SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Second

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Serenity Sentinel

New Tico's Commissioned

After four years of construction, two new Ticonderoga Class cruisers, the KSS Daigoin Jaki and the KSS Akashi Goji have finally been commissioned. The new CGNs have been upgraded with New Horizon and various systems, such as the Type 2087 towed sonar. The Daigoin Jaki is likely to join the Task Force Riki-O while the Akashi Goji's deployment is yet to be announced.

Blue Sun Corporation Launches Sounding Rocket

While an official space organization has yet to be passed in the Legislative Hall, the Blue Sun Corporation has successfully launched their first sounding rocket, dubbed the "Rising Sun-I" up to around 250 Km of height. Helios Bleu, CEO of Blue Sun announced the success as "the initial step of Serenity's participation in the international space race". Blue Sun's stock prices skyrocketed immediately after the announcement.

Kenji Tachibana, the young leader of the Tachibana Heavy Industries refused to comment on the launch, while his sister Miho, of the R&D Department of THI, pointed out that Serenity had already been participating in the MESS based program, and that the launch of a sounding rocket "was really a small accomplishment" compared to the rigorous worldwide space race. She still congratulated the Blue Sun's success and wished them good luck.

Joint Research Announces New Stem Cells

A joint group consisting of Byzantium and Serenity scientists have announced the production of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). By transfecting stem cell related genes into non pluripotent cells, scientists were able to induce them into cells with stem cell-like traits. The results bring a new light into stem cell research, since it indicates that usage of embryos for stem cells may not be necessary, lowering the controversy.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Preliminary Upgrade Plan for existing BDX-III destroyers drawn up

The Navy has published some details for the upgrade plan for the BDX-III destroyers. Among the upgrades, include a new ultra low frequency active sonar similar to the Type 2087, anti-torpedo defences, SPY-3A radar and STAR combat system. Many of these systems were incorporated in the new cruisers that are now undergoing fitting out in the yards. The upgrade program will begin next year. The Navy also indicates that it plans to decommission its Ticonderonga cruisers and is open to foreign sales (and intra-MESS transfers).

Air Force indicates intent to replace F-15F ACTIVE with F-22B aircraft over the next 5-10 years.

The Air Force today outlined a plan to replace the F-15F ACTIVE with F-22B aircraft over the next 5-10 years. "The F-22 is the future. The F-15F has served us well, but we need to look towards our long term future plans. The F-15F may be transferred to the Army which certainly wouldn't mind more aircraft." The F-35 was said to be under evaluation but the F-22 was regarded as a superior choice. There is a program to upgrade existing F-22A aircraft to F-22B at the moment.

Production of Type 212B to be cut

The production of Type 212B submarines will be stopped. 8 have been produced so far, and it has been decided that the production will end. The existing upgrade program for the Type 212A to Type 212B will stop at 2/3 of the existing fleet of Type 212A. The remaining 8 Type 212A will be decommissioned sold, and their crews reassigned to be part of the manning for the Akula II Mod-B submarines.

[Siege]

Diplomatic Communique, Priority Two

FROM: Office of Sidney Hank, President of San Dorado
TO: All FTO member states
SUBJECT: Joint Taskforce expansion

Sirs, madams,

Over the past few years the Frequesuan Treaty Organization has proven to be not only a viable coalition of nations, but indeed a force that even Great Powers have to reckon with. From nothing, we have gone on to establish not only an alliance, but also a peacekeeping operation and, in the Joint Naval and Aerospace Command, a joint military force with a naval and aerial component.

The time has come to expand this initiative. Our navies and air forces have grown, and since the establishment of JNAC several FTO member nations have gone on to purchase aircraft carriers – San Dorado being amongst those. It is my opinion, and the opinion of the Board, that the natural next step in the evolution of the FTO is to form a joint carrier taskforce under JNAC.

Goal of this taskforce would be to at all times have at least one carrier plus escorting force available for FTO-sanctioned operations. Aircraft carriers would be rotated into and out of JNAC on a regular basis, e.g. if four carriers are made available, each would spend 3 months a year as part of the FTO task force.

We believe the formation of this joint carrier taskforce would be an excellent opportunity for further cooperation between our navies, and would be a powerful symbol of unity to the outside world.

Cordially,

Sidney Hank
President

[Lonestar]

Dominion Defense

GAO to sell off over 400 former Shepistani SRBMs and IRBMs

The GAO announced plans to sell off over 200 SS-26s and 300 DF-25 Shepistani ballistic missiles yesterday. The launch system will cost $1.4mil, while the missiles themselves will run for approximately $800,000 per unit. The missiles gained infamy during the "War of Cities".

