SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Third

[Lonestar]

Foreign Ministry Building

“Gentlemen, thank you for coming.” Lonestar gave an easy smile, and most of the men in the room gave on back. None of them really had any choice in the matter, but now a majority had agreed to join the Organization of Impact Crater Archipelago States. Augustine, Isla de la Plata, Montana del Dorado, Saint Martin, Kingston….and a few of the other islands.

But no San Fuego though. Well, they would have to be dealt with that later. Lonestar smiled again. “Well, let’s go ahead and proceed with the signing…”


Bocaraton Air Field, San Fuego

Presidente Trujillo was sweating profusely, despite the cool wet temperatures that typified the Southern part of the Archipelago. He was watching the treaty signing ceremony on the news feed.

“They’re going to come for me and kill me….”

“Shut up you idiot.” Wing Commander Usman Siddiqui said. Late of the SRGC, he had been in charge of the training mission to San Fuego when it all went tits-up. “If anyone is going to kill you, it’ll be me.” Siddiqui smiled “But that won’t happen anytime soon...so long as you adhere to my, ah, ‘suggestions’.”

“Wing Commander, you have brought death to my country.” Trujillo stood up, Siddiqui punched him, forcing him to crumple to the floor. Trujillo noted that none of ‘his’ security detail had so much as flinched.

“I said shut up. I will not let you turn my men over to be slaughtered by the Dominoes. We will fight to the last…but my goal is not to fight, it is to survive. We have a window of opportunity of perhaps a year, maybe 18 months. After that the Lord Fairfax will have finished repairs, and another of those damn STAR ships will have entered service. We have until then to find a way to guarantee our security.”

“But what if they just call on their friends to help…”

“The MESS is a coalition of democracies, conquest is anathema to them. Tian Xia might….but I doubt it. The Byzantines have shown in the past they will not lift one finger to help the Old Dominion, no matter what the issue is. The others are weak-willed mobocracies. No…we have a year, maybe 18 months. The ODN and components from the Augustinian Navy will be able to conquer us at that point.”

“How will you guarantee our security?”

“How does one fight a bully? You get a friend as big as the bully to protect you.” Siddiqui smiled.


Results:OICAS established.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Adrian Skye raised an eyebrow in faint surprise. "Indeed I am. What would you like us to talk about, Mr. Exarch?"

"Perhaps Mr. Skye, you could start with telling me why the Byzantine Government should hand you the contract? Your company passed the audit check on your assets ascertaining that you can afford the project, but why should we favour your bid over the Zorians'? Granted the Zorians have yet to substantiate their bid with more information on their architectural plans."

[Zor]

Dawkins and Wallice Arabopolis Proposal

(OOC-Sorry for it being text only, but i could not find a comprable building to match the one which SeigeTank took)

The building itself was fully land based, but done so in an elegant fashion, surrounded by an octogonal garden with a list of specific local flowers and trees, several black reflective pools with a statue of arabic historical figures in science, literature, architecture and art on an elegant fountain with concrete paths leading to eigh enterences. The building itself was also octogonal and Radially symetrical, with eight projections outside each co-ordinating with the statues each with a opservation room on top, offering an excellent veiw of the area, each two stories high and with an e. At the core was a large centeral dome, flattened out on with a hexigonal with upward cresting forms not too disimalar to the on the front of the San Dorodian in visiaul effect from ground level, althouh their was eight of them. The building itself was notably Art Deco in Terms of asthetic, done in gold, silver and and (for the windows) black, as well as having elegant internal elevators designed to show off it's lobbies. It also had four heavy spotlights to be fired into the air on four of it's projections. Also along with the blueprints and mockup, a set of designs for uniforms for the staff, which the lead architech had worked to fit in with the overall asthetic in collaboration with a Zorian Fashion Designer to match the facillity itself and was something of a tradition of the company started by her most famous employees, Frank Wright Lloydd.

Discounting the Gardens, the Facillity itself could accomidate some 150,000 and had a subterrainian parking lot for some 2,000 cars (supplemented by triangular external parking lots on the square lot it was to be built on). It had ten resteraunts, four convention halls and two concert halls.

[Siege]

"Perhaps Mr. Skye, you could start with telling me why the Byzantine Government should hand you the contract? Your company passed the audit check on your assets ascertaining that you can afford the project, but why should we favour your bid over the Zorians'? Granted the Zorians have yet to substantiate their bid with more information on their architectural plans."

"For one, Universal Construction has been building high-rise since the Fuller Building in 1902, meaning we have an impressive track record building big and are therefore the more reliable choice. For another, we are already working on the construction of several office and apartment buildings and a shopping mall in the same area meaning our design is sure to be further enhanced by the surrounding skyline. We're also an extremely efficient company, and I'm confident our design will be faster to finish, not to mention more affordable than whatever the Zorians come up with.

Furthermore, I also heard you have also opened a tender for the construction of new oil extraction facilities and refinery plants in Arabia. Universal Contruction happens to have ample experience with the construction of petrochemical plants- we built a great many of them in La Palma and President Hank here", the CEO pointed, "also happens to also be CEO of Standard Oil, and can confirm those facilities are top-notch."

"Oh, they are", Hank grinned.

"UC and Standard Oil are going to bid on this contract as well, and we've agreed that if your government grants us both, we'll build an opera house in Arabiapolis on our own purse. Here's a preliminary design..." Skye produced a CGI rendered image from his briefcase.



"Not surprisingly it's designed to nicely complement our convention center design. Consider it a gift, a show of how much we appreciate our economic ties to Byzantium. And finally of course there is a base economic dimension to my proposals... UC's parent company Universal Motors has won a Blues Brothers subcontract to help develop select aspects for that command ship they are developing with Constantinople Shipyards. If the two tenders to go San Dorado, the revenue stream for the Universal Motors consortium -in particular the one associated with the extraction of Arabian oil- means we could in all likelihood settle for a far sharper price on the other contract."

The President leaned back in his chair. "Funny how, in the global economy, all things seem so interconnected..."

"Mr. Exarch", Adrian Skye continued, "I'm confident San Dorado offers easily the best deal for Arabiapolis and Byzantium."

[Zor]

Message sent to Byzantine Government from Dawkins and Wallice

In your consideration for the bid, i sugjest you take into factor all the variables before making the decision. One thing that should be brought up is the prospects of our construction. While various factors have made highrise construction a more recent development in Zoria, we have seen the creation of numberous largescale projects including the famed ZN tower in Port Victory (the largest freestanding structure on this world) as well as plenty of work on skyscrapers across the world, from Canessia to Cascadia. We have a reputation of building beautiful and artistic strutures the world over and we have undertaken the rise of numerous renound landmarks. We also are notable for operating under the tight standards of Zorian Law the world over, from wages to saftey codes.

