SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Second

[MKSheppard]

Rosboronexport office, CSR

"So what can you offer Shepistan and at what price?" asked the Shepistani representative. He had been sent by General SHeppard to look at some of what the CSR was offering for export.

Results
Shepistan looking into CSR to acquire Su-34MFS (Modernizeerovannyy Frontovoy Shepistaniskiy) (Modernized, Tactical, Shepistani) FULLBACKs.

[PeZook]

Orena, PeZookia

Robert Babel was a police informant. Few people knew of this fact, of course, even though it was common knowledge that PeZookian police paid their informants handsomely, making most crime syndicates constantly worried about betrayal.

Babel didn't work for any drug boss or slaver ring, though. This was far too stressful, and his stomach ulcers would kill him after a while. No, he was completely freelance - and good at it.

He met with his police contact in Cafe Ferber, a nice little place in the Old Town, which played loud music and was constantly busy. Oh, this meeting would more than cover the bill.

"Hi", he said to the plainclothes officer who came over to meet him. In a surprising bout of competence, the girl didn't even look like an undercover cop.

"Hey. What is it that you wanted to see me about?"

"Oh, you gonna love it. Remember that girl you've been looking for a while back? Ana somethingsomething?"

"Yeah.", the cop replied, looking at Babel intensely, "What, you're gonna tell me you've found her?"

"Yep"

"No fucking way"

"She's in Orena, and I know for certain she was involved with that warehouse which blew up on the outskirts. Word is, she's working for some fat cat with a grudge against someone high up in the government."

"Do you have any proof?"

"You'll have to trust my word on this"

The cop was young and looked like a naive college girl, but wasn't stupid. She studied Babel for a while.

"Okay. We'll check it out - but you'll only get paid if this information is confirmed."

"Naturally"

Hotel Shroomdorf Astoria, Orena

Everything was almost ready by now. Ana made the few final arrangements only a couple of hours ago, making sure the dump truck would be rigged with the remote control set in time. All she had to do now was do a few rounds around the city, making dead drops with instruction packets for the snipers, and then head for the airport. But she really had to change, first - her clothes absolutely reeked of diesel fuel after spending an hour inside the cramped workshop. She had enough time: the drops wouldn't be picked up before 6 P.M., well before the Premier's visit.

She greeted the doorman in front of the prestigious Shroomdor Astoria hotel, located right smack in the middle of the city. Smiling and easy-going, she looked like a typical tourist - without a care in the world.

As she crossed the lobby however, something odd struck her. Two people were talking with the receptionist, and it was obvious they weren't tourists. They scanned the lobby, looking at random people, asking piercing questions and in one case, Ana could catch a glimpse of a gun hidden away under a jeans jacket.

She turned around and walked out of the hotel, cursing under her breath. Did they find her? Did they have her face already?

No, no. If they did, I'd have been arrested already, she thought, looking at one of the public monitoring cameras which riddled the city.

She got into her black SUV and decided to make the drops now, stinking clothes or not. She'd already spent too much time in this country, anyway.

(OOC: This happens before Karic and Ana bugger out of the country, of course, and sets the stage for later RIS special ops in hunting her down )

[Shroom Man 777]

10 Shrooming Street, Farbanti, Shroomania
Something-Something Unreal Time (Before King Paul blew his nose - or before PeZook's post!)



The Prime Minister was enjoying a spot of tea and some biscuits, because it was afternoon and Shroomishmen always had teatime. He dunked his biscuit in the tea and eated it, and then nibbled another one. He was hungry - stopping the Runaway Defense Budget from damaging the economy too much, and then instituting reforms to make sure Shroomania didn't get fucked up (or fucked upper) by nuts in the government and military was really conducive to the appetite. Shroom felt satisfied - though Shroomania was staying out of world affairs, unlike Shroomania in "the past", he was still sort of like The Man Who Saves The World. He did his own people good, and that was that.

The rest of the world? Fuck 'em. Fuck the world. Bunch of crazy fuckers.

The irony was not entirely lost on Shroom, though, so he laughed... seemingly at nothing, which made him look like a crazy. Fucker.

"What's so funny?" Alison asked as she poked her head into the room.

"Um... I was just thinking."

"Oh. Anyway, Prime Minister, I recieved a phone call from Lady Anethga. She said she had a few details she wanted to review before the conference."

"Did she say what I'd be going over?"

"Well, she said I should come as well."

"Strange..." Ambassador Anethga's meetings with the Prime Minister were usually one-on-one affairs.

"Yeah," Alison thought about it for a while. "She said you'd probably want me there for what she had in mind."

The Prime Minister was silent.

"I mean, I've never done anything like this with another woman before, but.. well, she said she'd be gentle..." Alison said somewhat hesitantly.

The Prime Minister was silenter, and his face was still as the subtext sunk in his so-called mind.

"Of course, we would have to be discreet about it," Alison continued.

"Of course," Shroom finished his tea - gulping it down with Prime Ministerial resolution. "We'll simply say we're forging closer ties between our two nations."

"She did mention that was part of her job. Of course, I'll need to fly to Sirnoth ahead of you. She said I'd need a few outfits as well. And she mentioned several books she wanted me to read, and some positions we'd need to practice."

And with that, the Prime Minister's aide was gone.



The prospects brightened the Prime Minister's day. The idea of preparing for the FUN Forum in Sirnoth - for that super-delayed Sirnoth Shindig - was ghastly, with all the ceremonial hoo-hah and the wearing of increasingly outrageous wigs... and not just wigs, but wigs on wigs. Or whatever those Sirnothis had for tradition. Crazy people.

But now, with the prospect of doing it with Melfirth and Alison... the Prime Minister couldn't help but grin lecherously.

His grin turned into a confused look when an encased scroll popped out of a pneumatic tube near his desk. The pneumatic tube was a "direct line" to him, from the Shroomanian Secret Service's chief, that psychopath Johan (Ludwig) Baylor (the Indestructible).

Shroom opened the vacuum container and unscrolled the scroll to read it.

"Shroombola... Shroomburg Hemorrhagic Fever... and Shroompox. Jeebus's Crotch!"

Before the Shroomanian Secret Service sheet of paper could self-disintegrate, the Prime Minister hurried over to the Red Phone. Right next to the Red Phone was a Red Fax Machine that linked him to Orena, to Paul's Palace Place.