These are just the latest former Shepistani weapon systems to be sold off by the Old Dominion. It is anticipated at least a hundred will be kept for "Mass attack" exercises.

Former Shepistani Army rifles have made their way into many private citizen hands in the past six months,being robust, reliable, and low-maintenance...[More]



Coast to Coast with Bart Bell
Good Evening, this is Bart Bell, your host for Coast to Coast. Today we're going to be talking about, what else?, Space Vampires, aliens, and a Gentleman who claims to come from a alternate Universe where the Shepistanis nuked everyone. But first, I have here a rather interesting email...

"Bart, I'm a contractor at Pope Army Air Force Base, and I have the oddest thing to report. As you may or may not know, Pope AAFB is the "Port of entry" for our missions in the former Shepistan. Recently everyone was ordered inside to the break room while a cargo aircraft came in from what is called "FOB Corvid Rock", a base we have near a suspected Shepistani command bunker. I "forgot" my Crackberry on the tarmac, and left the camera rolling. A copy of the video file is enclosed, as you can see the C-22 landed, Dominion Knights and folks wearing Shepistani Republican Guard Commando Uniforms exited, and they escorted someone on a gurney to a waiting CA101, which then took off. Pretty interesting, huh?"

It is interesting my friend, and we'll definitely have the video up on the show notes....

[Steve]

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

East Veleria becoming battleground after native sack of Mitsubombishi Post

LESONNO, RANGATARA - Natives from the unclaimed lands south of Rangatara are fleeing into Rangatara's southwestern province of Le Kanh in record numbers according to the International Red Cross, which has recently issued a press release outlining increases to the local Red Cross offices.

The "nationless" natives, primarily of the Egsa and Malip tribal groups, are fleeing increasing violence in the region south of Rangatara where Zorian authorities are engaging in large-scale operations against the Malip due to the brutal sack of the Mitsubombishi East Velerian Coastal Post two weeks ago. The Zorian military response has been to shift troops into the post and to engage in large-scale forest-clearing using fire-bombings which are now sending streams of natives fleeing into Rangatara. The situation threatens to disturb the precarious balance of the major Velerian state which has only recently emerged from a short civil war and resulting occupation by Shinra. Rangataran authorities are expected to approach the International Velerian Aid Committee when the IVAC meets in Constantinople next month to ask for further aid and support in light of the situation in Le Kanh.

Peace Corps of Cascadia spokesman Michael Cutter has issued a letter to the press and Peace Corps offices asking for the provision of further support to provide food, shelter, and medical attention to the growing numbers of Egsa and Malip refugees, who are now believed to number 12,000 and 15,000 respectively with a rate that will likely climb depending on the status of events in East Veleria.

Zorian authorities have found evidence that the sack was engineered by the Japanistani military garrison commander and a cabal of his officers who opposed the company's sale of the outpost, with support fromo Tokyo, to Zoria as part of the Zorian effort to expand their Port Adria enclave on the Dragonsnake River. One source in the Zorian Kingdom indicated that the government had issued a complaint to Tokyo on the sack and that there was widespread belief that the incident was staged with support from Tokyo. Japanistan has denied government involvement in the attack so far.

When asked about operations in East Veleria, Zorian military officials have only said that they will continue or halt the bombing of the forested areas depending upon how the local natives act from now on.


Van Halstoff port opens to fanfare

PORT YING, VAN HALSTOFF TERRITORY - The civilian port facilities of Van Halstoff Territory were opened earlier this week by a crowd of civilian and military officials along with the private companies that helped build and prepare the facility. Named after a Cascadian Air Force aviator killed in a deadly plane crash in the Kingdom of Serenity during the establishment of Van Halstoff Base three years ago, the port is going to service the small but growing civilian population of this western outpost of the Cascadian Republic, taking pressure off of the purely military facilities at nearby Van Halstoff Naval Base.

The port will also improve the export of quartz, diamond, and tin, which had been found in copious quantities in Van Halstoff, which so far have had to be shipped out from Van Halstoff Naval Base in limited fashion with permission by the Cascadian Navy. Authorities believe that the increased income of exporting strategic materials will help offset the estimated $5 billion spent upon establishing and maintaining Van Halstoff Base during the heyday of the al-Akharabat Intervention.

