SD.Net World(RAR!) MK IV

[Beowulf]

MESS VTC

Beowulf was handed a thin sheaf of paper. He flipped over the cover sheet. "Looks like the DSP sats caught the launch (no surprise there). They also caught the initiation (also no surprise). After a bit of number crunching, looks like the eggheads have come up with a 80 kT yield for the weapon. There's still some error in that figure, due to variations in the reflectance of the ground.

"At least Shep kept it to some semblance of proportionality. Wiping out a city in retribution is a bit harsh, but at least it was the city the SAM site was in, and not some other random city."

[K. A. Pital]

NUCLEAR STRIKE! Tabloids of the Red Technocracy explode with news

RED INQUIRER: Shepnukistan's President: Butcher of Magalia.

Nuclear attack unleashed just today has shocked the world.

PRAVDA: City Killer Shep

In response to a downed aircraft, Shepnukistan apparently obliterated a city with a nuclear strike. This makes him the greatest mass murderer in history of the XXI century.

HAMMER: "They kill a man, you kill a city"

That's a screed one Shepnukistani emigrant claims President Shepard has spoken several times; although no evidence of the quote's autencity remained. But it surely seems fitting, when today an entire city was murdered in retaliation for a downed recon craft which may have been violating the Diocese airpsace

RED TIE: War?

It is clear now that the Diocese will declare war on Shepnukistan and it's allies. The ECSOC simulated a possible war. Results for various scenarios are presented on P.7

[PeZook]

Shepnukistan

"No more war! No more war! No more war!"

The protesters chanted their credo, gathered in one of Rockville's many public spaces. Nearly every one of those protesters have lost loved ones and relatives in the civil war, many of them to nuclear strikes against loyalist forces.

"Our government is run by an insane man, willing to kill thousands for the slightest provocation! Innocent people in Mangalia were murdered for the actions of their leaders! Is this the kind of country we want to live in? Is this the kind of actions you support?!", a tall man in a black windbreaker was shouting through a megaphone. Military police in riot gear shuffled nervously, observing the agitated crowd.

"No! No! No!", the protesters screamed, holding up banners calling for President Sheppard to stand down

"No more death! No more killing! No more mass production of nuclear weapons, while our cities lay in ruins!", the man was raising his voice, slowly whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Police were taping him carefully with stick-mounted digital cameras, making sure they got his face.

"No more death! No more war! No more death! No more war!", the crowd chanted, pumping their fists into the air

A young man somewhere in the crowd started cursing at the military policemen. They remained calm.

"You serve an insane murderer, you fuckers! How can you sleep at night, huh?", he screamed into their faces. His brother was killed in a nuclear blast ; His mother died from radiation poisoning when she came looking for him. His father was shot by loyalists when they took Rockville from Garner's forces. He had nothing left to live for.

He threw a rock at one of the police officers, striking him in the forehead.

"Get him!", screamed a sergeant, and the riot police darted forward, striking the man with their nightsticks. The crowd reacted in shock, their pent-up anger focusing themselves on the police forces. Many of them knew the young man involved.

The crowd rushed forward, buzzing like an angry swarm of bees. Somebody threw a moltov cocktail into the police lines, and then all hell broke loose.

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

Astoria, Royal Palace

"Oh, Jesus fucking christ. I can't say I didn't expect it, but christ. A city for an aircrew? Shit like that incident happens all the time...but he's willing to murder millions for it..."

Paul was crushed. It was absolutely obvious that Shepnukistan was gunning for a nuclear conflict. He wasn't very pleased with the incident, of course, but mistakes happen. Sane countries were not willing to trade millions for an airplane, but Shep wasn't sane.

"On another note, Shepnukistanis are scared this will blow up into full-scale nuclear war. He's facing riots in dozens of cities - practically everyone in Shepnukistan has lost someone in that civil war of theirs.", said his foreign minister.

"I don't want anything to do with the man, period. We're breaking off relations."

"Won't this endanger the FUN?"

"This is our action and ours alone. How goes the cleanup in Miranda?", Paul turned to the Civil Defence co-ordinator.

"With the amount of aid we've received, it went surprisingly swiftly. The damage to crops is moderate, we can easily compensate with strategic reserves. Unfortunately, the two children who breathed in radioactive particulates have died this morning."

