SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Fourth

[Steve]

"Global Issues", program on TPNN (Trans-Pacific News Network) out of Seattle


The host was a respectable looking older man with glasses and a nice suit, Roy Sumpter. The panel on his show consisted of Gene Keller University professor Charles Snyder, Cascadian Senator Ron Snow of Oregon, and the newly elected Yukon Assemblyman Lewis Buckner.

"....seriously, does anyone believe this? Heraclius, who mind you didn't have the best departure from the MESS, 'suddenly' remembers some old summit meeting where the MESS leaders talked about Sheppard being alive?"
"Well, he wasn't going to say anything before because who would've believed him?," Snyder retorted to Buckner. "But he has the former President Stanislav backing him now, he's got corroboration..."
"What corroboration? The word of a hardline Communist Head of State with every reason to stir trouble up to heighten the CATO-MESS divide and make CATO signatories more reliant upon the UCSR?"
Sumpter brought a hand up. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but there is the point that, while there are a few differences facially, the man called Rhee Anh Sheppard looks just like Mark Al-Sheppard."
"They were brothers," Buckner pointed out. "I used to get confused with my brother all the time!"
"I think the point here is that Stanislav, right or wrong, has gotten off a devastating first strike on the Old Dominion and the MESS as a whole," Snow pointed out. "And they laid the ground work for it, the Old Dominion did, through their obsessive secrecy in former Shepistan, through their... their general militaristic and aggressive attitudes toward the rest of the world, and the recruitment of former Shepistani officers. I mean, yeah, you could have some bomber pilot for Shepistan's old SAC that was in a bunk reading a book while the plague-bombs rained on Astaria, but the mere fact that he's a SAC officer makes him complicit in the eyes of the world. You... you can't split the two, the global image of the Shepistani Strategic Forces is that of being an organization of war criminals, and by permitting these pilots, these officers, to fly with the Old Dominion they have opened themselves to these charges."

"They were trying to reconcile with the Shepistani survivors and integrate them into the Dominion society," Buckner pointed out, "isn't that what everyone's been waiting for the Dominion to do? To get over the days of calling Shepistanis 'rock chuckers' and 'brownies' and accept becoming a multiracial society?"
"Or they were getting their hands on pilots and bomber crews who wouldn't flinch if the Old Dominion decided to drop plague-bombs of their own on someone," Snyder remarked.
"Oh, big shock coming from the Red Keller professor," ,Buckner guffawed. "Let's face it, for you people good ol' 'Comrade Stanislav' speaks and the Truth comes out."
"I resent that...."
Sumpter spoke up again. "So we know Professor Snyder thinks the charges are true and Assemblyman Buckner isn't convinced, what about you Senator?"
"They could be true. I mean, I don't know. Short of a way to do something conclusive like a DNA test we'll never know for sure," Snow pointed out. "I mean, Stanislav and Heraclius can charge all they want but the hard evidence isn't there. Documents can be forged, witnesses can be wrong unintentionally or intentionally through bribery and threats, I mean... there's no way for Stanislav to conclusively prove it, beyond a shadow of a doubt, without something like DNA evidence. Anything less and it becomes a simple charge, a really sensationalist one and something a lot of people will believe, but still just a charge and something that can be denied. After that the whole issue becomes more of a test of your loyalties. If you're CATO then Stanislav's right, if you're MESS he's not. And I think he knows this, so the big question is why?"
Sumpter shrugged. "Okay then... why?"

"Well, I can only say that he maybe wanted to put the MESS under a microscope, to put them on the diplomatic and political defensive," Snow postulated. "The MESS has usually been the one to instigate these crises with CATO having to react. Now CATO's given them a sucker punch and MESS is reeling."
"Which is exactly what Stanislav wants for another reason," Buckner added. "If the attempts at CATO-MESS reconciliation fail - which they probably will now - then CATO is looking at a Cold War against a superior opponent and the outer CATO nations will be more and more reliant upon the UCSR. This is what Stanislav's purpose is, to wreck any hope of a real peace and make sure that the countries in CATO are totally reliant on the UCSR, to revive the glory days of the past when the Crimsons were going everywhere. And, please, who really expects the UCSR to refrain from subtle nudgings here and there to make their allies more ideologically acceptable? I give it a half century before we're talking about the re-dedication of San Dorado's Tower of Commerce into the Tower of Socialist Prosperity when the NFT becomes the Peoples' Republic of North Frequesue," Buckner scoffed.
"Oh come on, that is preposterous," Snyder retorted. "What is this, 1980? Are you on Lewis Ruckner Live ranting about the Communist menace? It's 2018 for Christ's sake..."
"I think the million or so Misterians who were trying to flee their homeland's glorious new socialist republic might disagree...."
Sumpter cleared his throat and broke in. "Senator Snow, your thoughts?"
"Well, I think Assemblyman Buckner may have a point, it does ultimately benefit the UCSR in many ways if this 'Cold War' continues and the CATO nations become more reliant upon them. MESS is very much an alliance of roughly equal states power wise while CATO is centered around the UCSR and a perceived threat from them would undermine latent anti-Communist movements in places like San Dorado and PeZookia that might otherwise threaten CATO's unity. On the other hand, I'm not sure if Stanislav understands the dangers of what he's done. CATO is the inferior alliance and while this may have been a bid to get more nations to sign on with them, if it backfires... I mean, if it doesn't result in a situation where the MESS has been completely isolationed... it could leave the world polarized, the two alliances unwilling to make any peace overtures, and CATO still in a badly inferior position economically and militarily...."

[Lonestar]

Corvid Rock


Lonestar paced around the viewing gallery, cursing. He kept glancing at his watch, wondering what the hold up was. The doors opened.

"It's about time Blitzschlag...JESUS!"



"Whoops, sorry boss. Doktor Blitz wanted me to sit in on this."

Sheppard frowned.

"Who are you? What's with your voice?"

"Shep, this is one of our troubleshooters." Lonestar shot Wade a 'don't fucking talk' look. "As for why he's here..."

"In case the whole thing goes tits-up." Wade said cheerfully. "Doc Blitz said he was going to finish up some final adjustments, then head up."

"Alright, let's just wait quietly..." The last thing Lonestar needed was Sheppard asking questions about the 'working prototype'.

"What's with the Katana? Seriously, who the hell uses swords..." Sheppard was interrupted when the Katana was unsheathed in less than half a second, the blade thrust up against his neck. A cut appeared and blood dribbled down the sword.

"Your man Siddiqui tried to kill me with it, and I like shiny objects. It reminds me of all the lunatics that continue to walk free..."

"Wade! Knock it off!" Lonestar said. Well, my Shep problem might just go away in a bit...

Wade cocked his head, then sheathed the Katana. "Of course...Lord Fairfax."

At that moment Blitzschlag walked in.

"Damnit Blitzschlag, you said we would be ready as soon as arrived. The Goddamn media is having a field day and I'm under a rock..."

"I am sorry Mein Herr, ze intrinsic field generator failed a calibration test so it needed some last minute work."

"What's an intrinsic field?" Sheppard asked, rubbing his throat.

"Something hack writers invent in order to justify a Tesla coil perched over a body."

"Vell, let us proceed!" Blitzschlag walked over to the window and stood by the console. He pushed a button. "All technicians clear ze operating room!" the two remaining technicians ran out. The heavy steel door closed. He turned to Shep and grinned. "Now, ve shall so you rock-chuckers how it is really done!" He reached for a switch...

"Shroombot!" Sheppard cackled.

Blitzschlag paused. "Actually, we are not entirely positive. After all, we didn't have some DNA lying around..."

"But he looks just like him! The Tattoo!"

"Herr Shroom was a head of state, you may recall..."

"Ah yes." That Sheppard understood. "Doubles."

"Ja. Plus he enjoyed watching himself fuck himself, or so ze intel file said."

There was silence.

"What?"

"And now.....SCIENCE!!!" Blitzschlag threw the switch. There was a flash of blue lightening from the Tesla Coil and the body shuddered. After a few seconds it stopped. The shutters on the cameras(the eyes having been eaten by the fishies) opened. The body let loose a low groan. Blitzschlag pushed a button.

"Herr Shroom? Can you hear me?"

"What...what..."

"Herr Shroom, ve haf revived you!"

"No...no...I was somewhere else...oh no..."

"Ja! You were on a boat...."

"My soul was..." Shroom made a few mouthshapes without noise.

"Vell," Blitzschlag said cheerfully "If it is any consolation, your souls is probably still there. Verily, you are proof that one doesn't need a soul!"

"Jesus Christ Blitzschlag!" Lonestar said. He pushed him out of the way. "Shroom? It's...."

With a roar of anguish Shroombot snapped the steel cables holding him down.

"KAAAAAAAAAAAA NEEEEEEDAAAA!"

Blitzschlag took over the intercom again. "Herr Shroom, you must calm down! You are a miracle of science!"

"You prostituted my body! You turned me into a WHORE! WHORES! WHORES! LUUUUUSKY-CHAN!" He ripped off the table and threw it at the viewing gallery, fortunately it bounced right off the security glass. He turned and started to pound on the door. Blitzschlag turned to the other three.

"Fortunately, he will not be able to get out..."

There was a loud bang and clang as the security door went flying. They looked at a security feed as Shroombot ripped off the head of the first Dominion ranger he encountered. Shroombot picked up the Ranger's carbine and started to shoot at other arriving personnel.