An annex to Port Ying, the PetroCas facility, is currently being considered due to recent indications of substantial off-shore oil deposits.

[DarthShady]

Location: LEGION Secret Base, Somewhere in the USSR
Section One of Legion

"The virus, if it can be called that is truly marvelous.", the small man began, "It will take us some time but I assure you Comrade, we will learn everything there is to know about this plague from space."

"Make sure you do. The Premier considers this to be a matter of great importance.", Kane said.

"No need to worry Comrade, I have my best people working on it.", the man said, "Might I inquire as to how we got the samples?"

"Courtesy of our Byzantine allies.", Kane said, "Now Doctor, I leave you to your work. I need to check the progress of Section two."

Result: The USSR begins researching the HERV Virus, and the Mad Science Division of the Shadow Union is revealed.

[Coiler]

Coilerburg welcomes first nuclear submarine into its fleet

One of two Vigilant-class submarines ordered by the Coilerburg navy, the San Dorado-built CBS Warden officially entered service today in a grand ceremony......

Coilerburg Silver Streak crewman chosen

Coilerburg has officially announced its choice of crewman for the upcoming Silver Streak launch. The choice was 46-year old Air Force officer Alphonse Jenn. There have been many concerns about choosing him over many younger officers, but Coilerburg officials have not been worried. "Jenn has served many years in the cutting-edge of the Coilerburg air force. Would you rather have an experienced officer who has flown in combat multiple times and is used to the unexpected, or a young and inexperienced pilot chosen because he's supposedly more vigorous."

[Siege]

The First Woman



Camp Kittyhawk Rocketfields

The massive rocket powered away from the surface, the unmanned Silver Streak prototype on its very tip looking diminutive in comparison with the booster and the huge pillar of flame that erupted from it. On a column of smoke it thundered into the heavens, still accelerating.

"So major, how does that look?" grinned Dr. Jensen.

Flight major Nadine Sadler gulped as she watched the rocket disappear from view. "It's, uh, an impressive sight."

"Assuming everything goes according to plan, that's going to be you in one month."

Sadler nodded, and tried to hide her nervousness. As it looked now FASTA might beat the Rocket Authority to launching the first female astronaut into space, but she had a lot to live up to all the same. She would be both the first San Doradan and the first Frequesuan in space (though she'd have to share the latter honor with a Coilerburgian). It was a pretty big step for someone who had only signed up to be a pilot. Still, all the simulations made the Silver Streak out to be fairly simple to fly. She threw another look at the slowly dispersing column of smoke left by the rocket. Here was to hoping the simulations were right.

Result: The first San Doradan in space will be a woman: Nadine Sadler (twin brother of test pilot Eddy Sadler, incidentally). She and Alphonse Jenn will be blasted into space one month from now.

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin

Director Kaklamanis congratulates the MSA on their first manned launch

Mere hours after the manned X-20 spaceplane landed safely on Earth, FASTA Director of Operations Damian Kaklamanis sent a congratulatory note to his counterpart at the MSA.

"A second place in this race is still an important achievement, and we wish only the best of luck to our MESS colleagues.", the Director commented during a press conference later.

Hero's welcome for Nikolas Tatopolus at Constantinopole

A ticker tape parade was held in honor of the first Byzantine to fly in space, after the young astronaut returned from orbit, where he accomplished the first ever stand-up EVA. The young test pilot landed in the Atlantic less than a week ago, and after debriefing, was allowed to meet with his family and attend several functions on invitation from various countries, including PeZookia - where he will tour schools and universities along with colonel Zakoscielny.

Alan Shroompard, the first man to have flown in orbit, is currently preparing for the final Mercury mission, Mercury 6, for which he's been chosen as a command pilot.

[Lonestar]

Dominion Defense

"MAROON HARVEST" begins off Canissan Coast
The first large scale MESS exercise, MAROON HARVEST, has begun off the Canissan coast with the arrival of the Bulwark strike group. Also participating is the 1st Strategic Strike Wing(B-56Gs), and 28th Interceptor Wing(F-39 Super Griffins), in addition to smaller components of other major combat units.

This is the largest and farthest deployment of Dominion military assets since the end of WW2, and signifies the change of mentality from a "Garrison" military to a "Expeditionary" one.[More]

EA-6 Force to be slashed by 70%
The venerable EA-6C will be facing a much reduced role in the OD military in coming years, with force numbers reduced from 100 to 30, and the aircraft being entirely retired from ODAAF inventory. The planes will be sent to the "Boneyard" for preservation and spares.

