tian Xia's actions were Tian Xia's; the rest of the MESS alliance was not involved in the recent disagreement. And I feel that the laser defense system, and the Continental agreement, is a seperate issue that we can all agree to."

"Perhaps," Paul said, still running all the ramifications through his mind, "What are th edrawbacks to the THEL?" he asked.
"Environmental," Arik said, "They use chemical compounds that are volatile and ecologically difficult. It's another reason why my Parliament is balking at the lasers... the Greens Party has just enough pull on the issue that they're blocking funding unless there's a corresponding ecologically-sound disposal program tied to it-- which, of course, increases the cost."

"Ahh, yes," Paul said, "There's always a snag somewhere. What were you thinking about using as a means of disposal?"
"Well, frankly, if I had my way I'd shoot the crap off into the sun, but that's pretty expensive... and another explosive failure would be catastrophic."

"Can the stuff be incinerated?"
"Maybe... we'd have to make sure the emissions from the burn are in a captured loop of some sort."

"I have to admit, the benefits are intriguing," King Paul said, "If enough countries invested, the cost factor disasppears, and it just becomes an environmental issue of waste disposal..."

"Well, I'm open to ideas," Arik said.
Something about Libertarianism always bothered me. Then one day, I realized what it was:
Libertarian philosophy can be boiled down to the phrase, "Work Will Make You Free."


In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around!

If all you want to do is have some harmless, mindless fun, go H3RE INST3ADZ0RZ!!
Grrr! Fight my Brute, you pansy!
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Post by Coyote »

Sea Skimmer wrote: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.
The People's Republic of Canissia agrees to this state of affairs. While it is unfortunate that the people of al-Akharabat were unable to come to a unity settlement, then they may at least go their seperate ways in peace. Canissian and Katangwan personnel are updating maps based on the recent map provided by Japanistan, and we will see to it that updated information regarding territory and claims are disbursed among all concerned parties.
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.
Periodic review is desireable, and the People's Republic of Canissia will work with the Katangwans to orient them towards an eventual understanding as well. After so many years of civil war and inter-tribal strife, many local populations feel that some period of semi-autonomy is desireable, allowing tensions to subside sometime in the future.
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.
We welcome the repositioning of security forces and view it as a positive step towards regional peace and cooperation. Japanistani operations in al-Sukin are welcome and Canissian engineers are right now adding to an extensive new highway system to link the north and south so that the flow of goods may be unimpeded.

The Canissian people look forward to a time when a spur line to the railroad may be made to join Katangwa to the rail line being built now. When that great day comes, it will be a physical symbol of the progress of peace and stability in the region. Such progress would have been impossible without the assitance of the Japanistani people, who have conducted themselves with great professionalism in this endeavour.

Regards,
Canissian Joint Command
Katangwan Free State
and Royal Canissian Foreign Ministery
and His Majesty the KIng, Arik Coyotus-I
Something about Libertarianism always bothered me. Then one day, I realized what it was:
Libertarian philosophy can be boiled down to the phrase, "Work Will Make You Free."


In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around!

If all you want to do is have some harmless, mindless fun, go H3RE INST3ADZ0RZ!!
Grrr! Fight my Brute, you pansy!
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Fingolfin_Noldor
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Post by Fingolfin_Noldor »

Imperial Chronicles

----------Air Defence Plan Report----------

Sir,

Over the last few months, Kontos Munitions was instructed to build more SM-2/3s and some of these were issued to the National Air Defence Centers with the intention of increasing the number of VLS units. Further, we have been following your instructions to harden all available units, including the Aegis SPY-1D Radar, to improve protection.

The recent expansion of the existing air defence brigades, to operate a 3 layer air defence is proceeding accordingly. The initial 24 brigades should have completed the conversion by the end of the year, and all their SAM units will be housed in hardened shelters to protect them and their radar against air attack. All S-300 units will be replaced with S-400 or THAAD, depending on where they are situated. We have chosen to operate a mix so as to force the enemy to be more vigorous with their EW.

All these facilities are defended by CIWS gun and RAM systems as a form of last ditch defence.

12 new regiments are currently undergoing training. But because of cost issues (we are already spending way over budget here), these 12 will only be ready next year. Might I suggest that any S-300PMU-2/VM units be issued to the Legions first? That way the existing air regiments in the Legions can now offer high altitude defence. We understand that cost is an issue here again, and at the very least, the legions will have some measure of cover instead. The S-300s still have some use any how. No sense wasting them.

Further, the fiber optics networks are being laid as we speak. All the command units for each regiment will be linked directly to the regional air defence center. We are receiving Cannissian help to aid in our integration issues. We suggest purchase of more THEL systems from Cannissia, while we attempt to perfect our own solid state laser systems.

Yours respectfully,
Strategos Muradin

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

To: Strategos Muradin

Good work Muradin. We will implement as you say.

High Strategos Konev.
Last edited by Fingolfin_Noldor on 2008-09-06 03:25am, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by DarthShady »

Byzantine Emperor visits the USSR

Sarajevo Train Station

The Station was fully emptied and secured by the Presidents personal guard. Everything was ready for the arrival of the Byzantine Emperor. President Shady was there to greet the Emperor personally.
Image
The few people that were left were all a part of the welcoming committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------

They didn't have to wait long for the Emperors train to arrive. As the train pulled into the station Shady stepped forward to greet the Emperor. The Byzantine Emperor was as always escorted by his Varangian Guard, and they made quite a show of their arrival.

"Old friend, it is good to see you again.", Shady said, "It's been a while."

"Indeed it has.", The Emperor said.

"Well my friend, wait until you see the show my people prepared in your honour.", Shady said, "Please follow me."

As the two men walked, Shady turned to his friend and with a smile he said, "I am sorry to put you through these formalities, but they are a necessity."

"I understand.", The Emperor said, "My people are perhaps even worse."

