SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Second

[RogueIce]

The Emperor drank a glass of wine. It seemed to be native to Wilkonia but he didn't mind it. Then he spoke, "Sorry we really couldn't get involved in the tiff with Shepistan, especially when my.. neighbours didn't want to get involved in a war far away, and Japanistan troubles us especially. It has not escaped our attention that Japanistan is basically the chief armourer of Shepistan. Not least Japanistan's hypocrisy decrying the "Imperialists" when the official name of Japanistan happens to be "Imperial Japanistan", with an Emperor at the top. It really does appear to me that this "war" was practically a proxy war with Shepistan... a sponge. Doubtless either country's leaders really cared about their citizens anyhow.

Indeed, I think they see their people as mere game pieces to play with so they can continue their little warmongering, genocidal fantasies. They live for war and that is all either of those two madmen care about.

From what I read of the war, the news on the air and navy side looks blood grim. It took a land war to finally force the issue and finally get Shepistan to come to an agreement with Old Dominion. Clearly a lot needs to be done... just so we don't get caught flatfooted again. Those damn submarines of his are a pain. I won't be surprised the sinking of the Shroom Viking is another criminal act to add to the list of crimes committed by Shepistan. And Shepistan is obviously testing the limits of the treaty signed with Old Dominion.

Yes, but we destroyed much of it anyway. Time was, ultimately, on our side. Losing carriers is rough, and of course the loss of lives a grim price to pay, but in the cold calculus of war we could afford those losses and still press on. But the Old Dominion did what they had to do and I don't blame Lonestar for ending it.

And clearly Shep wants to test the armistice conditions. He wants his weapons of war and that is all he cares for. But if he insists on violating this, he may get more than he bargained for. An armistice is not a treaty, after all. Should he violate the terms we could make the case the previous state of war has simply been reinstated, not that a new war has begun.

But back to the point of the geopolitical situation in the Old Continent. PeZookia and Shroomania... in my opinion are rather held hostage by their people's unwillingness to arm for war. In fact, even within the SNC, I wonder if PeZookia can commit fully to a war with Japanistan. True, they have sent troops to Jerusalem, but their... defence policies are not as firm as they could possibly be. Shroomania... is unreliable at times, and I wonder if that Prime Minister of theirs has drunk way too much alcohol. The Crimson Star Republic as always, has a suspicion foreign powers, though the tiff with Tian Xia was a little amusing, or rather... the FTO's flapping of wings while the show went on was amusing. The USSR will .. just follow the crowd. The SNC of course doesn't altogether like my involvement with the MESS, though I have sought to lower my profile a little as you have noticed. Nevertheless, I assure you that we have Shepistan in our sights, and Japanistan as well. CSR and Byzantium are rapidly arming for a possible conflict with Japanistan.

We would welcome your support in any measure it can be given. I understand the political realities you live with, however. Still, whatever the differences the CSR may have with the MESS as a whole or as individual entities, I know Comrade Stanislav is wise enough to know who the largest threats to global peace are.

But that aside, what direction should the MESS take in the aftermath of this war? Clearly we need to be more ready for another war with Japanistan and Shepistan, which will eventually come. And then you have the propaganda war side. The way that war started wasn't... altogether clear cut a transgression of Shepistan. I would say that it might be time for the MESS to be a passive observer and avoid looking like a monolithic bloc. I understand that we have hardly even bludgeoned our way around, but it might be good to keep up some.. false appearances at best?"

In truth, we hardly bludgeoned around at all. As I pointed out in that interview, and in many discussion with President Garrett of Cascadia, it was only Sheppard's continued provocations that caused us all to take the chance to attack Shepistan when it was presented. And remember, the Old Dominion was responding to violations of a cease-fire agreement; an agreement they wanted to expand to a full peace treaty but which Shepistan has ignored, and indeed they made several outrageous provocations after the Old Dominion tried to start such talks. I think reminding people of that is in order, myself.

But yes, I am glad to have us appear as a more "passive" alliance, at least until such time as we need to present a unified front once more. Such as when Japanistan and or Shepistan decide they want to tell the world to go fuck itself again.