The EA-6C was devolved to suppress the Shepistani air defense network, which no longer exists[More]

STAR IADS to be central to new continental defense scheme
The Ministry of War confirmed that there are plans to use the STAR system as a ground base air defense network on the continent of Shepland. There are plans for construction of 20 sites that cost over $10bil total for the next 5 years.

The planned layout is similar to the land-based version of AEGIS Tian Xia and the Byzantine Empire uses. Both Wilkonia and the Byzantine Empire have confirmed that they are working on a landbased version of STAR as well…[More]

[CmdrWilkens]

Ministry of Defense announces committment to MAROON HARVEST

Earlier today officials at the Ministry of Defense gave a statement indicating only that Wilkonia would be participating in this year's intra-MESS exercises off the coast of Canissia. It has only been in the hours since then that a series of leaks have begun to indicate the size of the committment. Despite cutbacks in deployments for mostof the armed forces the Ministry is sending a full naval taskforce (TF 59 headed by the Marit Larsen) as the naval contingent along with at least 3 Air Force Wings and possibly the 2nd Bomber as well. Marine and Army committments are still being witheld by all the sources which have been made available but early indications are that it will be significant given the nature of most of the exercise being offshore.

Being the first major training exercise since the introduction of the STAR battlespace management system officials within both the Ministry and the Committee for Imperial Defense see this as the perfect testing ground for using and perfecting the system. While none were willing to comment on the record several background breifings have already indicated that the Wilkonian committment is so large to attempt to literally overwhelm the system with too many tasks and targets to see if it can hold up under combat data loads.


Delta Rockets Firing Again

The Royal Space Agency has indicated that after the last launch of a Delta-Thor rocket resulted in an aborted seperation with the second and third stages, followed by a degenerating orbit and destruction of the payload. The most recent launch wa a success and the Delta program is back on track.

[RogueIce]

Battlegroup One to Participate in MAROON HARVEST

The Navy has announced that Battlegroup One (BG-1) will be among the multiservice participation in the MAROON HARVEST exercises. THis deployment of BG-1, led by the recently overhauled carrier SRS Zeus (CVN 46) also marks the initial operational deployment of the SRS Imperator (DDGN 108), one of the Navy's newest combatants and leader of her class of STAR destroyers. Battlegroup One will also be making a series of port visits to Old Continent nations, among them MESS members Canissia and Byzantium. The Navy has not released information concerning other port visits, citing that details are still being worked out with potential host nations.

In related news, Battlegroup Three (BG-3) marks the first deployment for her flagship, the SRS Pegasus (CVN 50). The SRS Allegiance (CGN 63) and first of the new STAR cruisers will also be deploying with the Battlegroup.

Meanwhile, the Navy continues the process of retrofitting current ships to operate under the new STAR systems...[Continued, pg. 7]

[PeZook]

Orena Evening News

PeZookian government to produce generic medicine

In an effort to lower drug prices, the PeZookian government-owned pharmaceutical concern "PolPharma" will begin producing unbranded 'generic' medicine, and selling them at-cost.

"We live in an age where advanced drugs can be produced cheaply and in great quantities ; We have an obligation to use this ability to provide better, cheaper access to medicine even for the poorest embers of out society.", the King stated during a press conference.

Pharmaceutical companies have begun lobbying heavily in opposition to the initiative, fearing that introduction of cheap medicine will lower their profits and discourage research into new drugs, thus hurting the medical system as a whole.

Alan Shroompard sick ; Svetlana Savitskaya to fly on Mercury 6

Alan Shroompard, the famous Shroomanian and first man to have flown in orbit, contracted influenza during his visit to a children's hospital in Sarajevo. Because of this, he was struck from the flight roster and his backup, Svetlana Savitskaya, will fly on Mercury 6 instead.

This revelation comes hot on the heels of San Dorado's announcement that their first astronaut will be a woman, and puts FASTA in position to potentially outpace San Dorado in a race to put the first woman into orbit.

[Siege]

The First Woman



Flight major Nadine Sadler gulped, even though her mouth was perfectly dry. She was laying in the pilot’s seat in the cockpit of the orbiter bolted atop the Lucrelance II space rocket. Through the small windows in front of her there was nothing but clouded sky to be seen. Her space suit felt heavy and cumbersome.

“T-minus 45 minutes to launch”, the voice of mission control crackled in her ear. On the HUD, the countdown continued second-by-second as the bullet points on the prelaunch checklist winked green one by one.

