SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Fourth

[RogueIce]

Farbanti, Shroomania

It was a difficult day, attending the funeral. Saying goodbye to Shroom wasn't easy for President Shinra. Sure, the Prime Minister had been...odd. But he had also always come through when it counted. As others gave their speeches, Rufus sat amongst the other leaders. When his turn came, he had given a speech much like the others: saying goodbye to a friend and wishing to pursue the path of peace and cooperation.

When it was over, he knew, it would be time to go to PeZookia. He wanted to see how Queen Agatha was doing...and to see if the PeZookians had any word on Princess Lena.

(OOC: Well, since any speech I gave would be pretty similar to the ones given, I decided to autopilot it rather than basically copy what has already been said)

---

In other news...

Flight II Cruisers Announced

In a statement released by the Department of the Navy today, it was announced that the final twelve cruisers built in the Allegiance-class would be based upon the Old Dominion Ronaldus Magnus variation. The Navy, referring to these ships as "Flight II" cruisers, has stated that they are currently studying whether to replace the 155mm AGS cannon of the ODN design with the class standard 8 inch gun, or whether they will keep the AGS.

(OOC: I was going to announce this sooner or later; might as well do it now)

[MKSheppard]

Farbanti, Shroomania

Ree-Ann Sheppard stood up to the podium and began to speak...

"Shroomanians, I am here before you because your leader was a close personal friend of mine. Why, not a day didn't pass without some new amusing alliterative curse over the airwaves. He....."

"ENOUGH WITH THE BLOODY SHEPPARDS!" shouted a gang of protestors as they stormed the podium where the dignitaries were gathered. Strangely enough, all the crack protective agencies gathered around the world leaders had become invisible when the appointed leader of Sirnoth approached the podium.

Soon the podium was filled with a rain of fake blood.

[Lonestar]

"...and I'm being told that they are water balloons filled with cattle blood rather than a dangerous bioweapon intended to kill everyone. I apologize for any panic the station may have caused. Obviously our lady reporter in the field Cassandra Corningstar really screwed up."

"Fuck you Ron, I tried to correct you."

"Let's not have lady hysterics. Lord Fairfax will not be giving a speech, it seems...wait, there appears to be a commotion at the entrance of the church...there's some chanting...can we get better volume?"

*Camera focuses on group of old men*

"SHROOM SITS IN HELL! SHROOM SITS IN HELL!"

"My goodness, I believe that's former Latin Patriarch Gregory XIX, if I'm not mistaken! Did Lord Fairfax invite them?" *camera pans to Lord Fairfax, who has his face in his hands. Rhee Anh Sheppard is watching with interest.* "Hmm, I guess not. Oh look, some of those Grecian Fellows are heading over...the head Grecian, I think."

"The Emperor is still sitting down Ron, that's the Ecu-"

"Not now, Cassandra. Hmm, they appear to be having a spirited debate. Oh! The Head Grecian just swung at Gregory XIX! The security forces are moving in, there appears to be a brawl..."



"I wonder how Gregory XIX got past security to begin with? Brian, do you have any idea?"


"Ron, it seems Gregory XIX was brandishing a Sirnothi Diplomatic Passport...."

[Siege]

As soon as the protestors appeared near the stage Sidney Hank felt the heavy hand of Michael MacBride on his shoulder. He raised a hand to forestall the bodyguard's lethally precise movements, a thin smile ever so slightly curling his lips. “Ah. Never a dull moment with Al Sheppard.”

MacBride raised an eyebrow. “Don't you mean Rhee-Ahn?”

He looked at the bodyguard from the corner of his eye. “Mike, please. If you really believe that, you're the only one in this room.”

The former president had to give it to the man, he hid his surprise well. “So...” the bodyguard began, and his gaze drift toward the Lord Fairfax. “If he's the guy the Dominoes wanted dead so bad, then why...”

Sidney's smile widened fractionally. You could say many things about Michael MacBride, but he was quick on the uptake. He also noticed his wife was looking at him intently and frowning slightly. What did she know? he wondered, and surreptitiously surveyed the world leaders assembled. It was a fair bet some of them had talked...

Shouting near the entrance of Westshroomster Abbey interrupted his train of thought. "SHROOM SITS IN HELL! SHROOM SITS IN HELL!" shouted a crazed old man with bloodshot eyes. It took Sidney a moment to recognize him as the former Patriarch of Shepland. Within seconds Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople was on his feet, red-headed and racing for the intruder, clearly meaning to do violence; a group of security men, fresh from dealing with the Sirnothi exiles, were hot on his heels.

Sidney rolled his eyes and put an arm around his wife. “Dear, I believe this is our cue. We'll talk about Al Sheppard... Later.”

The three filed out, surrounded by guards and PSS agents, through a side exit of the massive Abbey.

[Ryan Thunder]

Still seated, Ryan observed the spectacle with a mixture of amusement and disdain. He noticed his bodyguards become visibly more tense, however, when the protesters started hurling balloons full of cow's blood. Before he'd even fully absorbed this, however, he felt a pair of bulky arms lift him from his chair and haul him bodily out of the room. One of his four bodyguards produced a ballistic shield from seemingly nowhere and took up the rear, while the remaining one "cleared" the way ahead--by smashing aside anybody who got in his way.



They'd nearly made it back to the limousine before Ryan got over the shock of how quickly it had happened. Then, of course, the anger set in.

"Issom!" Ryan yelled.

"Sir?" The man's voice resonated through speakers at the side of his helmet.

"I want you to put me the fuck down, right fucking now. Do you understand me?" There was a brief pause.



"Sir, we're just protecting you." The other one, Yerest, answered quietly in Miraali.

"The word 'image' doesn't mean a goddamned thing to you, does it? What about 'overreaction'?" Ryan spread his arms and looked to the sky in disgust. "Okay, enough of this shit. I wanted to leave soon anyway." He sat down heavily in the hired limousine and palmed his eyes. The four guards piled in after him. The low roof forced them to lean forward ridiculously in their bulky suits. "We're not done yet, either," he said. "Just you fucking wait until we get back to Mirakar."

