NationStates Jolt Archive

Chospul, CENTRALIS -- Riots broke out early yesterday afternoon in downtown Chospul amid claims by civilians that client Corporation scientists of the Federation have been secretly testing biological and chemical weapons on isolated villages. Pointing to a string of unexplained deaths in the Marioupol region of Ostracis, anti-Federation protester Herman Mesnick openly declared himself an enemy of the "greedy, oppressive suits" that now govern the small island chain.

While high mortality rates among the rural populations are not unprecedented, the spark that lit the conflagration in Chospul were allegations that trucks and paramilitary vehicles belonging to the Federation's Triad of Companies had somehow caused the rash of deaths in Marioupol. Alleged eye-witnesses described in sinister detail how men clad in white suits had detonated small charges that caused the ground to "bleed" mist. The same witnesses later claimed that many of the villagers exposed to the "umplati" (the native word for "Devil's Breath", as they described the smoke) suddenly fell ill and died soon after.

"We were happier with the old government," Mesnick said as he took off his cap which, ironically, had the "Hapgood-Albright Aeronautics" logo on the front. "The islands were better off back then, too. We didn't have much, but at least we didn't have to live in fear."

The disorder was initially contained at the Central Plaza by a handful of police officers, but it quickly spread as other citizens joined in the protest. The city's mayor, David Ericsson-Kleinford eventually called in a platoon of MacroTech Corporation's security unit when it became obvious that the situation was getting out of hand. After four hours of rancous noise making, the crowds dispersed, evidently satisfied at having shown their discontent.

Although no casualties were sustained in the brief confrontation, trust was put on the line. While the Federation may yet be alarmed at the prospect of an uprising by the civilians in a bid to restore the old government, the populace have learned a few things to be sure. The civilians no longer consider the Federation's influence on their lives a good thing, just like they no longer view themselves as a nation willing to live under a new government, but rather, they are beginning to see the realities of the situation in the harsh, cold light of oppression and enslavement.

Osgood, CENTRALIS -- A face-off between demonstrators and Federation security forces ended in bloodshed yesterday evening, just hours after a similar confrontation had concluded peacefully in Chospul. In what appears to be a growing wave of anti-Federation protests and rallies, citizens of the island chain are taking to the streets, chanting and at times, pillaging the remote countryside. The point of contention, the Federation's often brutal repressionary tactics, has sparked many to take up arms against the new government in hopes of a restoration of the old Ciewathi Regime.

Casualty figures coming in from the Osgood Memorial Hospital have placed the civilian body count at approximately 210, including at least four children of undetermined age. Witnesses to the melee say that spear and knife wielding protesters actively engaged police and corporate troops in an ill-conceived fracas. While the Chancellor's Palace has remained mute on the issue thus far, outside sources report that the incendiary and callous actions of Federation troops yesterday evening in Osgood has raised the stakes, effectively transforming a series of minor protests into a major rebellion against the International Bankers.

Rumours that the old pre-Federation army is reforming somewhere in the countryside have also bolstered the hopes of many who wish to see a Ciewathi restoration. While the stories remain unsubstantiated, regular Federation troops along with minor Corporate security forces have been put on full alert, with armoured vehicles and air-support units ready at a moment's notice.

Enhansa, OSTRACIS -- Doctor Sandra Gates smiled nonchalantly as she drew the scalpel across her right forearm, but winced slightly as blood began to cascade down her skin. A senior medical researcher at PharmGen Pharmaceuticals, Doctor Gates is the last person in the world anyone would suspect of inflicting wounds on herself. But she's doing it to make a point.

With a syringe filled with translucent liquid in her other hand, she squirts a small stream of fluid into the open wound. Gently replacing the needle in its holder she turns and whispers, "Watch this," quietly like a little girl with a naughty secret she'd like to share.

Within a matter of seconds, the blood flow stops and after approximately one minute, the cut becomes a scar, and finally after two and half minutes of stunned silence, only Doctor Gates' flawless skin remains; unblemished by the ugly caress of the scalpel she had taken to her forearm only moments ago.

Nanomachines are officially here to stay, according to PharmGen Pharmaceuticals. Years of research have culminated in the jaw-dropping demonstration given by Doctor Gates and, the good doctor promises, there will certainly be more on the way as the technology rapidly becomes commercialized.

"Once nanomachines have gone through a few more trials we are confident that the technology will be ready for commercial use and export," CEO Andrew Chun of PharmGen said in a recent interview. "Giving doctors the ability to heal non-life threatening wounds almost instantaneously with minimal to no fear of bacterial infection will improve hospital efficiency by a few hundred fold."

Some skeptics, however, are apprehensive on the current viability of nanomachine technology.

"It's a very new concept," Doctor Aileen Flanders of the David Crane Hospital remarked, "and quite frankly, it worries me that companies like PharmGen, MediMark, and HealthTech are pushing for the introduction of as-yet untested and untried technologies."

