SD.Net World(RAR!) MK III

[PeZook]

Astoria , Royal Palace

The vacation in Shinra was a wonderful time of rest and cleansing. Well, there was more cleansing than rest, especially when he spent ungodly amounts of time in the shower with his Queen, but there was such a thing as active recreation.

But all good things come to an end, and the King had to return to his country and once again take to the throne. Or, rather, sit at his desk in the Royal Office once more. It took a few days to get back into the swing of things, but everything started to move smoothly afterwards.

Weeks passed quickly, and no major problems seemed to have arisen. And then, when he was reading a 150 page final report on the Selene program's requirements, a military intelligence officer walked into the office.

"Sire, there was an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Shroom."

Paul's head shot up.

"What? By whom?"

"A W.I.T.C.H. operative - or, rather, their commander.", the officer wore a stoic expression on his face, which only made things seem more serious

"Oh, please. Shady has delusions of grandeur again?"

"We don't know, sire, but he has prepared a transport plane for a flight to Shroomania, and the operative says she acted alone."

"Is Shroom okay?", it suddendly occured to Paul to ask the obvious question. It was easy to forget about friends when another crisis seemed to loom ahead.

"Yes, the attack was foiled at the last minute."

"Get me a phone connection."

"At once, sire."

The officer left, and a minute later, one of the phones rang on the King's desk. He picked up the receiver.

"Shroom? Yeah, I just heard...right, about that. Are you ok?"

He listened for a couple of minutes, while his friend rambled on about the attack and his it ruined his suit. The man surely could use a vacation as well.

"Listen, if there is anything we can do to help...yeah, I know you have her in custody. Just remember, if you need anything from us, don't hesitate to ask. I will give the proper directives to my people."

"Oh, by the way. Did you hear that the president of Coilerburg screamed about wanting more warships yesterday? Yeah. What a loon, huh?"

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Formation of Space Science Institute

The Ministry of Science & Technology announced the formation of the Space Science Institute. This institute will be funded by the Ministry and will take charge the country's space program. The institute will take lead on the military's new sea launch platform and will propose a series of space projects to take advantage of the platform.

The Emperor begins his tour by heading for the Shinra Republic.

The Emperor has taken off on the Imperial Byzantine Transport (an An-225) for the Shinra Republic. The visit is described as a working holiday to discuss various matters, such as the Empire's increased participation in the MESS naval program.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

The hooded individuals crept through the forest as silently as possible. They wore body armour designed to stop 5.56x45mm rounds and shields made of kevlar and ceramics. They carried pistols and swords. As much as they look like relics of the past, they all had endured harsh training, befitting a Crusader of St John. Their leader held back and watched in silence. Unlike the rest, he carried a hammer instead of a sword.

Their targets were in front of them. A group of followers belonging to a sect called "Children of Jenova". The Crusaders had sworn to exterminate the sect, which they viewed as an insult to the Lord God. When they were close enough, they charged, yelling, "Christ has Risen!" The cultists stood no chance. They screamed as the knights drew their broadswords and pistols and simply slaughtered the lot of them. The leader of the this small splinter group was not so easy however. He drew his katana and slashed one of the crusaders and punched him out of the way. Fortunately for the crusader, his armour held off the blade and he only suffered the indignity of having his armour soiled with mud.

It was then did the leader of this squad of crusaders come out to challenge the cultist leader. He drew his great hammer and sparred with the cultist leader. The cultist leader however, did not have the endurance of the crusader. The crusader flicked a switch on his hammer, sending sparks of high voltage electricity surging through the hammer head. "Die heretic!" he bellowed as the hammer smashed into the cultist's chest and shattered the rip cage and sent him flying into a tree, convulsing from the surge of electricity.

With that, the crusaders burnt the bodies and crucified their leader to serve as a warning to the cult. Throwing their hoods over their heads, they disappeared into the woods.