They laughed and got into the limousine that was waiting in front.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Fifteen minutes later

The Parade Street was crowded with people and police, they were all there to greet the Byzantine Emperor. A special podium was set up just for this visit and on the podium were the Emperor and President Shady with their escorts and security personnel.

"You will like this."

"I'm sure I will."

The parade was starting, the armed forces of the USSR were there in force. A great line of infantry, tanks and anything else you could imagine was rolling by, and they were all saluting the Emperor and their president.
Image

Overhead, the Air Force was putting up quite a show.

Image

Soldiers carrying flags and rifles rolled by and the whole thing was quite impressive.

Image

The day was long and filled with official meetings and publicity photos followed by a formal dinner. After the dinner The President and the Emperor retreated into the presidential office for drink.

"Quite a day isn't it.", Shady said, "I need a drink."

Shady took a bottle of Whiskey and poured two glasses, sliding one over.

"Old Dominion Whiskey, the best there is.", Shady said as he opened a box of fine Canissian Cigars and offered one to the Emperor.

"We have a lot to talk about.", Shady said while lighting his cigar, "Why don't you start us off?"
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Steve
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Post by Steve »

After travelling by motorcade from the SRAF's Midgar Air Base, President Garrett was brought to the Presidential Residence and greeted immediately by President Shinra. The two men exchanged warm handshakes and entered the building.

President Shinra turned to Stephen and said, "Hope you like pizza. There'll be a whole formal dinner later, of course. But I've never been much of a fan for 'fancy food' and wanted to get something real in my stomach first."

"I've always been favorable to extra cheese, pepperoni, and sausage," Stephen replied. "I suppose the formal dinner will have the gaudier kinds of foods that cost far too much."

Rufus nodded. "It probably does. Thank God I don't get the bill for it." As they entered the small office, the President of the Shinra Republic gestured towards a pair of chairs. "No fireplace, I'm afraid. We'll just have to make do, I suppose. How was the flight in?"

"It was well enough," he admitted. "Nothing fancy like Air Force One or anything, naturally. We booked a private 767 from Evergreen Airlines for the trip, which I suppose was comfortable enough. Cascadian Presidents rarely venture out of the country, I've learned, that's considered a function of the Vice President. And Alexandra is so much more photogenic than I am." He chuckled at that.

Rufus simply bit his tongue. His immediate response to that had been decidedly un-Presidential. "So I've been told my Navy may acquire another conventional supercarrier, used, from the Byzantine Empire. I know you're interested in expanding your carrier capabilities. And I really don't have another airwing at the moment to equip a new carrier with." He left the obvious question unspoken. He knew Garrett would understand where this conversation was going.

"The Navy's trying hard to get a fourth Defiant ever since I made it clear that their Audacious-class CVN project is entirely too expensive and has frankly wasted the millions already pumped into it for the baseline design work. Having a genuine conventional supercarrier is, however, something we could try to do if the pricing will work." Stephen shook his head. "I've already upped the Air Force spending by about $7 billion trying to get our small Air Force a bit more capable should the Velerian situation turn... ugly. But getting a new and big carrier, even an older used one, should be enough to get them off my back." He chuckled. "Well, until they examine it enough to improve their Audacious design and start clamoring for it again."

"Military brass always want more funding. It's almost a Law of Nature. I'm pretty sure that if my top brass had their way we'd have a military to take on the entire world and then some. Not that such a thing is really feasible, of course." President Shinra picked up a slice of pizza and took a bite. He continued, "At any rate, it's all preliminary and I'm sure the Admirals on all sides will work out the details. But I thought I'd give you a heads up. It's always nice to not be blind-sided."

"That it is. I'd hoped you'd gotten the note on the Van Halstoff annexation before it was formally brought to the Senate. You'd already stated Shinra had no claim there, but we've gone from 'temporary military base' to 'formal annexation' now." Stephen returned to eating some pizza, enjoying the smooth cheese and rich flavor of sausage. After he finished that bite, he remarked, "Pizza in Adams isn't bad, but this is very, very good."

"Apparently pizza makers in the Republic are quite serious about their business. Since I love pizza so, I don't really find it a bad thing. Whether this was a coincidence or the sense of humor of Marina or even Q, I haven't quite figured out." He munched happily for a moments before carrying on. "And I did get the note, thank you. And like before, I have no real problems with it. The FTO might make some noise about your returning 'imperialist ambitions' I suppose; then again they have bigger fish to fry right now, so maybe not."

"Three Frequesue nations are doing the same thing to the "untamed regions" of Frequesue," Stephen pointed out, "and unlike Japanistan Cascadia is taking possession of territory that is not inhabited at all. But if they want to make a fuss of it, that's their business. I've only just offered to provide Cascadia's neutrality as a foundation for helping them assure their's in the affairs of the great powers. It's entirely up to them if they want to throw that away." Stephen finished another bite of pizza before continuing. "King Arik has at least seemed to handle our situation in Veleria, for the moment. Though Japanistan may yet have more up their sleeve."

"I have no doubt, but for all their faults I don't see the Japanistanis as stupid. They'd know to openly attack Canissia is an invitation to war with the MESS. Even if they can quickly overrun Arik's troops in Veleria, they'd have to know they'll suffer greatly when we turn on their homeland." Rufus leaned back in his chair. "The biggest problem, I think, is Shepistan. He's more likely to spark an open conflict than Japanistan."