Doctor Flanders continues to say that although nanomachines can be introduced into the human body to do good, the direct opposite can also occur where the microscopic technical marvels have a more sinister objective to meet.

"The prospect of less-than-virtuous operations by these instruments must also be considered," Flanders said. "I, for one, would rather wait until nanomachines have been perfected before allowing the consumer world to get its hands on it. You are, after all, dealing with the human equation here and not just that of machines."

Port Grady, CENTRALIS -- After failing to obtain a foreign contractor to develop designs for an anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air destroyer, the Federation government has approached local defense corporation, GannyMede Defenses LLC to design and build the required warships.

At an estimated cost of $600 Million Federation Dollars per vessel, the government has currently placed an order for four ships, the hulls of which were laid this morning at the Bedford Shipyards at Port Grady. The hefty price tag will cut deep into government pockets, eliminating the $2.4 Billion inflow from the Incorporated States of Industrialized Space, paid to the Federation following a patent purchase deal.

Sources within GannyMede Defenses have revealed little other than the fact that the ships' performance will be on equal or better footing with other vessels of its class currently serving in navies across the globe. Scientists have confirmed, however, that once testing is complete the destroyers will be placed on the open market for purchase.

Saratosa, CENTRALIS -- Four hours of brutal fighting between Federation troops and rebel forces finally ended when the Ciewathi Loyalists withdrew from the embattled town. With over 670 rebels killed and 1200 wounded the Federation brigade, commanded by Colonel Brian Hayes, proclaimed the small battle a victory for government forces. Light Armour platoons are already in pursuit of the fleeing rebels while "clean up" squads have reportedly begun entering villages with the sole purpose of rooting out rebel sympathizers.

Chancellor Michael Lee has declined to comment on the Federation's current state of affairs, but Press Secretary Gillian Ross has declared openly that the situation will be dealt with accordingly.

"We cannot abide by this affront to Federation authority," the Press Secretary said. "These people are miscreants, plain and simple. Their attempts to destabilize the government and the economy will end in utter failure. And you can quote me on that."

Enhansa, OSTRACIS -- Microbiologists at the Lazare Biological Research Institute (subsidiary of the SynGenesis Corporation) in the city of Enhansa announced Thursday evening that they had successfully deconstructed and then reconstructed the Ebola virus genome. The new development could very well mean that a vaccine or cure for the debilitating and nearly always fatal disease may be closer still.

Sources within SynGenesis Corporation, however, have reported that this breakthrough is not new. According to a senior executive, who chose only to speak to the People's Voice anonymously, the development had occured some three weeks ago. When questioned about the motive or motives behind SynGenesis Corporation's veil of secrecy, he declined to offer any comments.

Physicians at many of Centralis Island's hospitals are taking the news with cautious optimism while some, such as Doctor Eva Runstedt of Campden General, are reacting negatively to the breakthrough.

"The achievement is significant, there's no doubt about that," Dr. Runstedt said, "but should this knowledge fall into the wrong hands the makings of a humanitarian disaster are clearly in the cards. I can only hope that the researchers and SynGen[esis] know what they're doing. And if not, then may God help us all."

Port Grady, CENTRALIS -- The infant Federation Navy received a big boost several days ago when foreign defense firm ADG Nautical Engineering delivered twelve new destroyers into the hands of the government. With at least eight to ten more vessels on the way and four locally produced warships under construction, observers expect the Navy to have a serviceable fleet that should perform well in defensive, limited offensive, and blockading maneuvers.

Sources also report that a number of submarines are set to arrive in Federation shipyards at Port Grady within the next few days. No word has yet been released on whether the advanced submersibles will be nuclear powered or standard diesel-electric models.

Federation officials, apparently eager to put the new ships through a gauntlet of test runs, have ordered the new squadron out to sea. The destination remains unknown, but speculators surmise that gunnery practice and naval training are the orders of the day. It is expected that the submarines will partake in similar exercises upon arrival.

Osgood, CENTRALIS -- Tensions remains high within the capital today as news of possible conflict with the Republic of Suomark circulated in the early morning press. Government officials at the Chancellor's Palace have declined to comment on the matter and the new Federation Admiralty has remained tight lipped on the exact motives behind the new Navy's blockade of Suomarkian ports.

Sources at the Federation Naval Base Victoria in Port Grady have released information that six more destroyers and four of the twelve new submarines have steamed out into open sea, no doubt with intentions to reinforce the blockading destroyer forces. Federation warships "Capital," "Indefatigable," "Gannymede," and "Taisho," currently under construction but close to completion, are expected to join the rest of the fleet in two to three days along with the remaining eight submersibles.

