SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the First.

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of War
Public Communique
FROM: Her Excellency Countess Truman, Minister for War, in consultation with Their Excellencies Counts Sabrino and Spinello, Minister and Tribune for Economics, Finance, and Industry
TO: FTO FAWS Program

Assuming no other FTO nation objects, we intend to focuse on the naval aspects of the FAWS program, as the Sovereign Duchy of Baerne has the most shipbuilding experience and capacity of any of the FTO nations. Any plans should be submitted to the Ministry of War.

[K. A. Pital]

Livorno, Autonomous Fresquean Socialist Republic, C.S.R.
A massive fleet resided in Livorno bay, with only a small fraction of it docked in the Harbor and undergoing refuelling with the sparse fuel that the PRSF still had after the war. It was now clear the CSR has a strong grip on the local power.

The last month passed in several local conflicts between PRSF citizens and army and the CSR troops and annexion supporters, which took over key infrastructure objects.

General Ronaldo Carabineri intensified the loyalty-purges in the army - most of the high-ranking PRSF officers were dismissed. The Army was not very battle-worthy, but that would change - the CSR Military Instructors have arrived to train the new CSR 72nd A.F.S.R. Army and create a worthy opponent out of it.


The streets of Livorno were filled with loyalist police, and massive demonstrations rolled through the capital city, that were intended to show one thing - the PRSF is ready for a referenda, which would legitimize the CSR annexion of the nation.

General Korabelnikov called up the Vinish ambassador to what formerly used to be the Government Seat of the People's Republic of South Frequeqsue.

- You are welcome, - he pointed outside the balcony. There were no windows in the house - the city has seen enough local fighting in the recent months. - To the Crimson Star Republic. I, as the commander of the Provisional Government, now that the situation here is stabilized, turned my attention to several notes recently filed to our government by one captain Carlotta Pisano. She is currently in the CSR and has been instated as the Admiral of the A.F.S.R. Southern Fleet for the time being. However, as you might know, her fleet is being detained by the Vinish authorities. We urge you to release the crews and battleships immediately, so that they may return to their home nation and resume service - the missile cruiser Guilio Caesar, destroyer Impetuoso and eight surviving submarines.

- And?

- You are legally obliged to release the ships. The conflict has ceased and you have no right to keep the ships detained any longer.

Result: the CSR demands the Vineyards release surviving PRSF Navy ships for return to Livorno.

Autonomous Fresquean Socialist Republic, C.S.R. - former Special Administrative Region East, border with Westchester

Hundreds of people were running over the border. The Tian Jiao army units watched with awe as surrendering people entered the territory of the former enemy.

They were immediately detained - but all of them were asking for one thing, shelter.

They had papers proving their military service for the PRSF, or mere passports - civilians were running to Tian Jiao as well.

Result: PRSF citizens and military in large numbers (over a dozen thousand men) pour over border into Westchester (Tian Jiao), asking for political shelter.

[PeZook]

Orena, Royal Gardens

The day after king Arik's arrival was far less frantic. Paul decided to invite his counterpart to an informal breakfast at the Royal Gardens, where they could discuss things without being constantly bothered by journalists, lobbyists and political sycopanths.

The table was set lightly, as was PeZookian tradition: unlike most westerners on this world, PeZookians ate a light breakfast, consisting mostly of various sandwiches, tea or coffee and fruit, eating a second round later, and culminating the day with a hearty evening dinner.

Both heads of state chatted merrily, exchanging observations and thoughts concerning the visit itself and the general international situation. The light morning breeze blew straight from the direction of a small pine forest, which occupied more than half of the three hectare garden - bringing with it a fresh smell. Agatha, PeZookia's Queen, has managed to find a common ground with Miss Katerin, and they immersed themselves in discussion about each other's family trees.

"I have decided to enter the THEL program", Paul mentioned during their conversation, "It will have to be funded by deficit spending, but I certainly see why the system may be very useful. I don't think I'll be indiscrete if I mention that Shroomania and the CSR are also trying to develop similar system, although on a much larger scale - I believe their system is designed to blind bombers and, eventuall, satellites. I'm sure your intel people have some information on the project."

"Yes, they have mentioned it here and there."

"Excellent. We may try and see if they'd be willing to combine our efforts, and perhaps produce a standardized series of laser weapons. It would aid the continental defence efforts significantly. I will need some sort of a cost estimate, and..."

They were interrupted by an aide.

"Sire, there is an important call for you", he said, holding a small wireless phone. Paul raised an eyebrow and took the headset, wiping his hands with a napkin.

"Excuse me", he said to Arik, and took the call, "Yes?"

There was a long pause, as a person on the other side of the line explained what seemed to be a very complicated situation.

"Okay...No, tell them they did the right thing...Keep me informed..."

Paul hung up and handed the phone back to his aide

"Arrange an appointment with general Kulinsky, if you may."

Paul then turned to Arik, who had a curious expression on his face.

"Looks like my naive idealism just came back to bite me in the ass."

"What happened?"

"Well, a while ago I issued a general standing order to all my police and border guards forbidding them from pursuing violators across the border into Sjenska and other Border States. Last night, a bunch of kidnappers managed to get through the border with an abducted cop and weren't pursued...because all involved were following my orders. Shit!", the King cursed, rubbing his temples.