"Obviously, though you'll understand if I'm more worried about Japanistan. Shepistan is quite clearly the junior partner in Veleria, and I know it stuck in Tokyo's craw when Cascadia didn't meekly stand by while Japanistan started scooping up territory in Veleria. Our withdrawal from el-Kalim is permitting me to leave two Marine Brigades and the Airborne in Van Halstoff currently. with another fighter squadron on their way out and a carrier group within supporting position. Though we're not a big state, that's still a sizable potential thorn in their side. Though Japanistan's not the only state that's been irritating me lately..." Stephen began to chew on another bite of pizza. "Ever since it was made clear we were pulling out, our troops were noticing that Astarias was making subtle perperations to move into el-Kalim. I wasn't quite opposed to that, I'll admit. One more potential annoyance to Japanistan, and I did have el-Kalim's mine barrage restored - sorry to undo the hardwork of your mine-sweepers with mine, by the way - to keep it from getting used for awhile. But Astarias itself is getting fairly bold, I guess forgetting that if not for the bigger powers being more concerned with other issues or dealing with war weariness, they'd have been swatted down decades ago."

Rufus smiled ruefully. "I know that irritation quite well. You should have seen it in the first Nova Terra..." He shook his head. "Ultimately I suppose it's not that surprising. The smaller nations want to try and 'play with the big boys' so to speak. Even worse when you consider where the pool for our world leaders came from; the egos on SDN are fairly notorious, after all. They apparently don't seem to consider the fact that the 'big boys' could swat them aside at their liesure. Hell, I heard rumors that the FTO was actually contemplating attacking the CSR over that whole Tian Jiao/PRSF flap."

"I've become painfully aware of Cascadia's limits these past months," Stephen said in agreement. "I can't fathom how the FTO thinks it can keep Frequesue out of Great Power affairs unless the great powers agree to it. As for Astarias, you do realize that it's one of us, right? It's not simply a cruel joke by Q, putting a nation with legalized slavery on our world in a position where our own squabbling keeps us from doing anything about it."

Yes, I had surmised as much. I can't imagine who would willingly partake of such a system. Granted Japanistan uses plenty of slave labor, but that at least is something that is simply not talked about and covered up for, even if everybody knows. To have it be so open...I can't imagine why someone would choose such a nation."

"Veg's always been a bit weird. Not a bad writer, but still weird. And Astarias is too much like Pendleton for me to have not noticed it." Stephen took a second slice onto his plate. "I know from my other self's memories that most of the civilized world has signed laws and international treaties expressly forbidding slavery and the slave trade, reducing Astarias to what native industry it has and buying second-hand weapons, mostly through Shepistani contacts if I'm right, or Frequesuan. I admit the temptation to begin fishing for allies to put better pressure on Veg to get with the times has been great, but Japanistan has been occupying my attention as of late, and most nations I think are more concerned with them and Shepistan than Astarias." Stephen took and finished a bite before adding, "Though Veg's expansionism might change some of that."

"Maybe, maybe not," Rufus said thoughtfully. "After all, it's nominally in opposition to Japanistan, and pretty small in relation. The enemy of my enemy and all that."

"Aside from the Astarian buffer in Caravoland, I'm not sure it is. I think the Japanistani are going to focus on northwestern Veleria and expanding their economic contacts into those states, using their propaganda stunt with that rocket-propelled jet fighter to undermine the coalition my country just put together among the northern Velerian states. Astarias will meanwhile exploit the distraction of other states in these situations to their own advantage." Stephen tapped his fingers on the table and opted to change the topic. "We've got port facilities starting to go up in Van Halstoff, which is another part of the recent increase in defense spending my government's putting up with. At least we're getting private funding now with the mineral deposits we've been finding, even that close to shore. Makes you wonder just what is waiting for us in the continent interior."

"Probably something horrible, knowing Q. Stick something nice on the edges to entice you in, only to find that the interior is less-than-inviting after you spent all that time and money getting there."

"Nasty diseases, that kind of thing. Though most of the interior has been partially mapped by recon aircraft over the years, at least. We know that none of the rivers along the edges extend very far inland, mostly being formed in the ring of mountains that seperates the continent's jungle and rainforest coastal areas from the arid, dry interior " After enjoying a couple more bites, Stephen continued, "What do you think of this GPS project that the Alaskans are calling for? I'm ready to join it, since it'll be a long time before we can set up our own. I was thinking of suggesting a continental grouping, including Tonkin, for putting a constellation up. Of course, Beo's recent ham-fisted behavior in Frequesue has strained our ties with his nation again, so I haven't come right out and said it. I'm waiting for that situaiton to die down."

"I like it. Granted the MESS is working on its own system, but I'd not be adverse to sending money into this. I'm all about positive continental relations, after all."

"MESS is a bit disparate, you have to admit," Stephen pointed out. "Even if the alliance has mostly unified this continent, save for my nation, Alaska, and Tonkin, you've got to deal with the fact that Byzantium is also an SNC member and that Beo, well, seems to be willing to do his own thing without really considering what MESS is up to. I don't suppose his annexation of Westchester came after attempts to talk MESS into admitting Westchester as an independent state?"

"Westchester made a petition, though so far as I know Beo really wasn't eagerly advocating his acceptance. Not terribly forcfully, anyway. Given though, that Beo's intervention came after the CSR stuck its nose in, I'm wondering how much of an influence Stas played in all of it, rather than some sinister desire to backdoor their entry into the MESS."

"True. It does come off as a bit... convenient for Westchester, though. And as much as the FTO is pumping itself up unrealistically, I do sympathize with their desire to keep their continent neutral from the world's power clashes."
"And on the matter of Frequesue... so far my proposed conference has only received Vinish, Indhopalian, and Baernish support and intention to attend. I was hoping to get Tian Xia and perhaps other MESS states involved, as well as overtures to the Crimson Star Republic for attendance. But as I'm still fairly new to the game, in more ways than one, I figure Cascadia's overtures aren't carrying as much clout as our geopolitical position might permit. Any recommendations?"