"Hell yeah! He knows how to party!"

"Wade!" Lonestar said.

"Yeah, yeah..." Wade disappeared.

--------

SHROOMBOT continued to shoot up all comers. "WHORES! WHORES! WHOOOOOORRRREEESSSS!" He bellowed as the body count grew. Bullets hit him, but he barely felt them.

"Yo Fugly! I got the cure for what ails ya!"

SHROOMBOT turned to see a man in a combat suit holding two MP7s.

"Two Gun Mojo, baby." A hail of rounds entered the "snipers triangle." SHROOMBOT fell back. "That's how..." Wade paused as Shroombot stood back up, his head a bloody mess of HERV infected flesh and cybernetics. "...the Hell?"


"WHHHHORES!!!!!! WHORES! WHORES! LUSKY-CHAAAAAAAN! SWEET TITTY FUCKING CHRIST!"

"So, I don't get the shtick. All he knows are curse words?" Blitzschlag's voice came over Wade's headset.

"Wade! You must trap it in ze Intrinsic Field Generator Room!"

"Okay, but how do I..." Wade paused. "Shroom! Are you that genuine honky-tonk style blow job that I ordered?"

SHROOMBOT roared and chased Wade. He ran down the hall to the generator room, then stood in the middle. Shroombot paused, as if it recognized the solid steel door. Wade pulled up a file on his battlecomp, and it appeared over his feed.

"Yo Shroom! Me and Allison are going to have a fun time tonight! Ho-yeah!" He began making thrusting motions with his pelvis. SHROOMBOT gave another roar and ran into the room. Wade ducked a haymaker and fled, slamming the door.

"Gut, Gut! Wade, I can overload zee generator from here!" Blue sparks began to fly in the room. SHROOMBOT was banging on the door. The generator overloaded.


BLEEDING. BREASTS. OF WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORESSSSSS!!!!



Some said the scream was heard for a full minute after the disintegration.

[MKSheppard]

Corvid Rock



"Great fucking job, Blitzschlag!" muttered Sheppard. "You not only drive what was left of Shroom insane, but you also totally annihilate the body, so we can't learn anything from it."

"Mistakes will be made, zee can learn from zhem," replied Blitzschlag as he poured himself a cup of schnapps.

"Mistakes my ass." interjected Lonestar. "What will I tell the families of those Rangers?"

"You'll tell them the truth, herr Fairfax. That they died serving their country on a zecret mizzion. That reminds me!"

With that, Blitzschlag left the room.

"You know, Matt, before the war, Shepistani intelligence had photos of Blitzie here going back to the late forties, early fifties, and he looked the same in them as he does now." remarked Sheppard.

Before Lonestar had a chance to reply, Blitzschlag popped back into the room. "I've looked like this since I was twenty, due to a rare genetic condition zhat iz incurable."

"Speaking of that, while we were preparing ze corpse of Schroom for the experiment; installing the cameras to replace the eyes, zhtuff like that, we discovered that the corpse was actually of negroid stock."

"Wait, Negroid? You mean black?" injected Sheppard.

"Zhes. We think this iz what Schroom looked like at an early age, before he became leader of Schroomania."



"Why he changed hiz appearance, we do not know. Perhapz eet was deep seated insecurity?"

[Beowulf]

Press Room
Forbidden City
Hong Kong
Tian Xia

"There have been rumors of late that I will be visiting a non-MESS country soon. Those rumors are true. I will be visting the Pacific Union several weeks from today for the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Lockhart. I will be meeting with President Garrett and Vice-President Cizadlo while there. This will be the first time a reigning Huang-Di has set foot in a non-allied country. Well, one that isn't at the head of a conquering army. This is sure to be a momentus occassion. Ms. Ting, you have a question?" News organizations had long ago figured out that pretty female reporters got to ask question more often than old male reporters.

"Yes. Why are you leaving the country for this occassion, but not for the funeral of Shroom the 777th?"

"This visit has actually been in the planning stages for almost a year. One of the problems with being an autocrat is that it requires much more planning to be able to get away for a significant period of time. I simply wasn't able to make the time to go. I thank my sister for spending the time to represent me at the funeral. Ms. Chung, you have the next question. I don't recognize the organization you're from."

"I'm from the Red Rag. What is your response to Emperor Heraclius' remarks to the Byzantine Senate?"

Beowulf inaudibly sighed. "I suppose I should have seen this question coming. I have no clue what he's talking about. I fail to see how someone could forget about one's ally holding their arch enemy prisoner. I also fail to see why the Old Dominion would put their arch enemy back into power. Less than a decade ago, we fought the One Week War against Shepistan. I flew a F-15 on patrol against Shepistani agression in the 90s. My father fought against a Shepistani invasion in the 70s. It doesn't make sense on the face of it. Besides, Al-Sheppard is dead. And this will be the last I'll speak on this subject. Next question?"

[CmdrWilkens]

Theseus Blasts Off!
MSA Programs Continue to Grow

Early yesterday morning a Delta 4-Heavy rocket carrying the first crew of the Theseus mission series began its skyward journey amongst a flury of announcements from the MSA occuring across half the globe in more than a dozen associated countires. The mission itself is the first in what is expected to be a series of at least 70 flights over the next 7 years which will works towards the goal of a permanent self sustaining human habitation in space. The program is projected to cost as much as a trillion dollars over its lifetime, though at 40 years service the annual operating cost is a more manageable $12 Bn for the first few years (inflation and increasing support costs will raise this total in the coming years). It includes more than 140 launches, more than 10 million metric tons of supplies and equipment, and at least two space stations.

Yet even with all of this Theseus was perhaps only in the middle of the pack in terms of the announcements made today by member and associated agencies working under the MSA umbrella.

First on yesterday's plate was the planned ceremony for the Cascadian Space Agency's participants in the first two lunar landings Daedalus 7 and 8. The two men, Major William Culling and Captain Harold Mackensen were officially named the first astronauts as part of the Union Space Exploration Department in the newly formed Pacific Union. It would only be a few hous later while still in its first session that the Pacific UnionAssembly and Senate agreed upon a Space Funding Bill that would continue the association with the MSA programs for the near future.

Members of the two houses were notably guarded in terms of expressing long term views on the matter as the newness of the state was still novel enough that few were willing to set any truly long term sentiment. The consensus opinion was that association with the MSA, though not full affiliation, had reaped benefits for Cascadia and now the rest of the Union should likewise share in both the burden and the opportunity. Speaking off the record several officials at the once fledgling Alaskan Aerospace Assembly indicated that they would prefer full affiliation but did wanted to steer clear of such a potentially entangled set of negotiations this early in the new nation's existence.

With a succesful launch under its belt and reconfirmed funding from one of its supporters the MSA might well have been willing to call it quits but senior administrators at the Johnson Spaceflight Center in Houston, Shinra Republic, were simply waiting to drop the next bombshell: Funding increases from all sources woudl allow for the Icarus program to continue on its development path with the possibility in sight that a nuclear ion engine might be available in time for the 7th flight in 2022. High energy physics development contracts in the Shinra Republic and Tian Xia have led to increasing optimism that the components woudl be ready for flight testing with the attendant promise of severly reduced travel times when the program aims for Mars late next decade.

Capping the day a suprise news conference in the Incorporated Nation of Crossroadia was called announcing that they had signed on for the Icarus venture and would likely, funding contingent, be able to participate in the final Daedalus mission to Selene scheduled for the middle of 2019. While long an afterthought in world affairs Crossrodia has recently begun moving to market itself more forefully on issues from commercial aviation to international trade reltions. Members of the MSA indicated that long runnig talks with Crossrodia finally emerged into a draft agreement in the wake of the launch of Daedalus 10 and the help lent by that nation in the recovery efforts to save members of the aborted Daedalus 9 mission.

Speaking from Houston the current MSA director, Dr Lee Atkins of Canissia stated "We have conquered the heavens and set human feet aground on our nearest solar neighbor. While every day we struggle here on this world to find solutions to our differences we know that in space we must be as one or we will fail. In that the commitment of the member and associated agencies involved in the MSA umbrella has been multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-national. We hope that for the children of today looking up to the stars no matter where they might be they can find heros amongst those who walk amongst the heavens. Space exploration isn't about what it brings today but rather about giving the children of tomorrow the hope of a bright and wondrous future."

[Crossroads Inc.]

Crossroadian Training Exercises, North Sea


On the deck of the INC Sesshomaru, a group of credits were busying themselves preparing to launch an old out of dat prop flyer. It rattled down the flight-deck, attached to the catapults by a jury-rig that held the old prop fighter to the deck. With a great WOOSH it was launched out to sea, the on bored control system, piloted by a seaman on bored the Carrier, took it up to the proper altitude and began to circle it around the carrier.

"Shame to see an old bird used like this, that plane has had a lot of hours in the air." Spoke up the Captain, Herold Shoemirrie. The first office next to him nodded as he looked at a computerscreen. The bridge of the newly rebuilt Cremounen Carrier had LOTS of cpmuter screens now, and it took some time to find the perticular one you needed. The one the first officer was looking at had three lines, each tracking a moving blip that represented the plane.

"They seem to have a perfect lock on it Captain." The captain nodded and pressed a button
"ok boys, the shows all yours!" he said. A second later, there was a hum, the a loud teaming Buzzing noise as the three CISW's fired.

