StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Fingolfin_Noldor wrote: The Emperor gazed at his aide's note and scowled. "Well, Comrade Shady, apparently it's just a matter of Valeria now. I think this note says that our citizens are protesting my rather.. lax treatment of Japanistan for not standing up for our Christian brothers in Japanistan. And I take it a number of us have Catholics in our nations." He handed the note around. Damn that Ecumenical Patriarch, but this could work to our advantage, thought the Emperor.

"You see, this is rapidly looking like whether or not we are appeasers; a bunch of cowards, or people at least looking like we claim some degree of moral authority."

"Yes my friends, Japanistans treatment of Christians and Muslims is horrible indeed and I will agree that we are faced with a hard choice.", Shady said, "Something must be done, but what Comrades?"

DarthShady wrote:"Yes my friends, Japanistans treatment of Christians and Muslims is horrible indeed and I will agree that we are faced with a hard choice.", Shady said, "Something must be done, but what Comrades?"

"I think, we should start by requesting that the Japanistanis explain their actions against Christians and Muslims, while being on our guard. For one thing, we have yet to hear of the Japanistani response."

[OOC: Yes, phongn, let us have economic ties. STRATELLITES!]


LIVE on ShroomSatTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
RETROSPECTIVE RESOLUTIONS
(A New Year's Special)


The Prime Minister in his New Year's Address.

"Let us hope that this New Year brings upon us a time of resolve and resolution, so that we may find a way out of the conflicts and problems that have plagued us in the past, and so that we may work together to make the world a more peaceful and safer place."

Those were the words of Prime Minister Shroom the 777th on the Eve of the New Year. But with the coming of 2009, what has the Sovereign of Shroomania done for the nation? And what has he done for the world as a world leader?

Like many of his closest allies, the leaders of men like King Paul and King Arik, the Prime Minister is a man descended from royalty - from the line of King Shrooms and Queen Shrooms and so on and so forth. Unlike them, however, the Prime Minister is not a hereditary title and Shroom had to be elected democratically. His campaign was that of change - a message that resounded with the masses tired with the regime of Ronald and Hillery von Reagan. He acted as a uniter, bringing together even the PaleoPacifists, the RetroRepublicans, and the MetroMonarchists. The youngest leader in Shroomanian history made lots of promises. But the question is, did he keep them?


The Free Union

Before the year ended, the world saw the near-disintegration of the FUN - with the resignation of the United Shadow Socialist Republic, one of the older members of the Union. The FUN was deemed ineffective by the Shadows in light of the recent Border Wars, and the new Slavic National Confederation was judged by the Shadows as a more than appropriate replacement for the FUN.

However - with the induction of the Sirnoth Principality and renewed interests of the Vineyards and other Shroomanian Commonwealth nations, the FUN may not be over yet. The Prime Minister is still working closely with his close friend, King Paul of PeZookia, in continuing the great alliance. Moreover, the Free Air and Space Technology Administration - FASTA - is still going at full speed and is bearing the fruit of space exploration's labor.

The FUN continues on, and the Prime Minister has announced that he intends to reshape the Union to continue its relevance in a new century. The new FUN would go back to its old roots, as a political organization focused more on trade and economics, rather than a military alliance. However, the Prime Minister has subtly suggested that military matters would carry on - albeit in a more under-the-table manner.

Primarily, the new FUN would serve as an organization where nations - both large and small - are free to carry out trade and diplomacy in peace, despite international conflicts which they may not want to involve themselves in. The FUN would serve as a force of stability in a world seemingly descending further into conflict and strife.


Internationalism

The Prime Minister's recent visit to the Crimson Star Republic has shown his willingness to defrost Shroomania's relationship with its former Cold War rival. While the two powers were once diametrically opposed to each other, with Shroomania being a waning imperial power and the Crimson Star Republic promoting the socialist revolution, today their roles have largely changed. The new realities of not only the Old Continent, but of the entire world, may prove that both nations have shared interests.

The Prime Minister and his Crimson counterpart, General Secretary Stanislav, got up close and personal and discussed many things - from scientific projects such as FASTA, to trade agreements and even a mutual military defense deal stemming from PeZookia's proposed Continental Defense Plan.

Among the new deals penned by Shroom and Stanislav include an agricultural agreement where Shroomania will increase the sales and decrease the price of of MacMillan-made IntelliCrops to the Republic. Shroomania would also work together with the CSR in drilling for oil in the Northern Crimson Regions.

The Prime Minister did not only visit the Crimson Star Republic to play diplomacy with its leaders, but he also went to appeal to the people - acting as a great communicator.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change."
- Shroom the 777th

The fact that the Prime Minister took the effort to fly into the Republic in a more modest craft than his traditional Shroom Force One BAM A380 may have helped endear him to the Crimson socialists who did not immediately denounce him as a capitalist pig dog. The Prime Minister remarked that his trip to the Crimson Star Republic ended in a very positive note (i.e. sharing vodka with Stasograd State University students in a Film Festival).


In other fields of internationalism, the Prime Minister has staunchly avoided Shroomanian intervention in the disputes over Velaria and Frequesue, as well as the Shepistani-Old Dominion conflicts - deeming them as having a "destabilizing regional effect that Shroomania should best leave alone."

While, at the same time, the Prime Minister has led Shroomania in expanding trade relations to a whole plethora of nations, big and small, from the corporate city-state of San Dorado to the Incorporated Republic of Tonkin.


Domestic

In more local and domestic news, Shroom the 777th has pushed a new Healthcare Bill that furthers the socialized public healthcare system of Shroomania - effectively expanding the Mushroom Organization of Medicine. The legislation has been approved by Parliament and is in the process of being implemented.