Shroom picked up the headset and began pushing random buttons.

"Goddamn it, how does Alison use this stupid machine?"


Eventually, the Red Fax Machine ate the Shroomanian Secret Service sheet - and an identical copy emerged out of the machine's counterpart in Orena. When the Red Fax Machine spat out the Shroomanian Secret Service sheet, the paper was already beginning to vaporize on the Prime Minister's expensive desk.

"That's gonna leave a mark."


[Co-written by Setzer! The Shroom-Alison-Anethga threesome bit!]

[Siege]

The Tsar Affair

Diplomatic Communique, Priority One

FROM: Office of Director Helena Skye, DEPICOR
TO: Provisional Council for the Establishment of Misterian Democracy

Ladies, Gentlemen,

Let me first and foremost offer you our heartfelt congratulations with your newly won freedom. Freedom is perhaps man's greatest treasure, and it is good to see your people have finally gained their liberty after so long a time spent in the shackles of despotism.

Let me also assure you that San Dorado is eager to work with your government in increasing the prosperity of your people. If there is anything we can do for you, you need but ask; our industries are eager to support your new democratic government, and I think you'll find their offering prices most favourable.

Finally, there is the matter of the former 'tsar' Pyotr. It has come to our attention that he is currently residing on our sovereign soil, more specifically in a mansion outside of La Palma. Although Misteria and San Dorado do not share an extradition treaty, we would nonetheless like to work with your government to see that his residence here does not jeopardize future relations between our nations. If you could please tell us of your plans concerning the former despot, that would be most appreciated.

Was signed, on behalf of the Board of Directors,

Director Helena Skye

PS: The mansion occuppied by Pyotr, I might add, was bought with government funds, so one might argue that it is no longer his, but your mansion now.

---

Diplomatic Communique, Priority Two

FROM: Office of Director Helena Skye, DEPICOR
TO: ALL FTO MEMBER NATIONS

Gentlemen,

We appreciate your concern for the situation vis-a-vis the former Misterian despot now residing in San Dorado, and we are working with the Mysterians in resolving this matter satisfactorily. However, we feel that several issues need addressing.

* First and foremost, there is the matter of whether Misteria even wants the former 'tsar' back, which is not at all certain by this point, so any talk of extradition is premature insofar as we are concerned.

* The rule of law must be observed. We have no extradition treaty with Misteria, and thus cannot deport Pyotr posthaste. Millions of lawful non-citizens reside in San Dorado; it would set a bad precedent to deport even one of them without some semblance of due process, particularly not since Pyotr has not broken any of our laws insofar as we are aware.

* And finally, whilst we greatly value your input the Board is unsure whether the matter of foreign citizens residing in one nation or the other is even a matter for the FTO to discuss.

Was cordially signed, on behalf of the Board of Directors,

Director Helena Skye

---

Message to FreeCom:
From: GrapeVine HQ

We need to capitalize on this new market, the GrapeVine is sending a group to try to set up a deal, and we would like a representative of FreeCom’s to assist our negotiations.

FROM: FreeCom General Headquarters
TO: GrapeVine HQ

Agreed. We will send a trade delegation to Mysteria shortly; you are most welcome to join them.

---

Internal Memo

FROM: Armed Interdiction Police Central Command
TO: AIP La Palma, Precinct 17

Deposed dictator of the nation of Misteria and entourage have been tracked to La Palma. As long as this man and his family are on San Doradan soil their every move is to be recorded. They are to go nowhere without our knowledge. Commence 24/7 surveillance immediately. Wire taps are hereby authorized.

General Sturmond
AIP Central Command

[PeZook]

Co-written with Norseman

Montalba, Astaria - Dixie Hotel

It took four agonizingly long days for BOSS to check out the PeZookian liaison team. They were very through, too - fortunately, the King himself intervened, channeling necessary information through Astarians who were staying in Orena.

For four days, the PeZookians were confined to their rooms. Angry and bitter, they watched the news, slept and paced around, lashing out at Whitcomb and Parkhurst, who occasionally came over to check on them. Amanda was taking this especially hard - she was already uncomfortable by the virtue of being in Astaria in the first place, and being confined to her room brought up unpleasant memories from not that long ago.

She often dreamed of that night, when that RIS officer forcibly led her away from the slaver compound, towards what she though would be a life of servitude. She remembered his rapid steps, and tight grip upon her arm - and the two young men who passed them on the sidewalk.

"It's going to be all right", she could still hear what one of them told her in a barely-audible whisper. And then the shooting, the screams and explosions, and the brilliant fire she watched from a NOD safehouse.

Being confined to this room - comfortable as it was - provided Amanda enough time to dwell on that night, and wonder what would've happened if the RIS didn't show up just in time.

When she couldn't sleep, she'd watch the news: and it mostly dealt with CSR airstrikes. One scene in particular was replayed over and over during the news segments, between talking heads and various self-styled "experts" who demanded retribution.

The scene showed a dust covered Isbilliyah street. A five year old boy screamed aloud, "Wake up! Wake up!" While he tugged and pulled a motionless female shape. Despite his best efforts he could hardly make her move, the weight of the body was too much for him.

Apparently the cameraman took pity on him, for the camera wobbled, and a hand extended into the view. "Come we have to go," someone off camera said. The boy kept on shaking the woman at his feet, shouting for her to wake up and stop joking. "Come on now," the cameraman said, and grabbed the boy.

"No! Let go! Mother! Wake up!" the boy screamed loudly.

"We have to go, they'll come back!" the camera man shouted, but the boy simply refused to budge. In the end the cameraman seemed to grab the body, and pulled it along just to get the boy to come along. It was of course in vain, but he still tried.

The scene was replayed on all stations, and eventually Amanda turned the TV off for good out of frustration. All that was left for her to do was stare at the ceiling.

During the afternoon of the fourth day, Parkhurst came over to her room - unusually, not wearing her trademark naive smile.

"Hello, Amanda."

"Hello. What do you want?"

"Captain Whitcomb told me to let you know - the BOSS finished their investigation."

"So...when can we get back to work?"

"Tonight. Start packing, we're going to Sweethaven."

"Ah", Amanda nodded. Finally.

"Don't forget your vest."

