SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Fourth

[Czechmate]

San Loma, Vitoze
Senate House - Office Annex

One Month Ago

Prime Minister Santino Valderino was livid. A bill he and the Nationalist Party of Vitoze (NRV) had considered vital had failed its' third and final vote in the Senate, forcing a vote of no-confidence...which had passed. He was now facing an election in a time of all-time low popular support for the NRV, and his booming voice was deafening in the Annex boardroom.

"...I do not believe this, Georgio! You promised me the support of the Conservative Centrists and you did not come through! This defense-procurement bill was supposed to be a breeze, authorizing nearly two billion lira to purchase weapons from Tonkin and keep us safe from Emmeria and Polaria, but it failed by seven damned votes! And you, Toleri! You were to deliver the independents from the northern townships, and you didn't! Clearly none of you gave this the thought required. Allow me to enlighten you of a proverb from our ancient times.

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

For want of seven votes, gentlemen, we now face an election in which we must compete against the Reunionists, who are at their all-time strongest. For want of seven votes, gentlemen, we now face losing the power we have held and benefitted from since we declared independence fifteen years ago. Go back to your villas, your mansions, your yachts, and think about what you've gained, and what you may lose. We're done here."

The politicos shuffled out, eyes downcast, trying to avoid the gaze of the livid PM.

---

Election time in Vitoze! The unpopular Nationalist-Conservatives have stumbled a step too far and now face their eternal opposition, the Reunificationists, in federal electoral combat. Stay tuned!

[Czechmate]

Ruins of Silvat, Joint Neutrality Area, Emmerian-Polarian Demilitarized Zone
Grove of Sorrows

Yes? Well? What makes you bother an old veteran who just wants to find a little bit of communion with the spirits of the lost?

Oh. So, you want to hear the story, huh? I guess the spirits can wait a little while, while I tell you. I don't think they'll mind.

Fifteen years ago, there was a war.

The Emmerian Reich, under the twin strains of social upheaval and nationalist sentiment within its' provincial territories, fractured into three. In the north, a nationalist movement re-established the ancient nation of Polaria and threatened to make war against the Reich. In the west, the isle of Vitoze quietly slipped out of the Reich's hands and into neutrality, depriving the Reich of many soldiers and a great deal of their supplies. The remainder, the central heartland of the Reich, found itself standing alone, its' military and economy fractured. The leader of Polaria seized upon this chance to secure control of the largest surviving portion of old Großemmerischland. His soldiers poured across the border, striking deep into the Emmerian heartland. His men were on the brink of taking the Imperial capitol of Gracemeria when they were stopped by the actions of a thousand thousand Emmerian men. While Polaria had been attempting to plunder the heartland of the old Reich, the Reich had been gathering all its' remaining strength for a counterattack.

The surprise was absolute.

In a matter of weeks, the Polarians were driven back to the border, to the metropolis known as Silvat. In the months afterward, fierce fighting took place there and in southern Polaria. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and by the time the Armistice was signed Silvat was little more than ruins. The DMZ came to encompass most of the city's central districts, and it's been a necropolis, a city of the dead, ever since. It is said by the few who remain here that the ruins of Silvat are haunted; haunted by the civilians who were slain here, haunted by the soldiers who fought and died here. It is also said that all the spirits of those who died in the war congregate here, in the Grove of Sorrows, waiting in hopes of being able to communicate with their loved ones one last time.

That's why I'm here, anyways. Answer your question?

[Pollux]

[Brought to you by Fucking Unreal TimeTM.]

No-Man's-Land, former NDF territory
Empyrean City, Misteria

Kupchenko was dead before he hit the ground, his chest torn apart by a hail of 7.62mm from Arkady's M78. The lieutenant, on the other hand, managed to get off two rounds, both of them striking the metal of the car centimeters away from Boris' head. Boris was not so inaccurate, and three rounds landed square in Ivanov's gut, knocking him over with a groan.

Arkady leapt up and kicked the gun away from the still very alive Mikhail Ivanov, while Boris delivered the coup de grace. The sounds of the firefight quickly died away; they were alone again.

Arkady dropped the M78 and picked up Kupchenko's CZ 75, while Boris procured another Tantal. Together, they began to pick through the battlefield, looking for survivors and choice bits of loot. Moments after they started, however, a crackly, amplified voice rang out from behind them:

"You there! Both of you! Drop your weapons and surrender!"

Arkady and Boris turned around, and saw a platoon of Army troops, weapons raised and trained on them, about fifty meters down the street. One of them, in the dress of an officer, was armed with a megaphone, through which he continued to order them to surrender.

Arkady and Boris threw their weapons to the ground and held their hands high. Several soldiers immediately darted for them, followed by the rest of the platoon. They were grabbed by several soldiers and searched for more weapons. The other soldiers moved on to the battlefield, scavenging and finding the wounded.

Meanwhile, the Tarkovsky brothers' hands were being tightly bound with some rope, while the officer stood by them and surveyed the carnage, his eyes wide.

"Did... did you do all of this? Kill all these men?"

"No," said Boris. "We had some men with us, about a dozen."

"That is still... how many? Fifty or sixty killed!"

"Mhm," was Arkady's reply, shrugging as best as he could.

The officer said nothing, but it was clear that he was deep in thought, as he sat down on an empty crate.

Arkady and Boris could hear the soldiers beginning to joke and gossip behind them, as they finished picking over the dead. A short sergeant stomped up to the officer, rifle slung on his back.

"Yes?" asked the officer.

"We have six wounded worth taking care of. The rest, we can't do anything for."

"Very well. Have our trucks brought up..." said the officer, his eyes moving to fall on the Tarkovskys.

"...which brings me to you. I will give you a choice here: you can ride back to the HQ with the wounded, and probably be consigned to some godforsaken prison camp for twenty years..." the officer trailed off, letting the threat hang there for a little bit.

"...or! Or you can come, and you can fight for us, and when this is all over, we'll just pretend you never betrayed your country, that you remained loyal to the Revolution." The officer laughed. "An easy choice, no?"

"Yeah," said Boris. "Easy."

RESULT:

Uhm... recurring characters?
Sorry the quality of this post is shit, but I've been laid low these past few days, and my writing has suffered as a result.

[Lonestar]

Ares Blog

ODAAF Flight Demonstration team departs for Messmerica
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F-35A to replace F-39s
The ODAAF has issued a letter of intent to purchase 180 F-35As from the Shinra Republic. The new-build aircraft will replace the F-39 Super Griffins which will be sent to the ODAAF storage facility...[More]


ODAAF to purchase new trainers, retire A-10s
The Combat Optics M-346 has been chosen as the next jet trainer for the ODAAF and ODN. In addition the ODAAF plans on retiring a third of the A-10 fleet within the next 2 years, while expediting production of the B-1E Ambassador...[More]

[K. A. Pital]

COMMUNE-2 AFB, UCSR

- Eridan, this is Korshun. You are now entering the engagement zone. Detect and neutralize, Korshun out, - she heard.