[Karmic Knight]

Farbanti, Shroomania

"I must admit that I wasn't expecting submarines to be the agenda of our meeting, Your Highness," Shroom said as the Shroomousine began moving through the streets - flanked by a motorcade of Shroom Service personnel. "But if we're here to talk business, we might as well talk business. I trust that that Frequesquan Communications deal with San Dorado is going smoothly, since we'll be ready to launch our blimps whenever you say so."

“The deal is creating artistic jobs across the Vineyards and dependencies; I would say that is working very well. If San Dorado and you haven’t already launched, I apologize for holding up the program, if it was my fault. Since you brought it up, also, what is the policy on Frequesuan programming in other countries? Will all of the programming be exported, or will it operate through a ‘Best of the Goddamn F-ing Continent’ channel?”

“Now, about the subs, some retired relics with their weapons/weapon systems removed would work just fine. We can work out the price for 5 later, as I realize you wouldn’t have that prices and information handy.”

"Oh, before I forget, genuinely and generally, what is the opinion of the FTO in the Old World?"

[DarthShady]

Location: Somewhere in Vulpesia

Money buys everything, Karic knew that and he loved it. As the ruler of Sjenska he had accumulated a lot of money, which he was now using to hire mercenaries, buy weapons and explosives and most importantly to buy information. Information about the PeZookian security procedures, and Information about the Premier's visit. His people were already in PeZookia and were preparing everything. He had several options, he could attack at the airport or en route to the King's Palace. The hard part was to get himself into PeZookia without getting caught, his new face and documents would help with that but the PeZookians were not idiots and were renown for having an extremely effective police force. Still even the best cops have a price, whether that price was money or the life of a loved one he didn't care. Nothing would stand between him and his revenge. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted with a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me Ana, open up."

"I hope you have some good news for me."

"I have some very good news. We found a man who works within the PeZookian government and could be of great use to us. But he's not cheap."

"Money is not a problem."

"He doesn't want money."

"Really!? What does he want?"

"To kill someone for him."

"Who?"

"He wants us to kill...The PeZookian King."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Indeed, I think they see their people as mere game pieces to play with so they can continue their little warmongering, genocidal fantasies. They live for war and that is all either of those two madmen care about.

"And there's Valeria and their wanton use of chemical warfare. Seriously, what are these people trying to pull? The only reason why the rest of the world hasn't expressed too much outrage is because everyone has a backyard full of problems and Valeria seems far away. Their actions bear watching."

Yes, but we destroyed much of it anyway. Time was, ultimately, on our side. Losing carriers is rough, and of course the loss of lives a grim price to pay, but in the cold calculus of war we could afford those losses and still press on. But the Old Dominion did what they had to do and I don't blame Lonestar for ending it.

And clearly Shep wants to test the armistice conditions. He wants his weapons of war and that is all he cares for. But if he insists on violating this, he may get more than he bargained for. An armistice is not a treaty, after all. Should he violate the terms we could make the case the previous state of war has simply been reinstated, not that a new war has begun.

"While the MESS may have destroyed it, Japanistan is gleefully rebuilding Shepistan's arsenal. It will only be a matter of 5 or less years before Shepistan is armed to the max of the armistice limits, and then Shepistan will test those limits again and probably deliberately or covertly break them. We need to boost both our inspections, and our satellite surveillance assets, and ground intelligence assets. Japanistan is the real power behind Shepistan. While Shepistan saps our resources, Japanistan continues to build its own arsenal of war. As it is, a good 8% of my budget is devoted to building up the resources needed to fight him."

We would welcome your support in any measure it can be given. I understand the political realities you live with, however. Still, whatever the differences the CSR may have with the MESS as a whole or as individual entities, I know Comrade Stanislav is wise enough to know who the largest threats to global peace are.

"I think the Comrade Stanislav is fairly moderate, if not just a little too assertive at times. Otherwise, he can be reasoned with, especially with regard to Japanistan. The CSR is gearing up for possible war as well, not to mention silver bullets."

In truth, we hardly bludgeoned around at all. As I pointed out in that interview, and in many discussion with President Garrett of Cascadia, it was only Sheppard's continued provocations that caused us all to take the chance to attack Shepistan when it was presented. And remember, the Old Dominion was responding to violations of a cease-fire agreement; an agreement they wanted to expand to a full peace treaty but which Shepistan has ignored, and indeed they made several outrageous provocations after the Old Dominion tried to start such talks. I think reminding people of that is in order, myself.

