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Official Press Release from the Cascadian Department of State


In furtherence of the growing international peacekeeping and stablization force being sent to al-Akharabat, the Cascadian Government has deployed paratroopers to the southern town of el-Kalim and the nearby port town of Kashrash. Aid supplies are being arranged for transport by ship and aircraft to the region under emergency appropriations amendments to the budget approved by Congress.

The Cascadian State Department and military will work with other intervening forces to try and bring an end to lawlessness to the vital region of Western Velestria.

PRAVDA: Order of the Crimson Star Eastern Fleet takes part in exercises


The largest nuclear surface ship in history, ELINT and special communications ship SSV-33 "Ural" leads the Crimson Eastern Fleet as a flagship and command vessel. A CVBG with an "Ulyanovsk"-class nuclear carrier-cruiser is also heading to the naval exercise zone.

A Moskva-class ASW helicarrier "Moskva" will be accompanying the taskforce.


Several nuclear submarines have been dispatched into the region to secure the sea for the duration of exercise.

The Crimson Navy will be joined by the Byzantine Navy and the USSR NAvy. In total, 4 GVBGs will be present, with many auxillary ships for surface and anti-submarine warfare training.

It is expected that these exercises will increase the Slavic Confederacy's capability for common naval action, ensure tighter integration between our Navies.

OGONEK: Insane militaristic frenzy in commieland and surrounding Empires: slavic nations are bullying others?

"Strengthening diplomatic ties" called the tyrannical president Stanislav a naval force which is almost certainly a show of power to weaker neighbors, including the opressed Border States which strive to liberate themselves from the crimson yoke and occupation. The SNC nations are all authoritarian dictatorships with zero regard for human dignity.

It goes without saying that the democratic community inside the CSR and everywhere is watching these developments with great alarm.

Just a decade ago Belytsin and Amelko, martyrs of the crimson regime, have been executed for treason, and look - the CSR now sees it perfectly fine to power-play with gigantic carrier groups that Amelko and Belytsin always opposed.

el-Kalim, al-Akharabat

The PB-56 Stratojets skimmed the wavetops at their top speeds, a small detachment of fifteen aircraft having been dispatched to the Japanistani Coast Guard Airbase 48 hours ago. Inside their bellies were eighteen 1,000 pound Quickstrike mines. They'd split up into groups of three several minutes ago, and were now approaching their targets.

As they reached their targets, the bomb bays snapped open and each three-plane group unleashed a hail of 54 mines, of both Magnetic-Acoustical and Pressure influence types, and with the counting timers on each mine set randomly to ensure maximum difficulty in sweeping. (it might go off after the first two ship targets, or maybe only after 10 ships have passed...).

In the nose of each plane, the navigator/bombardiers made careful notes of where each minefield had been sown, to assist in post-conflict sweeping.

All across al-Akharabat, the major ports were mined, except for the three ports occupied by Japanistan and Mesr-Al-Mein, which was flown over and inspected.

Their mission complete, the PB-56s turned away to land at the Japanistani airfield, where they would be refuelled and rearmed, to drop a second load of 54 mines, bringing the total at each port to 108 mines.

Communique from the Shepistani Government

In accordance with a request made from Japanistan through the Peace and Eternal Friendship Pact; the Shepistani government has taken action to close off the ports of al-Akharabat to piracy and banditry. Legimitate shipping to al-Akharabat can still unload their cargoes at the three ports that Japanistan has seized, and at Mesr-Al-Mein, which was deliberately not mined to provide a truly neutral port for those masters of ships who are wary of the Japanistanis.

Shipping at Mesr-Al-Mein will be handled by a Shepistani Harbor team being parachuted in as we speak.

Over Southwestern al-Akharabat

The Shepistani mine-laying did not go unnoticed. A T-12B had been air-dropping additional supplies to help the paras complete a makeshift airfield for REDHORSE arrival when the Shepistani aircraft were detected. Down below the paras had noticed them too, and both groups would be alerting the approaching Defiant COG at the mine-laying in el-Kalim.


Further north


As the Shepistani aircraft returned home they suddenly found they had friends. ASF-10Ns from the Defiant flew past and them came about as the Stratojet pilots watched. They radioed in the contact while the Cascadian fighters started pulling nearby maneuvers. One daring pilot - who would get written up for it later and given the required slap on the wrist - actually buzzed so close to a PB-56 that the pilot panicked and suddenly dived to try and avoid what he feared would be a collision.

Having gotten some amusement at the bombers' expense, the Cascadian aircraft resumed their CAP while the CRS Vaymos Creek was ordered to prepare for mine-sweeping operations.

Japanistani Coast Guard Airfield

Commander Al-Reykid looked at his tired aircrew. They'd flown nearly 5,000 nautical miles, and then executed a precision minelaying operation, not once, but twice. God, he was proud of them.

Walking down the tarmac; he watched as the ground crew prepared the patrol bombers for tomorrow's possible missions. The KC-22 detachment that had come along with them had brought enough Quickstrikes with them to allow two more maximum effort minelaying missions, as well as enough to mount a full anti-ship fast-slow attack profile from each bomber.

New MiG-31M fighters supplied to the 174 GVIAP of the 6th PVO Air Army

Production of MiG-31M has been expanded, with 40 prior-built fighters undergoing modernization at a rapid pace, while yet more MiG-31M are going to be built until the year's end - 50 or more.

According to the Air Marshall of the CSR, Alexander Yefimov, the upgrade of MiG-31s to the "M" standard will not only increase the capabilities of this heavy 4th generation interceptor, but also allow for better marketing.