Paul snorted

"So I guess we can kill a Saddamistani city now?"

"By their standards, we'd be more than justified.", the coordinator agreed.

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

PeZookia breaks off all relations with Shepnukistan ; Shepnukistani citizens expelled, property seized

In a reaction to the use of nuclear weapons against a Diocese city, the government in Astoria has chosen to break off all relations with Shepnukistan. Shepnukistani diplomats have been expelled from the country, as were their citizens and any companies who decided to open up shop in PeZookia after the easing of last year's tensions.

Assets of Shepnukistani companies were seized by the government, as capital flight is forbidden by PeZookian law. Private citizens have been allowed to move their private posessions (including furniture, but excluding capital machinery, sales systems and similar money-making devices) and 10 thousand dollars in cash back to their home country.

[K. A. Pital]

Tu-2000A cockpit

- All units, report to 00, - Ania slowly moved the hypersonic craft, maintaining a non-interfering course around the SDN Archipelago.

- This is Bear 17 reporting. In the air.

- Caveman-1 reporting. In the air.

- That's Caveman-2. In the air.

- Swan-3 reporting. In the air.

...
- Arch-angels reporting. We have two spatial craft ready right now.

- Allright. Remain in circular flight until further orders.

[MKSheppard]

Pezookian Citizens interned!

In response to the expulsion of many Shepnukistani Citizens and the seizure of their property and goods without just cause in Pezookia, the Government of Shepnukistan has begun rounding up Pezookian Citizens and interning them for the duration as "anarcho-jihadi-saboteur-terrorists".

Pezookian Embassy surrounded by Combat Engineers!

Due to the possibility of anarcho-jihadi elements within Shepnukistan attacking the Pezookian embassy to provoke a war, Shepnukistani combat engineers have taken up guard positions outside the embassy walls, keeping protesters a healthy distance away...

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin

Selene 1B launch delayed

Already placed on a railway platform, the Selene 1B spacecraft was turned around to the Vehicle Assembly Building by order of Korolev Spaceport's authorities.

"Since tensions are high, and military forces around the world are at high alert, a launch from the Red Technocracy - even a scheduled one - could unnecessarily endanger the world.", said Pavel Golovko, Korolev Chief Launch Controller, "This is why the senior staff responsible for launch schedules at Korolev decided to postpone the Selene 1B launch."

The next launch window for Selene 1B, which was scheduled to rendezvous with the ALMAZ-1 space station, will happen in 21 days if the scheduled launch date is missed.

Selene 1B crew are irritated at the delay, but told reporters they understood the reasons for this decision. They would continue training in the meantime.

Fajita donated to a zoo ; GENITAL activists launch fund drive to free the chimpanzee astronaut

No longer needed for spacecraft testing, the female chimpanzee named Fajita, the first FASTA space traveller, was donated to an Omsk zoo.

Upon hearing of the news, GENITAL activists began to plan a massive fund raiser to buy the simian from the zoo and set it free in the jungles of Syndromia, where it could "Frolic freely with its simian brethren, like it was meant to do, free from human exploitation."

[Sea Skimmer]

North Saddamistan

The railroad siding had sat unused for year, unused that as, except for occasional stopovers by ten car long trains pulled by diesel locomotive in the colors of a business that did not really exist. Burmese Central Railroad said the writing on the side on the engines, each with strangely small windows and exhaust vents with autolocking covers. Each of the cars appeared to be a long hopper car topped with sand. Inside, each was actually a pair of concealed launchers for the SSCM-109 cruise missile, with racks of six missiles each, which elevated through the roof to fire. The total of 120 cruise missiles armed with bio-chemical, nuclear and decoy warheads was but a tiny piece of the Saddamistan subsonic cruise missile arsenal, built up at the rate of some six missiles per work day for years. The siding provided a point of reference for the fire control, no longer completely necessary owing to improve surveying of all track mileage, as well as keeping the train clear of the mainline as it waited for orders which might come very soon.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

The Wrath of the Sun was complete and deep in Anatolia. All the weapons developed was now ready for the test. The shells were moved into position. The shells were fairly huge, and unmarked. Only a few people in the world knew what they contained or could do.

