SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the First.

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2008-09-12 12:00am

PCIA Communique to: Vinish Ministry of Domestic Affairs

The PRSF has voluntarily joined the Crimson Star Republic, expressing the will of it's people in a referenda. Currently this region is the Autonomous Fresquean Socialist Republic.

The PCIA would like to inform you that construction of transport pathways is of paramount importance for international cooperation.

The local administration in the person of Governor Rolando Bernardelli agrees that joint funding of such a construction would be the best option, considering the financial position of the AFSR.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2008-09-12 12:05am

Japanistan National Command Bunker No.4
781km outside of Super Mega New Tokyo

“The Old Dominion has struck a blow against our allies in Shepistan, occupying a disputed island,” said Special Field Marshal Suchiidetsu Ichiro to a camera. “It is because of this that I must impose total dispersion.”
On the display, the nine other members of the National Sunshine Council looked on disapprovingly. Even second in command Field Marshal Ario was unhappy with the decision to forego all face to face meeting, leaving Suchiidetsu to command without an immediate check.

“Then what do you intend to do if you wont even let us meet” demanded General Hatakzia, head of war production.
“I am issuing orders as we speak,” said the Special Field Marshal “and I have enacted the phased mobilization of all reserve components under cover of an exercise. In addition all military units are to execute preparations for Special Sneak Attack Plan Seven. All forces will prepare for first use of chemical warfare, and the air defence forces will go on silent alert to increase readiness with no overt increase in sorties or radar activity. If the MESS should chose to support the Old Dominions invasion of Shepistani land, then they cannot be far behind turning against our new colonial territories. This cannot be allowed to happen.”

Post by **Steve** » 2008-09-12 12:22am

General post.

By now the Defiant COG has returned to home port and is undergoing R&R cycle. Intrepid COG is still on station along the coast of Northern Veleria. Republic COG has finished R&R cycle and is undergoing orientation exercises along the coast of Cascadia, including helping the carrier get used to operating the MSF-15s (F-35Cs).

A non-military port is being constructed in Van Halstoff Land, and companies are bidding on the existing mineral deposits.

In addition, some speculators are examining off-shore regions to determine if any oil might be found.

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2008-09-12 01:13am

Imperial Chronicles

<-------Encrypted Flash Transmission---------->

To: High Strategos, Supreme Commander of the Far East
From: High Strategos, Military High Command

Strategos, it does not go without saying that Shepistani and Japanistani forces are likely to use NBC weapons. Be sure that all military units are properly equiped to work in an NBC environment, and that all units are at full readiness in case of war.

Permission to engage in Operation Rolling Thunder has been given should the need arise. You may move what units there are to the appropriate blocking position, and to deny any invader the ability to use the land for anything that will support their endeavour.

Do perform reconnaisance flights with the SR-71s and the JSTAR and E767s alloted to you. Our MESS allies will also conduct the necessary reconnaisance. Be on your guard. All citizens are to evacuate to the deep shelters when war starts.

May the Mother of God be with you.

Shinn Langley Soryu · Post by **Shinn Langley Soryu** » 2008-09-12 01:13am

Somewhere along the Minoy-Central Frequesque Republic border...

FILE PHOTO: Gino Weinberg, circa early 2007

Minoy practically disintegrated in the aftermath of its attempted invasion of the Central Frequesque Republic and the joint Coilerburg-Indhopal reprisal that happened soon afterwards. Whatever navy and air force it had were all but annihilated, while the army fragmented into various small commands as individual officers fought for control; the civilian government simply lapsed into irrelevance as it struggled vainly to maintain control over its own lands. While most of Minoy's armed forces either managed to defect to the neighboring nation of Sabika, went native in the CFR, or were destroyed utterly by Coilerburg and Indhopal's own armed forces, a few scattered army brigades and whatever few ships and aircraft managed to survive the constant air raids still managed to stand their ground within Minoy's borders.