In an instant the poor plane simply disintegrated. bits of shrapnel rained down into the ocean as a woop went out from the firing crew. The three white Phalanx CISW's spun down as the captain nodded.
"Piece of art really, each one computer linked together, never just one fireing at a target, will like ot se something get through that." The 1st officer said with a smile. Herold was less impressed.
"If we do our joib right, they should never HAVE to shoot at something, and really, state of the art AA guns being tested on old prop driven fighters? What is the sense in that?"
The first officer seemed flustered.
"Eh, the High Senion Accountants said it would take too much out of the budget to fire on Jets sir, even the trainers, they said, it was most cost effective to use surpless prop fighters." The captain shoock his head.
"Thats bean counters for you! Still, we should be thankful for what we have. I am sure you have been keeping abrest of all the hubbub with the carrier Mort?" 1st officer Mortimer Montgomery nodded.
"Aye sir, a bit silly really, but I guess that is how things go, everyone posturing, trying to make someone else seem small or make themselves look big." Herold nodded.

"HUH! Politics is what that is, just politics, let'em say what they want, this ship is "old" in outer shell only now. A bit too computerized in some place mind oyu, but I have to say Im quite pleased with it, money well spent Mort." Mort nodded.
"Indeed Sir," A buzzer blared behind them, something came through on a printer.
"Eh what's this, news from the bigshots eh?" Herold read the paper, his eyes furrowed.
"MORT! Put the fleet on alert!, say'z here "Da'Shep" has been found alive, everyone's in a tizzy and they want us on guard!" Mort bristled as officers ran around the bridge alerting the many support ships.
"oh no, not HIM."

CCCT, Emergency meeting

"Look I don't know what we need to concern ourselves with the matter. Weather "Shep" is alive and returned shouldn't be an issue. He has no resources business vestments or power bloc to draw from, he will simply be a lone nut whom the rest of the world shall scream for." A tall man in a three piece business suit sad before sitting back down at the large gear shaped table. there were mummers and nods, others at the table humphed.
"Quite right Mr. Throckmorton, All this talk about "Sjhep" coming back, well blah blah blah, just another chance to see him git his comm'uppance I sayz! Goodfir nutten, just going ta git locked up!" More nods as the old oft angry Mr. Banks Sat down, crossing his arms sternly.

At last the Lord CEO turned around.

"You, you people know NOTHING! this isn't about what he has... It is about HIM! about what he can do. Oh, oh you really don't know what he is capable what he has done in the past!"


The others looked at him, the CEO sighed, 'these' people sadly did not know all that "The Shep" had done, none of them could know his action like the CEO.. He gathered himself before them.
"He, 'influences' people, he brings out the worst in others, I've seen it before. What might be a smoldering war of words between nations can become a war of bullets. We, must be very careful, things may be happening soon, and we must be on our guard." He began to walk around the gran gear shaped table, eying each of his seven trusted advisers.

"I have already consulted with the President and put word out to our forces to be at battle standby. I am also authorizing, the use of special opps to enter into MESS nation and find out what their news networks arn't telling us. You can be SURE there is always something." There was a choirs of mummers at this. Mr. Maglicuty spoke up.

"Ah, your Lord CEO'ness, do we really wish to risk such an incursion? Most in the MESS nations already consider us CATO sympathizers, I know our official policy is currently neutral, but most arn't buying it. Do we really wish to risk antagonizing them?" The CEO glared.
"Wars can be started by what someone doesn't know, and we, my good assoicates, NEED to know what is really going on in the MESS Nations." There were some reluctant noddings now, and a chores of "Harrumph Harrumph." from the seven business elites.

A short time later they shuffled out of the grand meeting room. each exchanging a customary "Harrumph" to the Lord CEO on their way out. As they passed, a large women, a rarity around the CEO, learned in.
"Sir, the press our down stairs, they have been waiting for your comments on the recent space launch." The CEO turned toward his secretary... The CEO may have been the unspoken dictator for all of Crossroadia, but one never, ever, ignored a secretary, you just didn't fuck with them...

"Oh yes, of course, thank you Miss Thetral, eh, The rocket didn't explode did it?" The lady shock her head, holding a scripted speech.
"Everything went off rather smoothly, its all in here, wrote up just a few minuets ago." The CEO nodded as he turned to leave.

The Fishing deal with Shroomania had gone through, quite a good profit there, The surprise Airship sale to Frequesuan had been finalized, a small, but welcome profit, and the Theseus rocket had gone off smoothly. Well, no net income their, but the free press and publicity would give dividends for sure. Business seemed quite nice, and then, then "Shep" seemd to come back from the dead.. Well, let him return if he wished. This time, this time around, He would be ready...

[Lonestar]

Face the Dominion

DREW ANDREWS:…And joining us now is Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ulrich Peters. Deputy Minister, thank you for joining us.

ULRICH PETERS:Not a problem Drew.

DREW ANDREWS: Now, I guess we should head straight to the big question. Former CSR President Stanislav and the Byzantine Emperor have made some staggering accusations…

ULRICH PETERS: Yes, they have. I have been authorized to tell you that the Byzantine Emperor's accusations that the Old Dominion discovered Al Sheppard and imprisioned him are categorically…true.

DREW ANDREWS: I'm…I'm sorry?

ULRICH PETERS: The General Al Sheppard was discovered at the massive Shepistani bunker complex at Corvid Rock some months after the Pathogen War. What was interesting was that he was still suffering from a cornucopia of biological infections, specifically a strain of Shroombola. Shroombola, as you know, has been weaponzied to kill folks dead within a week. That he was suffering from a chronic infection rather than an acute one led us to spirit him away to a secure facility for further study. One of our leading scientists said that his immune system told much of how we could develop defenses against weaponized Shroombola. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending upon how you look at it, he expired within some years of the end of the Pathogen War. Al Sheppard died within a Old Dominion Bunker, never seeing the light of day again.

DREW ANDREWS: This is…this is amazing! But why didn't we put him on trial for his many crimes? His many wanton acts of aggression?

ULRICH PETERS: As I said, it was determined that his immune system was "too good" to waste, and the Lord Protector commuted his death sentence to life imprisionment.

ANDREWS: But he Byzantine Emperor claims he's still alive, as the Chief Executive of Sirnoth

PETERS: Yes…I don't know why. I'm told that Heraclius was told at a MESS Leadership meeting of Sheppard's imprisonment, but there has been no pan-MESS leadership meetings since then, and since the program was strictly Old Dominion rather than MESS, the Old Dominion never informed the Byzantine Empire. As you know, even when the BE was part of the MESS relations were tense…

ANDREWS:…a result of their cowardly decision to not participate in the One Week War, yes…

PETERS:…So while others were kept appraised of the program, there was a general feeling that the Grecians could figure out their own BW defense.

ANDREWS: But the Byzantine Emperor claims to have documentation…

PETERS: I'm given to understand that his "documentation" is his post-facto recollections and descriptions of the meeting that were recorded by his intelligence. Of a meeting that occurred when Sheppard was alive and…uh…alive. It seems Heraclius is still harboring a grudge towards the MESS in general and the Old Dominion in particular. His recent actions seems to have justified the harsh mesaures taken towards his national contingent at SHAPOD. Who knows what other MESS secrets have been given away? I would not be surprised if, even now, many of the components to the STAR system have found their way into Crimson reverse-engineering labs. I would also note in his own speech to the Senate he handed out poor information; the Old Dominion government never received a formal protest from the Byzantine Empire over the use of nuclear weapons, and the Byzantine Emperor was visiting the Shinra Republic when it occurred. If an objection was raised, it wasn't brought up to the Old Dominion. Not that it would have mattered, as by using the word "objection" he makes it seem as if he had a say in the decision-making process…he didn't.

ANDREWS: What about the statement "Moreover, some would dare suggest that CATO deserves to be punished on the unprovable charge that we were the ones who launched the attack on Shepistan. Even if we did launch the attack, Shepistan deserves nothing less because what they did to Astaria simply cannot go unanswered because it implied that a nation could bully or destroy a lesser nation into submission without facing the consequences". What is he talking about? What unprovable charge? Did something happen in Shepistan during the Pathogen War that was concealed from the general public?

PETERS: Damn good question. I wish I had an answer for the bizarre statement.

ANDREWS: Do you have an idea…?

PETERS: I'm sorry, no.

ANDREWS: Well, moving on to Comrade Stanislav's criticism of inroporating former Shepistani military into the Dominionite armed forces…what do you have to say about that?

PETERS: Well Drew, I would say a couple things. First, it's something that has been going on for years so it's strange that he would make noise about it now. Second, virtually no senior military leadership made it out of Shepistan alive. This was because of many reasons, but primarily because the Old Dominion set out on a campaign to target command bunkers to ensure an easier administration of the Shepistani Security Zone. The highest ranking officer to make it out(besides Al Sheppard) was a Major General Al-Asad of the Shepistani SAC. In recognition of his aid in developing doctrine and integrating Shepistani personnel and equipment into the ODAAF GSC, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisionment. While we do have a whole gaggle of Colonels that made their way into advisory positions, we've managed to weed out the worst offenders. By and large the active military that was integrated into the Old Dominion armed forces were junior officers. For example, Lt. Colonel Bhatt was a First Lieutenant when the Pathogen War occurred, and her participation was flying B-89s to ODAAF airbases. Thirdly, the chaos of the Pathogen War made it difficult filtering out war criminals, although we have imprisioned the worst offenders and cashiered others.