[K. A. Pital]

Ministry of Proliferation Report


Shipments: Pezookia

Delivery: 14 heavily modernized MiG-29OVT fighters with variable thrust vector.

Increased shipments: Byzantium

Delivery: 15 Tu-160 heavy bombers with Kh-90 hypersonic cruise missiles.

Communique: let our machinery serve you well!

[Shroom Man 777]

Farbanti, Shroomania

"I'm fine. Goddamn Shadows ruined my Goddamn Suit! This tight little pink-polo was made by those lesbians and burly dockyward workers over at WHORE and now it's got blood on it! Just like my tie! Man, I ditched that tie - since it wasn't Shep's brains, it's lost all its meanings. Goddamn I can't believe I ate those donuts too. Goddamn fake sprinkling... man, goddamn those ShroomSatTV guys with their gore and guts! Everyone's watching that crap and now everyone's making everyone's breasts bleed blood out from the breasts. Goddamn them. Can't believe it. First it was the Goddamn Libertopians and now it's Goddamn Everyone, they're all getting in on the act. They got Shep, they tried to get to you, and now they're coming for me! I swear that some day we're all gonna... and then..... goddamn... pieces of... mothers... I'd get the Yer Mom and go Sarajevo on them and... Emperor Shady, yeah... and... coming... I need a new suit."

"Yeah. That Coilberg dude is a total loon."

"It is worrying though. Little country going militant. What does he need those boats for? I dunno... he could be acting up like Shady before the SAF tapped some reason into his noggin'... or like Tithonous before the Syndromian Strike. Damn it. I hope your Kulinsky guy keeps tabs on that nutty place - that guy's awesome. I'm sure Baylor over at SOFIA is getting weak kneed over that guy..."

"Anyway, Shady's coming here. I'm gonna ask our good old 'God-Emperor', in the politest-way possible, what the hell is going on in his country. First it was Shadow-Shroom, then Civil War, and now Shadow-Shroom Mk.2. If we end up with another Civil War..."

"...I just hope it doesn't come down to that. We're trying to be nice to our little FUN friend, but it seems like some folks in that place don't want to play nice."

"Anyway, how was your vacation?"

The conversation went on and on, Shroom's ramblings replaced by more pleasant conversation. Then they found another topic, a rather important one at that...

"What's their problem? They're being fed, they've got money... haven't you done them good? I mean, everyone else is having fun with the FUN... aw, man. At least they're not like those Nukistanis, Neverhoodies, or Libertopians."

"Man, you're totally cool. I can't believe they can't see that."

"Hey, after Shady and the Sultan pay a visit, why don't I go over there and give 'em a pep talk?"

"Yeah, pep talk. I was pretty good when I guest-coached that beach volleyball team..."

"Sure, that would be awesome."

After a few more pleasantries and meeting arrangements, the conversation ended rather amicably. Then Shroom had another caller - one who was a far less pleasant conversationist.

"Baylor, hey."

"Yeah. Goddamn Solid Snail saved my life, man. He lost an eye though... how is he?"

"Eyepatch? Well... he was pretty bad ass. I've got to thank him. I'll drop by at the hospital. Tell your man that I owe him one, okay? The balls of that man..."

"Yeah, I know you like balls, Baylor. So, what else is going on?"

"The security of the Shadow Empire is questionable, huh? I thought our 'God-Emperor' had purged his nation of people he didn't like..."

"It could be him, yeah. But he has been playing nice these few years. I mean, he even invited Paul and I and the rest of the FUN guys to Sarajevo after the Civil War to talk about some FUN. Remember how I brought my Nazis to..."

"So if it's not him, and if he's purged his country of treachery..."

"... then these assholes must be coming in from somewhere else, setting up shop in the Shadow Empire and using them as proxies. Goddamn them."

"Do you think these are the same blokes who tried to off PeZook? How about the Goddamn Blackadders? Bean can't blow my brains out in Atlantis, and unleashing those kinetic killers are too much trouble, and now that there ain't no Gurkhas in Shroomania..."