"Yes, provocations such as stabbing the Old Dominion Foreign Minister. That practically constituted as an act of war, and it was fortunate for them then that we did not press home the issue. Shepistan's bullying of PeZookia is another example of their flagrant disregard for international norms. Sadly, they are as recalcitrant as ever, and like school bullies, pushed as far as he could go. Perhaps we shouldn't have spared the country."

But yes, I am glad to have us appear as a more "passive" alliance, at least until such time as we need to present a unified front once more. Such as when Japanistan and or Shepistan decide they want to tell the world to go fuck itself again.

Indeed. We must appear passive, only to rise up and gather our non-MESS allies to pose a united front against Japanistan and Shepistan aggression. Diplomacy and the stick must come hand in hand.

[Coiler]

The Coilerburg government was beginning to repatriate Omagoan POWs taken during the attempted invasion. In one particular camp in northeast Coilerburg, the ragged soldiers stood in lines while Coilerburg officials began to count them. "339, 340, 341-that's odd."

"What's odd?", asked another official.

"We took 355 prisoners into this camp. Of that, four died of illness, and that leaves ten-disappeared."

"Escaped?"

"No, simply disappeared. No escape attempts recorded, no known deaths, simply-gone. Nothing in the record."

"Have you talked to Major Herbs about this?"

"I will as soon as I get the chance."

Major Geoffrey Herbs knew that sooner or later someone would notice his-handiwork. He greeted the official and gave his prepared excuse-that they probably managed to tunnel away without being detected, and that bookeepers deliberately made no note of their disappearance, as the knowledge that several prisoners had successfully escaped might embolden the others. He said "I have no more idea than you as to where they are."

Of course, in reality, he knew exactly where they were. No one would really miss ten foreign prisoners of war, and the Astarians would pay him handsomely. They were smuggled out by his accomplices in the dead of night and taken to a freighter in Navalopolis, where many other Frequesueans were smugged away to Astaria.

(OOC: To be continued....)

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

"I recommend we give them proposals for a conference with us and them, i would propose Zoria host it if it is all the same to you."

"Fine with that. No other questions." Yenchin raised his glass.

[Shroom Man 777]

Farbanti, Shroomania

Finally, they came, or, rather, arrived.



At 10 Shrooming Street, the residence of the Prime Minister.

“The deal is creating artistic jobs across the Vineyards and dependencies; I would say that is working very well. If San Dorado and you haven’t already launched, I apologize for holding up the program, if it was my fault. Since you brought it up, also, what is the policy on Frequesuan programming in other countries? Will all of the programming be exported, or will it operate through a ‘Best of the Goddamn F-ing Continent’ channel?”

"Erm..." Shroom picked up his copy of the month's TV Guide. "What do you know, it's actually been just launched. Though the number of stratellites in service isn't at full strength, so the coverage won't be fully 100%. By the end of the year though, it will be complete, just in time for a global ShroomStrat telecast at New Year's Eve - and that's when ShroomStratTV, FreCom and the Grapevine really get into business. The exported programming depends on the individual subscribing service or something, since people can choose how many thousands of channels they'll have to pay for. Anyway...

"Today it's just in the Old Continent and Frequesue. But by then, it will be the world."

“Now, about the subs, some retired relics with their weapons/weapon systems removed would work just fine. We can work out the price for 5 later, as I realize you wouldn’t have that prices and information handy.”

"We should leave the prices for our countries' companies to haggle over, but I'm sure they'll come to an understanding. The most important thing is that we're working together."

"Oh, before I forget, genuinely and generally, what is the opinion of the FTO in the Old World?"

"Generally speaking? They regard it as yet another unstable place in an increasingly unstable world - the only difference being that the powers in the region are not as big as chaps like Shepistan or the Old Dominion, so when the dust settles from one of your continent's wars, the body count is substantially less - making the disposal a considerably easier task...

"To us in Shroomania, the FTO is considered to be a stabilizing force in the region, actually. The fact that many of the FTO nations happen to be members of the Shroomanian Commonwealth are... coincidental. Considering Shroomania's not-so-impeccable history, many of us here regard the actions of Tian Xia and the CSR with some trepidation.