In the air, the strategic bomber wing of 20 Tu-160 left the airfield, with refueling aircraft and fighter jets escorting the aircraft. Ramjet missiles were loaded and ready to fire.

The mass mobilization exercise were held, and there was a groan. People had thought the days of terror were over, but alas, it was not over.

[PeZook]

Shepnukistan

"How many times have we done that now?", asked an embassy guard carrying a box full of papers to the incinerator.

"Three. One when the first nuclear scare came...then we received new codes and stuff from home, but then Garner's government fell and we burned them again while loyalists advanced through the capital...and now this."

They put down the boxes. Three embassy aides were shoving papers into the furnace as fast as they could manage.

"Well, it's gonna be a real pain in the ass if we have to introduce new codes again."

Upstairs, people were wiping computer drives, and preparing to leave the country. Ambassador Henryk Torunski was sad to leave his post, after having survived two major crises here, never ceasing his work...but an order was an order. He was sure he'd receive a new posting soon, unless the world burned down in the meantime.

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Presidential Hall, Republic of Mangka

"Mr. President, I think we have a misunderstanding here. I really want to help the Republic of Mangka. The Bioweapons are designed for this purpose. As you can see, tensions are rising. Better have some leverage before it's too late." Alvar Han was still talking in his confident voice.

A feeling of impatience rushed in. "Look, Mr. Han, don't think that you can control the damn country, the damn policies, the damn elections, the damn whatever from that little yacht over there. That's right, I can trace you. I know your location, I have recorded all the bullshit you've spewed out ever since your first call."

President Ma hesitated, inhaled, and said, "Oh, and enough is enough, I've had it with your muthafucking voice on this muthafucking hotline. See ya, tzai jian, sayonara." And he cut off the line.

"Sonija, tell the Amphibious Recon & Patrol Battalion they have a go on 'Operation Snatch'." Short hesitation. "And tell Commander Chen to prepare the documents on 'Operation HAM'."

A few days later...

Alvar Han Missing

Alvar Han, 52, of the FORMOSA Initiative, has been missing for 3 days. He was last seen on his private yacht with some high officials of the Initiative.

Along with the missing are:
J.R. Luo, Director of the R&D Department of the Initiative
T.K. Gao, Overseas Manager

Wenyi Li, spokesperson of the Initiative, confirmed that several important developing projects, as well as blueprints of the United Flight Industries MUAV have been accessed and retrieved. The remaining Initiative officials have elected Mr. Jake Dong as the temporary CEO to handle the situation as well as evaluate the losses to the Initiative.

General H.L. Chi, spokesperson of the ROM Armed Forces stated that there was no security threat on the leak of the MUAV blueprints, since they were mainly on fuselage designs. While the transmission related equipment on them was independently developed by the ROM Air Force.

[PeZook]

Astoria, below the Royal Palace

"...and a 100 kiloton yield. It's based on some early Shepnukistani designs the Ret Technocracy has shown us glimpses of.", the aged, wrinkly professor seemed like an odd man to give a speech on the matter, but the average age of the nuclear science faculty in PeZookia was pretty high. Though having a man who looked like Death itself deliver a briefing on nuclear weapons was deliciously ironic.

"That'll need a lot of enriched uranium", the Defence Minister helpfully explained

"Well, we can't contribute anything except money. We have some budget surplus, right?"

"Right. 600 million, give or take a few. We wanted to spend them on education..."

"Do so. 50% to establish nuclear faculties and grant stipends to people willing to study there. The other half will go to the joint FUN nuclear program."

"What about the electronics industry? Are they up to the job of making the high-precision detonators?", the Defence Minister asked again. Everybody looked at the Industry&Economy Minister.

"I don't know..."

"Find out.", said the King

Result: PeZookia contributes 300 million to FUN nuke program, and may be able to make the high-precision detonators needed for implosion weapons.

[phongn]

Saddamistan

The airplanes were leaving. After weeks of hi-temp combat operations against Alexander's insurgents, they had more important things to do: in this case, defense of the homeland. Each Aardvark could be loaded with a large payload of long-range high-mach AALMs, permitting them to engage enemy aircraft exclusively using off-board sensors.

While it was believed that both the UAR and MESS would uphold any nonaggression agreements, the same could not be said for the FUN, of whom several nations were extremely antagonistic to the very existence of the IRT.