The story of Gino Weinberg was one of riches to rags. Born into a rich family that could trace its ancestry all the way to the old Shroomanian royal family, he enjoyed additional wealth and power as a member of the Knights of Rounds; however, with Lelouch's coup and the subsequent shaming of the Weinberg family, Gino was left with nothing. After fleeing Langley, he set up shop in Velaria and tried to make a name for himself as a mercenary; during his year in Velaria, he did manage to make a decent sum of money and learn leadership skills the hard way. He eventually made his way to Frequesque, where by sheer coincidence he found himself in Minoy during the Coilerburg-Indhopal reprisal. With the subsequent disintegration of civil authority in Minoy, Gino was swift to gather what little of the armed forces remained in Minoy's borders under his control, and he was just as quick to bolster these paltry forces with civilian volunteers and conscripts and up-armored pickups and SUVs.

Despite being bombed to hell and back, some of the border outposts in the south of Minoy facing the CFR were still in some degree of working order or another; Gino had chosen one of these as his interim field headquarters as he readied a thrust into the CFR. With Indhopal distracted by Omago and Sabika attempting to invade Coilerburg, Gino felt that he was free to do as he wished in the CFR. His plan was simple: he was going to reclaim some of the Minoy army units that had gone native, absorb or annihilate any bandits he came across, and basically claim as much territory as he could.

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

Weinberg Faction Quick Stats

1 motorized infantry brigade [conscript training and equipment (BTR-70)]
3 "light armor" brigades [screaming horde training, warlord militia equipment (Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram, Ford F-Series, Ford Ranger, Hummer H2, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Hilux, other modified civilian vehicles)]
3 light infantry brigades [conscript training and equipment]
5 light infantry brigades [screaming horde training, third world kit]
12 x Mil Mi-8 Hip
6 x Aérospatiale Gazelle
3 x Mil Mi-24 Hind
12 x Aero L-29 Delfín
4 x Antonov An-12 Cub

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2008-09-12 01:48am

Vladimir, C.S.R.

The city looked like a ghost town. No people on the streets, save the rare civil defense patrols in BTRs.

The sudden involvement of Japanistan into the war which could easily spill over and involve the slavic nations made all airfields of the CSR, hosting the 37th, 16th and 11th Air Armies, go on Alert Level 2.

Strategic munitions were piled next across to planes which were capable of conducting strikes into Japanistan, should such a necessity arise.

Some 12 Tu-160s of the 75th Guards Heavy Bomber Regiment, 8 fully equipped with Kh-55SM missiles and 4 - with Kh-15 ARAD homing missiles, were flown to re-location and dispersal airfields in Grozny.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2008-09-12 03:02am

Nakttackajima Aircraft Company Test Field, East Japanistan

The flight had been moved up by a month on only one weeks notice, but Nakttackajimas engineers had risen to the occasion and gotten the prototype ready. JF-103 Screaming Thunderblast was an interceptor powered by separate but integrated turbojet and ramjet engines, equipped with radar, supercooled IRST and an internal weapons bay. Now it rolled out of the hanger and into the sun. Test pilot officer Chikanatsu Katsumi boarded the plane from a ladder with much fanfare from observers and the base staff as he did, word was that the Screaming Thunderblast was to be tested at supersonic speed on its very first flight. It was a risk, but the barbarian powers had already fielded mach 3 capability aircraft in remarkably short periods of time. If the first prototype was lost, no less then five more were already complete or nearly so, with plans already progressing to preproduction status even before development was completed.

Katsumis Thunderblast slowly taxied onto the main runway and then roared down it into the air, pushed by its 40,000lb wet thrust turbofan on minimal burner. Katsumi quickly drew out of burner once airborne, and began climbing, circling the airfield as he performed various control and maneuverability tests. The plane was handling well. Long range however was not an attribute, and soon it became time to attempt supersonic speed. The turbojet actually had sufficient dry thrust to supercruise the airframe, but afterburner made for much quicker acceleration towards mach 2.0 when the ramjet could be ignited… then both engines would work together up to mach 2.6 at which point the ramjet took over completely.

The mach factor climbed steadily… 1.4, 1.7, 1.9, but just as the goal was approached several caution lights appeared, overheating in the engine computer bay, Katsumi throttled back at once to military power, then reduced further to cruise power. Well.. maybe we’ll make it work tomorrow he thought.

PeZook · Post by **PeZook** » 2008-09-12 03:30am

Stasograd, CSR

"...and have air defence run a check on all their systems, just in case.", Paul finished giving orders to his aides. He walked back to where the various national leaders congregated, discussing the latest crisis.