Slightly awkwardly she lifted a finger and activated the radio. “Uh, command, how about that cloud cover?”

“Air Force Control reports all weather rules are currently ‘go’, Silver Streak. It’s just some light clouds. Nothing to worry about”, the voice replied crisply and professionally.

“Nervous, major?” asked Alphonse Jenn over the internal radio. Saddler’s fellow astronaut was sitting somewhere behind her, out of her sight.

“Are you kidding me?” Saddler replied. “We’re about to ride nine hundred thousand kilograms of rocket made by the lowest bidder into orbit. Of course I’m nervous. Aren’t you?”

“I kinda feel like puking my guts out”, grinned Jenn. “But that would make a right mess of my suit.”

“Heh. How’s the final checks coming?”

“Fuel cells are enabled. C/W memory clear. OMS engines turned on. Everything’s looking good so far.”

“Alright. Enable backup flight system and execute computer data transfer to BFS.

“Copy that, primary avionics SW to BFS.”

“Cabin pressurization check is complete” mission command informed them. “T-minus 20 minutes and counting.”

“Load OPS 1 into the BFS.”

“Check.”

“Begin main propulsion system start-up.”

Outside the rocket, coolant vapour began streaming away from the base of the rocket's main engine stage, an extra measure taken to ensure the stability of the hypergolic fuel mixture.

“Silver Streak, the prelaunch checklist is complete. All systems green. You are go for launch.”

“Confirmed”, breathed Saddler. Adrenalin was pulsing through her veins. A part of her mind was screaming at her to abandon this insane venture and get the hell out of here. She ignored it. It was far too late to back out. “All systems go for launch.”

“We are retracting the crew access arm.”

“Roger that.”

“No way out but up”, said Jenn. He sounded tense. She could understand why. A lot was -literally- riding on this launch: the first woman in space, the first San Doradan in space, the first Coilerburgian in space, the first Frequesuans in space. Assuming they made it up and down alive, of course.

“We are starting the final countdown from nine minutes.”

On the HUD, the green digits of the countdown changed to red as the last minutes before launch began ticking away. The countdown sequence was now being controlled by the Programmable Aerospace Ground Equipment, cutting all potential human fallibility out of the loop.

“Oh lord, please don’t let us screw up”, murmured Jenn.

“There is no god”, replied Saddler absent-mindedly, trying her best not to think of the tens of thousands of kilograms of rocket fuel sitting just meters below them.

“And there is a Lady Fortune?” Jenn replied melancholically.

“Right now, I sure hope so”, leered Saddler.

“T-minus 1 minute.”

“Please just get it over with…”

“Five… Four… Three… Two… One… Ignition!”

With a terrible shudder the booster rockets attached to the main stage ignited. Jumping and shaking and rattling her teeth, Saddler saw the cloud cover come nearer, faster and faster until the rocket punched into the clouds and then shot out the other end. The acceleration pressed her into the seat, lightly at first but then harder and harder as the pressure increased to the highly unpleasant 4.5 gees they had been exposed to in the training centre.


The Lucrelance II rocket carrying Silver Streak is swallowed by a cloud deck moments after liftoff as seen from the Camp Kittyhawk Rocketfields Complex 39 press site.

The first stage main engine ignited and as the pressure increased to 5 gees the solid boosters disconnected and began their long fall to the Pacific below, followed soon enough by the ignition of the second stage.

Then, still suddenly, the second stage cut out and fell away. The disagreeable sensation of high gravity disappeared and was replaced by an odd feeling of weightlessness. Saddler slowly and carefully moved the control stick, and the Silver Streak rolled lazily around its axis. Behind the window, the deep black of interplanetary space was replaced by the blue-green-white of the spinning Earth. Saddler watched in awe as the Old Continent approached beneath them and the Silver Streak sped into the planetary noon.

She activated her microphone. “Mission control, this is Silver Streak. We are in orbit. And I've got to say, the view sure is pretty up here.”

Saddler grinned. Space would never be the same.



Result: Sorry Svetlana, we have you beat .

[Lonestar]

Virginia Register

Bio-Weapons Ban treaty fails ratification.
In a stunning repudiation of the International Biological Weapons Ban Treaty, the House of Burgesses voted against ratification, 289-123.

"The effectiveness of these weapons cannot be underestimated," Said one member of the legislature "Just look at the country formerly known as Shepistan. It would be a disservice to our constituents to deny our armed forces these weapons." [More]

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Navy announces commitment to MAROON HARVEST exercise.

