SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the First.

[Beowulf]

Summer palace
Outskirts of Hong Kong
Tian Xia

"Tian Jiao is at war?" Beowulf sighed. The province had technically been part of the Empire of Tian Xia for the past two hundred years, though for the past hundred it'd been effectively self-ruling and independant. There'd been motions in past years on the part of the so-called "Westchestrians" to reunify with the Empire, but they'd generally failed due to lack of interest in both governments.

"Mikuru-chan? Can you get me a drink?"

---

Lockheed R-1 plant
Tian Xia

"Government's given us a contract to produce the F-12D. Therefore we need to restart the production line, again. Projected order is going to be greater than all Habus produced to date, so it's going to take a while. Higher ups are talking about setting up a second line. Looks like we're going to have some foreign buyers for this as well."

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Blue Sun Corporation Investment in Akori Republic

In response to a call of support from President Matane, the Blue Sun Corporation has agreed to invest an undisclosed number of ROBs in the Akori Republic.

It is believed that with the establishment of the Mitsubombishi Heavy Industry Consolidated Corporation in Rangatara has brought some level of pressure to eastern Velestria. Cries of need for progress have been heard in the Akori Parliament and Matane begun seeking help from nearby nations. With past friendship between Akori and the Kingdom of Serenity, the Blue Sun Corporation heeded this call and has sent resources and personnel to Akori.

Hopefully this will bring a boost to the local industries and commerce, and bring progress to Akori.

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



VIP Room, Royal Palace

She was about 40, but still looked extremely good for a woman her age. She was Miho Tachibana, daughter of Ryotaro Tachibana, President of the Tachibana Heavy Industries. Her role in the megacorporation was ambiguous, sometimes acting as spokesperson, sometimes decision making. However, it was well known that she would not be the successor of the company, since the elder Tachibana had stated clear that he was passing the position to his son, Kenji. Which a lot of people considered a waste of her talent.

"Greetings, Miss Tachibana."

"Your Majesty. This is a small gift from Mr. Tachibana to show his respects."

Presented in front of him was a Dotanuki and Wakizashi.

"Is this...?"

"Yes, the famed blades used by the Lone Wolf, Ogami Itto of old Japanistan."

"Whoa." These Fusang swords might not be as good as the royal "Sword of Serenity", but the fame behind them added the impression.

"Your Majesty, I'm representing Tachibana Heavy Industries for a proposal on the new sub design. We hope you can, let's say, deeply consider."

"Ms. Tachibana, sorry to say this, but you know, the Naval Force has a final say on selection. I trust my admirals and experts."

"Well, we know that you can put some influence."

Yenchin looked at Tachibana's face, there seemed to be some level of anxiety. Maybe it had something to do with Blue Sun's investments in Akori. The Blue Sun and Tachibana have been competing a lot. Now Tachibana was one step behind.

"Let me put it this way. Since Tachibana Heavy Industries has shown enthusiasm on this project, I'll take a look and have some input. However, this won't stop me from taking a look at the Blue Sun's design, which they definitely will present to me, as well as expressing my opinion. Is that ok?"

"No problem."

"Alright." They shook hands.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

The Tu-160s of the 1st Air Strategic Regiment were configured to for bomb truck duties and flew up high. One of them was tasked with ECM duties just so in case the Zagorians had any high altitude missiles, and to jam any enemy radar. Their orders were to target and destroy any enemy SAM defences that were brought up after the initial air attacks.



Dropping off their anti-radiation missiles, all enemy radar were neutralised, and then the bombing campaign could begin. Su-39s of Legio I and Legio XVII commenced their bombing campaigns to pave the way for troops.



Legio XVII headed out first. Their BDM-3/4 scouted and probed enemy positions, and then attacked weak points in enemy lines with MLRS rockets and 155mm artillery and attack helicopters. BDM-3/4s surged ahead and took enemy positions in the outlying towns and troops disembarked to set up defensive positions.

Legio I went last. Their tanks attacked enemy armour with long range fire, along with a heavy bombard of shells. By dawn, all enemy units in their sector was destroyed.



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

At the Air Force HQ, in a meeting of the Army and Air Force Generals, the generals were discussing how best to strengthen the existing air defence networks. "We were thinking of laying fiber optics networks linking all the data units together, then fusion the data and dole it out to all units to maximise situational awareness," said one Air Force General.

"That is going to take a lot of computational power. Also, we were thinking on our side, that we also need to have a single command center to command several units and to coordinate that defence. Meaning, the one center will receive targeting data from one of the radars, and then assign a different unit to target that boogey," said one Army General.

"Could be done, but again, lots of money, and computational power."

"DSI and Kontos, Icarus and Archimedes can do the job?"

"Probably. We will need a few billions for this."

"Will the Emperor chew it?"

"The Emperor earmarked up to 10 billion for all the air defence related, including fighters, and has told the navy that it will cut back on ship production next year. So even if we don't get our money this year, we will get it next year. In the meantime, I think some contracts like the fiber optics contract can be start to be issued, while we get the centers built up."

"Agreed. Though, we might have to retire some of the Typhoons to make way for the F-22s to save on money."

"I thought we aren't going to get that many squadrons of F-22s? Plus, it will take a full 3 years to get all of the order completed and the fighters combat ready."

"Yeah, but we have to look into cutting back on cost. Already the navy grumbled about their orders getting cut short. The Emperor is going to expect us to do the same."

"Darn... budget controls again."

[K. A. Pital]

Zagor War: the Crimson Star Republic contemplates participating in a joint peacekeeping action as both it's Slavic Confederacy neighbors are drawn into the conflict

The 58th Army has approached Zagorian borders and shelled the military installations and infrastructure using several continued barrages by MRLS artillery.


Mechanized battalions of the 58th Army are being rapidly prepared for a deep advance into Zagorian territory.