Aston Freeway, four hours later

It was a rather long drive from Montalba, across the blacked-out countryside. The people were still afraid of another CSR airstrike - which only benefitted the BOSS team, which was going to perform a very illegal operation.

"Most of BOSS command structure is in the dark about this. Only Lady Margharet knows, and no written records have been made of the operation.", Whitcomb explained to them on the way, as the small motorcade speeded down an almost empty freeway.

"Why did you take us?", asked Sebastian, looking around the interior of the large van, occupied only by PeZookians and the two BOSS officers assigned to them.

"To minimize the amount of people who will know, while still bringing in real experts.", Whitcomb commented and smiled, "Frankly, I know you're going to keep quiet."

"Which offices are we raiding tonight?", asked Amanda

"I thought we could start with Crawley's or that family-owned place we've typed out. Both owners left town after the airstrikes, and won't be back for a few days."

"We should do Crawley's tonight."

Whitcomb looked at Sebastian after hearing that.

"We should. She's rarely wrong when she does that.", Sebastian explained

"Crawley's it is, then.", Whitcomb shrugged and lit a cigar.

Sweethaven

Two plainclothes BOSS agents remained on the curb, while rest of the team - dressed in black and wearing ski masks - piled out of the white van in front of the clinic. The locks did not last long, opened swiftly by an expert locksmith who spent the last twenty years getting BOSS officers through sealed doors.

The office was completely dark, lit only by individual flashlights. One officer kept watch on the entrance with a taser in hand, while others took to their tasks efficiently and quickly.

Gralewski and one of his forensics techs started combing the office and operating spaces, looking for fibers, skin samples and even dust. Sebastian and Amanda started methodically going over patient files as soon as the locksmith cracked open the right filing cabinet. Two more BOSS agents began photographing financial records and account books.

"Hurry up, will you?", whispered the officer watching the door. They only had a few hours before dawn, and there was a lot of material to go through.

Time passed quickly, marked by repeated camera flashes. Occasionally, a car passed by, briefly lighting up the office.

"Someone's coming!", came a whisper from the point man about halfway through the operation. Everybody froze and started listening - sure enough, footsteps could be clearly heard on the stairway.

"Turn off those damned flashlights!", Whitcomb waved at two of his men. The office descended back into darkness.

Whoever it was, he passed the door and walked out onto the street. The plainclothes agents reported it was a woman, heading for the nearby bus stop. Inside the office, everybody began breathing again.

After a couple more hours, and a police squad car passing by the building, Amanda finally whispered:

"Bingo! We've got her!"

Sebastian walked up to to her and took a look at the folder. The pre-op photo was blurry as hell, but it was still quite obviously Kasia Grochowska - one of the victims they were looking for.

Amanda laid the folder on top of the filing cabinet and photographed it several times to make sure.

"Good call, captain", Sebastian commented to Parkhurst, congratulating her on the idea to check out plastic surgeons. Having found what they came for, the BOSS team began hastily collecting their gear and replacing every disturbed item.

"Congratulate Amanda, we'd be doing that again tomorrow night if she didn't guess correctly.", Parkhurst answered, looking out onto the street, "It's clear. Let's get out of here."

Two days later, Montalba

The folder found at George Crawley's clinic contained more than just confirmation that Kasia was here - it contained a name. Name of the man who contracted the surgery - and a quick check put this name to a face - the same face which was "wanted for questioning". Now the National Police knew who to look for:

Gerhard Blanche, freelance slave supervisor.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomStratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
MELCHETT MEETS MERRY MYSTERIANS


Minister Melchett McMeistervater, merry at Mysteria's manumission.


"The Sovereignty of Shroomania welcomes Mysteria's transformation into a democracy with open arms. The deposition of a dictator and Mysteria's mastication of that mean monarchy is a great thing for Mysteria's people. Freedom is the right of all human beings and the Shroomanian people - who have also deposed of dictators and masticated monarchs in the past - stand by the Mysterians. In a way, we are brothers, and the Sovereignty is ready, willing and eager to extend a helping hand to any fledgling democracy - Mysteria included," the Minister of SHAFT announced.



Results:
HEY POLLUX - want to buy shit? Ask Shroomania anything and we can sell 'em to you!

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

The Disposal of the Tyrant of Mysteria Welcomed.

The Emperor has welcomed the Disposal of the Tyrant of Mysteria. "In this day and age, tyrants are an endangered species, and the disposal of the Tyrant of Mysteria is proof of that." As for questions on whether he will every abdicate, the answer was a cold "No."

[RogueIce]

Messeage from the Shinra Republic to Mysteria

We would wish to send representitives to your great nation at your earliest convenience to forge diplomatic ties and to render any assistance you might require in developing your new government.

-Signed,
Warren Wright
Secretary of State for the Shinra Republic

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Communique
FROM: Her Excellency Countess Domizia, Minister for Foreign Affairs
TO: Provisional Council for the Establishment of Misterian Democracy

The Sovereign Duchy of Baerne extends it's welcome to Mysteria as it joins the world stage, and it's congratulations on the overthrow of the tyrant who had prevented the same in years past.

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Meeting Room, Atlantica Palace
"Now, lets get down to buissiness..."

"Alright, gentlemen, the idea of the pact between our nations includes the following:

1. Joint Security of the Pacific: A joint defensive program including things as airport use rights, naval base refueling...etc As well as a weapon system proposed by Zoria.
2. To improve international trade, the usage of aerial and sea ports as above are extended to civilian craft. Also a reduction of tariffs.
3. Academic cooperation.
4. Law enforcement cooperation, extradition agreements."

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Private Communique
FROM: Her Excellency Countess Domizia, Minister for Foreign Affairs
TO: FTO Central Command

On the subject of the extradition of ex-Tsar Pyotr, has he committed any grievous breaches of international law, or condoned anything that might count as a crime against humanity? If he has, then we wouldn't need to bother extraditing him, but could rather try him ourselves, gaining much-needed good publicity in the process.

[Pollux]

Ladies, Gentlemen,

Let me first and foremost offer you our heartfelt congratulations with your newly won freedom. Freedom is perhaps man's greatest treasure, and it is good to see your people have finally gained their liberty after so long a time spent in the shackles of despotism.