"But the going ons of the F-ing continent are overshadowed by our own regional issues. As you are well aware, things aren't so peachy in the Old Continent. Our closest friends, the PeZookians, have trouble brewing over right next door with the Shadow annexation of the Border States. True, it has been quiet over there, but there certainly anxieties on part of the PeZookians. The latest kidnapping incidents are also another one of their major problems.

"The Canissians have the fallout of the MESS' involvement in the Shepistan-OD war to contend with. The war that was nearly a World War tests their alliance, and the Canissians are still recovering from that big one.

"Byzantium is growing increasingly more militaristic. I don't even know how high their defense budget is. They're working with the Crimson Star Republic over the perceived Japanistani threat - which isn't just a perceived threat, but an actual one. They're a hard people, and the state of the world is making them even harder.

"The Shadows... well, we all saw their annexation and many of us in the Old Continent are rather anxious about it. So far, their intentions have been benign - but nonetheless, pacifying such lawless areas such as the Border States will be taxing for a government such as the USSR's. I don't know if they can sustain themselves.

"As for the Russians, the Crimson Star Empire is working with Byzantium and the USSR to bolster their combined militaries in the SNC. I don't even know what the CSR is doing in the F-ing continent, but I'm certain your people have a better clue of what they want in that region. While I'm perfectly willing and am trying to extend my hand to the CSR, my neighbors, they seem to be receiving our efforts at joint cooperation rather... coldly. We have proposed certain joint projects, such as the Combined Continental Consortium Partnership, but they have been unanswered.

"It's a consequence of a Cold War mindset. Shroomania is trying to look forward to a future of peace, but the other powers and nations in the world are more interested in preparing for the next big war. It is a sad state, but like you and your people, we must deal with it."

The Shroom Service driver informed them that they had arrived outside of 10 Shrooming Street - for quite some time already.

The both of them exited the limousine and made their way to the door.

"Your Highness, we've arrived to my humble abode. I bid you the warmest of welcomes."

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomStratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
CONSTELLATION CONSOLIDATION


The ShroomStrat constellation expands to new horizons.

With the successful expansion into Frequesue, ShroomStratSystems is looking to bring its services to the continents of MESSamerica and Tonkin. Already, the Shroomanian company is entering negotiations with its IRT counterpart in a joint marketing scheme that could net both parties significant amounts of monies...



LIVE on ShroomStratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
SHAFTED SCANDAL


One of the photos of SHAFT Minister Melchett McMeistervater, together with two individuals believed to be San Dorado's President Hank and Byzantium's Exarch Decius.

A series of photographs containing the SHAFT Minister Melchett McMeistervater and two other individuals believed to be San Dorado's President Hank and Byzantium's Exarch Decius have surfaced in the intertubes.

The photographs are believed to be taken during the Cascadia Conference, where the leaders and representatives of the world's nations gathered in an international intercourse regarding the resolution of recent climatic events around the world.

In the photograph, Minister Melchett McMeistervater is shown wearing a pair of golden novelty breasts, whereas his partners are draped in less ostentatious costumes...

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Legislative Hall, Serenity

Admiral Leng, Commander of the Serenity Naval Force, walked outside the meeting room with Don Philips, the Minister of Defense. He just finished his first session with the National Defense Committee, it made him feel like he was back in the Academy.

Leng was summoned to the Committee in regards of the CVA-04. The Hall of Tigers had made clear that there were no plans for a new Carrier Task Force in FY10, but that didn't mean research and development should cease. Unfortunately, quite a few Legs in the Committee didn't seem to understand such a simple thing.

"Politics." said Philips.

"I really don't get it, and probably never will." said Leng. He took out his pack of cigarettes, and offered one to Philips.

"Thanks but I don't smoke." said Philips, "Yeah it gets complicated if you only focus on a couple of aspects of the Legs. For instance, people generally say that the Blues are pro-MESS and the Greens are anti-MESS. But if you go to the details you will find anti-MESS Blues and pro-MESS Greens, and even on MESS issues you'll have pro-MESS isolationists and anti-MESS isolationists. So don't get too frustrated."