"Nobody would've cared if they invaded a couple of kilometers into Sjenska, but of course I had to respect the fucker Karic and his little kleptocratic empire...christ..."

[PeZook]

Jerusalem Space Center, September 22nd, 2008

The rocket was, again, placed on the launch pad. The problem with faulty fuel pumps was found and corrected quickly, and engineers have also managed to predict and elliminate a potentially catastrophic fault in the staging mechanism. Again, personnel of the JSC gathered in the provisional launch control bunker, observing the Atlas-Sputnik rocket sitting on its launch pad.

Colonel Ebisawa did his duty this morning, of course - though inspecting a large slab of lead was not particularly difficult. Right now, he stood in the bunker, just like two weeks ago, looking at the gathered men. He noticed, much to his satisfaction, that general Solnetzin wasn't smirking with confidence this time.

Once the countdown started, Ebisawa lazily approached a vision slit and raised his binoculars. He wondered if those barbarians were, in fact, able to actually make a rocket that worked.

"Eight...seven...ignition sequence start...six...five...four...", the countdown grew more and more tense. Technicians monitored the sensor feeds intently, hoping the fuel pumps would not fail this time.

"Three...two...one...liftoff! We have liftoff!"

Technicians and engineers smiled and patted each other on the back, but there was no celebration yet. The R-7 continued to climb higher and higher, riding on a brilliant pillar of flame.

"Everything seems okay...", muttered Common Carter Connoway, who was walking around, checking each console.

"I'm getting vibrations in the second stage!", shouted one of the technicians. Ebisawa smirked under his binoculars.

The Launch Controller came over quickly and checked the readings.

"Dammit...reduce thrust!", he shouted a command to the booster controller. This meant they weren't getting to orbit...again...but perhaps they could still save the rocket.

"Vehicle not responding!", the BC shouted back across the bunker. Carter looked at the sensor feed in horror as vibrations intensified rapidly and then...

"Lost video feed...lost telemetry..."

A collective gasp coming from the observation stations said it all.

Ebisawa smiled slightly, as he watched the rocket disintegrate several kilometers in the air.

Result: Second orbital test flight ends in failure. Rocket disintegrates due to vibrations in the second stage.

[Siege]

Diplomatic Communique, Priority 3

FROM: Board of Directors
TO: FTO FAWS Program

Since San Dorado has not-insignificant aerospace and naval industries we would prefer to focus on those areas in our contribution to the FAWS program. Since the Duchy of Baerne has also expressed interest in the naval construction branch, perhaps we can work out some form of mutual cooperation? Although admittedly the nuclear powerplants that drive our current generation nuclear powered vessels were built with Shroomanian aid they were built on San Doradan wharves and we therefore possess some experience with nuclear reactor engineering. This experience might prove useful.


XL

Tower of Commerce, downtown San Dorado



Sam Ralson, arguably the second-most influential man in the entire city-state, sat in his office and smoked a first-rate Canissian cigar as he poured over the defence plans strewn across his expensive mahogany desk. There were many, because San Dorado was on the move, as was the FTO. There were plans for radar integration, continental laserlinks, proposals for hypothetical orbital surveillance satellites, new ships, new tanks, new aircraft… Hell sometimes it seemed the analysts at the Paragon thought everything in the arsenal needed replacing.

And that, of course, was the crux. Because there wasn’t nearly enough money to do that. Sure, San Dorado had an advantage over many other nations: the corporations were the state (or the state was the corporations, Ralson guessed that depended on how you looked at it), which meant the armed forces were in an unusually good bargaining position. On the other hand, San Dorado’s purpose was to generate profits for its citizen-shareholders, and anyone who’d done Management 101 knew if money was to be blown on the military that meant the military had to somehow earn it back. That was what REAL EIGHT was about, but pseudo-colonial endeavours were easier to justify the expenses of, say, a nuclear sub program.

He grumbled under his breath as he took in another contract. It was written up in two languages, and covered in official CSR stamps-of-approval. Part of Ralson’s mind objected to doing business with people whose core ideology was diametrically opposed to his. Pragmatism won him over in the end, of course. It always did. He took up his pen and signed $1.6 billion over to the commies with one stroke. Then he shoved the paper away in vague disgust and emptied his glass of Vineyardian cognac in one gulp. Bloody commies.

The next document was more interesting. It had been submitted to CORDEF by an obscure branch of Ralson Aerospace that even Sam Ralson himself had never before heard of, and it had been vetted by progressively more important people on every floor of the Tower it had passed through. Apparently each one of those people thought it would be worth passing on to the higher echelons, and now it had finally ended up on his desk.

‘F-111XL’ the paper read. ‘A Concept Study’

The title certainly peeked Ralson’s interests. Earlier in the year CORDEF had blown off a preliminary plans to develop an all-new B-1 analogue after DIFEI had calculated that said development would utterly bankrupt the city-state's military. And now this had popped seemingly out of nowhere.

It had, apparently, been something of a hobby project of some demented boffins in a remote office at Ralson Aerospace, a silly number-crunching game with a purpose akin to "let's see who can come up with the kookiest idea"... Until someone had discovered that this might be a viable project after all. Things had snowballed from there, and now a thick pack of paper containing studies of all kinds had been deposited on Ralson's desk.