[Zor]

Union Press

Zoria to set up a Reserch Facillity in Velaria

Atlantica Palace, Zortropolis-Today, King Leighton-I has signed a parliamentry bill authorizing a scientific expedition to the unlcaimed eastern coast of the largely unexplored continent of Velaria.

The Facility shall be set up on the coast of the Dragonsnake River, currently in unclaimed terretory. Surrounding it is large amounts of rainforest and a few mountain ranges. These areas have had few scientific teams study them in detail, the geology of the area is rather poorly understood and is home to a large number of largely undocumented plant species. The base shall include a multitude of Geological, climatological and Biological Labs.

The team shall consist of some 350 scientists (recruited both from Zoria as well as foreign in naturr) and 1,000 labourors, engineers and technitions hired from various Zorian Firms and the RZA corps of Engineers to keep the base running and to work as staff. For protection against whatever Barbarian Tribes exist in the area, a RZMC Cohort has been authorized for defense. If all goes acording to Plan, the project should begin in a few month's time.

[K. A. Pital]

OGONEK: Continental Defense Plan: approval by the Supreme Soviet, murmurs about Border States

The Supreme Soviet approved the steps towards creating an integrated continental defense system proposed by Pezookia and recently upheld by Shroomania. Both the Communists and the Eser have voted for the project.

However, this approval could be a statement with little real value - the Border states pose an insurmountable problem to sealing the continent from foreign threats as the flow of shadowy persons and weapons is ever-growing in the zone.

Zagor, which is the current hotspot of the Borders, is now being taught a lesson about not messing with superior nations. But in reality, what could be done without de-facto conquering the ever-warring land? Peacekeeping has failed as the recent Zagor conflict has shown.

Who could take on this task? The Slavic National Confederacy has been assaulted by asymmetrical warfare and even direct hostilities by some of the local warlords in the poverty-stricken region. It seems that this time, their continous poking has awakened the bear.

[Coyote]

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."

"Well, to be honest, we were caught by surprise with how eager the Japanistanis were to involved themselves this far south-west; their actions indicated that their sphere of influence was primarily centered around the mining claim they'd staked out earlier... This area of operations wasn't originally in their purview." The Canissian officer put down the folder and sighed. "And, of course, we cleared a spot for their TOC at AO Dog just as they'd requested, but your folks never sent a liaison officer there, and then they set up a separate facility here, which handles the bulk of their comm traffic-- clearing that up would have helped considerably. Oh, well-- the de-mine of the area can be done the hard way. Hell, it'll be good training."

But he shrugged.
"We're not wrapped around the axle about the mines, though. After all, mine clearing does allow us to maintain control over the region. Just have your functionaries show more initiative and securing sensitive data. I'm sure the Japanistanis will have the area cleared out just fine-- they're efficient and detail-oriented-- good quality troops. No worries." The Canissian officers smiled and left.

"Sir? All due respect, but you let them dodge that pretty easy," one of the adjutant officers said on their way back to the helicopter. General Viers waved the man off until they were inside, and the helicopter lifted off.

"You have to learn something, Major," Viers said, "These guys don't take any responsibility for anything. It's part of their culture. To take responsibility and be accountable for stuff... it's opening themselves up for failure, and their culture won't tolerate it. So they fob everything off onto others, whenever they can. That's why it's suddenly our fault someone mined every-fucking-thing; that's why it's our fault that some Shepistani drone didn't have the initiative God gave a doorknob. Hey, if you saw a bunch of papers on current mine locations in an active zone in a 'Secret Burn Pile', would you ask and double-check before torching it?"
"Of course!" the Major replied. The General shrugged.

"That's because we train our guys to show initiative and think things through. They don't. They just follow orders. Besides," he said, with an ironic smile, "None of us here wants to get fucking shanked while talking it over, eh?" he asked rhetorically. The Major laughed.
"Hell, naw," he said, "You're right, sir-- just smile and nod."



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

Seaside Palace, Canissia




The news was full of blood and slaughter. The Zagor War filled newsfeeds, as did the Shepistani massacre of entire villages in al-Akharabat. The Pan-Slavic War--as Canissian Network News was calling it-- was full of images of "organized" conflict-- armies in uniforms, planes, tanks, and missiles sowing destruction; while the al-Akharabat situation showed a chaotic and disorganized situation as civilians ran for cover, screaming.

"The latest images from Indhopali sources shows the scope and scale of the tragic genocide carried out by Shepistan forces in the Caravo tribal area," the news announcer said, "The revenge attacks for the attacks on Japanistan and Shepistan soldiers in the area were carried out with a brutal, calculated efficiency. The number of dead and wounded is unknown, but the Caravos vow revange on 'a scale unprecedented by the imperialist powers', one Caravo spokesman said earlier today.

The image changed to one of a bomb exploding on a roadside by a Shepistan Army truck-- a grainy video taken by a store-bought, hand-held camera and loaded on the interweb. A voice muttered 'al-akhbarat al-iyahalla...', the Caravo phrase of "God is with us" as the bomb went off, and bodies flew from the back of the truck.

"Caravo tribals are on a rampage, howling for revenge as they buy their loved ones. There is no telling when, or even if, the spiral of bloodshed will end. This is Seela Kimthrel, CNN."

King Arik turned off the news and sat back in his chair, Miss Katerin curled up at his side. She'd been serving as his assistant on the Pan-Slavic War, since her own family roots were from the Slavic regions and she spoke the language fluently, able to decipher nuances, subtleties, and social and historical references. She, too, wore a grim look.

"The Shepistanis are nuts," she said, "They have to know that this will only anger the Caravos and increase attacks," she said. Arik shook his head.
"If they know, they don't care," he said, "They will use that as an excuse to retaliate even more, and more. They use pain, fear, and intimidation to keep their own society in order; they think the same will work to cow the Caravos... or anyone else that gets in their way."