Marina concentrated and reduced the emissions of her experimental fighter to zero. The CF-01M, pinnacle of the Union's fighter engineering, obscenely expensive but absolutely necessary in a world where a new spiral of militarism created fleets of thousands of next-generation war planes, was hers to fly. It was a demonstration of the Union's dedication to gender equality - a secret installation and people whose very existence was kept a secret, and yet here she was, a woman and a test pilot.

Marina flew the machine in complete silence. This was a critical test of a new system, and she did not want to screw up. The intruders were stealthy machines - fighters similar to her own, except refitted for a strike role. They had their own tasks, of course. But she was intent on intercepting them. The belly of her fighter had a small, almost invisible glassy spot, which concealed a 9.115 micron LIDAR. It was designed to detect the wake vortices of stealthy intruders. Now, if she's lucky - she tried to flicker the LIDAR for a little. Blam, blam... and... she detected a contrail some 10 km away. Crap... they are close. But they should be - the atmospheric conditions were far from optimal. Still the icy particles so often present at this altitude were enough to have a successful result. Turning the machine, Marina thought that the engines are behaving somewhat worse than on serial CF-01s. The CF-01M was still going through the development process, which meant lots and lots of rough edges along the way.

Now she was approaching the enemy, and if she correctly extrapolated their flight path - hopefully they did not detect her probing them, but even if so - she would be able to launch the missiles from inside their dead zone, aquiring both a terminal IR lock-on for one missile and a radar lock-on for another. It was the most definete way to score a kill.

The CF-01 was somewhere there, a deadly beast of prey and probably commanded by a pilot of equal skill compared to Marina. Now, by her projections she would be withing 3-5 kilometers away, so she flared the LIDAR again. She just needed to confirm the location of her target. The contrail was there...

- Here we go, - she broke the silent regime and released two missiles. Lock-on was confirmed. Now the intruder had some problems - evading missiles that have different seeking mechanisms turned on, and doing so in the scope of mere seconds. Suffice to say, he had no chances at all.

- This is Eridan, confirm hit, - Marina requested.

- Korshun. Hit confirmed, Eridan. Proceed, - ground control had a voice so dull that she thought for a moment the operator was replaced with a computer or something.

- Negative, Korshun, engine issues. I think the risk is too big. Returning for another check.

- Acknowledged, Eridan. We're setting up for your arrival. Korshun out, - the ether was silent once again.

Result: a UCSR female test pilot tests built-in LIDAR systems for wake detection as the latest string of UCSR counter-stealth efforts comes to light

[PeZook]

Co-written with Rogue

Midgar, Shinra Republic, early morning

Nobody expect much more from the visit than what has already transpired: Paul spent the last two days visiting factories and landmarks, speaking with representatives of trade unions, students and the press. He ate a traditional Shinra hamburger, and visited the Biowar Victim Memorial Foundation.

It was tiresome, but overall - quite satisfying. He missed his wife, however, and very much enjoyed the thought that only scant hours from now, he'd be back aboard his airplane, headed for home.

Home...it's interesting that he called this strange world that. Paul barely even remembered his old life on Earth...his parents, the irritating-but-awesome parents-in-law, the comfortable home with a yard he never got to arrange...all replaced by palaces and servants and day-to-day decisions affecting thousands. And the false memories, which constantly gnawed at his true identity, confusing his original and...current...parents. Agatha was his only connection, his only proof, for lack of a better world, that there was once more to Paul than King Paul the First. And, in a way, so was Lena.

He smiled and shook his head. It was a special day today, the anniversary of the Second War of The World - and however ridiculous the name sounded, for the people of this world, it was just as real as WWII was for him once.

Yawning, Paul headed for the bathroom attached to his plush hotel suite, and began to get ready.

Unknown Soldier Memorial, a few hours later

The ceremony was grand. Despite the ever-dwindling number of veterans, who fell prety to old age one after another, they were shown the utmost respect. Honor guards of all major services marched in parade, MPs lay flowers under the memorial, there were speeches and shaking of hands.

Finally, Paul approached a podium prepared especially for him. Cameras trailed his every move, and a strange silence fell above the Memorial.

Paul placed his hands on the podium and began to speak.

"Gracious citizens of the Shinra Republic, and the world. It is a special day that you are watching this transmission. More than a half-century ago, an evil and corrupt regime decided to wage their war against the entire world, guided by an ideology so vile that no other managed to match it since.

We celebrate today both a day of remembrance of this terrible tragedy, which would lead to a conflict that would consume millions, and at the same time, we remember how nations of the world, great and small, socialist and democratic, came together in a grand display of human solidarity and spirit and fought, side by side, to burn the scourge of nazism from the face of the Earth.

My home country was the first to be ravaged by this war, and it is no coincidence that I undertook a journey of good will to the Shinra Republic on this special anniversary. PeZookia and the Shinra Republic have always belonged to different international organizations ; We've always been ideologically different, and yet so similar at the same time: where the Shinra believe in strenght of the human will and freedom above all, PeZookia puts more emphasis on collective work and co-operation for the good of society. However, we both value freedom, and self-determination of all nations.

In recent years, the MESS and CATO alliances, both associations of great nations with grand histories and achievements they can be rightfully proud of, have nearly come to blows over various matters, large and small. Many harsh words were said during the various crises and international incidents. It is regrettable that lives were lost as well, in ways that could've been prevented.

I would like you all to consider, however, that despite our disagreements and what seems like ideological opposition,both alliances managed to achieve great things together.

Together, we have went to the Moon. Many saw the moon landings as a race of sorts, but in reality, the Mess Space Agency and FASTA co-operated heavily throughout their struggle towards Man's greatest achievement.

Together, we bring aid and comfort to the poor and downtrodden people of Velaria.

Together, we create wonders of modern medicine, restoring sight to the blind, giving hands to the crippled and lives to the...what is it?"

An aide approached him and whispered something. Paul's expression changed, ever so subtly. He gripped the podium tightly, as if he suddendly had trouble standing.

All of a sudden, dozens of journalists and aides started picking up their phones. A quiet murmur rose from the crowd.

"Excuse me...", Paul babbled into the microphone, suddendly going pale, and walked off the podium. His security detail immediately surrounded their King and hurriedly led him away towards the armored motorcade, which drove in from its holding point right beyond the corner.

"What happened? Can somebody tell me exactly what happened?", he asked the minute he was seated inside the limo.

Tri-Cities, Long Street

A huge man, obviously a bodybuilder, was beating another one to death with a chair, grabbed from a nearby cafe. Two small women were stabbing a police officer, screaming wildly. Hundreds of people were attacking each other with any weapon they could find, screaming in rage. Nobody was safe: the gas affected everyone, from huge muscular men to little children.

Even worse were those who were armed with anything else than bare fists: they maintained the ability to use those weapons, and so police officers emptied entire magazines into crowds, while others caved in skulls with their truncheons.

In a way, the premature release of the gas on Long Street, despite foiling part of the kindapping, made the situation in the city much worse. As emergency services and riot police rushed into old town, other canisters planted all over began releasing their deadly payloads. Soon, what the authorities perceived as a spontaneous riot, quickly turned into a massive orgy of destruction, with thousands upon thousands of people - mostly tourists - attempting to murder their fellow people.