The IRT

Air patrols were being ramped up strongly; the sole stratellite yet delivered from Shroommania was desperately undergoing systems integration tests in order to achieve improved early warning for any missiles coming in.

Selected F-114 patrols were now sporting a pair of extremely large missiles underneath their wing hardpoints: these advanced missiles would go a long way to ensuring long-range defense of the Republic.

[RogueIce]

The Diocese, Terra Libertia

Personnel from the Shinra Republic embassy were investigating the incident that had occured recently. There was question as to Byzantium culpability in the shootdown of the Shepnukistani aircraft. They needed answers, which would be vital to determing what the ultimate response of the alliance would be.

Thus far they had determined that the SAM systems were under the operation of Diocese personnel at this point. This would most likely have been the case for the battery at Magalia. However, it was also likely that Byzantium personnel would have been present.

The investigation was made difficult in the fact that everyone involved was dead. They'd never know whether the Byzantine personnel, assuming they were present, had agreed with the shootdown, tried to stop it, told the operators to go ahead, or simply sat back and watched.

The initial reports about the shootdown indicated Byzantine personnel were most likely present, or at least knew about it shortly afterwards. In any case, the only thing they could do now was determine what, if any, authority Byzantine military personnel would have had.

Could they have stopped it if they wanted to? Would they have been able to give the order themselves? Was it required for clearance to be given from Byzantine advisors, or could Diocese officers make the call for themselves?

These answers would at least give some insight into whether or not Byzantium had any culpability in the shootdown. But they'd never know the full truth of the matter. The Shepnukistanis had seen to that.

[K. A. Pital]

Into the Fray: Red Decontamination Brigades from Pezookia move straight into the nuclear blast zone

Deadly attack against the Diocese which destroyed the seaport hub of Magalia was still high on the news; and the decontamination specialists already loaded into the planes.

- We have our duty to help the Diocese, which is under Byzantine protectorate, as a friendly nation, - said one of the soldiers.

- This act of barbaric mass murder has shocked us, - spoke another, - We can only try to save the people and reduce the suffering that goes on there. - We are at the helm of the FUN humanitarian efforts, and we will do our job.

The planes have hastily scrambled some immediate-relief goods as well: food supplies and medicine, provided partly by Pezookian authorities.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Government denounces the vile act against the Diocese. Orders decontamination squads to Magalia.

"This vile act by Shepnukistan is their latest crime against humanity. Vile Scum!" bellowed the Emperor. "They dared attack a nation that had every right to defend themselves against an incursion." The Government has denounced the nuclear attack on the Diocese and decontamination squads going to FUN have been diverted to the Diocese. The 1st Airbourne brigade has been sent to the Diocese to assess the damage. Byzantine citizens attempting to aid the Diocese have been killed in the nuclear fireball and the Orthodox Church have proclaimed them matyrs. The Ecumenical Patriarch proclaimed that these people died well for their faith, and shall join the panthenon of saints. The Government has also ordered the mobilization of the army just in case Shepnukistan chooses to attack Byzantium as well.

[PeZook]

Diocese, Magalia

"Our Lord who art in heaven, halloweed be thy name...", the young priest prayed in whispers under the black sky, in the ruins of an Orthodox church, his hands and face horribly burned. The sky, covered in dark clouds from the explosion itself and fires only let through small glimpsed of sunglight, colored blood-red.

The church was filled with dead and dying, victims of radiation poisoning, burns and flash-blindness. The young priest himself was burned beyond recognition, his skin tearing off as he tried to help the wounded, dragging them inside, away from the black rain. Their wailing and moans crated a horrible background to the hellish landscape outside the chapel's door.

"...give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses...as we..."

No. He couldn't bear himself to say this. He collapsed, overcome with pain, under the silent figure of the crucified Jesus. The black rain has left stains on the figure's face, as if it uttered black tears.

The priest died silently, asking his Lord for forgiveness.

The wailing rose into the sky, of the wounded, the dying and the blind, the poisoned, the crying children and grieving wives, and those who went insane, screaming that the End has come, wandering the ruined streets of their cities, amongst black smoke from burning buildings. They died slowly, on the streets, in cellars and buried under tons of rubble, with no help in sight.