On the other hand, we would also bring up certain facts Universal Construction involving their 'efficient' construction methods and the matter in which they cut back on expenses. The fact that over tim a suprisingly large number of structures built by Universal Construction have collapsed during earthquakes, suffered from electrical fires or have had mechanical failures in various systems such as elevator malfuction or blackouts due to faulty wiring. The number of Deaths of construction workers in their employ is notoriously high, although it is known amongst worker orginizations for its low wages. This ultimately stems from the fact that their management staff are from a country which does not beleive in proven nessesities such as "saftey codes" or "building standards" to act as checks and measures to ensure security for workers and quality products and attempt to curcumnavigate them at every opertunity. Our executives have been brought up to work within the tight constraints of Zorian Regulatory Law and understand the value and nessesity of such standards. Despite a few notable acheivements, Universal Construction's Monopoly based in San Dorodo, backed up by an army of lawyers designed to wear out any lawsuit through legal attrition has given rise to a power which can make a good show in terms of speed and cost to pricedrop the corperation, but with ultimately one which produces very highly compromised products.

CEO-Janice C. Obuchi, Dawkins and Wallice Construction limited

A comprable message was provided to the local Arabopolis Press, as well as a list of statistics which would not be considered flattering, many of which being linked to a variety of accademic institutions and well referenced and reserched.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

"For one, Universal Construction has been building high-rise since the Fuller Building in 1902, meaning we have an impressive track record building big and are therefore the more reliable choice. For another, we are already working on the construction of several office and apartment buildings and a shopping mall in the same area meaning our design is sure to be further enhanced by the surrounding skyline. We're also an extremely efficient company, and I'm confident our design will be faster to finish, not to mention more affordable than whatever the Zorians come up with.

Furthermore, I also heard you have also opened a tender for the construction of new oil extraction facilities and refinery plants in Arabia. Universal Contruction happens to have ample experience with the construction of petrochemical plants- we built a great many of them in La Palma and President Hank here", the CEO pointed, "also happens to also be CEO of Standard Oil, and can confirm those facilities are top-notch."

"Oh, they are", Hank grinned.

"UC and Standard Oil are going to bid on this contract as well, and we've agreed that if your government grants us both, we'll build an opera house in Arabiapolis on our own purse. Here's a preliminary design..." Skye produced a CGI rendered image from his briefcase.

"Not surprisingly it's designed to nicely complement our convention center design. Consider it a gift, a show of how much we appreciate our economic ties to Byzantium. And finally of course there is a base economic dimension to my proposals... UC's parent company Universal Motors has won a Blues Brothers subcontract to help develop select aspects for that command ship they are developing with Constantinople Shipyards. If the two tenders to go San Dorado, the revenue stream for the Universal Motors consortium -in particular the one associated with the extraction of Arabian oil- means we could in all likelihood settle for a far sharper price on the other contract."

The President leaned back in his chair. "Funny how, in the global economy, all things seem so interconnected..."

"Mr. Exarch", Adrian Skye continued, "I'm confident San Dorado offers easily the best deal for Arabiapolis and Byzantium."

Decius pursed his lips while he studied the proposals. "These proposals here intrigue me, President Hank and Mr Skye. I will certain confer my vouch of confidence in your proposals to the Emperor, but I must discuss the details with my colleagues in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Energy before my government can give you a final answer. Rest assured that I am keen to develop our bilateral ties to the fullest. The decision to grant a foreign company an opportunity to develop the oil fields was in part to nurture some competition between the company and Byzantine Oil Inc. Not every... Byzantine company has a sterling record of course, and in part most oil markets are closed anyhow.

However, I will state first and foremost that my voice is only one of many. I cannot give a firm answer on who should get the contract in the end. The Oil contract is... unless someone else comes up with a bid, is a near shoo-in, but the convention project is a matter to be left to a inter-ministry committee to give the final answer."

[Siege]

Universal Construction Press Release

It has come to our attention that recently the Zorian company Dawkins and Wallice has been spreading false rumors about our company. Most notably among these baseless accusations are that an unquantified but "surprisingly large" number of buildings designed and built by Universal Construction have supposedly collapsed or have otherwise been found wanting, that the death toll among employees of Universal Construction is supposedly high, and that San Dorado supposedly does not "believe" in safety codes and building standards.

All of these accusations are blatantly false. The city-state of San Dorado straddles the fault-line where the Frequesuan and Velarian continental shelves meet; the tectonic friction between these two shelves has in fact formed the San Dorado Peninsula as well as the volcanic Kirkwood Mountains to its immediate south. As a result of the regular seismic activity in the area, Universal Construction has pretty much invented earthquake-proof high-rise. Our very first sky-scraper, the 1902 Fuller Building, is still standing to this very day, having survived several notable earthquakes.

Another result of the somewhat earthquake-prone location of San Dorado is that the city-state in fact does have a notable series of building standards and safety codes, and all Universal Construction buildings adhere to each and every one of them. Unlike some Zorian hecklers would have you believe, one does not build one of the world's largest metropolises without some modicum of regulation. And whilst there have been some documented incidents on Universal Construction building sites these have all been ruled by independent authorities to have been due to negligent sub-contractors. Even though Universal Construction bears no responsibility for these tragic accidents, we have gone out of our way to compensate those affected by the accidents.

Unlike the Zorian company claims Universal Construction is furthermore not a monopoly. Moreover, Universal Construction has operated in Arabiapolis for some time now; surely this demonstrates that we are perfectly up to the job of following the rigorous Byzantine construction codes and safety demands.

It is the firm belief of this company that the deceitful statements released by Dawkins and Wallice are yet another example of the universally egotistical Zorian attitude. It is common knowledge that in Zoria, an excess of draconian regulation enforced by an autocratic, overbearing government with control-issues has stifled Man's inherent creativity and competitivety. Unfortunately rather than to question their Orwellian government, the institutional arrogance surrounding all things Zorian causes the Zorians to time and again prefer to publicly slander foreign nations and corporations- a fact aptly demonstrated not just by the defamatory assertions about Universal Construction, but all the more by the recent international uproar concerning the book Lawkeepers of the World. Like was the case during that scandal, again San Dorado and Byzantium alike find themselves slandered by Zorian abecedarians with an unhealthy fondness for doctored statistics and bogus references.

To defend itself against further character assassination on the part of Dawkins and Wallice, Universal Construction has filed a suit in Zorian courts for defamation. Universal Construction seeks a sum of $1 billion in compensation and punitive damages for the marring of our good name.

In closing, it is the honest hope of this company that the public and the Byzantine government will not find themselves doubting the excellent track record of Universal Construction based upon the falsehoods spread by Zorian fabulists. And we are confident that despite the unfortunate slanderous assertions made by a dishonest competitor, Universal Construction will win the tender.

Julianne Veidt, CEO

[Siege]

However, I will state first and foremost that my voice is only one of many. I cannot give a firm answer on who should get the contract in the end. The Oil contract is... unless someone else comes up with a bid, is a near shoo-in, but the convention project is a matter to be left to a inter-ministry committee to give the final answer."