"Well, we better watch them closely. With an electron microscope. You send your own FIA guys over to see what's what. Talk with that Kane guy and, well, you know what to do. You are the world's greatest detective after all, 'Batman'."

"Hah. Right, Baylor. Go forth!"

[Coiler]

PFL Iler apologizes for outburst on television

PFL Iler apologized for his outburst where he screamed for his warships to arrive today on state television. With good humor, he stated that "Everyone gets stressed out and bursts at times", and "I'm sure every world leader has felt impatient at one point or another waiting for his grand project to come to fruition."

He reassured the world that the outburst was an isolated incident and that he is still perfectly fine mentally.

[PeZook]

New Military Journal

First Tactical Fighter Squadron formed

Pilots of the PeZookian Air Force have been patrolling our skies and training on the Yak-130s, modified hastily with gun pods. The situation was awkward and strange, a jury-rigged solution to aerial policing.

Today, this changed. The King has signed an edict oficially forming the 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron, basing form the Paradiso Island Airbase. The squadron will allow the Yak-130s to be used for what they are supposed to do: train a new generation of pilots.


A PeZookian Mig-29OVT at Paradiso Island Airbase

The "Red First", as it is already informally known, will fly the Red Technocracy made Mig-29OVT, with upgraded avionics and thrust vectoring. When they finish their qualification on the new airplane, the fighters will start patrols of PeZookian skies.

The Journal has found out from our sources in the Defence Ministry that the government is contemplating the purchase of another 14 airplanes in FY2012, for use by the joint FUN command, and support of the 1st Independent Airmobile Batallion, currently training in Shinra with the 10th Shinra Rangers.

[Shroom Man 777]

The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
LOONY LEADERS

PFL Iler apologizes for outburst on television

[PFL Iler] reassured the world that the outburst was an isolated incident and that he is still perfectly fine mentally.

Which is more than can be said about Shroomania's own Prime Minister, many political pundits throughout the New World have stated.

Those world leaders of questionable mental sanity also include:

President Sheppard of Shepnukistan.

King Blackadder VI of the UKB, who killed has the former once.

And God-Emperor Shady, who has been proclaimed to be a man-god and is currently building a giant statue in his own graven image. Like President Sheppard, he has also been killed. Once.

Emperor Saddam the Great arguably belongs to this list, but some contend that of all the world's leaders, he may actually be the sanest among the lot.

President Garner of Shepnukistan, with his alleged horse steroid addiction, is also another possible contender but his position as Shepnukistan's President is questionable. Analysts and observers are waiting for the irradiated clouds of nuclear death to settle before making any conclusions.



Would you like to learn more?

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

1st Tactical Air Bomber Wing formed from 20 Tu-160

The 1st Tactical Air Bomber Wing was formed from 20 Tu-160. Tasked with the defence of the realm against sea aggressors, they will carry Kh-9t0s and other more secret weapons.

Profile of the Varangian Guard

Some time in the last millenium, the Varangian tribes that settled in the northern side of Byzantium. In the past, they raided Byzantine settlements with viciousness and were so fast and efficient that the border limitanei could never catch them. When the Emperor finally decided to commit a force of Comitatenses and Kataphrateoi to deal with the Varangian tribes, the tribes were so steadfast in defence, they held off the numerically superior force for days.

In the end, the Emperor Basil I, amazed by the strength of the tribes, offered the tribes a deal: They would pledge fealty to him and convert to Christianity and serve as his bodyguard. In exchange, he would grant them the land they settled in and would have no need to pay him tribute or taxes. The chief of the tribes agreed to this deal, which they zealously served to this day. They are strong fanatical adherents of Orthodox Christianity, and swore to fanatically defend the Emperor from his enemies.