I would like to remind your viewers that the vast majority of Shepistanis in this country are civilians, and it's despicable how heads of state are implying that the whole race are subhuman monsters. We've moved beyond that, why can't they?

ANDREWS: Stanislav claims that he will find evidence that Rhee Anh Sheppard is, in fact, Al Sheppard…

PETERS:…Not to put too fine a point on it, but how would he find "evidence"? The only evidence brought forth thus far is documentation that is very suspect, which makes me wonder if the next set of "documents" that show up will be forgeries.

ANDREWS: What about DNA evidence?

PETERS: Excuse me?

ANDREWS: If Al Sheppard was in Old Dominion custody because he was a medical curiosity, then wouldn't we have a blood sample?

PETERS: By Jove, you're right! Hmmm…no, I don't think it would work out. The naysayers would simply say that the original DNA sample is suspect by virture of originating from the Old Dominion.

ANDREWS: What about witnesses?

PETERS: I suppose I should point out that since SOMEONE is trying to bribe media outlets to run with the story, it wouldn't surprise me if SOMEONE were to bribe someone to be a witness. A witness would hardly be compelling evidence, especially as we can produce former Shepistani Major Generals who can confirm that Sheppard is dead.

ANDREWS: There are going to be a lot of angry people about the Sheppard revelation, Deputy Minister.

PETERS: I know, but this whole sorry affair has shown why can happen when vindictive people take incomplete pictures and run with it. At the time it was sensistive information due to the nature of the BW defense program, but obviously we should have came clean as soon as Sheppard expired. For that, you have our apologies.

ANDREWS: Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ulrich Peters. Next up: what you don't know about your toilet WILL kill you!

[PeZook]

FASTA Bulletin

First autonomous nuclear plant begins operation on Selene

After nearly two weeks of system tests, the first nuclear reactor has began operating on lunar surface. The FASTA-sponsored nuclear plant will operate autonomously for eight months as a proof-of-concept.

The plant itself is a mofidied Crimson design, normally used to provide power to remote settlements and industrial projects far away from the usual electric grid, and will provide power and heating to future lunar settlements

Selene 11 confirms presence of water ice

Samples brought back by Selene 11, the last flight of the Selene program, have been confirmed to contain water ice.

The mission carried out several surveys of the area known as "Camp Lem", utilizing several autonomous vehicles delivered to lunar surface onboard their Vulkan rocket.

Due to this discovery, FASTA administration has confirmed that Pioneer missions will concern themselves with developing Camp Lem.

The first Pioneer landing is scheduled to launch in June, utilizing a due of Selene-derived vehicles: a Cargo Transfer Vehicle and a Crew Tansfer Vehicle, which will carry a four-man crew to lunar surface. Pioneer 1 will set up the first semi-permanent lunar shelter on lunar surface, and assemble various pieces of heavy machinery, to be delivered in tranches throughout 2018.

[K. A. Pital]

Hue, IRT


The runaway was filled with private planes and the sound of technology. One very sparsely marked Boeing-747 was undergoing the final checks. Three men stood close to the ladder.

- It's a pleasure doing business with you, sirs, - PCIA agent and HSU Alexey Chadov smiled. - Dear Comissioner, this operation as we already agreed is pegged at exactly one billion R.O.Bs, but should you require more to cover your expenses, you can always contact our representatives in the Caymans. I will once again assure you that no harm to these people or their financial assets in the IRT will be done. Now, how would a trader say... Fix the profits? Thank you very much, and good bye.


A dry and tall man nodded. His more muscular companion merely moved his eyes. He saw a deep, immense disgust in the eyes of the agent, but he knew that the crimmie would not break the deal no matter his personal feelings towards the I.R.T. and it's commissioners. It was too important.

- We wish you a pleasant flight, - the IRT men spoke as Alexey went up to the plane.

UCSR, Lubyanka, PCIA headquarters


The room was filled with smoke. Yuri Andropovsky surveyed the subjects, all placed in separate interrogation rooms that had a single oversight center. They were all Shepistanis. They all felt uneasy. Quite understandable... All dialogues were heard here simultaneously, so it took quite a concentration and a honed skill of a PCIA interrogator to figure out which talk was more important. He moved closer towards Window #5.

- Mr. Majid, we are not incriminating you. We know you were already retired from the Shepistani military, and that's exactly why we will not execute you. But try to recall, what did you see and hear from that contact of yours? A Shepistani survivor in the Old Dominion? What did that member of your cell tell you? This is paramount to your security, Mr. Majid.

- I cannot be sure, but it seems he found out that Al-Sheppard is still alive...

Andropovsky moved towards another window. Subject #3.

- Mr. Naqui...

- I don't know! I had nothing to do with it!

- Think about your daughter, Mr. Naqui. We are sure that you value her safety.

- Bastards! What do you want?! I told you everything I know!

- Hardly, Mr. Naqui. Please understand. We are trying to help. You know that there is no favourable opinion towards the Shepistanis... you really think you have chances in an open trial?

The man looked hard to crack and Andropovsky almost wanted to look away, but suddenly the Shepistani sighed.

- Listed, I don't know what you want to hear. I have nothing to say of Al-Sheppard. I was merely one of the NCOs responsible for evacuation of one official group... you know, in the post-war chaos... I was already retired by the time of the war with the MESS! Why me!

- Then, Mr. Naqui, perhaps you can tell us about your contacts in the Shepistani Air Forces, maybe of your contacts with survivors? Surely you must have had them. After all, the Shepistani SAC were among the few people who were able to leave the dying nation... thanks to their planes. Maybe you know of some tales... of a friend or someone, you know, maybe a Japanistani B-89 pilot, who... let's say, suddenly dissappeared, and by that I mean returned from the shadows to an official life in the Old Dominion. And don't ... we know the largest survivor rings are in the Old Dominion. You must know someone.

Andropovsky went off from the window. Allright. At least here we have something. Subject #1 was being pushed for "revelations" about ISI. All was going well, and he dialled the Palace.

UCSR, Stasograd, Commitee for the Press

- Red One Channel translates directly... The PCIA has decided to conduct an open tribunal for the investigation of the Shepistani war crimes and the nature of war criminal pursuit in the post-war world... Here are several Shepistani survivors, mostly retired military servicemen of Shepistan, who came into contact with Shepistani survivor rings during the aftermath of the biowar. Some of them will have their original attire for the duration of the process. Stay tuned! Social advertising will be turned off for the duration of the translation!

...


- Mr. Majid! You are positively claiming that one of the Shepistani survivors who now occupies a position inside the Dominion intelligence suspected Al-Sheppard being alive and returning to politics? Do you realize the consequences...

- Yes, yes.. no further comments...

- As a former general of the Shepistani military, retired during 2006, how much knowledge did you have of the upcoming attack on Astaria? How did you manage to evacuate so conveniently along with your family?

- No further comments, please!!!

...

- Mr. Naqui, you are testifying that you have found out after the year 2015, that one of the active Shepistani SAC servicemen, who was evacuated from the nation along with yourself, then an NCO tasked with aerial evacuation of the families of several high-profile Shepistani officials, later came in contact with you offering you a position in the Old Dominion official structures, most notably in the Air Force?..

- Yes, I do. This person is active in the Old Dominion rosters. He came in contact with me in the year 2016...

...

- Mr. Khalid, you are testifying that you were the subject of an attempted assassination?

- Yes, I do.

- Your thoughts as to the culprits?

- Rogue ISI elements in the Old Dominion intelligence that I informed you of. In fact, I have asked the Union for shelter. I was a businessman in Shepistan at the time of the biowar. Due to... certain elements of corruption, within the ISI, I managed to pay them to ensure the evacuation of my family prior to the biowar. I was scared. My ISI contact who took the bribes... later re-surfaced as a manager of a large criminal ring connected with off-shores in Svalbardia. I already owned a small enterprise in the IRT... I managed to bring out my funds from Shepistan and start a new life. Then this person, only know to me as "Hassan", offered me to invest... into a Dominion company. I was shocked, and refused politely. He warned me of the consequences. Later... I contacted a friend of mine in Saigon who dealed in business espionage. He warned me that the Svalbardian offshore I was talking about was involved with the Old Dominion. I found out with his help, that the former ISI member is now apparently working for the Old Dominion.

- After that your car blew up under uncertain circumstances?

- Yes, exactly... I was spared by mere chance...

Result: third and final phase is complete. Survivors always keep track of other survivors; especially for such a hated minority as Shepistanis, sticking together is mandatory. And information spreads around. Truths and half-truths with lies... coming from former Sheppos. Operation "Uncover" has been finished.

COMMUNE-1, Institute of Experimental History, Sikorski's cabinet

- Comrade, some accuse you of destroying any hopes of rapproachment with the MESS... - Vassily was critical as always.

Stanislav sighed. He put the beer down.

- Think about it, comrade... just think of it for one second. Why would anyone want rapproachment with the nation, or nations, that could restore Al-Sheppard to power in any fashion? Rapproachment for the sake of rapproachment... looks like a pact with the devil.

- Devil? Isn't that anachronistic?

A leather-clad man interjected.