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel

Hereafter

After the processions, the grand speeches, the protestors staining warcriminals with fake blood and the senile old pontifs fisticuffing each other with sanctified brass knuckles, the Prime Minister's funeral carried on somberly to its final conclusion.



The empty casket was brought to the Semetery of Sovereigns, which would be the Prime Minister's final resting place. The crowds of millions, the blood-bearing protestors and the brawling Byzantine bishops were outside the walls. The affair was to be a secluded, quiet one with only the Prime Minister's family, friends and loved ones, as well as the few remaining world leaders spectating.



Arik and Paul watched as the empty casket of their dear friend was lowered into the earth. As the gun-salutes rang out in the air, neither knew what to feel, or what was appropriate to say for this inappropriate occasion.

After the casket was buried, the mourners shuffled out quietly and departed. They would return back to their homes, back to their loved ones and would grieve in their own ways. For King Paul, though, there would be no rest for him or his family. He would return to his Queen, and together he and Agatha would worry for the fate of their daughter Elena.

The night would not end for them, not just yet.

Soon, the mourners, the crowds and security personnel had departed. All that was left were the hundreds of life-sized Huang-Di statues brought in tribute by Tian Xiamen partaking in the massive outpouring of international grief.



The hard rain began running the Huang-Di Beowulves' cheap watercolor paint.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Crossroadia Holds National Day of Mourning for Shroom Prime Minister

The scene was downtown Bishitropolis, the Iconic buildings stood tall and proud as they always had. The corridors of artdeco buildings, new and old alike stood in the gloomy light of a late summers rain. However the usually busy streets and crowded walkways were virtually devoid of people as much of the main downtown area was closed in memory of the beloved leader of Shroomania.


In a live broadcast from the Presidents Hall downtown, a rare joint appearance of the President along side the Lord CEO was held as President Andrews read from a speech.

""At this very moment, a great man is being laid to rest in the soil of Shroomania. A man that our nation has grown to admire, respect and shall miss dearly, is being laid to rest. And yet, from his passing, we know he can never truely be at rest, he shall always be apart of this world, he shall always be 'out there'. We shall look to the great seas of this world and know him to be watching us, not just his nation, but all nations for all time.""

The speech continued, both by the President and Lord CEO before both placed writhes on a small tomb outside the Presidents Hall downtown.

In a sign that all things must continue, the military Exercises of Crossroadias' Navy, their largest in over a decade, continued far in international waters.

The twin resumed their training exercises lat this evening in international waters.

[Siege]

Private jet, somewhere above the Atlantic

Technically the supersonic jet wasn't private but property of the recently created SincH Holding®. Although it had only two registered shareholders the company nevertheless owned major stakes in several large international corporations and a host of smaller businesses across the globe.

Those two owners however, who were both inside the jet at this very moment, were married. For all intents and purposes therefore the C-21 White Lightning was a family jet – one of several, at that.

Sidney Hank was in a pensive mood. He looked at the clouds rolling by far below, then turned to his wife. “Strange. I still can't believe he's actually gone.”

Daphne Sinclair looked up from her book and eyed her husband. “Can't, or don't?”

He shrugged. “Both, I guess. Stranger things have happened.”

Daphne lifted an eyebrow. “Stranger than dead leaders rising from the ashes? I don't think so.”

Sidney snorted. “Truly? Then what do you call Stephen and I miraculously surviving that helicopter crash and subsequent manhunt?” He saw his wife grimace at the recollection and quickly changed talked on. “And you saw Al-Sheppard. He's looking more lively than he did on the Shepistani prop broadcasts from years ago.”

“If he really is Al-Sheppard, instead of a younger brother – and I'm not saying I believe that he is” grumbled MacBride. “Then what the blazes did the Dominoes install him as leader of Sirnoth for? That doesn't make any sense.”

“And it does to install the brother of your eternal enemy as leader? Come on Mike, you're smarter than that.” The former president sat up in his leather chair. “A 'younger brother', at that, who just so happens to look like two drops of water like Al-Sheppard, whose body was never found. A 'younger brother' who is kept under lock and key by Dominion Knights twenty-four-seven. A 'younger brother' whose name-” He caught himself at the last minute and mentally kicked himself. Dammit, almost gave the game away. “Well never mind.” He had to forcibly stop himself from wincing. It would've been hard to explain how 'Rhee-Ahn' was a spot of dark humor on the part of 'Lord Fairfax'.

He drew a breath. “Look, I don't know what Fairfax thinks to achieve by keeping that madman alive and kicking. Maybe it's a case of 'keep your enemies closer', I don't know. But frankly, it can't be very good for us, can it?”

Daphne looked thoughtful for a bit. “I suppose not. Not much we can do about it though, can we?”

“No” Sidney rapped his fingers on the armrest. “Not as long as Sirnoth is crawling with Domino security at least.”

MacBride, unflappable as always, simply absorbed the information and asked the single question that mattered. “So what's next?”

The former president exhaled loudly. “We make a stop in Fenraven where I'll get off. I have to have a talk with President Ahten about some official state business. My mind's not really in it right now, but it's not an appointment I want to reschedule. On the way back I'll make another stop in Miratia. And after that then I'm going to do nothing for a week or two. I didn't bloody retire for shits and giggles...”


Result: Sidney's on the way to Indhopal. Raj, we can get that other business started.

[Raj Ahten]

Fenraven, Indhopal

Sidney Hank's visit to Indhopal had been long in the planning. It was also a low key affair as Hank was no longer technically a head of state. President Ahten had set the meeting up at a retreat in the Northern mountains that was well placed next to an air force base.

The retreat was President Ahten's favorite place to wind down and was surprisingly rustic, being a collection of cabins. As Hank's motorcade snaked its way in though astute observers could note the high frequency radio sets and satellite dishes bedecking some of the buildings and the commandos that were attempting to look casual pulling security.

Hank and Ms. Sinclair were received in President Ahten's study.