"As far as gaining support for the conference, I will send my people there. Last go-around I was sort of an unofficial MESS spokesman before we formalized things. I don't know if that carries any weight now, but it might. Outside of Beo though, nobody in the MESS sees any major reason to interfere with Frequesue, they'll probably accept a general neutrality. As for the CSR, I'd suggest sending a message to King Paul in Pezookia. If you'd like, I can deliver your compliments and the request in person, as I am planning to visit him soon."
"And, I should add, Beo's interest seems limited to protecting Tian Jiao. So far as I know, he has no designs on the rest of the continent."

"I would welcome your support with King Paul and the MESS," Stephen said to Rufus. "I was contemplating taking some time next year for a series of Old Continent state visits myself, depending on the international situation. As much as its our tradition to make the Vice President the Cascadian spokesperson to the world, I'd prefer getting a chance to take the lead on foreign affairs."
After taking a bite, he added, "As for Beo and Tian Jiao, he might not have further material designs, but he didn't make the best impression with his treatment of the PRSF. All he's done is turn them into a likely future part of the Crimson Star Republic."

"I'd say it's more than likely, after he landed those troops in the capital and when he started making CSR citizens out of PRSF residents. But what's done is done and all we can do is try and move on. Hopefully a MESS presence at the conference agreeing to Frequesue neutrality will help smooth those waters somewhat."

"Hopefully, provided the matter ever gets off the ground," Stephen agreed. "That leaves us with this Velerian situation, which I don't see dying down very soon. Hopefully it'll relent enough that we can focus on more peaceful things like the nascent space programs of this world."

"Indeed. I suppose it comes down to which happens first: us getting into space or nuclear weapons making their appearance. Because we all know what'll happen the moment Shep gets his hands on The Bomb."

"Frankly, at that moment, I would diplomatically support the MESS launching a pre-emptive strike," Steve remarked. "Even if Shep's going to behave this time, we can't trust him to. He's clearly not a rational actor. And even his behavior here will make a pre-emptive strike acceptable given his use of bio-chem weapons in the past and his international behavior as of late."

"Indeed. Although that damn PR stunt of theirs didn't help. It made things more difficult to drum up support amongst the populace for going to war. Although really I'd be happy with a sort of Gulf War type of conflict; we wipe out his military and industrial capability, rendering him largely impotent. Although we'd need to have a strong post-war blockade to prevent Japanistan or the IRT trying to prop them up again."

"Yes on the blockade, though if you ask me I think Japanistan's gotten the lion's share of charm from that space stunt, and I imagine by then the luster of it will have worn off. It won't take long before people realize that what they're doing is propaganda stunts." Stephen added, "I also wanted to let you know that I'm getting some pressure from my Cabinent to get into a space program with Tonkin. They think Cascadia would be too junior a partner in a MESS-led program and that going with Tonkin would reinforce Cascadian neutrality."

"You must do what you have to do. The burden of leadership and politics, after all. Speaking of burdens, shall we retire to prepare for the 'gala' event of our formal state dinner?"

"Yes, that ordeal must come first," Stephen agreed, not particularly looking forward to it either.
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Post by Siege »

Steve wrote:"And on the matter of Frequesue... so far my proposed conference has only received Vinish, Indhopalian, and Baernish support and intention to attend."
[OOC: Not that we matter a terribly great deal, but San Dorado already has accepted your invitation as well. We'll attend, though we doubt much will come of it.]
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Post by Lonestar »

Ciudad del Fuego, San Fuego

The Centurion had turned around to the Southern coast of San Fuego, with only the Alleghany and Eel escorting her. On the North Side of the island the rest of the Bulwark strike was maneuvering, and the small San Fuegan Navy was watching it. San Fuego completely missed the Centurion task force.

3 miles off the coast, the welldeck opened as 5 PT-76s and 9 BMP-1s, painted in the 12th Shepistani Military Advisory Group, disembarked and made for shore. The seas down here were incredibly choppy, and there was concern that, no mattered how refurbished, the vehicles would sink quickly in the foul weather. Adding in that is was one in the morning…

But the small number of AFVs managed to get ashore, unnoticed. They moved up and behind the dunes and headed through downtown Ciudad del Fuego. Major Manjit Kolasklar, turban and Hakim dangling, poked out of the cupola of the lead PT-76. He was in Shepistani Army dress. He waved at the few people on the streets, not even the cops batted an eye at Shepistani army vehicles traveling through their city.

The convoy arrived at Ciudad del Fuego International airport, the only airport of note on this miserable ball of ice and mud. At the gate to the facility the San Fuego soldiers stop.

“Señor, I am sorry. But we were not expecting…” Major Kolasklar climbed out of his tank and walked up.

“You listen to me you worthless Dingleberry! Our BIGEYE 2D radar has detected a Dominion air assault heading this way! We’ve been sent over by Colonel Redaic to make sure that the airport is defended, you goon!” Kolasklar screamed in Shepistani-accented English, while jabbing the San Fuegan with a swagger stick. “Get me your fucking sergeant of the watch!”

“No need Señor!” The San Fuegan opened the gate. Kolasklar scowled, then climbed back on his tank, banging on it a few times so the driver would know to move forward.

The convoy entered the airfield then split up, each vehicle rushing to a predetermined location. 2 PT-76s began to open fire on the barracks of the Shepistani air detachment on the island, elsewhere ZPU AA guns were destroyed quickly, and the control tower/gate(it was one building) was seized by storm. Soon Helos carrying more troops arrived from the Centurion. Colonel Summers stepped off a EH101 and saluted Major Kolasklar.

“Good Job Major, 1st Airborne is on it’s way, and the runways look reasonably clear. The rest of the 1st Marine Commando is landing at the North end of the Island…” He stopped as explosions from the North punctuated his words “And the Lord Fairfax Strike Group has already begun evicting the Shepistani troops from West Fuckland island.”

Results: Operation TAINTED LOBSTER begins.
"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."
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Post by Raj Ahten »

FTO Joint Fleet Begins Series of Naval Exercises

Today the joint fleet of the FTO began a serious of naval exercises in the seas South of Frequesue. The stated Purpose of the exercises is to improve interoperability between the FTO nations and ensure the navigability and neutrality of the sea lanes.