"Oh, your vouch of confidence is all we hoped for", President Hank looked exceedingly pleased with himself. "With it, your government surely will draw all the right conclusions. I'm firmly convinced that in this case what's right for Byzantium is right for San Dorado!"

[CmdrWilkens]

Imperial Marine Corps begins taking deliveries of Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle

After waiting close to a decade while the Old Dominion tested, re-tested, built, stripped, and re-built it the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle is finally arriving on the shores of Wilkonia. For close to the last century the Imperial Marine Corps has been the force called upon when the Empire needs to intervene overseas. In turn this produces a requirement to move the troops and their supplies from ship to shore and do so safely even if under fire. During the last three decades the prime tool for moving troops ashore has been either heloborne or on the Amphibious Assault Vehicle.

Today, military planners say, the risks of heloborne invasion are ratcheting up drastically. As naitons around the world engage in a limited arms race establishing huge integarted air defense networks the possibility that troops could come ashore safely onboard helicopters is droppign rapidly. At the same time waterborne troops are at risk due to their low speed of approach and especially due to the reliability issues of their equipment. Most of the AAVs currently used by the Marine Coprs are older by at least half than their operators. Several drivers and mechanics have joked only half seriously abotu workign on the very same machines that their fathers and uncles worked on. In at least one case the Ministry of Defense has confirmed a Lcpl assigned to Amphibious Tractor Maintenance Company C had, as a responsibility, maintenance of the same tractor that had carried his Uncle ashore during the Cayman troubles of 1993 and his Grandfather ashore during the short lived War of the Straight against the IRT in 1975.

Now with the EFV Marine Corps planners are looking to more than triple their speed of approach, giving the option for the landing craft to stand off over the horizon, and vastly improve the surviviability of troops assigned to the Amphibs. For the next few years less than a battalion's worth of vehicles will be delivered as Trainign and Doctrine Command will be using them to familizarize old hands as well as the next generation of trackers coming out of MOS school. Officials at Headquarters Marine Corps indicated that they expect to fully replace all AAV models no later than 2023.

[Steve]

Truongdi Refugee Camp, Le Kanh Province
Republic of Rangatara
19 June 2012


Three thousand tribals of the Malip group were packed into the Truongdi Refugee Camp in Rangatara, living as they had the past year due to the ongoing violence in their traditional homeland. Their Egsa rivals had been favored by Zoria with "protected zones" that effectively turned the animists into Zorian subjects. Most Malip, however, would never bow to the infidel pagan Zorians. In every Malip camp attempts by Zorian missionaries to convince them to embrace, or at least tolerate, their unholy "Norse" or "Shinto" faiths provoked nothing but scorn and even violence. In fact, only the Red Cross and the handful of Rangatara authorities kept those missionaries from meeting the bloody, violent fate that often awaited those handful that defied the Zorian military and attempted to convert Malip still in their traditional homeland.

As it was, the camp's population only remained stable because the young men who went off to avenge fathers, brothers, and cousins fighting the infidel in their homelands was balanced by new refugees fleeing the ever-expanding ring of Zorian control. And as they came and went, they spread the teachings of the missionaries in the camp that did get attention.

Half the population of the camp was gathered in the central "common" to hear the missionary speaking. The salt-bearded thin man, wearing traditional robes, held his Koran high: Abdullah bin Sayed of Egypt spoke as he did every Friday before leading the assembled in prayers, spending the rest of the week convincing the Malip to follow more orthodox Islamic practices than they usually did.

"Keep your faith in Allah; know that all goes according to His Will. The servants of Satan that have come upon you and sought to turn you from Allah will not prevail; at a time of his choosing they will be thrown into Hell and their stomachs roasted upon spits by Allah's command. The Zorian pagans will not escape Allah's wrath! If you go into battle with the pagans, do not fear Death, for you fight in jihad to defend your Faith from the Zorian Satan. Allah will raise you up to Paradise as reward! Remember that Allah is victory!"

The crowd responded, "Allah is the True God!"

The spiel from Sayed continued. "A Muslim woman must never let herself be defiled by the pagans! If an agent of the Zorian Satan attempts to take her, she must protect her purity to the death, and Allah will honor her in Paradise by freeing her loved ones from punishment. A Muslim child who's parents have been slain by the Zorian Satan must resist their temptations. If a Pagan offers you reward, spit it out upon them. Never stray from Allah. You will be reunited with your parents by Allah's will!"

"Allah is the True God!"

"The Zorian Satan has false Muslims who have sided against Allah! Do not listen to their pleas! The Satan uses them to lead good Muslims into blasphemy! Allah will torment them in Hell for their blasphemies! Listen not to them but to the Will of Allah, who calls the Faithful to Jihad to protect Muslim land from the Pagans!"

And so Sayed continued. But he wasn't the only Arab or foreign Muslim present, and some of the others were there for far different purposes.




Dragonsnake River Valley


The Zorian patrol was moving through partially-cleared jungle, checking for hidden Malip fighters as they had every day for the past several months, doing their part to protect Zoria's growing empire in Eastern Veleria. They were, for the most part, well-equipped and prepared for fighting tribals using primitive weapons with the occasional ancient rifle.
But today things would be different. Horribly different.

The lead soldier in the patrol didn't realize what had happened until it was too late. Hidden in the underbrush, an IED detonated and killed him instantly. Immediately the patrol started to take cover and check their surroundings. As they did so the shout of "Allahu Ackbah!" echoed from the jungle and the guns began to fire. And not old 19th century rifles and muskets, but modern rifles.
The intense firefight lasted a time, during which the Zorians killed ten attackers at the cost of one more dead soldier and two wounded. When reinforcements swept the area afterwards, they found guerrila fighters armed with modern guns and a couple cheap grenades, mostly of Shepistani make but a few old surplus Old Continent guns among them.
They also soon discovered something else: not all of the slain fighters were Malip or even of Velerian origin. A couple were, in fact, Arab.

In the coming days, a handful of other similar attacks would be waged against Zorian forces, the local Malips being aided directly by Jihadi groups from the rest of the world....

[Steve]

Smith-Hall Defense Quarterly


RCAF squadron receives first flight of 5th Gen fighters


After nearly twenty years of planning and testing, the Cascadian Air Force has joined the world's elite air forces by fielding "5th Generation" fighters with the assignment of four ASF-18 Sparrowhawk fighters to the 11th Fighter Squadron posted at Rodrigo Air Force Base in Rosario. The "Snake Eyes" Squadron as they're called, one of the most accomplished fighter squadrons in RCAF history, will be the first to be outfitted with the advanced ASF-18. The new light fighter utilizes an advanced Pelikan tail design as well as state-of-the-art avionics and electronic capabilities as well as stealth capability.