- Anachronistic, Vassily? We are allowed to have a reputation of ignoramuses, mystics and superstitious fools. But we are not allowed one single thing - that is, to underestimate a threat. And if our house suddenly smells of sulfur, we must suppose that a horned devil appeared somewhere near and take any necessary measures, even if that means organizing an industrial production of holy water.

- Thank you, Sikorski the Great Moralist. By the way, how did your recent vacation go...?

- Perfect, - Rudolph said as if he was cutting someone's arm off and then went silent. He knew that some secrets were not for the ears of the bodyguards. His agreement with Sidney Hank regarding Bissauru would be only reported to a select few persons who were privvy to I.E.H.'s current tasks. It helped that the IEH was simultaneously supervising the projects of installation of nuclear energy in the Union. A lot of money to operate with and be able to chip off little bits for experiments... without raising too many questions in the Supreme Soviet. Sikorski too a sip of coffee and leaned back, as if he was resting from lifting up a mountain. In a sense, he thought, that was true.

[Siege]

“So, what do you think?” Sidney looked at his bodyguard. “Do you know of anyone who could do what we want?”

“I might know a few people” MacBride replied evasively. “But I still don't know why you're so quick to jump in bed with the communists. Am I missing something?”

“You are” the former president smiled and emptied his glass. He counted on his fingers: “first there's the obvious angle of profit. Furthermore, expansion into Velaria will make it easier to hide some of our... activities. But perhaps most importantly, if we go through with this Stanislav himself will owe me a major favor. That could be quite useful.”

“If you say so” the bodyguard grumbled. “Still, to help them create their commie paradise...”

“I like to think of it more like a bank monocracy.” The former president peered intently at the muscular man. “And why do I think there's something you're not telling me?”

MacBride began pacing. The thick carpets absorbed the sound of his footsteps. “There's one person I know who's perfect for this job. The thing is... Sarah and I go way back.”

Sidney fractionally raised an eyebrow. “And?”

The bodyguard looked reluctant. “And... We kind of tried to kill each other a bunch of times.”

The former president laughed. “I'm sure you'll find a way to get her on our side.”


Saint of Sinners



San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Costa de las Cinco Muertes

The day began like most days did. I woke in a pool of sweat, partly from the nightmares and partly because it was already ruddy hot. I slid out from under the sheets and sighed wearily. I slipped on a pair of pants and splashed some water in my face, then reached underneath my pillow. The Colt was still where I'd left it. I slipped it under my waistband at the small of my back and skipped out the door.

I immediately knew something was wrong. You don't survive in my occupation as long as I have without developing keen combat instincts. There was no-one on the street. There never was no-one on the street. I swept my gaze through the street like a caged animal. A black car with reflective windows idled a hundred meters to the left of me.

I began walking in the opposite direction. That's when I noticed the glint of sunlight reflecting off of scopes on the flat roofs on the opposite side of the street. Christ, I'd walked straight into a trap. Adrenalin surged through my veins. Whoever was having it out for me could have shot me the moment I stepped outside. Sweat trickled down my back. They wanted me alive. It was a fair bet I wasn't going to like it if they succeeded. I stepped up my pace.

Another black car slowly rolled down the road toward me. It looked armored. I quickly turned right. Two cheap plastic chairs stood in the middle of the dusty road. In one sat a man. A man with a very familiar face.

God-damn.

I automatically slipped into a combat stance and grabbed my gun, pulling it out and up and aiming in one fluid movement that betrayed long years of practice. “Former staff sergeant Michael MacBride. I thought you were dead.”

He actually had the gall to smile. “I thought I was dead too, until I found it was just that I was in Velaria.”

I returned an insincere smile. “Funny, that. Give me one reason I shouldn't shoot you on the spot?”

He pulled a hand over his shaved head. “Oh, I don't know. Because if you do, my snipers will perforate you?”

I snorted, but kept my pistol trained on his forehead. “Might be worth it. Might beat whatever you plan to do to me.”

MacBride rolled his eyes. “Come on Sarah. Surely you don't think just because we tried to shoot each other a bunch o' times back in the days of yore that I came all the way down here to do bad things to you?" He looked around. "Hell, considering the miserable hole in which we find ourselves, I'm not sure I could do worse than you've done to yourself."

"I'm pointing a gun at your head" I reminded him. "It's a bad idea to piss off people pointing a gun at your head."

"Yeah, about that..." He seemed unfazed by the gun, acted in fact as if it wasn't even there. "Why don't you sit down and hear me out?” He smiled again, that infuriatingly cocky smile of his I'd come to loath so much back when we were trading gunfire across the CFR. “You can always try and shoot me later. C'mon, it'll be just like old times.”

I briefly considered those words. Then I decided it was probably better to stay alive for a little while longer. Who knew, maybe he was telling the truth. After all he could have had me shot when I stepped outside. And it wasn't like he didn't have a point. My life had taken a turn for the pretty goddamn shitty recently. I sat down in the crappy plastic chair, but kept the gun pointed at him. “So what the ruddy hell are you doing here?”

“Straight to the point eh?” He shrugged. “That's alright. I want to offer you a job.”

I laughed mirthlessly. “Offer me a job? You? You don't have any money -- or did you stumble across pirate treasure in Velaria?”

He ignored that and eyed me casually. “How much are the Cartels paying you these days? A thousand a hit? Two?” I flinched, and his smile widened. “Oh yes, I've kept up. We both know you're wasting your... talents. They don't appreciate your skill down here.”

“And you do?” I knew I sounded more sarcastic than I really wanted, but I couldn't help it. It wasn't every day that your former nemesis showed up promising gold and riches.

He snorted. “And I do. There's a reason I have half a dozen snipers drawing a bead on you right now.”

I clucked my tongue. “You don't have half a dozen. You have nine. Two opposite the street from my house, four on the roof of that cafe and the house to our left” I pointed at a reflection in one of the shop windows, then with a thumb over my shoulder. “And three on the garage behind me. Armed with F2 7.62mm rifles, from the look of it.”

MacBride clapped his hands. “Bravo, bravo. You've kept up. That's exactly why my employer wants you specifically.” He slowly drew a wallet from his pocket and pulled out a wad of money. “Tell you what, I'll pay you ten grand just to hear me out. No strings attached. You don't like it; you can walk away any minute.”

“Hokay...” I hesitantly lowered my gun slightly and frowned. That was a lot of cash for a conversation. I wondered who the hell his 'employer' was, and what he wanted of me. “So what's this job you're talking about?”

He smiled grimly. “Let's take a walk. And tell me, Sarah... What do you know about Bissauru?”

[RogueIce]

PeZookia

Shortly after PM Shroom's funeral, and following a brief stop in Canissia, Rufus Shinra arrived in PeZookia, as he had promised.

((OOC: Well since PeZook hasn't answered my PM yet, figured I'd drop in anyway. I said I would, after all)

---

Midgar, Shinra Republic

Warren Wright, Secretary of State for the Shinra Republic, was holding a fairly routine press briefing. He was doing so in place of the President, who was currently in PeZookia visiting King Paul. It had gone about as expected, until finally someone asked him to comment - yet again - on the Sheppard Accusations.

"This is the last time we will be addressing this issue, ladies and gentlemen. As the Old Dominion government indicated, General Al Sheppard died shortly after the Pathogen War. He was not put on trial for the reasons indicated by the Old Dominion. Further, President Shinra personally felt such a trial would be pointless: Al Sheppard already had a 'death sentence' because of the Shroombola and any 'trial' would have simply served as a farce and/or mouthpiece for Al Sheppard to spout his hatred and malice towards the world. And that is the last word we will give on this subject. Next question, please."

((OOC: Since I hadn't yet posted a Shinra Republic 'response' IC I figured I might as well do so now)

[Crossroads Inc.]

Williamsburg, Old Dominion

At the largest airport in the capital of the great and massive Old Dominion, two people disembarked off of a small passenger liner. The couple smiled as they looked about the airport, each carrying a small bag of carry-on luggage. They stopped at customs, each one bringing out a Ninhursag passport.
"Purpose of visit?" the guard asked, stamping each book.
"Oh Vacation!" Beemed the slightly older man, hugging a slightly younger women fondly. "We have been looking forward to visiting for ages and finally got around to it!" he said, the guard looking on. He opened up their bags and checked. Clothes, personals, and two digital cameras were all he found. There was a quick inspection of the camera, the memory sticks were mostly empty, save some pics of the couple 'back home' at their house and then the airport in Ninhursag before leaving.
"Yes well, everything seems to be in order, Welcome to the Old Dominion, please enjoy your stay." Came the gruff response as the couple passed through customs.

Two hours later, after the couple had checked into a downtown hotel, they found themselves hiking along the edge of the city.
"Cameras, just cameras is all they gave us! We'ed never have that back in my day! Why, I remember when we didn't even bother with "checking in" it was always airdropped into some deserted place, or a stealth submarine would come in just under the nets and we'ed have to swim to shore with our gear! And that's another thing! I remember when we had PROPER spying gear! Flashlight lazors, cameras hidden in watches! Glasses that could see infrared! Its all wrong these days I'll tell you!" The slightly younger women shock her head and smiled.