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Meanwhile construction started on the new Joint FTO fleet command center in Indhopal.
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Post by Steve »

SiegeTank wrote:
Steve wrote:"And on the matter of Frequesue... so far my proposed conference has only received Vinish, Indhopalian, and Baernish support and intention to attend."
[OOC: Not that we matter a terribly great deal, but San Dorado already has accepted your invitation as well. We'll attend, though we doubt much will come of it.]
[OOC: Ooops. :oops: Sorry, missed your response to it.]
”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
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Post by Coiler »

CFR wilderness

As many had expected, the Revolutionary Front had refused to engage the invading FTO forces head-on, choosing to disappear into the wilderness. Thankfully, Coilerburg's military establishment had prepared for that, and had drafted up a plan that involved sending the great majority of their elitest men-the Recon/Assault Troopers- into the wilderness to face them. Fighting militias in dense wilderness was exactly what RATs were trained for, and a hundred of them were sent into the large area of wilderness known as Honou Forest where large numbers of Revolutionary Front militants were known to be hiding.

It would be guerilla against guerilla, but the next phase of the war in the CFR had begun.
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Post by Siege »

Steve wrote:[OOC: Ooops. :oops: Sorry, missed your response to it.]
Oh, it's okay, as long as you know we'll be present and accounted for :D.

(And now, for your daily dose of madness...)

A Right Proper Trashing

REAL EIGHT, near the Orizaco Bay, North-Frequesuan wilderness

San Doradan marines, Indhopali engineers and Tanstaafl gurkhas watched in awe as with the unearthly growling of massively powerful engines the Titan Trasher came to life. Metal shrieked as huge threads ground granite to dust, stone pulverized as the bucket wheel excavator rip-roaringly spun into action, and trees were uprooted and fed into the interior of the machine, to be sliced and diced and turned into fashionable tropical timbers to be sold for high prices on San Dorado’s markets.

Image

In a matter of minutes, the gigantic Trasher had sliced a path through the first hundred meters of jungle. In the cavernous control bay somewhere deep in the bowels of the machine, Milo McKenzie laughed boisterously. He loved big machines that made big noises, he loved destruction and above all else he loved making oodles of money, so all things considered he was having a pretty damned good day.

“That’s it!” McKenzie recklessly urged on the rows of technicians who controlled the titan. “Faster! Faster! See if we can take apart that hill in less than ten minutes!”

The man is a total nutcase, director Iago Morgan reflected amusedly. But then again, he’s from Shroomania. Madness is only to be expected. Besides, he’s a pretty damned useful nutcase at least…


Meanwhile, deep in the North-Frequesuan wilderness...

The massive stone pyramid had been nearly completely overrun by the teeming, hyper-aggressive jungle. It had stood here for centuries, millennia even, built in the time when the Tanstaafl Raj was at its absolute zenith of power and controlled the lands all around the bay. But as the Raj had receded the temple had fallen into disuse, only to be eventually rediscovered by its new occupants.

The thuggee tribes were cruel, vicious savages. They had to be, if they were to survive in the harsh jungles of North Frequesue, but centuries of fighting against a sprawling jungle that tried its best to kill them stone-dead had robbed the tribes of much of their humanity. Now, a ripple of activity went through the village at the foot of the ancient pyramid as a messenger, dressed only in rags and warpaint, hurried up the crumbling, eroded steps to disappear in the sanctum at its top.

The sanctum was perpetually shrouded in gloom. Somewhere in the darkness an indistinct voice murmured and babbled to itself. If anyone civilized had heard that infernal voice, it would surely have recognized it as utterly insane. But civilization was a long way away from here, and the thuggee considered the owner of that voice their god and master.

The messenger threw himself flat on the blood-stained stone floor. “Lord! Oh great lord! The great metal beast has been roused! The intruders are advancing into our most sacred jungle! What shall we do, great lord?”

Somewhere in the darkness, a presence stirred, moved, suddenly bolted upright. As if by a trick of the light, suddenly the messenger caught a glimpse of a face…

Image

The man who had once, a long time ago, been known as Colonel Walter Gewurtz of the San Dorado Army, gazed at the messenger with insane, bloodshot eyes. “Assemble the tribes!” he gibbered. “So we may make mighty war upon them!”
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Post by Vohu Manah »

Ninhursag Evening Post

Black Sea Region Talks Underway
Trilateral negotiations between the Crimson Star Republic, the Byzantium Empire and The Most Serene Republic of Ninhursag are currently underway at the Kun-lun Arcology. The negotiations relate to territorial control and resource use of the Black Sea Region as well as securing permanent access to strategic straits. Prime Minister Viola has stated that ironing out this arrangement is vital to the nation's health and welfare.

New Coast Guard Force Escalation Protocols Announced
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has updated the Coast Guards Force Escalation Protocols. Unlike many nations The Most Serene Republic of Ninhursag does not treat nor equip its Coast Guard as a military force and these protocol changes allow the Coast Guard to request military assistance under a wider range of issues.

Public Comment Period for Heavy Air Defense Acquisition Opens
The Prime Minister's Office today has announced an open public comment period in regards to the planned expansion of the nation's air defense network. The current plan is to acquire at least 2 S-300PMU-2 batteries, but the current budget revision allows the government to acquire as many as 4 full batteries. All public comments are to be sent via online form at the Prime Minister's website.

