SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the First.

[Siege]

General Directorate for Corporate Defence, Sub-Directorate of Appropriations

Subject: Invitation to Tender / Military Acquisition
From: Office of Sub-Director Jason Vandenburgh

The military of San Dorado is seeking to appropriate the following items at this time:
- Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (several)
- Yak-141 V/STOL fighter (several)
- A-10 or Su-25 CAS aircraft (several)

Interested exporters of these articles are asked to contact the Sub-Directorate of Appropriations.

Was signed,

Jason Vandenburgh

[MKSheppard]

al-Akharabat, Caravo Communities

Several days ago; a Shepistani Air Force 2LT travelling with a pair of Japanistani peacekeepers had been kidnapped, along with the Japanistanis. Their beheaded bodies had been dumped outside the Japanistani headquarters, and notes containing warnings to back off from closing down smuggling operations had been written in the traditional Caravo language and attached to their chests with daggers.

The Shepistani response had taken a little bit to arrange, but eventually a gunship detachment had been flown into al-Akharabat in the bellies of the KC-22s and slowly been reassembled to flying condition.

So it was several days after the kidnapping that the Shepistani response arrived.

As they passed over the Caravo communities; the Shepistani pilots put their HINDs into slight dives, and opened fire.

First up were the HINDs carrying FAB aviation bombs and rocket pods; they were just to get the Cavutians all scared for their lives and running around, not to cause any real damage.

No, that job was reserved for the cannon-armed HINDs that were hanging back. As the Cavutians scrambled through the streets, they were torn in half by 23mm cannonfire from the HIND Gunships, which had two 23mm cannons next to the cockpit, and carried four gunpods with a pair of 23mm cannons each, for a total of ten 23mm cannons.

The pilots of the gunships did their job without mercy or remorse; making sure anyone who moved in the villages recieved a dose of 23mm HEI.

As the smoke rose from the villages, Japanistani soldiers moved in to seize any survivors. Those who were wounded were immediately executed. The people who had come through the hail of cannonfire without any wounds would soon be regretting that they hadn't died; for they were now in the Japanistani Criminal Punishment System....

Results
Smuggling villages wiped out in retalitation. Survivors now in grasp of Japanistan...

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin
- Now distributed electronically!

New FASTA Director Of Operations chosen

Damian Kaklamanis, PhD, a graduate of the University Of Constantinopole, has been chosen as the new FASTA Director Of Operations. He will co-ordinate the work of all FASTA branches, managing mankind's struggle to establish a permanent presence in space.

FASTA launches astronaut recruitment campaign

While rocket science is what FASTA seems to concern itself with the most, the people we employ are in fact the most important part of the race to the Moons. Thus, the FASTA needs dedicated, hard-workin and bave people to participae in the greatest endeavor mankind has ever undertaken.

Think you have the Right Stuff? Fill out an application form on the FASTA website and become part of history today!

Everyone is welcome!



(OOC: In reality, of course, not everyone is welcome. 20/20 eyesight, great physical shape, intelligence, the right mindset...everything is strigently tested)

Names chosen for FASTA rocket families

Closing a two-weeks naming contest, the FASTA has announced official names for its planned family of rockets and capsules. They have been listed below:

A) ROCKET FAMILIES

Atlas-Sputnik: Formerly called the INITIAL family, the Atlas-Sputnik rockets based on the CSR 8K71 rocket will be used during initial stages of the manned Moon program, to lift satellites and one-man capsules to orbit.

Proton: Formerly LINEBACKER, the Proton family of rockets (currently in development) will support unmanned reconeissance of Selene and the second stage of the manned program, which will include orbital maneuvering, docking and rendezvous and duration flights.

Saturn: Formerly MOON, this planned 3000+ tonne rocket will be the launch vehicle to bring astronauts to Selene.

Vulkan: This rocket family of superheavy boosters will support a future moon base, and is planned to be able to lift nearly 200 tonnes to low earth orbit.

B) MANNED CAPSULES

Mercury: The first iteration of the manned space program, the Mercury capsule will be used to test launch, attitude control and life support systems in low earth orbit.