Let me also assure you that San Dorado is eager to work with your government in increasing the prosperity of your people. If there is anything we can do for you, you need but ask; our industries are eager to support your new democratic government, and I think you'll find their offering prices most favourable.

Finally, there is the matter of the former 'tsar' Pyotr. It has come to our attention that he is currently residing on our sovereign soil, more specifically in a mansion outside of La Palma. Although Misteria and San Dorado do not share an extradition treaty, we would nonetheless like to work with your government to see that his residence here does not jeopardize future relations between our nations. If you could please tell us of your plans concerning the former despot, that would be most appreciated.

Was signed, on behalf of the Board of Directors,

Director Helena Skye

PS: The mansion occuppied by Pyotr, I might add, was bought with government funds, so one might argue that it is no longer his, but your mansion now.

TO: Office of Director Helena Skye, DEPICOR

Thank you for your support of our new government. The days ahead will no doubt be hard, but we are confident we will be able to stride forward into the modern, democratic world.

I am certain that our people will be eager to conduct business with your own. The citizens of Misteria, cut off for so long, are hungry for knowledge of other nations and cultures.

As for the matter of the Tsar, I cannot currently say what the will of our government is, as the Council itself seems to be split, saying nothing of our tentative political parties. However, if you wish to arrest him, we will gladly provide anything you need, including the flight rosters of who we believe fled to his estate. We will immediately warn you that we believe that the entire or at least a sizeable portion of the Misterian Special Operations Force, which essentially served as the Tsar's personal hitmen, are believed to have accompanied him.

Once again, we thank you for your support, and look forward to dealing with you in the future.

Signed,
Arkady Mirovich Karkazov
Provisional Secretary of Diplomatic Relations

Aleksandr Mikhailovich Pushkov
Provisional Over-Secretary

We would wish to send representitives to your great nation at your earliest convenience to forge diplomatic ties and to render any assistance you might require in developing your new government.

-Signed,
Warren Wright
Secretary of State for the Shinra Republic

TO: Department of State of the Shinra Republic

The Council would be happy to welcome diplomatic representatives of your nation to our own. While all three of our international airports are currently out of service, we have received reports that I. R. Korolev International Airport in Empyrean City will reopen in two weeks time.

We hope to establish strong ties with your nation, and hope that our relationship we prove mutually beneficial.

Signed,
Arkady Mirovich Karkazov
Provisional Secretary of Diplomatic Relations

Aleksandr Mikhailovich Pushkov
Provisional Over-Secretary

[K. A. Pital]

Stasograd, Demonstration Airfield #3



- We are ready to supply machines at $40 million per unit, - the NAPO representative smiled to the Shepistani. - In any case, it's nice to know that Japanistan's bomber contract has failed. How many do you need... or rather, how many are you able to pay for?

[Zor]

Union Press

BnL Burger leaves the megastore for Corners


Buy'n Large Corperation sets sail its fast food empire

Today, in a massive international grand opening, Zorian Retail Giant Buy'n Large has opened 500 outlets for their Fast Food outlet BnL Burger. BnL burger started fifteen years ago as an in store resteraunt, being comon in Buy'n Large Superstores across the globe and comparing favourably to other Fastfood companies including MacMill in taste tests. Combined with an advertising blitz and several new menu items and grand opening sales has reported that customers have "flocked" to the new additions to the BnL Empire, even in Shroomania. President Shelby Forthwright of Buy'n Large has stated that this move is only "testing the waters" and that the company has longterm plans to continue on this course.

[Steve]

Meeting Room, Atlantica Palace
"Now, lets get down to buissiness..."

"Alright, gentlemen, the idea of the pact between our nations includes the following:

The sole "Gentlemen" remark brought a bemused, slightly irritated look from Vice President Alexandra Verdes.

1. Joint Security of the Pacific: A joint defensive program including things as airport use rights, naval base refueling...etc As well as a weapon system proposed by Zoria.
2. To improve international trade, the usage of aerial and sea ports as above are extended to civilian craft. Also a reduction of tariffs.
3. Academic cooperation.
4. Law enforcement cooperation, extradition agreements."

"The Republic of Cascadia has no objections in any way to improving our trade with our fellow Pacifican states", the Cascadian Vice President remarked, looking over her own paperwork besides her draft copy of the Serenite-Zorian proposal. "Cooperation in the spheres of academic matters and law enforcement are also most welcome, particularly in curbing the international human trafficking trade, which the Cascadian government is trying to convince the governments of the world to do more about."

"But I believe the first item needs some elaboration. The proposed joint defensive programs are not objectionable, of course, and we have already indulged in a number with Alaska and Serenity. Permitting common use of bases is permissible at face level, though clarification on how bases in Veleria will be treated is necessary, particularly if the Adabani Republic is not made a signatory of these agreements."

"However, we must recognize that in time of war, such use of bases would make other signatory states co-belligerents on behalf of the signatory engaged in hostilities. The action of one government can drag all into conflict. I believe strong clarification will be necessary as to how this agreement will be employed in the event of a signatory becoming a belligerent."
Alexandra put her hands together on the table. "And if this is to be a full military alliance, defensive or otherwise, then Serenity's position as a member-in-standing of the MESS complicates the situation. Particularly for us, as Cascadia has long sustained its independence from MESS despite their dominance of our home continent, and the Senate will not accept a treaty that would be seen as a way to bring us into the MESS de facto. It is, I admit, somewhat debatable that they would accept a full military alliance even without the MESS issue at hand."

"Finally, the formal position of the Cascadian government in these talks is to enhance the links between the non-aligned Pacific nations, but only to the extent of the cooperation in economy, law-enforcement, peaceful research, and defense systems. At this time we are unsure of the wisdom of participation in a full-blown military alliance, particularly in this day and age of a major arms race beginning to form, and especially as such an alliance could very easily be seen as turning the Pacific states into an extension of the MESS through Serenity's membership in that alliance which would damage Cascadia's standing as a neutral state in geopolitical affairs."



Later

After the meeting, Alexandra was preparing to rest in her private room in the Cascadian Embassy. A note was waiting for her, transmitted from Adams. The President was curious as to a report on the day's finding, and also saw fit to report that SecState Parnell had been privately approached by the Shroomanian ambassador, discreetly inquiring about Cascadian participation in the FUN. Alexandra gave a sigh at that; it seemed that with the world situation in such tension, Cascadia might be getting more courting by the alliances of the world to help improve their own situation.