"I wish we would not work with them," she said. Arik sighed.
"The Japanistanis invited them in," he said, "I don't know why, but they are joined at the hip." Well, I know why, Arik thought as he sipped at his wine, They stick together because of what they went through in Nova Terra One. But this is a different world. Skimmer doesn't owe Shep shit; he knows that psycho will just drag him down. He should ditch him like the millstone he is and engage the rest of us on even terms. Hell, the Japanistan culture is organized and doesn't put up with dodging responsibility... they're harsh, true, but there's organization and responsibility there, not like Shep's random flailing...

"What you thinking about?" Katerin asked in her sultry Slavic accent.
"Oh, sorry," Arik said, smiling, "I don't now why the Japanistanis hang around the Sheppos. They're a disciplined and orderly people. It doesn't make sense."

"Opposites attract," she said. She wasn't trying to be flirty-- she was actually kind of tired. She was just seeking a simple explanation, since her own real interest lay more with the Slavic situation.
"Yeah," Arik said, "Well, let's get some sleep. War or no war, we need to iron out the expectations of the continental defense thingy. Feel like going with me to PeZookia?"
"I have cousins there," she said, smiling, "I'd love to."
"Good, it's settled then." They got up t go to bed. Katerin stopped and looked at him. "What's up?" he asked.

"The Japanistanis, they have landed on eastern Veleria, yes?"
"Yeah," Arik said with a shrug, "If you're wondering, I officially don't care what they do over there." She looked at him and smiled.
"Would they accept a division of responsibility?" she asked, "We, and our allies, stay on the western side, and they stay on the east?"

"Well, they have their mining claim," Arik said, "It's legit. I can't back down from that." She shrugged.
"But there's no reason for them to actually care about al-Akharabat," she said, "I mean, you weren't planning to carev out a state there, were you?"

"No," Arik said, "I wanted to help settle the al-Akharabat situation and be able to establish a base there. Work with the locals, get some mineral rights, maybe put a base, but that was the extent of my plans. Why?"
"Give them a treaty. Give them all that nasty jungle to the north if they want it so bad. Just ask that al-Akharabat be our sphere of influence and leave each other alone."

"Worth a thought," he said, "I'll bring it up..."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times
Brought to you by Veritas News

Byzantine Senate approves the integrated continental defense system initiative proposed by PeZookia

The Senate has approved, or rather rubber stamped, the integrated continental defense system initiative proplsed by PeZookia. It is understood that various military agencies are in the process of upgrading the communication networks for the nation's defence systems, along with purchasing new advanced aircraft to patrol the air.

Roman Legions spearhead war into Zagor Empire

Our noble legions are currently spearheading a ground war against the warmongering Zagor Empire. With the intent of expelling Zagor Empire troops from Sagonia, the army has smashed the Zagor Empire troops and is pushing towards the Zagor Empire border, together with USSR troops.

[MKSheppard]

al-Akharabat, Caravo Communities

Ever since the Caravo uprising had begun against the Shepistani and Japanistani peacekeepers; the Japanistani Coast Guard Airfield had seen more Shepistani aircraft arriving, and now that sufficient force had been placed in the area; Operation IRON FALCON began.

As dawn began to break over al-Akharabat; modified Mi-24 HINDs began spraying Agent BLUE BOY along the roads that were being used by Shepistani and Japanistani peacekeepers, while other HINDs sprayed Agent C500 onto Caravo villages. Mixed in with the C500 cylinders on the HINDs were cylinders containing Agent C601.

Painting of Spraying operations

All across the Caravo tribal lands, the adults began to run around, giggle like crazy, and pet imaginary animals, while a significant portion of infants died from the relative overdoses they'd received.

Fatalities from jungle animals also increased massively; as people attempted to pet vicious jungle leopards and got mauled for it.

Meanwhile, the other tribes in the area, notably the Kangtao tribes, began to encroach onto Caravo lands while the Caravos were reeling under the assault of Agent C500; adding further to the death toll.

Joint Special Stability Operations HQ Release

Today, JSSO Forces began spraying herbicide along routes of control in their sectors to reduce the risk from ambushes from anarcho-jihadi tribal elements connected to criminal syndicates.

Additionally, to reduce the level of violence in sectors controlled by Japanistan and Shepistan, non lethal crowd control agents were employed on hostile groupings of people.

[OOC: I sprayed the following:
BLUE BOY: Agent ORANGE
C500: BZ Gas
C601: CS Gas
[/ooc]

[Steve]

Over Serenity

At first there was no sign of trouble. Then the local ATCs from Serenity's military and civilian airports noticed the returning KT-15 begin to come in too low. A mayday call began broadcasting over the radio from Capt. Susan Ying, RCAF, that an engine had gone out and most control surfaces lost.

Over the next several minutes attempts were made to see if the aircraft could make an emergency landing, but the angle was too steep... Reports of the co-pilot and boom operator bailing out were made, but the pilot was not to be found.

The KT-15's roar echoed over the heads of the countryside north of Ketagaran as it came down, in the end just about 2 kilometers from the coast, on an open and empty field not far from local farms, the crash reducing the expensive refueling craft to flaming wreckage in a second in an explosion that boomed over the countryside. Serenite military officials were already organizing medical helicopters to recover the two men who had bailed out, and a search would commence to see if the pilot had bailed out before the crash while investigators were dispatched to the crashsite along with fire-fighting craft.

In the end, examination of the wreckage and black box confirmed that Capt. Ying had been in the cockpit at the time of the crash and had been killed instantly. She had remained to ensure the aircraft did not strike any homes, and had with great effort attempted to get it out to sea - though she had not managed the latter, she had succeeded in the more important first item, and so she was the only casualty of the tragic crash.