Soyuz: A planned two-man capsule, the first "real" spacecraft, thought up as the 'space workhorse' and initial testing bed for orbital maneuvering and guidance systems.

Selene: named after our largest moon, Selene (planned to be either an evolution of the Soyuz capsule or an entirely new starship) will carry three astronauts to its namesake, and its cargo version will support the planned moonbase.

Orion: A next-generation starship, this large capsule will be developed to support the Permanent Lunar Presence program.

FASTA officials congratulate the Old Dominion on succesful satellite launch

In a press conference today, the newly appointed FASTA Director of Operations congratulated the Old Dominion on a succesfull launch of the first ever functional communications satellite.

"This represents a massive step forward. Whle we hoped FASTA would be the first one to achieve this important milestone, we nevertheless congratulate our colleagues of the MESS Space Agency on achieving this stunning success."

FASTA has inquired about the possibility of sending an official delegation to the Old Dominion, in order to learn about launch and guidance procedures from local personnel, in preparation for the much-anticipated first test launches of the Atlas-Sputnik rocket.

[Czechmate]

Subject: Invitation to Tender regarding Yak-141 STOVL fighters
From: Deputy Minister of Trade Xianhu Carrington
To: San Doradan Sub-Directorate of Appropriations

His majesty Xavier II of the divine Westchester Dynasty has decreed the following;

-The Realm is willing to sell as many as twenty-four (24) Yakley-141 short takeoff and vertical landing combat aircraft.
-Prices negotiable.
-Buy One Get One Free coupons not valid.

If interested, contact the Deputy Minister.

Signed,

Lord Xianhu Carrington, Baron Darwen, Deputy Minister of Trade Within His Majesty's Realm.

[Karmic Knight]

Declassified Document

”The Settlement” Project
A Vinish Wilderness Survey Project

Overview

The Project is meant to provide the Vinish People with a place to launch both operations into space and the Untamed Wilderness. The operation is meant to be totally Civillian, with only minimal armed interference.

Staff

Staff Administrator: Jonathan Bordeaux
Economic Administrator: Jill D’Estate
Military Advisor: Joshua Earles
Construction/Housing Administrator: Austin Kerns
Scientific Staff Administrator: Ashley Janics
Head Radio Operator: Wendy Kathonicronia

Project Goals
Classified

Project Deadlines
Classified

Project Funding
Classified

Non-Staff Personal
Classified

[DarthShady]

Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR

"Mr.President they have rejected the ultimatum."-General Slavik said, "They have been bombed by the PeZookians but are continuing their attack."

"Well if they want to play rough, we shall play rough."-Shady said, "Inform our Byzantium friends that they may begin the assault. And inform General Marzaq to begin the attack."

"Yes Sir, right away."-General Slavik said and left the room.
-------------------------------------------------------
Somewhere in Sargonia

A group of trucks and light armoured vehicles hurried along the road. "Faster, faster"-the sergeant yelled, "I don't want to die here. We have to reach the city."

Unkown to him a number of Su-24 bombers approached their position, they came to finish what the PeZookians had started.



"Target confirmed, moving to attack position."

The missiles streaked towards the terrified soldiers on the ground and soon there was nothing left of them.


----------------------------------------------------------------
North-western Border of the USSR

General Marzaq prepared his forces well, under his command he had ten thousand soldiers, 200 T-72 Tanks and even some T-90, more than two hundred BTR-80's carried his troops and at least a hundred and fifty BMP-2's accompanied them. He would crush the enemies of the USSR, he would crush them hard.

Within a few minutes after receiving his orders his troops were already on the move. They would be joined by their Byzantium Counterparts.



Operation "Liberty's Fury" was a go.

[[OOC: You guys can proceed with further operations, because I'm of to bed. Feel free to use my guys as well because I wont be back until tomorrow afternoon. Have FUN. ]]

[Vohu Manah]

Ninhursag Evening Post

Recycling Operations Expanding
In an attempt to improve global recycling rates and increase the availability to low cost renewed resources the Ninhursag Recycling Company has announced plans to expand the current recycling plants to accommodate the potential increase in recyclates. The company has also stated that they will soon offer a service in which imported recyclates will be returned to the country of origin for a small process fee rather than purchased and resold. The national government has stated that 10% tariffs currently in place for reprocessing recyclates will be dropped or reduced if business grows sufficiently (recyclates purchased by industry for resale are not currently taxed).

