SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the First.

[Siege]

"I wanted to talk to you about a plan that we've been considering putting into effect. Basically, it involves using air-dropped munitions to clear away a strip of jungle. Now it provides a path for the enemy, but that's the point-the goal is to lure them into one nice bottleneck where they can be bombarded with certainty.

What do you think about it?"

"Well, it certainly sounds like a plan to me... Of course the devil is in the details. How much jungle needs removing, what kind of resistance are we to expect, will the OPFOR be riding soft or hard vehicles? And keep in mind that the best we can offer are our Aardvarks..." A crooked grin split General Every's face. "But then again, Ralson manufactures these thermobaric warheads that I've been dying to try out for some time..."

[Karmic Knight]

Vinish International News In Brief

-Over Four Million Complaints Filed Against the San Doradan Zone.

-FASTA funding From the Vineyards begin again (Initial Payment of 100 Million, with a Yearly Payment of 50 Million)

-Vineyards sign up for the FUN – GLOBAL MARKET

-Kaiser Earles named legitimate ruler of the Settlement. (The Kingdom of Earles)

-King Brandon To Take Trip to Old Continent In Early 2009.

-Ambassador Bridgette Tenenbaum sent to Coilerburg Peninsula, to attempt to broker peace.

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Baernish field headquarters, northern CFR

”I would like to take a moment to address, a mister Gino Weinberg, of Minoy. I am talking to you, the leader of the Minoy armed intrusion into the CFR. What are your goals in the CFR. Are they to strip mine the country dry? Are they to conquer a personal kingdom? The Vinish Forces would like to know, if you are leading an expedition with similar goals to Operation Stabilizer, join it. If you wish for your own fiefdom, give us a picture of what land you want, I’m sure we can reach an agreement.”

"Sir, we just received a message from the Vinish HQ," a Baernish private said to his sergeant. "It's for Mr. Weinberg."

"Escort him to the communications tent," the sergeant replied. Several soldiers ushered Gino over to the tent, where several radio operators were waiting; one of them handed over a microphone to Gino.

"You're on the air, Mr. Weinberg," the operator said.

Gino took the microphone and started speaking into it. "You are indeed speaking to Gino Weinberg, the only authority left in what used to be the nation of Minoy," he began. "I will be frank with you. Yes, conquest is one of my objectives, but I have no intention of ruling over the entire Central Frequesque Republic. I want only to clear out and establish rule over those territories currently occupied by our common enemy, the Revolutionary Front. As long as they are allowed to run unfettered, there will be no peace in this region. Your forces will have to stay even longer to secure the area, thus draining your economies, and civilians in areas under the Front's control will continue to suffer; the Front will also be free to strike at me as they wish, further destabilizing the situation in Minoy as well. In a sense, you can say I share the same goals as Operation Stabilizer.

"I have no quarrel with the Winter Army, the Yorkshire Militias, or what little remains of the CFR's so-called 'government.' Again, like you, I want the Revolutionary Front taken out of the picture for good. However, my plans for conquest may not sit well with the rest of your comrades in the FTO; still, I hope that we may be able to reach an agreement over the territories I want."

[Siege]

Station One, San Dorado’s News Source Supreme

San Dorado Shrugs Off Complaints
The Board of Directors continues to ignore the complaints filed against the San Doradan settlement in the North-Frequesuan wilderness. Vinish settlers have thus far issued upward of four million complaints against the zone, primarily revolving around the massive strip-miner that is being used to extract resources, but also having to do with the perpetual warfare that continues to plague the zone. SDAF bombardments and SDA artillery fire, the Vinish settlers say, is disrupting their sleep. ‘Tough luck’ according to a spokesperson for the Board. ‘Let ‘em buy earplugs.’

Monorail Killer Remains Afoot
The infamous ‘Monorail Killer’ who terrorizes San Dorado’s monorail system at night tonight claimed his twentieth victim in three years. Like others before him the victim was hurled through the glass of the railway carriage between stations, to plummet to his untimely doom on the pavement more than a hundred meters below. According to the SDPD they are ‘close’ to catching the killer, but have difficulty separating the killer’s victims from the many suicides on the monorail. Close to a hundred people commit suicide by jumping off a moving monorail carriage in San Dorado each year.

Yak-141 Delivered
The SDAF Naval Air Wing Calico Jacks today received their new Yak-141 aircraft. Ordered from Tian Jiao when that country was still known as Westchester, the new supersonic VTOL aircraft will be based off the LHD Pride and Profit, replacing the ageing Harrier fleet. The Harriers will be placed in mothballs for the time being.

Fourty-Five Dead In Block War
A massive riot in East Colding City Block erupted into a full-scale block war earlier today, requiring the presence of major Silver TAC AIP assets before it was finally suppressed. Fourty-five people were killed, many more were injured. The riot ignited originally after a massive drunken brawl merged with a turf war between two Sprawl drug gangs. ‘Drugs and alcohol have always been a bad combination’, said an AIP spokesperson. ‘If citizens want to use hard drugs, that’s their business. If they get rowdy though, we have to put them in their place – that’s our business.’

Rocketfields Prepare For Test Launch
Tension increased at the Camp Kitthawk Rocketfields earlier today, as scientists and engineers prepare for the launch of an improved version of the Simoleon rocket. If everything goes according to plan, this version will be capable of lifting close to half a ton of mass into a low orbit.