Crisis response units were stretched thin. Even as riot police attempted to bring rage-affected people under control on and around Long Street, enraged mobs burned down businesses and set upon each other near the civilian harbor. It didn't take long for fires to start, whether by accident, unaffected people trying to defend themselves, or deliberately by looters taking advantage of the situation.

Thus, when the call came informing of the attack against the Prime Minister's yacht, no rescue assets were available.



Burza-2, 100 meters above the Tri-City Bay

"Holy shit, did you see that?!", the pilot shouted, seeting the yacht erupt in a massive fireball, "Was that the Queen's yacht?!"

"Fuck, I think it was...", his partner replied, scanning the area with binoculars, "What do we do?"

He was thinking, of course, about their order to evacuate the Queen. A speedboat was, quite obviously, running away from the scene of the explosion, its crew throwing smoke flares into the water to obscure themselves - the helicopter could either pursue the boat, or try and look for survivors.

"We search the site. She may still be alive."

With loud thumping of the rotors, the massive machine came to a hover over burning debris, and began to circle. Bodies were soon spotted, and two Formoza commandoes volunteered to jump into the sea in order to help them.

"We have the Queen!", one of them reported soon, "She's alive, but unconscious!"

The helicopter continued to circle, dropping whatever floatation devices it had onboard. The commandoes swam between the wounded, securing them one by one.

"What's the ETA on SAR units?"

"Uh, unknown. We have private yachts converging on the location."

Distant shooting announced that Border Guard patrols tried to engage the escaping speedboat, though the results were unknown to the helicopter's crew. Even worse, the wind was starting to pick up, making the sea choppy, and increasing the difficulty in keeping the wounded alive and afloat.

A tiny private sailboat somehow managed to be the first one on the scene, before even the destroyer. Its skipper, a private citizen who simply wanted to watch the parade, approached with practiced ease and began fishing out the wounded - starting with the Queen.

Other boats arrived soon, and right behind them was the destroyer, Burza, which began lowering its launches to participate. Time was critical - the weather was breaking down, and it would soon become impossible to continue the operation.

Shinra Building, Midgar, Shinra Republic

The King charged into the War Room, where President Shinra and his closest aides were already waiting. One of the secretaries was briefing him on what the republic's intelligence service knew so far, and what they could do to help.

"Your Majesty...", the President said formally, rising to meet his guest, "I'm afraid there's been no word about the rescue operation so far."

"What do we know? What exactly happened?", Paul asked, sitting down heavily. His own people would take a bit of time to get here from the embassy.

"A bombing, apparently, and there's a violent riot in the city at the same time. We don't know who or how yet," the Secretary informed dutifully.

A military officer entered the room suddendly, "Sirs...we've received information from the embassy. The Queen is alive, they're flying her to a hospital right now."

"What about Lena?", Paul asked.

"No word yet, sir. We'll let you know as soon as we find out."

"I understand." It was obvious the King was trying to control himself despite incredible grief. And barely managing to do it. "With all due respect, Mr. President...I don't think I'll be of much help here. I feel I should return to my country immediately."

"Naturally", Rufus Shinra got up, "Please allow me to state that should PeZookia require any help, the Republic would be glad to provide it."

A memory formed in King Paul's mind. It was, for him, about fifty years ago and another world. A nuclear showdown involving the MESS and UAR. As it finally seemed to be quieting down, assassins had awaited the King's return to PeZookia. But they were foiled, and when Paul arrived he was greeted by the soldiers of PeZookia's Airmobile Division. With them were a platoon of Shinra Republic Army Rangers - the 'special relationship' between both Republics, which puzzled political analysts of Nova Terra, went far further than any pundit could imagine.

"Thank you, Mr. President," Paul said, "I will instruct the ambassador to form a team which can co-ordinate any aid or response."

Rufus Shinra nodded. As the PeZookians prepared to leave, he approached Paul and put a hand on his arm.

"Paul, let me tell you this...", he said quietly, "If Armageddon happened tomorrow, it still won't be enough to stop me from finding the bastards who did that. We're all with you."

"Thanks. This means a lot to me.", Paul answered. And it was true: in a world of geopolitical games, public statements and nationalist sentiments, a simple human gesture really was a priceless gift.

[PeZook]

WARNING WARNING WARNING

Flash message to all foreign governments

Possible bioterror attack in progress on PeZookian soil. BIOCOM travel advisory is in effect.

Please advise foreign nationals that all international flights to and from PeZookia have been suspended. Tri-Cities Metropolitan Area has been declared a disaster zone and is under quarantine procedures pending investigation by local authorities.

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

Priority dispatch to all ships in the Tri-Cities Bay Area

Search and rescue operation underway in the bay area. All ships are advised to contact authorities on channel 13 in order to co-ordinate aid rendered.

All yachts and ships without navigational aids and foul weather capability are to return to port immediately.

Weather breaking down. Repeat, all yachts and ships without foul weather capability are to reutn to port immediately.

Wind 9 SSE, sea state 4.

Priority dispatch to all ships in the Tri-Cities Bay Area...

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



Orena Evening News

We interrupt our programming to bring you stunning news from the Tri-Cities Metropolitan Area.

Our correspondents reporting on the Tall Ships Races have informed us that a riot has erupted in several spots around the entire metro area. Unconfirmed reports indicate that some sort of attack occured as well against one of the ships participating in the Races.

The government has currenly released no statements pertaining to the situation. We will keep you informed as more information surfaces.

[Siege]

Private yacht 'Golden Heart', the Mediterranean

“How perfectly ordinary. And bland” commented Sidney, who watched King Paul's motorcade snake through the streets of Midgar on its way to the Unknown Soldier Memorial. The TV on the open rear deck of the megayacht was muted. Outside the weather was turning and the water was getting choppy. “I just wish-”

The crew would never find out what the ex-president wished. His words were abruptly cut off by the flare of a heavy explosion. A wave of displaced wet air slapped across the deck as fire billowed up but a few miles to starboard. Startled by the unexpected violence Sidney's subconscious dredged up memories of other explosions, the ruined, burning wreck of a helicopter... He stood frozen, as if nailed to the aft deck as the column of fire and smoke mushroomed away in the distance.

Then the bodyguards kicked into action. He felt the heavy hand of McBride on his shoulder as they rustled him below deck. Guards and crewmen hustled back and forth with frantic purpose. The sight of sudden chaos shook him out of his stupor. “What's going on out there!” Sidney shouted as the engines of the yacht rumbled to life beneath him. “I need information now!”

McBride was holding half a headset over his left ear. “Reports are coming in now. Some kind of explosion, in the direction of the Prime Minister's yacht.”

Sidney could scarcely believe the words coming out of his bodyguard's cigarette-stained mouth. Then his jaw set. “Get us over there.”

“Sir, we should get clear of here, we're getting word of a disturbance in the Tri-Cities... This can't be a coincidence.”

“All the more reason to see if we can help. We're the biggest private yacht around, and we've got Lucy hidden in the bow in case we run into any trouble.”