International Communication Security Under Review
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Justice are currently undergoing a legal review of the nation's laws in regards to the treatment of international communications. The specific section of the law undergoing review refers to communications in which The Most Serene Republic of Ninhursag is simply a intermediary and neither the source or destination of communications traffic. The review is expected to last at least a year and may result in new legislation based on the findings of the two ministries.

Fishing/Crabbing Banned in Territorial and Contiguous Waters
Effective 1 January, 2009 for the express purpose of providing an internally regulated fertile ground for the farming of wild bio-mass the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment have announced they are closing all bio-mass extraction operations out to the 24 nautical mile mark from internal waters. This decision will not affect the current quota system but will reduce allowable fishing/crabbing grounds by approximately 14%. This decision is not expected to effect the industry in any reasonable way.

[Raj Ahten]

In al-Akharabat

Indhopal's observation mission in al-Akharabat had been monitoring Shepistani and Japanistani comms traffic and an increase in traffic, and who it was coming from, made them think an operation was underway. Soon after rumors that multiple Caravo villages were being attacked were pouring in. Field teams soon confirmed the rumors. Indhopal's observers were able to get some footage of the helicopters as they moved to and from their attack sites. Aerial recon (in the form of Harrier jets from the recently arrived marine contingent) then showed the extent of Japanistan's and Shepistan's operation. They were moving the whole population of the Caravo into prison camps and apparently massacring anyone that tried to flee.

Indhopal then flooded the networks s with news of the massacre. A few survivors were also found who gave gruesome details of the operation. The observers concluded that Shepistan and Japanistan were conducting nothing less than a genocidal program against the Caravo people.



Aerial shots of Devestated Caravo Villages

Shepistani Gunship after an attack run

[Raj Ahten]

At the FTO Conference

Surprising many, President Raj Ahten arrived in person to the FTO conference. Normally Indhopal just sends the Foreign Minister to the conference. The President immediately launched into a speech in which he condemned the "Genocidal Imperialists Shepistan and Japanistan,” who President Raj Ahten said were, "Engaging as we speak in a campaign to wipe a people from the earth."

The President called for tough action. As a preliminary step he asked that the FTO sever any trade relations they had with Shepistan or Japanistan and bar their shipping from operating in FTO territorial waters. Any nation doing business with Japanistan and Shepistan should also be embargoed. He also called for a motion that any presence of Shepistani or Japanistani forces anywhere in Frequesue be considered an act of war upon the FTO. The President justified this with the following.
"Their plans are once established in a new area, they seal off the ports, strangle the people, and then exterminate the local populace. They will never set foot on Frequesue."

The president then outlined several defense proposals in which he endorsed intelligence sharing and joint air/naval patrols by the FTO.

Meanwhile
In the CFR Indhopal’s airborne regiment was relieved by the 31st Infantry Regiment. The air campaign against Minoy also continued. Minoy had large numbers of SAMS, and Indhopal’s air force was ruthlessly attempting to suppress them. So far losses had been very low on Indhopal's side, but Minoy had not yet shown any signes of folding.

[Karmic Knight]

The FTO Conference

"Thank you all for coming," Brandon announced, "We have spoken through surrogates up until now, and now the FTO shall speak freely amongst ourselves.

" I would like to began with the ten points outlined by Indhopal and San Dorado, if no one has any problems with that," he paused, "alright, well, let us begin with: 'Should FTO nations be allowed to be full members of foreign alliance groups such as the MESS or FUN?' I believe we should, as it will allows us to influence these groups, and assist our goal of keeping them out of the continent."

[MKSheppard]

Joint Special Stability Operations HQ, al-Akharabat

The Canissian officers groaned in despair as their Japanistani liason at JSSO told them the bad news.

"We contacted the Shepistanis concerning the location of their minefields, and they said that a junior officer burned the records of where their mines were laid due to a mixup concerning classified information at their airbase."

"Now, if you had joined us here at JSSO earlier, like the Shepistanis did, then this mix up would never have occured."