Golden Dollars Make True To Their Name
The SDAF tactical bomber squadron Golden Dollars today pummeled the Sabikan Air Force, destroying at least one armored spearhead and two forward air bases of the SAF with no losses and minimal damage of their own. The elite Smokin' Jokers squadron, flying Rafale multirole aircraft, meanwhile assured total air superiority over Sabikan air space, downing at least six MiG-21 fighter aircraft before returning to base. The war in Coilerburg meanwhile appears to grind down into a brutal slugging match as Sabikan and Coilerburg forces appear evenly matched. Indhopali marines, arriving today on Coilerburg soil, may prove key to turning the tide. The Board of Directors has greenlighted the sealifting of SDA units to Coilerburg as well; elements of 1st Mechanized Brigade are expected to leave La Palma three days from now.

Station One returns with the latest news, after these messages...

[Coiler]

"Well, it certainly sounds like a plan to me... Of course the devil is in the details. How much jungle needs removing, what kind of resistance are we to expect, will the OPFOR be riding soft or hard vehicles? And keep in mind that the best we can offer are our Aardvarks..." A crooked grin split General Every's face. "But then again, Ralson manufactures these thermobaric warheads that I've been dying to try out for some time..."

"The biggest problem I have with the plan is that we don't know if they'll fall for it. I mean, having enemy planes bomb open a nice, direct path? I'd be suspicious of it.

What if we do it, and our effort is wasted when they don't take the route out of suspicion?"

[Siege]

"The biggest problem I have with the plan is that we don't know if they'll fall for it. I mean, having enemy planes bomb open a nice, direct path? I'd be suspicious of it.

What if we do it, and our effort is wasted when they don't take the route out of suspicion?"

"We use your forces as bait", injected General Every coldly. "Have an armored battalion or two appear to advance through the recently-cleared gap and make 'em look like they mean it. To the Sabikans it will seem as if they're advancing through a cleared stretch of jungle toward the Sabikan-Coilerburg border. They'll have to respond, and when they do, we bomb them into a pulp." He frowned. "If your men and women are up for it, of course. And we can't guarantee there won't be any blue-on-blue incidents if they get into close quarters before we drop our payloads, of course."

[Karmic Knight]

President Raj Ahten invites representatives from all FTO nations to his residence.

The other officials visit also coincided with Ex-President Jeffery's appointment.

President Raj Ahten started by saying,

"Welcome gentlemen, it’s good of you to be here. The FTO is in serious trouble. We seem to be loosing our focus in a million small conflicts. It seems old vendettas against Coilerburg and new problems involving imperialist forces moving in are all happening at once. We need a plan of action otherwise we will spend ourselves to death on pointless wars.

I see our main priority at this point as assisting Coilerburg. Operation Stabilizer will have to wait. We also need a unified strategy against the imperialist forces making more inroads into Frequesue. Tian Xia and the CSR can balance each other at this point. We have already taken steps towards a stronger defense to discourage anyone from taking us lightly. I would say a strategy of engagement with the great powers will be our best for keeping them at bay. This will not be popular with the populace however."

President Hank cleared his throat. His plane had landed mere hours ago, but when a valuable ally said he wanted to talk, it was best not to keep him waiting. Besides, Indhopal produced some excellent brandy.

"I would agree that assisting Coilerburg should be our main goal at this point in time. Our military has already engaged the Sabikan air force, and we're achieving some rather remarkable successes right now. Nonetheless, I would argue we have to begin talking to both Sabika and Omago before soon, because I'd really rather settle this stupid grudge swiftly and amicably rather than after the inevitable crushing defeat of the aggressors. That would only serve to spawn another round of this stupid conflict in the future. Until such time as the leadership of those countries proves willing to listen to reason, however, I say we send our naval task force up there and see if they can find some targets for their guns. We haven't paid upkeep for that fleet just to have it sit in ports whilst a contributing member is under attack."

The president frowned slightly, then continued. "On the subject of peace keeping missions... We cannot go in, and then pull troops out when it becomes inconvenient to have them there, and then re-insert them later on, only to have to withdraw them again come the next crisis. This is just... uneconomical. If we want to turn these fractured nations into viable markets, we have to be prepared to commit ourselves for longer-term missions, and we have to think smaller. Right now, our 2nd Mechanized Brigade is patrolling the streets of Eastern-Occidental in the CFR. This admittedly small province has become mostly calm since our arrival and is beginning to get its affairs back on track. What I want to illustrate by this example is that we cannot seriously hope to stabilize an entire nation with our limited forces. We have to pick our battles, work to stabilize provinces first, then regions, and only then the entire nation. This top-to-bottom approach that many of you seem to insist on simply is not working."

"No, what we need is long-term, focused, and less ambitious. When we have, say, three stable provinces, we can use those as platforms to stabilize three more, and so on. we can't just march our troops into the capital city and expect an entire nation to suddenly become like us overnight, and since we cannot do that, we have to either commit for the long term and stay committed -- or we should not commit at all. Anything else is folly and a waste of precious resources."

"Considering the Great Powers and their puppets... San Dorado has little business with them, being located on the other side of the continent. We will follow the lead of whatever the local members with more experience concerning them have to say."

King Brandon stood up, and cleared his throat. He had rushed down to Indhopal as soon as possible, carrying the representation of all of the Southern Peninsula (the Vineyards and Eutopia) with him.