The Navy has announced that the IBNS Constantine Battlegroup will participate in the MAROON HARVEST exercise. "This is merely an exercise to engage our MESS allies. We are not making plans for war or anything of the like," says a Navy spokesman.

Byzantine Pharmaceutical shrugs off PeZookian Government's decision to produce generics

Byzantine Pharmaceutical CEO shrugged off the PeZookian Government's recent decision to produce generic medicine. "To be frank, contrary to popular opinion, most of our medicinal research is funded by the Government. An example would be the joint agreement with the Kingdom of Serenity to fund biomedical research. We are after all part owned by the Government Investment Agency and thus are expected to charge prices that are scaled according to how much a person can afford to pay."

[DarthShady]

Live on Shroom Sat TV
F1 Big Event
Second Race of The Season

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a great pleasure for me to announce that the second race of the F1 Season begins in two days. Teams representing nations from all over the world are expected to participate in the event, some have already arrived to Sarajevo and are preparing for the big race. The Byzantines took the trophy in the first race, and now the other teams have a chance to take it back. Whether this will happen, or will the Byzantines triumph again is unknown, but I sure plan on being right here to see it.

We go now live to the track, to bring you a sneak preview of the Shinra teams preparations.


Well, they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I'm not sure about that, but I can tell you right now, this will be one hell of a race.

[Coiler]

Back on solid ground after the brief yet successful mission, Alfonse Jenn grinned as he saw camera after camera take pictures of him and Nadine Sadler, as ground crew helped them out of the Silver Streak. It wasn't the cameras he was grinning at so much as that Coilerburg had done what many other countries hadn't done yet.

He knew that after countless wars, coups, and corruption scandals, his countrymen needed something that would them all proud of being who they were. Jenn knew that this would be a moment where all of Coilerburg and indeed, all of Frequesue, would be proud of what they had accomplished today.

[CmdrWilkens]

King Andreneas to call for a special convention of the MESS

Spokesmen for the Royal Hosue today indicated that King Andreneas is currently preparing to call for a summit of leaders from the MESS in the wake of the Old Dominion's repudiation of the Biolgical Weapons Treaty. After the convention in Cancun late last year it has been something of a quiet priority for the King to gain as close to universal acceptance as possible for the treaty. The Old Dominion had signed the treaty and assurances were continuously forthcoming from its Foreign Officers that acceptance was merely a matter of time and formality.

Now with the sudden failure to ratify the Foreign Ministry says that it has been instructed to prepare the same package of incentives and reprisals against the Old Dominion that it has prepared against other non-compliant nations such as the incorporated Republic of Tonkin. While no initiative has yet been formalized into law or action for any non-signatory the Royal House remains deeply involved in the efforts to gain broader acceptance of the treaty.

Leaders of the Green Party today indicated that they would be willing to caucus with the majority Federalist party in regards to this issue as it has been at the forefront of their party's platform for much of the last decade and a half.

"We feel that the Government and the Sovreign are doing, and have done, the right thing for the nation and the world by pursuing this policy," party spokesman Gerald R Butler IV stated earlier this afternoon. "While we understand alliances are neccessarry in a dangerous world if we ally ourselves with those who would use the power of the human body to kill then what does it say of our nation and its moral standing."

No official statement has been fortchoming from any of the other parties though off record statements of Republican Party officials indicated that any attempt to disrupt the MESS alliance would bring its entire membership out in force to force a vote of no-confidence in the current government.

[PeZook]

Finance Tower, Orena

GlaxoShroomKline's offices were spacious and modern, with all amenities you would expect to find in a national headquarters of a global pharmaceutical giant. In these offices, strategic decisions were made affecting thousands of jobs and flow of millions of dollars. Power concentrated in these clean halls and stately rooms could shape the health of populations, and affect more than one political decision.

In conference room C, long after hours, a meeting regarding just such a move was being held. A senior marketing director was presenting estimates and simulations for loss of profit resulting from the opening of new generic drug production lines at the PolPharma factory - and not just to GlaxoShroomKline's senior management. CEOs and other high-level official from every pharmaceutical company operating in PeZookia were all here - normally fierce competitors, now brought together by a common issue.

Especially since the numbers were looking increasingly grim.

"Gentlemen, we need a good strategy to deal with problem, and we need it now. We all know how naive, idealistic and downright stubborn the King is, so we can't lobby him to abandom the idea.", GSK's CEO, Martin Hellbender, said after the presentation was done. The final chart was still being projected onto the screen, with a huge red "-30%" next to it, "But we all know something has to be done."