"Well, gentlemen, I think all of us are prepared for any eventuality as much as we can be. I have to ask, though: should this blow up into full-scale war between Shepistan and the Old Dominion, what are your intentions, especially with regards to Japanistan?"

Secret Military Facility 12, deep inside PeZookian territorry.

"Name?"

"Miksevich, Boguslav"

"Occupation?"

"Independent businessman"

"This conversation is being recorded. Mr. Miksevich, state the reason you are here."

"I was abducted from Sjenska territorry by PeZookian soldiers."

"Do you know why?"

Miksevich didn't answer.

"I asked you a question. Do you know why you were abducted and brought here?"

"I stepped on too many toes."

"This is correct. You stepped on our toes."

"Shouldn't I get a lawyer?"

"You don't even officially exist, Miksevich. There are no records anywhere in the world that show the name, and people who knew you all think you're dead. We can do whatever we want with you."

Miksevich stayed silent, looking at the interrogator.

"Fine. I will cooperate."

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2008-09-12 05:16am

Palace of the Soviets, CSR
Stanislav walked around the room and returned back to his chair.

- The war between Shepistan and other nations, unless any of them are in the S.N.C., is of little concern to me. Our best course of action is to remain neutral, observe and learn. Which was my course of action so far.

- However, if Shepistan, or, what is more dangerous, Japanistan, declares war on, or without a proper declaration actually wages war on Byzantium or any other SNC member, that would mean the S.N.C. itself by extent. In that situation, only one option is possible: Japanistan's or Shepistans' total defeat.

It's industrial infrastructure must, and will be, destroyed in the event of such a war.

Going to war with large nations is not a light feat, but our goal would not be the conquest of Japanistani or, even more unlikely, Shepistani territories - our goal would be destruction of it's military assets first and foremost, as well as stopping it's army.

The SNC nations must show that they will defeat an enemy who would dare to wage war on a Slavic nation.

PeZook · Post by **PeZook** » 2008-09-12 05:25am

Palace Of The Soviets, CSR

"I agree. However, it is my opinion that should the Old Dominion and Shepistan go to war with each other, both the MESS and the SNC should oficially recognize Japanistan as a non-belligerent, and make no overtly agressive moves towards it. This way, it is completely Japanistan's decision if they want to go to war, rather than a reaction to perceived danger from other countries."

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2008-09-12 05:30am

Imperial Chronicles

Palace of the Soviets, CSR

"That is my opinion as well. Byzantium lies right in the firing line, and quite frankly, none of us really wants a war with Japanistan, if we can really help it. But, if we are pushed to it, we will deploy a good portion of our forces, as much as half or more, to defend ourselves."

PeZook · Post by **PeZook** » 2008-09-12 06:36am

Co-written with Norseman

Aboard the Spirit of Freedom

The weather was lovely, but Kasia's spirits were low. During the day she leaned against the railing, and looked out to sea, trying to spot anything new. Sometimes there was a ship far, far away, or if she looked up there was an airplane. Those moments were rare, and grew even rarer as the days passed. Right now she had no idea of where she was.

Today seemed to be different though, for if she squinted she thought she saw a ship coming towards them. It was still far away, but still. It was a little larger than the Spirit of Freedom, and all of a sudden everyone seemed very busy.

For a moment she hoped that it was a naval ship come to inspect their cargo. That it was the rescue she had hoped for. That didn't last long though; Oliver Gill placed his hand on her shoulder, "That's our ship!"

"Our ship?"

"Yes, you remember," he kissed her ear, "The one we're changing to. No one will ever find us now."

It took a couple of hours for the ships to move alongside each other. The two crews exchanged greetings, and Gill wound up talking to the Captain of the other ship. Meanwhile they opened the cargo holds, and brought out the slaves. All of them were naked, and tied together so they formed a single long line. The Border State slaves looked haggard and worn, particularly the women, and there were more women than men. They carefully watched the slavers, and tried not to look in their eye.

That was hard to watch, but harder still was when her fellow students came out. They were also naked, though fortunately clean, and they seemed to be in good shape. Circumstances considered at least. Most of the young men seemed annoyed, maybe a bit angry, but the women blushed, and looked very upset when the catcalls and whistles began.