"In regards to Coilerburg, I feel that the situation would be better brokered by someone not in the FTO, which would be biased towards Coilerburg, nor someone with ties to Omago or Sabika, for the reverse reason. We have sent our best ambassador there to try and broker a deal, but we feel that we need a neutral ambassador in there.

“Now, on to the decisions regarding Operation Stabilizer, if we continue this precedent of every new problem is more important than the last, we’re fucked as a group. We will run our econmies into the ground before we solve a problem, with a bombed out, half finished operation left in its place. We must remember that we are more than one; Indhopal can hand over command of the Operation to the Vineyards, and take over operating Operation Rescue Coiler. I have a few ideas on how to get Breen to deal with the issues facing the CFR. Many of them involve putting the fighting/anti bandit operations in the hands of member of the various militias in power, I also see Weinberg as a very good ally, if he wants to fight the Revolutionary Front, I say we help him do so, and let him carve out a fiefdom of their territory.

“About the Annexed Territory and Westchester, I am trying to be cordial with my neighbor, and I don’t think either side really has any long-term dreams on conquest. The Annexed Territory seems only to be kept afloat by the CSR, which I regard as good, personally. I have no dealings with Westchester, nor do I want any. I have reason to believe the attack that started the War in Westchester ’08 was caused by Westchester misinformation, I have no proof, other than the fact that they jumped right into the arms of Tian Xia after the attack. If Klavostan has had any different dealings, I would like to know. I think going around trying to shove anyone we don’t like out is a bad plan, we need to work with those we want out, and compromise, which is actually a main point of the Vinish plan in the CFR.

“Also, President Hank, about REAL Eight, was it? I wouldn’t be so dismissive of the KoE, I know Josh, and he is a bit of a maniac at times. This is compounded with his overall issues he must deal with, immigration, independence, self sufficiency, and relations with the natives. He has a lot of trouble, with Bordeaux still at large, he has to do something, I’m afraid he may fund these rebels you are dealing with, or even attack REAL EIGHT directly.”

[Karmic Knight]

Vinish Headquarters, Southwestern CFR

Baernish field headquarters, northern CFR
Gino took the microphone and started speaking into it. "You are indeed speaking to Gino Weinberg, the only authority left in what used to be the nation of Minoy," he began. "I will be frank with you. Yes, conquest is one of my objectives, but I have no intention of ruling over the entire Central Frequesque Republic. I want only to clear out and establish rule over those territories currently occupied by our common enemy, the Revolutionary Front. As long as they are allowed to run unfettered, there will be no peace in this region. Your forces will have to stay even longer to secure the area, thus draining your economies, and civilians in areas under the Front's control will continue to suffer; the Front will also be free to strike at me as they wish, further destabilizing the situation in Minoy as well. In a sense, you can say I share the same goals as Operation Stabilizer.

"I have no quarrel with the Winter Army, the Yorkshire Militias, or what little remains of the CFR's so-called 'government.' Again, like you, I want the Revolutionary Front taken out of the picture for good. However, my plans for conquest may not sit well with the rest of your comrades in the FTO; still, I hope that we may be able to reach an agreement over the territories I want."

Commander Breen Smiled, this was why he loved addressing people directly in his ‘Breencasts’ they were more willing to respond than the huddled masses. He shot a look at his technician; the man rolled his eyes and nodded. Breen cleared his throat before talking, “Mr. Weinberg, thank you for your honesty, I have a few questions regarding your goals: Do you have to man power to knock out the Revolutionary front, if not, can you handle lengthy conflict with them,” he looked down at the file he received from Central, “Are you able to clear out bandit infested areas after you have secured your area of control? Can you keep the civilian population of the area happy, or at least content and fed? What do you have by way of Naval and Air Assets? And lastly, what assistance would you need from Operation Stabilizer to successfully, and quickly complete your goals of conquest, and nation building?”

[CmdrWilkens]

Ministry fo Defense releases annual progress report on "New Horizons"

CGN(X)-1
Inital keel work is currently underway after design approval through the Naval Surface Command. Final keel work is expected to be compelted rapidly as most major segments were already in fabrication under Executive Order 9-200643 after preliminary design approval. Concurrent work on the reactor housing vessels at Bethlehem Steel Works Naval Subdivision is proceeding apace. Current projections show that CGN(X)-1 will likely be ready for initial trials by the middle of next year and full sea trials after final fit-out and systems integration test by the end of the 1st quarter the year following.


DDGN(X)-1
Final design work is being completed as preliminary design approval has been reached. Naval Surface Command is currently reviewing the final two design options mostly as related mostly to placement of the VLS cells as well as a final design subset with a different defensive configuration for the anti cruise-missile systems


SM-4 family
With some work being farmed out to toher MESS members initial Wilkonian efforts have focused on the RIM-168 ABM and M/RIM-169 SAM. Most design work for the RIM-172 ASAT has been farmed out along with most work on preparing the neccessarry communications satellites for systems integration at the completion of New Horizons.


SPY-XX
The full SPY-3 has been fully approved and a proposal is already being offered to the Committe on Imperial Defense for next FY approval which would allocate $23.5Bn to begin retrofitting operations. Progress continues on the SPY-3A and system architecture work has already begun for SPY-3B. Currently contracts will be coming open for reconfiguring the SPY-3A system into the ASPY-3A for use in the next generation AWACS, procurement target being first operational flight in FY14.


Ground Radar
System architecture work is completed and initial contractor bids are expected to go out soon for work on both OTH-B and OTH-SW systems.