News Update

In light of the KT-15 crash in the Kingdom of Serenity, the RCAF has grounded all KT-15s for full inspection and to await any findings from the crash investigation. For the moment the tanker fleet of the SRAF is providing enough support to permit limited refueling operations. Craft unable to refuel with them are being instructed to land at Ketagaran AFB for refueling until further notice.

(Note: In a reasonable amount of time, inspections and analysis of the incident and wreckage will confirm that the fault was not a general design failure but a material one. Afterward considered the grounding of the KT-15s lifted, and Boeing will be implementing improved procedures on the new KT-15s being ordered by the RCAF).

[Sea Skimmer]

Caravo Tribal Region, Republic of al-Akharabat

“Get that thing out of the ditch!” shouted a Japanistani officer as dozen men struggled to attach heavy tow cables to a Ho-Ro-III self propelled howitzer, a massive 152mm piece ill suited to the jungle of south west al-Akharabat. The howitzer had slid halfway off the road into a ditch when the embankment had blown out under its weight.

Caravo was better developed some them areas owing to its long history of opium production and smuggling, and now its roads provided just enough mobility to the Japanistani 524th Mechanized Corps and 29th Infantry Division to patrol the area. IDEs, mines and ambushes had shot up or burned dozens of vehicles at first, but an overwhelming response had been inflicted in the zones of violence. The first demonstration of air power with Shepistani gunships had been followed by gas attacks, and then the advance of troops to seize prisoners, known to the Japanstanis as ‘Reeducational Candidates’. Others were simply relocated, as Japanistan systematically secured its main supply route with a series of defoliated zones and fire bases.

Not long into the invasion and terror deportation campaign however, Japanistan had begun dropping leftlets enmass over the countryside with a simple offer. Grow your Opium; Japanistan will buy it for legitimate medical purposes. Cease Resisting, and all Reeducational Candidates can Return. Resist, and Japanistan will bury you. A few of the villlages untouched by the terror campaign so far had already decided to accept the offer.

Meanwhile, Japanistani demining and crater repair of a local airfield began. Once the largest drug exporting airdrome in the world, it had received extra heavy bombardment. The 9000kg bomb craters would take days to tamp down alone, and more then two thousand anti personal mines were scattered through out the area. Some had been cleared by brave local Caravo with rifles, opening up a small piece of strip, but Japanistan needed far more for its heavy airlifters.

[Sea Skimmer]

Japanistan Offically Announces Phase One al-Akharabat Development Action Plan

In accordance with identified deficiencies in the economic structure of al-Akharabat Japanistani Imperial Engineer Staff have concluded that a lack of efficient transportation is the nations dominate weakness. With minimal roads much of the country cannot be easily access without the high cost of air transport. A road improvement project linking Port Al-Sukin, the northern base of JAPF 1st Expeditionary Peacekeeping Army, to capital city Kivangali is being initiated. Japansitani Army engineers with undertake improvements to dangerous turns, areas of potholing and deficient bridges. A similar improvement project will then be initiated on road corridor into the Caravo Tribal Region.

Japanistani civilian construction contractor Fuji Massive Complex Excavation Inc will extend the breakwater at Al-Sukin by 600 yards, providing two additional protected berths, and civilian contractor RBK-Happy Fun Quick Building will improve quay walls, cargo handling gear and provide three oil storage tanks for 1 million gallons each.

These operations will go on simultaneously with the primary phase one objective, the Al-Sukin to Kivangali Railway. It will be built for narrow gauge 1000mm trains which none the less are capable of hauling far more material then any feasible highway. Local labor will be employed whenever possible in the construction of embankments and clearing the right of way. Prison Inmates from New Sumatran have also volunteered for work on the railway, and will be granted 1 month reprieve of sentence for each kilometer they assist in building. Security for the operation will consist of locally formed defence battalions, recruited from the same populations as the laborers, and also of newly arrived JAPF reinforcements. JAPF 1st Expeditionary Peacekeeping Army end strength will increase to 87,500 to accommodate these additional vital forces.

[Siege]

Conference Call

Sheoth Island, Kingdom of the Vineyards

President Hank tapped his fingers on the massive wooden conference table. “At this point in time San Dorado cannot say with full certainty what is going on in al-Akharabat. We have to admit that as a nation we have preciously little interest in that region, and are unwilling to escalate to a war with the great powers over it. Furthermore, we are a nation that survives by virtue of trade, and cannot easily sever economic ties with all nations trading with Shepistan or Japanistan – our economy would suffer far more than theirs, and this we cannot afford. We will support certain restrictions on the sale of military equipment to those two nations, but nothing more. If other nations wish to go ahead with stricter sanctions they are more than willing to do so, but San Dorado will not support them.’

“However, President Ahten raises a valid point concerning foreign troops on our continent. From the proceedings on Velaria it is crystal clear that their presence cannot be allowed, and we therefore support preventing them to set up shop here by any means necessary. To ensure maximum capability of responding to such a threat we propose adding an Article to the FTO charter wherein an attack on one member is an attack on all members.”

The President then shuffled his papers and, helped by a PSS aide, addressed the next point. “Concerning the membership of FTO nations of other international organizations, we do not wish to forbid this – considering San Dorado itself has observer status at the FUN – but we do urge members to be extremely hesitant in pursuing such membership. We do not wish to dilute the effectiveness of our alliance by having its interests interfered with by other pacts.”

“Furthermore:

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

Yes to both, though not to the degree where it usurps national control of the fleet and air force entirely.

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 support setting up a joint FTO military task force with a broad mandate to intervene in the CFR in order to stabilize it.

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.

It is the opinion of the Board of Directors that the FTO should concern itself with Frequesuan matters at this point in time, not with those of faraway continents. We are a budding alliance; we don’t want to overextend ourselves or rush into the action when our do’s and do-not’s have not even been properly defined yet.