As much as she tried to control herself Kasia began to weep. If not for Gill's firm grip on her hand she'd probably have run away, or maybe towards her friends.

"Aren't you glad you're not one of them?" Gill asked, the words clashed with his friendly tone of voice, and the smile on his face.

All that Kasia could get out was, "Hhe-hh." However she managed to stand properly, and forced herself to be strong. Over and over she reminded herself that she'd endure, that she'd escape, no matter what. Then she blamed herself for being so weak, she couldn't understand why she kept faltering. Except maybe that new horrors kept appearing.

"Don't worry," Gill said, apparently misinterpreting her shiver, "In an hour or so we'll be in our new cabins, and it's nice and warm in bed." He playfully squeezed her ass at that, and she forced herself to smile in response.

Right then she sent up an impious prayer, asking the Virgin, and as many saints as she could remember, that she would be there when he died.

Orena, Royal Palace

The Astarian Trade Consul to PeZookia was a weird position: not officially recognized, not equipped with any particular prerogatives, but occupied by a member of the diplomatic corps nevertheless. Serving as little more than a glorified legal counsellor for Astarians trying to do business in PeZookia, he has never expected to see a high-level government representative.

Until now.

It was obvious PeZookians didn't like Astarians: They were themselves a nation that was almost enslaved in this very century, and the snickering contempt most Astarians had for the implied hypocrisy of the entire Western world didn't exactly help - but this was new. He didn't even receive an invitation: four ABW officers simply showed up at his door one morning and asked him to come with them.

Now he was sitting in the Foreign Minister's office, waiting for the man himself to show up, wondering what the hell has happened.

The Minister let him wait for more than 15 minutes, having nobody but an ABW officer for company, and he didn't say a single word. Eventually, however, he showed up.

"Mr. Thorson", he formally acknowledged his presence, "I am glad you could make it so fast."

Albert Thorson nodded. Both men knew he didn't really have a choice.

The Minister didn't shake his hand, but instead laid a thick beige folder on his desk. He opened it slowly and started looking through the papers inside.

"Mr. Thorson...I have called you here so that you can pass a message to your government."

"I am not...", Thorson began, but was interrupted by the Minister

"I know you are not an official diplomatic representative, of course. But let's be honest here: you are a member of the diplomatic corps, and an intelligence officer. I'm not asking for explanations or statements, I just want you to contact Astarian authorities. They can deliver an explanation."

"An explanation for what?", Thorson asked, a bit angrily

"This", the Minister answered, and slid the folder towards Thorson.

The Trade Consul picked it up, hesistatingly, and started reading the documents inside. When he was done, he could barely stop his hands from shaking.

"Is this certain?"

"As much possible. We have both circumstantial evidence, confessions of escaped slaves and reports of our own intelligence operatives: there was an Astarian man involved in trading slaves kidnapped from the Republic, and a Shepistani-flagged but Astarian-operated ship used to smuggle them off."

Thorson looked at a picture attached to one of the reports, which detailed an investigation into the origins of the freighter. "Spirit of Freedom", he noted the name. The kind of sense of humor that made people not amused.

"Now, I am sure you understand why we require explanation from your government."

Thorson nodded. This was exactly the kind of thing Astaria's government feared: if this information got out, the consequences could easily lead to full-scale war with several countries. Damage control would need to be immediate.

"I shall pass on this message immediately."

DarthShady · Post by **DarthShady** » 2008-09-12 08:54am

USSSR Military Readiness Increased

The recent rise of tensions between world powers has prompted the USSR to raise the readiness of it's forces. This is purely a defensive measure and should not be cause for alarm.

---------------------------------------------------
Location: Classified

General Anton Slavik was a busy man today, tensions were on the rise and High Command was not happy.

"Send this message to General Marzaq", Slavik said, "And make sure the rest of our forces are ready."

Code: Select all

Coded message to General Marzaq
Commander of USSR forces in the Border Regions

Military readiness increased, be ready for anything. Possibility of war between Shepistan and OD( The MESS) increasing. You know what to do if it goes bad.

End Transmission

"Lets hope that War can be avoided.", Slavik thought to himself, "But if it can't the USSR will be ready to fight with it's SNC allies."