“Sir...” The former paratrooper seemed conflicted. “I strongly advise... With the riot, and the weather...”

“Don't object, just do it!” the ex-president snarled. “We're a bloody 160-meter ocean-going yacht, we can deal with the stupid weather!” Sidney stared at the column of smoke rising from the water as the yacht began to move. The knot in his stomach told him something had just gone terribly wrong in his world.

[PeZook]

Tri-Cities Bay

The wind was blowing in force now, and the chop - already bad not ten minutes ago - threatened to overcome the handling capabilities of the Chaber, a tiny sailboat which was the first to arrive near the scene of the bombing.

It's skipper, Dawid Brzózka, was an experienced sailor, however. He dropped the foresail and reefed his main with the help of his wife and teenage son, and then executed a textbook approach to a tiny group of wounded people, held together by two Formoza commandoes.

The soldiers appraised the boat and made a quick decision. They had two sailors, a bodyguard and the Queen, and the boat would only be able to take one, maybe two survivors withou endagering its crew. They separated the Queen and helped the boat's crew heft her in.

"Okay, next one!", Brzózka shouted over the gushing wind. The first raindrops were now hitting the surface of the sea, and visibility was dropping with every minute.

"No! Get the Queen to shore or to the destroyer!"

"Shut the hell up, I know what my own boat can take. Give me two more!", the old man replied sternly, and got compliance. The Queen's bodyguard and one of the Shroomanian sailors were soon aboard, semi-safely. The cockpit got mighty crowded, though, and with the high sea state, the boat became somewhat unstable.

Brzózka looked at his sail and murmured something about damn weather forecasts. The boat's outboard engine was in servicing today: he wouldn't have gone out without it, normally, but his family really wanted to see the parade, and the forecast said it would be sunny througout the day, so the risk was minimal. Of course, they'd be safely in port already if not for the attack.

"Dad! The woman...errr, I mean, the Queen is in really bad shape. I think she has to get to a hospital quick...", his son, Tomek, shouted out from the cockpit.

"Goddamn...", the skipper cursed, and tried to locate the destroyer, which was supposed to be somewhere around. All he could see was the helicopter, which obviously had no rescue winch - otherwise it would've started picking up survivors already, "Honey, get the flares.", he finally said to his wife, "Let's try to get somebody's attention!"



Burza-2

"Flare, port side!", the helicopter's copilot shouted out, seeing a red rocket rise up from a sailboat below, "Looks like a sailboat in trouble."

"Fuck! As if we don't have enough trouble..."

The radio squawked suddendly. It was spitting out various messages on the rescue frequency for a while now.

"Burza-2, Drzazga", the pilot recognized the voice of one of the Formoza commandoes who jumped into the water to help the wounded, "The Queen is aboard that boat."

"Oh, great...see if you can vector someone in. Fuck, SAR should be here by now!", the pilot was trying to concentrate on flying the helicopter in poor weather, while at the same time searching the sea for survivors.

A Border Guards motor boat approached the boat. Its crew exchanged a few quick words with captain Brzózka and quickly got on the radio. One of the border guards transferred to the boat with a medical kit.

"Cutter boat T17 to all stations, we need to evacuate the Queen to a hospital. Please advise ETA on SAR units."

"T17, ETA unknown."

"Burza-2, T17, can you get to the destroyer?"

"It's fifteen minutes away, but we'll try. Transferring the Queen aboard, over."

Suddendly, another voice cut into the frequency, "M/Y Golden Heart, all stations, approaching the rescue area. How may we assist?"

Both pilots looked at each other quizzically, "Golden Heart?"

"There!", the co-pilot pointed towards a barely visible shape not two miles away from the attack site, "Holy crap, it's big..."

"Hey, do they have a helipad?"

"Oh...I see what you're thinking...", the co-pilot smiled and depressed his transmit button.

"Burza-2, Golden Heart. Do you have a helipad?"

"Affirmative, Burza-2. What do you want to us to do?"

"There's a Border Guards motorboat assisting a sailing yacht about one mile from you. Do you see it?"

"Yeah, we see it"

"Evacuate the crew. Queen Agatha is aboard the cutter, we'll want to pick her up from your helipad. Be advised,there are shipwrecked survivors in the water."

"Roger that. Golden Heart over and out."

As the massive yacht accelerated and turned with a roar of its powerful engines, the small sailboat was blasted with an unexpected gust of wind. Captain Brzózka's son absent-mindendly locked the mainsail's sheet in place, and so the sail caught the entire gust, and capsized the boat, tearing off the solid rigging like a piece of cheap rag.

[Siege]

Private yacht 'Golden Heart', Tri-Cities Bay

Sidney didn't think he'd ever seen a sea turn bad as quickly as it had although, he admitted, part of that might just from frayed nerves. The ashen-faced former president sat riveted to the radio in the fore master stateroom. Emergency broadcasts rolled across the airwaves. “...we hear shouting, groups of people are turning to extreme violence... reports of an attack on the prime minister of Shroomania... be advised, we have a possible bio-terror attack in progress...”

As the Golden Heart powered through the waves, its four mighty diesel engines straining against the deteriorating weather, Sidney was reminded of a similar unrest, not too long ago in San Dorado City. His blood ran cold. What the hell was going on? He had rarely felt this useless.

He was distracted from his own misery as McBride burst into the cabin. The former paratrooper and head of his bodyguard detail looked grim. “There's a Border Guards boat inbound for us. They have the Queen aboard. We're to rendezvous with it, then transfer Her Majesty to an incoming helicopter.”

Sidney nodded wordlessly. Then he looked up, frowning. “What about the princess? The Prime Minister?”

The bodyguard shook his head. “No word yet.”

“Dammit!” he cursed. “What happened to the yacht?”

McBride shifted uncomfortably. “Sir... It's sunk. If anyone was still aboard when it went under...” His voice trailed off. He didn't have to spell out the consequences. Anyone still aboard when the Manlauve went under would've drowned. The former president shuddered at the thought. Not for the first time he wondered what the hell was going on.

If Shroom is dead... his mind, conditioned by years of high-stakes politics, inexorably began to calculate the ramifications of the day's events. Sidney shook his head, a scowl on his face. Dammit, all that can wait! People need our help here!

“All right, make best speed for that motorboat and tell the chopper the upper-aft helipad is at their disposal. In this weather that'll be more stable than the one on the bow.” Sidney stood up and began pacing through the opulently furnished cabin. “Meanwhile I want our people on the stanchions looking for survivors.”

“What do you want me to do, sir?”

“You will be with me on the aft deck.” With that the former president paced out of the stateroom. The Golden Heart slowed to a crawl, to allow the incoming helicopter to land in the worsening weather and to make sure the massive yacht didn't accidentally run anyone over. Sailors and bodyguards alike manned the railing, looking for people in the water, throwing them lines and hauling them in.

It took mere minutes for the Border Guard motorboat to pull along the massive aft docking area of the Golden Heart, but to Sidney it seemed like ages as he stood on the deck, flanked by McBride and battered by wind and rain. Grim-faced guardsmen helped the Queen aboard to megayacht.