Sethena, OSTRACIS -- Ciewathi Loyalists advancing on the city of Sethena received a rude awakening at the hands of Federation forces as the chance engagement resulted in a three hour clash of arms. Government forces suffered heavy losses as rebel troops entrenched themselves in the suburbs and fired from buildings.

The bloody encounter ended with a Loyalist rout. Federation casualties number at 139 dead and 302 wounded. Rebel losses number at 410 dead, 720 wounded and 387 taken prisoner.

Channel Two Newswire, Republic of Suomark, 5 January

ST EKATERINA : Prime Minister Michael Eyres-Thorpe today condemned the actions of the Federation of International Bankers in blockading raw materials shipments to the Republic. In a statement the Prime Minister described his deep regret that recent diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions between the two states had failed, and warned that any unilateral action by the Federation would be met with commensurate measures.

-- ENDS --

Naval Station (NS) Birkbeck, Republic of Suomark

"I don't see what all the fuss is about, really."

"You wouldn't. When was the last time you picked up a paper?"

"Come off it. This whole spat is about business, not government. Damned if any of us will really be risking our neck so that General Ordnance can flog a few more rifles."

Lieutenant Commander Fausto d'Amici, SN, grimaced at the younger man. Separating business from politics was a game for theorists and students, not naval officers. As a ten-year veteran of the Navy, he'd grown cynical as only a serviceman can. His colleague was more sanguine about the worrying developments.

Alongside, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Warkworth, SN, waited as d'Amici stopped to run an eye over the clamour around them. NS Birkbeck was a hive of activity, a blur of people and machines. The PM's statement had not been unexpected to those in the military; the General Order to 'stand-to' from the Chief of Naval Staff had, however.

"Okay. So what is behind this bloody mess then?"

"That, Andrew, is an interesting story. It seems that in his hurry to boost our private industries our esteemed leader trod on a few toes abroad. The sale of the old Renown and Trenchant wasn't the problem; they were destined for the scrap-heap anyway."

"So what was it then? Why would the Federation get their knickers in a twist?"

"Rifles - as you said before. Simple as that. Diplomatic niceties went out of the window once a couple of countries started asking after General Ordnance's catalogue. The Federation is not keen to see its position as global arms merchant undermined by an upstart island in the middle of nowhere."

"But a naval blockade? Why go that far?"

"Modern times, Andrew. The pen is no longer mightier than the sword." And, as if on cue, a lone jet ghosted overhead, its hardpoints weighed down not with the usual fuel tanks but an arsenal of missiles.

Suomark News Network, Republic of Suomark, 5 January

"As tensions remain high with the Federation of International Bankers, the government has announced a moratorium on all arms exports. All production capacity will be commandeered for state use until further notice, although existing orders will be honoured in the interests of maintaining trade relations. General Ordnance Corporation and Suofabriken AG have also jointly announced that the damage to business caused by the Federation's blockade of raw material imports is almost certain to result in higher prices across a range of military and non-military produces.

In a related development, the Prime Minister has announced that he will not tolerate encroachment into Suomark territorial waters by Federation vessels. Sources close to the Chief of General Staff believe that a number of Navy vessels are to shadow the Federation warships with immediate effect. Our reporter David Dennis has more on this:

CAPTION: LIVE FROM NS BIRKBECK

"That's right, Joanne, I'm standing outside Naval Station Birkbeck, just south of St Ekaterina. From here I can see two - no, three - vessels setting out to sea at speed. One appears to be the frigate Ardent, and from talking to families outside the base it appears that this may be the largest naval deployment in Suomark's history. There's a definite feeling of worry in the air today - despite the lack of actual fighting, inevitably many of these families are wondering whether they'll see their loved ones again.

I can also reveal exclusively that Army coastal missile batteries have been moved from their standard locations outside Fort Catterall. Obviously we cannot report their current location for security reasons, but a source said to us that in the event of any fighting the missiles would need to be hidden from Federation aircraft. Today we are indeed a nation in fear. Back to you."

-- ENDS --

Eighty-seven kilometres from the eastern coast of Suomark, 6 January

As icy drizzle further stirred the freezing, choppy murkiness of the water below, a sleek shape screeched low over the ocean. The compact, twin-engined jet's mottled grey-green camouflage gave it the impression of a natural predator in the filthy grey winter weather; the truth was somewhat different.

"Homeplate, this is Green Five. Nothing to report so far, but I'm approaching the co-ordinates where the Federation ships were last seen."

"Roger, Green Five. Keep looking. If the reports are correct the Federation is sending more vessels this way and we need to know now."

"Roger, Homeplate. Out."

Flight Lieutenant Beata Brucken, half-Czech, half-Suomark. Not the most popular pilot in her squadron, but the quiet ones are usually the ones to watch in the air. She'd never have been assigned this one-plane mission otherwise. Reserved, no looker and not a drinker; but then, the Suomark Air Force weren't paying her to stand for Miss World. There weren't many who could handle the stubby, powerful Lynx Plus ground-attack aircraft better, certainly none in the rest of 5 Squadron, SAF.