President Ahten said,

"Sidney its good to see you again. Pity about the circumstances though; I know you felt close to Prime Minister Shroom. Time and business wait for no one however. As I know you are a business man at heart I'll get straight to the point. Indhopal, Sabika, the Eastern Occidental and Yorkshire are just a few of the nations that have benefited from close trade ties to San Dorado in recent years. We know that economic development has brought political stability to this continent.

The CFR however remains a black pit. Sure we've nibbled away at the edges of that problem for years. The time for half measures is over. I propose that we build a network of highways and railways across the CFR to link all the nations of Frequesue together. Just think of the possibilities that would be generated by opened the CR to trade and economic development once more. Security could also follow along with the roads; peacekeepers and development workers would have easy access when as of right now parts of the CFR are cut off for months when the dirt roads become impassable.

Of course this project wouldn't be a cakewalk and for it to realize its true potential I'd realistically need all the nations that border the CFR to sign up . So what do you think?"

[Lonestar]

Monthly Visitor


WHITE MALE POWER STRUCTURE IN CROSSROADIA CONTINUES THREATENING GESTURES
While the rest of the world mourns the loss of Prime Minister Shroom, the WHITE MALE CORPORATISTS of Crossroadia continue to threaten their neighbors.

The MONTHLY VISITOR has learned that much of the Crossroadian Navy is in dangerous disrepair, mostly because of the advance age of it's components. While the WHITE MALE CORPORATEISTS have attempted a media blitz with their phallic compensators, keen observers have noted that the images are mostly at a distance. The MONTHLY VISITOR has acquired closer photos...

[Zor]

Union Press

BnL opens new world Headquarters



BnL World Headquarters, Port Victory-Today Buy'n Large's new headquarters, based off designs created by Frank Wright Lloyd and towering over a kilometer and a half into the air, was officialy opened for buisiness. The grand opening event took place earlier today, in which some 50,000 people attended, including King Leighton for the official ribbon cutting, having recently returned from Shroomania. Various firms, mostly Zorian but a few CATO based have rented out areas inside this new building.

[K. A. Pital]

PRAVDA: Crossroadian Navy carrier "in good condition"

The constant capitalist bickering over each other's armaments has come to the point where open frauds are being perpetrated by the capitalists in a futile attempt to conceal each other's military buildup.

Despite the claims of the Old Dominion and the MESS that the carriers of the Crossroadian Navy are in a state of disrepair, we have conclusive evidence that this is not the case. In fact, the Old Dominion press used the photos of the utilization of an old San Doradan carrier which belongs to the same design as the Crossroadian carrier.

The design of Crossroadia's carrier might be old, but the hull itself is kept in a good condition and is used to operate Crossroadia's modern fighters. This further signifies the fact that while the weapons of a capitalist nation might be "old" compared to the current standard, they nevertheless do pose a threat in case of war.

The press brush-off that the Crossroadian military has been getting from the MESS only signifies their deep concern with the renewed military activity of one of their capitalist competitors, just as they are and will remain concerned with the activities of the IRT and other nations.

PRAVDA: The XXVth World Congress of international socialist and communist parties is opening next week in the UCSR

Representatives from the whole world would be arriving in Stasograd, which has been selected as the Seat of Congress once again due to unique capacity offered by the interiors and meeting halls of the Palace of the Soviets.

Themes would be ranging from the response to the international crises to the discussion of the role and nature of global alliances, imperialism, national liberation, new economic planning methods, principles of self-government, civil liberties, minority rights. Former President Stanislav will open the Congress after his return from Shroomania where he had been attending the funeral of Prime Minister Shroom.

[Lonestar]

Ares Blog

B-56s grounded
The ODAAF GSC B-56 fleet has been grounded for the past 2 months, Ares Blog has learned. Severe "airframe fatigue issues" are the reasons given.

The B-56 has seen over 50 years of service, first in the Sheipstani SAC, then in the ODAAF GSC. During much of their service in the SSAC they remained on the ground as "alert bombers", while with the GSC they have been hard worked. Ares Blog speculates that little to no work will be done to restore the B-56 fleet, in lieu of expediting B-1E Ambassador production...[More]


Crossroadian Naval exercises boon for Lord Fairfax Government
With Elections just around the corner, the Whigs have used the recent Crossroadian naval exercises to attack the Librul cuts to the ODN's "Fleet 2030" plan. There are over 20 seats that are considered "swing", and gaining even ten of them will allow the Whigs to take back control of Defense policy...[More]

[Shroom Man 777]

Hereafter

Farbanti, Shroomania

The Crown Princess of Tian Xia, Mei Ling, had left the funeral early. She just couldn't stand the various hideous and grotesque depictions of her brother, the Huang-Di Beowulf, that the Shroomanians and expat Tian Xiamen (who had obviously been corrupted by low-quality Shroomanian opium) had erected in effigy to represent the Emperor of Tian Xia in the solemn occasion.

Before she'd depart from the Sovereignty of dishonorable gaijin, she would visit the Tian Xian embassy in Farbanti, just to powder her nose and reapply her footbindings before the trip home.

In the embassy, though, she met a most unwelcomed sight. The Tian Xian ambassador to Shroomania who had - in colloquial terms - gone native.



She glared at him, beholding him with all the insignificance of an insect.

"Professor Presley Poon," the Crown Princess began as the eunuchs departed from her sight and smell.



"Crown Princess," Professor Presley Poon bowed in the presence of her royal majesty. "Before you depart to mainland Tian Xia, there is but one matter I wish to discuss with you, your majesty."

"Yes?"

"Crown Princess, the Shroomanian Tian Xiamen have wished to give a statue - in honor of your brother, the most auspicious Huang-Di Beowulf - that they had brought to the late Prime Minister Shroom's funeral."

"Show me," Crown Princess Mei Ling scowled. She did not like this.

"This way, your majesty. They have three, and would wish for you to choose one to bring with you to the Forbidden City," Professor Presley Poon brought her to a dark room. He turned the lights on and opened his arms up in a gesture of grandeur. "Behold!"

Mei Ling gasped. At the sight of the statues...



...she cringed.



She gritted her teeth.