The plan proposed a comprehensive upgrade program to the F-111F which currently was being exported by San Dorado as well as used by several squadrons in the city-state’s military. So comprehensive, in fact, was the plan that by the time the Aerospace engineers would be done with the F-111 there would be little of the original 1960's era plane left. The fuselage would have to be refit or rebuilt, the craft would be fitted with brand-spanking-new F119-PW-100 variant engines, the nose would house the new AESA radar, the thing would carry new generators, new hydraulic pumps, a new Jet Fuel Starter, all electronics would be rejiggered... The list went on, and on, and on.

But the end result was impressive, at least on paper. The F-111XL would be capable of sustained Mach 1.4-1.5 supercruise whilst loaded, with vastly improved radar, improved targeting systems, improved computers, increased SAM survivability... This would be one hell of a sexy plane.

Evidently some engineering issues still had to be addressed but the basic rundown was all in here. This refit would suffice to achieve San Dorado's desired strategic aims at least into the 2020s, especially in survivability, reliability, effectivity and development costs.

Ralson got up. This was too big even for himself to sign off on his own. It was time to have a word with the president.



Results: * Proposal made to the Duchy of Baerne for cooperation on FAWS naval component.
* San Dorado approves funding for the F-111XL.

[DarthShady]

Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR

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.

"Indeed, the bastard got what he deserved. People like him deserve nothing but death.", Shady said with an expression of anger and sadness on his face, "And as for the Power Vacuum, you shouldn't worry. My people are already working on establishing a new government and electing a president. The Zagor Empire will be transformed into a Socialist Republic with a pro SNC government. It is going to help us stabilize the region."

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?

"Nod questioned him and his commanders and got some interesting information out of them.", Shady said taking a sip of his whiskey, "It appears that the Emperor made a deal with Karic, they would attack Sargonia together and divide the spoils between them. They were hoping to take the Capital before anyone could intervene. As luck would have it Karic was slow in assembling his forces and Marek attacked without him. And well you know what happened then, The USSR got involved a lot faster then they expected and Karic chickened out. He didn't want to take on the SNC."

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."

"Well as you might already know the CSR and the USSR have been working on integrating and improving our air defences. I believe that all members of the SNC should do the same.", Shady said while poring Heraclius another glass of whiskey, "As for the entire continent...well I'll have to coordinate with Comrade Stanislav, as per the "Red Faction" treaty we signed after WW2 I am obliged to discuss this with him. But I see no reason for him to be against this course of action, it is after all in our best interest."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles
Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR

"Indeed, the bastard got what he deserved. People like him deserve
nothing but death.", Shady said with an expression of anger and sadness on his face, "And as for the Power Vacuum, you shouldn't worry. My people are already working on establishing a new government and electing a president. The Zagor Empire will be transformed into a Socialist Republic with a pro SNC government. It is going to help us stabilize the region."

"Just make sure that the people support this government and the government does its job. It won't do us any good if the people rise up against the government because the government was simply incompetent and next they blame the SNC for it. King Paul is particularly worried about the endemic corruption and we should do our best to dismantle existing power structures that are parasitic in nature."

"Nod questioned him and his commanders and got some interesting information out of them.", Shady said taking a sip of his whiskey, "It appears that the Emperor made a deal with Karic, they would attack Sargonia together and divide the spoils between them. They were hoping to take the Capital before anyone could intervene. As luck would have it Karic was slow in assembling his forces and Marek attacked without him. And well you know what happened then, The USSR got involved a lot faster then they expected and Karic chickened out. He didn't want to take on the SNC."

Then we should pay close attention to this fool. Perhaps a stunt such as dropping a bomb with a message scribbled on it to warn the fool against possible adventurism."

"Well as you might already know the CSR and the USSR have been working on integrating and improving our air defences. I believe that all members of the SNC should do the same.", Shady said while poring Heraclius another glass of whiskey, "As for the entire continent...well I'll have to coordinate with Comrade Stanislav, as per the "Red Faction" treaty we signed after WW2 I am obliged to discuss this with him. But I see no reason for him to be against this course of action, it is after all in our best interest."

"Sounds like a good idea. We should like up all our air defence centers to ensure our air forces and armies have maximum situational awareness and to tackle possible mass bombing swamps.

And if there are concerns about my dual allegiances with the MESS and SNC, rest assured that I will do my best to avert any war on the continent, as it is not in the interest of the Byzantine Empire to engage in warfare with a neighbour.

In fact, I plan to visit Comrade Stanislav soon. I might join you on that visit."

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of War
PrivateCommunique
FROM: Her Excellency Countess Truman, Minister for War, in consultation with Their Excellencies Counts Sabrino and Spinello, Minister and Tribune for Economics, Finance, and Industry
TO: San Dorado

We accept your offer of cooperation on the FAWS program, but ask that you provide the initial concepts that we will be creating. The Duchy's experience has been with conventional warships, not with whatever we will be building, and we're not entirely sure what a FAWS warship would look like.

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

Baernish Ministry of Economics, Finance, and Industry
Private Communique
FROM: His Excellcency Count Spinello, Tribune for Economics, Finance, and Industry
TO: CSR

We request two divisions of S-400 launchers, and are willing to pay upon receipt of you acceptance of this offer.