Systems Integration
Final award has been made to MicroProse of Hunt Valley for final terminal hardware and software construction. Initial system test is expected to co-incide with sea trials for CGN(X)-1 and then retrofitting of all C4I stations to follow on a 3 year aquistion cycle.


Total program dollars spent: $410Bn
Total program dollars through FY14: $1.25 Tn
Total dollars for complete retrofit: $68.4Bn
Additional aquisition costs not covered under program but anticipated: $276Bn
Percent of Aquisition Budget: 69.5% for FY08, 62.1% for FY09, 70.3% proposed for FY10

[Siege]

“Also, President Hank, about REAL Eight, was it? I wouldn’t be so dismissive of the KoE, I know Josh, and he is a bit of a maniac at times. This is compounded with his overall issues he must deal with, immigration, independence, self sufficiency, and relations with the natives. He has a lot of trouble, with Bordeaux still at large, he has to do something, I’m afraid he may fund these rebels you are dealing with, or even attack REAL EIGHT directly.”

"I say let him try", President Hank scowled. He wasn't usually one for power politics, but something about this remark just rubbed him the wrong way. "What's he got, a thousand men and small arms? This upstart shouldn't forget that he's dealing with a nation whose military airfields are a short flight away. We're all about coexistence and mutual prosperity in San Dorado, but don't be fooled - when push comes to shove we'll do whatever we damned well please up there. Besides, I have reason to assume the natives won't be a problem for much longer."

"Concerning the CFR, frankly we have no trust in outsourcing law enforcement to one militia or another. We've seen what these bandits do with the country if given half a chance: we shouldn't be working with these people, but only with governing entities whose executive mandate derives at least to some extent from the masses, rather than from sheer force-of-arms. Otherwise we might as well pack up and go home right away. And between us, I don't trust this Weinberg character for one bit. If there's one thing we don't need more of on our continent it's feudal nitwits who think they can stake out a claim to some bit of territory to turn into their personal duchy. What's he think this is, the bloody Dark Ages?"

"Finally, concerning Coilerbug and the whole clusterfuck up there... If you can broker a diplomatic solution, you're most welcome to do so. I'd prefer to settle the matter amicably, as I said before. That being said however... Coilerburg is a member of the FTO, and one of the very founding principles of this alliance was to protect its members against outside aggression. If this isn't outside aggression I don't know what is. We're obligated to help out those people. If we didn't, we might as well scratch this whole charade and just inform the world we're a shill of an organization with preciously little purpose but to waste time and achieve nothing. So whilst we wait for your diplomat to do her thing, I'll kindly inform you that we'll just go on bombing the crap out of Sabika until they see reason."

The president sat down, traces of irritation clearly visible on his face. Is this what we've come to? he wondered. Sitting around some god-damn table because we're squeamish about doing what we signed up to do in the first place? Well damn that. It's about time we separated the boys from the men.

[Coiler]

"We use your forces as bait", injected General Every coldly. "Have an armored battalion or two appear to advance through the recently-cleared gap and make 'em look like they mean it. To the Sabikans it will seem as if they're advancing through a cleared stretch of jungle toward the Sabikan-Coilerburg border. They'll have to respond, and when they do, we bomb them into a pulp." He frowned. "If your men and women are up for it, of course. And we can't guarantee there won't be any blue-on-blue incidents if they get into close quarters before we drop our payloads, of course."

Helmut thought about this, his mind torn between whether to take the chance with the operation or not. On one hand, no war was won without taking risks. On the other, was now the right time to take risks?

Only one way to find out. "Sounds like a plan. I'll get elements of the 12th Armored together to try it."

In secrecy, the SDAF was sent a map with the location of the proposed clearing, and both air forces prepared for the operation....

[Sea Skimmer]

edit wrong thread

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Baernish field headquarters, northern CFR

Vinish Headquarters, Southwestern CFR

Commander Breen Smiled, this was why he loved addressing people directly in his ‘Breencasts’ they were more willing to respond than the huddled masses. He shot a look at his technician; the man rolled his eyes and nodded. Breen cleared his throat before talking, “Mr. Weinberg, thank you for your honesty, I have a few questions regarding your goals: Do you have to man power to knock out the Revolutionary front, if not, can you handle lengthy conflict with them,” he looked down at the file he received from Central, “Are you able to clear out bandit infested areas after you have secured your area of control? Can you keep the civilian population of the area happy, or at least content and fed? What do you have by way of Naval and Air Assets? And lastly, what assistance would you need from Operation Stabilizer to successfully, and quickly complete your goals of conquest, and nation building?”

"While my forces certainly do have the numbers needed to crush the Revolutionary Front or at least bleed it dry through attrition, they lack both training and equipment," Gino replied. "While I was able to recover most of the Minoy Army brigades that had deserted to the CFR and absorb a few bandit and Revolutionary Front units, the vast majority of my forces are still made up of barely-trained gangstas and hillbillies, to put it bluntly; while the army cadres are doing their best to train new recruits as they arrive, they can only do so much. I have a few BTRs and BRDMs, but the vast majority of my IFVs are simply civilian pickups and SUVs with hillbilly armor, machine guns, and recoilless rifles. My air assets consist simply of a dozen Mi-8s, six Gazelles, three Mi-24s, a dozen Aero L-29s, and four Antonovs; since most of the qualified technicians either died or fled to Sabika to work for their military instead, they're on the verge of falling apart. Whatever navy Minoy used to have was practically annihilated, and I haven't been able to come across or acquire any suitable ships for my use. While my current forces are more than capable of routing bandits and the Revolutionary Front's regulars and making sure they stay out, as the initial stages of my campaign proved, I doubt that they will be able to last very long against the Revolutionary Front's guards units or the Iron Tigers.