"Anyways it's good to see that at least not a penny was cut from the 40 Billion ROB proposal we made."

"Yes, but it still has to get passed on the Fall Session in the Hall."

"..." Puffs of smoke came out from Leng's lungs.

"Hey, at least you can start working the project with our friends from Cascadia now, and the Blue Sun and Tachibana people will start kissing your ass. I'll handle the politics for you." Philips smiled.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

What Scandal?

The supposed scandal on Shroomanian television has hardly raised any eyebrows in the Byzantine Empire. "It's not like he's doing anything wrong," shrugged one citizen. "I mean, some of us in our younger days celebrate Halloween. Not like any of us were against celebrating it." The Ecumenical Patriarch was said to have snorted and laughed a little. So in short, Shroomanian tabloids have nothing else to do but make a lot ado over nothing.

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish News Service
File BNS-8-03

Anti-Astarian Animosity Appearing!
The slave uprising aboard the Astarian-flagged slaver Star of Seethaven is causing public opinion of Astaria, always negative, to dip to new lows. Some five thousand Baerns staged a demonstration outside the Senate Tower in Fortress Baerne, which only stayed peaceful through the efforts of Baernish National Police officers stationed there. The rally, which was apparently intended to cause the Duke and Senate to abolish trade relations with Astaria, seems to have forgotten that the Sovereign Duchy has forbidden it's citizens from trading with Astaria since 1922.

Regardless of the irrelevance of the protest's goals, the trend it exemplifies is disturbing. Baernish demonstrations are usually peaceful; to have this tradition change over a fairly commonplace occurrence is...slightly troubling, in the eyes of this correspondent. -Rita Skeeter, Special Corresspondent, Fortress Baerne

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

Somewhere in the ocean

"We found something. Looks like some kind of wreck on the seabed," said the sonar operator, pointing the sonar image of the seabed.

"Right, send a submersible down with cameras and let's take a look."

[MKSheppard]

Radio-Active Death Zone, Shepistan

The 300-ton highly radioactive sections of the former reactor vessel were lowered onto the Mitsubombi NHK-450 heavy rail transport car; which groaned under the weight. Slowly, the NHK-450 began to move, powered by diesel-electric locomotives. It's destination?

The shoreline, where it would be loaded onto special barges to carry it to a disposal site. Elsewhere, all the low level radioactive waste, such as bodies, masonry, water, etc were put into 55-gallon drums which were then welded shut and loaded onto train cars for transport to the special Japanistani Radio-Active Waste Transport Ships which had anchored offshore several days ago...

Results
Cleanup proceeding well.

[Coiler]

Cargo ship Stevens

There were around a hundred and fifty people in the old cargo ship that was not built to hold any more than its small number of crew. The ten prisoners that Major Herbs had made "disappear" had left on a similar vessel, but there were very few ex-military men and women on this particular ship. Many were citizens of Coilerburg displaced by the fighting, who had been unable to return to their homes, and were simply-taken away. Others belonged to Sabika and Omago, and were taken under similar circumstances. Some others came from all over the Frequesuean continent.

Gazing forlornly out, those with a view had their hearts leap as they saw a Coilerburg warship in the distance-one that typically inspected vessels that came near Coilerburg's ports. It came closer-and then turned away, leaving them disappointed and confused.

Commander Tom Sere on the corvette C-35 saw the fairly distinctive shape of the Stevens, and executed his turn away. After all, those people paid him well, and he could use a bigger widescreen TV in his home....
_______________________________________________________________________________

The recent spate of conflicts in Frequesue was massively beneficial to Astarian slavers who had previously struggled to find a niche there. Many had tried San Dorado, as God-knew how much illegal contraband was smuggled through there daily, but it seemed that the population-and even their criminals, was so opposed to slavery that they didn't last very long.

But with deals being reached with corrupt Coilerburg military (mainly naval) officers to ensure a safe trip through that port, and with many conflicts and the confused masses of refugees that followed them providing the opportunity to take victims that would not be noticed, the illegal trade boomed.