Major Anita Delgado, commander of the 11th Squadron, posted on the 1st Fighter Wing's website that it was a "singular honor" for her unit to be chosen to field the ASF-18. "It's a big step forward for the Snake Eyes, for the Cascadian Air Force, and for Cascadia as a nation," she said in an online interview with the magazine. "The Air Force has been through some lean times in the last twenty years and this is a sign that we're starting to regain our place among the elite of the world's air forces."
According to Major Delgado, the four aircraft will be used by her pilots for familiarization flights while further deliveries are awaited. Boeing's Douglass Defense Industries plants in Monroe and in Portland are responsible for producing the design, with Douglass Industries President Michael Lewis having gone on record confirming that his company will get enough ASF-18s done to outfit a full squadron with the new design completely by the end of the year, with some surplus.

The Cascadian Air Force has been cut down over the last thirty years after spending the first decades of the post-2WW era as a recognized premiere force in part due to decisions to pursue naval expansion in the 1970s and due to the decision to seek technical superiority over immediate expansion in the 90s. Over $90 Billion has been spent since 2000 to bring 5th Gen aircraft into the RCAF.


Navy to accept new ships by end of the year


The RCN is to gain several new ships by the end of the year due to the early stages of the Garrett Administration's ambitious "Future Defense Plan". Formulated in 2008 and 2009 and supported by the temporary expansion of the military budget to nearly $70B/year before the Pathogen War, the plan led to the laying down of a number of destroyers, frigates, and support vessels in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Among the vessels commissioning are the destroyer Keith Tromp, the frigates Jacob Wellers and Michael Garrison, and the amphibious transport Bremerton. Most of these ships are intended for assignment to the RCN's Amphibious Contingency Force, which will be centered around the amphibious assault carrier Constellation after it is fully deployed in 2014.

Following the Pathogen War a year and a half passed before new construction was started, with the nuclear carrier Reprisal and one of its intended escorts, a fifth 16,000 ton missile cruiser CRS Oregon, being laid at Bremerton Naval Shipyard.



Cascadian Army Chief of Staff resigns in protest over Administration's refusal to reactivate Guard unit.


General Harold Wellers has tendered his resignation from the Army this past week, citing the failure of the Garrett Administration to seriously consider "necessary upgrades of equipment" for the Cascadian Army as well as refusal to reconsider on the deactivation of the Cascadian 3rd Armored Guards Brigade, once an additional armored brigade of the Republic Guards Corps before being deactivated after the economic depression from the Pathogen War and the associated quarantines.
Wellers has accused the Administration, particularly Secretary of Defense Robert Dale and President Garrett himself, of being too infatuated with expanding Cascadia's overseas interests and footprint and the size of the Navy and Air Force to control it, ignoring the "pressing needs" of the Army. "The Army is for more than glaring at Tian soldiers at the Jieshi border," Wellers remarked in his resignation announcement. "We protect Cascadian citizens overseas too. And we're being asked to do it with less."
"We need our strength restored if we're to do everything we're asked of. If the President wants his big Navy and Air Force too, then he needs to raise the defense budget to match it, not get the money by listening to his Navy friends and cutting the Army. We're the heart and soul of the Republic; we deserve better than this."
There are no indications yet if the Defense Department is accepting General Wellers' resignation.

[Beowulf]

Tian Xia Navy accepts 4th carrier into commission

The 4th V-class carrier Vanquisher was initially built under the auspices of the Duchy of Tian Jiao. During Reintegration, it was transferred to the TXN. Completed late last year, it has been undergoing sea trials for the past several months. It is crewed with a mix from both Tian Xia and Tian Jiao.

TXA begins surprise demobilization along the Jieshi border

The heavily militarized border between Tian Xia and Cascadia has become less so, in recent days. Despite conciliatory actions in the past two decades, including Tian Xia Air Force purchases of aircraft from Cascadian companies, the border has remained as armed as ever. Yesterday, the 8th Armor Division began relocating north, leaving only two divisions manning the southwest border.

[Siege]

...

[Lonestar]

Dominion Defense

Maritime Security Taskforce returns from Caymans
The Maritime Security Taskforce deployed in support of Wilkonian operations has returned from the Caymans…[More]

House Passes Naval Expansion Law
The House of Burgesses has overwhelmingly passed a naval expansion law, with an additional 7 STAR CAGNs to be purchased over the next 5 years, bringing the total to 10 such vessels. In addition, all existing AEGIS vessels will be upgrade so that they can have greater interoperability with STAR ships, although they will not have the STAR system themselves.

The Naval Expansion Law does not authorize any new carriers, as the expansion deals largely with vessels intended for a continental defense role, and to dominate the Impact Crater region…[More]

ODAAF White Paper released
The Old Dominion Army Air Force has released a White Paper stating a requirement for a doubling of the F-22 Fleet, as well as ensuring all F-22 airframes are of the “B” Model.

In addition, there is a requirement for a heavy “Global Strike” aircraft, which will replace the ex-Shepistani B-56Gs. The paper did not state whether or not the bomber would be an “off-the-shelf” aircraft, or something new…[More]

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

Secret Communique to SNC leaders from Military Space Command

The MiG-105 space plane, designed to be launched from both rocket and hypersonic aircraft, reached operational status yesterday with the successful final manned flight test involving one pilot and a co-pilot. The aircraft reached orbit on a 11K59 booster and launched into space, circling the earth for 3 times, performing a series of maneuvers to test the aircraft flight systems. The aircraft deorbited and safely landed in one of the CSR airfields. Previously, the aircraft was tested unmanned on a rocket and on an aircraft and both tests were done over a course of 1 year before the final test. Both tests were successful.

Recommend the acquisition of these spacecraft for possible use in the future.

Signed,
General Karkov.

[Zor]

Dawkins and Wallice Counterclaim

The actions by Universal Construction have so far proven to be a futile endevor of mudslinging, nationalistic ranting and doublespeak in an attempt to focus blame against our proud company. This as much is evident as their orginizations have proven. Every claim that has been presented as to the faults was well documented and supported by official documents from local authorities' offficial investigations being backed up by a multitude of well trained professionals in a multitude of well respected universities, as well as of insurance claims over the lax standards and simple attrition amongst Universal Construction work crews. Especiallly among them was the damning number of instances of collapses, fires and other malfuctions amonst low cost apartments among the Working Quarters of San Dorodo's Sprall constructed by Universal Construction. Their claims of these failures being the work of Subcontractors is also false, various records on our listed examples indicate otherwise that Universal Construction worked in these fields directly. This lawsuit is nothing but an act of corperate bullying, one designed by the runners of a buissiness which prefers to win its battles through legal attrition rather than improving quality of product or better protect the saftey of their workers and well being of their product

Zorian Embassy, Republic of Rangatara

The Rangataran official took his seat at the meeting table and was greated by the Zorian Diplomant Moshe Reichstein, who after a slight amount of friendly light small talk came to buissiness.

"As you know, his majesty's government has set up a considerable presence along the dragonsnake River basin which has engaged in a considerable amount of resources in developing the area. This plan has, so far been a boon to your nation. We have employed some 5,000 Rangatarans to work in various roles at wages much higher than they would otherwise be able to make in their native lands and a number which will increase as our presence in the Dragonsnake River Vally does. The Royal Zorian Navy has considerably reduced pirate activity in the area, and if things continue, your native industries will have access to new resources. However, we are currently facing certain obsticals which are resulting in various delays, namely the danger posed by Islamist Geurillas which have as of far proven to be a obsticle which could sugnifigantly slow progress.