[DarthShady]

Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR

"Just make sure that the people support this government and the government does its job. It won't do us any good if the people rise up against the government because the government was simply incompetent and next they blame the SNC for it. King Paul is particularly worried about the endemic corruption and we should do our best to dismantle existing power structures that are parasitic in nature."

"Trust me, the problem will be dealt with. The existing government has been dismantled and a new one will be made to replace it. And as for the people, that is already being dealt with. Nod has begun a propaganda campaign which makes the USSR and the SNC look like their saviours and we are. We removed their evil master and his oppression of the people. They are now receiving help from us and they are grateful, the government will be quite capable, I'll make sure of that.", Shady said, "The people there are all Shadows after all and the fact that the motherland is helping them is quite a big deal for them."

"Then we should pay close attention to this fool. Perhaps a stunt such as dropping a bomb with a message scribbled on it to warn the fool against possible adventurism."

"That sounds like a good idea.", Shady laughed, "But I already have plans for dealing with Karic and Sjenska, and believe me they wont be a problem for much longer."

"Sounds like a good idea. We should like up all our air defence centers to ensure our air forces and armies have maximum situational awareness and to tackle possible mass bombing swamps.

And if there are concerns about my dual allegiances with the MESS and SNC, rest assured that I will do my best to avert any war on the continent, as it is not in the interest of the Byzantine Empire to engage in warfare with a neighbour.

In fact, I plan to visit Comrade Stanislav soon. I might join you on that visit."

"Indeed mass bombing are a concern, especially with that Shepistani Base in Japanistan.", Shady said, "As for the MESS, they are good guys and I would even call some of them my friends. I trust in your diplomatic skill to get us through any problems that might occur."

"As for your visit to Comrade Stanislav, I think I will join you and I think we should invite King Paul to join us, so we can hold an SNC meeting. I believe there is a lot we need to talk about, our nuclear program for one. The so called Axis of Evil...", Shady laughed, "...are working on their own program, and we must be prepared to defend ourselves. I would hate to see this world end like the last one."

[DarthShady]

Shady News

Shadow Meeting Over

The meeting of regional shadow leaders from the Republic of Rohan, Sjenska Republic, The Sargonian Republic and the former Zagor Empire has concluded. The meeting was held in Sarajevo and according to a USSR press release the meeting ended on a positive note with plans for regional stabilization and assurances of peace in the region.

The Socialist Change

The former Zagor Empire is in the process of forming a new government and holding an election for a new president. the Zagor Empire will as of this day be known as The Socialist Zagor Republic. This change comes as a result of the recent war and the death of Emperor Marek. It is believed that this change will help stabilize the region and ensure that another war does not happen.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR[/b

"Trust me, the problem will be dealt with. The existing government has been dismantled and a new one will be made to replace it. And as for the people, that is already being dealt with. Nod has begun a propaganda campaign which makes the USSR and the SNC look like their saviours and we are. We removed their evil master and his oppression of the people. They are now receiving help from us and they are grateful, the government will be quite capable, I'll make sure of that.", Shady said, "The people there are all Shadows after all and the fact that the motherland is helping them is quite a big deal for them."

"Whatever happens, be patient. If you need my help training their civil service, I can send instructors over, and scholarships etc."

"That sounds like a good idea.", Shady laughed, "But I already have plans for dealing with Karic and Sjenska, and believe me they wont be a problem for much longer."

"Do share your plans. Legio II is ready to help if required."

"Indeed mass bombing are a concern, especially with that Shepistani Base in Japanistan.", Shady said, "As for the MESS, they are good guys and I would even call some of them my friends. I trust in your diplomatic skill to get us through any problems that might occur."

"I'll do my best. I think the Tian Xia/CSR tiff can be contained and dealt with diplomatically. I don't really see too much of a problem coming up."

"As for your visit to Comrade Stanislav, I think I will join you and I think we should invite King Paul to join us, so we can hold an SNC meeting. I believe there is a lot we need to talk about, our nuclear program for one. The so called Axis of Evil...", Shady laughed, "...are working on their own program, and we must be prepared to defend ourselves. I would hate to see this world end like the last one."

"Bah. We need nuclear weapons because we suspect our neighour down south is developing them, and given the last game, there isn't such a thing as too much paranoia. We need the weapons, and we will get them. They are last resort weapons, but if need be, we will cart them to the frontlines and fired from artillery shells if need be.

And yes, we should have a SNC meeting to discuss our projects and possible avenues of collaboration."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

-----Top Secret------

Review of K-2 Black Panther Upgrade

Sir,

We are proposing the following upgrades for the K-2 Black Panther, to be implemented over the next 2 years. We understand that there are plans to build K-2 Black Panther tanks to replace existing T-80UM tanks in the Limitanei divisions come next year. Hence, the proposal here is as modest as possible.