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.

San Dorado has no need for a 5th generation fighter at this time. Our industries manufacture the Rafale, this is more than enough for our needs. Incidentally, we are willing to give a discount on its price to members of the FTO thinking of purchasing it.

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

We strongly support FASTA and the race for space. The future of humanity ultimately lies out there, not down here. Besides, experts with DIFEI believe there is much profit to be made by mining exo-planetary bodies.

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

Yes. San Dorado is in the process of testing the M-15 Simoleon rocket which is intended for this very purpose; we’d be more than happy to launch any FTO space assets with it… As soon as any final design flaws have been worked out.

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

San Dorado has currently one base in the northern wilderness of Frequesue. The goal of this venture, undertaken with Shroomania’s MacMillan Megacorp, is to extract the valuable resources of the wilderness in order to...”

The President frowned as his aide bent over to whisper in his ear, delivering the news of the attack on Westchester.

“Westchester is a key business partner of San Dorado, as well as a much-valued strategic partner. We are offering our military assistance in repelling this unwarranted attack. An SDN cruiser squadron led by the Lady Profit can reach Westchester in under two days. If the Kingdom of the Vineyards permits us, we can base several air force squadrons on their territory to fly missions against the PRSF. We can also immediately begin airlifting elements of our 1st Airmobile Brigade to Westchester and offer any lift assets San Dorado has to ferry our allies’ equipment to the war zone.”

[Master_Baerne]

FTO Conference

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

Perhaps we could all detach some portion of our fleets, to be placed under rotating 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.

I concur with San Dorado; let us intervene with a peacekeeping force, to be kept there until the problem is solved.

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 don't think the problematic powers would notice or care.

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.

Seems like a good idea to me.

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

I would be perfectly happy to contribute funding to the space program.

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

Yes we do. Perhaps FTO space funds could be dedicated to our own program first, with whatever's left over sent to FASTA?

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

Speaking as a nation with it's own settlement program, I quite naturally vote against any FTO initiatives.

[DarthShady]

Shady News

Continental Defence Plan Approved

Government of the Unites Socialist Shadow Republic has approved the Continental Defence plan proposed by PeZookia, but shares the views of Crimson Star Republic regarding the problems with the border states that might complicate matters.

War in Sargonia

USSR and Byzantium Forces reach the Capital

In a stunning turn of events, armed forces of the USSR have fought their way into the capitol of Sargonia. Heavy fighting is reported within the city as forces of Marek The Cruel have dug in.



But the SNC offensive is at a clear advantage to superior armour and equipment. We have gotten reports that SNC forces are in the process of securing the location of the Sargonian President E.Valjevcic.

The Zagor offensive has ground to a halt and now their forces are expereicing the full force of SNC air superiority as high altitude bombers and USSR Mi-28 Attack helicopters strike at their positions.



Urban Fighting continues within the city, but it is now clear that this will be a decisive victory for the SNC forces.


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

General Marzaq of the USSR has issued a brief statement: "This man who calls himself Emperor has attempted to conquer another country, he has brought pain and suffering to the people of Sargonia. The USSR will not stand idly and allow this madman to continue his reign of terror.", Marzaq said, "As of this moment Marek the Cruel has been declared a war criminal by the USSR. I assure the people of the world that he will be brought to justice."

[DarthShady]

Location: Temple Prime, Sarajevo, USSR

Shady was sitting at his desk reading the latest reports about the war in Sargonia. It was going well for the SNC forces, Sargonia could be secured. And now that the forces of the Crimson Star Republic had joined the conflict, he was sure that it would be resolved with a decisive SNC victory and the end of a ruthless genocidal warmonger. His train of thought was interrupted by his assistant entering the room.

"Mr.President, you have a visitor.", she said, "It's Kane."

"Thank you, show him in.", Shady said, "And make sure no one interrupts us."

"Yes, Sir.", she said and left the room, "Mr. Kane you may go in now."

Kane entered the room and closed the door behind him, "Mr.President, how may I be of assistance?"

"I am rather dissapointed in the Brotherhood, you should have known about Mareks plans before this whole mess got started.", Shady said, "How the hell did it happen without anyone noticing?"

"Mr.President the Brotherhood is not omnipotent, although some of us like to think so.", Kane said with a smile, "The Fact is that Marek planed this for a long time and he was quite secretive about it. Nobody noticed, not us nor the PeZookians...nobody. Although one thing he couldn't plan for..."

"And what would that be?", Shady asked.

"The sleeping Bear that is the SNC, Sir. He has poked us one to many times and now he gets to see first hand what happens to those that poke the bear.", Kane laughed, "Our allies want his head and they are not the only ones. Good riddance I say. He has been a thorn in our side for far too long."

"Agreed. As soon as our operations in Sargonia are over we shall move in and behead the monster.", Shady said, "Lets make an example out of him for the other assholes in the Border Regions."

"Yes, Sir.", Kane said, "Anything else?"

"Make sure that next time something like this happens, we know about it before it happens.", Shady said, "Have I made myself clear?"

"Of course Mr.President.", Kane said and left the room.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times
Brought to you by Veritas News

San Dorado orders 24 Su-39s from Byzantine Aeronautics

San Dorado placed an order of 24 Su-39s from Byzantine Aeronautics. These aircraft will be fitted with Western electronics, as do the ones deployed in the Byzantine military. They will be delivered in 4-6mths, and training for pilots and mechanics, and spare parts will be included in the package deal.

[Lonestar]

Camp Swampy

The 60-odd PT-76s and BMP-1s had arrived at Camp Swampy, now the 19th Training Battalion was moving quickly to bring no less than 10 PT-76s and 15 BMP-1s to fully operational status.