In stark contrast to his neofascist predecessors, like von Reagan, Shroom has also increased taxes on corporations while lowering the financial burdens of middle and lower class citizens. The move was not popular with the billionaire industrialists of Shroomania.


Military

The Runaway Defense Budget also saw some reigning in under the new Shroom Administration. While projects and procurement plans such as the new F-22s, the F-15 and F-16 upgrades, and the construction of the Yer Mom submarines as well as the modernization of the Shroomanian air defense network and the obtainment of many, many missiles continues at full steam, cutbacks in the Mushroom Military's Army and Marine Corps have, in fact, loosened up funds for the aforementioned ventures.

Moreover, despite the moderation of military spending, Shroomania's defense sector is expected to make expansive profits through the massive sales of F-15 ACTIVE and F-16XL fighters to nations such as PeZookia, Baerne, Sirnoth, Langley, and many others.



*click*

KATANGWA FREE STATE GETS FIRST NEW ARMOR

M1117 'GUARDIAN' ASSUMES POST AS NEW VEHICLE FOR KATANGWAN MILITIA



CAMP TALISMAN, KATANGWA FREE STATE:
Close on the heels of the delivery of brand-new AT-314 turboprop fighter-trainer aircraft, the government of Canissia has followed up with the delivery of new armored vehicles to the Katangwan Free State.

The M1117 Guardian is a four-wheeled armored car, armed with a .50-caliber machinegun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The vehicle can also support 20mm cannon and a variety of rockets for either anti-tank or anti-aircraft applications, although none have been fielded yet.

While the Canissian military has worked co-operatively with the Katangwans previously, providing trucks and jeeps (such as the Serval, pictured below in a combat version), the M1117 markes the first dedicated combat ground vehicle delivered to the Katangwan militia.


The Serval, shown here in combat gear rather than its usual un-armed role, is used by the Canissian Army. Of the more than 60 Servals delivered to Katangwa so far, only a few are combat versions; most are ordinary transport vehicles.


The Mungo light cargo truck is also supplied to the Katangwan militia. There have been 40 of these trucks delivered so far, all in un-armored soft transport versions.

The Katangwan militia is learning how to drive and maintain these vehicles, and there are expectations that different versions of these vehicles, such as ambulance, radio, and command versions, will be sent to the KM forces soon.

Reports in the field say that the Katangwan Militia has been training for the last few months on infantry smallarms and tactics, fieldcraft, patrolling, and man-portable infantry weapons such as RPGs and MANPADS. However, heavier weapons have not been introduced to the KM inventory, and they remain a dedicated Light Infantry force.

A Battalion's worth of men are considered to be fully trained and potentially deployable, and while equipped with uniforms, rifles, and the like are lacking in radios, mortars, and extensive hospital equiment. While all these things are currently provided y Canissian instructors, plans to seperate Katangwan troopers into specialized units for vehicles and fire-support roles are expected to be implemented soon.

THE KATANGWAN AIR CORPS
The Katangwan Air Corps continues to learn the art of flight with their new AT-314 aircraft. The aircraft are well-liked by their new crewmen, and training on Katangwan Ground Crews is proceeding, albeit more slowly.



The Katangwan people tend to see everything as a "ritual" to appease mysterious forces of nature, and maintenance is one of these things that must be put in a "ritual" context. Just as when a shaman must chant certain words, or drink certain wines, to please the gods, the Canissian mechanics have found it easier to train their students to think of turning wrenches and changing fluids as "rituals" that please the gods of the skies-- thus ensuring that the gods will take care of their planes and pilots.

Eventually, the Katangwan Air Corps will be trained to fly their own transport aircraft and light bombers (candidates for these roles include potential aircraft such as the C-160 Transall and the OV-10 Bronco), but so far no helicopters or high-performance jet aircraft are intended for use by the KAC.

Coilerburg

Victory was in the air. After Indhopal informed the Coilerburg of the success of Operation Omega Blue, and after their successful feint/mass airstrike that severely weakened Sabika's mechanized forces, the time had come for the final encirclement and destruction of the invading armies.

Coilerburg ground forces, bolstered by Indhopali and a smaller number of San Dorado troops, launched a mechanized pincer action against the battered, tired invaders.

At first they simply ran, fleeing from the mere sound of artillery or approaching vehicles. Some units simply fell apart, their troops deserting or vanishing into the perceived safety of the jungle. But as pockets were formed, the Sabikan fighting men inside them shifted personalities completely.

They fought like cornered animals, throwing themselves en masse against the edges of the pockets in a desperate attempt. Lack of coordination on their part and vastly superior firepower on the side of Coilerburg and its allies made such attempts futile.

After the frenized, failed attempts, the Sabikan command made one more coordinated escape attempt. That too failed. After its failure, a cease fire was called....

Fingolfin_Noldor wrote: Navy procurement The IBNS Heraclius, an older class carrier, will be put on sale with delivery end of the year(JFK type).

The Baernish Ducal Navy would greatly like to acquire this carrier.

High over the Fuckland Islands






The Canissian Royal Air Force operated a handful of SR-71 spy planes; in fact, it was the 777th air wing of the Royal Air Force's Strategic Reconaissance and Support Command that operated 4 SR-71As. The aircraft were tasked as needed, and generally not wasted on frivolous missions.

But the flare-up of events over the Fuckland Islands was considered a potential worldwide flashpoint. King Arik wanted to keep the conflict regional, although this desire did not necessarily rule out MESS involvement the King of Canissia was reluctant to get too involved since he did not want to escalate the situation and risk forcing Japanistan to play its hand in Shepistan's favor.

So the RAF kept an eye on situations, which so far seemed to be more "Sitzkrieg" than "Blitzkrieg".