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

Amelia, PeZookia

"We're ahead of schedule, skipper!", the PeZookian merchant marine sailor shouted, red from racing all the way up into the bridge of the Fast Commerce Ship, "But there are way too many passengers who want to go out and help. We don't have anywhere to stack them!"

"I don't want any of them. We barely have enough protective gear as it is.", the skipper of the ship didn't want to ferry people only for them to die of radiation poisoning on the way in.

"Okay, we'll just tell them off.", the boy said and ran down the stairs.

Both ships were loaded in record time: they carried tents, water and basic medical supplies of which there never was enough in such cases. A third ships was loaded with civil defence workers, soldiers and vehicles to aid in the relief efforts. The escort ships - two Burke-class destroyers - ex-Shepnukistani ones, ironically enough - were already waiting, steaming around the port exit, searching for submarines.

[K. A. Pital]

Freetown Airfield, Diocese

The Il-76 touched down softly. Another one was approaching.

Heavy rain, common for the tropical lands of the Diocese, which had little elevations on the lush, forest-filled landscape, greeted the pilots. Soon the decontamination brigade left the plane.

- Hello, and welcome to the Diocese, - spoke one of the lieutnants of the Diocese Military - the structure that rose from the Sons of the Faith militia. - Thank you for help on this terrible day.

- We cannot blindly watch how fellow Libertian Slavs are mass-murdered, - uttered a Colonel of the Red Technocracy Army. - How is Patriarch Ramsley?

- His Holiness is grieving.

- I presume the massive atrocity perpetrated by Shepnukistan has... broken his heart, - the soldier carefully picked words, - By which I mean fear. It's no secret we all fear the UAR and Shepnukistan. I presume he has so far issued no calls for war.

- We have nothing to wage war with against such a powerful enemy, they would annhilate us just as they annihilated Magalia today, - spoke the Lieutnant. - Thankfully St.Basils is safe, but the fallout cloud is moving upwards and contaminating villages on the coastline. Soon it will reach Alexander himself... the pathetic fool.

- So which areas have been assessed?

- Only areas 3 and 4. Contamination zones 2 and 1 cannot be explored without heavy gear.

- We have it. Anti-rad BMDs will lead the way.

Slavic Confederacy Cargo Airlines Bort 00X482

The company that shipped cargo between Byzantium and the Red Technocracy on a daily basis suddenly saw an upsurge of flights with superheavy lifters. It seemed that the Red Technocracy was transporting something...

[RogueIce]

New Delphi, Alexandria

Meanwhile, across the border, the investigation into the incident proceeded on a different tack.

Namely, why was a Shepnukistani aircraft over Alexandrian airspace in the first place? After the crisis over the Shepnukistani arms shipments, Alexander had had no further ties or agreements with Shepnukistan or the UAR; at least, none the Shinra Republic or the MESS knew of.

So the question of why the reconnaissance was there at all was an important one. And unlike their counterparts in the Diocese, the Shinra Republic embassy personnel in Alexandria could at least get a solid answer from the Iron General. Whether or not he would tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth remained to be seen.

Nonetheless, the Shinra Republic Ambassador to Alexandria requested an audience with the Iron General at his earlier convenience. The question would have to be asked sooner or later, and the ambassador was hoping it would be sooner.

Meanwhile, other embassy personnel would attempt to discern through other means whether the overflight was authorized or not. The ambassador was of course going to trust that the Iron General would deal with them straight; he had done so for the most part as it was. But a little extra confirmation never hurt.

Additionally, the investigation into the rumors of heavy strikes on communes within the central mountainous area continued. They had determined the Iron General had AT-38s; and there were very few places they could get them from. They figured the IRT had shipped them there. Unsurprisingly, the Tonkinites hadn't bothered to tell anybody about this. Nonetheless they'd wait on confirmation before sending the information back to Midgar, where it was almost certain hard questions would be asked of just what the IRT's intentions were down here.

Either way, from what they'd heard, there was simply no way those AT-38s could be behind the strikes they'd heard about it. Not if the rumors were true. Now the question became: who was behind them, and why? They hoped they'd at least get some confirmation of the strikes happening before the ambassador met with the Iron General. At least that way he could try to clear this up all at once.