Government Confirms GSDF Presence in Valeria
In response to rumors of a foreign deployment the President's Office confirmed today that a single infantry fighting vehicle battalion was dispatched to support a scientific mission in Valeria. The expedition, formally led by the United Kingdom of Zoria, is a civilian support assignment and these forces are not expected to engage foreign forces in combat. In addition the President's Office confirmed the presence of Ninhursag civilians as part of the expedition.
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Post by Sea Skimmer »

Japanistanis North Eastern National Army Test Range

Dozens of Japanistani military and civilian officials had arrive at the range under tight security, accompanied by carefully screened media crews, including several from foreign broadcasters, in addition to several foreign military attaches. One by one they climbed into a set of lonely bleachers beside what appeared to be an old aircraft hanger perched on a small hill. In the valley down below were dozens of kilometers of dirt roads and pop up targets, a training and testing range for tank crews. At last, after an hours wait and endless complaints from the news crews sweltering in the hot sun, a uniformed Japanistani three star general emerged from the hanger.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said “but we wish for everything to be perfect and now it is.” The general walked to a small podium which several Japanistani soldiers had placed in front on the bleachers.

“The history of armored warfare has been a constant struggle between armor and firepower. Just six years ago Japanistani introduced the JTJ-99 tank, a sixty ton vehicle with a one hundred twenty five millimeter cannon, but we have now found its capabilities insufficient for the modern and particularly the urban battlefield. I am thus honored to present the new generation of mobile Japanistani armored firepower, the JTJ-100 Massive Land Dominance Overmatch Tank prototype. It is a vehicle without equal in the world!”

One this cue, the hanger doors began creaking open, and an enormous roar of a diesel engine filled the air. After a moment the heavy clatter of tracks followed, and the JTJ-100 emerged into the open air. It was enormous, particularly the main gun barrel which was far longer then a standard 120mm tank gun and clearly of a much higher caliber. An enormous bulge of modular armor surrounded it. The tank had a convetional mid mounted turret, with heavy side skirts and slat armored surrounding the rear. Reactive armor was present on the sides, and top, even the tops of the hatches, but not the frontal arc. An large automatic cannon was on the right side of the turret, fitted externally with only a light armor housing and an ammo feed that led back to a large canister attached on the turret rear.

“The JTJ-100,” continued the general as the tank approached “is a ninety ton vehicle incorporating armor completely proof against 120mm shells and Hellfire missiles at point, with flank and roof armor able to defeat virtually any infantry tank weapon. JTJ-100 is armed with a 152mm cannon of forty calibers, but may also be armed with a higher velocity 140mm weapon when desired. Both guns use three pieces barrels which may be disassembled in the field for ease of transportation, even with two pieces removed the gun may still be fired safely, abet with reduced performance and increased blast. The secondary automatic cannon is 45mm caliber and intended for urban fighting and anti aircraft missions with elevation to eighty degrees. A coaxial 12.7 or 7.62mm machine gun may be fitted, in addition to a standard remote control roof mounted 12.7mm weapon.”

By now thei JTJ-100 had rolled up behind the general, and sat idling, hatches closed, but with occasional movements from one of the two FLIR turrets fitted on the turret roof.
“Unfortunately,” continued the general “one of the two truly revolutionary features of this Land Dominance System, a radar fire control system able to track moving targets at ten kilometers and issue course corrections to shells and missiles in flight has not been cleared for public viewing.”

Several observers made notes of the comment, and began looking suspiciously a a low profile buldge on the forward part of the turret top with no other obvious purpose.

“However,” the general never stopped talking, “the other revolutionary feature may soon be found on tanks across the world. Not only does the JTJ-100 employ a hybrid electric power transmission system, it also employs two separate engines. You have already heard the 1200hp diesel, now witness the 1,000hp turbine.”

One cue the steady rumble of the diesel was joined by the whining of a fast spinning gas turbine and the heat plum rising from the rear exhaust ports increased dramatically. The JTJ-100 began moving at once, accelerating surprisingly quickly for its great size.

“With both engines running the JTJ-100 is not only highly mobile, its power to weight ratio actually exceeds that of many conventional tanks,” said the general. “while the hybrid system allows for a silent creep or overwatch mode and the diesel may be employed alone for fuel efficient road marches and reduced thermal signature. Either engine is capable of powering the tank alone, should the other fail.”

For the next hour the small audience watched in awe as the huge Japanistani tank rumbled through obstacle courses and displayed its turret traverse rates and main gun elevation, though it never fired a shot. Of course, mobility on dry hard packed earth was quite different from mobility in the jungles of New Sumatra, and many of the foreigners were already wondering just what Japanistani intended to do with its new Land Dominance System.
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Post by Sea Skimmer »

In The Great Dire Swamp of Al-Karima, New Sumatra Special Security Region

The swamp was a refuge for the resistance, one of the last remaining pieces of New Sumatran territory on which the Liberation Front for the Preservation of New Sumatra could display itself openly, and train and organize more then an armed rabble of a force. For 35 unbroken years Christian and Muslim had resisted the Japanistani occupation, but for the first 20 they had spent as many resources fighting each other and jockeying for position as they had resisting the real enemy. Now the Liberation Front, formed from the remnants of three previous organizations had united both sides, but it had been too little, too late to continue the fight for the cities. Now only the deepest pockets of the jungle remained.

Stretching for more then fifty miles through open plains and valleys alike, the the Great Dire Swamp was an area of muck fifty feet deep criss crossed by numerous small channels of open water, with numerous small dry islands dotted in-between the trees and marsh area. The combination made mobility by ground vehicle almost impossible, and even amphibians could rarely pick a path through the watery cypress groves. Japanistani had tried to drain the swamp but the monsoons had washed away the dams. It had tried defoliants but the dead areas became even more impassable as trees toppled and what little dry land existed turned to mud and slid away. Meanwhile, the resistance, moving on small boats between dozens of tiny base camps was able to defend all possible approaches with carefully concealed bunkers and endless bobby traps and obstacles. Even when Japanistan had resorted to air landing men by helicopter onto islands cleared by bombing it had made little progress, isolated on knolls of dry land they suffered heavy from snipers, mortars and the generally harsh conditions.