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



RAF Z-001
Crimson Star Republic





King Arik Coyotus-I himself had gotten permission to visit the Crimson Star Republic, courtesy of Comrade-President Stanislav. He hoped to make sure diplomatic relations between Canissia and the CSR were on good terms, particularly since the mixup with Tian Xia, a fellow MESS member state. Arik felt certain that Stas would be open-minded, but he did not want to take for granted the goodwill of th emost powerful member of the Slavic bloc...



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


Canissian National Assembly
Office of the Finance Minister, Erma Felna
After-Hours Discussion




"Well, we've got PeZookia, Byzantium, and Shroomania on board with the THEL program," Defense Minister Ral Tenn said, "As well as the Kingdom of Serenity. And His Majesty is meeting with Comrade-President Stanislav to make sure the CSR is on board. If that happens, THEL's financial hurdles are over."

"Actually," Trade Minsiter Rayzha Rumaclin pointed out, "Even without the CSR, we're about at the lower limit of per-unit cost reductions. The CSR, if they are indeed on board, will guarantee the lowest possible per-unit costs... however, that will be offset by us purchasing into the Slavic Union's long-range laser defense system."

"Here's the problem," piped up Finance Minister Erma Felna, a Nationalist Party member from Tauron, a province with a lot of military funding, "Part of the deal with getting the Shroomanians on board was that we'd buy F-16XLs from them. That, combined with THEL and the Slavic Union laser system, will be a big strain on the budget. You'll note that we've not started any new, big building projects within Defense since this whole THEL thing started. Naval procurement is at rock-bottom to pay for this, because THEL's costs for us are not just the lasers, but the expansion of the Air Force's Strategic Defense units, to build and man the Integrated Defense Batteries."

"Yes," Minister Tenn said, "But I thought the building of the physical structures for the IDBs was covered under government infrastructure projects, not out of the Defense budget."

"It is," Minister Felna said, "But even by shuffling the cards that way, the radars, training, and such are still expensive. We haven't laid a single new keel for the Navy, and they're starting to get anxious with this damn Fuckland Islands thing."

"But the Fucklands should be able to stay regional," the Defense Minister argued.
"No, not regional," Minister Felna said, "It'll stay between the Old Dominion and Shepistan. What do you think that means? They'll fight at the Islands; they'll aslo fight on the New Continent-- where our F-22s are based out of Love Airfield."

"So, in other words," the TRade Minsiter clarified, "an attack on the Old D. is almost guaranteed to bring in Canissia."
"If the Sheppos attack Love Air Force Base," the Defense Minister said.
"Don't be ignorant," Minister Felna said, "Of course they'll attack Love airfield. It's one of the most important air bases in the Old D. Why don't we move those F-22s to Katangwa?"

"No good," the Defense Minsister said, "It's overkill. The F-22 is a highly advanced fighter that can evade sophisticated radar-- there's not much in Veleria that the F-22's abilities are needed for. We have it based near Shepistan in case we need to go into that country and evade the highly sophisticated anti-aircraft network they have. Besides," he said, "We don't want to be seen running from our allies during this crisis; it may embolden Shepistan to strike during a moment of perceived weakness."

"Then... can we move the F-22s to a more distant airfield, but leave them in the Old D?"
"I could ask my counterpart in Old D," the Defense Minister said.
"Let's do that," Fm Felna advised, "Now. Back to the issue of THEL. We have enough votes to bypass Minister Foxglove's objections regarding the chemical waste issue, but the fact remains, we still don't have a place to put the waste."

"If we get President Stainslav on board, maybe he can build a facility in some dark corner of that massive nation he has," said Trade Minister Rumaclin.
"Tempting," Felna replied, "But let's not count on that."
"Shroomania?" the Defense Minister asked. Minister Felna shook her head.
"Let's face it, no one really going to want this stuff. Now, if Tauron were to get a lucrative contract for a waste storage site, dug deep into one fo the mountains..." she eyed them both coyly.

"Ahhh...." the Defense Minister said, "Your province has the lion's share of defense contracts already," he said. "Remember when you got the expansion for the Marine training base, and beat out Minister Kimthrel two years ago? You yourself said that the next big juicy contract should go to Aerelon in exchange for that."

"Like she's going to want a goddamn chemical waste dump in Aerlon," Felna said disdainfully, "Her whole province is oriented towards the tourist market."
"Which is notoriously seasonal," Minister Rumaclin said, "They don't have many defense contracts in Aerelon."
"She's not going to want a chemical dump to spoil her province's public image," Felna said, "I'll bank on it. She won't mind passing off on this one to me."

"Are your constituents going to want it in Tauron?" Minister Tenn asked. Minister Felna laughed.
"The Greens Party has all of 12,000 registered members in Tauron," she said, "Defense contracts provide jobs for almost 42% of my total contituency. No one wants to bite the hand that feeds them. I'll take the chemical dump, and Aerlon can have... I dunno, how about a nice Naval Air Station or something?"

"Actually, we'll want a lot of THEL batteries there," the Defense Minister said, "And, maybe... a Royal Home Guard patrol harbor."
"Fine," Felna said, "Now. Which of you is going to forward th emotion tomorrow morning?" she asked, already spending the money for the THEL-waste contract.
"Not it!' the Defense Minister said immediately, then smiled apologetically at Minister Rumaclin. "Sorry, dear, but as Defense portfolio, I already get my hands dirty with this stuff enough as it is, and I've been fighting with Foxglove on this issue too much. You and her are a clean slate."

"I kinda wanted to keep it that way," Rumaclin said, grumpy. "She has a lot of Greens Party support in Caprica. And no one's going to like this; even the King feels we favor Tauron with too many defense contracts as it is."