She turned to face Presley Poon, who was beaming proudly at the offerings that he thought were befitting his Huang-Di. In older, more nobler and honorable times, they would have tied all his appendages to horses and have him quartered. But alas, such were no longer the times.

Instead, she just glared at him. Like the miserable insect that he was.



A gong rang, and with a eunuch's cry of "NOW IS THE HOUR OF THE MOST BENEFICENT JADE ROOSTER!" Crown Princess Mei Ling left Professor Poon and went to her sanctum to reapply her foot bindings.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Crossroadian Military Publicly Announces new Carriers

After allegations by several countries, both positive and negative, on the Crossroadian Navy, Lord Admiral Fredrick Fandango gave a press conference this afternoon on the topic.

"Our recent exercises were meant to put our military back into the world view, but we never thought it would be like this" He said with a half hearted chuckle. "ALmost a decade ago we began a slow but steady process of increasing our nations Navy as well as modernizing ships. Part of this process was the construction of a group of Carriers that would form the core of our fleet. As many of you know, large "Super" Carriers seem to be all the rage these days, but such extravagant excesses are hardly needed for our country, we can do far more with much less. In that vine we took the plans for an older class of Carrier, and redesigned it from the ground up. The outer haul is all about all our knew "Clemounen" Carriers share with thier original cousins. The interior is on par with anything fielded by the MESS Or CATO." He spoke before the assembled press corps.

Later in the afternoon, the Admiral took the press on an exclusive tour of the Third Carrier docked at the Telgar Naval base, the Pride of Bishounen Which is set to be launched later this month.

On a related note, the Economic Manager, Walter W Wonker, announced an aggressive knew advertising campaign world wide to increase the influence of Crossroadias Airship Industry.

[Siege]

OOC: Raj, if Daphne is coming too (wasn't originally counting on that, but I'll roll with it) you just committed a kind of diplomatic faux-pas, considering she is the head of state of a nation... But we'll just sweep that under the rug .

Fenraven, Indhopal

The CFR however remains a black pit. Sure we've nibbled away at the edges of that problem for years. The time for half measures is over. I propose that we build a network of highways and railways across the CFR to link all the nations of Frequesue together. Just think of the possibilities that would be generated by opened the CR to trade and economic development once more. Security could also follow along with the roads; peacekeepers and development workers would have easy access when as of right now parts of the CFR are cut off for months when the dirt roads become impassable.

Of course this project wouldn't be a cakewalk and for it to realize its true potential I'd realistically need all the nations that border the CFR to sign up . So what do you think?"

The former president scratched his chin. "That's an interesting proposition... Certainly it would be a challenge, but opening up the CFR hinterland to enterprise would be a massive boon for the region, in both commercial and humanitarian terms. Not to mention the good PR we'd reap from such an endeavor."

"We've run into issues developing the more remote regions of Fimbulwinter" Daphne agreed. "Expansion of the highways and rail lines through the area would aid the effort immensely. We could run spurs south and east from Kircaldy..."

"... and link up with the rail and road lines running from Sabika into Indhopal" Sidney completed his wife's sentence.

"The cost though..."

"The upfront investment would be significant, but the pay-off would be immense. Besides" his voice grew thoughtful. "If we open up the CFR and corner the emerging resource markets there, we can decisively drive the IRT out of Central Frequesue."

There was a glint in Daphne's eye now. "I like how you're thinking."

Sidney turned back to the Indhopali president. "If we're going to cooperate on the uplifting of the CFR -- and it looks like we will -- there are a few other projects we could conceivably develop too. A little while ago a Sabikan university proposed diverting water from the Great Lakes region in Fimbulwinter south to irrigate the barrens in the heart of the CFR. It was thought to be too expensive... But if we're going to drive highways and railroads that way anyway, such projects would become significantly more feasible, wouldn't you agree?"

[Lonestar]

Richmond Whig

House Elections sweep Whigs into power
The Librul Party, whichy has had a narrow control over the House of Burgesses for the past 2 years, has been swept out of power in the recent elections. Of the disputed 20 seats, 16 went to the Whigs, granting them a secure majority of theLegislature.

The recent Crossroadian Naval exercises coincided with the last few weeks of the lection campaign, and the Whigs led an aggressive attack on Lord Winton's defense policy, specifically his blocking of Fleet 2030 plan for the ODN...[More]


Exercise "Southern Partnership" begins
"Southern Partnership", an annual multinational exercise consisting of OICAS member countries has begun. This is the first time San Fuego and Sirnoth have participated as member states, and Augustine will be deploying their CVH, United Provinces, to the exercise...[More]

[Siege]

CATO joint forces base, Fallston, Coilerburg, NFT

The growl of bulldozers and heavy earth moving equipment could be heard even well beyond the closely guarded perimeter fence. The careful observer would have been able to see large amounts of concrete being delivered to the base – but since all wannabe careful observers were quickly shooed away by grumpy security personnel in armored cars this went unnoticed, leaving what few locals lived in the area to wonder about what was going on.

One thing was certain though: there was no appreciable drop in the number of warships visiting the naval facilities, or in the take-offs and landings of the UCSR interceptors stationed at the airfield that was part of the base. And radio signals continued to be affected by the transmissions of the massive over-the-horizon radar. What was being built, then, was presumably something new...

[DarthShady]

PRIME NOIR
Somewhat Unreal/Real Time

Somewhere in the Mediterranean

The small boat skimmed across the waves, hurrying to it's destination and with good reason. All hell had broken loose on the Old Continent and everyone would soon be after them. There was no time to lose, they had to get out - while they still could. They had to get their precious cargo out of there, the princess was their prize and the boss wanted to see her soon. She would prove to be quite useful. In the distance a ship appeared, their ride was waiting for them. They docked near the large ship, got on board and sank the Zodiac, their next destination - Khitan. Luckily for them, the storm and the rage gas had given them plenty of time to reach their destination.