Fast forward to this day, the tribes may not live as they were years ago, but tradition remains strong and the tribes ensure their young males endure a harsh training regiment to prepare them for service to the Emperor. They no longer carry kite shields and mail. They may look reminiscent of the old medieval knights, but don't let that fool you. They wear kevlar and composite armour and are trained to fight in just about any weapon, be it sword, or gun. Tough and strong, they are the best fighters in the Imperial Byzantine Army, and rumoured to number by the thousands. Their metal armour is thin and merely used to conceal the guard's armour. Their armour is rated to be able to withstand 5.56x45mm rounds, though it is rumoured to be able to withstand 7.62x51 rounds. They may equip themselves with a shield made of similar material to their armour for added protection.

[PeZook]

Astoria Evening News

Maverick professor claims Nova Terra was created in the last few years

A young PeZookian statistics professor by the name of Janusz Olszewski, went on the record today with a wild claim: Nova Terra was created no more than ten years ago.

"I came to this conclusion after analyzing mountains of statistical data from our past. There are plenty of errors, trends and patterns which change abruptly and without reason. Take Bear Republic coffee output, for example: three years ago, it suddendly dropped to zero for several months, then slowly rose again, but the structure is all wrong! There's plenty of other evidence, and I will publish all of it."

Professor Olszewski's colleagues are less than adamant about his theory, of course:

"This is pure nonsense. The very fact we have memories extending far beyond mere ten years is testament to the utter insanity of such a 'theory', if it can be even call it that. We'd need to introduce a powerful factor into any such model, like a super-powerful being capable of magicking an entire planet out of nothing. I am sure all of those so-called 'anomalies' can be adequately explained without invoking a God."

Professor Olszewski is just another of the growing amount of scientists who favor the so-called "creation" or "external seeding" theory, proposing that parts of Nova Terra's ecosystem are not actually native to the planet.

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Guest Meeting Room, Presidential Hall, Republic of Mangka

"Sir, Ms. Wenyi Li, PR Manager of the FORMOSA Initiative has arrived."

"Let her in." The only reason Yenchin agreed to put this meeting on schedule was his interest on the messenger, instead of the message.

"Good afternoon, Mr. President."



"Good afternoon, Miss Li.....weren't you the anchor of the Mangka TV News?"

"Yes. But I studied abroad last year in Tian Xia, came back, and Mr. Han wanted me to work in his PR Department. Better pay, fewer work."

"Quite unfortunate, I always liked to see you reporting. Far better than most flower vases on television."

Li blushed a bit, and began to set up her presentation.

The eery music of a suona began, and then on the screen was the logo of the FORMOSA Initiative.

Then as the music faded into a dreamy tone, a man, in his 40s showed up on the video, he was in an office.

"Greetings, Mr. President. I'm Alvar Han. CEO of the FORMOSA Initiative, the leading company in many fields in the Republic of Mangka. The video you're about to watch, is not about the ASSS Project, but to show you how much we can help you.

"We of the Initiative are deeply concerned in the future of Mangka. Therefore we have good ties with the Blue and Green Party. We can rig election results to ensure wins of any candidate we want. That is how you were elected. We felt that it was time this nation had someone who did not abide to the ties and catches from their party."

Oh really? Yenchin wondered how much Q involvement was in here if this was "true".

"You might not believe it. But here's a way to test it. The Legislative election is coming up in July, and here's a prediction of the results...we have enough iron votes in both Blue and Green Party supporters that we can choose who we want to win.

"I assure you, this is for the greater good of the Republic of Mangka, so please, consider the ASSS Project, which will be faxed through the Hotline. Thank you, and, namaste." The video ended with the eery suona music again.

"Interesting. What's your opinion on this, Ms. Li?"

"Well...um...I'm sorry, but I wasn't allowed to watch this video until now. I didn't know that Mr. Han intended to show you something like this."

"Show me what?"

"Surely he wants you to pass the...um...A..A..."

"ASSS Project. You don't have to say it out loud."