DarthShady · Post by **DarthShady** » 2008-09-12 09:00am

Palace of the Soviets, CSR

"I agree with Comrade Stanislav completely.", Shady said, "The only reason that the SNC should get involved is if our Byzantium brethren are attacked."

"Paul has a point, but the question is, will Japanistan care about it's non-belligerent status, or will they go to war anyway?"

PeZook · Post by **PeZook** » 2008-09-12 09:20am

DarthShady wrote: "Paul has a point, but the question is, will Japanistan care about it's non-belligerent status, or will they go to war anyway?"

"This doesn't matter, since our defences will be ready anyway. The important thing is to make sure we did everything we could not to provoke them."

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2008-09-12 09:22am

Japanistani Foreign Ministry Message to the Byzantine Empire

Japanistani has been alarmed by recent territorial aggression by the warmongering MESS against the free peoples of Shepistan, and seeks assurances that Byzantine will have no part in such reckless adventurism, nor provide basing for the continuation of MESS action. Relations have been good in recent years and Japanistani believes this situation can continue, but calls upon Byzantine to reject MESS membership, and to lead the Slavic National Confederacy into a hemisphere defence pact with Japanistani. This pact shall cover mutual defence scenarios falling within tightly defined treaty limits aimed at avoiding complications from offensive warfare.

Karmic Knight · Post by **Karmic Knight** » 2008-09-12 09:49am

Stas Bush wrote:PCIA Communique to: Vinish Ministry of Domestic Affairs

The PRSF has voluntarily joined the Crimson Star Republic, expressing the will of it's people in a referenda. Currently this region is the Autonomous Fresquean Socialist Republic.

The PCIA would like to inform you that construction of transport pathways is of paramount importance for international cooperation.

The local administration in the person of Governor Rolando Bernardelli agrees that joint funding of such a construction would be the best option, considering the financial position of the AFSR.

Communication to the AFSR

Thank you for clarifiying your name.

The only other things we would need to know before we begin the project are the exact location of the tunnel and how much is the resonable share in cost for each of us. With your approval, we would be willing to send a survey team to locate the best possible location for a tunnel.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-09-12 11:03am

In the CFR

Indhopal's plans for operation Stabilizer were a mess given the new invasion of Coilerburg. It was time to make some hard decisions. First, the Third division was being pulled out of the CFR immediately. They were the force that had been confronting the Revolutionary front in the north. The Fifth armored regiment was also being withdrawn back to Indhopal from its position near Flensburg. This left just the 3rd and 16th infantry regiments in country, along with a battalion of marines and a large number of men from the Special Reconnaissance Group.

Indhopal also quickly cut deals with the Winter Army to recognize its claims on the central highlands. Though made up of opportunistic mercenaries, the Winter Army did cut down on bandit activity. The Yorkshire Militias were also given a free hand to conduct operations as they see fit to secure their section of the CFR.

Basically Operation Stabilizer was being cut way back for now. Indhopal's forces were mainly concerned with holding the capital so aid could get through to refugees and controlling the biggest diamond mines in the west of the CFR.

Coiler · Post by **Coiler** » 2008-09-12 11:27am

Coilerburg

The Sabika/Omago invasion had managed to make progress into Coilerburg territory, but was nonetheless moving slower than its timetable. The Indhopal air force was inflicting damage that was not critical, but nonetheless a hindrance. The airfield raids had only been partially successful, and Coilerburg's planes were adding their firepower to the mix.

Stubborn resistance from the Coilerburg army was not helping them either, enacted partly from the atrocities committed against the Coilerburg population to keep them down when occupying troops could not be spared. Another part of the problem was the poor offensive tactics used by the invading armies, carried out by soldiers who did not know any better.

Post by **Coyote** » 2008-09-12 12:29pm

Royal Air Force Z-001
King Arik's Cabin

Baby don' worry... 'bout a thing...' cause evr'y li'l thing... 's gonna be alright....

Bob Marley was playing on the sound system; King Arik was relaxing in the hot tub of the Zeppelin when the call was routed through to him.

"Colonel Rassnar," Arik said warningly, reaching over to the intercom button, "I thought I left very specific instructions not to be disturbed."