"What do we know about these generic drugs? Have your people prepared any reports on the matter?", asked Jude Law, financial director of Imperial Pharmaceuticals, a major Wilkonian company.

"The short story is basically to make them as cheap as possible...PolPharma will use every drug on which patents have expired, and make them unbranded, in generic packaging, sell at cost.", GSK's marketing director quickly intervened with the relevant facts.

This apparently have Law an idea, "Patents! We should move quickly to renew patents on as many of these drugs as possible...I'm sure all of us have plenty of lawyers who can work the patent laws here to our advantage...we could deny PolPharma anything that isn't Vitamin C!"

"There is one problem with that. The press.", Hellbender rained on Law's parade, "They will rip us a new one if they find out. Plus, I'm reluctant to go and outright fight a war over this matter with the government...remember what they did to BnL and MacMill's?"

Everyone in attendance nodded. Both fast food franchises suffered horrible losses as a result of the Health Board's massive raid on their restaurants. Some details which surfaces since the incident indicated that both companies were attempting to use underhanded methods in order to relax food regulations, and got smacked down in response.

"There is another way...", the marketing director who gave the presentation rose and walked over to the chart hanging ominously over everybody's heads, "Gentlemen, why do we brand our drugs?"

The question was obviously rhethorical, and won him only irritated glances from around the room.

"Okay, I'll cut straight to the point...we've spent hundreds of millions promoting our brands. Why hang them out to dry now? We use brands because they incite trust, help sales, create a professional image. Our offensive against PolPharma should concentrate on advocating supreriority of branded drugs, and playing on the incompetence of government operations."

"So...we launch a massive PR campaign in favor of branded drugs? The idea's not half bad...", Hellbender leaned back in his chair, thinking deeply, "And if we create enough of an information jam, quietly re-patenting old drugs could go through unseen."

His musings were met with satisfied smiles from around the table. The big companies could shape public opinion, after all - and even in a monarchy, public opinion counted very, very much.

Result: Corporations plot to cut the legs from under the generic drug initiative.

[Siege]

Pharmawar



SinTEK corporate headquarters, outskirts of La Palma

"So, government manufactured generic drugs, huh?" Daphne Sinclair rubbed her cheek. "I bet that went over real well with our esteemed rivals on the Old Continent."

"Oh, they're howling alright." Jenna Davis leered. She was Sinclair's confidante and de facto (though not de jure) replacement as CEO of SinTEK as long as Sinclair served on San Dorado's Board of Directors. One of Davis' biggest projects had been the penetration of the Old Continent's pharmaceutical markets. So far though, all her attempts had been thwarted by established pharmaceutical corporations.

The Old Continent's Big Pharma used massive advertising campaigns, strong-armed retailers, pulled strings to have shipments 'lost' or 'impounded' - used every dirty trick in the corporate trick book to inconvenience the Frequesuans. SinTEK had lost massive amounts of money for no appreciable gain, which had irritated the megacorporation to no end. To those who had caused her such grief in dire straits amused Davis to no end.

"You know, we could use this", murmured Sinclair. "If the PeZookians feel like cooperating, that is..."

"Do I smell a cunning plan?" smiled her number two.

"Send a message to the PeZookian government. Tell them we, uh, appreciate their efforts to bolster the health of their populace, and would like to work with PolPharm to provide safe yet cheap medication to the people of the Old Continent. We'd be willing to settle for a very modest profit."

"'Modest profit' won't sit right with the shareholders", Davis frowned .

"They'll agree to it once they realize that this allows us to finally establish a presence on the Old Continent. Once we're settled, we can start expanding our presence. Bigger presence, bigger profits. Besides, they won't pass up an opportunity to screw over the assholes at GlaxoShroomKline. I know our shareholders, and they're nothing if not vindictive bastards. Considering the way GSK screwed us over in the past, come-uppance is in order."

Result: SinTEK bioscience offers to help out PolPharm manufacture oodles of cheap pharmaceuticals, for a modest profit.

[PeZook]

PolPharma factory near Fabowice, PeZookia

PolPharma always was a government-run company, and it has always manufactured drugs. Until a few days ago, it charged profits, too, and was, generally, part of the "Big Pharma" club.

But it all changed now. Government appointees running the company decided to completely change strategy, and it had been causing an incredible headache for everyone at the corporate offices ever since. Lists of "generic" drugs had to be compiled, production lines retooled, patents checked, distribution overhauled.