"Yes, the project."

"I assume you don't know what's it about?"

"No."

"So...why did he send you in the first place? You have no idea of your presentation, you have no idea of the project he wants me to pass. What if I ask you questions about both of these? Who's going to answer?" Actually, Yenchin knew what was going on. Alvar Han really thinks he's dealing the cards, and all I have to do is listen and obey. Fuck him.

"..."

"You know, to be frank, what I liked about you on television is that you actually showed intelligence on the screen, and those special reports you did often hit the real question."

"..." Li seemed to be trembling.

"Ms. Li, I'm not condemning you or something like that, I'm just giving you something to think about. I'm really looking foward to see you again in the future, hopefully for something more constructive. Such as FORMOSA's developments in gene therapy. Meanwhile, when you go back, tell Mr. Han that I'm expecting a clean and fair Legislative election, and I'll make sure that the people really decide who they want."

[Lonestar]

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Probe leaves for Ceres

An ARES IV booster lifted off from the Zubrin launch facility today carryinga probe towards Ceres, the closest planet to the sun. The "Ceres Star" probe will orbit and study Ceres as well as the Sun. In addition, it will go near the Near Terra Asteroid PX17624 and perform a spectrometer test on it.

Finally, the Ceres Star includes a NSWR form of propulsion, which, NAC Director Jim Hickam says, "Is important from an engineering standpoint by itself."

The MESS/LSR space program has been using the using probes to test and refine the NSWR, as it is considered unsafe to test them in Terra's atmosphere.

[The Yosemite Bear]

Private Yatch "Great Wheel", docked at Atlantis.

R. Luke Fretwell jr. was admiring the view at the poolside as a number of young nubile followers covorted and attempted to please the Son of the Founder of Hubbology. Fretwell had been on video confrence with the senate about leasing the republic's unused property in Atlantis, the whole Xanadu Castle. Definatly the Hubbolgists had more then enough money, and more then enough brainwashed followers to perform that task.

setting his mind to darker thoughts, he looked through the report on his PDA. The hypnosis and Drug devisions had sucessfully created a new "Perfect" agent for the order. One that would feel no pain, be immensly strong due to drugs and near constant adrenal overload, and be emotionless and totally loyal to the cause.

This was very good. Fretwell needed such agents soon, but who to test them out on?

[Raj Ahten]

Libertopia

The strike team from Treadstone was waiting outside an unarmed hamlet somewhere in the Diocese or the Sultanate; the borders weren't real clear. Their target was though. James Lebow, one of the Invisible Hands top commanders and ideological thinkers. He was in the town with 7 other known Free Hand terrorists. The rest of the hamlet was armed too, bringing the total number of targets 38. It was the middle of the night, Lebow wasn't going anywhere. Operatives had been watching this place for over two weeks. Treadstone's campaign of assassination had apparently driven the man underground.

Enough men had finally been brought in to take the place down. Sniper and machine gun teams were in position and mortars were standing by. It was go time. The assault started with a barrage of RPG's, mortars and a filicide of sniper and machine gun fire. The Treadstone operatives bounded forward' laying down thick fire on their way in.

Resistance was light and the indigenous personnel were mostly mowed down as they tried to leave their homes to fight. Collateral damage as far as Treadstone was concerned. Everyone went armed in Libertopia and was therefore a threat. Still, some noncombatants were captured and held until the end of the operation. Lebow still had a few surprises left in him though. One whole house was booby trapped and exploded, killing a Treadstone entry team.

Lebow and his closest supporters were burned out of house they had fortified. It was a brutal operation. One that Treadstone considered successful and par for the course, if a bit bloodier than normal, for their operations in Libertopia.