Results
Mining Maps have been lost due to intransigence of allied powers to join the JSSO, preferring their own national independence. As a result, de-mining, even with the much larger japanistani minehunting fleet coming soon, will take some time.

[Coiler]

FTO conference

President Jeffrey stepped up and gave Coilerburg's answer to the points Indhopal provided:

1.) Should FTO nations be allowed to be full members of foreign alliance groups such as the MESS or FUN? Personally I would prefer members not associate to that degree with the big alliances. The whole point of the FTO is to keep such alliances from monkeying with Frequesue.

I believe that while FTO members should be allowed to conduct business with members of big alliances, they should not be allowed to become full members, as that violates the spirit of the FTO.

2.) Do we want to form a joint Naval or air command to better integrate our forces for defense?

Yes, but a somewhat loose one.

3.) The CFR is breaking apart as we speak and falling into anarchy. The FTO needs to come up with a plan to deal with the situation, lest the whole region could become destabilized.

I believe that a plan should be discussed, but do not know exactly what that plan should be.

4.) Do we want to officially respond to other nation's activities on the untamed continent? I have already sent observers into al-Akharabat; the FTO does not need to take action as a group unless we want to.

I would like to see the naked imperialism present on Velestria by Shepistan and Japanistan stopped by any means necessary.

5.) Do we want to invest jointly in 5th gen. fighters like the f-22? I would be willing to expand my production of such aircraft if we could drum up large enough orders.

I don't see why we really need 5th gen. fighters.

6.) FASTA projects. Do we want to contribute to this organization? Indhopal will be putting forward significant funds for space exploration shortly.

I support space exploration and am willing to commit large sums to FASTA.

7.) Do we want to have our own space program to launch military satellites?

I support this wholeheartedly.

[Master_Baerne]

The FTO Conference

I concur with His Majesty, adding that, should we not ally ourselves with the saner power blocs, we may find ourselves entangled unwillingly in the plots of certain genocidal warmongers. (OOC: See last game. :OOC)

[Sea Skimmer]

500 miles east of Indhopal

The Japanistani JCE-76 Howl Ears SIGINT plane had taken off from a Shepistan staging base four hours before, in-flight refueling at the 1000 mile mark to begin its reconnaissance run in. Equipped with dozens of antennas and receivers Howl Ears sucked electronic emissions from the air like a sponge, not just radar and radio communications, but also data links, weapons control signals, the functioning of IFF system and other pieces of an airborne electronic order of battle. The aircraft made regular runs past all the major continents, placing a heavy demand on Japanistani air refueling assets but also allowing for comprehensive intelligence collection.

“Captain,” said one of the operators sitting in a long cabin behind the cockpit over the intercom. “I’ve been monitering civilian radio, it seems the president of Indhopal has declare all Japanistani military presence an act of war.”
“Continue with the mission, said the Captain, sitting in the copilots seat. “We fly over international waters in an unarmed plane to conducted atmospheric research!” the entire crew laughed at the primitive cover story, still the unarmed and international waters piece was true, even if they often skirted the limits.

“We will test all destruct circuits, but the barbarians would dare not shoot down an unarmed plane, to do so would bring down a vengeance from the Emperor as to make the mustard gas bombings before the last wars stalemate seem as trivial as a cold!”

[Raj Ahten]

FTO Conference

Once behind closed doors, the conference continued. President Raj Ahten said that if The FTO's members were to join other alliances what would the point of the FTO be? If members joined FUN or the MESS, the FTO would be little more than an extension of such an alliance.

The President also said he wanted to clarify his position on Shepistan and Japanistan. Basically he didn't want them anywhere near Frequesue. Any move by them to set up bases in or move troops through Frequesue should be considered a direct threat. He did not want a war with those powers however; as it was a war they probably couldn't win and wouldn't want unless Shepistan or Japanistan was threatening the security of FTO members directly. The president recommended that this doctrine should be put to a vote by the members.

As for a satellite program, members should probably contribute any money they wanted to in next year's budget. For military cooperation, the nation’s military staffs should get together and work out the data sharing agreements.

[Shroom Man 777]

Night... Somewhere over Sargonia.