Khitan

By the time the large ship had reached Khitan, the world had already become aware of what transpired. Some would be outraged, and some would be saddened - but one thing was sure, they had managed to get everyone's attention. There was no time to lose. The plane was waiting. Karic's men got off the ship and into the waiting vehicles, the small airfield was not far away, and the plane was already waiting. Their next destination was Damascus, where Srdjan Karic was waiting. They reached the airfield quickly and although they were ready to depart immediately, Abasi had just one last loose end to wrap up. Their PeZookian accomplice, the crooked BOR guard, Andrzej. The living example that every man had a price. Some were more expensive than others.

Andrzej's price was quite high, he wanted a lot of money for what he did. He had betrayed his country, his King, his Queen - he betrayed everything and everyone he cared about. Such things leave a wound on ones soul. But then again, all wounds can be healed, especially if you have the money for it.


As they exited the vehicles, Abasi smiled and called Andrzej to his side. "I'm afraid this is as far as you will come with us.", Abasi said with a grin, "The boss told me to inform you, how much he appreciates your help..." Andrzej glared at Abasi. "He can appreciate it all he wants...", he said, "All I care about, is my money. And since, as you say, we are parting ways...I want my payment!" At that moment, two of Abasi's men approached Andrzej from behind. One grabbed him on the shoulder and the other pressed the cold barrel of a gun to the back of his head.

"What?", Andrzej was surprised, "What are you doing?"

"You know, for such a smart man - you are surprisingly stupid.", Abasi laughed, "Did you really think, that you would get out of this alive?"

"But...We had a deal!", the traitor who was now being betrayed himself shouted in disbelief, "Karic promised..."

He was interrupted by Abasi's laughter.

"I'm afraid you have outlived your usefulness..." Abasi smiled. "Finish him."

A gunshot echoed across the desert. Andrzej fell on the ground, a new hole in his head - blood steaming out of it, soaking the desert sand of Khitan. Not the way he pictured himself dying. Before he did this, he always imagined himself as getting killed in the line of duty, dying to protect his King and Country. And later, after he betrayed everything he stood for, he pictured himself dying as an old man on some remote beach, enjoying his blood money. The reality was, he died a traitor - in some shit ass country, with nobody to see him die or even care.

With all the loose ends wrapped up, it was time to go. Karic's men boarded the plane and took to the skies. Their destination was Damascus, where the boss and the next stage of his plan waited.

***

Damascus


As the Old Continent went into panic mode, the various intelligence agencies had erupted in a flurry of activity. They were all after one thing, Lena and the men who took her. But they were professionals, who hid their trail well. Finding them would be very hard. At Damascus the plane had landed, Karic's plan had succeeded and the princess was his. Abasi and the rest of his men pulled up in front of Srdjan Karic's new home, courtesy of the Syrian Prince. Srdjan was waiting, a big smile on his face.

"Welcome home.", he smiled.

"It's good to be home.", Abasi smiled in return and lifted Lena up in the air, "I have a present for you."

"Excellent." Srdjan Karic laughed, "I think it's time to take things up a notch."

He picked up his satellite phone and dialed a number.

"This should be fun..."

***

Farbanti, Shroomania

Paul was not a happy man. His life had gone from good to bad, to worse - in a matter of moments. He still couldn't believe that all this was happening to him. His daughter missing, one of his best friends and allies lies dead, and his wife was in the hospital. Could things get any worse? The answer was, yes, yes they could. A phone set to vibrate rang, King Paul's assistant answered it, what she heard shocked her - but she managed to calm her self enough to approach Paul.

"Your majesty...", she whispered, her voice filled with a sensation of panic, "It's...you..."

"What is it?" Paul asked impatiently. After all that had happened, he had no patience left.

"You have a call." The young woman finally managed to speak. "It's about Lena..."

Paul grabbed the phone so fast that the girl twitched, reflexively thinking he wold hit her. He pressed the phone against his ear and spoke.

"Yes. Who is it?" Paul asked, his voice shaking. "Where is my daughter?"

"Shut up and listen! Your oh-so-royal highness..." The voice on the other side of the phone sounded awfully familiar "Here is how it will go down...I have something you want, and you...have something I want." Srdjan Karic laughed.

Paul just stood there, frozen in time - listening, hoping that this nightmare, was not real. Finally he managed to speak. "What do you want?"

"What do you think I want?" Karic spoke with a voice that sent shivers down Pauls spine. "I want to make a trade. Your life, in exchange for the life of your daughter. You die, so that your daughter can live..."



Paul froze for a moment, staring into space, "What?"

"You heard me. Your daughter's life is in your hands...and I know what you are thinking. No rescue is possible. The choice is up to you."

Jesus christ..., Paul thought, looking around in sheer panic, trying to find help...any help.

"Decide now, your highness."

The people gathered at the cemetery were looking at the King, instinctively sensing something very wrong was happening.

"Fine", Paul spat into the phone, "You have a deal."

"Excellent!", the voice on the other side was full of glee, "I will give you an hour to get your affairs in order. Await my further instructions.", Karic said and disconnected.

Paul stared at the phone for a second, and then screamed and smashed it against the pavement. He looked around, starting at his entourage with sheer fury in his eyes. He felt panic, and the sheer helplessness gnawed at him...

He paused. It occurred to him that he wasn't helpless at all.

"We're leaving", he said to his assistants, "Karol, get me on the horn with lord McMeistervater, general Kulinsky and president Shady."

If giving up his life was what it took to get his daughter back, Paul wouldn't hesitate. But Karic was a fool if he thought it would be that easy.

Result: PRIME NOIR Continues.

[Crossroads Inc.]

CCCT, CEO's Office

In the vast gilded and lavish Office of the Lord CEO, a mountain of paperwork stood on his desk. Reports, files, briefings, just another daily slog he had to go through to keep abreast of current situations. He mused how the High Accountants had told him the Company could save thousands by switching to paperless systems and digital files, putting a pile of paper briefings onto a single thumbdrive for instance. But security concerns had quashed that proposal, and the Lord CEO didn't mind that much. Anytime he ever wanted to avoid a meeting, he simply needed to point to a large pile and there would be a nod, weather he had already read said pile, was never asked...