"On this point, we have noted the fact that a sugnifigant number of these forces are comming from Malip Refugees as well as, in the last few weeks, foreign Jihadis that are comming through your nation, which also pose various threats to your nation's stability as Islamist Fanatics Generally do. However, our nation beleivse that said efforts to distabilize the region could be limited through co-operation a proposed plan."

The Rangataran looked interested "And what would thab be?"

"The first stage is a minor adjustment in tha manner in which the Refugee Camps are run, forbid foreign aid workers to preach in refugee camps."

"Including your missionaries?" the Rangataran asked.

"Yes, it would only cause the locals to see things as biased and the reports say that missionaries efforts in the camps have only caused increased hostility and placed themselves in harms way. At the same time, intellegenece has received that various foreign Islamists are attempting to engage in rabble rousing amongst these natives. Secondly, engage in a joint effort with the Zorian navy to prevent the illegal arms via sea to cut the guerillas off from arms and ammunition, as well as the various internal militias inside your nation."

"You mean with Naval support from the Zorian Fleet."

"Partially, as well Zoria will provide you with various devices to help you with security, including providing you with things such as metal detectors and equipment for bomb squads. However, Zoria would also be willing to improve your local army." Moshe pulled out a box and opened it "This is a Royal Zordinace RZR9 Assault rifle, one of the finest weapons on Earth. The United Kingdom would be willing to supply your army with some 20,000 of these weapons as a package to help your nation's internal security. Along with these rifles would of course be various other equipment, including uniforms, helmets, backpacks, field cooking equipment, ammunition as well as some heavy machineguns, mortars, grenade launchers and trucks, as well as an investment of a million or so dollars to improve supplylines such as roads and such. At the same time, we would be willing to set up boot camps with Zorian Drill Instructors to improve the capability of your army. A more complete inventory of proposed methods has been provided here." He set down a folder containing a list of the plan elaborated more on.

After a quick runthrough, the Rangataran smiled "This seems more than reasonable agreement, i shall put it before my superiors as soon as possible."

"Zoria desires continued stability and peace the world over, Eastern Veleria especially. A pleasure doing buisiness with you."

[PeZook]

CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET
Report on geopolitical threats to the SNC
Joint Comittee For Continental Defence

Chapter 72: Conclusions

...all indicators point to a gigantic increase in MESS naval power over the next fifteen years. The STAR system will be deployed on several dozen vessels by 2025, and the MESS will have launched new aircraft carriers, procured new equipment and ships for their amphibious forces, as well as quite possibly new long-range aircraft.

Therefore, it is the recommendation of this comittee to base future defence of the Old Continent on weapon systems specifically designed to counter MESS naval and air superiority. The proposed employed weapon systems look as follows:

- Heavy, integrated networks of anti-air and anti-shipping defences, including SAM and ABM systems, shore defence batteries, mines, submarines and anti-submarine systems

- A defence-in-depth ground defence layer designed to quickly counter and push any amphibious landings into the sea, and provide wide-area coverage to prevent airborne units from accomplishing their objectives

- Employment of ASAT and space-based systems, including anti-satellite lasers, space fighters, weapon satellites

- A well-developed strategic first-strike capability utilizing nuclear weapons, aimed at preventing any potential enemy from projecting power into SNC territorry.

[Beowulf]

Rangatara

"So, you wish to buy some guns," stated Yuri Orlov.

"Yes, we want more of those AKs," replied the militia leader, Mehmet.

"You have the money for them?"

"We've got diamonds."

"Close enough." Yuri motioned to the jeweler he'd picked up. He knew the usual payment method for this area, and had planned ahead.

"Looks like about a 10 K." stated the jeweler.

"Great. Tell the crew to unload 100 cases from the airplane." Each case came with 10 AK-47s along with 3000 rounds of ammo.

Yuri and Mehmet watched as the plane was unloaded. "A pleasure doing business with you."

[Siege]

San Dorado Bids On Arabian Oil

Standard Oil petrochemical facility in the port of La Palma

Standard Oil and Universal Construction have officially made a bid on the Byzantine tender for the construction of new oil extraction facilities and refinery plants in Arabia. The two corporations have formed a $20 billion joint-venture for the construction and exploitation of several refining and petrochemical facilities, the companies said today. Standard Oil has designated Arabia as the region key to the corporation’s future growth. Universal Construction is currently locked in a bidding war with Zorian competitor Dawkins and Wallice over the contract for the construction of the Arabiapolis convention centre.

More Zorian Litigation
San Dorado-based law firm Stromberg, Anderson & Gerrard has issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Zorian company Dawkins and Wallice cease its continuing campaign of slander against its client Universal Construction or face additional litigation. “To any impartial observer”, a SA&G spokesperson said, “it is crystal clear that Dawkins and Wallice has embarked on a quest to drive the good name and standing of our client into the ground in order to secure its own financial interests. Their recent actions demonstrate they are clearly not interested in fair competition, preferring instead to sling mud.”

Universal Construction CEO Julianne Veidt meanwhile reacted to new Zorian accusations of malpractice on the part of her company. “Their claim boils down to, ‘some buildings in the Sprawl are unsafe’. I mean, that’s the best they can do? It is the Sprawl. Everything there is unsafe. They’re blaming us for random idiots failing to properly maintain century-old buildings. These accidents have nothing to do with our company, and any reasonable person can see these Zorian assertions about us have no merit whatsoever.”

[Steve]

Adams Capital District


The election year would soon be coming to Cascadia and it looked like it might be grueling. The unpopularity in some circles of Stephen's policy of trimming the Army to make up for necessary budget cuts while permitting the Air Force and Navy to mostly keep their ambitious upgrading schemes was alienating sections of the country even if others were supportive, the more isolationist elements disliked the increasingly-active, if independent, foreign policy, and only the material wealth of the Velerian annexations, including a recent significant offshore oil find near Van Halstoff, served to balance those out in some minds. Polls still looked favorable, at least, but a lot of bad things could happen in the coming year that could sink the Garrett Administration.

For the moment the discussion was on Veleria. Fredonia continued to be a powder keg that might soon explode. Overtures were coming from San Marin, which was interesting in drawing in Cascadian participation in its attempt to rebuild a semblence of security in the southern half of the continent and to stop the developing brushfire war between Alyaniyah and Zakariyah along with all its ills, including the resurgence of the slave-trade and increasing piracy. Cascadia traditionally monitored only the northern half of the continent, maintaining interests there and protecting its former colony Adabani and other interests with the Navy and deployed Army and Air Force contingents. Van Halstoff Territory and Welles Island had expanded that net to the entire northern coast, prompting some naval admirals to contemplate altering the deployment cycles to permit a rotation in which a carrier went out on deployment, spent half its overseas deployment operating off Van Halstoff, half operating off Adabani, and then returned home. Expanding this to the southern half of Veleria would... complicate things.