"As for the civilian population, I can ensure that they are at least content and well-fed, but I need the proper amount of supplies first. Food and medicine are still reasonably plentiful in Minoy proper, but I can't say the same for the Revolutionary Front's territories. I know that the Front seizes supplies and withholds them from the civilian population in order to ensure their compliance; we were able to seize a few caches during our initial advance, but I doubt that all the supplies can be fully recovered and redistributed to the population. Aid shipments may be required for quite some time until we can fully restore the area.

"Needless to say, I will be needing plenty of assistance from the other parties involved in Operation Stabilizer. If you have any surplus military hardware lying around, hand it over to me and help train my forces in its use. I'll also be needing advisors to help train my men and technicians to look after my hardware. Due to my limited aerial assets, I would also appreciate direct air support from your bombers should I need it. Negotiating the cooperation of the other factions would be helpful as well; I know that Yorkshire and the remnants of the CFR's government both have a vested interest in wiping out the Front for good. Once the Front has been eliminated, I'll be needing foreign investment to help rebuild all the ruined infrastructure and, as mentioned before, aid packages to help keep the civilian population healthy and well-fed until it can get back on its feet again."

[Karmic Knight]

"I say let him try", President Hank scowled. He wasn't usually one for power politics, but something about this remark just rubbed him the wrong way. "What's he got, a thousand men and small arms? This upstart shouldn't forget that he's dealing with a nation whose military airfields are a short flight away. We're all about coexistence and mutual prosperity in San Dorado, but don't be fooled - when push comes to shove we'll do whatever we damned well please up there. Besides, I have reason to assume the natives won't be a problem for much longer."

"Concerning the CFR, frankly we have no trust in outsourcing law enforcement to one militia or another. We've seen what these bandits do with the country if given half a chance: we shouldn't be working with these people, but only with governing entities whose executive mandate derives at least to some extent from the masses, rather than from sheer force-of-arms. Otherwise we might as well pack up and go home right away. And between us, I don't trust this Weinberg character for one bit. If there's one thing we don't need more of on our continent it's feudal nitwits who think they can stake out a claim to some bit of territory to turn into their personal duchy. What's he think this is, the bloody Dark Ages?"

"Finally, concerning Coilerbug and the whole clusterfuck up there... If you can broker a diplomatic solution, you're most welcome to do so. I'd prefer to settle the matter amicably, as I said before. That being said however... Coilerburg is a member of the FTO, and one of the very founding principles of this alliance was to protect its members against outside aggression. If this isn't outside aggression I don't know what is. We're obligated to help out those people. If we didn't, we might as well scratch this whole charade and just inform the world we're a shill of an organization with preciously little purpose but to waste time and achieve nothing. So whilst we wait for your diplomat to do her thing, I'll kindly inform you that we'll just go on bombing the crap out of Sabika until they see reason."

The president sat down, traces of irritation clearly visible on his face. Is this what we've come to? he wondered. Sitting around some god-damn table because we're squeamish about doing what we signed up to do in the first place? Well damn that. It's about time we separated the boys from the men.

“Well, if we let them try, you’ll end up killing my civilians, you can see why I wouldn’t want that, right?” Brandon responded, thinking about how to put his next few points, “I’ll try and rein him in with some matters he can solve easily, which will artificially puff up his record, and thus sate him and his populace. If you knock out those natives resistant to your operation, I don’t see him attacking you directly, he does have a streak of rash moves, but he isn’t stupid.”

“It is the only way I see us getting a stable region out of it, the military dictators are the only people with any power in that place, currently. If you can get an election going, and get the people to actually agree to it, I’d be willing to support it. I would rather deal with someone who is checked by the people, but we currently don’t have that option. I would be happy with hundreds of independent city-states over the dictatorships that have sprung up. Even before the place descended, Mortimer was a dictator, so it isn’t like we have much a democratic country to build from. I don’t personally trust Weinberg either, but he seems steadfastly against the RF, and we could use a group steadfastly against the RF. I don’t know what he does to civilians he deals with, but we do know what the RF does, so it is really a toss up.

“I’m all for bombing the idiots, Vulture Groups A and B can be put to use, if you guys need them, my ASF fighters, and Multi-Roles also. My ships in the Joint-Navy are part of the operation; I was just being proactive and getting someone to negotiate before it became clear they were getting beaten the shit out of, appears as if the people in charge are willing to compromise and appearances are everything. Tenenbaum is trying to end the things amicably; I would still think the aggressors would be happier with a neutral negotiator, but we don’t have on handy so they’ll have to settle.”

[TimothyC]

News Post:

1. Further Cosette Production has been canceled.
2. Alaska is looking for partners for future B-58K Production.
3. Alaska is seeking a producer for 6 Spruance Class Hulls and power plants.
4. Alaska is looking for a partner for a new small LPD/AOE ship.
5. The first Buddy-Tanking of two B-58Js was successful.
6. Alaska is now looking for partners for Nuclear Reactors of a variety of sizes (from small Ship-based ones, to large ones that power cities).