As the mission wrapped up, the Treadstone people were careful to conceal as much evidence of their activities as possible. Their weapons were all “sanitized” for instance. All that was passed on to higher authorities was that Lebow was neutralized. No written record was kept.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
KULT KILLINGS

A grizzly scene met the denizens of Shroomania this morning, as the hills of St. Ark were littered with burnt bodies and crucified corpses. The congregation of Jenova's Witnesses were murdered in cold blood in what many suspect to be a religious-motivated killing.

The congregation of Jenova's Witness were on St. Ark to administer baptismal rites to newly converted believers and a ritual was scheduled this evening. Instead of being greeted by an initiation ceremony, newly-arrived initiates were instead treated to a scene of carnage in their former place of worship.

The Fungal Bureau of Investigation has announced that it will be conducting a full investigation on the matter and that the perpetrators will be apprehended forthwith.


*click*


Somewhere in Shinra



"Those fools think they can stem the tide, but those brothers they slaughtered were just a mere trickle..."

"...and for their arrogance, we shall drown them in their own 'holy' hubris."

"Yess... they don't know what they are dealing with. That last shipment won't be sent to our brothers in Mangka, no. We shall send it to our brothers in Byzantium."

"They shall rue the day they crossed us. Their Father cannot stand against our Mother."

"We shall have our revengement!"

[Zor]

MINERVA

TITAN Rising: Construction Begins on the Sovereign Kingdom's newest addition

RAR Main Factory, Industria: In a special facility deep within the factory, the Men and Woman at Royal Areospace Reserch have begun putting together the unmanned prototype for the TITAN Reusable Launch Vehicle. Based off salvaged data from Shepnukistan, the vehicle is an improved version of the aborted conquest bomber. Sheduals place completion in three months, with test flights from the Comona Island launch center taking place a few months afterwards. With considerable funding from the government, FASTA and a considerable donation from the Wipround to Orbit movement, by all looks the TITAN will soon be delivering payloads to orbit at a very reasonable cost (an estimated $5 Million per launch).

[K. A. Pital]

THE RED HERETIC: Religious leaders are up to something

The prime Red Technocracy anti-religious newspaper today claimed that it gained intel on a special operation by a shadow elite unit known as the PRIEST authorized by the UOC Higher Clergy.

Apparently the PRIEST, an elite special operations unit composed of Spetznaz and local wars veterans formed after the debacle in Libertia, is tasked with investigating and possibly hunting down heretical and dangerous cults that attempt to claim Orthodox faith, or operate on the UOC territories. The PRIEST is reported to be a force that cooperates with government authorities of the countries of SDN to ensure legality of operations.

The RED HERETIC reporters managed to get a photo of PRIEST operatives being blessed before the mission. Apparently they will operate in many countries, tracking down the cult that is rumored to be behind the religion-affiliated murders in St.Ark, Shroomania.

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin

Selene 1A flight greenlighted ; Vehicle moved to assembly building

Selene flight 1A has been approved by the FASTA Planning Division. All spacecraft parts (booster, Soyuz service and orbital modules, launch escape system) have been moved to the Korolev Spaceport Vehicle Assembly Building 1, where they will undergo assembly and systems testing before rollout to the launch pad.


Selene 1A during assembly in Korolev Spaceport, Vehicle Assembly Building 1

Selene 1A will be an unmanned flight designed to test the basic characteristics and safety features of the modified Soyuz TMA capsule. The only passenger of the capsule will be Ivan The Chimp, bravely testing the capsule's new life support system, intended to support three astronauts during their flight to the Moon.

Selene 1A is planned for four days of orbital flight, deorbit and landing in Byzantium. Care has been taken for the capsule's orbit to avoid flying over Saddamistan.


Ivan The Chimp, deep in thought during training and conditioning phase of launch preparation

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Communique

"What's this about those damnable Crusaders? What are they up to now?" yelled the Ecumenical Patriarch.

"Well, your holiness, it seems they have decided to take matters into their own hands with regards to these... Jehovah's witnesses," said the PRIEST operative.

"You then need my authorization to stir hornet's nest, I take it," the Ecumenical Patriarch grumbled.