- We are making new assembly lines on the MiG, and some of them could be export-oriented, - noted Yefimov. - Technically foreign avionics can be installed on the MiG, which in turn would help integration with foreign rockets, AEW&C planes, or utilize the MiG-31 itself in the leader role - due to it's powerful RLS we thought about capping this ability for foreign users, but ultimately decided to provide it still.

There's so far one MiG-31FE (Foreign Export) line open and functioning, however, all of it's planes so far have been for internal use due to political decisions at the very top of the CSR.

CRS Defiant, off el-Kalim


Rear Admiral Tricia MacCallister bit into her lip with frustration as she watched Cascadia send up another chopper to ferry the Marines to shore. For now she had been forced to suspend attempts to send amphibious craft ashore due to the earlier Shepistani mining operation while Vaymos Creek and helos from Cascadia out-fitted for anti-mine warfare went to work sweeping the field. Knowing well the Shepistani reputation for being as difficult as possible, they weren't taking any chances of delayed or timed fuses and were laborously trying to locate every single mine.

Some time later a call came through to her from the Cascadia, informing her that one of the mines found had not been detonated by the sweep. Analysis of the mine indicated that it had apparently collided with another, or some other damage that caused the mine to have been rendered harmless. A dud.

And that gave her a deliciously evil idea.


A couple days later


The first T-12B was on its way back to Van Halstoff AFB with another transport craft, escorted by a flight of ASF-7N Hawks from Defiant that would soon turn back with the 4th Fighter Squadron's ASF-10Cs taking over the escort.

As they flew over Mesr-Al-Mein and the growing Shepistani presence there, the lead T-12B began to descend. The rear door opened as the aircraft flew a bit lower, though not low enough to appear threatening, and chucked an object out of the rear.

The object came down, attached to a simple and rather cheap parachute that failed when the item was still about fifty feet above the ground, giving it enough KE to smash - by happy circumstance - into the front door of the local Shepistani authority.

When they looked at the metallic object, they would find a damaged, defective Shepistani mine that had been dropped near el-Kalim and which was harmless. Upon the mine was a simple message.

Item defective, returned to sender.

The Waters off of al-Akharabat

Following the delivery of the damaged mine, the Shepistani Naval High Command had had it's ass chewn out at the next day's cabinet meeting. They were the junior service in the Shepistani Armed Forces, constantly at the bottom of the pecking order when it came to money and prestige; though the new SSANs were changing that.

At the meeting, the Air Force Chief of staff had suggested that the Air Force fix the Navy's mistake. A proposal was made, and it went to the top, General Sheppard himself, who signed off on it, with a chuckle.

It certainly fit the Shepistani Work Ethic:

If it didn't work the first time, do it again, but bigger, much bigger the next time.

So as the sun began to set that day, the CAP and long range search radars on the Defiant COG detected a very large number of aircraft approaching them, at 40,000 feet.

With the last light of the setting sun, the ASF-10Ns made positive visual ID.

"Sir, it's Shepistani B-56Gs."

"How are you sure of that?"

"Sir, they're silver, and have the scorpion on their tails."

Cockpit of the Lead B-56G

Captain Al-Hussein watched on his MFD display the cues he was to take. The IP was coming up fast, and he nudged his aircraft onto the correct path. In a few minutes, the IP was upon him, and he opened the bomb bay doors and released his payload, eighteen quickstrike mines. All behind him, the other 44 B-56Gs of his Bomb Group did the same; dumping 810 mines into the waters near el-Kalim. Across al-Akharabat, the other four bomb groups assigned to this mission also did the same to their targets, and then turned back for the long journey back to Shepistan.

The Cascadians had spent days laboriously removing a mere 54 mines at the most from each port they wanted to clear; and now the Shepistanis had laid a truly colossal mine barriage the scope of which defied the imagination....

Now only the Japanistani ports and the Shepistani Port were open to any shipping at all...

Actions (because I'm damned tired and not up to writing a story post):

In light of the massive mine field now permeating el-Kalim, an alternative site for an artificial port is being considered. As well, the Cascadian military has decided to dispatch the remaining mine warfare ship assigned to New Olympia Naval Base when Intrepid COG passes by on her way to Van Halstoff and el-Kalim. Once she arrives, there will be four mine warfare ships to begin the arduous task of clearing the barrage.

Efforts by the press to discover any Cascadian plans to retaliate for the flagrant mining of a peacekeeper-held port by Shepistani forces have so far failed; high-level discussions continue amongst the Cascadian military and Cabinent.

Shepistani Presidential Palace.

"Eh, Shep. Hi."

"What the fuck are you doing here again?" Shep's savage intentions the last time had been halted by some creative modification of time. Now he looked no less courteous.

"I remember about, oh, six hundred and twenty years ago, one of the Chatniki remarking that you were terrified of me, Shep. I suppose that's why you think you what you do but..." She began a horrible series of hacking coughs that culminated in spitting out some hideous mucus onto the floor that writhed like it was alive.

"Anyway. As you can see, I'm actually pretty damn frail, and so this job is goddamned depressing, especially now that I've got to rely on my girlfriends to handle Omsk since Stanislav ended up back here and everything else happened like it did. But of course that means I'm only active here about four hours a day, and I've got to make the best of it. We are, in a fashion, old friends--hear me out?"

She waited for the grunted affirmative, smiled wryly, and continued, long bare arms clad protectively in black arm warmers as she rested her hands on the front of the President's desk, occasionally showing glimmers of lengthened and hardened teeth, while nails, also lengthened and hardened, tapped the desk rhythmically. "Shep. You're the President of a country. Buy some German Shepherds. Or I'll bring some from Omsk for you. Go hunting with them--indulge in some sport. Or something. This world is your life, Shep. It's not a damned game. When you die here, it's for good. That's the point Q was trying to get across.