“My daughter!” The royal consort was besides herself. “My Lena...”

“Your grace... Agatha...” Sidney had met the wife of King Paul only a few times at official functions and he could tell she didn't think much of San Dorado. He couldn't entirely fault her for that however, and to see her in this state made him feel distinctly uncomfortable. “We're doing what we can...”

“You don't understand!” She gave him a bewildered look, devoid of recognition. “They took my daughter!”

Sidney was about to reply when McBride grabbed his arm. The bodyguard was listening intently to something being spoken into his earpiece. “There's a small sailing boat in trouble off our port bow” he muttered. “It's capsized, according to the watch there's at least five people in the water.”

The former president quickly ran through his options. “You” he pointed at the men in the motorboat. “Get out there, retrieve the castaways and bring them back here. I'll escort the queen to the helicopter.” Without thinking he'd slipped into his 'voice of command'. The Border Guardsmen looked at each other, but did what he said. Further communication was made all but impossible by the roar of helicopter engines that heralded the arrival of Burza-2.

Silently Sidney escorted Agatha to the upper deck. Despite a blanket the queen was visibly shaking, and her presence contrasted vividly with the sumptuous upholstering of the luxury yacht. Try as he might he could not find the words to comfort her. Without much ado he helped the queen aboard the helicopter, which after a brief exchange of words took off into the building storm. No-one really felt like talking.

He returned to the lower deck just in time to see the small Border Guards boat return with more of the castaways. The guardsmen helped the water-soaked survivors, a family of three and what looked like a handfull of PeZookian or Shroomanian secret service men, aboard as well as they could in the rolling seas. A brine-spattered McBride lead the castaways into the safety of the ship.

“Mike” Sidney put a hand on the bodyguard's shoulder. “You heard what the queen said about taking her daughter?”

The bodyguard nodded and absent-mindedly wiped the salt water from his brow. “You don't think she went down with the ship?”

The former president shrugged. “Possibly. I hope so. This was no accident, so it's worth checking out. Make sure the 'Zookians know.”

McBride frowned. “I think they have other things to deal with right now.” He tapped his earpiece. “From what I hear all hell's broken loose in the Tri-Cities.”

Sidney cursed like a sailor, then massaged his temples. Crewmen of the Golden Heart helped tie the small Border Guards boat to the stern. Sea conditions were getting rough enough to make a safe return of the small boat to its harbor a dubious proposition. The guardsmen would be stuck here for now – just like the rest of them. “Great. That's just great. Well, we've provisions for several weeks. I guess we're not going anywhere right now.” He shook his head. “I better call my wife.”

[Shroom Man 777]

*click*



HI EVERYBODY!

HI RODGEROSAURUS REX! WHAT ARE WE GONNA LEARN TODAY, RODGEROSAURUS REX?

TODAY KIDS, LET'S PLAY GEOGRAPHY!

*click*

TELE-TONKINS!



Today watch the Tele-Tonkins safely cross the bustling streets of the IRT's corporatocratic dystopian metropolis! Kids, don't ever cross the road unless the green light is on because if you get into a car accident, ruthless corporate insurance policies will leave you in heavy debt from medical expenses!

YAAAAY!

*click*

PONY PUFF PRINCESS!



BITE THOSE TIAN XIAN POACHERS! GRRR!! They think they can use animal body parts, like grounded-up horse hooves and tiger kidneys, for aphrodisiacs but we'll show them!

HUEG KITTENS!



Hello Cthulhu-kun, I baked you an cookies but I eateds it -

*click*

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
TERROR TEARS THROUGH THE TRI-CITIES



Phil O'Liely: We interrupt your normally scheduled programming for the following announcements.

Less than an hour ago, the great yacht race at the Tri-Cities Bay in PeZookia came to an abrupt end when a massive attack of some kind, of a nature as of yet unconfirmed, occured both at sea and on land in and around the Bay's coast area.

At this moment, we can confirm that there was an explosion at Prime Minister Shroom's private yacht - and that the Prime Minister was aboard the vessel, along with PeZookian Queen Agatha and her daughter Elena. Independent sources have reported that the Prime Ministerial yacht has sunk. As of this moment is no word as to the fate of the Prime Minister, or the Queen and her daughter.

Meanwhile, rioting has broken out all over the coastal area of the Tri-Cities - anarchy and chaos of an unprecedented scale as thousands of people, mostly tourists coming to the Tri-Cities from all over the Continent, have broken out into sheer pandemonium and violence. The cause is unknown, but PeZookian law enforcement and emergency response forces have responded and are currently struggling to contain the situation.

An emergency cordon has been emplaced on the entire Tri-Cities area as the PeZookian government has announced a possible bioterror attack. There has been no confirmation of any link between the suspected bioterror attack, the subsequent quarantine, and the explosion on the Prime Ministerial yacht.

The PeZookian authorities are currently performing emergency search and rescue around the wreckage of the Prime Ministerial yacht, but the weather forecasts are reporting heavy rain, wind and strong currents in the Tri-Cities Bay area.

Viewers are advised to stay tuned in as the Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel reports more on the situation as it develops.

[Ryan Thunder]

Code: Select all

Transcript|22.11.2017|0922|SECURE
{Ryan Thunder            Well, let's get started.  How's our deterrent?
|General Srrkayn (O-8)   Project Mourning Star got off to a rough start, as you're aware, but we're up to fifteen rocket batteries at this point, or seventy five missile carriers.  That's three hundred warheads, all told.
|Ryan Thunder            Shit.  Sorry.  That's what, seven hundred million dollars worth of missiles?
|Commander Aederin (O-7) Five hundred, thanks to those San Doradan centrifuges.
|Ryan Thunder            Ah, yes.  Where would we be without them?  What about up North?
|General Srrkayn (O-8)   Commander?
|Commander Aederin (O-7) Sir. For the most part, everything's well under control.  There was a brief spike in violence about a month ago, but the police seem to have dealt with it.
|Ryan Thunder            Yeah, I remember.
|Commander Aederin (O-7) However, there appears to be a growing luddite movement among the population up there.
|Ryan Thunder            Why?
|General Srrkayn (O-8)   Fuck if I know, sir.  It's probably a tax-related thing.
|Commander Aederin (O-7) They're not a threat at this point, sir, but it seemed prudent to make you aware of it.
|Ryan Thunder            Have the Department of Ungentlemanly Warfare keep an eye on them.
|Commander Aederin (O-7) Yes, sir.
[...]
}

[RogueIce]

Code: Select all

++--IMMEDIATE--++

TO: ALL SR MILITARY FORCES
FROM: NATIONAL COMMAND AUTHORITY

Reports of bio-terrorist attack in PeZookia and possible assassination attempt against QUEEN AGATHA of PEZOOKIA and PRIME MINISTER SHROOM THE 777TH of SHROOMANIA confirmed.  Embassy in PeZookia ordered to initiate FPCON DELTA repeat FPCON DELTA; all other units and facilities to initiate FPCON BRAVO.  All units, including embassy and consulate security detachments, in Old Continent to take immediate NBC attack precautions (MOPP Level 4).  All overseas forces to be prepared for possible bio-attack (MOPP Level 2).  All naval and air units in vicinity of PeZookia to be ready to engage in SAR missions if so ordered.