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of the Interior
Baernish National Police Report
FROM: BNP Commissioner Daniels, CO BNP
TO: His Excellency Count Lawrence, Minister for the Interior

Sir,

With regards to the disappearance of a trio of Revolutionary Front personnel from First Armored Division custody earlier this week, the BIS and my own subordinates have traced them to a fishing village on the coast of the Vineyards, where they were taken aboard a small motorboat. While we do not have more information at this time, the nature of their extraction hints at an organization far outstripping that which we had previously suspected the RF to possess outside the CFR.

Baerne Invictus,
Commissioner Daniels

[Siege]

State Business



Tower of Commerce, downtown San Dorado

“... They want what?” Director Sam Ralson sounded genuinely baffled by the news.

“Form one joint navy. That’s what the Raja said. He was quite clear about it too, not to mention fairly embarrassed. Apparently the Maharaja feels his nation’s interests would be better served if the Raj, ah, teamed up with us, on the seven seas at least.” Director Skye sounded as cheery as ever.

“And mix Tanstaafl know-nothings with our sailors? That don’t sound like a good idea to me”, grumped Ralson.

“You’re not thinking this through, Sam.” The President shook his head. “They might be backwards militarily but the GDP of the Tanstaafl Raj easily outstrips our own. Should we gain access to their funding... Just think what we could do! Lady knows that right now we’re straining just to find the funds for the new destroyers, and I still don’t know how we’re going to finance the wholesale replacement of our submarine fleet. Frankly, if we can get Tanstaafl aboard that’d be a Fortune-sent.”

“But we’d lose sovereignty over our own navy! Surely the Maharaja would want some kind of say in deployments and procurements, not to mention he’d demand Raj officers on our boats…”

“All fair points yes, but considering their entire navy right now consists of two prehistoric cruisers barely the size of our smallest frigate, I’m sure they’d be willing to let us run things for the time being. We’ll have to train their men, so we’d be able to make sure they’ll listen to our admirals.”

“I remain unconvinced.” Ralson clearly balked at the prospect of having to relinquish total control over his precious fleet.

“Then allow the Raj to convince you. Send some of our people to talk with their people, I’m sure we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. Remember Sam, if this deal works out it would be not just in our interest, it would be in the interest of the entire FTO.”

“Fine, Sidney, whatever. Don’t say I didn’t warn you though.”

“Your objection is cordially noted. Daphne, Helena, anything else?”

“Some interesting news from the other side of the world: Apparently there’s some ado in the West Velarian Sea… An Astarian slave-ship turned out to be transporting kidnapped Peace Corps volunteers from Velaria for selling in Astaria. The slaves objected, took over the ship, and managed to hail a Cascadian carrier battlegroup. From what we can tell right now there’s a bunch of Old Continent nations really pissed-off over this incident. Turns out the CSR doesn’t like it when their citizens are sold into foreign slavery.”

“I hadn’t imagined I’d see the day, but I gotta admit: good one on the Reds”, President Hank said. It frequently surprised people, but like most San Doradan citizens he harboured a natural loathing for all things Astarian. The turbocapitalism-driven city-state operated on deeply rooted libertarian principles: individuals were free to exploit, abuse and deceive their fellow man, but they could never take his personal freedom away. To outsiders the distinction between migrant workers toiling long hours in San Doradan sweatshops and slaves doing the same thing in the Astarian equivalent might not be significant, but what mattered to citizen-shareholders was that the migrant worker could quit. To take a man’s personal and economic freedoms away, to make him property... In a city where no-one cared if you used hard drugs or were packing heat in public, that was the final taboo.

President Hank snorted. “You know, Helena, should the Reds decide to torpedo that damned slave ship or somesuch, I’d like you to send them a telegram congratulating them on a job well done. That ought to throw that goofball Zorin off.”

“Sure thing boss”, Helena nodded brightly. “What’s next... Oh, FreCom reports they are ready to go continent-wide by the end of the month, and world-wide by the end of the year… And one final thing…” She produced a Shroomanian tabloid and shoved it across the table. “Any comment?”

The President raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the photos. “It’s a nice piece of digital photo manipulation. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.”

Result: San Dorado sends some people to the Tanstaafl Raj to discuss naval integration. The Star of Sweethaven situation has our attention. FreCom broadcasting is about to go active Frequesue-wide. And we have no further comment on the Shroomanian pictures.