"Well, yes, your holiness. We have briefed the Red Patriarch as well."

"See to it that the matter gets dealt with quick and fast. If these troublemakers earn the attention of the Emperor, only the Holy God will know what he would do."

"What might he do?"

"He might resort to some of the more barbaric punishments used in the heydays of the Empire."

"I will do my best to save these .. sheep from the Emperor's wrath then," the PRIEST operative chuckled. The Emperor's wrath was as ever.. interesting.

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin

Selene 1A launch vehicle rolled out to launch pad

Selene 1A, fully assembled and tested, has been rolled out to the launch pad. The Soyuz spacecraft is currently in the process of being lifted to upright launch position, suspended over the launch pad by a specially designed system of cranes and removable support trusses.


Selene 1A during rollout, on a special railway platform

Final launch preparations will take several days ; Ivan The Chimp is already at Korolev, undergoing final medical check-ups before his flight to orbit.

"We expect no problems. All systems have been tested and they check out fine ; We have a good team here at Launch Control, the weather forecast is good and the Soyuz is a proven and reliable booster. What could go wrong?", said Chief Launch Controller, Pavel Golovko.

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Al Gezira News Network



"After days on the sea and considerations of the attempt on Prime Minister Shroom the 777th's life, His Highness Sultan Ibrahim has finally arrived at the Sovreignity of Shroomania, the leading nation of FUN. His Highness will be meeting with the Prime Minister, as well as the local Muslim population."

[DarthShady]

Location:Shroomania, Sofia

A black An-26 lands at the Shroomanian airport. Its rear cargo ramp opens up revealing a number of Death Guard soldiers. The soldiers leave the plane and secure the surrounding area. An armored limousine and two escort vehicles arrive and are soon boarded by the Death Guard and God Emperor Shady.

The convoy begins to move and is soon on its way to the Shroomanian Parliament. Inside the limousine Emperor Shady is having a conversation with his assistant.

"Inform the Prime minister that we have arrived. I don't want anything to delay our meeting."

"Yes, my lord."

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
SULTAN'S SOJOURN


The Sultan's arrival is greeted by the proud men and women of the Shroomanian Air Force, setting up an impressive airshow for Shroomania's honored guest.;

Fabranti, Shroomania - Sultan Ibrahim has landed. This marks the first time a leader of Libertia has ever set foot on Shroomanian soil. The historic occasion was marked by an airshow and by the presence of flocking crowds, Shroomania's Muslim population eagerly welcoming a crucial representative of their faith - a man they view as a defender of their Libertian brethren.

This meeting is the third in the Sultan's extensive travels around the New World, as previously he has visited both the Republic of Shinra and Byzantium. Shinra was the nation that lead the MESS in the effort to safeguard Terra Libertia during the Saddamistani crisis, and Byzantium is the nation whose religious authorities have supported the Sultan's counterpart, Lord Ramsley.

The Sultan's visits have been vital breakthroughs in not only establishing foreign relations with his country, but also in establishing friendships - or at least workable relationships - with his new peers in the international stage.

Expert analysts, pundits, and political scientists all over the world are now looking on as the Sultan meets the Shroom - the Face of Libertian Islam meeting face to face with the man some believe to be the Former of the FUN. In his trips, the Sultan has surprised the world with his demeanor and open-mindedness, but will he be ready to encounter one of the more... eccentric players of the world's stage?

Tune in to find out as the Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel covers the Sultan-Shroom Summit, LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV.


Would you like to learn more?


*click*



Farbanti, Shroomania

The Prime Minister and the Sultan were now seated. They were not seated in front of one another, that would've been confrontational. No, they were sitting on a rather comfortable U shaped couch, allowing them to face one another without really... facing one another. It was more relaxing that way.

The conferences where they could stand on high-falootin' podiums and chastise the mobs of journos would come later, of course. Now, though, was the time to talk and to make impressions, build friendships or at least working relations, and all that diplopolitical diplodocus stuff.