"A long, proud tradition of selfless service to the State," Felna said with a grin.
"Yeah, well," Rumaclin said, "Enjoy it while you can, I hear Education Minister Roslin wants to see why the number of community colleges and universities in Tauron is behind the national average for enrollment and satisfaction. I'd recommend spending some of that money coming to you on schools..."



Results:
Politicking, wheeling and dealing in Canissia.

Diplomatic Communique, Priority Three

To: Canissian Ministry of Trade
From: San Dorado General Directorate for Finance, Economics and Industry

Your honours,

San Dorado has recently learned that a project concerning the weaponization of directed energy emitters is being undertaken by the Royal People’s Republic of Canissia. This project has the undivided interest of several of our nation’s larger megacorporations, and it is on behalf of them that I am inquiring as to whether it would be possible for San Dorado to participate in this project.

With kind regards,

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Director Iago Morgan, DIFEI

[OOC: And we'll gladly store your chemical waste, too (hell we have a big-ass controlled volcano that we can use to dispose of it if need be) should we be able to buy ourselves in.]

Japanistan Neo East Yokosuka TV News Brief

“Major stories topping the hour,” droned on the midday B list reporter whose only job was giving brief news blurbs between regular programs “is a sudden interruption of international internet and certain phone communications services across much of Japanistan. We’ve just been told by a spokesmen from the Osaka Telephone Company that the outage stems from a rare double break in fiber optic cables, reportedly one under a bridge and another as it passed along a canal bed but no further information is available. Now back to your scheduled programming...”

****

In Neo Nerima Ward, Eastern Super Mega New Tokyo

The Episcopal Church of Neo Nerima was like virtually all Christian Churches in mainland Imperial Japanistan. Small, unobtrusive in design and virtually unmarked save a small sign besides the entrance not visible from the street. For the men of the Special Armed Police Investigation Squad however, the address was well known and often visited. Under normal circumstances a visit involved only two agents making a brief inspection of the premises, but this time it was different. The SAP had faced a stern rebuke from the National Sunshine Council following the splurge of unspecifically provoked international condemnations against Japanistan, and now was stirred to action, any action, to make up for it. All across Japanistan squads rolled towards Churchs and Mosques in a coordinated raid.

A dozen uniformed men with pistols burst through the unlocked front door to take a similar number of ethnic Japanistani Christians by surprise; they had been having a simple meeting on the need for roof repairs. Behind them followed a pair of civilian clothed agents. Quickly the uniforms forced the Christians to kneel in a line against one wall. Some began tearing through desks and looking inside air ducts, while others stood guard.

“We KNOW it was YOU!” shouted agent Kawamura Iwasa advancing along the kneeling line. “You have illegally accessed the interweb to spread lies and rumors denouncing your treatment by the benevolent hand of the mortal but still divine Emperor of Japanistan!”

“What lies!” demanded one of the Christians. “We have done no such thing!”

“We have extesnive evidence,” said the agent holding up a portfolio and centering his attention on the one who had dared to reply, “that you have stirred up the opinions of gaijin barbarians from this very building. You will identify the perpetrators or you will all be shipped to a punishment railway until your memory improves!”

“If the gaijin are all barbarians then why do their opinions matter! Surely the Emperor can withstand an insult from the inferiors!” shouted back the Christian.

Iwasa was for a moment incensed, and prepared to strike the Chritisan with his own raw fists, intent to pound his face into a bloody pulp he would then splash with salt water for suggesting that the Emperor could be insulted. But it was then that the clockwork like programming of his ‘prepared’ Japanistani Special Armed Police mind made a different decision.

“A point,” Iwasa replied as he shifted to a slightly more relaxed composure. “Avoid the gaijin and serve Japanistan.” He said before turning away. “Come-on,” he gestured to his men, and together the SAP force left the building.

As soon as he left he turned to his plainclothes associate, agent Nayoko Yusuke.
“They held up well to the scare tactics, almost worthy of the Emperor after all.” He said.
“Or they just know what to expect, and have spiritually prepared to take the pain,” replied Yusuke. “In either case, they knew we had nothing.”
“Likely,” Iwasa got into the lead car, followed by Yusuke. “but remember always, evidence is needed only after an arrest when in the interest of Imperial law and order.”


Across the rest of Japanistan, many raids on Christian Churches went forward with equally little violence, but several known agitators were arrested, and several buildings ordered closed or relocated under an old law which set vague guidelines on acceptable locations, including being ‘not within three thousand paces’ of an imperial school building which was no interpreted to mean as the crow flies, and not as the person walks.

The situation at the Grand Mosque of New Sigli in the Sumatra Special Security Area however, quickly spiraled out of control…

Official Message from Imperial Japanistan to the Byzantine Emperor

Japanistan must demand an immediate and comprehensive cessation of all anti Japanistani agitation in Byzantium. Such public agitation is based only on false lies and rumors spread by separatist elements seeking to unbalance the order of Japanistan. Such attempts at instability can only harm future relations with Byzantium. Article 28 of the Meiji Constitution provides all citizens freedom of religion within limits not prejudicial to peace and order, and not antagonistic to their duties as subjects. This policy is perfectly in line with other nations religious freedoms, none of which are absolute so far as the Japanistani foreign ministry is aware.

Vinish Wilderness

Experimental UATV group 1, Experimental TATV group and Scout Units 1 and 2 sped through the wilderness towards a hill. The UATV Unit, X, was transporting mortars and ammunition to the hill, the transports contained the crews of the mortars. Scout One led the group, with Scout Two following. High in the sky, two unmanned aerial vehicles slowly circled the formation. These were the pride of Gizmonic Land’s Experimental Division, the Solutions and the Problems.