Elsewhere on the facility, 50 shiny new Deuce and a Half trucks(that were of a different model and make than most Dominion army trucks) were being stripped of VINs, serial numbers...even control chips were being ripped out and replaced with ones from the commercial market. Gentlemen from the Ordnance Bureau were inspecting and measuring the beds...

Royal Palace

Foreign Minister Berman came walking up to the office of the Lord Fairfax, and he saw the War Minister Eric DiBacco, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, William Chiu, waiting outside. Chiu spoke first.

"Everything going okay over at Cold Harbor, Vlad?"

"As well as it can be. It drives me up the wall that we have no formal embassy with the Shepistanis. Everyday is another crisis...you see what's been going on in al-Akharabat?'

War Minister DiBacco nodded. "Yeah, bad stuff. I figure it's only a matter of time before someone formally requests us to deploy in support of operations. We're moving stuff around to make sure that we can still engage in...other activities in the event of a force request."

The door to the office and a attractive young lady who looked vaguely of Asian descent opened the door. "Oh!"

"Lady Faquier." Berman said, unperturbed.

"Uhm...the Lord Fairfax is available now." She flushed red then powerwalked down the hallway. The three cabinet officials entered the office.

"What are you guys doing here it isn't..." Lonestar looked at his watch, "Oh...well, time flies when you're, uhm, ...getting advice on domestic issues..."

"'It's good to be King.'" DiBacco said, with a grin. "We can't go 5 feet without tripping over bored noblewomen around here."

"Well, what do we got? Vlad?"

"San Fuego will not be paying our restitution request. The Ambassador has indicated to me that he expects Shepistan to step in if we try to force it on them."

"30 years of Liberal Rule is what allowed the Shepistanis take over so much of the South Seas, in complete violation of the WW2 Ceasefire agreement." Lonestar said. "We need to start enforcing that agreement. Alright, anything else?"

"No. As per your request, no protest has been lodged in regards to the use of chemical weapons in al-Akharabat."

"Good. Will?"

The Chancellor of the Exchequer cleared his throat. "Dominion Power is really anxious to start exploratory drilling of the Fucklands. Potentially, there could be hundreds of Billions of ROBs at stake. Of course, there are Shepistani troops on West Fuckland Island..."

"And they will be neutralized when San Fuego is. Any other pressing matters?"

"Not at the moment, no. Still dumping a lot of money down the hole of repairing the damage from the War of the Cities. But the economy is recovering nicely."

"Eric?"

"Combat Optics wants to test fire a MGM-140ER next week. In addition, the second MILSTAR satellite will be going up around the same time..."

"Well, we really need COMMSATs up. We don't want to have another case of vandalism for undersea lines."

"All indications are it was a rockslide." Berman said.

"With a Shepistani sub reported in the area by MESS assets? Yeah, okay. Anything else?"

"We may be getting a formal request to send troops to either Byzantium or al-Akharabat."

Lonestar groaned.

[Steve]

The Boeing Company, despite the recent climb in RCAF orders, still has plenty of production capacity for airliner and transport corporations looking for aircraft, or for friendly nations to purchase military aircraft from.

For airliners, the Boeing 777 and 787 represent the pinnacle of modern airliner design.

Nations not on the Republic's Sanctions List (OOC: Shepistan! And Shepistani bitch states like San Fuegos. Also possibly Astarias with limited purchase rights) are also free to purchase any of our lines of excellent military aircraft. The KCB-777 adapts the B777 airliner frame into a long-range refueling tanker, while the BC-777 is a long-range cargo aircraft of nations looking for long-range airlift capability at affordable price. Both variants are being offered at a price of $185 million per unit on bulk orders of at least 10, $180M/unit for an order of 20.

For military combat aircraft, the Boeing BF-9D (ASF-9D Falcon RCAF classification) is a lightweight and short-range combat aircraft capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat and a variety of loadouts. In every way comparable in operational capacity to the F-16 and purchasable at an average of $18M/unit. Bulk orders will receive a reduction to $15M and $12M at 30 and 60 units respectively.

The BF-10 (ASF-10 and variants) is a tried-and-tested design that has seen widespread use since its introduction in the latel 70s that is comparable favorably to the F-15 found in other air forces and supplements the shorter-range BF-9 well. The basic BF-10 is a larger air superiority fighter than the BF-9. The -B variant is a strike fighter capable of deep-penetration ground attack missions with minimal fighter support or for providing direct air support to ground troops. The -C variant is the latest in 4th Generation capability and is a capable multi-role aircraft, capable of various air superiority missions and of strike operations. All three are capable of being constructed for standard land-based air missions or for operation off of carriers of sufficient size. Per unit cost is $25M/unit for the basic, $35M/unit for the BF-10B, and $75M/unit for the BF-10C for either ground-based or navalized versions of the variants. Cost will be reduced to $20M/unit, $30M/unit and $70M/unit respectively on orders of sufficient size.


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



While Boeing begins its attempt to expand its overseas business and to prepare for a spate of Air Force orders, the aircraft company has also finalized plans with the Republic of Cascadia Air Force for the purchase SF-10D. The SF-10D strike fighter is the fourth variant of the BF-10 design and based on the SF-10B's intended mission, and will provide the future of Cascadian Air Force strike mission capability past the relatively older GSF-14 Wolverine dedicated air-to-ground bomber, providing superior range and capability. Estimated cost will be $100M/unit, to be spread out until 2012 as an order of at least sixty. This is despite Cascadia's part in the successful JSF with other nations, as the Department of Defense has been convinced that applying the lessons of that project to the proved airframe of the BF-10 is better than sinking more money into a brand new and mostly untested air frame.