[Czechmate]

Western Airspace, Tian Jiao

Upon being spotted by ground radar and the locally patrolling E-3C AWACS, the An-124 had commenced radio hails. The TJAF had sent up a flight of four Su-30MKI aircraft and two RF-18Cs, the recon aircraft recording the intercept and all audio transmissions.

The lead Flanker radioed the Crimmie pilot, ordering him to follow the lead element of Flankers to Ellsworthy Air Force Base in western Tian Jiao. The rear element of Flankers kept their weapons locked on the transport, and the Hornets remained within visual recording range of their Advanced Reconnaisance image-Capture (ARC) systems.

It was a short flight; the Crimmie pilot, herded to a landing, recorded and 'escorted' the entire way, simply obeyed, his aircraft touching down at one of Ellsworthy's long bomber runways, still targeted from above by orbiting Flankers and spied upon by the recon Hornets.

Ground security teams of the TJAF raced up to the aircraft as it moved to taxi away from the runway, a "Follow Me' car leading it to a parking spot on the apron, far from other aircraft or anything vulnerable. Its' exits were targetted by the machineguns of the security Humvees, and teams of security troops carefully watched the interior as the plane's ramp lowered.

As it thunked down onto the ground, revealing the POWs crowded within, a young TJAF officer stepped forth and spoke.

"Attention, men of Tian Jiao. Welcome home. You will now calmly file out of the aircraft. Only then will you be safe from Crimson treachery. You will then be loaded onto waiting busses for transport to comfortable facilities for recuperation and debrief. Once again; welcome home. The Governor himself expresses his relief at your return."

The POWs, each mustering the dignity of a citizen of their nation, above the putrid trickery of their socialist foes, disembarked in good order, saluted by all present for their valor and fortitude in the face of the enemy. A pair of large military busses pulled up, their doors opening to reveal nurses bearing fresh coveralls and shoes. Soon the men were aboard and rushed to the base's military hospital for examination and recuperation.

As for the An-124, its' crew was held in their plane for a short time, given box lunches, and given a small letter thanking the CSR for returning the POWs and demanding the whereabouts and safe return of Major Tsukishiro, who the POWs had reported was taken from them shortly before their departure. They were then herded back out onto a runway and allowed to take off, escorted by a second flight of Flankers and recon Hornets all the way to the border, where they were allowed to proceed alone.

Results:
-POWs recieved intact and without incident. Crimson transport plane escorted back to border and then allowed to fly on into the AFSR unmolested.
-TJ and TX politely demand the location of Major Tsukishiro, who has been pointed out by the returned POWs as being separated from them shortly before their departure.

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish Ministry of Records
State Affairs
SUBJECT 1:His Grace Duke James of Baerne
SUBJECT 2: Her Excellency Countess Truman, Minister for War
SUBJECT 3: Her Excellency Countess Domizia, Minister for Foreign Affairs

1: "Well, Your Excellencies, what do you think of Mr. Weinburg's offer?"

2: "Your Grace, it's perfect! As President Rak Ahten pointed out this morning, we're already committed in too many small wars to manage all of them successfully. Having a local strongman in our pocket would be perfect, especially since he's already got a strong respect for the power of the FTO."

1: "So you are of the opinion that we should support his plans for conquest?"

2: "Quite, Your Grace."

1: " Sophie, you've been awfully quite. Anything to say?"

3: "Your Grace, I can't help but worry about the reaction of the rest of the FTO, and of Langley, should we allow an ex-head of state and possible war criminal to hold dominion over territory we've sworn to protect."

1: "He's got a point, though. Unless someone takes over, we'll never get out of there. I say we support him. Tell the rest of the FTO, if you please."

[Beowulf]

Excerpt from the Winter 2008 Journal of Modern History

Neo-colonialism and the Uranium War
John Conner

Abstract:
This paper explores the issue of neo-colonialism in the context of the Uranium War. Propoganda from the Crimson Star Republic (and it can be considered nothing but) calls Tian Xia an imperial power. The situation is in fact the exact opposite. The actions of the CSR are in fact the definition of imperialism, starting with its de facto protection of a client state, to its toppling of the existing government and replacement with its own.

[Raj Ahten]

The Impromptu FTO Conference
President Raj Ahten said,

"It seems we have some work to do before we can come to an agreement on the CFR. Personally I am very wary of backing one warlord against the others. For instance we know next to nothing of this Weinburg character, or his true goals. Besides, I doubt with the remnants of Minoy’s army he'd be able to seal the fate of the Revolutionary Front. Mortimer's government fought them for decades and lost. They'll just return to guerilla tactics, something they are very good at.

What we need is a way to draw the factions into the political process. San Dorado's plan of clearing and building small areas might be the way to start. We should include the local power blocs in this process. In most cases, the warlords are the closest to legitimate authorities we are likely to get. I think we should help those willing to cooperate build their areas into new republics, as the CFR as a whole never made sense as a nation. The Winter Army and the Yorkshire Militias could probably be fairly easily persuaded to join such an effort. Mortimer Jr's faction is an unknown and right now the Revolutionary Front seems hostile to the idea.

For them, a carrot and stick approach would be in order. We offer them economic and development aid if they join the program, and bombing raids if they choose to attack us or the other factions. If they choose to sit out of the process, they can do so and gain nothing. Of course the Devil is in the details, as all the factions would want to control the rich diamond areas in the West of the country. Perhaps putting the fields under the control of a neutral party for distribution would be in order to share the wealth between the factions.