And then there was the Dragonsnake River Valley. The conflict between Islamic Malips and the multi-religious Zorians, who prided themselves on their unique take on Shinto as well as their "Norse" religion (the part of Stephen that remembered home earth often found the half-Japanese half-Caucasian mix in Zoria to be weird), seemed tailor-made to draw in Muslim groups from other parts of the world. Authorities in Adabani had already seized two shipments of contraband weapons being transshipped to the Dragonsnake River and were attempting to monitor native Islamic groups that might send fighters or materials to the Malip guerrilas. Two Norse missionaries in New Olympia had found their temple in the old Colonial Quarter desecrated the prior week, though at least they avoided the fate of the Norse priest in the Yulanti capital of Getta who was beaten to death by a mob that torched his temple before the local authorities could intervene.

In Rangatara the situation was volatile. The majority of refugees were in Le Kanh province with its own Malip and Egsa populations as well as the Islamic Lunay, and with the exception of the Egsa the local populace was sympathetic entirely to the refugees and anti-Zorian. Of course they had their own ethnic rivals further to the north and east, but they were also primarily Islamic and thus not easily swayed against their fellow Muslims, especially by the "pagan" Zorians. This region had been borderline pro-government during the recent coup, rebuking an attempt by leaders of the more ethnically uniform (and non-Muslim) Juna of eastern Rangatara to overthrow the government in the name of expelling foreign interests from Rangatara. That brief civil war had resulted in a Shinra intervention to protect Shinra nationals, focused in "Vincenttown" in Central Rangatara where Pan-Pacific Mining had a refining plant for nearby mines, and a general government victory. But the government's continued stability relied upon keeping the southwestern tribes supportive, which meant having to tread carefully when dealing with the inevitable Zorian attempts to deal with that end of the insurgent supply chain.

"The Second Pan-Pacific Conference is being delayed again, apparently. The Zorian authorities want better security in light of increased Islamic terrorism over the Dragonsnake Valley insurgency," Purnell remarked to the President as he was entertaining his two most important Cabinent officials on the dining balcony of the Presidential Mansion, a nice prepared lunch for them as the SecDef, SecState, and POTRC discussed business.

"That's a fine mess they've started," SecDef Dale remarked. "They're really committed to holding onto that river valley. Aside from the Japanistani their expansion into Veleria is probably the most ambitious I'd have to say."

"Not really our concern, at least for the moment," Purnell remarked. "Rangatara, on the other hand, is a growing concern. Not as bad as Fredonia right now, granted, but it could get there depending on how the Zorians act or, I should say, react. Because I don't think they'll be accepting any Zorian attempts to interfere directly in the camps or in doing too much to stop the arms trade. Cooperation with Zoria will only turn Le Kanh and the other nearby provinces against them and send them right back to where they started with the coup."

"That might still help Zoria out, though, if a local civil war distracts the militant groups from fighting them."

"It'll also serve to really piss off Shinra, Wilkonia, and especially Tonkin," Purnell pointed out. "Not to mention a few of our own industrialists. Cascadian interests in Rangatara are not widespread but we do have them..."

"I'm aware of that," Stephen said. "But we're not up to acting there beyond an international effort of some kind. Fredonia's about to descend into civil war and the Treaty of Hasiyah is still in effect. What assets we have will have to remain focused on that situation. And as long as the Zorians don't go around killing innocent people are interfering with innocent passage in the area, I have no desire to even get involved in East Veleria. Now onto the Army business, replacing Wellers and deciding how to respond to Tian Xia's sudden decision to rotate forces out of East Jieshi..."



Dareem, Republic of Hadhramara


The southeastern republic of Veleria was much like the former al-Akharabat was - a mostly failed, disorganized republic where the central government was effectively that of the Hadhra ethnic group's al-Yuza tribe and their capital of Dareem's environs. Out past that, other Hadhra tribes ruled their own little fiefdoms while paying only the thinnest of lip service to the central government's rule, allying or breaking with the al-Yuza as their sheiks and domineering imams chose. The southeast was dominated by the Ghazzari, Muslim converts from the dominant moon-worshipping Ghazza group of the al-Ghazzara Peninsula that was connected to Veleria proper by the thin Isthmus of Shroomston (the "Bridge of Allah" to the Hahdra, who had tried several times to conquer the moon-worshippers and who in earlier times relied upon the land bridge to conduct raids into al-Ghazzara for slaves to sell to traders from Astaria and Colonial Frequesue, before Tonkinese and Astarian interests colonized al-Ghazzara and, ironically, banned the slave trade and enforced the ban with their Navy to maintain a sufficient population for local rsource-gathering and agricultural production). To the northeast, along the eastern coast, were the southernmost members of the Draconi ethnic group, which included the animist Egsa and the Islamic Malip as well as the regional Penip, also Muslims if even more heterodox than the Malip (they were, for people from "Normal Earth", more like the Acehnese, with the Malip being somewhat like the Moros of the southern Philippines), thus providing a link to the ongoing conflict in the Dragonsnake River Valley if being more remote from the center of action.

Despite the lack of a full centralized government, Hadhramara still got its share of foreign interests, mostly Tonkinese, but with some investment from their former colonial rulers in Wilkonia as well as Zoria and Serenity due to proximity (Cascadian and Shinra investors tended to prefer al-Ghazzara). Some were not quite on the level - arms smugglers selling weapons to regional warlords and groups, human smugglers taking the victims of raids against neighboring tribes and even a thin traffic of persons from al-Ghazzara proper and Alyaniyah, some piracy along the waters leading to the Shroomston Isthmus and local ports being used for drug transshipment - while others were fully authentic.

Due to those admittedly thin interests as well as due to proximity, Hadhramara merited a Zorian Embassy. It was as secure as the Zorians could make it under the conditions, a concrete block building in the International Quarter of Dareem near the waterfront with a gate for all vehicle traffic. In daylight the gate, once usually open during operating hours to permit easy access, was now only opened at fifteen minute intervals for people coming and going unless an opening was authorized by the Charge d'Affairs of the Embassy.

During one of the gate openings this routine was completely disrupted... and exploited. Around the corner careened a truck, barely being controlled by its young driver, and it drove straight for the open gate. Gunfire erupted from nearby rooftops as the Zorian guards prepared to close the gate, hitting one non-fatally and forcing the others to take cover.

In the seconds that followed this sudden flurry of activity, with the handful of people waiting to traverse the opened gate jumping for cover, the truck went through the opened gate before anyone could get from cover to close it. The 14 year old driver of the Islamic Martyrs of the Malip, an orphaned son and mourning little brother of parents and siblings slain by Zorian troops and Zorian bombs, screamed "Allahu Ackbah!" joyously as he plunged into the front door of the building.