In the middle of his musings was when the green phone rang, a direct line to the President, and rarely used. He let it rang once or twice before answering...

"Mr Richards good afternoon,what can I do for you?"
"Your Lordship! Have you SEEN the new budgetary releases for the fiscal quarter?" The CEO winced... He had been expecting this.
"Ah, I trust you are speaking of the financial protections taking into account new military spending?"
"This Nations, this Companies profits are down to less then 2%! that is wholly unacceptable! We are a Company, not some freewheeling nation that can print money whenever it suites them, WE hold ourselves to a higher standard." The president snapped.
"Look, YOU wanted to look big for the world, YOU wanted to impress the voters for the next Election, did you think that wasn't going to cut into our profits just a bit?"
"I ordered an upgrade to ships of a certain age and class, You were the one who went out and decided to overhaul virtually our whole fleet, things should never have reached this point. 2% profits will NOT look good." The CEO bite his lip, the President was right on this. Any other country wouldn't have this problem.. If a budget looked bad, wel, you always cut the military, because thats always where all the money was... But when everything else in your country is absurdly well funded, state of the art infrastructure, cradle to grave health care, world class Education, Then the military became the thing you need to cut others for...

The CEO leaned back in his chair and sighed.
"We can cut back a bit from some of the Army programs, its going to be piss a few people off, but not as much if we touched any social programs. Also we have several deals with Shroomania on the books that will be going through soon. I know neither of us like "projected" profit, but it will give us a bit of breathing room." He said, punching numbers on an old register. "That will give us at least an 8% Profit margin by the end of the year... Acceptable?" There was a pause on the other end of the line...

"Agreed, but, we can't let this happen again, If you want to go out spending, thats fine, but give the Company more warning so we can budget for it." The President hung up, The Lord CEO sighed and wiped his forehead. He, and only a few others, knew not all of that was being spent on the new Navy... He knew the increased spending was going to be found, and breathed a sigh of relief that its trace had stopped at "Warship Overhauls" and "Militarily Refits". The true location of where a large lump of money was being funneled was still kept well in check...

A moment later he punched his Comm.
"Miss Thetral? Could you please get me the Shroomanian Ambassador on the line? I have profits I need to make happen..."

[Lonestar]

Virginia Pilot

FEEDING AT THE TROUGH: THE FAIRFAX PLAN TO BANKRUPT THE COUNTRY
By Lord Winton

THE VOTES have barely been counted, and already the Whigs are planning on pushing through with Lord Fairfax's precious "Fleet 2030" programme. The recent election has been notable for the amount of scaremongering that the Whigs have inflicted upon the Citizens of the Old Dominion. Facts and issues are immaterial, only the need for victory at the ballot.

When I agreed to support 4 more Neuse River class patrol frigates in lieu of more STAR DDGNs, Lord Fairfax left the impression that the matter had been dropped. Now he is turning around and pushing for those 4 DDGNs, and even worse, they will be of a modified design with the so-called C1E reactor, developed from a Tian Xia design. Both Tian Xia and the the Lord Fairfax government have been very quiet as to what makes the C1E so spectacularly better than the DE2D in the previous STAR DDGNs.

Just as bad, the Whigs have quietly inserted a provision for two new "anti-submarine warfare" carriers into the next Naval Law. These so-called CVSs will weigh in at 40,000 tons(larger than the Crossroadian fleet carriers the Whigs ballyhooed about during the election campaign), with one being built in Wilkonia and the other in Tian Xia. They don't even care enough to ensure the work is done in a domestic yard.

Lord Fairfax has pointed at the sizes of other navies as justification for the size of the ODN, noting that the ODN is, and will remain, smaller than most of our MESS Peers(only Canissa is a country in the same class as ours and pays less into the MESS). He neglects to mention that the Old Dominion will be able to draw on OICAS naval assets in any conflict, that the MESS already has a preponderance of strength over CATO(even with the defection of the Byzantines taken into account), or the relative high cost of the STAR combatants to other vessels.

Lord Fairfax has also pointed at the steady decline of our Army as a cost saving measure. Since the Pathogen War, our active army has shrunk by almost 60%, with more shrinkage to come. For hundreds of years young men and women have earned their citizenship through service in the ODA, nowadays these would-be citizens are more likely to earn it in the Citizen Construction Corps, or federal service in old folks homes. The ODA doesn't have the billets for it, and the very technical services of the ODAAF and the ODN mandate mostly professional personnel.

I can only urge the Whigs to think carefully in victory, and not allow campaign rhetoric get in the way of fiscal prudence.

-Lord Winton is the Chairman of the Librul Party, and a bit of a sore loser

[Steve]

San Magdalena, Cascadian Republic of Rosario
New Year's Day 2018


After a decade of celebrating New Year's in the Capital District of Adams, Stephen and his family were now experiencing how the celebration was held in the magnificant city of San Magdalena. Not far from the border with Shinra, marked by the large and powerful Nevada River, the picturesque city was built in Rosarian style with great baroque structures in the Inner City while the more modern skyscrapers surrounded it. The Inner City possessed the Rosarian legislature and government. Nearby was the Cathedral of St. Mary of Magdalene, built in the 1700s and still in function to this day, as well as the prestigious Father Marcos' College of Religion and the larger University of San Magdalena. A handful of fine estates owned by some of the richest people in Cascadia lined the north bank of the Marcos River, the medium-sized waterway that flowed from the lowest extent of the Cascades into the Nevada to the south, providing the owners with river access for their boats. The Rosario Republic Museum of Natural History occupied a particularly lovely spot on a piece of land jutting out into the river.
The southern bank was mostly considered part of the "outer city", being more modern in construction, with the exception of the San Magdalena College of Fine Art overlooking the South Bank. Here the Inner City was lined with more park land, lush greenery that went to the water's edge and ended where the Outer City began.
Not all of San Magdalena was picturesque, though. The Pathogen War Crash of 2010 had left its scar on the city, with a derelict district of abandoned factories and warehouses that had owners who were desperate to offload them after the post-crash recovery had not come to their part of the city. Just east of the Inner City's south bank reaches, the district reached the waterfront complete with river piers that saw little active barge traffic these days.
But that would soon change. The paperwork was nearly complete and the San Magdalena city council was debating the issue, with a clear slant in favor of the plan. The riverside district would be torn down and rebuilt, converting it to the seat of the Pacific Union government by, it was hoped, 2020. Until then the PacUnion government would be mostly operating out of existant Cascadian facilities in Adams, Seattle, and San Magdalena, given that portions of the Cascadian bureaucracy were being shifted to join Alaskan and Adabani counterparts under the newly-formed government.