As far as who should command this effort, I understood that it was a joint project. Perhaps each interested party could have a zone of control and we all work towards the same goal? Someone would have to be put in overall command of the effort to coordinate it and personally I have no problem with the Vineyards leading the charge, as long as we can all agree to charge in the same direction.

Now on to Coilerburg. If the alliance agrees, Indhopal will take control of the relief effort. The priority now is smashing the enemy offensive. My General's believe we now have sufficient forces on the ground to accomplish this goal. It is doubtful the rest of the FTO could provide the heavy armor necessary in time to matter anyway. I am told that any aircraft that can be contributed are greatly needed and I thank all of you that have contributed forces all ready.

Once the conflict is over hopefully we can negotiate a peace that Sabika and Omango can live with. An economic development program for the region may be in order, as Minoy, Sabika, and Omango are all in desperate need of one. Perhaps if we concern them with making money they won't want to invade Coilerburg."

Edit: "The Vineyards have a good point that a neutral nation should lead the negotiations for he peace settlememtn with Sabika and Omango. Perhaps we could invite Cascadia to do it? Their hosting of the upcoming Frequesue neutrality conference shows they have no designs on the region."

[Lonestar]

Secure CCDC Facility, Leeward Islands

The ODAAF G5 came in late in the evening, local time. Two scientists from the CCDC were waiting by the gate as the man from the Old Dominion Army Center for Disease Control(ACDC) entered.

"Dr. Arnhim?" Dr. Bashar asked, as Arnhim walked in with a Barracks Bag swung over his back and a cloth brief case likely containing a laptop.

"Ja, Dr. Bashar?" Dr. Arnhim extended his right hand. He was tall, balding, colorless, with a pair of BCGs and the air of a serial killer about him. His smile was friendly enough though. "A pleasure."

"We're just a short ride from the primary building. H.R.H. insisted that we listen to your presentation immediately." Dr. Bashar said. In fact the tone of the memo managed to convey mild anger at the Old Dominion. Dr. Bashar led Arnhim out towards the white Exurban. "I'm assuming the ACDC has encountered this pathogen before?"

"You assume correctly." Arnhim said, as he stepped into SUV.

"Can you tell me where..."

Arnhim held up a hand. "Trust me, Herr Dokter, it'll be easier to explain with the presentation."

I bet it will, you son of bitches. Bashar thought. On the hole, he found Dominion Citizens and Residents to be agreeable people, if a bit blinkered by their long history of antipathy with the Shepistanis. The rode in silence for about 10 minutes until they pulled up in front of a one story building. Two Canissan soldiers were standing guard with shotguns and pistols in the front, checked the two scientists thoroughly, then led them in. In the main lobby there was another checkpoint, this time with 3 Canissan Soldiers. One of them had a SMG. Finally they went down a hall and entered a conference room, 3 other Canissan scientists were there, as well as a Shinran and a Doctor from Tian Xia.

"Gentlemen." Dr. Arnhim said. He cocked his head at Bashar. "Did you want me to begin..."

"If you could."

Arnhim nodded. "Of course." He plugged his Dominion Electronics Toughbook into the small switch which led to the projector. After a few moments a PowerPrint slideshow appeared, which said TS/SI/MESS/GIBLET.

"Obviously, all of this is classified, and not to be repeated to anyone outside of the program." Arnhim said. He had already received the list of scientists, and knew they all had clearances with their respective countries but only the Tian Xia rep(Dr. John Li) had the same work experience as himself. The men all nodded. He clicked forward.

"In 1983 a University of Virginia Antarctic research team contracted by Commercial Metals, Inc discovered a large group of rocks a quarter of a mile under the Van Hamlen Ice Sheet. They recovered this:"

A picture of a fossilized arthropod appeared.

"The fossil itself appears to bear a passing resemblance to a pseudoscorpion. Except for one thing." *click* The picture zoomed out, and, comparing the men standing next to it, it had to be several feet long. There were murmurs in the room.

"No arthropod, anywhere on the planet, has been recovered at anywhere near this size. Probably because of the inability for an arthropod to support it's weight, which means..."

"..It would have to have came from somewhere with lower gravity." Dr. Li said. "Holy shit."

Arnhim nodded. "Ja Herr Doktor, it would." In fact, it had been dredged up by a Corporate Metals, Inc survey vessel several years ago and was likely some kind of giant sea scorpion. "The condition of the rock is such that it strongly suggests it originated from space, and entered the atmosphere in a meteor shower." In fact, it had been held under a rocket at Wallops Island so it would fool scientists who examined it. Arnhim continued.

"The specimen was taken back to the MacGroub Station, the ODN's Antarctic research station. Study of the rock revealed a void with liquid in it. The scientists drilled in and collected a biological sample. Upon interacting with the heat of the lab it came to life. Unfortunately, the research team was careless, and one of them had cut himself during the drilling process."



"Then he got some of the biological material on his cut."

There were some groans.

"Indeed. These were geologists, and they did not want ACDC to come swooping in to take over the project. The scientist became infected, and went mad. He had to be...put down. Fortunately, we were able to keep this all quiet."

Arnhim coughed. "Since then we've been investigating it thoroughly...more detailed data will be arriving via DCS for you all to study, and we believe that the Pathogen, if successfully manipulated, can grant rapid healing and increased longevity without any ill effects. As it stands, the alterations we've done thus far lead to uncontrolled tumor growth...especially around injuries. We opted to keep the studies quiet, for obvious reasons, as anyone who studied the Pathogen would quickly realize it's extraterrestrial in origin. This is the first we've heard of 'feral' examples, however..." Arnhim mused though.