Back a few kilometres was a complex that seemed out of the ordinary for wilderness. This complex was Gizmonic Land’s Experimental Division Headquarters, and the epicentre of Gizmonic development. The complex contained a short runway, and a full radio tower, its placement was also important, it sat on a Baernish-Vinish river, allowing for a few brown-water ships to be docked there. Inside the complex, Project Manager Mathew Rago, of the Experimental ATV projects, looked expectantly at the feeds coming from the UAVs. “CnC to X-5, you are falling back, is there a problem?”

“What, I am?” the ATV driver paused, “Sir, it seems like somethings clogged, Couldn’t tell you what.”

Rago shook his head, “Check your load, you may have picked up something, that could be causing the slowdown,” Rago then pause, “CnC to X-1, X-5 is slacking off, recommend you reorient your unit.”

“Copy, CnC,” X-1 replied.

“This is X-5, my engine's out, I’ve stalled,” X-5’s voice cut in.

Before taking up the microphone again, Rago uttered, “Fuck,” he began talking into the microphone, “Call in the trucks, we’ve lost one. CnC to X Group, rearrange yourself, we’re conituing without X-5,” he paused, “He will be extracted immediately.”

Baernish Ducal Navy Corvette HGS Gray
CO: Lieutenant Commander Robert Moss
Baernish-Vinish Wilderness Border

"Skipper, Radio just picked up something interesting. A Vinish UATV appears to have stalled a few klicks inland. Sounds like they're in trouble."

"Ask them if they need extraction, and prep the Seahawk."

"Aye, sir."

Lelouch's quarters, Royal Palace, Ashford City
New Year's Day, 2009

After they had their fill of the fireworks lighting up the skies over Ashford City and the raucous partying within the Royal Palace, Lelouch and his two companions for the night, Royal Guard commandant Kallen Stadtfeld and his chief of staff Shirley Fenette, were just about to spend a more or less relaxed evening together when they were interrupted by an unexpected guest with a party popper.

Bang.



Lelouch, Kallen, and Shirley turned around to face this crasher. It was none other than Suzaku Kururugi, one of the former Knights of Rounds and the only one still living on Langley soil after the 2007 coup.

"'Sup, mang?" Suzaku said nonchalantly.

"What are you doing out of the basement?" Lelouch asked sternly.

"Euphie and Nunnally were...kind enough to let me out just for tonight," Suzaku replied. "I've been on my best behavior, and I promised them I'd go back tomorrow."

"No, seriously, what did you do?" Kallen said forcefully as she prepared to draw her P220 from its holster.

"They're downstairs if you want to ask them yourself," Suzaku continued in his usual relaxed tone. "Like I said, I've been on my best behavior. Why would I want to screw things up by killing people?"

"Alright, but no funny business while I'm gone, okay?" Kallen shot back as she excused herself from the room. "I'll be back, okay, Lelouch?"

"Sure, take your time, Kallen. I'm not going anywhere," Lelouch replied.

Union Press

Norse Envoys establish themselves abroad

Around the World, the work of Zorian Norse Priests has begun under their new plan to expand

Today on the outskirts of the Adams Capital District, ANP volunteers has finished setting up it's regional Headquarters in Cascadia. There first Facillity was a coverted old Funeral Home purchested using a combination of Zorian Funds and support from the Local Zorian Norse Community. Cascadia has a fair sized Zorian Norse population of aproximately 12,000 individuals beforehand and have had some on and off relationships with the Association of Norse Priests before, but this marks a formal recognition of the Population, as well as the naming of the first Official High Priestess of Cascadia with Samatha Richards, celibrated in a Typical Zorian Norse Fashion involving a feast including an whole Spit roasted Giant Wombat, a couple Pigs, Heavy Metal music and the consumtion of Large amounts of Zorian and Local Ale to commemorate the event.

On the Fringes of Constantinople, a Team of Zorian Priests, volunteers and a few local followers (who have up until this point held rituals at each others homes) have begun work erecting a Temple of Odin from Scratch. Despite a scuffol between the workers and a Local troublemaking Orthodox Priest, construction continues. Comprable temples are being Erected in various other nations, including Shroomania, PeZookia, Tian Xia, Canissia and Alaska. A delegate of the ANP has arrived in the Crimson Star Republic asking for permission to set up shop inside the Communist State. Already, Priests report that local interest in Zorian Norse faith has increased in most areas already.

Secure Briefing room
Summer Palace
Outskirts of Hong Kong
Tian Xia

"So what's the status of the high profile munitions?"

"The new DGNs are coming along nicely. The Navy wants to reduce the perceived cruiser gap by bumping everything a classification. That is, all the destroyers become cruisers, frigates become destroyers, and the new cheap frigates remain as they are."

"Interesting. Of course, there's really no way that gap will truly be closed. Speaking of the new frigates, how are they coming?"

"They're laying down the first one as we speak. Should be finished early next year, and in service by the end of that year. The rest will follow not long after. Should have them all in service by 2012."

"Navy have any other new plans?"

"Well, naturally, but they don't think they can get any of them funded right now, so nothing of note right now, sir."

"So, what about the Air Force?"

"F-12 and F-22 procurement are proceeding according to plan. F-24B procurement is projected to begin soon, with the retirement of the AV-8s following. The FALCON project is continuing to schedule. The first HTV-2 shot was yesterday, in fact. We recovered the airframe and will do the second test in 3 months, after we analyze the data from the first shot. HTV-3X will be ready for flight tests early next year."

"And the Army?"

"We're working on standardizing with Tian Jiao. Our Chieftain tanks are just about ready to get stuck into ready reserves. We're acquiring new Challenger 2 tanks to replace them. Other equipment buys are planned for both of us."

"How are the joint projects?"

"Diamondback is getting it's seeker fine tuned. Concurrently, the land attack model is being developed, using avionics from the Tomahawk. Should be ready for test shots in a couple months."