It was because of all this that the Liberation Front, supplied by captured weapons and the covert deliveries of foreign intelligence services, had repelled no less then 11 Japanistani offensives into the swamp in the last 8 years. Each time the Japanistani infantry had been massacred in the mud, the thin skinned amphibious BTRs reduced to floating funeral pyre, the hulks then used to make more barriers to future incursions. Throughout this time Japanistan had bombed the swamp from the air on a regular basis, but few bombs caused ay damage. Cluster weapons burst in the trees, while iron bombs dug deeply into the mud, the earth muffling the blast and containing fragments. At times poison gas had rained from the air, but with the resistance fighters so dispersed and concealed losses were rarely significant. Creating a lethal gas cloud over a wide area of watery swamp, with the targets occupying only the high ground, was just not possible.

Now however Abdul A'leim, former fighter for the New Sons of Jihad, and now co commander of the Liberation Front for the Preservation of New Sumatra was worried. Japanistan had more forces then ever to commit against the swamp, and was pursuing a new strategy with them. Roads were being pushed through the jungle all around the vast swamp by gangs of fellow countrymen working in atrocious conditions, and a railway track was coming close. They had launched raids to attack the works, liberating countrymen and killing Japanistanis, but the results were disappointing, the work continued, and most disturbingly, of those liberated, only handfuls now joined the resistance, and some refused to even leave the worksites.

Aided by half good roads and the railway, heavy Japanistani guns and even huge railway guns could now shell any part of the swamp from a series of well fortified fire bases, and ISR aircraft equipped with the latest technology patrolled almost constantly. Massive carpet bombing had been supplemented by precision attacks, Japanistan was exterminating the Liberation Front one small camp, one small bunker, one tiny spiderhole, and even one person at a time.

His own command bunker, shared with the Christian co commander of the Front, John Rodgers, was no defence, it provided concealment, but the roof could only be a few feet thick or else the floor would flood. That was the price of being on an island no higher then 15 feet above the waters surface.

“We must do something,” said A'leim to Rodgers as both of them watched a tiny, achinet TV set showing the latest proclamations urging for peace and unity from New Sumatra’s Japanistani appointed local puppet government. “or all hope will be lost.”

“We have to think outside the box,” said Rodgers. “do something unexpected and spectacular that will get the damn Japs back on the defensive.”

“No, said A'leim. “We have always thought outside the box, it is the way of any resistance, now perhaps, it is time to strike outside the box.”
"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
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Lonestar
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Post by Lonestar »

Kitchen, Royal Palace

Dispite getting use to being waited on hand and foot as the head of state of the LSR, then as a “young nobleman”, then as the Lord Fairfax, Lonestar generally preferred to get his own beverages. He’d been in the office watching some of the TAINTED LOBSTER feeds, everything seemed to be going as planned, for once…

“…I want a girl with a short skirt and loooong…” Lonestar was singing, as he reached for the orange juice. The lights flickered, then dimmed.

“Long jacket?” Came a voice on the other side of the refrigerator door. Lonestar paused, looked up. Marina was standing there, looking as gaunt and sickly as ever, in a duster.

Lonestar slammed the door shut and yanked open the flatware drawer, pulling out a steak knife. Marina reached out and grabbed the wrist of the hand holding the knife, and squeezed…it was as if she were breaking his wrist.

“Don’t be stupid, Matt. You’re in enough trouble as it is.”

Lonestar was struggling, grabbing drawer handles and trying to pull himself away from her. One of the drawers that was yanked out had a Maglite in it. He reached down, grabbed it, turned it on and pointed it at her eyes. Hissing, Marina let go of his other hand, and Lonestar swung the 18 inch aluminum flashlight at her head as hard as he could, causing her to stagger back.

“Believe me, I’ve thought this through. I had, discretely, of course, all the lightbulbs in all the flashlights on the premises replaced with those lights we use for Vitamin D deficiency in polar regions. I thought that swapping out every fluorescent light would be a bit loud, and you might choose to just turn off all the lights in that scenario. Then where would I be?” He was babbling. Marina hissed

“No more games.”

Suddenly Lonestar felt as if a plastic bag was being wrapped around his head. He couldn’t breath, at all! He dropped the maglite and started grabbing at his face with his good hand. A rising sense of panic came over him.

“If I stop, will you be more polite?” Marina said in a sweet tone that didn’t go at all with her appearance(or the wet hacking coughs).

Lonestar nodded. Suddenly the bag was removed and air came rushing into his lungs.

*gasp gasp*

“What,” *gasp* “Do you want?” *gasp*

“This is just a bit of a notice. I’m going to give Arik some of my genetic material.” She said, then looked at Lonestar, as if expecting a response.

There’s a joke in there somewhere. Lonestar thought. Genetic material? I wonder if she knows….

“So?”

Marina gave a wintry smile. “He’s going to get it by way of me Vamping people.”

“What? No. That’s monstrous, even for you.”

“Ha, that’s funny.” Marina paused. “This from a guy who is using prisoners as incubators for the virus in me. Oh…don’t get me wrong, I find it deliciously funny,“ *cough* “using Ay-rab drug runners as test subjects, but you have a serious case of cognitive dissonance going on. Not to mention that you're using my DNA without my permission. At least I secured a promise from Arik to treat the people I infect like my kids, which is what I'd do on Earth. You, on the other hand, are taking basically the equivalent of my eggs and forcibly implanting them in random people. You're fucking with my gene-line, and that's pretty damned close to forced experimentation on me.”

“Bullshit. Controlled conditions in a secure lab, on criminals, is a hell of a lot different than vamping people. In public. You may be making a big deal out of your 'genetic material', but it's just a damn bug and it isn't you. Anyway, I'm not letting them live and pollute your family or whatever. And if you try to start spreading it, it would be only a matter of time before Shep or Skimmer got a hold of a subject and begin bioweapon research.”