[Zor]

Union Press

King Leighton calls for Summit of Pacific Leaders for the New Day

Atlantica Palace, Port Victory-After returning from Serenity earlier today, His Majesty King Leighton-I has issued a request for an International summit with the leaders of Cascadia and Alaska to be hosted by Zoria at Atlantica Palace on the subject of the proposed Pacific Pact. Also attending will be King Yenchin of Serenity, who first proposed the alliance. The meeting will showcase to the persepective member nations the terms and benefits of said union, both comercially and militarilly.

"Together we can establish a new pact for the good of all Pacific States" the King told the press "Building new bridges to link our respective nations closer together for there collective benefit."

[Lonestar]

OFFICIAL STATEMENT TO SHEPISTAN.

RE: RADIOACTIVE DEATH ZONE

Salutations!

While the Old Dominion maintains that the current catastrophe is the result of shoddy Shepistani workmanship, it pleases the Citizens and Residents of the Old Dominion, as well as the Lord Fairfax, to be magnanimous to our neighbors. Therefore, we are offering no less than 1 Million Humanitarian Rations for the affected area:



Further, we shall over 10 million specially designed(but NOT water soluble) containers for the radioactive material, for you to store in your streets, or wherever it is you people take poops.



Yours in Christ,

The Old Dominion


===


Raleigh Register

Massive cash infusion into MESS Science programs.

The Old Dominion has taken the lead in an ambitious space program for the MESS. The Prospector-1 Lunar probe, the first MESS launch not directly related to Military applications, took off this morning to great success.

The Old Dominion had lofted 3 Communication Satellites when the One-Week War started. After the war, the Old Dominion lifted two GPS Orbiters...then promptly informed the rest of the MESS that, due to reconstruction costs, it was not likely the Old Dominion could move forward with planned space missions. Wilkonia, Tian Xia, and the Shinra Republic opened their coffers, and now the MESS Space Agency (MSA) has a bright future. In addition to new space probes, several potential manned vehicle designs are under consideration:


The So-called "Dynamic Soarer"


The "Black Horse" sub orbiter.


The "Crew and Service Module".


The Dragon Module.


Obviously, the MSA has a great deal of comparisons ahead of it. Also planned are manned missions to the Moon, an orbital "SkyLab", and visits to the rest of the inner Solar System.


The Space Program is not the only program getting an infusion of cash. ODARPA has signed an agreement with Tian Xia to begining construction on a Superconducting Super Collider in his territory. While some have derided this as a boondoggle that duplicates a similar project in the Byzantine Empire, Dr. Kraft of ODARPA says "A little competition never hurt anyone."

[CmdrWilkens]

New Satellite Radio Venture Formed

A new joint enteprise of Hawk Electronics and Columbia Media Group was announced today with the intention of bringing commercial satellite radio to Wilkonia, MESSamerica and the world within the next 3 years. With the funding boost to the MESS Space Agency provided by several member nations the prospect for better launch facilities and more open launch windows means that getting a viable satellite network up in a short enough timeframe to be succesful is now possible.

The new company will be called RadioX and will broadcast primarily from CMGs archives until licensing deals can be hashed out with other Wilkonian and international copyright holders. Spokesmen are already tlaking about a minimum channel lineup of 200 stations featuring every musical genre of the last 100 years as well as sports, news, politics, weather, and traffic.

"It would be amazing," said Geoffrey Trundle, a commercial banker with Rouse Banking Partners. "I'm on the road probably 50-70 days out of the year and most of it is out of town. This way I'd be able to listen to my type of music without searching endlessly and waiting through commercial breaks plus it'd be much easier to get a traffic report."

Current projections from the company are that they will have their first satellite up within the next 8 months with service beginning at the 14 month mark after at least 3 HEO satellites are up and getting constant coverage over MESSamerica.

[MKSheppard]

Tonkin News Network - Radio-Activity Detected in Old Dominion

TNN's reporters have found that the Old Dominion's government has been covering up the extent of radio-active contamination resulting from it's attack on the Shepistani Reactor in the One Week War.

Tourists from the IRT who have travelled in the Old Dominion recently report unexplained streaks and blobs on their negatives, and upon further examination by scientists in the IRT, the conclusion is in: airborne radio-active particles have caused the ruination of photographic negatives.