(Essentially, the SF-10D is the equivalent of the modern day F-15K Strike Eagle that South Korea ordered. Cascadia's Air Force, up until now, has had to keep old 3rd Gen aircraft in service in the RCAF Reserve to provide a limited ground-attack capability. Now between the GSF-14, intended for more direct support in the immediate battlespace between opposing armies which has no RL equivilant I can think of off the top of my head - it's certainly not an A-10 for one - and the SF-10D, Cascadia's ability to support ground attacks won't be limited to the multi-role capability of the F-35Cs they've got now and to the 3rd gen strike craft they have for both land and carrier-based squadrons).

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Serenity Sentinel



Captain Susan Ying, RCAF, Honored

This morning, His Majesty King Yenchin and officials from the Halls arrived at the Martyr's Shrine at Mt. Wudang. A ceremony was held to honor Captain Susan Ying of the Republic of Cascadia Air Force. Her name will now be honored with the Fallen Heroes throughout Serenite history.

Earlier this week, a Cascadian RT-15, piloted by Cpt. Ying, crashed in Ketagaran. While the co-pilot and boom operater bailed out, Cpt. Ying struggled to keep the plane from crashing into civillian houses. She lost her life but saved many in the area.

Besides honoring Cpt. Ying in the Martyr's Shrine, King Yenchin also posthumously honored her with the Medal of Loyalty and Valour.


Legislative Hall Argues over RCAF Usage of Ketagaran AFB

While Cpt. Ying is being honored, legislatives, mostly of the Green Party, have once again questioned the purpose of lending the Ketagaran Air Force Base to Cascadian forces. During today's session at the Legislative Hall, Legislative Dennis King brought up what he called a "serious problem which will cause many troubles", citing various reasons related to national security, and a violation to the MESSamerica Bill, passed in 1963.

Legislative Jerome Sakuraki of the Blue Party argued back that cooperation with Cascadia was the Bill's purpose, and as usual provided various numbers and charts. The Greens began to question that the Blues' motivations, such as their connection to the recent Blue Sun investment. A heated debate went on for an hour with no results.

After the session, the Green Party mentioned that they were considering to apply for an interpretational case at the Judical Hall. Observers generally think that the Greens don't even have a case.

[Siege]

Small Beginnings

Headquarters of the General Directorate for Entertainment and Public, International and Corporate Relations, the Tower of Commerce, downtown San Dorado


The Tower of Commerce, downtown San Dorado.

When word came that the Raja was coming, director Helena Skye had barely enough time to prepare the Tower for a proper reception.

Back home in the Tanstaafl Raj, Raja Ramayyan Dalawa of Travancore was an important man, in command of vast lands, massive wealth and many men – so important was he, in fact, that his family was accorded no less than a 19 gun salute, only one step below the 21 gun salute of the Maharaja himself. He was, then, an important man holding an important office, namely that of ambassador to San Dorado, the Raj’s most important business partner by far.

(Rumour had it, mused the director, that the Raja had been ‘awarded’ his current position mainly to keep him far away from the intrigue of the Maharaja’s court, where Raja Dalawa’s power and influence would have been a threat to the great king himself.)

When Helena heard that the Raja himself was on his way to the Tower she had instantly realized something was amiss. First of all, the Raja usually left the actual business of diplomacy to his flunkies, so when he himself got involved, that meant something important was afoot. And when he gave her only so little time to prepare, that meant he was trying to catch her off-guard.

Unfortunately for him and luckily for her, Skye hadn’t risen to her position as General Director merely by the grace of her good looks. She was the CEO of Universal Motors, one of the largest producers of automobiles and other assorted motorized vehicles on the continent, and had fought tooth and nail to claw her way to her current position. It took more than an uppity foreign noble to impress her.


His Eminent Highness, Raja Ramayyan Dalawa of Travancore

When Raja Ramayyan Dalawa finally set foot in Helena Skye’s executive office, she was quite prepared for him.

“Raja Dalawa, what a pleasant surprise” she beamed in courteous greeting, rising from her comfortable chair to offer him some traditionally prepared tea. “Unfortunately the President is away on business, and cannot receive you, but what can I do for you today?”

Getting to that was harder than it seemed because of course, as was typical for the nobility of the Tanstaafl Raj, the Raja would not come immediately to the point, instead engaging in several minutes of diplomatic back-and-forth before the high word finally came out.

“Miss Director, my government,” the Raja frowned. “Is most concerned about recent developments in the Orizaco Bay. Most concerned indeed.”

“You mean the settlements,” nodded Skye.

“I mean the settlements,” the Raja agreed. “First it was just Baerne settling in the southern wilderness, but now the Kingdom of the Vineyards and you are both engaged in the exploitation of the bay. As you know, the Raj traditionally considers the Bay its sovereign property, so we are most displeased by this turn of events.”

“With all due respect Raja, but you are not,” smiled Helena. “The Raj’s stake on the Orizaco Bay has always been a paper claim your nation hasn’t been able to enforce in five hundred years. And you wouldn’t even care about the wilderness, except that you feel cut out of the loop. Now that we’ve finally gotten around to doing something with that patch of dirt and jungle San Dorado stands to make a great deal of money off its exploitation, and you want a piece of the action.”

“We don’t have the means,” the Raja grumbled defiantly. “You know as well as I do that the Raj does not have the means to conduct naval operations on the scale required to establish a firm presence in the wilderness. But even if we did and we still hadn’t done anything, this wouldn’t change anything. Yes, we feel cut out of the loop. Yes, the Maharaja is most displeased with this. Whether or not his feelings are justified, you know what the Maharaja’s wrath can potentially mean for our trade relations.”

