NationStates Jolt Archive

Marshall drums played loudly over a collage of the day's events. Scenes of carnage were played, interrupted by brief clips from human interest pieces...Bill O'Smillie saved a cat from a tree, signs of struggle from the feline apparent on his face. Finally, "ACE" flashed onto the screen in bold, italisized, white letters...it once again cut to the faces of the most recently added news anchors...

'Hello, I'am Marito Van Steeple!' exclaimed a tall, handsome, man with gorgeously styled black hair.

'...And I'am Tonja Harting-Smythe, welcome to ACE news tonight!' wailed the redheaded female reporter, blue eyes sparkling hypnotically in the studio lights.

'Here are the news stories we're following for you tonight!' said Marito in his soothing baritone.

'A high ranking General's son goes on a shooting rampage in the San Benuardo shopping complex.' said Tonja, her ample breast heaved as she exclaimed the sentence.

Marito with a twinkle in his eye followed up with 'The Aumanii government announces an end to conscription, as well as several other exciting military developments!'

Man on the street, Bill O'Smillie, seemingly out of nowhere announced 'And I, Bill O'Smillie, am going to have a few pints down at the Legion...can you believe I get paid to do this?!' Bill laughed fakely, as did Marito and Tonja.

The camera settled on the suddenly hard-faced Marito Van Steeple, sorting his papers with what seemed like grim determination, the male anchor said 'Tragedy struck Auman today as the son of a high ranking military official, who cannot be named because of his student status, shot and killed eleven civilians, including a pregnant mother, in the San Benuardo shopping complex today. The Affluent student, believed to be a member of the student radical group "Green Galaxy", struck without mercy, wounding several dozen people before being subdued by a shop owner, Geary Gault...'

The screen split to San Benuardo shopping complex where an unmemorable reporter interviewed the thin, aging, Geary Gault.

'He was just shooting everything...it was insane. I mean, this kid came into the mall and just started shouting at people, we though he was nuts so we called security. Next thing we know he pulls a machine pistol out of the kangaroo pouch on the front of his hoodie and shot this poor girl in the stomach a few times. I'm not going to lie and say I was some big hero...I dove for cover as soon as I heard the shots...it's been awhile since I was in the army. All I heard was gunfire, then security showed up, but the kid got them pinned. At this point I had found my service pistol and started to get up some courage. I poked my head up from under my counter and saw atleast three people on the ground, and that little punk kid reloading his gun. I pulled the hammer back on my revolver and rushed him, screaming and yelling to get him to put the gun down and he did! I thought I was a deadman. Anyway, when I got closer I layed boots to him and the security guards put him in cuffs, secured the weapon, etc. After the shoot out was over, though, tons of people showed up and just kicked his ass...if the cops didn't get there, I think they would've killed the rat.'

The screen returned to the news room, camera now centered on Tonja's beautiful face. 'Lord General Falkenhayn revealed today in a news conference that the military would not continue to conscript civilians into the army for the foreseeable future. This comes as a relief to the Aumanii Military Mother's association, who have always opposed the conscription act as inhumane and against the basic human rights of conscriptees. We were very lucky to get an interview, via telephone, with the head of the Aumanii Military Mothers Association, Mrs. Friedelinda Bahraum.'

A picture of a telephone appeared next to Tonja's head, with a picture of the remarkably attractive Mrs. Bahraum encapsulated next to it. Friedelinda's soft, southern, Aumanii accent lilted as she spoke...

'The A.M.M.A. approves these latest actions of the government. We believe this is a positive first step in securing the basic rights of not only veterans, but the general civilian populace of our great nation that have basically been treated as second class citizens, under veterans. The militaristic attitude of our government is unfair and the Aumanii Military Mothers, who have lost so much to conflict and the Government's lust for power, territory and resources, while pleased with this latest development, will not stop until we have secured a constitution that guarantees the rights of not only veterans, but all of the people of Auman...and of course, the right to vote in open and free elections.'

Tonja, ever delightful, went on with the news...

'Lord General Falkenhayn, in addition to his previous statements, also went on to detail an overhaul of the military.'

The screen cut, once more, to a military news conference that took place earlier in the day. Lord General Falkenhayn stood behind a lavish, wood, podium. His pristine, black, uniform blended slightly with the dark grey curtains on which was placed the stark white Aumanii war emblem.

'...Yes, yes, moving on!' said Falkenhayn as he tried to get past the conscription issue. 'The Aumanii military is working on a capability upgrade, across the board. Much new equipment is going to be purchased, including new body armour for the troops, because we know how much everyone has been complaining about that. We don't know what the end result of this upgrade will be as right now we're only doing preliminary studies on how to optimize our forces for future combat scenarios, however conscription was eliminated as a result of this. It is also very likely that the Gorgon Battlespace Domination Command Module will come into full and complete service in the Aumanii fleet...Force projection is going to be a major issue for our think tanks as well...'