The GA-25A Lynx Plus was the perfect tool for the job. Built to last by Modenaspatiale, it had served the Air Force well since its inception last year. Twin engines gave it the power to haul a fearsome selection of hardware, and Brucken's machine was certainly loaded for hunting with a lethal array of anti-shipping missiles and 'dumb' bombs. Not that they would be used today, hopefully, but if she was to go down she'd take a couple of the bastards with her!

Brucken kept the Lynx level despite the horrendous driving rain, simultaneously flicking her eyes across the LIDAR display. The Federation's blockade of Suomark was biting deep, with intense diplomatic pressure from the island state's neighbours to cave in and free their own trade routes. An embattled government was desperate to know just what the Federation had lined up against them, and intel reports of massive activity in the FoIB dockyards were hardly reassuring. Suomark's navy was designed for coastal defence and interdiction, not a full-scale blue-water boxing match; it would be the SAF that took on the Federation's fleet should the worst come to pass.

There! A flicker on the LIDAR display - the Federation's reputation as arms dealer par excellence was well deserved, but nobody could build an invisible warship. A gentle tug on the stick and Brucken's Lynx curved gently, ducking lower to hug the sea-spray in an attempt to avoid radar detection until the last possible second. Thirty kilometres ... it couldn't last too long.

Suddenly every light in the cockpit lit up like Christmas in St Ekaterina's shopping district. Damn, they'd nailed her; stealthiness was not the Lynx's strong point, and the Federation were no dummies. She flicked the switch to pump enough white noise from the ECM suite to deafen the FoIB radar operators, then hit the afterburners.

"Homeplate, Green Five. I'm at the target site, they're here, they're here. I've got traces on at least three ships, two big enough to be destroyers. There might be more but I'm getting so much clutter from the sea in this weather I can't tell. They know I'm here; I'll get closer."

"Green Five, play it carefully. See what pictures you can get, but don't start a shooting war. Fighters have been scrambled in case you get into any trouble, but they won't hit your position for fifteen minutes yet."

"Understood, Homeplate. Cameras on now. Out."

Alarms were blaring now. The Federation were enjoying this game of chicken; missile radars were sweeping the sky in an attempt to lock on to the nimble, fast-moving interloper. Brucken had no illusions - she might evade one or two missiles but no more than that, not from three warships. She could only hope that the Federation officers ahead had no more desire to start a war than she did. Still, better to be safe than sorry; she unmasked the pattern-recognition seeker heads on two of the four Skua ASMs brooding under the jet's stubby delta wings. Any ship to fire on her would receive more than a bloody nose in return.

Eighteen seconds - fifteen seconds - twelve seconds. The ECM suite's protection abruptly dropped away, as the Federation radars burned through the screen at close range. Now it really was about balls; would she cave in or would they allow such a blatant 'buzzing' of their ships.

...

This time, Brucken was lucky. The senior Federation captain kept a calm head, recognising that any impatience would see many bodies consigned forever to the freezing waters. Let the politicians fight this war; those at the front line knew what they were risking. He slowly exhaled as the Suomark jet gained altitude and veered sharply back towards friendlier skies - next time he doubted he would have such flexibility to pull back from the abyss.

Admiralty House, St Ekaterina, 6 January

"Confirmation, sir. Aerial reconnaissance from an Air Force Lynx confirms it. The Federation is bringing bigger guns into the blockade."

The junior aide stepped back, his message delivered. Uncertain of what was expected next, he waited as the Admiral slowly lowered himself into the antique leather armchair, scrutinising the photographs.

"Not good. Not good at all."

The Admiral motioned the younger man away. As the aide slowly closed the wood-panelled door, he heard the faintest excerpt of conversation as the Admiral picked up the telephone -

"...get me the Prime Minister."

OOC: bumping, because weird things are happening and none of my posts are showing up or threads being moved up.

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OFFICE OF THE FEDERATION ADMIRALTY
2214 Huntington Street, Osgood - Centralis
-------------------------------------------------

January 8th


ATTN: Vice Admiral Jakob Hofbau-Erlicher, Rear-Admiral Franklin Theabeau, Captain Georgi Rumansiev, Captain William Saito, Captain Otto Kesselring


The Admiralty is pleased with the progress of the blockade thus far. Expect reinforcements within the next few days. Chancellors orders are for the battlegroups to maintain the status quo until the diplomatic delegation under VP Henry Davis of GannyMede Corp. arrives in Suomark to discuss treaty with authorities.


-- Admiral Ryan Monaghan

Osgood, CENTRALIS -- Several high ranking diplomats and the Vice President of GannyMede Defenses LLC left Federation shores early this morning bound for the Republic of Suomark. Sources close to the Foreign Ministry report that the government aims to negotiate a treaty with Suomarkian authorities to put the tense diplomatic standoff to an end.