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

Elsewhere on Terra Nova

Orders had been issued: one SHS and two of the LHSes would be deployed to the Diocese to aid in immediate relief operations. CVBG-2, centered on the SRS Ranger would provide escort. The Wilkonian CVBG deployed to Adrianopolis was already on station, alertly watching the skies for any followup attack. SRN TF-23 was also on high alert. CBRN response teams in PeZookia had been ordered to liase with PeZookian authorities to assist in redeployment southward; SR airlift assets would be offered to PeZookian authorities also making the trip.

While all of this was going on, aircraft were spotted on tracking radars leaving Saddamistan airspace. They were heading west. They took note of this and duly logged it, sending an alert to all MESS commands.

Code: Select all

++--URGENT--++

Aircraft of UNK ID spotted departing Saddamistan airspace, heading WEST.  Intentions UNK.  Advise EASTCOM assets begin immediate observation and attempt to reacquire tracks.  SR tracking to be alert in case UNK tracks return.

Tracking details follow...

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

The 1st Airbourne Brigade landed in their aircraft which taxied on the runway. Over at the corner was the Red Technocracy aircraft that arrived a day before. A total of 2 battalions were deployed, along with their BMP-3Ms that were prepared for NBC conditions. The mood was somber as the crews offloaded their aircraft. More elements of the 1st Airbourne Brigade would be arriving later in An-22s and An-72s, but advance elements would be heading out to the field escorting the decontamination equipment to the blast site. The colonel in charge of the the operation headed over to the Red Technocracy aircraft intent on meeting his counterparts.

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

"Surge out the 2 carriers immediately. Organise a battlegroup and head down. One of them will remain monitoring the skies. Speed up construction of the radars," ordered the Emperor.

"Yes Sire. What of the Wrath of the Sun?" Callisto asked

"Tell them to be alert for orders."

[PeZook]

Freetown, Diocese

The airplanes were coming in one after another now, and the Diocese air controllers - such as they were - struggled to keep up. Various uniforms filled the rough, rain-soaked airfield, and the multitude of languages have melted into incomprehensible babble.

Nobody knew anything, and organization was lousy. Red Technocracy rad teams soon sped away in their BMDs, while Shinra techs sat inside their own specialized vehicles, and PeZookian soldiers tried to figure out where to go to kepp the peace.



"Goddammit, what a fucking mess!", cursed captain Jolanta Sobiera, a PeZookian light infantry officer, who came on board a Shinra C-130, looking at the increasingly crowded airfield, "We have to get some organization here!"

She consulted with her officers and sent out runners to find all the other commanders and bring them to the main airport terminal ; There, a Red Technocracy colonel was chosen as the overall co-ordinator of the relief effort, with attached Diocese advisors. Runners were moving back and forth, and soon the tangled mess began to resemble a co-ordinated relief effort. Supply dumps were established, vehicles organized in groups, radio frequencies exchanged, a chain of command designed, all on the spot.

All the time, a huge collumn of thick, black smoke adorned the far horizon.

[K. A. Pital]

Red Navy Carrier Group 1, which operated in the Western Ocean beyond the coasts of Shroomania, periodically replenishing in Farbanti, moves to the coasts of Libertia.

- We need to be there. Amidst diplomatic tensions, any attack on our citizens needs to be repealed, and our task is to protect the entire FUN decontamination mission in Libertia.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

The IBNS Constantine left the docks together with its sister vessel Justinian. Her crews were quiet as the aircraft carrier left the docks together with its load of F-35s and F/A-18s and other aircraft. Since Constantine was ordered to head to the Diocese, she carried more aircraft than Justinian which will stay behind to guard the home base. Submarines were patrolling the coast and ready to lay mines around the nation. As an escort, 5 Komnenos destroyers and 3 Basil II frigates and 2 Aegean submarines and refueling vessels will escort her to the Diocese. The rest of the fleet will stay with Justinian which will serve as flagship. The fleet headed out and sailed with best speed to the Diocese and ordered to rendevzous with the Red Navy, their old friends.

Across the nation, radar reflectors were erected, and the military was wide alert with SAM batteries alert. The prototype laser defence devices were carted out to defend the capital. Aircraft patrolled the airspace, wide and alert.