"Excellent. And the reaction weapons?"

"Development is proceeding slowly. We expect a successful initiation soon."

"Good."

Wilkonian Air Service announces continued buy of F-22s

Continuing on from the first run trials with the F-22 in the 101st, 501st, and 601st interceptor squadrons the WAS has announced that it will proceed with the full run purchase option with Columbia Aerospace Industries. The full order option is intended to, over the nexst 7 years, completely repalce the existing F-15 Interceptor fleet which is nearing 30 years of lifespan. Ministry of Defense officials have indicated that budget constraints imposed by "New Horizons" being granted Class IA aquisition priority mean that the program will likely be restructured at some point if cost overruns continue. Under the existing buy delivery of 24 planes is expected this year to finish outfitting the existing squadrons to full strength and add one additional squadron. The terms of the full option buy expects to add roughly 20 planes per year over the remainder of the contract with final retirement of the last F-15C shortly thereafter.

In a sperate announcement the Ministry of Defense announced with the WAS that they would be opening competitive bidding to fill the newly formed, but currently administrative only, 11th Support Wing (Reconnaissance and VIP). The WAS is looking to contract out for new generation of VIP transport along with reliable UAV, UCAV, and traditional reconnaisnace squadrons. Initial procurement is not expected before 2013.

Airspace Over Tian Jiao

"This is AWACS Sky Eye. All units, confirm practice shots only."

A chorus of responses in the affirmative filtered back into the AWACS director's headset. He looked down at the plotting screens, then checked off another box on his sheet. All aircraft assigned to the exercise were up and ready. A flight of Flankers, two flights of Phantoms, and a flight of lumbering B-1s were within fifteen kilometers of the AWACS. A mere half-kilometer distant, banking away from a KC-10 Extender, was a single plane, its' W-shaped wingform visible out the near window. The director smiled, then keyed his headset onto the unique plane's frequency.

"Galm One...engage."

As if released from its' leash, the plane blasted away toward the enemy aircraft, streaking off at mach 2, propelled by the same F120 supercruising engines used in Tian Xia's F-22 Raptors.

Within thirty seconds it was braking out of supercruise, snapping back into 'combat' configuration. 3D thrust-vectoring vanes on its' engines sent the aircraft into a steep climb, coming up underneath the Flanker flight. The seekers on its' AIM-120C training missiles locked on to all four planes, and the Wyvern had its' first 'kills' of the engagement. The Phantoms folded their wings back into cruise configuration in an attempt to keep up with the prototype, attempting to lock on, but were foiled as the prototype barrel-rolled away at a stunning rate, a combination of canards, ruddervators, and thrust-vectoring allowing it to snap into and out of the roll in a blink.

Within minutes it had 'killed' the entire Red Force group. Its' first air-combat test was a success.

RESULTS:
-The prototype of Tian Jiao's new 4.75gen Advanced Multirole Fighter (AMF), the F/A-25 Wyvern, enters air combat testing and sets TJAF records in the process.

GLEDHQ, Vinish-Baernish Border

Rago walked calmly down the stairs toward the garage, the mission had been a rousing success, though the problems with the trailers were even more apparent in the field. Though the group had made good time in and out for a mobile mortar unit, he felt the designs sitting in central could turn the things into even more effective mobile mortars. As Rago stepped into the garage, he noticed the faint smell of smoke, along with the other odours associated with a garage setting. Rago panicked, “What is on fire?”

“Not the quad, don’t worry. We did find something in the quad after that Baernish copter helped bring it here,” the mechanic responded.

“What, hurry up, we don’t have all day.”

”Well, we found this,” the mechanic pulled out a bag, and dumped it unceremoniously on a table normally occupied by a random device that was brought into the garage for maintenance. The contents of the bag were the unidentifiable, or at least the remains of, an animal. Chips of bone, pieces of scorched and maimed flesh, and pools of blood set themselves in a haphazard pattern on the table. The mechanic continued, “We don’t know what the vermin is, but we do know it was in one of the cylinders.”

“How would that cause a failure?”

“Well, it throws the cylinders out of sync, which throws the system off, slowing it down, and I guess the other cylinder just worked itself to death, trying to keep up with the demand.”

“Well, I see,” Rago pointed at a random person wandering the hall outside the garage, “You, go find me a zoologist, or someone who can identify vermin.”

New Sheoth Castle, The Vineyards

Brandon looked at the phone in disgust, the obvious choice was to call Hodgson and demand an answer, but he knew that approach wouldn’t work, Who are you kidding, Call the Cinq, he told himself constantly, at least since he had heard about the incident on the border. He reached down, and before he could convince himself otherwise, he hit the code for the Gizmonic Heir, Joel Robinson the V. The line was answered immediately, surprisingly it was not Robinson’s secretary who answered, “Yes, my liege.”

“What is this about one of your ATVs failing in the wilderness and getting a Baernish ride back?

”That is about as far as the story goes, if you just called to confirm a story, I’ll….”

“Wait, now, why did the ATV fail?”

“There was an animal lodged in one of the cylinders, it is being fixed.”

”Of course, now, how did the test go?”

“Offloading and on loading was a little slow, but we have contingences in place to protect against that, though you must know all about designs that you wont approve of.”

”I just don’t see a reason to have the ability to fire, while actually moving is useful for a mortar.”

“There are tons of reasons, if you don’t believe me, ask anyone about the concept of self propelled artillery.”

“Which has no bearing on mortar use.”

“Still, look up the usefulness of indirect fire with movement.”

With an exasperated sigh, Brandon hung up the phone. He then picked up the phone a second time, this time to call Joshua Earles, Kaiser.

West Coast Palace, Kingdom of Serenity

New Year's Briefing

The King made a short speech, thanking the Halls and their hard work. In the new year, various projects are expected to see some initial results. Which will definitely benifit the Kingdom.