We propose that

- Install a 2,000 horsepower engine for better mobility. Switch to Turbine is possible, but diesel preferable.
- Utilize heavier modular armour, and reinforcing the side armour. More armour to protect the top arc should be added. NERA will be part of the next armour package. We might suggest adding more Heavy ERA in a similar manner to our older T-80UMs.
- Installing a slightly more powerful milliband radar that can combat Electronic jamming
- Improved Active In-arm Suspension Unit with terrain scanning to enhance mobility
- installation of hard-kill missile defence system
- Installation of electrothermal chemical gun

Of the above, achieving the 2K horsepower engine might possibly be the hardest. A prototype 120mm/140 mm electrothermal chemical gun exist and is undergoing testing. We can adopt 140mm rounds if so required to defeat any enemy targets, though this will require revamping the autoloader to accept larger rounds.

By the way, Sir, what's this rumour about fitting a 40 mm CT autocannon that is underdevelopment? I also hear that there's talk about adding a remote weapon station incorporating one of those MetalStorm Grenade launchers. The tank is going to get a little cramped, mind you, unless you want to fund the development of a larger tank.

(OOC: I don't know what makes up the armour for the K-2, beyond the fact that they likely utilise a combination of technologies, including ERA and composite armour similar to that on the M1-A2)

[Raj Ahten]

Aircraft to return to the PRSF

Eighteen TU-95’s that previously defected from the PRSF will be returned to that nation. The President's office released a statement saying that these planes did not belong to Indhopal and that following a request made by the PRSF they were being sent back to that nation. Several crews of the bombers have elected to stay in Indhopal and seek political asylum.


One of the bombers on the way back to the PRSF

Parliament in an Uproar over Return of Airplanes

In parliament fistfights broke out between President Raj Ahten's supporters and the opposition today. The opposition was furious that the TU-95 bombers had been sent back to the PRSF. They also criticized the President for being useless at stopping the Imperialists from coming into Frequesue. The MDC coalition, the Presidents Party, has been hemorrhaging membership as the President's approval rating dips ever lower. Riot police are always at hand in Fenraven these days as violent Protests calling for the resignation of the President are commonplace.

[Karmic Knight]

FROM: Board of Directors
TO: FTO FAWS Program

Since San Dorado has not-insignificant aerospace and naval industries we would prefer to focus on those areas in our contribution to the FAWS program.

The Gizmonic Institute, of the Kingdom of Vineyards, has expressed desire to work with San Dorado in contributing aerospace research to the FAWS program. The Gizmonic Institute is the major contributor of aerospace designs for the Vineyards, though few ever get to the prototype stage due to under funding.



Joint-Naval FTO Command
Vinsih Forces Provided:
-1 Deus Ex Machina Class Destroyer {DDG}
- 2 Interventionist Class Frigates {FFG}
-6 Nirvana Class Corvette/Missile Boats {Corvette}

• 2 Minelayers
• 1 Minesweeper
• 1 Mine hunter
• 2 Missile Boats

- 1 Supply class fast combat support ships {AOE}
- 1 Defender Class Combat Stores Ship {AKE}
- 1 Trident Class Oilier {AO}
- 1 Tank Lander {LST}
- 1 Zoidberg Class Amphibious Assault Ship {LHD}
- 1 L'Ator Class Landing Platform Dock {LSD}


Headlines of the Vinish Press

Ships Returned
A Task force containing the Nameless and two Corvettes, escorted some slightly disarmed ACSRT (Annexed CSR Territory) ships to ACSRT waters, and returned to Syl. The ordinance removed has been packed into cargo planes and will be returned to the ACSRT a soon as possible.

Eutopia Requests Admittance into FTO

[DarthShady]

Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR

"Whatever happens, be patient. If you need my help training their civil service, I can send instructors over, and scholarships etc."

"Anything you contribute will be appreciated.", Shady said, "The people need our help to rebuild their country."

"Do share your plans. Legio II is ready to help if required."

Very well, I'll tell you friend. I was going to inform all SNC members anyway. The Brotherhood of Nod has infiltrated the Sjenksa Republic and they are in the process of preparing a coup. The plan is to do it quickly and quietly so we can avoid another war. They have a great number of supporters already, and once they are ready we will get rid of Karic and replace the government with a SNC friendly one. Of course there is much to do until then, so we must be patient.

"I'll do my best. I think the Tian Xia/CSR tiff can be contained and dealt with diplomatically. I don't really see too much of a problem coming up."

"I trust in your diplomatic skills, my friend.", Shady said, "And besides most of the MESS are smart and cool headed guys and nobody wants an unnecessary war. There are other enemies we must guard ourselves against."

"Bah. We need nuclear weapons because we suspect our neighour down south is developing them, and given the last game, there isn't such a thing as too much paranoia. We need the weapons, and we will get them. They are last resort weapons, but if need be, we will cart them to the frontlines and fired from artillery shells if need be.

And yes, we should have a SNC meeting to discuss our projects and possible avenues of collaboration."

"I hate the fact that these weapons must be employed and I hope we never have to use them, but they are necessary as an insurance policy."

"As for the SNC meeting, I believe the sooner the better but we will check with our comrades to see when they will have the time."

"May I ask you Heraclius, how do you feel about a joint army exercise? My new soldiers have just finished training and could use some experience."

[Siege]

The Gizmonic Institute, of the Kingdom of Vineyards, has expressed desire to work with San Dorado in contributing aerospace research to the FAWS program. The Gizmonic Institute is the major contributor of aerospace designs for the Vineyards, though few ever get to the prototype stage due to under funding.