"Yes yes, and I suppose you had to walk to 'spy school' by yourself in the snow, up hill, both ways, that also the case?" The slightly older man snorted. "Look things are different now, we are just here to "Watch and Listen" that is the official reason. No breaking into secret installations, no stealing government documents and NO kidnapping important people!" The slightly younger women snapped. Catching the slightly older man in the process of trying to assemble a crude grappeling hook out of his cellphone and some rubberbands...if just to make him feel better.

"Not even a little kidnapping? Some low level guy no one will miss?"
"NO! now come along. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and a lot of ground to cover."


Crossroadia Announces multi national economic summit


-Amid growing concerns of hostilities between MESS and CATO forces, the President of Crossroadia, in conjunction with the Lord CEO, announced this afternoon the formation of world wide economic conference to be held at the CCCT. The conference was announced via memo to the press by the President, and then formally announced by Crossroadia's Chief Finical Adviser, Walter W. Wonk.

"What ve vant here, iz to invite nations of all sizes an all forms to a single place where ve can look past differences, hostilities and old grudges. The time has come to offer nations a place where they need not be afraid of somvone with some hidden agenda, nations trust Crossroadia, ve have no hidden plans, no alternative motives. Evervone knows exactly what we are doing here, We want nations to get down to vhat is both important and vitally healthy to our world, making business deals!"

The announcement came on the heals of a massive new push to advertise Crossroadian product in countries across the world. Touting "Buy safe, Buy Secure, Buy Crossroadian" as a new marketing line. There had been worry that with current military spending, the Incorporated country might miss profit margins for the first time in over a decade, but recent sales and an upturn in the economy have allayed any fears and the grounds outside the Mighty CCCT are already abuzz with activity as the prepare to set the stage for the worlds leaders.

[PeZook]

Orena, RIS headquarters

"Hello", Sebatian said, grinning, "That was really dumb of you, what you did."

"I demand to see the Syrian consul.", Karim Saffayed stated calmly, "I am a Syrian citizen, and I have certain rights."

"Oh, yeah. That. If you haven't noticed, you're not detained in a police building. And you were travelling under a fake identity. You know what that makes you, don't you?"

Sebastisn grinned even wider when he saw Saffayed understand, "Exactly. A Syrian citizen, with fake papers, trying to gain entry into a CATO country? Wow. That's the dumb thing I was referring to, you see. Your Syrian friends will drop you like a hot potato, whoever they are, because they have a dozen elite CATO divisions right across the border."

"I'm not an intelligence officer.", Saffayed spat.

"That's what they all say."

"Goddammit, I'm not!"

"Then who are you? I'm listening..."

Saffayed breathed in heavily. He knew this day would come...and he really was out of options. The only thing left was to calculate which crime was better for him, and it wasn't really a hard calculation.

"I'm a...trader"

"In what business?"

"Human trafficking.", he finally admitted.

"Really? Why should we believe you?"

"Because I can give you some interesting names. You have no idea just who is involved in my business."

"Well...", Sebastian leaned back in his chair, "Why don't you go ahead, then?"

"Not so fast. I want a deal."

"I see. Here's the deal: you're not going away to rot for life in a military prison for espionage. You'll get an actual trial and an actual prison."

"That's not good enough. The people I worked with...well, they have their ways to get at me, even in prison. If you want me to talk, you will offer me a deal."

"We'll consider it, but we need to confirm your story. Right now, you're not even in police custody."

"Fine. Here's a name for you.", he said and wrote it down. Sebastian barely managed to conceal his shock, before standing up to leave.

"We'll confirm it, and then maybe you will get your deal."

Saffayed smiled and watched the man leave. It didn't look so hopeless, after all.

Outside, Sebastian leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. In his hand, he clutched the piece of paper with a name scrawled on it.

Janusz Dąbrowski, District Prosecutor of the Fabowice Voyvodship.

[Siege]

Snake River Ranch, central Sabika, NFT

“You made me wait” Sidney seemed amused as he stared at the massive LED TV on the wall. “You never made me wait before.”

On the other side of the world, in North Velaria in fact, Samuel Ralson snorted. “Yeah, well” he drawled. “I don' work for you anymore, now do I?”

The former president smiled. “No. You don't, presently. But that might change.”

“Hell no.” The former tycoon seemed inordinately pleased with himself. After his space-crash adventures in Velaria the tall, thin and wiry businessman had retired to that continent, and now spent his time hunting in the outback. That was why Sidney had called him. Few people in Velaria were as well-connected as Sam Ralson... But unfortunately the man wasn't very cooperative. “I like it out here. I ain't comin' back to the city.”

Sidney sat back in the padded leather chair, and steepled his long fingers. He studied the painted portraits of wild Sabikan savannahs that covered the wood paneling of the room, before letting his eyes come to rest on the TV. He let out his breath in a long sigh, like a man who knows he must patiently explain something to a willful child. “I'm not asking you to come back, Sam. I have need of your... unique connections.”

Ralson had the decency to seem taken aback at hearing that. A suspicious frown crept across his face. “And just what am I supposed to make of that?”

“Oh, I just thought you were the best man for something I want done in Bissauru” he said carefully and shrugged. “But if you're not interested I guess I'll just have to call Tachibana. See ya, Sam...” He theatrically reached for the button to disconnect the secure VTC.

“Whoa son, hold on to yer horses” the silver-haired businessman said quickly and raised his hand. “Let's not be hasty now. I guess it won't hurt to hear what ya have to say.”

“Excellent. Well then, Sam” Sidney smiled. “Don't you own a PMC?”

Sam Ralson didn't quite know where this conversation was headed, but he knew he didn't really like the way the former president's reading glasses caught the light, and turned his eyes into circles of fire.

[K. A. Pital]

COMMUNE-1, Institute of Experimental History. Spire.


- Here we have around... 200 hundred billion alotted for investment into the Union energy complex. Primarily the construction of new nuclear plants, modernization of our thermal plants, hydroelectric dam construction and experimental construction of a series of tidal wave stations in the North... - the accountant spoke as a robot.

Sikorski, who seemed to have been sleeping through the course of the report, suddenly interjected: "How much is alotted for them?"

- Around 10 billion.

- Make it 20 billion, - corrected Sikorski. - Such a project - experimental stations, a lot of new brands of concrete to be used, as well as the bother of transporting it to the extreme North... should have a planned 50% cost overrun. If we manage with less, good. If not... well, luck is not always there for us when we need it.

- Done, - the accountant finished correcting something in his budget article draft that he had in the lightweight Byzantine mini-notebook in front of him.

...

Result: initial 10 billion for operations concerning the I.E.H. have been alotted

COMMUNE-2, classified magnetic rail line tonnel going deep under Yamantau Mountain range, the Red Lightning special maglev train


Sikorski stormed into the heart of the military-industrial monster foisted next along to the city of dreams that he helped to build. This monster sucked the vital scientific knowledge, the advancements that people made in the name of progress, and turned them into weapons of murder. Like the People's Commitee for International Affairs which had a sinister twin - the People's Commisariat for Internal Affairs, like the Commission for Contacts and it's sinister twin the Commitee for Control, so were COMMUNE-1 and COMMUNE-2 inexplicably connected. The beauty and the beast, Esmeralda and Quasimodo, and all the similar references that were ever made in world literature which Sikorski knew quite well.

As soon as the maglev stopped inside the underground station complex, Sikorski walked downstairs through a maze of access-demanding blast doors, chemical and biological de-activation airlocks and various other things that would utterly horrify the ordinary citizen, but were normal for those who worked here. Separate service zones where people never met each other and only transferred nuclear warheads from one room to another, thus never knowing the full technical process. Giant text signs with "DO NOT SPEAK OF ALL THAT YOU KNOW, BUT ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF" on the walls reminded the workers of this complex what was at stake. All the time, from dusk till dawn, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, each month and each year until they would leave for pension. And even then the secrecy would not be lifted.



The sound of footsteps rolled through the corridors. Sikorski was already deep enough to have no companions along the way. He headed towards the Reserve Planning Department, for he intended to make use of it's assets. One of the doors inside the uniformly grey corridor, without any signs other than "P07" on it, was his destination.

He entered slowly, knocking first. Admiral Masorin and several other officers - Sikorski automatically noted that he has no dossier on the left one, which had to be corrected, and the ever-present PCIA "observer" in the rank of major were assembled in the room around a small table which was a large LCD. The LCD portrayed maps that could be easily changed via joysticks, mouse pointersa and keyboards attached to the table's four sides. This was one of the new such facilities in the Union.

- Greetings, comrade Sikorski, - Masorin welcomed the man to join the circle. - I have gathered your clearance was expanded?

- Correct, - Sikorski approached the table. - I won't be bothering you much longer, comrades, my business is quick as usual. I need a few approvals, most from comrade Masorin, as you, comrade, are in charge of the reserves.

- For what?

- First of all, for the unrestricted sale of reserve ammunition from the Reserve Holds #22, 46 and 85 - and some other minor storages, all listed in this paper, - he handed a plastic file over to Masorin, - particularly, I request the ability to requisite rifle munitions, possibly precision-guided weapons as well. I would also request the destruction of seals and production signs on the munitions because the clients to receive them very well may be PMCs. And yes, I have the clearance.

- Very well, Sikorski. Anything else?

- I'd request several elite naval infantry units for possible future special operations, those that are under your command, Masorin. I think their presence in Zagor is no longer critical, the PCIA and NOD have everything under control there. I have the necessary papers signed by the Chief of Staffs for relocation of two divisions of naval infantry for peacetime duties.