The SAF F-22s of Mobius Squad had destroyed many of Zagor's anti-aircraft emplacements and neutralized many of their aircraft. They had done an admirable job, quietly allowing the PeZookian and Shadow strike fighters - the A-10s and Su-24s - to have a relatively safe trip.

Now, the SAF had one more surprise for the Zagor Empire.



The ten B-1Bs flew through the night, wings swept backwards as they flew fast and flew hard.

Mushroom Marine Force Recon operators already on the ground would designate the targets to be obliterated. And so they did.

The Zagors were busy preparing to engage the hundreds of Shadow tanks pouring down the border. They didn't even know what hit them.

When the B-1Bs came for them, the only thing they could do was scream at the sky.



And then they exploded.



[OOC: I just had to!]


The Shadows would have their work cut out for them.

[Sea Skimmer]

Japanistani Special Military Port 3, New Sumatra Special Security Region

The military port was actually just a few piers in a cove, plus several paved ramps for amphibious vehicles and landing craft, but it had been a military logistics base for years. Its key location far from towns or cities provided a portal into the deep jungle swamps inland, where the Christian and Muslim insurgents continued to hold out. After 30 years fighting they had even gone so far as to ally, with ach other, at least putting religious hatred below hatred of Japanistan, but it was already too late. Japanistan had put the masses of Sumatra to work, diluted them with its own people who now ran the local economies, and had by now squeezed all open resistance into only the most inhospitable and inaccessible terrain on the island.

As the years had passed a eventually a narrow gauge military railway had been pushed through along the coast, prisoner labor moving a million cubic meters of muck by hand for every kilometer completed. More then once entire chain gangs had disappeared beneath soft clay landslides that made work by heavy machinery almost impossible. The railway had alleviated much of then need for coastal shipping, and the piers had been turned to a new task.

Endlessly the conflict in New Sumatra had produced prisoners. Some caught in the jungle battles, others arrested on suspicion or for protesting or for smuggling and criminality in general. Japanistan had never favored long term imprisonment as punishment, and favored forced labor and reeducation based methods which would contribute to wining the conflict. Many death railways had been spawned by this policy, but slowly the jungles impenetrability had been battered down.

Still, not all prisoners could go onto the chain gangs or to toil in walled factories, some caused too much trouble, others might act as leaders and had to be isolated. This was the job of the Japanistani prison ships, massive conversions of container freighter designs, with the holds holding high value and high danger prisoners, and a huge superstructure block above holding lesser prisoners and the guards. Anchored at army occupied offshore islands, they rarely moved. Landing Craft Prisoner, LCUs with deck cages, normally transported New Sumatrans to and from the ships.

The new prisoner transport ship Kobewan Maru however was no LCU conversion. Displacing 15,000 tons the ship had been converted from a passenger-freighter ship and was equipped for an open sea voyage. She had just arrived from al-Akharabat, and tied up to the largest pier. For the 2,000 Caravo Japanistan had placed on the ship in al-Akharabat, the first glimpst of New Sumatra was that of a gangway encased in chainlink fencing covered over in razor wire.

Only those between 15 and 49 had been placed aboard the ship, the rest were being held in camps back around the main Japanistan base at Al-Sukin City, but it was this group Japanistan expected the most work from, and to be the most potentially rebellious. A very special task was in mind for them.

In groups of thirty Caravo men and women were herded down the gangway and into waiting railway cars. Each boxcar was fitted with a ventilation fan and water barrel to avoid excessive ‘attrition losses’ when the cars sat in the sun for hours on end, but was otherwise empty. It took hours, but eventually all four trains were filled, and the ship emptied. With two machine gun armed armored security cars and a diesel locomotive at the head each train headed up the tracks, and into the depths of New Sumatra.

Behind them, the first group of New Sumatran prisoners was being brought up for loading onto Kobewan Maru for her return trip to the Untamed Continent, and another very special project.