"The Meteor Shower." Bashar said. "Oh my God."

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Royal Palace, Ashford City

"So, Lelouch, I assume you've heard about our old friend Gino Weinberg and how he's now stirring up trouble in Frequesque," Cornelia said to her younger brother.

"Yeah, so?" Lelouch replied in an indifferent manner. "As long as he's out of our hair, I'm happy. If he's making trouble in Frequesque, it's the FTO's problem, not mine."

"He took control of the country of Minoy after Indhophal and Coilerburg bombed it back to the Stone Age," Cornelia elaborated. "He rounded up what little remained of Minoy's armed forces and led an expedition into the Central Frequesque Republic to help the FTO crush insurgents."

"How unusually noble of him," Lelouch said. "Of course, he's going to demand that they let him keep the territory he's conquered, right?"

"Some of the FTO members are willing to let him keep Minoy and whatever territory in the CFR he takes over," Cornelia answered. "Like you said, he's no longer our problem."

[Beowulf]

Diamondback test shot 1
Arctic Ocean

Development of the Diamondback had been sped up by utilizing existing guidance and warhead systems from the Harpoon Missile, and attaching them to the airframe developed by the RATTLRS development program. It was a significantly larger missile than the Harpoon, weighing in at over 2000 lbs, and 20 feet in length. The current performance parameters of the missile dictated a Mach 3.5 flight for 10 minutes. It was planned that future upgrades would allow it to reach Mach 4 for 15 minutes.

The target for this test was a hulk purchased, and previously used for Harpoon test shots. Holes in it showed previous impacts from earlier tests.

The launcher was a Mk41 Strike length test cell setup for this purpose. From it launched the test article on a pillar of flame. The booster was taken from the Tomahawk missile, resulting in further reduced development time. It burned for 12 seconds before it went out. At that point, the J102 turbojet cut in, boosting the missile to it's cruise speed, which is to say it's maximum speed.

When it began nearing the target, it's terminal seeker switched on. Unfortunately, the software writers hadn't fully compensated for the four-fold increase in speed over the Harpoon, and so rather than impacting the ship, in instead impacted the water, shredding itself nearly instantly. However, the telemetry data was recieved before it self-destructed. It was something the programmers would be puzzled over for a while before they could find the bug.

[Grand Moff Yenchin]

++++BLUE SUN COMMUNIQUE++++

*****TOP SECRET*****

TO: Akori Branch Director
FROM: The Chairman

The President has agreed to put the weapon issue into our hands. Currently 5 billion ROBs will be transferred into the Akori Account for purchasing weapons and another 5 billion will be used on recruitment. Other expenses will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

In exchange, the President has signed the 20 billion contract you proposed earlier. The whole place will eventually be splattered with our logos. The Tachibana's will be pissed. Good luck!

-END

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Ecumenical Patriarch, together with the other Patriarchs, and the Grand Mufti of Damascus demand that the Emperor take action over the alleged Persecution of Christians and Muslims in Japanistan

The Ecumenical Patriarch, long incensed by the persecution of Christians in Japanistan, took a strong stance on the lack of inaction on the part of the Byzantine Emperor with regard to the welfare of Christians in Japanistan. "We demand that the Emperor, who is the Defender of the Faith, to take action and safeguard the safety of Christians in Japanistan, of which is doing its best to suppress them."

Adding to the chorus of condemnation, the Grand Mufti was invited by the Ecumenical Patriarch himself to the news conference. "I thank his holiness for inviting me to this news conference. Truly, we demand that the Emperor do something to safeguard our brothers in Japanistan."

It is unknown if this statement is a reaction to the latest Japanistani foreign ministry statements.


The Ecumenical Patriarch and his CSR counterpart.

New Cruiser/Destroyer design drawn up

New Destroyer/Cruiser designs have been drawn up. The two designs are meant to complement each other and are expected to be nuclear powered and are largely regarded as follow on designs from the current BDDG-III class.

The two designs have the following objectives:
BDDGN-IVA: To be equipped with a full MK-41 cell system with as many as 128 cells, unlike the current BDDG-III class where the extra 32 cells are not MK-41 VLS cells.

BDDGN-IVB: Instead of additional 32 cells, this destroyer will be armed with 16 P-1000 Vulkan hypersonic anti-ship missiles, for the purpose of defeating enemy carrier battlegroups.

The design may or may not include SPY-3 radar, but may instead fall back on the older SPY-1 radar series. These destroyers are expected to slowly replace existing destroyers.

Four Ground Radar installations to be built

Four Ground Radar Installations, utilising OTH-B and OTH-SW technologies, will be constructed by Kontos Munitions' radar division in collaboration with the Defence Science Institute. The radar will complement existing radar on the ground and will act as an early warning system for national air defence.

[K. A. Pital]

OGONEK: Protests in the CSR and other regions with members of traditional slavic faiths - denominations of Orthodoxy



The assembled protesters demand a stop to persecution of religious minorities in Japanistan after the public statements by the Clergy leaders.

PRAVDA: Secretary General visits the Severomorsk shipyards, where three new large warships for the Crimson Navy are constructed
Two Universal Landing Ship Dock (U-LSD), "Kherson"-class, Pr. 11780.

One large Orel-class atomic carrier Pr. 1153.