Using advanced computer modelling and inputting the locations of the spoiled negatives has allowed the Tonkin Health Ministry to produce the following crude map of fallout regions on the New Continent:

Computer modelling of regions of fallout

Accordingly, the Tonkin Health Ministry has ordered an immediate ban placed on food-stuffs imported from Shepistan and the Old Dominion; and declared that all stocks of susceptible food, e.g. milk, imported from Shepistan or the Old Dominion be destroyed immediately.

[TimothyC]

Union Press

King Leighton calls for Summit of Pacific Leaders for the New Day

Atlantica Palace, Port Victory-After returning from Serenity earlier today, His Majesty King Leighton-I has issued a request for an International summit with the leaders of Cascadia and Alaska to be hosted by Zoria at Atlantica Palace on the subject of the proposed Pacific Pact. Also attending will be King Yenchin of Serenity, who first proposed the alliance. The meeting will showcase to the persepective member nations the terms and benefits of said union, both comercially and militarilly.

"Together we can establish a new pact for the good of all Pacific States" the King told the press "Building new bridges to link our respective nations closer together for there collective benefit."

Presidential Complex Anchorage

President Cizadlo read over the proposal.

"I think I can make this. I means I leave my Veep in charge during the election, but it's her time to shine."

[MKSheppard]

Somewhere in Canissia



"Arrest Lord Fairfax for high crimes and TREASON against the environment!" shouted the Shroompeace protestors, as they staged a "die-in" on the steps of the Canissian parliment.

"All MESS members are complicit in this RAPE of the environment!" shouted another protester through a megaphone.



Results
Old Dominion Cover-up of Radio-Active Contamination having a backlash in countries across the world against nuclear power and research of all types.

[Lonestar]

Dominion News Service

REPORT:SHODDY SHEPISTANI DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION TO BLAME FOR FALLOUT, NOT MESS

"This," Said Dr. Kruse, head of The School for Nuclear Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, "Is complete and utter rubbish."

Dr. David Kruse has just finished a report on the creeping radiation spreading over the continent of Shepland, as well as an analysis of the Calvert Cliffs Incident.

"The Rockchuckers really screwed up this time. They failed to build a proper containment structure ofr the reactor, and by using graphite to moderate it rather than water. OD power plants are designed in such a way that a chain reaction cannot be sustained unless liquid water is present in the cooling channels throughout the cores. But I guess that kind of Math was just too high for the Rock-chuckers."

"Now, on to the question of the Radioactivity. This is a regrettable incident, but to bottom line it the 4,000-10,000 deaths that will eventually be attributed to this is insignificant to to the tens of thousands each year(Not including Kanawha and Augustine) that die as a result of carcinogens pumped into the atmosphere by unfiltered Shepistani coal-fired plants. To say nothing of using leaded gasoline."

In summary, The CCC is moving briskly to clean up on our side of the border, but Shepistan has no one to blame but themselves for the current crisis."

[MKSheppard]

Shepistani Foreign Department Press Release

The Old Dominion in a craven and blatant attempt to shift all responsibility for the Calvert Cliffs disaster away from themselves, have claimed that the Calvert Cliffs reactor's design and construction is to blame for the disaster, not MESS military actions.

This is an utterly blatant lie. The RBMK-1000 is a solid and reliable design which powers nuclear power plants worldwide, including several reactors in the Crimson Star Republic, which originated the design. The 25 reactors built to this design have survived earthquakes safely, and have produced 450 reactor-years of reliable electricity without incident.

However, the designers of the RBMK-1000 and the constructors of the Calvert Cliffs plant did not expect the utterly insane -- the deliberate destruction of the reactor control complex by MESS bombs in the One Week War. We shall let Dr. Wen of the IRT institute of Sciences speak for ourselves:

"If you want to take a nuclear power plant offline; you don't bomb the reactor itself. You bomb the switchyards nearby, which distribute the electricity from the reactor into the power grid. Bombing it directly is insanity. There is too much that can and will go wrong, as recent events have just shown."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

"So Wilkens want a joint meeting up on Cancun?" asked the Emperor.

"Apparently he does. Cancun has some nice beaches," said President Rufus, thoughtfully.

"Indeed Yes. Maybe it's time for a short working holiday. Let's go then."