++--IMMEDIATE--++

---

Shinra Republic Embassy, PeZookia

After the Pathogen War, the Shinra Republic had spent considerable money to modify their embassies to weather a biological or chemical attack. And so when the order went out, the embassy was sealed and on filtered air; the only way in or out was through a special decomantamination facility built alongside the Marine quarters, to allow the Marines to go in or out to provide perimeter security; as well as letting anyone in the ambassador required. The consulates were not so well protected, however. Of biggest concern was the Consul-General in the TriCities Metropolitan Area. While the area of disturbance was not located immediately nearby the Consulate-General's building itself, protective actions were taken. Given the encroaching weather conditions and the crisis in the city itself, an immediate evacuation was not possible. And so they were ordered into the Safe Room: a sealed room with provisions for up to a week and protective gear for when an evacuation was made possible. While the State Department could not make the entire building sealed as they had with the embassy, the Safe Rooms were put in place to allow an area of refuge until such time as consular staff could be evacuated.

---

SRS Hermes - in the Mediterranean Sea

Battlegroup One had been sailing around the Mediterranean Sea on general patrol and was readying itself for port visits in Canissia when the attack commenced. Immediately PHIBRON-1 was detached and sent to a position to prepare for evacuation of the embassy, if required. The Hermes was readied to take on evacuees by converting their flight deck hanger areas into a decontamination and quarantine zone for those who might be brought aboard. Additionally, the SRS Formidable, the squadron's LHD, would have helicopters readied not only to begin evacuation of diplomats and citizens of the Republic if required, but would make themselves available to assist the PeZookian government if requested. Additionally, a CBIRF team was readied to deploy.

All of this information was furnished to the PeZookian Ambassador in Midgar.

---

Results

Shinra Republic goes on alert, embassy in Orena and consulate-general in the TriCities hunker down while all units in the Old Continent put on their NBC gear, just in case. Amphibious Squadron stands ready to evacuate SR diplomats and citizens, as well as provide any help the PeZookians request. As well, a special response team trained for bio-attacks is also avilable. All of this relayed to the PeZookian ambassador's team in Midgar. So essentially PeZook has the support we promised if, when and where he needs it.

Meanwhile, and even though I didn't post it, we're still sorting through the information we're getting. By now we know it was PM Shroom's yacht that was attacked. While we know Queen Agatha is safe, at this point the Shinra Republic has no word on Lena or PM Shroom.

[Ryan Thunder]

OOC: Oh, right, my officials could actually be aware of this by now...

Code: Select all

Transcript|24.11.2017|1034|SECURE
{Ryan Thunder            Okay, just what the fuck is going on?  I've been getting shitloads of cryptic IMs from everywhere for the past three hours.  I've been able to gather that the Tri-Cities area has gone into the shitter for some reason, and something happened to the Shroomanian Prime Minister's yacht...
|Secretary Aaliyah       There's been a suspected bio-terror attack on the Tri-Cities area--
|Ryan Thunder            Shit!  Issue a travel advisory!
|Secretary Aaliyah       --Very well. The Prime Minister's yacht has indeed been attacked--
|Ryan Thunder            And the Prime Minister himself?
|Secretary Aaliyah       Unknown at this time.  The yacht was sunk, and a member of the Pezookian royal family has also gone missing. 
|Ryan Thunder            Bastards. General Ser--whatever the fuck your name is.
|General Srrkayn (O-8)   Srrkayn, sir.
|Ryan Thunder            Yeah, you.  Do we know who did this?
|General Srrkayn (O-8)   We do not at this time.
|Ryan Thunder            Find out.
|General Srrkayn (O-8)   Yes, sir.
|Ryan Thunder            Aaliyah, I'm going to personally have a talk with the Shroomanian ambassador and see if there's anything we can do to help.
[...]
}

Results: Ryan is not amused.

[CmdrWilkens]

Code: Select all

OperationalImmediate
TFCDR TF47
TFCDR PHIBRON 3

=Following is authorization to disregard OpOrd 4-17 "Task Force Sailing Orders" signed by CDRXNAVFOR.

=TF47 and PHIBRON 3 are hereby detached from XNAVFOR and reassigned CJTF-19.

=You will proceed at maximum speed to Port Anthony in support of MESS forces operating in the Mediterranean Theater as part of CJTF-19.

=Pending assignment of CDRJTF-19 CDR TF47 will serve as Commander WIFORCJTF-19.

-ADVISORY-
BIOCOM Crisis Support Team is currently enroute to Theater. CJTF has been directed, pending final orders, to render all available assistance to BCST.


ADM Hetor Garcia Lamperon
CDRFLTCOM

[Zor]

Union Press

Feral Crocomander Outbreak in Serenity

Photograph of an adult Giant Crocomander resting in serenity, Adults can get up to three and a half meters long

Takao Province, Kingdom of Serenity-Today local conservation experts have announced the discovery of actuve breeding populations of feral Zorian crocomanders in the swampland. While there had been sightings of these animals in the wildlands of Serenity this has recently been confirmed by authorities as both a single adult individual as well as four hatchlings have been captured in the last week. These creatures are beleived to be the descendants of animals which have escaped from people who owned these amphibians as pets. Government authorities are taking this development seriously as Crocomanders pose a direct threat to the local wildlife and these stealthy ambush predators have been known to attack people.

[Raj Ahten]

Indhopal Takes Steps In Light of Possible Bio Terror Attack in Pezookia

Indhopal has taken what some say are heavy handed steps in light of the possible Bio terror attacks in Pezookia. All flight from the Old Continent to Indhopal are now being screened for signs of sickness and all flights to Pezookia itself have been canceled.

Some right wing demagogues, such as Art Van Meter have taken this as an opportunity to rail against what they call,
"The failings of the old continent, unleashing plagues upon the world as part of their petty disagreements just as they unleashed wars upon the world in the previous century."

The President has taken a much more measured tone and has said that health officials and public safety officials in Indhopal would cooperate with their counterparts around the world to bring the perpetrators to justice and deal with the consequences of the attack in Pezookia.

[K. A. Pital]

Crimson Film, central radio and TV studio offices, Stasograd, UCSR

Klimov never sought to make a movie about suffering, but when his own family perished in the nuclear fire during the BioWar, his rage was boundless. He pushed through the Supreme Soviet a resolution that would deny Shepistani refugees access to the Union on the basis of their "collective war crimes". As one of the influential intellectuals in the arts sector, he went further than that. He made countless documentaries about the biological attacks, about the brutal war between Astaria and Shepistan - nation-states that were both given such a high warcrime rating that any survivors were considered "evil" by the common man.

"Hey, I don't want to play Shepistani thugs again", one could hear on the streets where the little kids played. The same streets that were restored after a small nuclear detonation destroyed the center of the city...