[Czechmate]

City of Fielding, Lancashire Province, Westchester
Fort Whitecastle - His Majesty's General Headquarters
Early Summer 2008

Chief Radio Controlman Tien-xu Stafford had had a perfectly good day. He'd been sipping his tea from his thermos' cap, reading over the previous day's encrypted-burst radio traffic. As Senior Communications Officer for communications with the Black Watch border scouts of the Third (Highland) Brigade, his duty was to read through the highlights of the day's traffic and compose a report for the Imperial Intelligence Department. As he skimmed through, he began to notice certain repetitions of information. "PA 2AD laager dispersing 11km west mouth of GV", read one; "Tp96 arm batt spotted debarking flatcar train 4km northwest Ft.Hills", read another. As Stafford continued reading through, he began to come to a disturbing realization; the invasion for which the entire nation had prepared was commencing. Just as he began to type out his report on his military laptop, he was rudely interrupted by the sound of the base's general-quarters siren spooling up. On all the base civvie-data monitors, the face of Field Marshal Boynton appeared, set in a grim smile.

"Attention all GHQ staff. We have recieved a communication from our troops in the Gloucester Valley. As of forty minutes ago, People's Air Force aircraft began to attack defensive works in the Valley. As of thirty minutes ago, elements of two mechanized corps of the People's Army began to push in behind them. We have recieved no news from our southern defensive positions, but we assume the People's Army will be attacking in force by morning. We also have confirmation that the 113th Tactical Fighter Squadron has made the first air-to-air kills of the war. As of this time, we are at General Quarters until safety of this base can be assured. Do your duty, ladies and gentlemen, and our field forces will do theirs, and we will prevail. Boynton out."

Westchester was at war.

---

Gloucester Valley, Leicestershire Province, Westchester
First (Emperor's Own) Brigade - Thirteen kilometers west of Gloucester City

Explosions shook the rain-soaked ground and the shouts of soldiers filled the air as Corporal of Cavalry Baoji Litton sprinted from his tent to the the assembled Challenger 2Cs of the Emperor's Own Lancers, the heavy-armor element of the 1st Brigade Combat Team. He threaded his way between a group of Warrior infantry carriers and a massive puddle and scrambled onto the hull of his tank, Charlie-One-One, lead tank of the battallion's third company. He tossed his pack up to the tank's loader for stowage in the turret bustle and slid down into the driver's compartment, pulling his helmet on and dogging the hatch. As he went through the tank's start-up procedure and the massive engine rumbled to life, he clicked his helmet's comm on.

"Sergeant, what's going on? I saw some MiGs dropping ordnance on First Batt's bunkers and revetments. I saw a Warrior go up and then some of our 'Hogs tearing past overhead. ", said the breathless driver. The tank commander, Lieutenant of Cavalry James Eltin, responded with his typical cool.

"Southrons have commenced their assault at night, as we figured they would. Charlie and Dog Companies are to undertake a movement-to-contact mission to ascertain the status of the front line, as we have lost communications with the scout platoons assigned there."

Considering this for a moment, Litton simply shrugged and settled into his chair. Minutes later, the company recieved the order to move, and twenty Challenger 2C main battle tanks set off for the front, two kilometers distant, grinding down the muddy track from the battallion laager. Figures in the rainy gloom waved IR identifiers as the Lancers passed, scanning with night-vision equipment.

After some fifty minutes of movement, the lead platoons, Charlie-One and Charlie-Two, began to pick up numerous Southron Type 59s on IR scopes. Charlie-Two's platoon commander, one Lieutenant of Cavalry Mardess, immediately requested permission to engage. Within moments of company commander Captain of Cavalry Etherton's approval, tanks in the company's two leading platoons began to open fire with their long 120-millimeter cannons, blasting Southron tanks with HESH rounds.

A single Type 88 command tank, leading the Southron armored battallion, slithered out from behind a copse of trees and put a single 105mm round into the rightside tracks of Charlie-One-One. The Challenger careened around to a halt as the track on its' right side siezed up. The other tanks of Charlie Company maneuvered around it, the gunner of the bouncing Charlie One-Four managing to put a depleted-uranium sabot into the vulnerable slit beneath the Type 88's gun mantlet, sending a shower of molten armor into the turret and killing its' crew.

A single Southron tanker of the 88's crew, the driver, managed to scramble out of his position,. He was found cowering behind the destroyed vehicle as the Westchestrian tank company destroyed or routed the remainder of his battallion. His name was Juliano Carazetti, and he would be taken prisoner by Litton himself.