The question, the big one at least, was whether in this day and age Cascadia could actually keep the geopolitical neutrality she had so long cherished, and which had already granted the Republic the ability to provide arbitration to the situation in Frequesue (as well as playing host to the Frequesue Neutrality Conference, which seemed to finally be on the verge of wrapping up.).

[Siege]

The Tsar Situation

Tower of Commerce, downtown San Dorado



“General for the last time, I don’t want your men to intervene at this time. I know what definition of ‘intervention’ the Armed Interdiction Police uses – you’ll shoot everything that moves including any pet animals the tsar may have brought, and then your men will probably blow up the house too, just for good measure. That is not an option right now.” Director Helena Skye sounded agitated, because she was agitated. This whole tsar situation was just a mess she did not need right now.

“You’re exaggerating”, protested General William Sturmond of the AIP. “My men can be very tactful if needed.”

“Tactful only means you’ll taser the tsar’s men to death” injected Skye icily. “Instead of pumping them full of lead.”

In a bout of frustration the General dragged himself off the desk and began pacing the office of the Director. “Ma’am, with all due respect, what do you want my men to do? Any passing moment means those commandos turn that mansion into more of a fortress. Plus the perp might decide to flee! What are we supposed to do?”

“He’s not a perp general, he’s a former head of state. A dictator perhaps, but still. It means we have to move carefully. The Misterian government doesn’t want the tsar back, not yet anyway, so we can’t knock him over the head and extradite him. Then there’s our allies in the FTO who are figuring out whether there's some way we can nail him for some kind, any kind of transgression… Basically they want to host a trial and use it as a publicity stunt, but they're taking their sweet bloody time and it'll still be a pain in the ass to justify to our shareholders. But we also have to take into account what our newfound Slav allies might think of us if we just let the tsar slip away… And finally, the Mayor of La Palma is breathing down my neck. That corrupt fucker wants us to call off the ‘unwarranted harassment’ of the ‘upstanding citizen, Mr. Pyotr’.”

“He’s been bought, everyone knows that”, grumbled Sturmond. “If you want I can-”

“No, General! If I want anything from you I’ll have you know it!” Skye massaged her temples. “Great, now I have a headache. General, please continue your surveillance. The prevailing opinion of the Board is that we'll take no further steps for now, and hope that Pyotr decides to leave the country before anyone comes up with a plan – that way it’ll be somebody else’s problem to worry about. In the meantime though, Indhopal has offered the assistance of a SRG close quarters combat team in case we’ll want to apprehend the man, and we’re going to take them up on it.”

“Director, my men are more than capable of handling the situation should we want to extract Pyotr” the General protested.

“I know, I know.” Skye sighed. “But all help is welcome, and besides – Fortune forbid, but if anything goes wrong during a hypothetical extraction it’ll at least be seen as a multinational screw-up, not a mistake the blame for which lies solely with San Dorado.”

“What a great way to treat our allies”, the General shook his head.

“General, I truly think you’ve no legitimate reason whatsoever to complain about any kind of wrongful treatment.”

Result: San Dorado continues monitoring the tsar’s movements, but decides to do nothing more until someone else comes up with a Cunning Plan. Insofar as we’re concerned for now the tsar is just like any other dubious resident (and there are many).

[DarthShady]

The Story Part One

The Skies above PeZookia

A black An-26 flew across the night sky, followed by a MiG-31 escort; it was Premier Shady's plane. As it crossed the PeZookian border the MiG's made a swift turn and headed back to the USSR. The Plane continued towards Orena, inside it Premier Shady and his assistant Sofia were enjoying a drink. Sofia was a beautiful young woman in her twenties, she had been the Premiers assistant for almost a year now and they had become close friends. Shady picked up a pack of cigarettes and pulled one out, Sofia responded by giving him the look. The look was her facial expression, which she made whenever the Premier did something she did not approve. Smoking was one of those things she did not approve. "Those things will kill you, you know.", she said while Shady lit his cigarette, "And besides you shouldn't be smoking on the plane."

Shady smiled and exhaled the smoke from his lungs, "There are far more deadlier things than cigarettes in this world.", he reached for his glass of Vodka stopped halfway and looked Sofia in the eyes, "You wouldn't take one of my small pleasures away from me...would you now?" Sofia grinned and got up, "Of course not. Excuse me, I need to use the ladies room." Shady moved and let her pass. "Hurry back.", he said and turned to look through the window.

The view of Orena was beautiful, all those lights in the night looking like stars. Shady was looking forward to meeting with King Paul again, they were friends but the friendship was increasingly strained ever since the re-joining of the Border States. He hoped that this visit would allow them to work through those issues. His thoughts were interrupted by the Captain announcing that they would be landing soon. The Captains voice reminded him of the first time he got on a plane, for his trip to Belgrade. He remembered home, his life before Q decided to have some fun. He wondered how does one go from being an ATC controller to ruler of a country, it had been decades since then. At least he thought decades, he couldn't be sure. What would his life be like now, if Q hadn't interfered. "No point in remembering the past, it is the future that matters now.", he reminded himself and took another sip of his drink.

Sofia returned and took her seat next to the Premier. "You have that look again.", she said placing her hand on Shady's shoulder. "What look?", Shady smiled, "I was just remembering." She smiled, "Fine be that way, but one of these days I'll get inside your head and discover all your little secrets." Shady laughed. "I look forward to that day my dear.", he said placing his hand on hers. They were interrupted again by the planes wheels making contact with the runway.

Five minutes later the plane had come to a full stop and opened it's doors to let the passengers out. Outside on the runway King Paul and a very large welcoming committee were waiting for Shady. Several members of the Black Hand exited the plane first, followed by Sofia and the Premier. They made their way towards the waiting diplomats and the smiling King.