"Anyway, there's nothing wrong with this strategy of tension, but I'm just warning you that you aren't going back to Maryland after this. This is the only shot at life you really have now--and why the fuck would you want to go back to the ruined planet I represent? You know I'm only here out of sheer stubbornness, otherwise I'd be as dead as everything else you knew, everyone else. I found a way--a miserable one, but at least i'm not alone. And not dead.

"I'll be watching the situation over on Velaria very carefully. Remember that you're not immune to being deposed or couped, and that you don't have nukes. And remember, too, that provocations with Cascadia could spiral rapidly with no nukes to hold them back. Steve was tight with Rufus Shinra back in the day, so to speak, and his CAG's aren't anything to push around in their own right.

"But most of all, Shep. Buy some dogs, okay?" With another round of coughs, the gaunt, white-pale and bile-ridden flesh, the clothes that covered it, and the brilliant eyes that represented a once-living but still very much sapient figure, had folded up into the blackness and vanished, and the rush of servants into and out of the room resumed only a moment later.

Walid's Dragoons To Bissauru!
God-President Muatetema hires for 'Defense against Foreign Imperialist'


The Dragoons' ship Chieftain shortly after departing port

MERCNET - Late last week, the mercenary unit Walid's Dragoons signed a contract with God-President Ignacio Muatetema Mbasogo Nfubea of Bissauru, to bring the unit into his country to stiffen its defenses against "Non-Velarian invaders", in response to Japanistani and Cascadian interventionism in Western Velaria. Foreign intervention in the region is sure to spook others, and inside sources indicate that other countries in the area may be in negotiations with other units for additional protection.

The Dragoons go to this assignment fresh off of a period of rest and refit, including the purchase of a 4-ship flight of Harrier jumpjets, replacing losses from crashes and enemy fire that were incurred during their last contract. Subcontracts have gone out to secure the services of the Combat Support Ship Beowulf and a pair of corvettes, for resupply and escort during their contract.

Colonel Walid Samara, leader of the unit, was optimistic about the the contract, quoted as saying that "The deployment of modern forces to Bissauru should dissuade acts of this burgeoning neo-imperialism that has been cropping up lately."





MercWiki - Walid's Dragoons

Walid's Dragoons

Walid's Dragoons are entirely unique amongst the units sanctioned by the Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission, in that they are an entirely self-contained unit with no on-paper need for subcontracting to other mercenary units for transport or support.

This is embodied by their ownership of the Amphibious Assault Ship Chieftain, which is capable of transporting and deploying an entire battalion of marines and their equipment, while providing ample air support in the form of both helicopters and jets.

The Dragoons' air arm currently consists of 8 Harrier jumpjets, 4 Viper attack helicopters, and numerous other support helicopters to transport the men of the Battalion.

The Battalion itself consists of roughly 900 men, with support from amphibious and light armored vehicles. Not weighed down with the heavy IFVs or tanks of other mercenary units, Walid's Dragoons remain highly mobile, emphasizing their light nature over the brute-force of heavier vehicles.

Walid's Dragoons are currently in the employ of God-President Ignacio Muatetema Mbasogo Nfubea of Bissauru.

Orena, Royal Congressional Hall, Conference Room C

General Stawicki wrote:"Obviously, atomics are not first-strike weapons. I'd like to think there will not be a necessity for a first strike at all.", general Stawicki pondered.

"Our studies on the feasibility of those weapons and their destructive potential confirm your estimates ; However, acquiring the capability to produce them and actually making them in large quantities - fast - will require us to expand production of nuclear materials, especially plutonium. And, of course, current output of uranium enrichment plants is probably not going to suffice."

"All in all, PeZookia can contribute somewhere in the vicinity of 3 billion dollars, and our other resources."

"Shroomania," began Professor Stephen Shroom-King with his artificial voice device - for he had been stricken with a horrible case of sore throat and was thus unable to speak for the time being. "Can provide its facilities for immediate production needs. It is not much, but expansion is always an option."

"While your government may be hesitant to collaborate with Shroomania," General Gregorio Gustav Gander said to the Crimson Star Colonel. "We must recognize certain political realities. Things have changed since the 80s, Shroomania isn't under the rule of either Ronald von Reagan or Hillery Thatchet-von Reagan. The colonialist and imperialist power that once was, is now no longer."


The Crimson Colonel shuddered at the memory of Hillery Thatchet-von Reagan.

"Shroomania and the Crimson Star Republic have more to benefit from mutual cooperation, than they do from any sort of Cold War. Times are changing, the new imperialist powers in the world are Japanistan and Shepistan - as we can so clearly see from recent events," General Gregorio continued. "Why, they've announced a joint atomic collaboration, and I wouldn't be surprised if we woke up tomorrow finding out that the Shepistanis have based bombers on Japanistani soil."

"That, incidentally, would give the Shepistanis coverage of the entire Old Continent," Sherman Kahn said as he finished his plate and went for thirds. "And that would require both the FUN and the Slavic National Confederacy to respond with increasing territorial defensive measures. Of course, it's all hypothetical."

"The point is, gentlemen, that if we stand divided - then, when the hard times come, we will all most certainly fall," General Gregorio declared. "We need to be united, for convenience's sake and for survival's sake."

"As a gesture of good faith," said another voice, a female one. Heads turned to see who this newcomer was, and they saw a slim figure entering the confidential conference room. "Shroomania is willing to disclose certain information on its current project - Operation Grinning Gilgamesh."

Alison, the Prime Minister's aide, handed the Byzantine, Crimson, and PeZookian officers three folders containing basic information on Shroomania's embryonic atomic weapons program, and a hypersonic cruise missile project. It also contained documents containing the basic information on Shroomania's plan to outfit its still under-construction Yer Mom-class submarines with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles in the near future, to serve as a deterrent force.