Ralson Aerospace would glady work with the Gizmonic Institute in its development of FTO designs.

Joint-Naval FTO Command
*snip*

CORDEF STATUS REPORT

CONCERNS: FTO JNAC OOB
Currently contributed:

Baerne: 2 CG, 5 DDG, 2 FFG, 2 SSN
Indhopal: 2 DDG, 3 FFG, 1 SSK
San Dorado: 2 DDG, 1 FFG, 20 Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 fighters.
Vineyards: 1 DDG, 2 FFG, 6 Corvette, 1 AOE, 1 AKE, 1 AO, 1 LST, 1 LHD, 1 LSD

For a total of 2 CG, 10 DDG, 8 FFG, 6 Corvettes, 2 SSN, 1 SS, 3 misc. replenishment ships, 1 LST, 1 LHD, 1 LSD and 20 Mirage aircraft.

Eutopia Requests Admittance into FTO

San Dorado supports Eutopia's admittance. The bigger the market, the happier the camper, as we tend to say up here.

[PeZook]

Orena Evening News

Parliamentary speakers crticize Zagor transformation

Jozef Muszynski, a prominent politician of the Centrist party has harshly criticized the USSR for, in his words "Installing puppet regimes friendly to the Shadows in the former Border States".

According to Mr. Muszynski, the USSR is aiming to restore the former Shadow Empire, thus threatening stability on the continent. Especially worrisome, mr. Muszynski said during his parliamentary speech, is the fact that the USSR's socialist government is a potential ideological opponent to the Republic, and is using the blood of PeZookian soldiers to establish socialist regimes in what he called the "Reconquered territories of the Shadow Empire."

"The claim is that the people of the former Zagor Empire are free to chose their own government now ; This is a lie. The USSR has clearly indicated that they will not accept anything but an ideologically pure socialist government, as is evident by the fact the new name of the Zagor Empire was announced by the occupational authority, not the newly elected government. The entire election is probably a sham, controlled tightly by the NOD."

Public demands withdrawal of PeZookian forces from the Border States

A PBS poll conducted yesterday indicates that the PeZookian public is overwhelmingly im favor of withdrawing the soldiers currently stationed in the former Zagor Empire.

PeZookia has deployed the 1st Hussars Division and the 121st Armored Cavalry Division to aid in stabilization efforts ; However, many PeZookians feel these soldiers are being used by the USSR occupational authority to spread socialism in the Border States, without even consulting their government reforms with PeZookian officers.

Several citizen groups are planning mass demonstrations on the streets of PeZookian cities, demanding the government withdraw from SNC occupation forces.

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Ashford Times Headlines in Brief

MIM-23 Hawks to Be Replaced By S-300s
Purchase represents significant leap in Langley's air defense capabilities

Scientists Sent on Expedition to Eastern Velaria
Langley to join Zoria, Ninhursag, and the USSR

Knights of Rounds Enneagram, Ernst, and Kruszewska Released and Exiled to Old Continent
Suzaku Kururugi still in prison; whereabouts of Gino Weinberg still unknown

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE? Y / N

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Communique
FROM: Her Excellency Countess Domizia, Mnister for Foreign Affairs
TO: FTO

San Dorado supports Eutopia's admittance. The bigger the market, the happier the camper, as we tend to say up here.

The Sovereign Duchy of Baerne shares San Dorado's position. The more the merrier.

[Raj Ahten]

Indhopal's Parliament found a rare moment of agreement in supporting Eutopia's admittance to the FTO. Furthermore, Indhopal offered to immediately send the nation a team to help bring its military up to current FTO standards.

[DarthShady]

Shady News

Anti USSR propaganda

Many USSR politicians have accused the PeZookian politician Jozef Muszynski of spreading Anti USSR propaganda. "This man is a vile criminal and a stain on the friendship of our two great nations.", said Edin Ahmespahic a member of the socialist party of the USSR, "How dare he accuse us of such things? How dare he invoke our long forgotten past for which our people have worked so hard to make amends for? This man is an ignorant idiot and should not be allowed to clean the PeZookian Parliament and much less to spread his lies there."

[Sea Skimmer]

30 kilometers north of Astarian occupied El-Kalim, Japanistani-Cavoland Joint Security Zone, Headquarters of the Japanistani 524th Mechanized Corps

524th Mechanized Corps had been reduced in strength by months of jungle occupation duty, but it still could field over nine hundred armored vechicals. The Corps had been slated to partially withdrawn for replacement by motorized units, but plans had changed when Astarian had occupied El-Kalim. So far as Japanistan was concerned, the city was part of its occupation zone, and Astarian the invader. Now almost its full strength was converging on the city from the north and east. Offshore, a destroyer-frigate task group was also fast approaching, escorting an SNLF landing team onboard LSTs and a mine countermeasurs group.

Two star General Godo Hidemichi commanded the 524th Mechanized Corps, and after a long campaign of guerrilla warfare, he relished the chance to challenge a proper opponent, the armored cars and personal carriers of the Astarian Army. However, orders from 1st Expeditionary Peacekeeping Army demanded that all attempts be first made to peacefully establish Japanistani control of El-Kalim. However the Astarian dogs could not be allowed much time to reinforce and fortify themselves.