That was what was going on in Prime Minister Shroom's head. He was playing with a paperclip in his pocket, a little bit nervous, but he stopped it and restrained himself. He had to work his magic. Sure they said he was loco, but through his amicability and through the fact that he wasn't as loco as the other locos, he had formed the Fungal Union of Nations. That counted for something. Hopefully he still had it in him after all these shell-shocks...

On the 'other side' but not really that far away was the Sultan. He had just arrived by cruise ship, and maybe he was tired - certainly those sea-trips were longer than trips by airplane. After his arrival at Farbanti's port and after the SAF airshow and the crowds of gawking Shroomanians, they had both taken the same limo to the capitol building.

"Would you like some tea, Your Eminence?" the Prime Minister offered.

The Sultan graciously accepted. Shroom had made sure his culinary experts had trained themselves rigorously to get acquainted with Libertian cuisines familiar to the Sultan, to make him feel at home. The FIA and SSS and ex-SS men were also here to make sure nothing went awry - so that no one would choke on a pretzel. The Sultan understood this, of course.

"I would like to thank you for your concern about my well-being," the Prime Minister said when the Sultan asked about that recent... incident. "Though I would like to put that behind me right now. You are here, and that is the most important thing right now. Welcome to the Sovereignty of Shroomania, Your Eminence."

The Prime Minister checked the clock that was hanging on the wall behind the Sultan's head (he would've checked his own watch, but that would've been too obvious). Emperor Shady had just arrived... in Sofia. If he was coming to meet personally in the Capitol, in Farbanti... well, that still gave him quite some time. A lot of time, actually.

They sipped their tea.

And now it was on.

[OOC: Heh heh heh. ]

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

The army of auditors from PRIEST were poring through all the church account records. Whatever it is that was fraudulent, they would find. For their part, the Imperial Byzantine Intelligence Agency was working with PRIEST and giving PRIEST everything they knew about this splinter faction of the UOC. The Crusaders of St. John were an old society that had existed for centuries. However, their air-tight secrecy made it hard to glean much of them in public. Whatever it was, the IBIA and PRIEST were determined to uncover everything they knew about the crusaders.

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

The An-225 landed on the Shinra Republic airfield. The Varangian Guards on board were tense. Those infidels known as the Jenovah's witnesses might try an attack on the Emperor, but they probably failed to reckon with the Varangian Guard's stalwart defence. Nevertheless, it never pays to be extremely cautious. 10 guards men followed the Emperor off the aircraft. They surrounded the Emperor, with the Emperor at the center. They slowly walked towards the President Rufus, who awaited them.

[Shroom Man 777]

Constantinople, Byzantium
Mother's Day



He raised his hand and light came forth from it, striking the sky.

Then he spoke, and his voice was heard by all - his visage visible in all the video telescreens and televisions, in the giant liquid crystal displays adorning the sides of zeppelins, in those media-screens that covered the faces of Byzantine buildings carved in neo-Hellenistic architecture.

He was seen and heard by all:

"Wretched blasphemers!" he cried out. "Your blasphoritous brethren sinned against Mother's Children, in their blasphorities they despoiled Her most sacred grounds! We shall have our revengement! You shall be our sacrificial lambs to please Her in Haven!"

"Behold!"

He pressed the button.

"And die!"



Car bombs rigged to detonate in sync detonated in sync, ripping through the crowded streets and tearing men, women and children to pieces.

At the same time, there were Witnesses in the subways and they too had an equally insidious gift for these heretics. Nerve gas delivered by their Mangkan brothers.

He laughed.



And he looked at the sky as it began to rain.

Yes, Mother's Blessing was in everything. The seeded rain would purify the unclean.

It was a good day to die.



"Come, my brothers," he called to his fellows as he straddled his steed of steel. "Let us depart this place!"