"Paul, dearest of all my friends...!", Shady said and extended his hand, "It is good to see you again." They laughed and shook hands. "It is good to see you too.", Paul said smiling, "It was about time you dropped by." Shady grinned. "I have been busy as you well know my friend.", he said smiling. "Queen Agatha, a pleasure to see you again.", Shady said while kissing the Queens hand. "Likewise.", she answered with a smile. "Allow me to introduce my assistant Sofia.", Shady said placing his hand on her shoulder, "Without her I would be a lost man." Paul smiled and kissed Sofia's hand, "A pleasure to meet you.", he said. The Marching Band began playing the national anthem of the USSR and everyone stood ceremonially and listened, some even looked bored. "Premier Shady, on behalf of the People of PeZookia, I welcome you to our soil with bread and salt, as is our tradition", Paul said loudly and smiled. Sofia and a couple of other assistants accepted the bread and salt from the welcoming committee. "And I accept this gift with gratitude", Shady said loudly and smiled.

Both leaders walked towards the waiting motorcade, waving at the gathered crowds. Paul was leading his wife, while Sofia accompanied the Premier. They paused briefly for a photo-op and then finally boarded the limousine.

"I hear you have been sick.", Shady said, "I hope it was nothing serious."

"Just a cold.", Paul said smiling, "I think I have it under control now, but you should have seen me the other day. I was chained to my bed and barely gathered enough strength to read." "We have all been there my friend.", Shady said , "It is not a pleasant thing, but in the end we are only human, very old humans but humans nonetheless." Paul laughed at the joke, remembering how old they really were. "Time is a strange thing.", he said smiling. Sofia gave both men a strange look, not understanding the joke. "Just ignore them my dear.", Queen Agatha smiled, "Their jokes are not very funny anyway." Everyone laughed for a moment and then Paul offered everyone a drink. "No thank you.", Shady said, "Already had one on the plane, Sofia doesn't like it if I drink too much." Sofia smiled but she was clearly uncomfortable, the man sitting opposite of her was a King after all and she couldn't bring herself to relax even though the man was very friendly. "Thank God the Queen is here too.", she thought to herself.

"Orena is a beautiful city at night.", Shady commented as they made their way towards the Royal Palace. "It is even more beautiful during the day, you will see. I have arranged a tour for tomorrow.", Paul said smiling, "It is a city with a long history as you well know, so there is a lot to see." Shady smiled, "Of course, I look forward to it." The conversation continued while the small group of limousines moved through the night, unaware of the dangers that lurked in the dark.

Ahead was a road intersection, no different than thousands of others in the city. The limos made their way to the intersection and continued on completely disregarding the traffic lights. The area had been cleared and security was tight. No one expected what was to come. Out of nowhere a truck appeared, speeding towards the leading limo. The drivers realized that something was up, so they accelerated making a run for it. But it was already too late, the leading vehicles engine exploded and it began to slow down. The truck had already closed the distance and then fiercely rammed the leading limo. Night became day as the truck exploded bringing death with it.

OOC: Written with PeZook's help.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

The new Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche IV that just rolled off the assembly line represented a major upgrade over the last Tranche III. Featuring more powerful thrust-vectoring engines, conformal fuel tanks that can be substituted with FAST packs, CAPTOR AESA radar, argon cooled IRST system, the aircraft had a titanium/composite reinforced airframe to allow it to reach Mach 2.25 at altitude, and a supercruise of Mach 1.5. The aircraft would undergo a series of flight and weapon tests before it was accepted into the airforce, and then mass production beginning next year. Among the weapons to be tested on the aircraft would CSR and MESS air to air missiles and air to ground missiles munitions, and some locally designed weapons, such as the BVR Meteor. It would take up to 3-4 years to replace the entire fleet of Tranche III aircraft. What will be done to the Tranche III aircraft remains to be seen.

[Raj Ahten]

In San Dorado

The advance team of the SRG team had already flown into San Dorado and was liaising with their forces. The shooters were scheduled to come in a few hours later. The actual prospects of action were quite slim; in fact the commander of the SRG, Colonel Tsing, was secretly more concerned about restraining General Sturmand’s command than the prospect of having to arrest the czar. The AIP had a bad rep for being trigger happy.

The SRG saw this mission as an opportunity to get past the AIP's reputation and see how they really operated. Indhopal's Special Forces community hoped to build strong ties with San Dorodo's force, as joint operations were always a possibility. Right now SRG teams were engaged in fighting the Revolutionary Front alongside Bearne's forces in the CFR for instance.

While it looked like the mission might only be a meet and great, the SRG men were planning as if they were going to have to assualt a heavily fortified compound held by fanatical defenders.

[Siege]

The Kittyhawk Gazette
Journal of Aerospace Aviation



At the Camp Kittyhawk Rocketfields yesterday the SDAF Rocket Forces conducted the first successful launch of the Lucrelance I heavy lift rocket. The Lucrelance is a hypergolicly-fueled two-stage rocket whose design was inspired in part by the heavy lifter rockets used to lift FASTA capsules into space. The previous test ended in disaster as the rocket blew up seconds after launch.

Although experts have confirmed to this magazine that the Lucrelance could theoretically be used as a two-stage ICBM to strike targets many thousands of kilometres away, the Rocket Forces have denied any ambition to use the missile as a strategic weapon. According to General Jane Masterson of the Rocket Forces “an ICBM is pointless without a warhead that makes a big boom – and we have no nuclear weapons. Besides, with so many sophisticated air defence systems capable of tracking and intercepting a projectile coming in on a ballistic trajectory we don’t think ICBMs are a pursuit worth our while.”

Instead, the Rocket Forces say, the Lucrelance I was developed principally as a heavy-lift satellite launcher, allowing for the boosting of even heavier satellites to even higher orbits. The Rocket Forces have already announced the rocket will be further developed: Lucrelance II will be a modified Lucrelance I with optional solid boosters, for which a variant of the Simoleon rocket will likely be used.

The recently published Armed Forces Reformation Act also reserves significant funds for a ‘Weapons System 464L’ related to Lucrelance I/II, but so far the SDAF has been unwilling to divulge more information concerning the nature of that system.

[PeZook]

LIVE on ShroomStratTV

On televisions around the world, GUTS 5: Revenge Of The Avenger Of The Flesh Monster was suddendly interrupted, to a collective scream of crap-addicted teenagers. Instead, a placeholder appeared and an agitated news anchor began babbling about something or other.

"We interrupt this programming for a special announcement. We go now LIVE to Tatiana Tyler-Truman, a special ShroomStrat correspondent in PeZookia."

The image changed to another placeholder with the Shroomanian Maverick Reporter logo and TTT's mugshot. Sounds of a firefight were apparent in the background.