“Prepare for time on target barrage of propaganda munitions,” ordered Godo. “Target downtown El-Kalim and known Astarian positions.”

In a dozen surrounding clearings four battalions of 152mm self propelled howitzers of the Corps artillery regiment prepared to fire. While some howitzers had been lost to guerilla attacks and others had broken down on the road march to El-Kalim 66 tubes could be brought into action. Shells stuffed with freshly printed leaftlefts were loaded into the tubes and trained on the targets.

“Fire,” ordered the General. 66 howitzers roared in a quick ripple, calculated to place all shells on a half dozen different targets simultaneously. Three more quick ripples followed as every howitzer reloaded and fired the rest of the 264 round propaganda mission as quickly as possible

The 152mm shells screamed through the air until timed fuses counted down and burst them open, packets of leaflets and chunks of projectile raining down onto El-Kalim as residents ran screaming for cover and Astarian troops hit the dirt and dropped into vehicle hatches.

Slowly the paper floated to earth, and people looked skyward at the small drifting puffs of smoke marking each payload shells high air burst. People began picking up the leftlets at once, and saw words written in the local and Astarian languages. The Astarian Barbarian Slavers Will Leave El-Kalim, Dead or Alive! Free Peoples of Cavorland, Reject Them and Spare Your City Holocaust!

To heighten the effects just a few minutes later several Japanistani JA-79 Vengeful Mountain strike planes screamed overhead at supersonic speed and very low altitude. Windows broke and Astarian soldiers replied with scattered automatic weapons fire but the planes were gone before they could be heard to arrive.

Back at the headquarters General Godo Hidemichi felt satisfied that he would be taken seriously now.

“Transmit a message in the clear to the Astarians,” he orderd “tell them I as representative of the Imperial Japanistani Empire, the Co Prosperity Sphere and Cavoland demand immediate parlay with the commander of Astarian forces in El-Kalim.”

[Raj Ahten]

Smedman Field, al-Akharabat

Indhopal’s observation mission in Velaria knew something was afoot. They quickly got their hands on one of the propaganda flyers delivered by the Japanistani artillery. Their field teams sent in alarming reports about heavy units moving up as well. Col Transky, the commander of Indhopal’s force, was prepared for the worst.

He had good stocks of supplies for his force and Smedman field was as fortified as it could get with blast barriers and barbed wire. What worried him was the sprawling refugee camp next to the base. If hostilities broke out between Cannasia and Japanistan the camp was sure to grow even bigger, and supplies for them were low already. Transky had commanded his men to build several primitive bomb shelters for the refugees and many had made their own individual shelters, even if they were just pits inside their tents.

Transky could take heart in one thing though. He was probably one of the best informed men in this part of Velaria. That was mostly due to the enterprising SRG contingent of the observation mission. Though only 32 men, they were extremely experienced at navigating the minefield of ethnic tribes and could often talk their way into accessing anywhere. They had done more than their share, even organizing the youths in the refugee camp to form watches to keep an eye out for bandits and other threats.

Smedman Field had also become something of a hub of the international media inside al-Akharabat. Transky’s staff had worked hard to accomplish that, often taking journalists on tours of the site of the latest massacre. Transky hoped that by encouraging the media to base out of Smedman Field, the nearby refugees would be shielded from attack by anyone, lest they become internationally notorious.

Transky’s main plan for keeping his command and the nearby refugee’s safe was to remain absolutely neutral in any conflicts. His force just wrote reports of what they saw.

[Karmic Knight]

Lookout Point, the Settlement

A few weeks changes a lot of things. In the Settlement, things had gone from bad to worse for newly appointed Governor Bordeaux. The protests of his rule had increase exponentially, not at all due to the small group of people whom Earles had recruited into his inner circle. Many of the protests were genuinely worried citizens, ones that thought that Bordeaux was at fault for the recent crop failure, and some other recent problems involving new citizens joining the Settlement. To combat this Bordeaux tightened his grip on the populace.

One of the people Earles recruited, Mark Prynne, was one of the night shift lookouts. His job tonight was to make sure that a small arms shipment made it to a small pier north of the Settlement’s dock. This would be one of the first shipments to the dissatisfied elements of the Settlement, and it had Mr. Earles seal of approval. The fact that Mr. Earles, one of the original leaders would help subvert the current regime gave Mark some hope. As he watched the fishing boats come in with their day’s haul, he noticed one straying away from the pier. He quickly threw up his binoculars and looked for the red light, indicating that it was the arms shipment. He didn’t see any, so he tried to raise it on the radio, so he could verbally confirm it. When he got no answer, he told his partner, “Hey, we got a drifter.”

”Ugh, call it in, I assume you couldn’t raise it,” the other responded.

“Nope, damn thing didn’t respond,” Mark answered while calling in to the local military force of the drifter.

”Then, we leave it in the capable hands of Coast Guard, and wait for the next shift to go out.”

”Exactly”


Earles Estate, the Settlement

“He called it in?”

“Yes.”

“And the guns were confiscated?”

“Obviously, but the news isn’t all bad, the guns are being confiscated by your own people. The only thing we need to figure out is how to get them to the people.”