*click*


LIVE on ShroomSatTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
NEW NUCLEAR NECESSITIES


The nuclear power plants of Los Canas.

The Shroomanian Atomic Power Production Executive Regulator (SAPPER), along with the Atomic Research Science Experiment, has announced that several new power plants will be constructed in the next ten years to further reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and other environmentally-unfriendly power sources.

Shroomanian environmentalists publicly lauded this announcement as a move for a cleaner and greener Shroomania.


*click*


LIVE on ShroomSatTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
TAUBERG'S TITAN TELECOMMUNICATION'S TOWER


The Titan Telecommunications Tower will take 3 years to build and will be ready by 2012-13.

Tauberg, a town north of Scofield's Plateau, has begun the groundbreaking work required for the construction of the new Titan Telecommunications Tower.

The Titan Telecommunications Tower will be a 450-meter tall structure designed to beam transmissions to locations both on earth and in space, and will be an integral component of the planned stratellite constellation as well as the already existing ShroomSatTV network.

Though many critics of the tower cite it as an unnecessary expenditure, the town of Tauberg has opined that the construction of the Titan Telecommunications Tower will bring much needed jobs to the community, revitalizing the local economy, while also strengthening Shroomania's communications network.

The Tower will use state of the art telecommunications equipment, from radiowaves to state of the art optical (laser) communications technology. It will also envelop the entire area in a Wi-Fi zone.


*click*


LIVE on ShroomSatTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
SOVEREIGN SETZER SAYS - FUND FASTA, FETCH FIGHTERS

From an interview with Sirnoth's Sovereign Setzer, the Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel was the first to unveil the plans of the newest FUN member nation - the Sirnoth Principality.

Setzer wrote:Yes, count me in.

Forgive my lack of activity. They've been screwing with the with the system on my ship, and it's cut bandwidth down to nothing. I'm afraid my posts will be intermittent at best. Anyway, for the time being, here are my decisions:

I'll be providing $10 billion to FASTA

I want to buy 200 F-16XL, to replace my F-4s.

*click*


Republic of al-Akharabat



The 'acquired property's new MacMillan manager, Milo McKenzie, got off from his M-60 armed Land Rover and surveyed the plot of dirt that was now under his direct managerial supervision.

It was a small shit town, true. But it was a small shit town with a gold mine - and the local head honcho was kind enough to see the value of being a 'first-class partner' of the world renowned Multicorporation. Even here, in the shittiest of shithole shitcanistans, there was still Shroomanian brand name recognition.

So MacMillan would ship or airdrop or mail (through its own vessels, or through Canissian 'couriers') supplies. Portable TVs, radios, fleshlights for the men, DVD players, canned food rations, portable toilets, pornography of all kinds, bicycles, fancy shoes and watches, sunglasses - food and medicine - and with these fancy knick knacks, Shroomania's unofficial presence in the impromptu MESS-owned part of Velaria would be further cemented.

They were actually doing everyone a service. Malaria medicine and Flintstones Multivitamins would keep the populace healthy, and thus MacMillan's men would aid the MESS in winning the local hearts and minds. The locals would be motivated to actually work for a living in the shithole mines, harvesting gold and stuff. And MacMillan would get 50% of the local head honcho's gold, in return for supplying him with the means to defend himself.

There were Dark Liquid contractors now, scouting around, and watching the mines or going with the honcho's militia, these guys:



The head honcho's guys.

Going with them and killing some bandit suckers. Aside from the bandit suckers, there was also the local wildlife to contend with.

The people were scared shitless of things that went bump in the night. Superstitious and cowardly, they thought there were actual-factual monsters. And it turns out, they were right.

Big toothy killy and downright dangerous animals lurked in the trees and the bushes. When it was night, they would actually come into the towns to pick people off one by one.

The militia were too busy doing drugs to do anything about the beasties - and they didn't really care, and they didn't really feel like hunting predators in the jungles.

They were also too busy smoking weed - graciously provided by the Dark Liquid contractors. The weed would mellow them out, wean them off the khat and the hashish. Marijuana would pacify them.

Milo McKenzie was hiring a bunch of locals to cultivate marijuana farms now.

So, the Dark Liquid contractors - with so much free time in their hands - did the locals a service, in return for mining gold and cultivating marijuana. They went into the jungles and shot the were-hippos with a couple of rocket propelled grenades. That took care of the problem... for a short while.

When the Diquids came back to town, the people hailed them as Great White Hunters.

In their own sick, twisted way, Dark Liquid and MacMillan were winning the hearts and minds of the people of what the local populace had dubbed Freetown.



The townsfolk had welcomed their new brothers with open arms, and their foreign friends treated them well - bringing them technology and indoor toilets and smokable grass. Enthralled at the revival of their local economy, the townsfolk were even going to Van Halstoff and offering their service in building the MESS' bases over there.

[Of course, they couldn't do much, but grunt labor was still a welcomed service and a valuable asset. So, they toiled, and they were handsomely rewarded - with very un-outrageous fees. Simple folk, working for a pittance - but to them, what they were earning was a fortune!]

See, there were rumors and news of other foreigners coming in on the other provinces and towns, rumors of foreigners – Japanistanis - who were not friendly, who were said to be sinking fishermen's ships and turning women into whores (or so-called comfort women), who were flying planes that wantonly bombed places for no reason. Fear was rife, and so the local people of Freetown turned to their new visitors and regarded them as protectors.

That was actually what the MESS was doing, trying (not-so-successfully) to stymie the neocolonialist ambitions of Japanistan. That was also what Manager Milo McKenzie told the locals, explaining the situation to them ever so well. Winning hearts and minds, doing the MESS a service, as they were too preoccupied with the military side of things.