Tonja broke interrupted the General's statements to inform the public that they were going to commercial...

'...Protestors staged a rally today at the West Margaritifer Technical University, under the watchful eyes of Vascilia City Police units. The rabble-rousers shouted slogans at officers, telling them to "throw down their arms and leave behind the oppressive, blood soaked, warmachine."

The protesters are heavily involved in the Green Galaxy movement and have been linked to San Benuardo gunman. It is not known if Green Galaxy supported the shootings, but police have made it quite clear that the peace group is under scrutiny.' Marito cleared his throat and the news cut to commercial.

'This rifle has more killing power than the USS Missouri!' said a gorgeous blonde, wearing nothing but a neon green, thong, bikini and ridiculous pink leg warmers. The woman put on a pair of blast goggles and protective ear muffs and levelled an assault rifle at a mock-up of an ancient Sherman battletank. She pulled the trigger and the mock up exploded in a cloud of debris, the recoil forced her ample breasts to jiggle and bounce, much to the pleasure of any straight man watching. The narrator, with a heavy drawl, announced 'The AuR-67C, the same rifle used by the military retooled for the civilian market!'

The screen cut to a rear view of Sandy, the gun model, prone on the lip of a crater. Several dozen bi-pedal combat droids charging position, firing blanks from handguns for dramatic effect. With a single burst and sweep of the rifle the droids were reduced to scattered body parts and burning silicon. Sandy turned and the camera closed in on her face, she winked suggestively.

'AuR-67, the only choice for home defense.'

Overly dramatic music blared, Marito Van Steeple and Tonja Harting-Smythe were smiling, blankly. 'The Aumanii government has just announced in a surprise conference that elections will once again resume at the municipal and state level. If you didn't know, the last elections in Auman were cancelled over eighty years ago at the commencement of the First Hellespontos War. When asked if foreign observers from the Duma would be asked to oversee the elections and insure a fair and reasonable turnout, the government remained tight lipped...' said Tonja Harting-Smythe at length, her luscious lips shining in the studio lights.

'In other news...'

'Breaking News!'

'A detonation has struck the Foundational District. Several high ranking government and military official have been killed in what has been labelled the largest domestic terrorist attack in Auman's history. Several semi-trucks, loaded with high yield explosives, tore through the gates of Auman's political core and blew themselves to pieces, shattering the headquarters of the military administration...it is not known yet if the Overlord was caught in the blast...'


--------

Huge chunks of burning plasteel were sifted aside in the search for survivors. Military engineering teams used every tool at their disposal to save any trapped souls who were misfortunate enough to be caught under the rubble...

The entire two hundred and fourty two story spire of the Foundational Military Center had been completely annihilated in the blast...unfortunately, the Overlord, as well as the entire General's staff, was in the building at the time. The entire military might of Vascilia City was mobilized to help, but it was more than likely that there were no survivors. This gruesome fact, that the country was effectively leaderless, was kept from the public. Instead, reserve and retired officers were quietly recalled to active duty. Chief among them, most definitely not the late Overlord's first choice...

' Despite his growing involvement in criminal activity, Retired General Sheikh Navarrone was now the effective head of state for the nation of Auman.'

----

Fleet General Tarja walked down the grey steps of Fleet Headquarters, for now the home of government. He stopped just short of a mass of reporters and gave his statement.

'In light of recent military developments, five Gorgon Battlespace Domination Task Forces have been formed and are being deployed to the Martian theater till the current crisis subsides. In addition to the increased fleet presence in orbit, Martial Law has been declared in all states and municipalities in the nation. Elections, however, will go on as scheduled. The Garrisons of Bhaatarahk will continue combat operations against the Pilonese. All leaves have been cancelled. Thank you, we're very busy...'

Tarja turned and walked away from the reporters who were practically rioting for answers. Tarja didn't pay attention as he disappeared back into the heavily fortified HQ of the Aumanii Fleet...which would likely be the next target, if attacks were to continue.


----


'This is Bill O'Smillie, on the scene...or as close as I can get to it...the atmosphere here is chaotic. There are people being lynched out here in the streets, me and my crew have had a few close calls...there are mobs roving the streets and from the looks of things the local Garrison is joining in on what I can only describe as organized brutality! There is some good news...' Bill ducked suddenly as a burst of gunfire rang out close by. The cameraman leaned out around the corner and captured on film a police cruiser being fired on by a mob of enraged citizens. The Police officers fired back with their own assault rifles, seemingly protecting a new age food shop.

'Sweet Jesus, these people are going after everything they can...keep rolling!' said O'Smillie, holding his own pistol low to the ground as he peaked out from the doorway of an apartment building. 'The cops are holding their own, it seems, we can't see the assailants...should we help them Daryl?' said Bill. The Cameraman could be heard stringing together a line of obsentities which detailed why they shouldn't help the policemen...