Federation vessels are already leaving for home shores as the Chancellor's office initiated calls for a gradual relaxing of the week old blockade off the coast of Suomark. With arms prices having risen to a premium, Hoffenberg Palace is starting to look beyond the diplomatic spat with the Republic and toward the heavily inflated market prices for small and large arms.

Ultimately, it is the Federation Navy that has emerged as the undisputed winner in ths affair. The rapid growth of what was meant to be a strictly defense-oriented force has ballooned the number of vessels in service from four locally constructed destroyers to well over twenty of the aforementioned class of ships. The new navy also received sixteen diesel-electric submarines as part of its spending binge.

Federation coffers have been hit especially hard by the ongoing unrest among the populace. Experts place the amount of Federation dollars spent during the dual crises at approximately $56.5 Billion, the repercussions of which have already begun to manifest in the form of new taxes, bankrupt corporations and creeping inflation.

Federation economists, however, remain optimistic. Pointing to several multi-billion dollar weapons deals currently underway along with a healthy exports sector and an above average trade surplus, experts say that economic recovery is indeed in the cards and that consumer confidence will remain high in the coming year.

Wiskgar, OSTRACIS -- Several hundred villagers from Wiskgar died from the Ebola virus following an sudden outbreak. Federation biohazard teams have flown in from the capital along with detachments of scientists from Enhansa despite the ongoing civil unrest in the area. Security forces from SynGenesis Corporation were also on hand, ready to keep out trespassers and defend against rebels alike. A general quarantine has been set around the locale as survivors and those not affected by the disease were transported to SynGenesis laboratories and hospitals for further observation.

Suomark News Network, Republic of Suomark, 6 January

CAPTION: SPECIAL REPORT

"The arrival of a team of diplomats from the Federation of International Bankers appears to have heralded a period of detente to thaw current relations with the Republic. As Federation officials landed at Ekaterin International Airport today a statement from the Prime Minister's office indicated that reserve forces are to stand down with immediate effect. Sources have also claimed that Navy vessels are holding their position as the Federation blockade leaves Suomark's waters, suggesting an imminent return to peacetime operations.

And yet, questions remain outstanding. This crisis emerged so suddenly and escalated so quickly, and has now all but disappeared. Senior civil service sources have questioned the Prime Minister's role in this affair. A number of allegations have been levelled at the so-called "Big Three" of arms manufacturing in the Republic -- Suofabriken AG, General Ordnance Corporation and STAL GmbH -- concerning the hasty price rises that accompanied military tensions with the Federation.

Delroy Petin, economics reporter for The Century newspaper, has advanced one theory that government officials are at pains to deny. He believes that the entire stand-off was engineered to enable the "Big Three" to artificially boost prices -- with the co-operation and full knowledge of both governments. Despite derision from the government and the opposition, Petin's theory is not going away. More from a pre-recorded interview earlier today --

CAPTION: DELROY PETIN

"Yes, absolutely, I'm convinced of this. Of course, nobody will ever admit this outright, but the timing was just too neat, and it's no coincidence that prices have risen simultaneously in two of the largest arms-producing nations in the world today. I guess we wait and see if they drop them now."

"Risking lives to fix prices? Surely you can't believe that."

"But I do. Sure, I was horrified when it first occurred to me. But then again, what did we actually risk? There was no shooting; no lives were lost. The Big Three made millions in new orders to our military, and I bet the same happened in the Federation. Look: our own military has commissioned a frigate and two submarines, including our first nuclear-powered vessel, way ahead of schedule. Deliveries of Suofabriken armoured vehicles to re-equip our Army reserves have doubled in a week! I'm serious - just wait until these companies publish their next set of accounts, it'll make interesting reading."

"But wouldn't that indicate massive government corruption, something on a scale never seen before?"

"Yes. It would. Trust me, this isn't the last we've heard of this."

-- END --

Suomark News Network, Republic of Suomark, 8 January

CAPTION: SPECIAL REPORT

"The arrival of a team of diplomats from the Federation of International Bankers appears to have heralded a period of detente to thaw current relations with the Republic. As Federation officials landed at Ekaterin International Airport today a statement from the Prime Minister's office indicated that reserve forces are to stand down with immediate effect. Sources have also claimed that Navy vessels are holding their position as the Federation blockade leaves Suomark's waters, suggesting an imminent return to peacetime operations.

And yet, questions remain outstanding. This crisis emerged so suddenly and escalated so quickly, and has now all but disappeared. Senior civil service sources have questioned the Prime Minister's role in this affair. A number of allegations have been levelled at the so-called "Big Three" of arms manufacturing in the Republic -- Suofabriken AG, General Ordnance Corporation and STAL GmbH -- concerning the hasty price rises that accompanied military tensions with the Federation.