So while the MESS, Canissian, Cascadian and Shinras were busy posturing with the Japanistanis, playing protector for the locals, and while the Japanistanis set out to stripmine a new continent bare, the little Shroomanian presence in Velaria had successfully established the continent's first functioning democracy.

Five little towns, under the protection of a modest militia, a detachment of Dark Liquids, a squad of Mushroom Marine Force Recon operators (who knows what they were up to), and one MacMillan manager had held democratic elections successfully.

They had voted for Freetown's first mayor. Al-Jubal had lost, but he graciously accepted a position in the new Mayor's cabinet.

The new Mayor went and dressed himself, and when he went out, he was now clad in the garment of his office.



Mayor Milo McKenzie, leader of Freetown.


[NOTE: Milo McKenzie is the mayor of Freetown, but the 'head honcho' I mentioned is still Master of the (Gold) Mines!]

Lady Anethga reclined on the chair in her hotel room. Her journey to Shroomania had been a resounding success. She would look forward to permanent residence there. For now, her duties required that she soon return to Sirnoth.

Her country would be joining the FUN, and the Sovereign wanted to organize an event to commemorate the occasion. Thus, she was teleconferencing with him, since he was adamant everything proceed perfectly. " We'll have a blanket invitation for all FUN members, and their retinues of course. I'll want you to escort Prime Minister Shroom whenever I can't personally see to him."

"As you command, Sovereign." Lady Anethga knew she couldn't repress a smile. So, she'd had a slight smile on her face since their talk began. That way, the Sovereign wouldn't notice. "For refreshments... The Byzantines have a number of rather nice wines, but they're rather stronger then the vintages we usually serve at court functions. Still, the guests will feel more at home with their native foods. And it would be a nice statement of solidarity to anyone who notices."

Setzer nodded. "Very well." He muted the channel and turned to his Steward "Speak with Lady Anethga about what types of wine to procure. Don't have them watered down. It may serve to loosen some tongues among our guests."

Next, he spoke with Lady Erfuinen, the commander of his bodyguard unit.
"See to it that no trouble occurs at this meeting. Have the Bloody Angels carry concealed weapons, but they must be indistinguishable from the other guests. The last thing I want is someone targeting my guards."
Lady Erfuinen's eyebrows came together when she frowned.
"You aren't going to go and invite the Shepistanis are you? Whoever let them mingle in the same room with Old Dominioners..."
"No, of course not, I don't want further incidents. If a guest came to harm in my own court... the loss of face would take far too much effort to restore. See to it all the CCTV cameras in Nexus City are functional."

Erfuinen nodded. "Of course. I'll also need to speak with the police. We'll have to keep the Elysium River clear of all traffic when the procession comes through. Japanistani makes midget subs, if memory serves. I can't imagine them having many scruples about who they sell to."

Finally, Setzer restored the sound on his channel to Shroomania. "Lady Anethga, have they been briefed on court protocol here?"
"No Sovereign, they have not." She thought of the antics of Prime Minister Shroom, and what an impact it would have on the far more formal Sirnoth culture. The traditions practiced in Nexus City dated back centuries. Each action had a subtext to it, and how close you stood to someone or how you addressed them would reveal much to the assembled crowds.
Aristocrats were educated in etiquette from the age of twelve or so, and nobles were frequently asked to mentor the children of other aristocrats to ensure they would be accepted in Sirnoth society.
To foster a noble child was a sign of trust between their two families.

"I'll prepare an instructional piece, just to make sure there are no misunderstandings." That will take up most of her time for the forseeable future. Of course, she was far too well bred to sigh at this annoyance. The Sovereign closed the channel to begin preparations, and Lady Anethga began interrogating her memory for her own lessons in court life.

Serenity Sentinel

Serenity Condemns Pointless Tension on Veleria

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the weekly press conference, condemned what he called "pointless tension raised by Shepistan and Japanistan" in Veleria.

"What seems to be a simple task of humanitarian support and local development is complicated by a bombing of an airfield and mines scattered in the waters. Causing a waste of time and resources."

===================

Mt. Phoenix Command Post, Location Classified

General Peng felt the sweat on his neck despite the air condition. It was the first time the military had an exercise this scale. It also was the first time the Big Guy visited the Mt. Phoenix during an exercise in possibly 10 years.

Not to mention issue a new 'condition' in the exercise schedule. It was puzzling, but the orders were carried out.

WHIRLWIND '08, Old Dominion Waters

The Astute class SSNs KSS Kage and Shadow silently moved under the massive MESS fleet. Several hours ago, they were ordered to break off from the Serenity Carrier Task Force to execute Serenity's own troop-wide mission.

"The time is 2130, all hands, battle stations." Captain Saito of the Kage ordered. Captain Jie on the Shadow issued the same order at nearly the same time, as they were one.

"Arm torpedoes. Set time to 10 seconds." Saito looked at the clock.
"Load the drone, get ready." Jie double checked his watch.

At 2135, the torpedoes rushed out of the Kage, it shot past the MESS fleet, heading towards a couple of innocent looking Shepsitan fishing trawlers which seemed to be near the fleet. Too near.

On the trawlers, there were personnel who seemed to be listening to some device, which seemed to be recording data at the same time.

"Incoming torpedoes.....no don't worry, it will just pass by....HOLY FUCK!!!"

The listeners were shocked and deafened by the loud and sharp acoustics coming from the torpedoes, set to release the sound at correct time. They tore off their headphones, attempting to hear something in dead silence.

At the same time there was a big BUMP on the trawlers and after a series of clanking noises the sound died out again.