The Prime Minister made a short report of the accomplishments of the Executive Hall, and the officials were ready for questions.

"Any more plans for Velaria?"

"Well we might cooperate with the Akori Government to start exploring the Untamed Regions, the teams will be scientific, resource seeking, and various other objectives. President Matane is quite happy with what Blue Sun brought to him, and he's considering to have talks with the Tachibana's on their specialties." The Minister of Economy said as he checked his files.

"Also we're still seeking for the ideal site for the observatory over there." The Minister of Education added.

"It's alright, hopefully we can find a place that satisfies everyone this year. How's the progress in civilian defense?"

"Sir, last year's kingdom-wide exercise has indeed pointed out some flaws on the civilian part of defense. To admit the people's awareness has fallen a bit since the second World War. This year AFRC personnel will receive various training sessions, we plan to send them to nations with reputation in mobilization for training. Also if you agree, in addition to the kingdom-wide SERGLOR exercise, we can have a defense exercise more civilian oriented."

"Very well. See to it that NBC drills are included and emphasized."

"Yes sir."

"Alright, I think that's it. Now for the secret stuff. Mr. Chih of course, as well as Joint Staff, and Dr. Bian please. Dr. Bian first."

Some officials were suprised that the Director of the Bureau of Health had a classified project on his hands, but the King's interest in biomedicals was not unknown.

"Ok, so far what do we have from the Arkham Asylum?"

"Your Majesty, Dr. West has sequenced the genome of the HERV virus and it is very different from any Nova Terra based genome. We can't even find a homologous sequence anywhere. To admit there are many unknown life and diseases in the Untamed Regions, and we have limited data, but this virus is like it came from nowhere."

Nothing new, but this had to move on.

"Well the disease came with the Keres Meteor Shower, so you see..."

"Yes...that might be possible. However, this is beyond my field, so we'll leave it to experts."

"That's right. So how about the characterization of HERV?"

"Currently Dr. West is focusing on the cell-transformation mechanism of the virus. With knowledge of the genome sequence he has also constructed a phage library, so soon we'll have screening results."

"We definitely need more personnel on this. Any protein research?"

"It's kind of tricky here, animals also have the same cytopathic symptoms from head to tail, so in a sense the antibodies are totally different from Nova-Terra life. We can use them for labelling and IP assays and so, but we're talking about a different language here. I prefer to have more Terran material so we can have more familiar stuff to work on."

"Indeed. We need benefits that work on humans but let them stay human. Hopefully after the library is screened we'll have some directions. Anyways we indeed have to expand the Asylum."

After more short discussion Dr. Bian left, and the MoD and the Joint Staff entered the room.

"Your Majesty, the Good Mountain Project is ahead of schedule, we've finished half of Phase II and the basic plans of the Taoist Port have been finalized."

"Very well."

"Construction of the ships are on schedule and we're planning for more ships." Admiral Leng said.

"What about the new sub?"

"Plans have halted and the needs re-evaluated. We might have something else in mind."

"Alright, notify me immediately when the decision is finalized."

After some more discussion and planning, everyone left the Palace for a nice day at the West Coast.

Livorno, A.F.S.R., CSR


The sun was setting over Livorno, but the massive engines of the missle cruiser CSN "Pyatakov" were working. The ship was ready to set sail.



- Vovan, just what the hell do they mean by "redislocation"? - asked one of the sailors.

- We are leaving this continent... apparently heading north-east. We and the guys from the Second are going to stage some sort of maneuvers around the IRT, me thinks. KONDOR Group 3 will be left here as a permanent coastal force.

[...]

General Korabelnikov watched with silent satisfaction as the Motherland's warships were leaving harbor.

During the last month, the CSR Navy made a final rotation of ships: the 3rd Carrier Strike Group augmented by a helicopter carrier "Moskva" and SUBRON 11 will be permanently based in Livorno.

The 1st and 2nd Carrier Strike Groups, augmented by the nuclear C&C ship "Ural" will carry on to stage an exercise in the open oceans between the IRT and the rest of America.

The ZAPAD-2009 exercise also had another goal: to move the SSV-33 in vinicity of the IRT and MESS, allowing it's powerful radar to track any missile launches that could occur at various testing ranges.

OOC: Well, it seems like the ship's bandwidth is back to something usable, so I'll leap back in.

NEXUS CITY, SOVEREIGN'S PALACE

"And you say you can build this system nationwide?" Setzer asked.
Mr Vindar Helthion nodded. "The Argus corporation is second to none in terms of surveillance technologies. The system we set up around the palace has the usual mass of security cameras, and they have infared functions as well. They're linked to a computer mainframe that stores relevant data.
Anyone seen by the system is matched against the computer record. It pulls up their DNA and fingerprinting records, their license plate number, residential address, known family members, friends, place of business, and many other records. Here's the complete list."

He handed Setzer an inch thick volume. While flipping through it, Setzer's mind was running over the potential applications of such a system. "Would it be possible to create a master control console, so I could log in and monitor any given part of the country?"
"Yes Sovereign, that would be possible. However, we have had some difficulties with construction in the Hecate mountains. It's the terrain and... the locals."
"Right, the Gilean Holy Crusaders?"
"These ones call themselves the Gilean Freedom Front." Cindar said. "There was an army squad in the area, they fought off the attack, but lost three men doing it."
"I'll deal with it. Start installing the system, make sure there's proper redundancy. Focus on Sirnoth proper for now. Just watch the approaches in and out of the mountains."

His Angels saw Mr Vindar out, but Erfuinen stayed behind. The pair left the Sovereign's office, where he held business meetings, and retired to his subterranean rooms. This was Setzer's private residence, a bunker hardened against air strikes. More importantly, it was free from spying eyes and ears in a way the more accessible rooms of the palace were not.