Stephen, however, would be taking up residence in the city, as would Cizadlo of Alaska as his Vice President, with the University of San Magdalena renting out the lecture halls to act as meeting places for the Pacific legislative houses until their facilities in the new Union Government District were completed and ready for occupation.
Though the "Earth" side of him had been depressingly unilingual, ten years of life here and the memories and learning of his "Nova Terra" side had enabled him to learn the Spanish to help function in Rosario. Almost all Rosarians spoke at least a little English, as it was the language of the majority of Cascadia, but in Rosario, only the signs were bilingual in day-to-day activities. Rosarians cheerfully spoke their dialect of Spanish in their particular fast-talking fashion, making it hard for someone not accustomed to speaking the language to understand it even if they knew it.
He exchanged greetings and blessings in that language as he met with the crowd gathered around the Plaza de la Padre Marcos, a spacious and beautiful place in the park district of the Inner City's south bank within sight of the now-marked future Union Government District. Markings in Spanish and English indicated it was the site from which the enigmatic friar of the 17th Century had surveyed the charred wreckage of Cuithepil after the successful Christian revolt against the pagan rulers there and held the Mass in which the call to construct San Magdalena was issued.

A podium and raised platform had been prepared for him, where Justice Pedro Velasquez, Rosario's Chief Justice, was waiting with a Bible. At noon he and Cizadlo were together there as the ceremony began, a symbolic honor guard and band of Cascadian, Alaskan, and Adabani troops playing the song O Great Pacific! from a Mark Sage play of the 19th Century. Walking up to the platform, he was prompted to give an oath.

"I... Stephen Thomas Garrett... do solemnly swear... that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of President of the Pacific Union.... and will to the best of my ability.... preserve... protect... and defend the Constitution of the Union of Pacific Republics... so help me God."

For those of Cascadia and Alaska watching at home on television, this performance and Cizadlo's oath as new Vice President would be given on a split screen, as between their oaths Alexandria Verdes was shown in Adams taking the oath of office for becoming Cascadian President with Senator Oliver Packland of Oregon doing the same for the new VP, while after Cizadlo's Alaskan viewers watched Dr. Rice take the oath in Anchorage to assume the Alaskan Presidency with a Labor Party parliamentarian by the name of James Haller becoming her new VP. This set of six oaths, given in three different cities, had re-aligned the reins of power across the Pacific. Only Adabani President Sameer Farzani had not left his office in the shakeup, opting to serve out his term and permit cabinet members to switch over to the new government.

With the oaths complete, members of the honor guard, consisting symbolically of one Cascadian, one Alaskan, and one Adabani, worked together to raise on an empty flagpole the flag of the new Union of Pacific Republics.



Cheers came from the staunchly pro-Unionist crowd, though there were a handful of anti-Unionist protesters in the back who jeered, just to have that drowned out by the approval of the crowd. Stepping back up to the podium, Stephen laid out notes before him and took up the microphone.

"To my fellow citizens, not just of Cascadia anymore but of Alaska and Adabani, this New Year's Day has not only seen the birth of a new year but that of a new age in the era of the Pacific nations. Today three sovereign republics, united by their part in the brotherhood of Pacific nations, willingly sacrifice some of that sovereignty, that cherished independence, to create a new union that will better represent their interests in our tumultuous world."

"The future is never set in stone. If it is to be good we must strive for it, pay the costs of improving it, understand the risks of mistakes and avoid them, and ultimately must be willing to sacrifice short-term desires for long-term accomplishments. It is my intention to maintain the prosperity enjoyed today and to raise up those of the new Union who are less fortunate to a higher standard of living. I also intend to use the power of the new Union not to glorify it alone but to maintain security and safety for all. The Pacific Union will not shirk its responsibilities to its citizens, to its neighbors, or to the world, the responsibilities that our neutrality and our desire for peace give us. We must continue to plot an independent course in a world dominated by the two great alliances, to offer the hand of friendship to any nation that seeks it, and to provide the world a fair forum in which to peacefully discuss and settle disputes.

"Domestically, it is the Union's long-term goal to finish the long-term work of establishing permanent bonds between the nations of Cascadia, Alaska, and Adabani, as well as any others that seek participation in our Union. While doing so we must provide charity to those citizens of the Union who are less well off, until all enjoy the standard of living we do.. We must maintain the rights of all our people. And we will."

"I reach a hand out today not just to those who supported this Union but those who did not. I understand your concerns, your worries, your fears. I pledge that we will address all of those things in the years to come. I do not promise it will be easy, or that every issue will be settled to the desires of all, but I do promise that every effort shall be undertaken to consider and settle the concerns of the citizens of this Union, whether they are pro-Union or anti-Union. In the end, we are all fellow Cascadians, Alaskans, Adabani... we are all Pacificans. In our political disagreements we must not forget our common backgrounds and history, the unity of purpose and desire amongst our peoples that predates the Union we now form."

"The challenge is before us. It is not the first our peoples have faced, nor will it be the last. But it is the first we have faced together. And I have faith that the synthesis of our national characters - Cascadian, Alaskan, and Adabani - will meet that challenge and overcome it. Thank you and God bless."

There was applause from the crowd. The speech would be carried across the world, announcing to the world at large that the Union of Pacific Republics was open for business.

[Raj Ahten]

OOC: Raj, if Daphne is coming too (wasn't originally counting on that, but I'll roll with it) you just committed a kind of diplomatic faux-pas, considering she is the head of state of a nation... But we'll just sweep that under the rug .