"Indeed, sir," Rassnar's voice came from the intercom, "But this is from the Old Dominion... and due to the tensions, you left instructions that anything from the Old Dominion..."
"Alright, alright, I did say that," Arik conceded. "Patch it through." He sighed and sat up as Miss Katerin and Miss Jia sat back at the far side of the tub.

"Matt, I presume?" Arik asked.
"Yup," he replied, "Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time," he said. Arik looked over at the two women in the hot tub, glistening, wet skin...

"Things could have been better," Arik said, motioning to his wives that he wanted some privacy. They got up, wrapped towels around themselves, and left. "But go ahead."
"Umm... well, it's about the Velerian disease situation you've run up against," Lonestar said. "I... I already know about it. I mean, I already know... is this a secure line?"

"Yes..." Arik said, his voice tinged with some irritation.

"I already know about the Marina connection. I recognise the data, I mean, what you provided matches up with samples I already have. Lots of them."
"Samples that you have?" Arik asked. "Did she talk to you about this also?"

"Talk to me? Umm.. no," he admitted. "Back when this all started, and she was making the rounds, going to everyone, setting us up... I shot her."
"You shot her," Arik said. "You shot... the overseer of this. Q's hand-picked agent. A personal friend of mine."

Silence on the line, and a guilty sigh.
"Yeah," Lonestar said. "Look, putting it that way, yeah, it sounds like not one of my prouder moments. But at the time, all I saw was this freaky vampire chick, and I about shat myself. It was just... bam, wow, y'know? But anyhow, I got some of her blood, and I've been working on it, and now it looks like you got her to vamp some people...?"

Some of Arik's irritation bled away as he recognised one of his less proud moments as well.

"Her idea, I... acquiesced to it," he said, rubbing his eyes with his free hand as he realized he was developing a headache. "Look, it's a fucking space herpe. It's an extra-terrestrial multi-phasic technobabble thingy from outer space. It breaks down like this...

"There's a bunch of parasites that live together, and they replace and replicate the existing cells. It can feed off sucrose; doesn't need blood, it's just that blood is the most efficient form of sucrose. The scientists will figure it out soon enough, and when they do, it'll obviously be from outer space. There's no other explanation. They'll shit biscuits and then we spark an emergency crash program to get into space which our Parliaments will largely rubber-stamp. That's the plan."

Silence on the line.

"That's a fucked-up plan," Lonestar said.
"Yeah, I know," Arik said, "And to think it all could have been avoided if we'd already known that there was research being done." More silence.

"Okay," Lonestar said, "So we both with the Son-Of-A-Bitch awards this year. What do we do about it, that's what I want to know."

"We carry out the research," Arik said, "Combine your data with mine. Bring it all to the island where CDCC is. Easier to contain information."
"If you're trying to use the existence of this stuff to spur a space exploration craze, hiding it on a locked-down island won't get the word out."
"Not yet," Arik said, "We need to understand what we're fucking with before we go anywhere else with it."

Another uncomfortable silence. Finally, Lonestar spoke up and changed the subject.

"What's your stance on the Fuckland Islands thingy?" he asked.
"If you and Shep can keep it confined to the Fuckland Island region, I'm willing to wait and observe. I'm not going to hang you out to dry, by any means, but I'm in no big hurry to burn this world like last one, either."

"So, keep it contained?" Lonestar asked. "I can see merit in that. I'm only half this dance, though, and Shep keeps trying to lead. I can't guarantee he won't decide to do a pre-emptive on you or anyone else."

"Well, if it spirals out of control because he get's squirrelly, then we squeeze him like a pimple. But if he's learned not to push things too far, and maintains a strict zone of conflict containment, I see no reason to worry about him."

"Yet. He'll keep pushing, and if you think he's not developing nukes, you're high."
"He's developing nukes, I'm certain of it. We'll burn that bridge when we come to it."

"This sucks, you know that?" Lonestar said.
"And not in a good way," Arik agreed.

[OOC: Lonestar, feel free to add anything you may think necessary... otherwise, I'm done.]

Grand Moff Yenchin · Post by **Grand Moff Yenchin** » 2008-09-12 12:40pm

Royal Palace, Serenity

"Your Majesty, here's are the namelists of volunteers."

"Thank you, Yuki."

On the first list was various experts from fields such as virology, immunology, and biodefense. These volunteered to do the research in the Leeward Isles.