- You sound like you're willing to go to war, - Masorin laughed.

- I'm not, - the IEH director replied politely. - In fact, most of this is demanded for military aid to our allies, such as Misteria. There is also the issue that our operations... might be threatened by foreign powers. I do not want this to happen. For this, I need to have an understanding with you, comrade Masorin - we might have to cordone off a naval area, under the guise of naval exercises, to protect critical shipments.

- I understand you, Sikorski. There is a scheduled exercise for our smaller naval units in the Eastern Open Seas fleet. Tell me when your shipments will be going, and we will make all effort to conceal their passage through the seas by sealing off the necessary zones for missile trials and aircraft experiments. Generally, the press and commercial vessels never go inside Union exercise areas - who wants to have a cruise missile accidentaly sink his tug, right, comrade?

Sikorski offered his hand.

- I am very glad, comrade Masorin, that you're helping me. I am sure some slight tweaks in the schedule would not cause disruptions for you. I'll relay that to my superiors.

Result: Sikorski opens the essentially bottomless wells of the UCSR's ammo and bomb storages for personally controlled shipments, to ensure that Hank's PMCs would be well-supplied in case they would need it; after all, they would have to form a military police of an entire nation for quite a while until a real military will be created. He also makes sure that there would be sufficient distraction from the operations of private companies connected with UCSR naval exercises and other methods of cover-up.

Duchy of Baerne

Comrade Stanislav arrived in Frequesue without major fuss. His location was reported only to heads of state, and the purpose of his visit was stated as "medical and recreational". Apparently, he was going to stay at a sanatorium in Frequesue. The media leaks indicated that he wanted to run celebration meetings, although their purpose has not been clearly stated. He would stay at the resort for several months.

[MKSheppard]

Somewhere in the Old Dominion's "Shepistan Special Security Zone"



"It's right where intel said it would be...." muttered the Old Dominion Ranger team leader.

"Allright, enough lollygagging around. They don't pay us by the hour, lets get it open."



With the horrible screech of unoiled hinges, the door to the Shepistani Special Archives swung open.

Results: OD Gains access to Shepistani Special Archives from before the war.

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Ashford City

A convoy of three ambulances barrelled through the streets of downtown Ashford City, accompanied by several Langley Royal Guard sedans and SUVs and at least one M1117 Guardian armored car. Civilian cars attempted to get out of the way as the convoy rushed through red lights, their approach heralded by blaring sirens echoing off the walls of the skyscrapers.

After a minute or so of frantic driving, the entire convoy arrived at the emergency entrance of Sacred Heart Hospital, one of several teaching hospitals in Ashford City and the closest one to the Royal Palace. A platoon's worth of Royal Guards streamed forth from their vehicles and began scanning the area, forming a protective cordon around the entrance as several orderlies moved out with gurneys and opened up the rear doors of the ambulances. A visibly disheveled Lelouch emerged from the M1117 and rushed over to his three wives in succession, from C.C. to Kallen to Shirley; he was only one man, after all.

"Just hang on, okay?! Everything will be all right soon!" Lelouch attempted to reassure his wives. His words did nothing to relieve the collective pain the three women were going through right now, though.

Lelouch and the Royal Guards stood aside as the paramedics and orderlies transferred C.C., Kallen, and Shirley onto the gurneys, then followed closely alongside them as they were moved to Sacred Heart's maternity ward; needless to say, it was a very crowded (and deafening!) series of elevator rides up there. Once they were all in the ward, however, the massive group stopped in its tracks upon encountering the (understandably irate) hospital director.

"What in Haruhi's name is going in here?!" the director yelled. "Quit crowding around the patients!"

"Do what the good doctor says and stand aside," Lelouch said firmly to the guards.

"Now that that's out of the way," the director said as she took C.C., Kallen, and Shirley's respective charts from the orderlies, "let's just make sure the babies arrive fine and healthy. I'm Doctor Erin Yagokoro, Your Highness, and I've heard all the jokes regarding my name, so with all due respect, please don't start. I will be personally overseeing...all three births?" She paused for a moment. "Pretty tall order you've set up for my doctors tonight, Your Highness. We will not let you down, I promise."

---

Maternity ward waiting room, Sacred Heart Hospital, Ashford City
One hour later...

The tension in the waiting room was always so thick, it could be cut with a knife. Multitudes of expectant fathers tried to do whatever they could to relieve the stress on themselves any way they could: Reading books or magazines, engaging in small talk, watching television, playing video games, or simply pacing around the room wringing their hands. Quite a few men were fast asleep, overwhelmed by the situation they were in while waiting for news to arrive. None of them were expecting a squad of Langley Royal Guards to barge in abruptly and order them to leave.

"Everyone, we'll have to relocate you to another room, please--" Vice-Commandant Sayoko Shinozaki began, only to be interrupted by none other than Lelouch himself.

"Sayoko, please. We're in a hospital. On the off chance one of these guys tries to attack me, I can get care almost immediately," he explained to her. "Just wait outside and keep watch for any new developments."

"Yes, Your Highness," Sayoko said as she led the rest of the guards out of the waiting room.

The rest of the expectant fathers could do little else but stare and gape at their leader as he took a seat in front of the waiting room's many TVs and picked up a Degenatron 360 controller. He turned to the man holding the other controller. "What's up? Been here long?"

---

RESULTS:
Lelouch now has an idea of what Arik must have felt way back in the first SDN World, and the prospect terrifies him immensely.

[DarthShady]

Unreal Holy Shroom Fucking Time Mangs

The Misterian Meeting

Palace of the Soviets, Stasograd, UCSR

"Gentlemen it is a great pleasure to finally meet with you. I am terribly sorry, I'm late. I had some business to take care of, and it could not be delayed." President Shady Sirah smiled as he entered the room with the waiting Cascadian and Misterian diplomats. "I am hopeful that this meeting will bare fruit and allow us to resolve the refuge crisis, and also allow us to bring Misteria's new government into the fold of the international community." He shook hands with the two men and took his seat. An assistant came in after him and refreshed everyone's drinks, and also pored one for the President.

"We have much to discuss." President Shady said and took a sip of his drink. "I believe we should start with the Cascadian suggestion for the resolution of this crisis. I trust Our Cascadian friend here has had time to explain it to you in detail. I am inclined to think it is a favorable option, but I am intrigued as to your thoughts on the matter." Shady looked at the Misterian diplomat, awaiting his response.

Result: The Misterian/Cascadian meeting proceeds in unreal time. Let's wrap this up so we can move things along.

Guys, I await your input.

[DarthShady]

Palace of the Soviets, UCSR

"So, the MESS squirms as predicted." Shady laughed. "It would seem they didn't like Comrade Stanislav's recent actions." President Shady was holding a secure video conference with several key Union Government officials, discussing recent events and the actions taken by Stanislav and Heraclius.

"They are worried and with good reason. The world now has even less reason to trust them. The growing trend of the last couple of years continues. The worlds neutral nations continue to flock to our side, either officially or unofficially." Yuri Andropovsky commented. "The MESS public image just took another nail in it's coffin. Only this time, we were the ones to hammer it in, and not them. I Suspect they don't really like that."

Laughter erupted from several sides.

"Gentlemen." Shady spoke and the laughter stopped. "The Cold War continues, only things have now gotten a little bit colder. We must be cautious."


"Indeed, Comrade President." Kane interjected. "We must endeavor to stay one step ahead of the MESS. Things are getting more complicated with each passing day. And even as the Union's influence grows, so does that of our potential enemies. Damaging their public image is one thing, but weakening their influence, is another matter entirely."

"It's an ongoing game of chess." Yuri said with a frown.

"A game I intend to win." Kane smiled.

Shady watched the two men intently for a moment before speaking.

"Let's see if we can tip the odds in our favor." Shady said with a smile. "I have something I want you to do for me..."

*beep beep*

Shady was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He knew immediately that it was an important call, as he gave orders not to be interrupted otherwise. "Gentlemen, if you will excuse me for a moment." He said and pushed a button which ended the conference. He pushed another button and heard the voice of his secretary.

"Sir, I have King Paul on the line. He wishes to speak with you."

"Put him through."

*beep*

"Paul, dearest of all my friends..."

[Lonestar]

Ares Blog

ODN vessels depart on tour of Pacific
Two fo the ODN's most advanced vessels, the STAR CAGN John Smith and the STAR DDGN Elizabeth City have departed on a tour of Pacific Ports. The John Smith is slated to visit Wilkonian, Shinra, and Tian Xia ports while engaging in exercises, while the Elizabeth City will be visiting Tian Jiao for the Internal Look exercise and the Kingdom of Serenity. It is unknown if either of the vessels will be making port calls at Pacific Union cities...[More]


D.N.S. Ashville commissioned
The D.N.S. Asheville, the Old Dominion's first homegrown STAR Destroyer design, was comissioned yesterday following a tumultuous development and construction process. The Asheville-class joins the Ronaldus Magnus CAGNs and Elizabeth City DDGNs as a "high end" surface combatant. Differering requirements from other MESS nations and lack of shipyard capacity led to a leisurely construction pace for the Asheville, especially as much of the high-end work for the past several years has been concentrated on the Ronaldus Magnus CAGNs.