"Thank you, Farbanti! I am standing here on the sixth floor of Orena's Shroomdorf Astoria hotel. Not a minute ago, a huge explosion shook Orena's city center, followed immediately by gunshots. We are not sure what is going on, but..."

The voice is interrupted but footsteps and someone banging on the door.

"Policja! Otwierać!"

"Something seems to be happening here...let me check..."

*CRASH* *Footsteps, surprised gasp from the reporter*

"NA ZIEMIE!" *another CRASH sound of something very expensive shattering*

"Czysto!"

"Czysto!"

"Sierzancie, ona chyba cos nadaje..."

"Wylacz to"

*KLICK*

"Uh, we seem to have lost contact..."

[DarthShady]

Co-written with Paul

Part Two

The bomb was extremely powerful ; Nearly a tonne of AMFO loaded into a dump truck, it formed an explosive charge similar in force to a 1000 kilogram air-dropped iron bomb.

The blast literally threw armoured limousines away, and converted the steel frame of the truck into shrapnel, massacring pedestrians and police escorts exposed on their motorbikes. Windows as far as six hundred meters away shattered instantly, and anyone who was exposed on the street at the moment of the blast would lose his hearing - sometimes permanently.

It was a compliment for PFS engineers that no limo was actually destroyed by the blast. The King's vehicle overturned and slammed into a steel lamp post with tremendous force, with interior equipment becoming deadly projectiles. Armor lining spalled, and Premier Shady was struck directly in the chest. The King himself was hit by a flying champagne glass, cutting his face and covering it in blood, while his wife managed to escape mostly unharmed, thanks to a BOR officer who pinned her to the floor the moment escorts spotted the speeding truck. Most other passengers received varying amounts of injury.

Two cars to the rear, BOR officers were racing towards the King's limo to extract their Sovereign.

But it wasn't over. Snipers equipped with high-powered, modern anti material rifles opened fire on the overturned limos, trying to set them on fire or kill the inhabitants. Other shooters pinned down the exposed BOR officers and anybody who tried to help the wounded.

Their positions were perfectly chosen, and they were good shooters. With the overbearing chaos and destruction, it seemed they'd be able to accomplish their task and get away.

Unbeknownst to them, however, Orena's monitoring system included more than simple cameras.

In the Municipal Emergency Co-ordination Center, the quiet night erupted into frantic activity, as half the city's gunfire sensors started reporting activity. Initially, the operators thought it was a system malfunction, but then the radio calls came.

"Bomb attack, bomb attack in central Orena"

"Patrol Unit 7-2 reporting automatic gunfire at the motorcade, moving to investigate"

"Sovereign in danger! All available units to assist the royal motorcade!"

From initial chaos, order began to form. Shift supervisors began giving commands, and information from the monitoring network was passed on immediately to all involved units, as per an oft-practiced procedure.

On the street, it was a nightmare of every BOR officer...becoming reality. People were dying and the sound of gunfire filled the night. The backup that followed the limos had arrived and now they were trying to reach the King, but were unable. They were pinned down and helplessly watched as the King's overturned limo took more and more damage until it caught fire.

The BOR officer who was protecting the Queen managed to break open the door and get out. He was trying to extract his sovereign but his bravery had a price, the price was his life. Several rounds struck him in the neck and chest and he bleed to death in front of his Queen. Paul in a great act of courage managed to get the badly wounded and half-concious Premier out of the vehicle, his wife and Sofia followed. Now they were pinned down behind the burning limo, unable to get out of the nightmare.

The night was filled with screams, sirens were wailing as police patrols approached from all directions, BOR officers running to protect their sovereign but getting gunned down half way there. Sofia sat on the ground holding the Premiers head and trying to stop the bleeding. He was still concious but unable to speak, she looked at him and yelled, "Don't you dare die on me!". Shady looked at her and tried to say something, but darkness fell on his eyes and he lost consciousness.

King Paul held his wife trying to protect her, but the reality was he couldn't protect anyone. This made him angry and he felt rage and helplessness, all he wanted was to get his beloved wife alive out of this nightmare.

The sound of police helicopters filled the air, they seemed like angels in the sky coming to the aid of those in the hell below.

With the recent events in Orena the PeZookian authorities suspected that something would happen so a Special Reaction Team was standing by at the Local Airbase. They were already en route to the scene, the question was would they arrive in time.

BOR officers were renown for their skill and courage and with good reason, but today they would be tested. The attackers seeing the resistance pinned down and unable to fight back, sent a special group to charge the defenders and finish the job. The men approached firing and gunning down the few BOR officers that were still left defending the King. The only surviving member of the Black Hand saw them and realized that this was it, the end. And then he saw something that shocked him beyond belief.

The BOR officers who were pinned across the street decided to make a run for it, they charged towards the overturned limousine guns blazing. Seeing their courage he grabbed his AK-47 and charged the attackers, hoping to buy them enough time. The attackers were not phased by his one man charge and opened fire, he fell dead at their feat only a small object slipping from his hand. "Grena...", one of the men shouted and was cut off by the explosion. Three of the attackers were blown to pieces.

His act of courage bought the BOR officers enough time to reach the limo, they formed a human shield around their sovereign and set up smoke screen. Under cover of smoke they made a run for the nearby building, using their bodies to protect the King and the other survivers.

The Special Reaction team had just arrived and not a moment to soon. Lady Luck was a whore and the attackers were fresh out of cash, within seconds Police snipers began taking them down.

Still the fight was not over, the gunmen were professionals and did not give up easily.

Damian Skalski, the police Commissioner who had helped Karic set up the whole thing, was now cowering behind his broken down limo. At first the thought the plan would work, the King would be dead and his goal achieved. But when he saw the civilians dying and the BOR officers sacrificing their lives to protect the King; the man he hated so much, he realized what he had done.

Karic had betrayed him, nothing happened as he had expected. Innocent people were dying and he was responsible, he could not believe it. He had become the very thing he hated so much. "Damn you Karic, these people were not supposed to die. May you rot in hell, you traitorous bastard.", he screamed in rage.