'RPG!' shouted one of the officers, before they could run, the car they were using as cover exploded...apparently killing the policemen.

'We gotta get out of here man!' shouted Bill O'Smillie as he got up and started to run, still making commentary.

'Remember people, guns don't kill people...people kill people...anyway...' Bill was struggling for breathe as he and the cameraman booked it. 'Anyway...it seems the streets of West Margaritifer, the college dominated West Margaritifer, has fallen to anarchy! Citizens have resorted to using rocket propelled gren...' Bill's words were obscured by a heavy fusillade of weapons fire ahead of them, ACE News cut to commercial.

'Well, this has been one exciting week...' sighed Bill O'Smillie as he stumbled into the ACE news center, covered in rockrete dust, lip busted open by a hunk of debris. His khakis had their knees worn out as he had to constantly take firing stances...being the man on the street was more work than it should be.

Marito Van Steeple sauntered upto Bill and shook his hand, 'Good work, Bill. That's some award winning stuff you got there.' Bill nodded and slapped Marito on the shoulder briskly and walked past him to his office, where he shut the door and lowered the blinds. Another deep sigh and Bill was ready to start writing his final report on the situation, which over the course of the week and thanks to the brave actions of the Aumanii regular army and their allies, was resolved...sort of.

----

'Major combat operations have ceased in the state of Turksilvania...' read Tonja Harting-Smythe, the report just a fluffed out piece of propaganda meant to make the people feel safer than they actually were. Tens of thousands of people died in a matter of five days. Nuclear weapons were taken from supposedly secure facilities by Turksilvanian soldiers during the insurgency that haven't yet been recovered...of course, this wasn't reported, not because of the urging of the newly formed government, but because ACE didn't want the people to worry anymore. The Vascilian Armies were in control. Many new allies had been found. People in Turksilvania were getting fresh water and food again...

No one needed to know that Turksilvanian army units had gone underground to avoid being decimated by superior military units, choosing to wage a guerilla war...achieve vengeance for alleged years of oppression through terrorist means.

'Lord General Sheikh Navarrone appeared on television for the first time as the leader of Auman today, releasing a statement of intent. To reform Auman into an open democratic society...'

Seemingly good news for the people of a nation who had never known democracy. Who had no idea how to behave under such a system. Who, for the most part, would probably vote for the person they saw on television the most.

'The Lord General also said that the previously enforced ban on conscription would still be in effect during his term as Overlord...'

Genius. Idiocy. Auman couldn't afford to conscript the wrong people into the Army at this time. Auman couldn't afford to reduce its military either.

'Lord General Navarrone also announced that he would be sending commendations out to several thousand police officers for their dedication and bravery in this time of crisis, as well as thousands more soldiers from all nations involved in bringing about peace to our great nation...'

Good on 'em, they deserve it...they also deserve a raise, which they'll be getting thanks to cutbacks in manpower. The average Aumanii rifleman could expect a wage of 41,000 dollars per year, unprecendented in any military service that Bill O'Smillie knew of...

'Aumanii Police Services Coordinator, Captain Ricard Blancette, said in a seperate press releases that those believed to be responsible for the first wave of terror attacks were in custody. The Green Galaxy organization, which the majority of the suspects claim association with, said that it was in no way responsible for the attacks and would hire the best lawyers they can prove their colleague's innocence...'

For all O'Smillie could figure, Green Galaxy were a bunch of no good hippies, he didn't believe for a second that they could've coordinated an attack like this...but for now, why not bust a few junkies?

The camera is focused on the News Anchors. Marito had just shared a humorous story with his female counterpart, Tonja Harting-Smythe, they were both laughing...fakely, obviously for the viewers at home.

'Hello and welcome to A.C.E. News, here are your top headlines for this evening...' said Marito Van Steeple.

Unneccessarily loud music blared during the segway as clips from the days events were played out.

Tonja Harting-Smythe, who was wearing a low cut top in order to reveal more of her voluptuous breasts (by viewer request), went on to detail a story.

'The Gears of Democracy slowly started to spin today in the de facto capital of Auman, Zhamssassar Fortress as General Sheikh Navarrone signed the nation's first Constitution, which detailed the citizen's right to personal representation in government. General Navarrone did not comment on when elections will be held.'

'The Corporate Council of Zeppelin Manufacturers Incorporated have just been placed on the Interior Ministry's Top 10 Most Wanted list in connection with their part in the recent, devastating, attack on the Nation's allies, Tannelorn. The current reward for their capture is 120 Trillion ToI, 60 Trillion for their confirmed deaths.' Marito Van Steeple delivered that grim piece of news with, what some might say, just a little too much enthusiasm.

The program went on for another hour, Bill O'Smillie showed off a recently aquired stab wound and they all delivered otherwise uninteresting and unimportant fluff stories...