Today he was asked to deliver a public speech about the biological attack in Pezookia, which has already warranted a response from the Union government - travel restrictions on one hand and biological hazard teams from the military offered to fly to the strike zone immediately on the other hand.

Klimov cleared his throat. It was the final repetition before he goes live.
"Dear comrades, and friends in all nations. The terror of biological weapons, so repugnant after the devastating war, so utterly rebuked by all world governments except a few pariah nations, was chosen by the terrorists as an easy way of achieving their objectives... The attack on a CATO nation, on it's government, with weapons of mass destruction, which are universally prohibited, is not a mere coincidence..."

PCIA Central Building. UCSR

The mood of the small council assembled in a round-table room was grim. Andropovsky broke the silence after everyone finished reporting.

- I've heard enough about these R.U.F. thugs. We lost contact with them during the late 1980s, and we thought they collapsed without our support. Evidently this was not the case. Japanistan scooped up their remains and now is actively using them, or at least we suspect they are. But there are no "formers", right? I think we can try to reactivate some of our old "links", and maybe insert some new agents. Infiltrating the RUF is important. We can then either try to purge it's ranks and reform it into a useful vessel for our own goals, and if we can't, we can at least decapitate it and, for a moment, rest in peace. There should be some old ties. Dig through the files, comrades. There should be something.

He paused.

- As for the terror attack in Pezookia, we should have our people wander around and see what the RIS knows.. I presume we have our folks there, right?

- Yes. But we don't push unofficial infiltration over the top. Pezookia is an ally. Angering it would be unwise. So most of our people are just lowly informants on paper-shoving occupations, - spoke a man with a remarkably plain face, someone you'd never recognize in a crowd. He was the overseer of all PCIA operations and spy networks inside long-time allied nations, and most in the room thought he had an easy job and a warm spot. - Still we can hear, if not act directly. Maybe we can even officially ask the RIS if they need assistance. After all, there is understanding and cooperation between us.

- Good, good, - Andropovsky wrote something down in his notebook. - Dismissed for now. See you all on the council tomorrow, one hour later than today, I have some other business on my schedule.

[PeZook]

Over the Atlantic

The government should administrate frugally, he always claimed. Lavish expenses on administrative matters such as official trips, cars, suits, hotel rooms, catering and other trappings of power were a sign of greed and weakness.

Paul always claimed that, and strived to make his administration understand this. People spent money on government in order for it to provide services to them, not to furnish itself with expensive things.

Right now, though, he had to admit that having his own private airplane with incredibly expensive communications gear was damn useful.

"...it's probably not Rage", Radosław Sikorski said from the high definition screen, "The effects occur too fast, and we've been getting reports of disoriented people wandering the streets with blood on their hands, giving themselves up willingly to the police."

"If it's not the virus, then what is it?", Paul insisted.

"Wel...", general Kulinsky flipped through his notes, "We speculate it's a gas of some sort, with similar effects to Rage, except the afflicted people attack everyone, affected or not."

"You speculate? When can I expect some actual information?"

"Sire, we're still doing blood work on the victims who turned themselves in. At this stage, it's still possible, however unlikely, that it's some new pathogen with extremely rapid multiplication rate."

Paul rolled his eyes, "Then call me when you're sure. For now, quarantine procedures remain in place. What is the situation in the city?"

It was Karol Plesiewski's turn to speak now, "The riots are dying down. We've got the city cordoned off and are pulling riot police in from all over the country to help stabilize the situation. A Shinra battlegroup was kind enough to lend us some of their chem warfare people, they're in the city right now helping us determine what we were actually attacked with."

"So, you can say it's under control or not?"

"Not yet, sire. Though it does seem we're facing roving gangs of looters and other criminal scum right now, rather than victims of the attacks. Fortunately, we have the storm."

"That's fortunate?"

"Yes. It's far more effective than tear gas at breaking up crowds."



The Tri-Cities

The storm came rapidly, covering the entire city with a blanket of driving rain. Lightning flashed a ghastly light over scenes of devastation and rampant cruelty, most of which wasn't performed by Rage victims anymore, but varoius gangs of looters instead.

Fortunately, effects of the terrible chemical weapons were wearing off by now, with a sad side effect of people throughout the Tri-Cities emergeing from their blind rage to find they became murderers. They wandered the empty streets, sobbing and crying to themselves, or just sat there, staring at their bloodies hands.

Police and military patrols did their best to round up those people, still maintaining full quarantine procedures. Tent cities were set up at squares and interesections, where experts on chemical and biological warfare took blood samples and did lab work to confirm or deny suspicion of the attack being viral in nature.

The rain drove looters home and the gas was wearing off, and for the first time in the last 24 hours, the city seemed to quiet down. However, the weather also made it impossible to operate helicopters, and thus, SAR efforts in the Bay had to be suspended, while ships out at sea fought for dear life against the waves and currents.

Doctor Kalita cursed the weather especially hard. His hospital - the Tri-Cities Voyvodship Hospital Complex - was overflowing with wounded, and other than an occasional military convoy, he had no way to evacuate them all.

He's never seen anything like it, to be honest. Stab wounds, bite wounds, eyes gouged out, broken skulls and bones, burn wounds, gunshot wounds and countless other trauma - all at the same time. His staff was overworked, and most haven't slept for ages.

The helicopter which came three hours ago was his biggest problem, though. The Queen herself was aboard, overcome with grief - she wouldn't lie down, and had to be sedated for basic tests to be done. To make matters worse, the helicopter's crew let her walk with a brain concussion from the bomb blast - for which they earned a mouthful from the good doctor.

And, of course, the damn commandoes insisted on her getting a separate room and guarded it like chain dogs, irritating the staff to no end.

Kalita sighed to himself, signing another death certificate. He just wished for this day to finally be over.

Emergency Field Laboratory Gamma, Tri-Cities

"All tests are negative, sir. No trace of Rage or its mutations.", the young Shinra lieutenant reported, handing his report over to his commander. Lab Gamma was set up by a Shinra Republic emergency response team flown into the Tri-Cities during the first hours of the crisis, and was tasked with processing nearly 25% of all blood samples taken from the victims.

"Thank God.", the team's commander said to himself, looking over the results. None of the victims had any known or unknown pathogens in their blood, and the effects seem to have all subsided on their own, "Send these to crisis response command immediately. They should know."

"Yes, sir!", the lieutenant saluted and walked out of the tent. Hopefully, they'll relax the quarantine and let food convoys in..., his commander thought, going back to his laptop. A nagging thought tugged at the back of his mind, though. If it wasn't Rage, then what was it?

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO ALL PRESS AGENCIES AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS

Bio-terror warning rescinded. Attack on the Tri-Cities confirmed chemical in nature.

Level 3A chemical attack procedures (unknown agent contamination) are to be obeyed at all times by all military and emergency rescue personnell in the Tri-Cities Bay Area.

Military vessels are permitted to dock to evacuate the wounded.

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

Operational order from Crisis Response Centre, Tri-Cities

To all aircraft, to all ships at sea.

As of 1700 hours local time, all SAR efforts in the Tri-Cities bay are suspended due to bad weather.