As the vehicle went through the heavy oaken doors and began to move into the lobby, the detonator in the back set off the C4, which itself triggered the larger quantities of ANFO that were stuffed into the truckbed. The young driver's self-immolation blew the guts out of the building, killing many of the people inside with some of the survivors dying as the structure collapsed around them, creating a burning pile of shattered concrete to be the collective funeral pyre of the Malip boy and his victims.

And with the destruction of the Zorian Embassy in Hadhramara, a bloody new phase of the Jihad against Zoria and her "pagans" was opened....



Actions

Due to the bombing of the Zorian Embassy in Hadhramara, Cascadian Embassies across Veleria and in other states deemed at risk for terrorism have increased alert level. Similarly, Adabani authorities are working to secure the area around the Zorian Embassy in New Olympia to prevent any attacks.

In an example of possible bad timing, but with the decision made and announced before the attacks, Rangatara's government has opted to only accept Zorian help in identifying ships suspected of arms smuggling. The Rangataran government is especially unwilling to ban religious groups from the refugee camps due to fear of backlash in the Islamic areas and a belief that the damage has already been done - expelling foreign charity workers engaged in missionary work would only enflame the refugees and supportive locals and the expelled workers' teachings would be circulated illegally or by followers within the camps. Since the attack, the government has posted security forces to the Embassy area of the capital city Malika to prevent any copycat actions or preplanned strikes.

The Cascadian Army has announced intentions to redeploy the 2nd Guards Division from Fort Shuyin in Jieshi to Forts Hackland and Roya in northern Columbia and southern Yukon respectively. Fort Shuyin will be redesignated as a Provincial Guard Headquarters for regiments of the Jieshi Brigade as well as being the posting for the 1st Infantry Brigade and 2nd Army Aviation Brigade of the Regulars' 7th Division.

Due to increasing tensions in Fredonia, the Intrepid Combined Operations Group is being deployed westward to watch the area of Fredonia's cost and provide support for protecting foreign citizens in Fredonia until relief by the arrival of the Republic COG into the North Velerian Operating Theater, upon which time Intrepid will return to Cascadia for standard downtime.

[Ryan Thunder]

Somewhere in the Capitol Buildings, Mirakar

"Gentlemen," the manager from the Department of Ungentlemanly Warfare began, but was interrupted by a forced cough. He rolled his eyes. "Sorry. Lady, and Gentlemen, this report is inconclusive. Is this the best you can do?"

The woman who had coughed earlier replied, "Sir, the bomb disintegrated the truck, and passengers that were driving it. Other than hearsay indicating that they came from the Commonwealth of Vineyards, there is simply nothing more to be found. Our internal surveillance network is totally inadequate to track these terrorists with any greater reliability than this."

"Yes. That is true. Unfortunately most of our budget seems to be devoted to other things at the moment. I'll see if we can coordinate with the Vinish security services to speed the process," the manager leaned back in his chair. "In the meantime, however, you're going to keep working on this. I don't give a flying shit about whether or not you can think of a solution yourselves; you're going to keep trying. You are dismissed."

Result: The Supreme Leader's expensive aerospace and weapons research programs may be coming back to bite him in the ass. Also, Miratia requests Vinish assistance in dealing with the terrorist threat.

[PeZook]

Miranda

The Soyuz 4 launch vehicle ignited its engines and blasted off into space, leaving behind a trail of smoke and four rocket boosters gently dropping down on parachutes. The mission would be full of firsts, and this was but a taste - the first stage boosters were fitted with parachutes to see if they could be used again, saving launch costs of the 11K59 Soyuz Rocket.

But most of the advanced tests were to happen in orbit. Days of scientific tests were planned, various innovative systems were going to be tested, and the entire mission would culminate with the world's first tethered spacewalk. For Alan Shroompard, the first human to fly in orbit, the mission would be a gruelling ordeal for one reason only.

Miranda Moonbeam.

"Wow! That was...what a ride! Wow! Incredible! Wow!", his flight engineer was going on and on about what an incredible experience the launch was. Alan was already annoyed.

"Yes. Please verify the pressure seal on our orbital module now."

"What? Oh! Yes, of course...", she said, undid her seat belts and floated down to the front hatch, "The seal is okay. I'll pressurize the module now."

Alan nodded and checked his instruments again. Everything seemed to be just as the mission planners wanted it.

A hiss of air announced the orbital module was being pressurized. It was kept empty of air during ascent, to provide an additional layer of safety, forcing the front hatch into its frame due to the pressure differential.

"Pressure nominal...no air loss detected...I'm opening the hatch now..."

Miranda turned the locks and opened the heavy metal door. The orbital module was just fine, and the frontal airlock beckoned to her from across the sphere-shaped living space. The doorway to heaven...a place to meet the gods.

She patted her space suit in the place where the "special" canteen was slipped in by a sympathetic ground technician. Soon, she thought, I will speak to Thor

[Siege]

Drop Test (II)

Fortuna Belli Proving Ground, South Velarian Sea

Once again the B-52 surged over the Proving Grounds, engines pounding in the hot and humid air, the launch crew huddled in its gray belly.

“Ready for another try, doctor?” the pilot asked.

Doctor Gerald Hastly, department head of OCD Experimental Sciences, nodded, then realized the pilot couldn’t see him and confirmed vocally. This would be the sixth test, the previous five had failed miserably (if spectacularly). First time there’d been something wrong with the booster/drone coupling, then an issue with the intake and exhaust cover had caused problems, the engine and chute on the third had simply failed to activate, then there’d been a problem with drag, and the fifth had blown in mid-air up due to a faulty fuel main.

By now even Hastly, ever enthusiastic about causing explosions, was worried that his design might not be all it was cracked up to be. But he’d diligently made his adjustments all the same, and was ready to try again.

“Approaching the drop site doctor. Be ready to do your thing.”

“Roger.”

“Four, three, two, one, launch!”

The bomber shuddered as the drone detached from its wing pylon. Its booster rocket ignited and the drone rocketed away from the mothership, trailing a supersonic boom as it rapidly accelerating to Mach 2.

“Here goes nothing…” Hastly murmured as he keyed in the command to activate the engine.



With a frightening roar the linear aerospike prototype ignited, powering the craft even as the rocket on its back died. Briefly it flew and then, just like that, it continued to fly, straight and true for dozens of kilometers, before running out of fuel and deploying its landing chute.

“Yes!” shouted Hastly, punching a fist in the air in triumph. “I did it!”

Result: OCD successfully tests an air-launched rocket-assisted aerospike-powered drone aircraft.

[Coyote]

Seal Test on Eagle Lander Scheduled for Today


Today, the EGL, or Exo-Gravity Lander (commonly called the 'Eagle') will be hoisted aloft today, but it will be active cargo, not flying under its own power.

For four days, engineers will live in a near-space environment on an EHAZE, or Extreme High Altitude Zeppelin, Experimental, in a long-term test of the Eagle's systems at altitude. Four engineers, part of the EGL program, will be along for the ride.