“Yes, that is the question. Answer it in four hundred different ways before I get up tomorrow.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, get to work.”

New Constantinople, Eutopia

The Streets were quiet, not an uneasy quiet of a repressed populace on the brink of revolution, just quiet. Of course, for this country and city, quiet itself was an odd occurrence. Along a quiet suburban side street a Eutopian woman walked calmly. Near the end of the street was a clichéd warehouse along a wharf. The woman was obviously walking towards the building, both due to the clichéd nature of the image, and the fact that she was in business attire and the warehouse was the closest establishment of business. The fact that people came and went from the warehouse also supported the assumption that it was this woman’s goal. Alongside this warehouse was a small office complex, used during its heyday as a branch office for a medium sized shipping firm. This firm has long since folded, leaving only a decrepit office and the warehouse behind.

As the woman approached the warehouse, other details about the area could be ascertained, such as the speedboat parked next to the warehouse, and the pair of cars parked in the office/warehouse’s parking lot. As these details showed themselves, the woman began to veer into the office complex. As she entered the decrepit building, a car pulled up to the lot. A pair of men exited the car, and walked over into the warehouse. They were conversing, but to the woman they were inaudible.

Inside the office complex, the woman found a tape recorder; it repeated the following message, “In order to leave before midnight, you must turn in your application, resume, and resignation notice to all relevant parties. Please note any references you may have. The standard policy is to have at least one reference before acceptance of a resume, but precedent has been broken in your case. Any questions can be asked during your interview, which will proceed in a few minutes in the back office.”

The woman followed the instructions, and headed deeper into the old office. When she reached the furthest back office, she stopped and sat down in a chair near the large wooden desk. The wood appeared to be from the forests of the southern forests of Eutopia, a dangerous land of loggers and corrupt politicians. The wood made sense for when the building was an office, but the fact that it remained after was indicative of the forces who kept the building from falling to the sea. The same people who had most likely exited the vehicle that the woman had saw earlier. A phone rested on the desk, the light indicating a held call was flashing. Acting without thought, the woman pressed the speakerphone button.

“Hello, this is your new coworker, by joining in this conversation; you have already accepted the terms of your new contract,” the voice on the telephone faltered, “Don’t feel too bad, at least you won’t be gassed.”

“Gassed? I could be gassed in this job.”

“After you are brought to the office, there is no way you will receive any harm, I was merely making conversation, and using an anecdote from my experience with this company.”

”This is another thing, the job offer only stated that I would be doing high importance legal work, working directly for the boss, but it never state exactly who I would be working for, is this some scandalous company that I would hate to work for?”

“Not at all, it is just that no network is as secure as in person, now if you will just head to the warehouse and join the pilots on the helicopter, we can get down to business.”

“Of course, but who is it I am working for? Who has a helicopter handy for use a ferry for a laywer?”

“You misjudge you own worth, ma’am, this ‘company’ is willing to do whatever it takes to get you to our offices.”

“Yes, but what company is this?” the woman asked as she noticed the office shifting slightly.

“Ah, did you notice that, I believe that is the answer to your question.”

The woman looked out the window franticly, worrying that the ocean was finally claiming this office. When she looked out, she saw the speedboat, riding next to the office. The office itself had been ripped from the other part of the building and submerged, a tugboat was fifty meters ahead of it, pulling it slowly towards a waiting helicopter launch pad/island. The woman stated calmly to the phone, “You people are serious, now, will you tell me who ‘you people’ are?”

”I am afraid I cannot, at least not until we meat in person.”

”Well, I am afraid I must refuse, the earlier recording said all my questions could be answered.”

”It merely said you could ask any question, it didn’t state whether I would answer them.”

“Is there anything else you would like to tell me?”

*Click*

VEIL Headquarters, <censored>

Roger, his aide, and his analyst sat around the phone in the conference room.

”Why did you hang up?” asked Roger’s aide.

”I had no reason not to, it was obvious she would just continue to ask about the VEIL,” responded the analyst.

“That is no reason to stop conversing, now we have no way to know if she is going to try to escape.”

“She won’t, now what else do we need?” Roger interjected.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR

Very well, I'll tell you friend. I was going to inform all SNC members anyway. The Brotherhood of Nod has infiltrated the Sjenksa Republic and they are in the process of preparing a coup. The plan is to do it quickly and quietly so we can avoid another war. They have a great number of supporters already, and once they are ready we will get rid of Karic and replace the government with a SNC friendly one. Of course there is much to do until then, so we must be patient.

"Try... avoid moving too fast. To be honest, two broken republics are bad enough. Adding more increasing the workload."

"I hate the fact that these weapons must be employed and I hope we never have to use them, but they are necessary as an insurance policy."

"As for the SNC meeting, I believe the sooner the better but we will check with our comrades to see when they will have the time."

"May I ask you Heraclius, how do you feel about a joint army exercise? My new soldiers have just finished training and could use some experience."

A joint exercise? I guess we could arrange that. Gives the guys in Legio II something to do, except tweedle their thumbs while peacekeeping.

As for the SNC meeting, I'm all for it. Send the messages to PeZookia and we will head to CSR for the meeting.

And by the way, did you see that .. monstrosity from Japanistan?