Fenraven, Indhopal

The CFR however remains a black pit. Sure we've nibbled away at the edges of that problem for years. The time for half measures is over. I propose that we build a network of highways and railways across the CFR to link all the nations of Frequesue together. Just think of the possibilities that would be generated by opened the CR to trade and economic development once more. Security could also follow along with the roads; peacekeepers and development workers would have easy access when as of right now parts of the CFR are cut off for months when the dirt roads become impassable.

Of course this project wouldn't be a cakewalk and for it to realize its true potential I'd realistically need all the nations that border the CFR to sign up . So what do you think?"

The former president scratched his chin. "That's an interesting proposition... Certainly it would be a challenge, but opening up the CFR hinterland to enterprise would be a massive boon for the region, in both commercial and humanitarian terms. Not to mention the good PR we'd reap from such an endeavor."

"We've run into issues developing the more remote regions of Fimbulwinter" Daphne agreed. "Expansion of the highways and rail lines through the area would aid the effort immensely. We could run spurs south and east from Kircaldy..."

"... and link up with the rail and road lines running from Sabika into Indhopal" Sidney completed his wife's sentence.

"The cost though..."

"The upfront investment would be significant, but the pay-off would be immense. Besides" his voice grew thoughtful. "If we open up the CFR and corner the emerging resource markets there, we can decisively drive the IRT out of Central Frequesue."

There was a glint in Daphne's eye now. "I like how you're thinking."

Sidney turned back to the Indhopali president. "If we're going to cooperate on the uplifting of the CFR -- and it looks like we will -- there are a few other projects we could conceivably develop too. A little while ago a Sabikan university proposed diverting water from the Great Lakes region in Fimbulwinter south to irrigate the barrens in the heart of the CFR. It was thought to be too expensive... But if we're going to drive highways and railroads that way anyway, such projects would become significantly more feasible, wouldn't you agree?"

"I'm glad to hear both of you are interested in the project I always figured if the NFT didn' think it was possible then it would be a project best abandoned. There's just one caveat: I'd like to bring in as many other local nations as possible in on the project. There has always been a lack of ground transit options in Frequesue and by sending links to the CFR's neighbors, that problem could be alleviated. It would also be a great gesture towards peace on the continent. I've found nothing sets the ground work for peaceful relations like economic ties. By bringing in other partners we could also short circuit any calls that this project is about imperialism instead of peace. Also if the NFT is absolutely against links to Klavostan due to their special situation, we could always say their current links through Indhopal give them sufficient access to the new transit network.

About that Great Lakes project, I myself haven't heard about such endeavors being considered in years. The prospect excites me quite frankly. As long as we move carefully so as to be sure that the project is sustainable and we don't end up draining the lakes for only temporary gain Indhopal would be on board for such a project."

[Siege]

Army To Purchase Crossroadian Airships
The San Dorado Times has learned that the North Frequesuan Army has signed a contract with INC Aeronautics, a Crossroadian corporation that specializes in airship design and manufacture. The contract, worth $72 million, specifies the delivery of twelve airships to be used in a dual reconnaissance/gunship role by the NFA.

According to sources with the NFA the airships will augment the army's existing close air support arm, which until now consisted exclusively of helicopters. "These airships can loiter in-theater much longer, allowing them to support our troops in the field for prolonged periods of time. They can also carry more and heavier weapons. They will be a great asset for the NFA."

Asked if the relatively slow airships would not be an easy target for ground-to-air weaponry an army spokesperson denied this. "We fully intend to make use of the best in countermeasures technology when rigging these gunships."

The airship has been tentatively classified as the 'AZR-1 "Creepy" aeroscraft gunship'. "ZR" is an army designation for rigid airships that has not been used since a series of ill-fated experiments with aerial carriers in the late-1920s.

[Steve]

Smith-Hall Defense Quarterly

Aircraft Carrier Defiant to go on last deployment this year, Defense Department confirms.

The PacUnion Defense Department has confirmed earlier reports that the Cascadian carrier Defiant, the first "large" fixed wing aircraft carrier to be fielded in Cascadian history, will be going on its final deployment upon completion of an R&R cycle when it returns from Veleria in late January. The final deployment of the historic carrier is expected to begin in mid-May when the ship completes R&R cycle and a pre-deployment workup cruise to Alaska and back. When it returns in November of 2018 its air wing personnel will be re-assigned to other carriers or postings and the vessels of the group deployed with the Home Fleets or with other forces.

"We are saddened to see this historic ship go," read a statement from the Department of the Navy. "But she is almost thirty years old and the cost of maintaining her in deployment now that we're fielding our first nuclear carrier has proven too high. The Defiant will be missed but she will not be forgotten for her service." The Defiant is currently the only carrier in Cascadian-PacUnion service to have been involved in combat operations, being used during her first deployments in the 1990s against Ashant forces in the Ashant Border Conflict of 1994-95 as well as participating in Operation: Avenging Sword in 2013 against the forces of Hadhramaran warlord Davin Muballi.

The fate of the carrier is uncertain. Some groups have inquired about converting Defiant into a museum at Bremerton but the most analysts believe the costs would be too high. Scrapping seems the most likely, though Defense Department sources have not ruled out offering to submit Defiant to a SLEP process to add 20-25 years to her lifecycle if a buyer stepped forward.


Negotiations with Tonkin over High Altitude Interceptor design underway.

This publication has learned that talks between PacUnion and Tonkinese officials have begun on the issue of the Joint High Altitude Interceptor Concept (J-HAIC). The discussions are said to include representatives of Boeing, North-Lockheed, Alaskan Aerospace, and Tonkinese Aerospace Corporation. Conceived as a replacement for the aging interceptor forces of Cascadia and Alaska, the J-HAIC was approved to proceed with creating test flight models last year.

According to sources the Tonkinese are being considered as partners to the project due to their experience with hypersonic design. It is believed any deal will result in both the Union and Tonkin getting their own production lines, including providing work in the process for Alaska's vibrant but under-utilized aerospace industry.