Delroy Petin, economics reporter for The Century newspaper, has advanced one theory that government officials are at pains to deny. He believes that the entire stand-off was engineered to enable the "Big Three" to artificially boost prices -- with the co-operation and full knowledge of both governments. Despite derision from the government and the opposition, Petin's theory is not going away. More from a pre-recorded interview earlier today --

CAPTION: DELROY PETIN

"Yes, absolutely, I'm convinced of this. Of course, nobody will ever admit this outright, but the timing was just too neat, and it's no coincidence that prices have risen simultaneously in two of the largest arms-producing nations in the world today. I guess we wait and see if they drop them now."

"Risking lives to fix prices? Surely you can't believe that."

"But I do. Sure, I was horrified when it first occurred to me. But then again, what did we actually risk? There was no shooting; no lives were lost. The Big Three made millions in new orders to our military, and I bet the same happened in the Federation. Look: our own military has commissioned a frigate and two submarines, including our first nuclear-powered vessel, way ahead of schedule. Deliveries of Suofabriken armoured vehicles to re-equip our Army reserves have doubled in a week! I'm serious - just wait until these companies publish their next set of accounts, it'll make interesting reading."

"But wouldn't that indicate massive government corruption, something on a scale never seen before?"

"Yes. It would. Trust me, this isn't the last we've heard of this."

-- END --

Suomark News Network, Republic of Suomark, 8 January

CAPTION: SPECIAL REPORT

"The arrival of a team of diplomats from the Federation of International Bankers appears to have heralded a period of detente to thaw current relations with the Republic. As Federation officials landed at Ekaterin International Airport today a statement from the Prime Minister's office indicated that reserve forces are to stand down with immediate effect. Sources have also claimed that Navy vessels are holding their position as the Federation blockade leaves Suomark's waters, suggesting an imminent return to peacetime operations.

And yet, questions remain outstanding. This crisis emerged so suddenly and escalated so quickly, and has now all but disappeared. Senior civil service sources have questioned the Prime Minister's role in this affair. A number of allegations have been levelled at the so-called "Big Three" of arms manufacturing in the Republic -- Suofabriken AG, General Ordnance Corporation and STAL GmbH -- concerning the hasty price rises that accompanied military tensions with the Federation.

Delroy Petin, economics reporter for The Century newspaper, has advanced one theory that government officials are at pains to deny. He believes that the entire stand-off was engineered to enable the "Big Three" to artificially boost prices -- with the co-operation and full knowledge of both governments. Despite derision from the government and the opposition, Petin's theory is not going away. More from a pre-recorded interview earlier today --

CAPTION: DELROY PETIN

"Yes, absolutely, I'm convinced of this. Of course, nobody will ever admit this outright, but the timing was just too neat, and it's no coincidence that prices have risen simultaneously in two of the largest arms-producing nations in the world today. I guess we wait and see if they drop them now."

"Risking lives to fix prices? Surely you can't believe that."

"But I do. Sure, I was horrified when it first occurred to me. But then again, what did we actually risk? There was no shooting; no lives were lost. The Big Three made millions in new orders to our military, and I bet the same happened in the Federation. Look: our own military has commissioned a frigate and two submarines, including our first nuclear-powered vessel, way ahead of schedule. Deliveries of Suofabriken armoured vehicles to re-equip our Army reserves have doubled in a week! I'm serious - just wait until these companies publish their next set of accounts, it'll make interesting reading."

"But wouldn't that indicate massive government corruption, something on a scale never seen before?"

"Yes. It would. Trust me, this isn't the last we've heard of this."

-- END --

Grrr ... one last time!


Suomark News Network, Republic of Suomark, 8 January

CAPTION: SPECIAL REPORT

"The arrival of a team of diplomats from the Federation of International Bankers appears to have heralded a period of detente to thaw current relations with the Republic. As Federation officials landed at Ekaterin International Airport today a statement from the Prime Minister's office indicated that reserve forces are to stand down with immediate effect. Sources have also claimed that Navy vessels are holding their position as the Federation blockade leaves Suomark's waters, suggesting an imminent return to peacetime operations.

And yet, questions remain outstanding. This crisis emerged so suddenly and escalated so quickly, and has now all but disappeared. Senior civil service sources have questioned the Prime Minister's role in this affair. A number of allegations have been levelled at the so-called "Big Three" of arms manufacturing in the Republic -- Suofabriken AG, General Ordnance Corporation and STAL GmbH -- concerning the hasty price rises that accompanied military tensions with the Federation.