Setzer started talking the moment they got to the living room.
"An Army patrol? That's new. Usually the Gileans are too busy fighting each other."

"There's more to it then that, Setzer. I read the reports from the garrison in the area. Apparently, they had real weapons this time. AKs and RPGs mostly, but a step up from the old hunting rifles and cheap revolvers they usually have. Either they found a wealthy sponsor or something worth selling." She sat down on the couch next to Setzer, placing the relevant reports in front of him.

"This isn't going to cause problems for the FUN conference, will it?" Setzer asked. "The last thing we need are Gileans setting off a car bomb when every street in the city is packed with diplomatic limousines."
"I'll keep things under control. But we might want a quick mountain campaign to weed out a few of the more fearless Gileans."
"Good idea. The army might enjoy such a campaign. The soldiers will shoot a few mountain hicks, get a medal, meet a rich heiress at a victory party, marry and retire, and never work again."

FASTA bulletin

Tracking station construction on schedule

Construction of FASTA tracking stations is proceeding on schedule. The initial network, which will allow tracking an orbiting spacecraft throughout 80% of its trajectory, is expected to be completed and online early into year 2010. Any gaps in the network, currently mostly in places over the Pacific Ocean, will be covered by byzantine-built tracking ships and radar-equipped satellites (planned).

IRT satellite launch business draws interest from FASTA officials

In an attempt to extend the spaceship tracking network, FASTA administrative and planning staff have approached IRT companies with inquiries about launching radar satellites to high orbits.

"Currently, no suitably heavy space booster exists, but the prospect of satellite-aided starship tracking is an interesting one. We are certainly not ruling out the possibility"

Mercury program ready to commence

During a commemoration ceremony at the Jerusalem Space Center, FASTA director of operations Damian Kaklamanis, oficially announced the initiation of the Mercury spaceflight program.

Conducted paralell to rocket development, the Mercury program will begin by a series of unmanned capsule flight tests of increasing complexity, with a manned suborbital and then orbital flight by the end of the year.

"We are very optimistic", claimed the Director, "The Atlas-Sputnik rocket is performing exceedingly well, with only three failed test launches at JSC, but we also have to remain cautious: I will not authorize a manned flight using an unproven and untested booster. We'll be conducting further rocket tests, both at the JSC and at the Comrade Stanislav Missile Factory Testing Range."

Initial studies into medium-weight launch vehicles: The Proton series

FASTA has announced a series of feasibility studies examining the technical problems with design, testing and use of heavy launch boosters,beginning with the R-7 derived medium-weight Proton vehicle, through the intermediate Saturn I, II and IIB series, and culminating in the heavy and superheavy Saturn V and Ares series for future space exploration.

Massive expansion of the CSR Army, Navy and Airforce announced



- We have noted that in times of peace and relative ease, our military has slacked and fallen behind the new threats, especially our Airforce, - spoke General Baluevsky at a meeting of CSR Armed Forces veterans.

- It's the policy of Comrade President to reinvigorate the armed forces of the CSR and make them able to meet the challenges of the future.

Another important issue was the tests of the R-12U MRBM at the Kura testing range - a more advanced version of the R-12, based on the old and oft-proliferated R-11/17 and R-5 missiles.


It's range is around 3000 km with a payload of over one ton, and apparently a more powerful and long-range MRBM, dubbed "R-14" is the works at the Comrade Stanislav Rocket Factory.

Live on ShroomSat TV

The rise of Socialism



It is becoming more and more apparent that the Socialist form of government is becoming more and more popular in the Border Regions. With the transformation of the Zagor Empire into the Socialist Republic of Zagor this form of government is growing in popularity every day. Rumours are abound that the Republic of Sargonia is contemplating a Socialist change, of course these rumours are only rumours and have not been confirmed.

Whether this rise of Socialism is spawned from the hard living conditions in some of the Border Countries or from USSR influence(and possibly CSR influence) in the region is unknown. What is known is that due to the influence of the SNC the border regions have stabilized greatly, the only still somewhat problematic country is The Independent Republic of Sjenska. What the future holds is unknown but as soon as it happens you will see it here, Live on ShroomSat TV.

San Dorado Fires First Spy Satellite


The Camp Kittyhawk Rocketfields launched the first of an improved series of Simoleon rockets today, using it to put a 350kg lightweight satellite into a low orbit, 370 to 600km above the surface of the planet. The satellite, designed by Indhopali engineers, is equipped with an onboard camera for high-resolution observation missions.

“This is a major step for San Dorado, for Frequesue, and for the FTO”, commented a jubilant launch director Jensen. “Really, this successful launch proves that we are on the right track with the Simoleon rocket family, and we believe there’s still plenty room to improve the design even further. For now though, our newly expanded launch capability finally allows us to begin putting together a cohesive satellite network – surveillance, communications, electronic intelligence, nothing’s out of our reach now!”

Spokespersons for the Board of Directors tempered the doctor’s enthusiasm somewhat. “We are exceedingly pleased to see the launch was successful, but it’ll be some time before either San Dorado or the FTO can boast of a full satellite surveillance or satellite communications network. Launching gear into orbit is expensive, after all.”

The rocket used to launch the satellite was a modified version of the Simoleon-D surface-to-surface guided missile. The D-version of the MRBM has a range of some 1,770km and is the first to enter full-scale production, with an initial batch of 20 launchers and 50 missiles having been ordered just last week by the General Directorate for Corporate Defence.

“Some of those missiles will be used as practice targets for our army and navy anti-missile gunners”, clarified a statement released by CORDEF. “Others, however, will be incorporated into the armed forces in order to improve stand-off capability.”