The lists were painfully small, too. While most common drugs, like painkillers, popular anti-inflammatory compounds, cough medication and such were easy to make in generic form, most advanced antibiotics or medication for cancer, AIDS, alzheimer's or diabetes was jealously guarded by other Big Pharma corporations. And they were not about to give them up, either. Incidentally, this shortage of legally available drugs - which had potential to destroy the entire initiative - was the topic of every single meeting at PolPharma's offices for the past two days.

But today morning, a fax arrived - from San Dorado.

"Modest profits, eh?", Karol Kaniewski, PolPharma's director, read the single piece of paper with suspicion. He handed it back to his assistant and asked her, "What do you think of this?"

"We've run some simulations, sir. If we make a deal with SinTek, we'll be able to get access to some of their patented drugs we're not able to secure ourselves. They'd be around 30% more expensive than what we had in mind due to profits, transport and customs costs, but that's still only around 60% as much as most manufacturers charge today."

Director Kaniewski played absent-mindedly with his pen. There was a catch to that - there had to be. Untill a week ago, he was a CEO of one of the big pharmaceutical companies, after all, before the government decided to gimp it. He knew how the game was played.

"Well, it won't hurt to have a chat with them. Arrange a delegation, will you?"

"Naturally, sir!"

[PeZook]

"Mielec" Rocket Manufacturing Facility, near Orena

The massive Lucrelance II booster went a long way from home to find itself inside the Prototype Assembly Hall of the newly-established Rocket Manufacturing Facility in PeZookia. Nevertheless, hundreds of FASTA engineers from all countries were preparing for its arrival for months, working hard on designing an adapter capable of mating an 11K59 third stage to the Lucrelance II, which should, theoretically, result in a rocket capable of throwing 5 tonne objects to interplanetary trajectories. Improvements made to second-stage engines would also give the new booster enhanced LEO throw weight.

But it was all in the future. Right now, the tenatively named "Titan" rocket had to be poked and prodded and disassembled, modified, reassembled and then poked again - even before its first flight.



Still, it would be far faster than making a new rocket from scratch.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

"Hmm.. you know what, GSK is bound to throw a fit over this," said the CEO of Byzantine Pharmaceuticals.

"Yeah, and we abandoned most of the high end drug market to them, and focused on niche areas, and often areas which aren't too saturated. Or.. we resort to generics."

"And our government heavily dislikes companies making profits from the poor. As a result, the government forces companies to either sell them at the price we set, or don't sell. As a result, they are forced to either cede a large market, or do business with us."

"I don't understand why the PeZookian government got so uppity about it though. With their population size, they have more than enough bargaining power to force GSK to comply with their demands."

"Possibly attempts by politicians to at least appear that they are doing something about it. Our system isn't 100% socialist, but the Government at least makes sure that everyone at least has the means to survive."

"Indeed. So should we remind the PeZookian government that their neighbour already produces generics?"

"Sure, send a note through the foreign ministry. We'll see what they say."

"Damn Shroomanian corporate muggers eh?"

The CEO smiled.

[DarthShady]

Live on Shroom Strat/Sat TV
Second Race of the Season

This is Mat Shroomskin reporting live from the big event. The preparations are over, the drivers are ready and the second race of the season is about to begin. Michael Schumacher, the winner of the season opener, is a crowd favorite but he'll be going against some really skilled opponents today. The City of Sarajevo is filled with foreigners who have come to watch the event in person, and they won't be disappointed. We go now live to track, to get a feel of the atmosphere, with our PeZookian reporter Adrianna.

"Adrianna, whats it like down there?"



"Well, Mat as you can see...The crowd is going wild. The people you see behind me are supporters of the Shadow Unions team, and they want a victory today."

"And what of the other fans?"

"The place is filled, and there is no lack of support for the other teams. Byzantine supporters are by far the most numerous, and everybody is having a good time."

"Thank you Adrianna, we go now live to the preparation area to check out the drivers and see the final preparations before the race.



The drivers sure look like they're ready for the race, let's hope the ladies won't be too much of a distraction.



That might be a problem. *laughter*

It appears we have some real eager fans on the vehicles.

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, I can't predict the winner, but I can tell you that this will be one hell of a race. And here we go...that was the signal. The race is about to begin. Everybody is moving to position and the fans are anxiously waiting. We go now live to the Start line.



And, they're off...

Result: The race has begun.