Tri-cities port has been opened to military traffic obeying Level 3A chemical attack procedures. Civilian vessels are advised to dock immediately at Morski Zamek or Hel harbors.

[Lonestar]

Virginia Pilot-Ledger

Department of Public Safety launches nationwide raids on suspected terrorist safehouses.
Following the terrorist attacks in the Old Continent, the Old Dominion Department of Public Safety launched a series of national-level raids on "sites of interest", DPSese for suspected terrorist hide outs. A government spokesman stated that the 8 sites raided had been monitored for sometime, and the bioterror attacks added an impetus to the raids. While 6 of the sites were related to Shepistani separatists, the remaining two were associated with the Aum Shroomyko cult, and the Aum Shroomyko compound in Henrico was the site of fierce fighting.

Aum Shroomyko leader Abu MaShroomra was arrested during the course of the raids, although his "minister of Science" has not yet been founded. There are rumors that chemical agents such as sarin were discovered at the cult compound…[More]

[Zwinmar]

Tisicar City, Caleigh

King Calls for Elections - The King announced today that elections will take place in one month.



Power Plant Opening - The geothermal power plant outside Tisicar City comes on line in twenty four hours, there is speculation that this will drive energy prices down.

[DarthShady]

Fucking Unreal Time Mangs!

The Cialan Visit

Soon they got on the move with the official presidential limo convoy, leisurely going through the city, showing some of its greatest wonders and features. It was marvellous set of sights to behold. Michael planned to stay longer than he had in the previous two countries. “So, I heard about you assistance in Misteria.” Michael said. “I am hoping stability will be restored quickly. Of course my country is sorting out some of the refugees we picked up but there is still a lot of work to be done on the mainland”.

"A lot of work to be done indeed.", President Shady Sirah said, "Hopefully with the Unions assistance, that whole mess of a revolution can be cleaned up soon - so that the people of Misteria can begin the long and arduous process of rebuilding, with our help of course." Shady paused briefly and smiled. "But that is a discussion better left for another meeting. We must focus on the here and now, and the current subject is your country and your observer status in CATO.", President Shady began, "Many members of the Combine have expressed their support for your country, It would seem that you have made some good first impressions..."

The President was interrupted by the limo stopping and one of the Presidential Bodyguards announcing that they had arrived at the Palace of the Soviets.

After getting inside the Palace of the Soviets and into the Presidents office, Michael and the President sat down to continue their conversation. An assistant dropped by to offer them some drinks and bring in some delicious snacks, the assistant picked up a bottle of Rakija and placed it on the table along with some glasses. "You do drink Prime Minister?", Shady asked with a smile, "Because this is one drink that I would love for you to try. It's quite good, if a bit strong." Shady proceeded to pour the glasses with the drink and then take a sip from his glass. "Good...", he smiled, "Now we can get down to business."

"Like I said, you have the support of many Combine members and if I may add, you have my support. Which was clearly demonstrated with the recent arms sale. Your observer status is, as far as CATO is concerned, approved.", President Shady said, "Now the matter at hand becomes your Parliament and the formal signing ceremony granting you observer status within the Combine. I would suggest that after your Parliament has finished it's deliberations and agreed to your countries new status, we hold the signing Ceremony here in Stasograd. Observeship within our great alliance will give your Nation many benefits and may even lead to full member status in the future, but it all depends on your actions and choices, you must prove yourself to be a worthy ally and friend to the other Combine Nations."

"So, Comrade Michael, how does observer status sound to you? " Shady smiled, downed his drink and gestured at the Prime Minister to do the same, "Try it."

***

RED ONE: Helping an ally

The presumed terrorist attack with chemical weapons on the PeZookian Tri-Cities has caught the world and the Combine by surprise. After a period of chaos the situation in the area appears to be stabilizing, but it is far from over. This attack on a CATO member will not be taken lightly. The UCSR has already dispatched forces into the Tri-cities area to assist with managing the crisis and, should it prove possible, help with apprehending those responsible for the attack.

"The Union mobilizes many assets to help an ally in need."

Results:
-The Cialan visit continues
-The Union provides unspecified assisstance to it's PeZookian allies. Basicaly anything Paul needs, he will get or has already gotten - depending on Unreal Time mechanics.

Also: I plan on writing up the Misterian meeting tomorrow and the Duke's visit as well. Too sleepy now.

[PeZook]

Orena Evening News

Prime Minister Shroom missing, presumed dead

After four days of SAR efforts, interrupted by a freak storm in the Tri-Cities bay, auhorities have confirmed that they are calling off the search for Prime Minister Shroom 777th.

"There is little hope of finding him alive after four days. Our assets are needed elsewhere, since plenty of other ships were damaged and sunk by the storm.", said the chief crisis response coordinator, Mariusz Kowalski.

The Shroomanian embassy in Orena has filed an official protest, demanding the search to be continued. The PeZookian government had no comment on this fact for our reporters.

[DarthShady]

Palace of the Soviets, Stasograd

A chair smashed through the window and out onto the terrace, causing a few of the Black Hand to twitch nervously and check their radios - before continuing with their duties. President Shady was furious and his rage could be heard all the way across the Palace of the Soviets. He was swearing and shouting, smashing things and threatening to nuke everything. His assistants tried to calm him down, but nothing worked. He had lost one of his closest friends, a man which he had known for decades - a man who helped him many times, in this world and the one before it. Today was a sad day.

"Sons of bitches!", Shady shouted slamming a lamp into the wall, "What manner of wretched evil bastards can be capable of harming such a benevolent and kind person." His angry shouting and the smashing of things continued for a while before he finally sat down, exhausted, and poured himself a drink. He finished his drink in a single gulp and leaned back in his chair. He remembered the first world and it's ending in nuclear fire, he remembered the last time he saw Shroom - in Farbanti, getting stiff drunk with him. Good times. "They will pay for this..."

His silent remembrance of a dear friend was interrupted by a man entering the room.

"I heard you lost a dear friend today.", the man said and sat down on one of the chairs that did not have debris on it, "Lieutenant, I am here now. Tell me what is to be done." Kane was a man that needed no introduction, him and Shady went way back. Whenever Shady needed him, Kane was there - to make any problems he had, disappear.

"Whoever is responsible for this...", Shady paused for a moment and then continued with almost a whisper, "I don't care what you have to do...Find them...Kill them!"

"It will be done."


Result: President Shady is furious because he lost one of his closest friends today. Kane has been given permission to do whatever is necessary to find and terminate those responsible. NOD is out for blood, terrorist blood...

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Day of Mourning for Prime Minister Shroom declared in Byzantium.

A Day of Mourning was declared for Prime Minister Shroom in Byzantium. "Despite the fact that we have had our differences both past and present, Shroomania and Byzantium have been close allies and friends for the past century. Fighting wars together, and striving for a better future," said the Emperor, who was said to be deeply shaken by events in PeZookia. What the official government response to the crisis is unclear, but security in Old Constantinople was visibly tightened, and security check points have been raised across the country. Security at immigration checkpoints has also been tightened.