A MESS corvette promptly showed up, the crew on the trawlers began to hide their equipment, hoping that they won't be discovered or three days work will be busted. After all, the data was stored only on the ships in fear that any transmission would be tracked.

30 minutes later, the trawlers were towed back to port Norfolk in the Old Dominion.

Meanwhile, the Kage and Shadow using another set of ROVs the drones were retrieved, the torpedoes were tracked down and detonated beyond recognition, and then the subs reported back to the Serenity Carrier Task Force, which then returned to Serenity waters.

New Military Journal

Growing contributions to FASTA moon mission promise to spur launch vehicle development

With he latest developments of the FUN conference, PeZookia's government announced the FASTA has formally received a mandate to land a man on Selene, the largest of Earth's moons. Current development schedule is fluid, but preliminary contracts have been issued for studies on the feasibility of a lunar landing and the required technology.

FUN conference developments: PeZookia formally approaches Continental allies on integrated air defence

The Roal Press Corps has officially announced that PeZookian diplomats have issued formal requests to all other Continental countries, including Byzantium and the CSR, inquiring about the Integrated Air Defence Treaty proposed by King Paul during the FUN conference.

The current concept calls for construction of a modular, layered and integrated system of air defence, incorporating missile sites, detection radars and intercepting fighter. Built around a common standard for information sharing, redundancy and a clear, unified chain of command, this sysem could provide the answer the the new Shepistani air base under construction in Japanistan.

Nuclear weapons program: PeZookia a particpant?

Recently, President Stas of the CSR has announced that the Republic is developing nuclear weapons. However, some indicators point towards PeZookia secretly participating in the program, particularly in the matters of theoretical physics and isotope separation procedures.

With recent investment into the small uranium enrichments facility near Fabowice, the plant's production capacity will be extended tenfold, according to some of our experts. Some speculate this is an answer to new nuclear power plants being built in Shroomania, however, and the Royal Press Corps will not reveal further details.

Royal PeZookian Navy to participate in SNC naval excercise

The Royal PeZookian Navy will participate on the planned SNC naval excercise, sending both its LSDs: the Prince Xavery Czernicki and the King Stanislaw III Wielki, along with several escort ships. PeZookian diesel-electric submarines will also participate in the excercise, minus four boats which are currently laid up in Shroomania, being prepared for modification with nuclear-electric drive systems.

Missile procurement deal suggested: Joint production of "Buzzkill" missiles with the CSR?

The Foreign Ministry has officially approached the CSR with suggestion oto produce the FUN standard "Buzzkill" supersonic cruise missile jointly.

"This will provide much-needed orders for CSRs industries ; Provide additional reserves of foreign currency to the Republic itself, and foster closer co-operation between our two countries.", said a Foreign Ministry official in charge of fostering the deal. PeZookia wants to ultimately procure more than 2500 units of the Buzzkill missile in all variants.

Another missile deal is rumored to be in the works between Shroomania and PeZookia, for the production of large numbers of subsonic "Tomahawk" cruise missile copies, under license from the Shinra Republic. Details are unknown at this time.

South Seas, near the Fucklands and the People's Republic of San Fuego



The Old Dominion crabbing vessel SouthEastern tossed and turned in the bitter cold and spray. To the West was the People's Republic of San Fuego, a island republic of 90,000 or so people that was more or less a Shepistan puppet. It was a damning statement of the Old Dominion's ability to stick to agreements that, 60 years after the Shepistanis had been driven out of the Eastern Shore(no one knew why the islands circling the impact crater were called "the Eastern Shore") during WW2, they had basically made several of the tiny islands their own little Shepistani Socialist paradise. When the Old Dominion did it in the Eastern part of the chain, and the Fucklands, it was for their own good. Of course.

"Hurry up butt nuggets," The Captain, Jimmy Webster growled. "If we can get a halfway decent catch in time, we can make a killing selling it back in the Old Dominion... what with all the MESS servicemen visiting." He paused and glanced out into the storm and mist. In the distance he saw a San Fuegan warship passing by. Fortunately, the San Fuegans didn't generally pick fights with OD-flagged vessels.

Unfortunately, the frigate was jettisoning chemical refuse, contaminating the catch. Even more unfortunate, it wasn't intentional(contaminating the catch). Most unfortunate, the crabs were going to be on some dinner plates in the Old Dominion relatively soon….

Results: King Crab catch is contaminated due to poor San Fuegan environmental practices, will end up in the Old Dominion market.

Constantinople Times
Brought to you by Veritas news

Official Notice sent to CSR for the purchase of P-800 missiles

The Byzantine Empire has sent notice to CSR that it would like to purchase new P-800 missiles plus the license to produce it on its own soil. Studies are also being made to integrate these new missiles into the existing Kirov battlecruisers. It is rumoured that an SSGN that can use these missiles is under study as well. These new missiles will equip up to 30 brigades of 48 launchers each and will be deployed to defend our coastline.

Studies on a new radically designed variant of the MIG-31 initiated.

Byzantine Aeronautics is seeking to work on newer variant of the MIG-31 with its counterparts in the CSR. Rumoured to include conformal fuel tanks and a newer AESA radar, the newer craft will have longer range than the original and will better protect the Empire from bomber threats.

Byzantine Space Science Institute says that it seeks funding from the National Science Foundation and the military

BSSI has entered talks with the NSF and the military to obtain funding for the following projects:

1. Study of a Space Elevator
2. Ocean based launch platform for light to medium, and possibly heavy rockets.
3. Study of new rockets with the lift required to put space stations into space
4. Space Stations.

It is believe that funding to these projects will also go to FASTA.

LIVE on ShroomSatTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
SHROOM SAYS: STANISLAV SUMMIT + SOME STUFF

After the FUN Conference, the Prime Minister of Shroomania announced his intentions to embark on a goodwill visit to the Crimson Star Republic.