[RogueIce]

Throught the MESS and FUN, panicked family members of relief workers deluged government offices and NGO with inquires regarding the fate of their loved ones. Communications into and out of the Diocese and other Terra Libertia nations was spotty at best. The recent disaster just made things worse.

As various news networks videotaped the throngs of worried relatives and friends, spouses and lovers, the questions were all the same: "Are they still alive?" "Why haven't we heard anything?" "What's the government going to do about this?"

Nobody was quite sure who from the various international relief agencies was present in Magalia at the time of the attack. It would be weeks, months, maybe even years before the toll of foreign nationals who were killed by, as the UAR would put it, "collateral damage" would be known.

[PeZook]

Magalia



The fires started abating by themselves in the morning, as relief teams have finally started making headways into the city. The streets were littered with bodies, and the stench at street-level was unbearable.

Heavily suited teams came first, taking radiation measuremenets - fortunately, they were light. Reports from ground zero were less optimistic, but the missile battery was far enough from the city that it didn't matter. For now, gas masks and light protective suits would be enough, untill the nastiest isotopes decayed.

The medical teams came next, escorted by soldiers of various nations. The magnitude of the problem was incredible: an entire city ruined, dead, dying and wounded scattered all around, buried under rubble or lying where they were caught by the blast. And, of course, wherever there's a human tragedy, there are also looters and other scum.

Military units got their areas assigned ; A PeZookian platoon (wearing Red Technocracy-provided protective gear) would watch a small inner-city market. They arrived there in four trucks, and set up a "clean tent" first, where they would collect victims and render first aid.

Then they began their search. Rubble crumbled under their boots, and every once in a while a soldier would call his team mates, and they'd drag a wounded man and carry him towards the tent.

Captain Sobiera walked into the ruined chapel half an hour later. She almost puked into her gas mask when she saw the interior of the church littered with burned bodies. A dead priest lay before the altar, with a silent Jesus figure watching him.

She made the sign of the cross and entered the church with her men.

"Check if any of them are alive", she said to her men, her voice muffled by the mask. Then she turned back and saw him.

He was in a miserable condition, but not burned or maimed. For some reason, he didn't hear the soldier enter the cathedral, and was furiously gathering the sacral utensils - most of them gold-plated.

"You there! Stop it at once!", Sobiera shouted, raising her rifle. The man froze and turned around, clutching a Holy Communion cup in one hand, with a golden platter in the other.

"Put that down right now!"

The man glanced towards the ruined wall at the end of the cathedral...and decided to bolt. He started running.

The Captain fired her rifle, but missed. Cursing the cumbersome mask, she managed to fire two more shots before the looter disappeared in the rubble, carrying his spoils.

"Scum!"

She was angry. Two of her men ran after the looter, but she called them back.

"Forget him. Help me with these people here."

[RogueIce]

Outside of Magalia, Diocese

Lieutenant Ken Barker and his men had the unenviable task of investigating ground zero itself. It was highly unlikely anything was there; in fact, damned near impossible. But still, it had to be done. And he and his men were the ones to do it.

However, as they approached he saw that their task was likely to be a futile one. Still, somebody back home apparently had the hope that, somehow, there might be some clue as to why the missile operators had fired that could have survived. And so they were sent to check it out.

Plus, somebody had to get readings of the area for the eventual decontamination efforts.

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

Fort Condor, Shinra Republic

The 6th Infantry Division hadn't been mobilized in...well, not forever, but certainly longer than anyone present knew about. The 602nd Mechanized Infantry Regiment was being tasked to head into the Diocese. They were picked simply because they'd been the ones who'd done CBRN training most recently.

Security was going to be a major concern in the Diocese, especially around Magalia itself. Looters and others would probably try to brave the radioactivity to cause problems. Plus in general it was possible civil disorder could take root in other cities.

And so it was the 602nd was getting ready to deploy. The rest of the 6th Infantry Division was also gearing up; they'd be ready to go if general disorder set in around the Diocese.

There was also the fear some outside power would try to take advantage of the situation. For that, I Corps, the active duty heavy hitters of the Shinra Republic Army had received a warning order to get ready for possible deployment in the event of an emergency.

President Shinra was not about to let the situation get any worse for Terra Libertia than it already was. If anyone tried to make it so...they'd definately be made to answer for it.