Delroy Petin, economics reporter for The Century newspaper, has advanced one theory that government officials are at pains to deny. He believes that the entire stand-off was engineered to enable the "Big Three" to artificially boost prices -- with the co-operation and full knowledge of both governments. Despite derision from the government and the opposition, Petin's theory is not going away. More from a pre-recorded interview earlier today --

CAPTION: DELROY PETIN

"Yes, absolutely, I'm convinced of this. Of course, nobody will ever admit this outright, but the timing was just too neat, and it's no coincidence that prices have risen simultaneously in two of the largest arms-producing nations in the world today. I guess we wait and see if they drop them now."

"Risking lives to fix prices? Surely you can't believe that."

"But I do. Sure, I was horrified when it first occurred to me. But then again, what did we actually risk? There was no shooting; no lives were lost. The Big Three made millions in new orders to our military, and I bet the same happened in the Federation. Look: our own military has commissioned a frigate and two submarines, including our first nuclear-powered vessel, way ahead of schedule. Deliveries of Suofabriken armoured vehicles to re-equip our Army reserves have doubled in a week! I'm serious - just wait until these companies publish their next set of accounts, it'll make interesting reading."

"But wouldn't that indicate massive government corruption, something on a scale never seen before?"

"Yes. It would. Trust me, this isn't the last we've heard of this."

-- END --

Enhansa, OSTRACIS -- Research efforts into Radio Frequency weapons received a much needed financial bump from the Federation government as key defense companies file for insolvency. Ralliant Electronics LLC, the parent company of Westbridge Laboratories and founder of the Federation's EMP research programme shut down its research centres in Enhansa following deep cutbacks. The government is expected to fold the programme into current RF research efforts being performed by GannyMede Defenses LLC.

Earlier breakthroughs in Electro-Magnetic Pulse weapons were quickly placed under wraps by Federation authorities following a series of premature announcements of export plans by scientists. Radio Frequency weapons is being seen and hailed by many in the military as the "next logical step" to take in advanced defense systems.

Eschewing many of the more exotic branches of weapons research such as laser rifles, automated tanks, "battlemechs," and other fantastic designs, Federation arms corporations have traditionally funded more conventional forms of defense research. This move by the government to proceed in the direction of electro-magnetic weaponry is being seen by many as a bold statement by Federation war and science industries to build a more competitive edge in the global market.

"We are aiming for a reliable, efficient, and practical hand held RF device in the near future," Doctor Francis Kincaid of GannyMede Defenses LLC said in a recent interview. "At this moment, however, the technology hasn't matured beyond large, unwieldy products suited only for missile delivery systems." With he grin he added, "We're thinking small."

Questioned as to whether RF and EMP technology will be available on the global market, Doctor Kincaid was very clear and adamant on the matter.

"If I could help it? I'd have to give a resounding 'no.' This is not something I'd want to export. Aside from the age old dilemma of having it fall into the wrong hands and such, I personally don't think that it would be ethical for any nation to possess such a device or series of devices."

When asked about the Federation's ultimate purpose in developing RF devices, the Doctor was a bit more evasive.

"It's a matter of choice for the megacorporations, their client companies and their subsidiaries. It's a business, as every around here likes to say and that maxim holds especially true in an environment as commercially oriented as the Federation. Ultimately though, it's the CEOs and the government who make the decision what to do with the finished product and whether they should sell it or not." Kincaid shrugs his shoulders. "What do I know? I'm just a scientist. War is not my vocation, after all."

Enhansa, OSTRACIS -- Research efforts into Radio Frequency weapons received a much needed financial bump from the Federation government as key defense companies file for insolvency. Ralliant Electronics LLC, the parent company of Westbridge Laboratories and founder of the Federation's EMP research programme shut down its research centres in Enhansa following deep cutbacks. The government is expected to fold the programme into current RF research efforts being performed by GannyMede Defenses LLC.

Earlier breakthroughs in Electro-Magnetic Pulse weapons were quickly placed under wraps by Federation authorities following a series of premature announcements of export plans by scientists. Radio Frequency weapons is being seen and hailed by many in the military as the "next logical step" to take in advanced defense systems.

Eschewing many of the more exotic branches of weapons research such as laser rifles, automated tanks, "battlemechs," and other fantastic designs, Federation arms corporations have traditionally funded more conventional forms of defense research. This move by the government to proceed in the direction of electro-magnetic weaponry is being seen by many as a bold statement by Federation war and science industries to build a more competitive edge in the global market.

"We are aiming for a reliable, efficient, and practical hand held RF device in the near future," Doctor Francis Kincaid of GannyMede Defenses LLC said in a recent interview. "At this moment, however, the technology hasn't matured beyond large, unwieldy products suited only for missile delivery systems." With he grin he added, "We're thinking small."

Questioned as to whether RF and EMP technology will be available on the global market, Doctor Kincaid was very clear and adamant on the matter.

"If I could help it? I'd have to give a resounding 'no.' This is not something I'd want to export. Aside from the age old dilemma of having it fall into the wrong hands and such, I personally don't think that it would be ethical for any nation to possess such a device or series of devices."