---

Results:
-War! The People's Republic of Southern Frequesue has invaded Westchester with neither declaration of war or explanation. nearly eight hundred tanks and seventy thousand troops are now pushing into Gloucester Valley, the primary pass through the Leicester Mountains.

[Coiler]

The FTO conference was interrupted by an Indhopal army officer handing a report to President Ahten. He read it and looked worried before handing it to President Jeffrey. Jeffrey read it and announced its contents aloud to the gathered leaders.

"Colonel Mortimer has just been killed by rebel artillery fire."

[Karmic Knight]

FTO Talking Points

1.) Should FTO nations be allowed to be full members of foreign alliance groups such as the MESS or FUN? Personally I would prefer members not associate to that degree with the big alliances. The whole point of the FTO is to keep such alliances from monkeying with Frequesue.

As stated before, the Vinish Government believes that entrance into international organizations will promote the goals of this organization.

2.) Do we want to form a joint Naval or air command to better integrate our forces for defense?

The Vinish Government believes we should have an Allied FTO Command.

3.) The CFR is breaking apart as we speak and falling into anarchy. The FTO needs to come up with a plan to deal with the situation, lest the whole region could become destabilized.

We need to stabilized the region, with a Joint occupation if necessary.

4.) Do we want to officially respond to other nation's activities on the untamed continent? I have already sent observers into al-Akharabat; the FTO does not need to take action as a group unless we want to.

The rampant imperialism demonstrated by other states must be stopped, lest they form another continent like ours, torn apart by war, only recently allying itself together.

5.) Do we want to invest jointly in 5th gen. fighters like the f-22? I would be willing to expand my production of such aircraft if we could drum up large enough orders.

If we really need 5-get fighters, if we don’t, no.

6.) FASTA projects. Do we want to contribute to this organization? Indhopal will be putting forward significant funds for space exploration shortly.

We should support the civilian side of FASTA.

7.) Do we want to have our own space program to launch military satellites?

I do believe we cannot leave our military projects in the hands of a foreign power.

8.) The establishment of a customs union, a free trade area with a common external tariff, in order to bolster the Frequesuan economies and better protect them against foreign meddling.

Agreed.

9.) The formation of joint naval patrols and task forces to ensure the safety of the seas to and from Frequesue. Goal would be to ensure safe shipping through the seas surrounding our continent, possibly as far as the Impact Crater Archipelago and Veleria.

Agreed. But not as far as the Impact Crater, nor the Untamed Continent.

10.) The pooling of intelligence data, ranging from intel reports to radar feeds, to ensure the best possible defence of the continent.

The Vinish Government supports this.


11.)Also, what is the status of FTO projects into the Untamed Wilderness on our own continent?

[Sea Skimmer]

Super Mega New Tokyo New Network Report:
Japanistani High Court Ruling Released on ‘Collective Sentence’ for Caravo Prisoners

In a rare move move today the High Court of Japanistani upheld an army decision to use the national Criminal Punishment system to deal with what it called a ‘unique and challenging’ situation al-Akharabat concerning criminal drug gangs and anti peace elements operating so deeply within a population as to be inseparable from it. The Army had asked for this massive expansion in power will allow for the successful ‘relocation, reeducation and rehabilitation’ of the Caravo population in the safety of Japanistani facilities, rather then camps in Caravo which it believes are too vulnerable to anti progress propaganda and possible guerrilla attacks aimed at harming the camp inhabitance.

The Minster for Criminal Punishment was quoted as saying “The Caravo are unpopular and rightly so in al-Akharabat, we think this relocation will help them resume a peaceful path in life by providing spiritual guidance through service to the Emperor. They will be employed to restore the Gangrash Wetlands in central New Sumatra, damaged by the infernal insurgent rebel scum, which is habitat of the rare endangered Imperial Red Fishing Falcon.”

[Raj Ahten]

FTO COnference

Mentally cursing at all the bad news coming in so close to Christmas President Raj Ahten said,

"A vote on policy towards Japanistan and other matters will have to wait. Westchester was just invaded. That has to be our top priority. Does Westchester require any assistance? Indhopal can have it's airforce start operations imeadiatly and the 2nd paras can be flown in within 48 hours."