The second list consisted of medical personnel with a great amount of clinical scientists, and epidemiologists. These volunteered to go to the Akori Republic, to assist in quarantine of the area and field research.

"Alright, the namelist is ok." Yenchin said as he signed it. "Tell Sonija to arrange a dinner meeting with these respectful people."

Master_Baerne · Post by **Master_Baerne** » 2008-09-12 01:34pm

Baernish First Armored Division
Deployment Report, OPERATION STABILIZER
CO: His Excellency General the Count Adomu, 1ST ARMDIV CO
TO: BDA Headquarters, Fortress Baerne

We are shifting position from Flensburg to the Minoy border, the better to counter the movements of what is reported to be a new faction, led by one of the Langley exiles known as the Knights of Rounds, that is preparing to invade. First and Second Heavy Regiments are being deployed to prevent same.

Norseman · Post by **Norseman** » 2008-09-12 01:44pm

Foreign Ministry

It's not every day that a highly distraught undersecretary half runs into the Foreign Minister's office. When it does happen a wise man knows there is serious trouble, and Joseph Akhtar didn't get to be Foreign Minister by being a fool.

"What is it?" he asked.

"A message from our trade consul in Pezookia," the undersecretary said, carefully handing it over, "It's most urgent."

"Urgent enough to act as your own porter I see," Joseph Akhtar said jokingly, but his smile vanished as he read the first few lines, "This is not good."

"No Sir, it isn't."

Bleak Castle, Snapemore

Being the Supreme Commander of the Bureau of State Security was never an easy job, but sometimes Satan went out of his way to piss in your tea. This was one of those times. Lady Margaret Grey read the message for the second time, and sighed, "Why me?" Then she pushed a button on her desk.

"Yes Ma'am," came her secretary's voice.

"I'll need a car to the Regent's Palace."

"When Ma'am?"

"Right now."

Regent's Personal Quarters

Neither Joseph Akhtar or Lady Margaret cared for the finely gilded walls, the polished marble, or the expensive dark woods. Nor did they have much concern for how well the uniforms of the Palace staff mixed with the setting. However they did have a concern with the Chamberlain's Lieutenant, an aging balding man with a ridiculous wig, and a stone hard attitude.

For a moment Lady Margaret wished she had a company of the Offensive Group with her, but even they would have hard going through the palace guard. "At least it'd wake him up," she muttered.

"What was that?" Joseph Akhtar asked.

"Nothing," Lady Margaret said, then she turned back to the Chamberlain, "Both the Supreme Commander of BOSS, and the Foreign Minister come here in the middle of the night."

"The Lord Regent is asleep, and I cannot take responsibility for waking him."

"Would you wake someone who can?" Joseph Akhtar asked.

"Yes, yes I shall."

Primary Bedroom, Regent's Palace

Slowly the two sided door swung open, allowing the Regent's Secretary to enter the bedroom. The room always reminded her more of a Velarian Sultan's rooms than anything civilized. Then again huge bald men with enormous fans, a sleeping greyhound at the end of the bed, and an enormous kingsized bed, did have a charm of its own.

"Wake him," she said.

One of the big bald men rested his fan on the floor, and gently touched the Regent's shoulder. A moment later the Regent stirred, and the tall man resumed his fanning.

"Your Excellency," the Regent's Secretary called.

The Regent stirred again, and then groaned, "Are we at war?"

"We might be soon."

The Regent sat up, "We might?"

"The Foreign Minister and the Supreme Commander of BOSS are here to see you."

After casting a glance at the watch, the Regent sat half up, "Is it Japanistan?"

"No Excellency; it's Pezookia."

"Eh? What the..." the Regent rubbed his face, and mumbled, "Right the Poland equivalent."

"Sorry Excellency?"

"Nothing, send them in," By now the other residents of the bed had woken, but the Regent dismissed them with a wave, "Leave, there's important business I need to see to." Looking a little upset they crawled out of bed, and vanished through a cunningly hidden rear door.

There was a strange tableau that night, two cabinet level officials sat on the Regent's bedside, while he remained in bed, and his secretary took dictation. After going through several suggestions they finally hit upon one that seemed acceptable.

Letter to the Pezookian Government wrote:Dear Foreign Minister

It was with great distress that I received the recent news, and I offer my sympathies with your plight.