"These are changing times. It's a new world, a new century, and a new millennium," the Prime Minister said in a conference shortly after his return to Farbanti. "We have to move on from our old ways of thinking - the days of my predecessors, Ronald and Hillery Thatcher-von Reagan, are over.

"We have to let go of old differences, break down barriers and boundaries that once stood between us. I intend to go to the Star Republic to meet my counterpart, Secretary General Stanislav, so we can work together to ensure the safety and security of the Old Continent.

"It's a new age. As they say in Stasograd, one of the great metropolises of the Old Continent, glasnost - openness," Shroom the 777th explained. "Already, this new openness has seen collaboration with the scientific minds of both nations in the fields of cybernetics, neuroscience and stem cell research.

"I am sure we can cooperate on more scientific endeavors, such as FASTA and the moonshot. We can make trade agreements for the prosperity of both our economies. We can work together to ensure the safety and security of our homelands with initiatives such as the proposed integrated air defense, and work to ensure the stability of regions such as the Super Chechnyan States."

[OOC: If we get a better name, tell me and I'll edit it.]

"We live in interesting times, ladies and gentlemen. The recent flurry of international activity, the upsurge in tensions and potential conflicts, it represents a paradigm shift and I believe it is vital for Shroomania - and the FUN - to work with the Crimson Star Republic and the Slavic National Confederacy."

Among the Prime Minister's other announcement was Shroomania's commitment of $50 billion dollars to the FASTA, and a program to provide affordable health insurance for orphans, widows and homeless husbands.

Indhopal's President Condemns "Imperialist Warmongers."

Using language not seen for some years, the president of Indhopal today condemned Shepistan's mining campaign off the coast of Veleria.

"It is nothing but a blatant attempt to strangle the people of al-Akharabat
and bring them under Shepistan's control. Japanistan should restrain its ally if it truly cares about the region, otherwise both countries are nothing but Imperialist warmongers bent on ruthless conquest.”

President Raj Ahten also expressed concern about Shroomanian corporations now setting up in al-Akharabat.

"I fear this may be history repeating itself again. In Frequesue Shroomanian merchant companies with their own mercenaries brought ruin to the local people for the sake of profit. We are seeing this again here in al-Akharabat."

Evening News, Blue Sun Television (BSTV)



"Good evening, this is Melissa Belle. After days of discussion and debate, the Legislative Hall has agreed to use 20 billion ROBs from the MESS Special budget to invest in the Canissian THEL system. The Hall cited the recent escalation in worldwide issues, meaning the need for advanced defenses, as the reason to pass the budget.

"In other news the Serenity Navy has ordered from the Blue Sun Shipping 4 more CGs and SSNs. It has also been confirmed that the Blue Sun and Tachibana Heavy Industries are competing for the design and manufacturing of a new submarine.

"The Ministry of Education is planning to construct a new, large, observatory on the Northeast Island of Veleria. Further discussion and steps will be taken once the rights and ownership of the island are clarified."

Summary:
20 Billion ROBs for the THEL
Order for 4 Ticos, 4 Astutes
Indefinite design of new sub
Plans for big damn observatory on the northeastern island near Veleria.

News from the USSR

FASTA Funding

The USSR has announced its intent to contribute 5 billion USD to the FASTA space program, this is expected to be a yearly contribution. President Shady of the USSR is a great supporter of the Space Program and is looking forward to a possible shadow astronaut on Selene.

SNC Naval Exercise

The USSR has announced that the following ships will be participating:
1--Slava class cruiser (SNS Tiberius)
2--Kashin class destroyer (SNS Titus, SNS Marcus Aurelius)
4--Neustrashimy class frigate (SNS Lucius Verus, SNS Commodus, SNS Pertinax, SNS Septimius Severus)
1----Sierra class submarine (SNS IMPERATOR)
4---Kilo class submarine (SNS Arcadius, SNS Honorius, SNS Avitus, SNS Anthemius)

along with 2 AKE and 2 AO support ships.

"This exercise is merely a demonstration of SNC Naval Power and not a provocation to anyone. We wish to ensure that our navies are well trained and ready to do their job."-President Shady was quoted saying earlier this morning.

Joint Command Area
500 m North of LZ Dog
Veleria



Brigadier General Maxwell Viers was meeting with his Japanistani counterpart in the area that had been hastily added to the Canissian landing zone. The berm had been enlarged to encompass the Japanistani headquarters, although the bulk of the complex was still being worked on by busy Canissian Royal Engineers.

"Stroke of genius," General Viers said to his Japansitani counterpart, "Shutting down air and sea traffic like that. President Farih Addeed will be upset, though-- he was funding his operation through smuggling," Viers said with a chuckle.

"Smuggling?" the Jaopanistani General asked over his teacup, "Was piracy involved, do you know?" Let's find out how much these gaijin really know.

"Oh, some battered-up old fishing boats, mostly," General Viers said, "But also some light planes, as well. Mining every air and sea port in the region has shut down his operations, butt cold," Viers said, raising his own teacup in salute. The Japanistani officers lived in what could be called 'field luxury'-- a certain amount of decorum was expected for the officer class, after all. The Canissian services were a bit more egalitarian in nature, but no less professional because of it.

Before the Japanistani General could comment further, the steady drone of engines overhead distracted them both. A massive shadow coursed over the tent, along the ground, and the pitch of the engines changed. Through the open flap of the tent, another gigantic Canissian Royal Air Force heavy-lift zeppelin could be seen coming to a gentle landing near the airfield under construction.