Marina cocked her head, with a dangerously amused look. “And that isn’t what you’re doing right now?”

“Not really, that’s just something…that’s a side effect of the research, longetivity? A healing factor? These are the kinds of things we can get from your virus. Why are you doing this?”

“Q believes that humanity needs to go out, push itself beyond it’s current limitations…I happen to think that creating a…situation where the public would think that an alien pathogen from spaace!"--she snickered as she emphasized the word--"is on the planet would spur space exploration. Expand our horizons, as it were. Ultimately, I think, this will be good for your race. Incidentally, it's a group of three separate protist species which are all living together in a colony with an HERV commonly infecting them. Though I suppose you don't listen to your eggheads that much, do you? Good; otherwise I'd start killing them.”

Lonestar noticed she said “your”, probably in a pointed refutation of his earlier dismissal of her complaints, and ground his teeth a bit at the mocking tone she took when correcting him. “No. I’ll, I’ll go public with the real story if you do this.”

“Go ahead. How long would it be until the House of Burgesses declares you incapacitated by reason of insanity?” Marina looked at her nails, which were no less grotesquely colored than the rest of her body. “Something to think about. Now, play nice. And try to remember that if you're playing around with my genes to infect people, that's sort of like, ah, what's that delicious early twenty-first century term? Sort of like you're my 'baby-daddy', yeah.” The grin was utterly ruthless and showed her fangs. "Except I don't really think I've ever been your idea of a wife, and especially not now. So, if you lose your country, and Q stops caring about you... Well, I liked you, so you probably won't die. But I seriously recommend staying in power for life. Just a helpful suggestion."

She disappeared, the lights returned to full brightness, and Lonestar’s wrist was back to normal.

“Fuck.” Lonestar said.
"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."
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Shinn Langley Soryu
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Post by Shinn Langley Soryu »

Orena, PeZookia

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FILE PHOTO: A sketch of Monica Kruszewska (left) and Anya Alstreim, dated early 2007

Though she had long been fascinated by warfare and violence, Monica Kruszewska's military career had mostly been a failure. She was expelled from PeZookia's most prestigious military academy for cheating in her very first semester; after she was expelled, she fled the country and became a mercenary in Velaria, spending most of her time in al-Akharabat. She had been in the business for barely a year when, in 2000, she somehow found herself a member of the Knights of Rounds, the Langley military junta that had taken power after the death of its previous ruler, Gilbert "Papa Doc" Durandal. Monica's militaristic fantasies were realized at last when she was commissioned as a Field Marshal in the Langley Army during the swearing-in ceremony of the junta members.

For seven years, Monica tried to maintain the pretense of being someone much greater than she really was. In both civilian and military life, she possessed great power, and she never passed up any opportunity, no matter how trivial, to exercise it. Overall, life for her was good...until she and the other Knights of Rounds ran afoul of Lelouch Lamperouge. Her weaknesses as a strategist and commander were laid bare for all to see when she was thrust into one confrontation after another with Lelouch and his rebels; in the end, she fell like all the other Knights of Rounds when Lelouch's forces overran the few loyalists left and seized the Royal Palace in Ashford City. She and the surviving Knights (one of them had defected to Lelouch's side, two were killed outright during the coup, and at least one had gone missing) were put on trial and left to rot in prison until Lelouch and his administration could figure out something better to do with them.

A year after the coup, Monica and two other surviving Knights of Rounds, Nonette Enneagram and Dorothea Ernst, were given reprieves of sorts; they were released from prison and allowed to settle in the country of their choice, on the simple condition that they never set foot on Langley soil again for the rest of their lives. While Dorothea chose Canissia and Nonette chose Shroomania for their respective places of exile, Monica decided to finally go home at last.

The LOT PeZookian Airlines Boeing 767 carrying Monica touched down at Orena International Airport without incident, exactly one day after King Arik of Canissia made his own arrival there. In contrast to the pomp and fanfare that accompanied the Canissian sovereign, this former ruler of Langley received no special welcome; Miss Kruszewska was just a regular civilian passenger like everyone else.

That was exactly how she wanted it.
Last edited by Shinn Langley Soryu on 2008-09-06 01:32am, edited 1 time in total.
I ship Eino Ilmari Juutilainen x Lydia V. Litvyak.

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Stofsk: What are you, his mother?
The Yosemite Bear: Obviously, which means that he's grounded, and that she needs to go back to sucking Mr. Coffee's cock.

"d-did... did this thread just turn into Thanas/PeZook slash fiction?" - Ilya Muromets[/size]
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Post by Fingolfin_Noldor »

Imperial Chronicles

Sarajevo

"I have always regarded Old Dominion whiskey as pretty excellent whiskey. Sure, Greek wine is the most popular item on the Byzantine menu, but whiskey has often attracted a select bunch. Thank you for the whiskey," said the Emperor.

"It's was my pleasure," smiled Shady.

Finishing the Whiskey, Heraclius placed the glass on the table. "So Marek is dead. Good riddance to that overambitious scum. But the power vacuum in the area needs to be remedied. Establishment of a government must take priority. Fortunately, our forces there should provide a deterrent for any of the other overambitious bastards, who are no doubt as bad as, if not worse than Marek.

What strikes me as.. unusual was that he would dare make the power grab at all. He should have known we would react. Strategic miscalculation? Did you find out anything from him?

That aside, I believe we have much to talk about. Particularly the Continental defence system and possibly even a Common Ocean defence agreement to guard ocean and trade."
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Your spirit, diseased as it is, refuses to allow you to give up, no matter what threats you face... and whatever wreckage you leave behind you.
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Post by Coiler »

FTO announces development of weapons systems

The FTO has announced its development of the "Future Arsenal Warfare Systems" program. Exactly what comprises it is unclear, although it is described as including both land, naval, and aerial elements.

The vehicles and weapons developed by the FAWS program will be built domestically in the FTO states.
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