In ODN Doctrine, the STAR DDGNs are intended to operate as escorts for carrier groups while the CAGNs are intended to aid in continental defense, or, depending upon mission load out, land attack...[More]

Combat Optics demonstrates MQ-8D
Combat Optics demonstrated the latest MQ-8 variant in Albermarle Sound on Saturday. The MQ-8D is intended to operate primarily in the ASW role.

"While previous MQ-8 models were able to perform limited ASW roles, this is the first design with the full panoply of ASW equipment." said the CO Program Manager. "Unlike before, with slap-dash additions to recon and gunship drones, from the start of the design process it was going to be primarily a ASW bird."

The MQ-8D is expected to operate off of the ODN's new Neuse River patrol frigates and the new ASW carriers recently ordered. The MQ-8D will have a modified version of the AQS-22, the AQS-22C, as well as a UHF transciever to ensure continious contact with the motehr ship in the event of satellite unavailibility...[More]


Virginia Pilot

Thus ends an era...
The last analog commercial radio station in the country ended broadcasting over the weekend. WMAX Croatoan Easy Rock shut off it's analog transmitter after nearly a hundred years of service. All commercial radio stations in the country are now digital...[More]

[Czechmate]

Emmerische Flieger
Winter 2017/18

Goodbye And So Long
After nearly five decades of service, the aging 60,000-ton conventional aircraft carrier Gracemeria has finally been decomissioned by the KEM. CV.01 saw action in numerous conflicts, including the Vitozan rebellions of 1972-3, the Grunland Intervention in 1987, and the One Year War in 2002, in which she recieved no less than five battle stars for the successful conclusion of engagements against secessionist Polarian forces, including the sinking of the rogue cruiser Admiral Zustander, preventing it from conducting a missile strike on the carrier's namesake, the reichskapitol of Gracemeria. She is being replaced after years of inactivity by the modern conventional fleet carrier CV.02 Emmeria, built with the assistance of engineers hired from firms throughout the West and commissioned in December 2017. Trials are due to be completed in early April 2018, at which point Emmeria will commence regular cruises in defense of the Reich.

Other Articles:
* Heinkel B88 enters service with the Luftwaffe's KG-1 Ernst Hoffmann bomber group - details inside
* Type I SU-boat soon to hit waters around Emmeria - controversial missile-heavy design a nod to Western 'arsenal ship' concept
* Vitozan Air Force to purchase F28F-A under new nationalist-progressionist coalition government's defense spending plan - Design to be 'downgraded' to prevent leakage of secret technologies

[Shroom Man 777]

Picking Up The Pieces
In Goddamn Shit-Eating Unreal Time, Motherfuckerrrrrs!



Parliament Building, Farbanti, Shroomania

The business of governance was always a tiring and tedious one, and the burden had only grown with the death of Prime Minister Shroom. The man had a spark, a way with people that did not necessarily bring out the best in them, but a way that nonetheless gave everyone one hell of a manic, mad and merry time. Sadly, those days were now over.

For Lord Melchett McMeistervater, the burden of governance had grown even more - precisely because he had to deal with the aftermath of the Prime Minister's passing. As Minister of SHAFT and the late Prime Minister's right-hand in international affairs, he had to go through the routine of reassuring foreign governments that the Sovereignty's relationship with them had not changed despite what had happened.



"Yes," Melchett answered. "The Sovereignty would like to congratulate Cascadia and all the nations of the Pacific Union for the beginning of a new alliance dedicated to the mutual prosperity and safety of their respective member nations and to all the other nations in the world as well. Hopefully the Pacific Union will be an alliance that will contribute to global stability in this multipolar world and will conduct its relations with other nations in a fair and just manner, in order to promote peace and international goodwill. To further this goal, the Sovereignty would like to extend the hand of cooperation to the Pacific Union, in working together to actualize the World Health Organization proposed by Cascadian President Stephen Garrett and Shroomania's late Prime Minister Shroom the 777th."

"But Lord-Minister!" an effeminate-voiced journo piqued up. "What's the Sovereignty's stance on the propaganda war between CATO and the MESS? What do you make of the statements by former Premier Stanislav and Byzantine Emperor Heraclius alleging the Old Dominion's secret patronage of warcriminal Al Sheppard?"

Lord-Minister Melchett McMeistervater supressed a groan. The unofficial policy he and his peers in the Parliament had decided on was to avoid the shitfest that both sides had thrown, not to exacerbate it.

"Lord-Minister?" the journo asked.

"Hmmm... let's take a walk, shall we?" Melchett replied as he picked his tophat up and walked out of the Parliament building. The retinue of journos followed him out of the building and into the stately gardens surrounding it. "This will be the last question for the session, is it not? Then perhaps we should get some air before we finally retire."

"Lord-Minister -"

"Yes." Melchett settled himself between three statues and mused for a moment before deciding on an answer. "Ah, I say...



"The Sovereignty at this time cannot independently verify the allegations made by former Premier Stanislav and Emperor Heraclius. However, unlike the responses of other parties, the Sovereignty would not be so quick to dismiss the statements made by former Premier Stanislav and Emperor Heraclius - as both statesmen are individuals are held by the Sovereignty in the highest regard.

"Certainly, both of them would be privy to certain information that others may not have access to - as Shroomania was never a member of the MESS, and our dealings with the former nation of Shepistan have been minimal at best - and thus premature judgment on the Sovereignty's part would be unwise.

"Nonetheless, I believe that Stanislav and Heraclius are not the type to carelessly make baseless accusations and their claims must certainly be taken into consideration. Outright dismissal or belittling is only unbecoming of the parties who have done so, displaying a grave discourtesy towards not only to both former Premier Stanislav and Emperor Heraclius, but also their respective nations. The fate of Shepistani warcriminals is a matter that must be looked into, and perhaps an investigation might be in order.

"Now, gentlemen, this session is at an end. Thank you for your time and, well, so long and thanks for all the fish." Melchett adjourned the meeting, grabbed his groceries and proceeded to go home.




RESULTS:
- Shroomania applauds the formation of the Pacific Union and hopes that the Pac-U will help Shroomania out with the WHO. Steve
- Shroomania is playing it safe in the whole CATO-MESS propaganda war, but puts a good word in for Heraclius and Stanislav.
- Melchett will head for the Crossroadia Economic Summit thing.

[MKSheppard]

Lord Fairfax's residence

"So, Mr. Shroomar, what exactly does this discovery in the Secret zone mean for us? I mean, it's not like we don't already know most of the stuff the Rockchu......Shepistanis did." asked Lonestar. For some reason, which he couldn't put his finger on, he had an intense dislike of the visitor from the Old Dominion National Archives, a Mr. Norman Shroomar.



"Well, Lord Fairfax, we now have the records of just about everything that the Shepistani government did -- and I don't mean the bullshit stuff like how many people were executed for heresy against the Shepistani religion -- but the explosively dynamite stuff relating to Shepistan's relations with Astaria, Pacifica, Japanistan, and the CSR. But it's the stuff relating to the CSR which is most.....interesting, and reveals much of the psychology behind the Shepistani government's final decisions."

"Really?"

"Yes. If you want, I can have a summary of what we've discovered so far on your desk by the end of the week."

"Fine, fine." muttered Lonestar. "I don't know why, but I really, really hate that guy." he added as he poured himself another bottle of Shroomling beer.

Results OD will know just about everything about the Shepistani governments deals, psychology within a few weeks/months as the archives are gone through.

[Beowulf]

Western CFR
formerly known as Mortimer's Claim

"So, what's the stats for this month?"

"Well, there was only a single attack undertaken in the last month. Killed 5 people. CPS picked up a perp within two days. The day after, we rolled up his cell."

"What's the news on unit rotation?"

"CPS has a couple hundred guys rotating in and out this month. We've got 2 regiments coming in. Armored Cav and an Air Mobile. Out going is an Armored Cav and a Mech."

--

Pax River Naval Base
Tian Xia

"We think the X-ray is ready for trials now. We're planning on shipping it to Tian Jiao to test against our remaining SSIs, and then against the NFT's boats." The project lead spoke. On the wall behind him, a image was projected, depicting an object that looked much like an aircraft. Except it lacked any sort of engine. "If it works well enough, we'll go on to producing the all up version with the thermal engine for a 5 year patrol time. It's not fast, but it should provide reasonably accurate data."

--

Ares Blog

Seawolf class begins upgrades

TXS Bluefish put in to dry dock today, to undergo largely unspecified upgrades. The only known portion of the upgrade is the installation of 4 7" diameter torpedo tubes, presumably for the launch of the Mk55 VLWT. This will be occuring in conjunction with the refueling and overhaul already scheduled.

[MKSheppard]

Somewhere near the Hectate Mountains, Sirnoth



The PzH 2000s roared, sending shells flying through the air, to impact on the town in the Hectate Mountain Range. Minutes later, as the dust settled Sirnothi Gripens zoomed in to drop their bombs.



As the dust from THAT settled, the Sirnothi forces began to push forward, exhorted on by their Old Dominion "Advisors" who at this point ran operations more complicated than "massacre civilians wildly".



That was something Rhee Ann Sheppard aimed to change; but for now, this damnable 100 year insurgency had to end. His only limitations were "No fucking gassing the goddamn place, or killing people for the hell of it", from the Lord Fairfax himself, who was keeping a close eye on the offensive's progress.