The reaction team was trying to reach the King's limo but the attackers were putting up one hell of a fight and progress was slow. One of the attackers managed to get close enough to throw a grenade at the building in which the survivors were now hiding, he raised his hand and...was knocked down by a man shouting, "Noooooo...." That man was Damian Skalski; the traitor turned hero. The Grenade exploded killing both men instantly. Damian's last thought was, "I'm sorry."

The attackers were now fighting a losing battle, their snipers were dead and the reaction team was closing in. There was only one thing they could do and that was to retreat. They had failed and now they just wanted to get out alive, at least they would try. Swarms of armed men were now rushing into the area, as every police officer in the city rushed to the sovereign's aid. Police helicopters hunting what was left of the attackers. The reaction team had gotten to the survivors and had loaded them into armoured cars.

To those involved it seemed like this hell lasted an eternity, in reality the whole thing lasted a little more than a few minutes.

Soon the entire city quarter was locked down by the Police, the hunt for the remaining assassins had begun. There would be no mercy for them, only death.

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

"The Republic of Cascadia has no objections in any way to improving our trade with our fellow Pacifican states", the Cascadian Vice President remarked, looking over her own paperwork besides her draft copy of the Serenite-Zorian proposal. "Cooperation in the spheres of academic matters and law enforcement are also most welcome, particularly in curbing the international human trafficking trade, which the Cascadian government is trying to convince the governments of the world to do more about."

"But I believe the first item needs some elaboration. The proposed joint defensive programs are not objectionable, of course, and we have already indulged in a number with Alaska and Serenity. Permitting common use of bases is permissible at face level, though clarification on how bases in Veleria will be treated is necessary, particularly if the Adabani Republic is not made a signatory of these agreements.

"The Akori Republic isn't present either. Perhaps in regards of using the bases in Veleria, our nations will also require the agreement of the local government. And probably notify or even request agreement from the allied nation in which the base belongs."

"However, we must recognize that in time of war, such use of bases would make other signatory states co-belligerents on behalf of the signatory engaged in hostilities. The action of one government can drag all into conflict. I believe strong clarification will be necessary as to how this agreement will be employed in the event of a signatory becoming a belligerent."
Alexandra put her hands together on the table. "And if this is to be a full military alliance, defensive or otherwise, then Serenity's position as a member-in-standing of the MESS complicates the situation. Particularly for us, as Cascadia has long sustained its independence from MESS despite their dominance of our home continent, and the Senate will not accept a treaty that would be seen as a way to bring us into the MESS de facto. It is, I admit, somewhat debatable that they would accept a full military alliance even without the MESS issue at hand."

"Currently it is a joint defensive alliance, therefore any offensive action taken by the member will not be covered by the alliance. Serenity's MESS related offense, such as the recent Shep/MESS War will not be covered by the alliance." Yenchin felt the sweat in his hands, "Should Serenity choose to stay out in a MESS conflict and still be attacked, I'd suggest the members of the Pact to at least review and consider the situation."

"Finally, the formal position of the Cascadian government in these talks is to enhance the links between the non-aligned Pacific nations, but only to the extent of the cooperation in economy, law-enforcement, peaceful research, and defense systems. At this time we are unsure of the wisdom of participation in a full-blown military alliance, particularly in this day and age of a major arms race beginning to form, and especially as such an alliance could very easily be seen as turning the Pacific states into an extension of the MESS through Serenity's membership in that alliance which would damage Cascadia's standing as a neutral state in geopolitical affairs."

"I second this position. As the purpose of the Pact is prosperity and integrity of the Pacific. Currently I believe the MESS has enough to handle our own Pacific matters, and I will see to it that the Pact won't be involved."

Sounded a bit like the isolationist Pan-Pacifican Movement. Yenchin checked the contents in his booklet and made sure some key different points were still there.

======

Guest Room, Atlantica Palace

While the King was meeting, Yuki Amami was monitoring information from Serenity. The Legislative Hall passed to increase the sentence for human trafficking and assistance of. The Executive Hall also announced that Homewater Defense will join the Coast Guard in intensifying patrols and inspection against any human trafficking attempt around Serenite waters.

[PeZook]

LIVE on ShroomStratTV

The shaky camera showed images of total chaos. A female voice with a classic Shroomish accent commented the situation, mostly just adding to the confusion - especially since the message was being constantly interrupted by static.

"...at least six gunmen and a suicide bomber..."



An ambulance drove by, siren on, almost running over the cameraman.

"...twenty dead, an unkown number of wounded...bullet holes everywhere...shattered glass..."



Two soldiers run nearby, the cameraman follows.

"...sources say the King and Premier Shady are dead..."

"Hey, you! Turn that camera off and get the hell out of here!"

[Coyote]

Seaside Palace, Canissia



"How are we looking, now, Colonel?" King Arik Coyotus-I asked while at hi smorning coffee at folder-reading.
"Very well, now, sir," Colonel Ressnar replied, "The economy has pretty well recovered from the war, we're replaced our losses mechanically and recruit-wise, and we're pretty much back where we were before the whole thing started."

"Good," the Sovereign said, "How come the THEL placements?"
"Two dozen THEL batteries are now in place, with many more being planned and foundations built. We're prioritizing coastal cities that are near the line of fire from Japanistan and Shepistan."

"Okee-dokee," the King said, pleased.
"Any official response to the cascade of problems currently engulfing the world?"

King Arik looked at the folders-- more and more yellows, oranges, red... at the moment, none of which directly affected Canissia, or only in an esoteric sense, such as the Tonkinite detonation. Arik had already pretty much accepted the death of this world as a given, seeing as how Shep and Japanistan would refuse to have it any other way, and with Tonkin as their dependable lickspittle providing them with atom bombs, it was only a matter of time.

"Nope," Arik said, gleefully setting the folders aside in a neat pile, most of them unread. "The maniacs are winning as they always do," he said with a sigh.
"Sir?" the Colonel asked.
"Nothing," Arik replied, "Just see to it that we are on alert for anything coming our way. The Tonkinites have the bomb, and as the loyal lapdogs of the Sheppos and Jappos they'll have access to it within minutes, if not already, so it's only a matter of time before they get squirrelly again. Let's schedule a civil defense drill tomorrow morning and make sure we have all our medical emergency response bays up to the task."

"Yes, sir," the Colonel said, feeling grim. "Where will you be?"
"I'm going to spend the day with my family," he said, "Call me if anything happens."