"Anyhow," General Viers said, "That was a wise move on your part-- my compliments. Now, the only things that can land and take off in al-Akharabat proper are those heavy-lifters," he said with a wave towards the zeppelin with his free hand. Outside, the front door of the zepp lowered to form a ramp, and this time, instead of the usual Combat Engineers, it was a Heavy Armored brigade being dropped off.

"Now we can start security operations in earnest," General Viers said, "Since the Zepps don't need a runway. Rest assured, General-- I've already gotten word that Canissian Heavy brigades are fanning out in al-Akharabat proper so we can begin the real task-- a road to link these coastal villages to the capitol, and start getting trade up and running. We look forward to your people's participation."

"I see," the Japanistani General said, his face impassive, "What assistance may we render to our glorious partners in peace?"

"Well, the road will of course have to be secured, otherwise some of Addeed's partisans might try to inflict sabotage," General Viers said, "And, of course, they may try to plant roadside bombs, carry out ambushes... we're paying locals to help, but we have to keep them and their families in secure villages for their safety-- a lot of them are local Katangwa tribals, and they may be targeted for retribution by the Caravos."

"The Caravos," the General repeated to his Canissian counterpart.
"Yeah," Viers said, "Addeed's tribe. They're used to running the show, and they fear an economically powerful Katangwa community. So the local Katangwas will need protection... I was hoping that's where your men might come in handy."

"Do you not have sufficient forces yourself?" the Japanistani man asked, politely setting down his teacup with white-gloved hands. "It would seem... unfortunate if the grand army of Canissia came here under-prepared."

"Oh, we're concentrating on the Combat Engineering tasks," General Viers said, "And major security needs-- securing the disputed areas before the roads are built. That's what the heavy forces are for. My airborne, and your airborne, are the light forces in the area, and we'd be better off securing the rear, where the building and villages are. Besides," Viers said, "It wouldn't look right if Japanistan forces did all the dirty work-- the mining of airstrips and ports, that sort of thing-- if your men were also taking the lead in any fighting, it would look unfairly bad for you, and raise even more ire."

"I see," the General said, "Yes, very considerate."
"Anyhow, we have heavy forces in the area, so just to let you know we'll start laying the first real roadbed this afternoon. Thank you for the tea, General."


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



Kivangali, al-Akharabat Capitol
Office of the President




"What are these bastard Japanistanis doing?" the President raged, banging on his desks with his fists, "I have two tons of coca rotting on the airfield, now! How am I supposed to get my new load of AK-47's if I cannot send these damn drugs out?"

"Great One," said his top thug, "General" Kimba Mtambo, "We agreed to the Canissian prescence, does that not make them responsible for our security? We can ask them for guns, if we need them."

"What will I pay the Canissians with?" the President asked, "They will not take the drugs as payment!"
"Maybe they will," Mtambo said, a mischevious smile revealing brownish-yellow teeth, "Usually, we sell the drugs to the imperialist bastards, and it goes to their children, yes? They hate this; they always talk about shutting down the drug trade."

"Ha!" President Addeed said with a dismissive wave, "They talk, but do not do. Their drug police make a lot of money working against us. What are you getting at?"

"We tell the Canissians, 'you take these drugs, and we won't sell them to your children'-- in exchenge, they give us guns. To keep the drugs off their streets."

"It is like... a protection payment. Government buys the drugs to keep them off the street, we still get paid... I like it, Mtambo. Contact one of the Canissian officers and make this deal. If it goes through, I will see to it you get something extra," the President said, and gave a leering smile. He knew that Mtambo fancied one of the Kantangwa women they had siezed from a local village-- the father had not paid his usual tribute, blaming poor rains for the lack of grain... but they took his lovely young daughter as payment instead. Now Mtambo wanted her, so he would make the deal with the White Dogs that promised so much.

"What of the Japanistanis?" Mtambo asked, "Can I make this deal to them, too?"
"Those running dog imperialists!" Addeed thundered, "They are the reason we are so desperate! We do not deal with them. Maybe later, when we have all the guns we want, we will make them pay for their actions. For now... go!"





Results:
Mining shuts down Farih Addeed's schemes-- for now.
Addeed will try to make deal with Canissian government-- RPRC will trade guns for drugs to keep drugs off of street; guns will go to Addeed's security forces to "maintain order".

White Sands Missile Range

The missile dropped away from the port rail on the Tian Xian Air Force F-15F. It rapidly accelerated and climbed until it reached 90,000 feet, and a speed of Mach 3. About 30 seconds after it reached programmed velocity, the fuel pump failed. The missile rapidly decelerated and lost altitude, before being destroyed by range safety.

The second test flight of the RATTLRS flight vehicle wasn't a success, but wasn't quite a failure. Another test would occur in a week, after they'd analyzed the telemetry data.

Lockheed F-22 Factory
Shanghai
Tian Xia

With firm orders in hand for at least 297 more aircraft, the factory was busy. Once spun up to full speed, they would be producing 16 aircraft a month until the orders were exhausted. They were currently still in low rate production, at 4 aircraft a month. Production would increase by 2 aircraft a month until full rate was achieved.

Canissian Daily Parliamentary Report:
Deals made with the Byzantine Empire for 36 F-22 fighter aircraft, and the Kingdom of Serenity for 40 F-22 fighter aircraft. The Kingdom of Serenity has also pledged support for the THEL program.


King Arik sends Communique to King Paul of PeZookia:
King Arik Coyotus-I has sent a message to King Paul of PeZookia to consider including Canissia in the Continental Defense Plan.
"I think there is much to gain by including Canissia in this," the King is reported to have said about the issue.

OOC: Putting this in here because I am too tired to write a proper post. However Astarian troops in the colony will move north to establish a security buffer. Officially this is to help maintain the peace and protect Astarian citizens. A more detailed post will be out very shortly, but I'm too tired to do it now.