When asked about the Federation's ultimate purpose in developing RF devices, the Doctor was a bit more evasive.

"It's a matter of choice for the megacorporations, their client companies and their subsidiaries. It's a business, as every around here likes to say and that maxim holds especially true in an environment as commercially oriented as the Federation. Ultimately though, it's the CEOs and the government who make the decision what to do with the finished product and whether they should sell it or not." Kincaid shrugs his shoulders. "What do I know? I'm just a scientist. War is not my vocation, after all."

Enhansa, OSTRACIS -- Research efforts into Radio Frequency weapons received a much needed financial bump from the Federation government as key defense companies file for insolvency. Ralliant Electronics LLC, the parent company of Westbridge Laboratories and founder of the Federation's EMP research programme shut down its research centres in Enhansa following deep cutbacks. The government is expected to fold the programme into current RF research efforts being performed by GannyMede Defenses LLC.

Earlier breakthroughs in Electro-Magnetic Pulse weapons were quickly placed under wraps by Federation authorities following a series of premature announcements of export plans by scientists. Radio Frequency weapons is being seen and hailed by many in the military as the "next logical step" to take in advanced defense systems.

Eschewing many of the more exotic branches of weapons research such as laser rifles, automated tanks, "battlemechs," and other fantastic designs, Federation arms corporations have traditionally funded more conventional forms of defense research. This move by the government to proceed in the direction of electro-magnetic weaponry is being seen by many as a bold statement by Federation war and science industries to build a more competitive edge in the global market.

"We are aiming for a reliable, efficient, and practical hand held RF device in the near future," Doctor Francis Kincaid of GannyMede Defenses LLC said in a recent interview. "At this moment, however, the technology hasn't matured beyond large, unwieldy products suited only for missile delivery systems." With he grin he added, "We're thinking small."

Questioned as to whether RF and EMP technology will be available on the global market, Doctor Kincaid was very clear and adamant on the matter.

"If I could help it? I'd have to give a resounding 'no.' This is not something I'd want to export. Aside from the age old dilemma of having it fall into the wrong hands and such, I personally don't think that it would be ethical for any nation to possess such a device or series of devices."

When asked about the Federation's ultimate purpose in developing RF devices, the Doctor was a bit more evasive.

"It's a matter of choice for the megacorporations, their client companies and their subsidiaries. It's a business, as every around here likes to say and that maxim holds especially true in an environment as commercially oriented as the Federation. Ultimately though, it's the CEOs and the government who make the decision what to do with the finished product and whether they should sell it or not." Kincaid shrugs his shoulders. "What do I know? I'm just a scientist. War is not my vocation, after all."

Enhansa, OSTRACIS -- Research efforts into Radio Frequency weapons received a much needed financial bump from the Federation government as key defense companies file for insolvency. Ralliant Electronics LLC, the parent company of Westbridge Laboratories and founder of the Federation's EMP research programme shut down its research centres in Enhansa following deep cutbacks. The government is expected to fold the programme into current RF research efforts being performed by GannyMede Defenses LLC.

Earlier breakthroughs in Electro-Magnetic Pulse weapons were quickly placed under wraps by Federation authorities following a series of premature announcements of export plans by scientists. Radio Frequency weapons is being seen and hailed by many in the military as the "next logical step" to take in advanced defense systems.

Eschewing many of the more exotic branches of weapons research such as laser rifles, automated tanks, "battlemechs," and other fantastic designs, Federation arms corporations have traditionally funded more conventional forms of defense research. This move by the government to proceed in the direction of electro-magnetic weaponry is being seen by many as a bold statement by Federation war and science industries to build a more competitive edge in the global market.

"We are aiming for a reliable, efficient, and practical hand held RF device in the near future," Doctor Francis Kincaid of GannyMede Defenses LLC said in a recent interview. "At this moment, however, the technology hasn't matured beyond large, unwieldy products suited only for missile delivery systems." With he grin he added, "We're thinking small."

Questioned as to whether RF and EMP technology will be available on the global market, Doctor Kincaid was very clear and adamant on the matter.

"If I could help it? I'd have to give a resounding 'no.' This is not something I'd want to export. Aside from the age old dilemma of having it fall into the wrong hands and such, I personally don't think that it would be ethical for any nation to possess such a device or series of devices."

When asked about the Federation's ultimate purpose in developing RF devices, the Doctor was a bit more evasive.

"It's a matter of choice for the megacorporations, their client companies and their subsidiaries. It's a business, as every around here likes to say and that maxim holds especially true in an environment as commercially oriented as the Federation. Ultimately though, it's the CEOs and the government who make the decision what to do with the finished product and whether they should sell it or not." Kincaid shrugs his shoulders. "What do I know? I'm just a scientist. War is not my vocation, after all."