Helena knew that very well. The Raj was essential to the throughput of produce across both air and land to the central and southern regions of Frequesue. Fortunately, the Raj was also rather predictable when it came to matters of pride such as these, and analysts of both DEPICOR and DIFEI had predicted precisely this reaction as soon as they had drawn up the final plans for REAL EIGHT. It was, then, time to bend this situation to San Dorado’s advantage. “Very well, Raja. We obviously cannot speak for the Vineyards, but I can speak for the Board when I say that we’re willing to cut the Raj into the loop on our settlement north of the Orizaco delta. In exchange, however, we expect the Maharaja to contribute troops to safeguard the installations there.” She looked the Raja in the eye. “Do we have a deal?”

The Raja threw her a piercing glance. He felt he and his nation were being played, but there was preciously little he could do about that now, and besides – he’d just gotten what he’d come for. So finally, he shrugged. “Yes, Miss Skye. It seems like we have a deal.”


Approaching REAL EIGHT, Orizaco Bay, North-Frequesue



Escorted by the air defence and command frigate SDN Edward Teach the freighter Cheap Shot approached the improvised pier the marines had thrown up into the bay. It was still only a makeshift thing, made out of piles of mud and dirt shoved into the bay combined with pontoons that extended just far enough into the deeper water to allow freighters to dock to them, but it would have to do for now.

Any onlookers watching as the ship manoeuvred slowly into docking position would be surprised to see that the freighter flew the flag of the Costa de las Cinqo Muertes, the lawless wasteland to the south of San Dorado. But that was merely a ruse: the ship had, through a series of increasingly dubious holding companies, been chartered by Blues Brothers Steel & Shipping from La Palma, and then been subordinated to a joint venture between Blues Bros and MacMillan Megacorp. The ship had come from a small freight terminal in southern Shroomania, from which it had left almost a week ago in the middle of the night, and it had maintained total radio silence during its transit. Unbeknownst to its multinational crew, it had been shadowed the whole way by the nuclear submarine SDN Kraken, and the last five hundred nautical miles it had been escorted by the Edward Teach.

None of the crew apart from the captain had the faintest clue what was contained in the big metal crates stashed in the hold, but they knew that whatever it was, the San Doradans wanted it intact pretty badly.

On the shoreline, Iago Morgan and Milo McKenzie watched the Cheap Shot come in to dock.

“That’s the first shipment,” said Morgan. “The second is scheduled to come in two days from now.”

“And the runway?” asked McKenzie.

Morgan turned around to watch the Marine Corps bulldozers clear a path through the jungle. There was more heavy gear present at the site now, cranes and trucks ferried in by Chinook helicopters, as well as barracks and heavy engineering equipment. Workers were already mixing and spraying the concrete required for the paved runway. “It will be done by the end of the week. As soon as it’s done we’ll airlift the remaining components from Port Regal.”

“Then we should be good to go in another two to three weeks or so,” said McKenzie, obviously pleased. “Great. I can’t wait to get cracking.”

Morgan grinned. “It should be quite a spectacle indeed.”

[Karmic Knight]

Headlines from the Vinish Press

The Settlement Accepts New Settlers
The Settlements has accepted over one thousand new people to join the project, in two hundred person increments per month, the thousand new people are expected to be fully integrated by May of 2009.

The VEIL Locates Illegal Drug Ring
The Isolator Highlands a location full of the scum of the Vinish-Eutopian Border, has just lost another one of the bigger problems, a Japanistani backed drug ring has been busted by a VEIL covert-operation.

War in Westchester ‘08
The invasion by PRSF into Imperial Westchester has been met with mixed reactions from the Vinish people. Many of the Socialists applaud the action, stating that any attack that moves conflicts away from the Vineyards, While the Anarcho-Capitalists want to remove their presence from the Vinish border. The other parties are strangely silent on the issue,

Westchester is a key business partner of San Dorado, as well as a much-valued strategic partner. We are offering our military assistance in repelling this unwarranted attack. An SDN cruiser squadron led by the Lady Profit can reach Westchester in under two days. If the Kingdom of the Vineyards permits us, we can base several air force squadrons on their territory to fly missions against the PRSF. We can also immediately begin airlifting elements of our 1st Airmobile Brigade to Westchester and offer any lift assets San Dorado has to ferry our allies’ equipment to the war zone.”

“The Robinson Airfield would not be willing to host fighters for the purpose of escalating conflicts on our borders. We must not allow this local conflict to escalate into a massive beat down of one of two states that aren’t part of our organization. Any Escalation could lead towards the war stretching to my nation.”

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of War
Public Communique
FROM: Her Excellency Countess Truman, Minister for War
TO: FTO

We offer three regiments of armour and a cruiser squadron to the Westchester conflict, should that be the FTO's decision.

[Coiler]

Coilerburg would like to purchase ten BC-777s and five KCB-777s from the Boeing Company. The current conflicts all across Frequesue have highlighted a need for long-range logistical support aircraft.

[Lonestar]

Virginia Pilot-Ledger

Ministry of Public Safety begins Civil Defense drills

After the so-called 'War of Cities' the Ministry of Public Safety has begun to run Civil Defense drills with increased frequency. The primary concern is getting citizens and residents into shelters that have been built in such a way to minimalized the effects of chemical warfare.

"We all know the Shepistanis love their chemical weapons, and we fully expect the goat-molesters to have widespread use of chemical wepaons next time around." A CD spokesperson said.

MPS personnel have begun to thoroughly inspect public bunkers, those built underneath public structures throughout the Old Dominion.

"The problems is that years and years of liberals running the show means that the National Defense Act of '74 hasn't been enforced, we're having to issue orders to refurbish to a lot of these." One MPS employee said.

CD drills will be run on a regular basis from here on out.

Fighting escalates in Kanawha tribal region


Citizen-Soldiers and Tribal Auxiliaries attacked several terrorist compounds under the control of Al-Nitrami yesterday afternoon.

"We discovered that these...terrorists are either being armed by the Shepistani government and IRT corporations, or are very successful at stealing from them." A Brickhall spokeswoman said. "We will bring peace and order to the troubled region."