Unfortunately the marines lift assets were still returning from the untamed continent. Again the President mentally cursed, the mess with naval procurement was really hurting now.

" President Mortimer being killed is also an ill omen. The number of parties we can negotiate with in the CFR just got cut in half."

[Coiler]

Coilerburg navy sorties

To assist in defending Westchester from the PRSF invasion, Coilerburg has sortied out its entire destroyer force and several submarines to sweep the seas of enemy naval forces and bombard land positions.

A Coilerburg destroyer heading to the south

[Karmic Knight]

New RISC Headquarters, <censord>, The People’s Republic of Southern Frequesue

“What the fuck is wrong with these people, every time we move to a new base, some fuckers involved try to blow it to shit,” cursed Roger.

“A fact of life, sir,” responded an aide.

“Jesus, this and the death of that guy in the CFR, it is like things are just happening to fuck with us.”

“I know sir, but there is the good news of the latest PM polls put our boys at the top.”

“Good, good, if that holds out, we might just get some good things to happen, if Livens term doesn’t end soon, when does the bastard get out office?”

“2012.”

”Excellent, even with these issues with the VEIL, we can still get integrated before anyone can stop it.”

“I know sir, anything else?”

“No, just batten down the hatches and maybe this war won’t evict us.”

[KlavoHunter]

Royal Palace
Muzaffer, Klavostan

"They're doing WHAT?" James exclaimed, frowning, and dropped the hardcopy report to the surface of the massive oaken desk that generations of Sultans had sat at. Well, only three generations - the original desk had been rendered beyond use in the 1960s, when 'his' grandfather had tipped it to shelter behind against the submachineguns of the traitors of the Nationalist Restoration Party when they'd attempted their failed coup. It'd saved him in that case, and the new desk had a hidden layer of hardened steel inside it in case a day like that ever came again.

Accessing the PC that had become an everpresent feature of his desk, he pursed his lips and opened the map utility that had been become his favorite reference. Like some sort of dream version of Google Earth, but using the most up-to-date military maps. It was only by the grace of 'his' military training in the past that he was able to decipher the military symbology that decorated the maps.

Speaking of 'him', his deposition into this world had not been a simple affair. It seemed that Q's powers had brought only his mind to this world, leaving body behind. A fair enough thing, seeing as his overweight former self would not easily fit the role of military-experienced young Arabic Sultan. A bit disconcerting to look at in the mirror even still, though he didn't begrudge the change, not when the advantages of his newly-fit self were shown to him in such exquisite detail by the women of the Royal Harem. He'd even taken up daily exercise, and it felt good.

Body aside, though, the truly off-putting thing was the displacement of his former self's mind in favor of his own. The consciousness that had previously resided here was gone, as if it'd moved out without packing its things. The collected memories and personality of James Klavo III were here, and at his fingertips, but the driving will was gone. It was an intensely alien feeling, but, to his mixed horror, delight, and dozens of lesser feelings, he felt himself slowly adapting to it - dare he say, even LIKING it?

"It's confirmed. The People's Republic of South Frequesue has just declared war on the Empire of Westchester."

"Goddamn." He leaned back, visualizing it. Southron tank divisions trying to force the Gloucester Valley the hard way. And with an entire Brigade hired out to Shepistan, the Dragoons already contracted out to Bissauru... And not to mention that spat going on in the Northern CFR. "I want military readiness raised to Condition Two, and I want an immediate freeze on all mercenary hiring. Contracts only go out with my signature on them."

"Without delay, my lord. Shall I assemble the Cabinet?"

"Yes, I'll want them in one hour." James nodded, and waved for him to exit, leaving the Sultan alone once more.

He inhaled deep, and then let it all out in one exasperated sigh. "First Indophal and Coilerburg in the CFR, and now this." He pursed his lips, and then turned, clinking a glass out of one of the drawers of the desk. He eyed the bottle that accompanied the glass, and shook his head slightly. Too cliche. Instead, he flicked the unobtrusive tap, and poured himself a chilly glass of ice water, sipping at it.

"Well, Ezekiel, old friend. I've put this off for too long."