An internal cabin and work area inside the Zeppelin will be pressurized, allowing reserarchers to work in a shirt-sleeve (if slightly cold) environment, while the cargo bay and Eagle itself will be left exposed to the effects of Novaterras's upper stratosphere.

"We'll be testing pressure seals, mostly," said Chief Engineer Mel Tarkon, head of the EHAZE phase of testing. "We're going to run pressure tests of all the modules, do some unsealing and resealing tests of the cargo module to simulate dropping off and picking up the module, and we'll slowly bring up the atmosphere in the Eagle to human normal and see how it holds pressurization."

The EHAZE portion of the testing will involve many different phases, including testing the power and environmental controls while at altiude, interfacing with ground control, and a long-term survivability test with a crew living inside the Eagle for up to a week as if in a vacuum environment.

"It'll be awhile before we get to the actual engine testing," said Tarkon, "Even if everything goes perfectly, it'll be a year as we do these tests, digest the data, fine-tune things, and the like before we get to engine tests."

Even when engine tests are started, the duration of the tests will be brief and the Eagle will be tethered to the Zeppelin Mothership in case of failure.

"We're not talking about a simple cargo chain or a ordinary crane," Tarkon said, "We're going for maximum safety. At least four high-tension cables, like cargo handling cranes at shipping ports, for each corner, that sort of thing. If the engines fail, we don't want 116 tons of Eagle plummeting out of control to the ground."

Other tests for the future include ejecting the command module at the front and having it parachute to the ground under remote control, testing standard round parachutes, glide-chutes, and the ability to control landings both on ground and in the water, under remote guidance and then, eventually, under manned control.

"If we're lucky, and there's no problems, we'll be among the competition for the moon shot," Tarkon said, "A series of problems at any point --and remember, this is a complex piece of machinery-- will put us behind."

Tarkon defended the cost and complexity of the EGL program, however.

"Even if we don't make it to Selene first, the Eagle will, in the long run, still provide a superior multi-purpose platform for late rmissions. Remember, once we get this into space, it'll be the space truck we need to get everything done, even long-range exploration of other planets."



Results:
EGL begins extensive tests.

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


Lupine Meadows Community College Campus
Aerlon Province, Canissia




The night sky was dark, the moon and stars obscured by the thick trees all around. Far off, the campus was lit up, but here, out in the nearby nature reserve, it was quiet and secluded, exactly what the recent converts of Nordicism --the popular term among Canissians-- wanted.

"By Odin, we shall prevail!" the High Priest said in his most stentorian tones, "The gods of old have never left their children, it is instead the children of man who lost their path!" The High Priest was, in truth, simply the first person on the campus to convert (at least openly) and post a call to anyone who was interested to join him for rites.

So far, seventeen students of the campus's 1,200 strong student body had converted, although there were usually a few hangers-on that showed up out of curiosity, or for a dare, or because a friend was involved. The campus was largely tolerant of the small community of Nordics among them, even regarding them with a slightly bemused curiosity.

Tonight, there was a slightly smaller than usual crowd. A couple of drunk sorority girls were there, no doubt engaging in one phase or another of their social experimentations, having been freshly released from parental control. The High Priest --actually a normally shy, introverted boy named Walt-- was slightly annoyed by their shenanigans, but they were also cute, and rumored to be what were popularly known as "froshtitutes"-- freshman girls eager to hook up. He tolerated their giggling in the hopes that after the Rites were completed, he might be able to have a "spiritual conversation" with them later... and maybe open them up to some sort of "religious experience" or other involving him.

The campfire was roaring, which effectively destroyed night vision outside the circle of twelve participants, and the crackling of the fire also tended to mask the crackle of brush underfoot as others came to join the Nordics in their clearing. But these new arrivals were unexpected, and unwelcome.

"You dare defile the sacred lands of the Qalqayyid Panthenon!" a voice called out, muffled by an ornate mask of a jackal-headed god of ancient Canissian legend.

"What manner of intrusion is this!?" the High Priest --Walt-- demanded as his mind raced. Was something arranged for tonight with the initiates? He couldn't remember. He'd done a couple Jager bombs before starting, so his head was cloudy, and he was still having thoughts of the two girls with their low-cut shirts.

"The mighty Anubis has come to weigh your heart against the feather of justice!" the jackal-headed interloper said, "For your incursion into the lands of the mighty Osiris, Isis, Re, Bast, Set, Hathor... and Anubis!" The unidentified man in the Anubis mask flung something into the fire, and with a sudden FROOSH! a large plume of smoke shot up into the air.

From the woods stepped several more figures, dressed as the ancient Qalqayyid animal-head gods of the time of the Princess Raidaa, when the Qalqayyid Empire was at its height.

"You will pay for this insolence!" Walt yelled, striking a defiant pose as his initiates and converts stood to face the intruders. The "Qalqayyids" slightly outnumbered the Nordics, and worried glances were exchanged.

"Oh, no," "Anubis" yelled, "It is you who shall pay!" From behind, Walt felt a blow to the back of the head as someone else sucker-punched him. The Qalqayyids moved to attack the Nordics, and many of the Nordics --including the girls-- broke and scattered. Getting into a fistfight was not what they were prepared for, and the sudden upset to their peaceful night of planned drunken debauchery caused confusion. The Nordics on campus were mostly some of the geekier kids, using the opportunity for something akin to LARPing, and they were not truly prepared to face actual physical danger.

Walt got shoved around, his wooden staff --which he'd bought throught he Internet from an Odinist shop for R65.00-- was broken against a rock and tossed into the fire.

"You will not defile the lands of the ancient Qalqayyid gods," Anubis shouted again, "Not without paying a price!" Across the fire circle, people dressed as Bast and Set grabbed the Nordics' abandoned beer cooler and took off into the forest. "Thanks for the sacrificial offering!" one of them called back.

The Qalqayyids melted away, leaving Walt scared, angry and humiliated.

"There will be war!" he shouted into the forest, his fist raised defiantly into the air. Howls of laughter and the sounds of beer bottles clinking together wafted back, but no actual replies.

"War," he muttered, skulking away into the darkness, not looking at his expensive, carved wooden Odin staff burning in the fire. "War of the gods!"




Results:
Spread of neo-paganist Nordic beliefs into Canissia meet with some backlash.
Possible formation of Qalqayyid pagan cult, or possibly just rival college kids being bad.

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

Royal Palace, Serenity

The jihad against Zoria was not good news. Akori was near Rangatara, which also had its own population of Malip Muslims. Since there were quite a few Shintos, Nordics, and Fusangs(which were of Japanistani ethnicity) in the Serenite investors in Akori, this raised considerations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Yenchin himself. These considerations also extended to most of the Serenites in Akori with Issian ethnicity, which "look like the Japanistanis to the locals".

The Akori Government was willing to ask for more support, obviously in fear of possible domestic instability. The Hall of Tigers gave the green light, and the 1st Airbone Infantry Brigade was shipped out. The STAR upgraded Task Force Riki-Oh also began extending its range to Akori waters.