First let me assure you that if any Astarians are involved, they are acting outside our laws as well as yours. We have made binding commitments to fight the illicit slave trade, a charge we carry out to this very day.

We have taken such immediate steps that are available to us. However our immediate efforts are somewhat by our lack of information. For the sake of exchanging information in an orderly fashion, I propose that we establish direct links, perhaps extending to an exchange of liaison officers.

I feel I should make one suggestion; it would be best if the Astarian angle was not mentioned in public. This is for the safety of your citizens; if the kidnappers do not know that we are following them, they will not get rid of their victims.

For the sake of convenience I would like to recommend that our further communications go through our embassy in Byzantium.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant

Walter Northmeer, Lord Regent.

REGENT'S SEAL

OOC: Clever people in Pezookia might notice a few things:

... fight the illicit slave trade ... suggesting that there is also a licit slave trade.

Secondly the request for silence is self-serving, but it is also quite true that the slavers are capable of killing the victims to shield themselves.

Your obedient servant is quite obsolete in every other country.

DarthShady · Post by **DarthShady** » 2008-09-12 03:11pm

Zagor Press Release

Referendum completed

The people of the former Zagor Empire have chosen their new government. According to the result 87% of the population chose the Socialist form of government. Celebrations erupted in all major population centres of the new Socialist Republic of Zagor.

Minor Anti-Socialisam demonstrations held

Not all people within the Socialist Republic of Zagor were in favour of the Socialist form of government, these people took to the streets and held peaceful demonstrations. Only a few minor incidents were reported and those were quickly calmed down by SNC Peacekeepers.

Post by **Coyote** » 2008-09-12 04:14pm

South Sub Arctic Ocean

...Thus it was that the Steve Shroomwin, an aging ex-Japanistani Foxtrot submarine bought by Shroompeace, launched a salvo of torpedoes dating back to the great war from periscope depth. The torpedoes ran hot and steady; slamming into the side of the Pillager, causing it to list severely to port.

An hour later, as the Pillager had recovered mostly from the damage, with the list nearly being corrected; and steaming ahead at five knots, a second salvo hit it. This time, it did more damage, and the ship slowly began to sink; having taken too much damage to stay afloat.

Results
Radical environmentalists attacking Shepistani/Japanistani "research" vessels in the south Arctic. Increased presence of Shepistani/Japanistani personnel in the south Arctic as a result very likely.

CSS Tiamat
Seawolf-class SSN
South Seas

"That's it, sir," the chief sonar man said. "Blade count's right, and the thing's just loud as hell. Must have a foot of barnacles on it."

"Shroompeace isn't exactly a professional naval organization," Captain Thanas said, "We're sure it's a Foxtrot class?"

"Profile matches exactly," the tech said, "Everything known about the Steve Shroomwin matches the data."

"Alright, then," Captain Thanas said. "Let's make sure. Pace it, follow it, and see where it goes. Japanistan and a few other places still use Foxtrots, so let's make sure we have the right one." After careful consideration, it had been decided that the Steve Shroomwin was a hazard to the freedom of the seas. No matter what their stated objectives were-- even if they were admirable-- a rogue submarine under the control of an un-accountable NGO could not be allowed to go about sinking ships with impunity. Not only did it set an example that other, less honorable types might follow, but there was also the possibility that the Steve Shroomwin was, in fact, some sort of privateer or Q-ship for some unsavory element, acting under the guise of a wholesome ecological organization.

Besides, it was ideological terrorism, regardless.

So the decision had been made to hunt down the Steve Shroomwin and send her to the bottom-- for good.

It had been pitifully easy to locate the aging Foxtrot, to track its movements and guess it's next moves. The crew of terrorists did not ever seem to suspect they were being hunted by a trio of advanced nuclear hunter-killers of the Royal Navy, slowly being boxed in as the Foxtrot hunted predictable shipping lanes frequented by whalers, garbage dumpers, and the like.

What really made the Royal Navy suspicious was the fact that the supposedly ecologically sensitive terrorists did into take into account the amount of ecological damage that occurred when a fully loaded ship sank.

"Firing solution plotted, sir."
"Hold fire," the Captain said, "Let's just watch, follow, and gather intel.."