NationStates Jolt Archive

Natalya Harrington Meridius stared at the ceiling while she unknowingly patted her belly. Daughter of the President of Adejaani and Empress of Elara, she was in one of Adejaani's finest hospitals after a failed assassination attempt. The one perk of being such a celebrity was a private room, a private nurse and a view of the Adejaani Government Buildings in the capital, Ticonderoga City.

At that moment, there was a polite knock on the door and the nurse came in, smiling. Natalya smiled back. Her nurse was middle aged, and had been extremely supportive and had literally held her hand for a while. You see, Natalya, who had been pretty shy, was only 19 and pregnant after her first and only night with her husband. She'd almost fainted when a medical specialist insisted on examining her private parts.

The nurse squeezed Natalya's hand. "Good morning, Empress. Hope you slept well!" Natalya replied she did and the nurse went to the cupboard for a new pillow. "Doctors say you'll be fine, you just need some more time to-" The nurse stopped and listened carefully, as a low and long wailing sound occured. "My God, it's an air raid! Stay right here!" The nurse sprinted outside as the hospital's internal call system ordered all doctors and nurses to be on alert.

Natalya, meanwhile was stunned. "Air Raid? Where? Here?!" Natalya pulled herself out of bed with a grunt, her shoulder aching painfully. She looked up into the skies and saw a rectangular shape, on fire arc down towards the massive spire that marked the center of the Adejaani Government. Fighter aircraft roared overhead, its missiles hitting the object.

Then all of a sudden, the rectangular shape exploded, sending Natalya to the floor with a surprised squeak. A brilliant white light flooded her room as she huddled against the wall. A loud rumbling came first, followed by a massive shockwave.....

==========

Stand by for breaking news

"This is Angel Hammond of Adejaani National News, reporting from the outskirts of Ticonderoga City, capital of the Technocratic Republic of Adejaani. As you can see on your screens right now, it seems that a massive nuclear explosion has occured. Ticonderoga City is home of almost twenty million people and the seat of government. It appears at this early stage in time that almost all the Adejaani government and all twenty million inhabitants are dead.

It's impossible to know who did it or what's next, but it seems the authorities and disaster relief forces are mobilising. We'll bring you the news at it comes to hand. This is Angel Hammond..... Reporting live....."

The Empire of Layarteb will lend a helping hand to whoever did this and to whatever is going on here. We will send you doctors and construction crews to dig out the wreckage of the city and also see what we can do about who did this shameful act of psychotic cowardness.

The Kingdom of Xeraph conveys it's shock and condolences to Adejanni. Please let us help you in any way you deem necessary: medical, financial, militarily.

Respectfully,

Alaric, King of Xeraph

*Official Press Release*

On the orders of my government and with the full support of the ICTC, Tribal Gods offers any support possible. While we are a small nation, we recognize a nation in distress. We can offer medical teams equipped to respond to radiation poisoning, and trained medical staff to assist in triage. We will also offer full diplomatic support. This might be the assistance that is most beneficial. While we are young, our friends are old. Find who did this and vengeance should be yours.

Chief Raging Antelope
The Most Serene Republic of Tribal Gods
Member, Internation Council of Tribal Countries

We condemn this cowardly attack and will help in any means necessary.

Gen. Dante
Leader of Langham

Sir KnowsAlot snarled

Dropping nuclear weapons?
I pray to God that whoever commited this cowardly act step forewardm and subnits himself to the weight of the international community.

To use such force is highly unnessecary.

To: Adejaani
I pledge the FULL support my my military powers to assist you in any way you require.

I can have the first of my troops landing to assist with defense from further attacks in about 3 days.

Let this go no further.
Sir KnowsAlot

This is a travesty, and we are sending medical equipment, supplies, food, and emergency workers to help you recover. Also included are geiger counters, rad-badges, and decontamination foam. We grieve for you, and offer any support you may need.

The Community of the Grey Hermits stands ready to aid Adejanni with medicine and diplomacy.

We condemn this cowardly act and will use all of our powers to find out what nation perpetrated this atrocity.

Our condolences................

Abbot Mencius

If the case is such that the person who did this is a terrorist state and/or a vile creature then they should be annihilated.

Secure Coms: Do you need any less peaceful assistance? Our ISA is very good at extracting information.

The Holy Empire of the Knights of Hell do hereby deploy to the Nation of Adejanni our full medical/battle staff, 5 million USD for food and supplies, and 10,000 of our MAI-S AI mechanised units for patrol/security purposes.
These units are not affected by otherwise lethal doses of radiation.
If there is anything else we or our allies can do, please TG Xeraph, our representative.

Lord Tanith, Emperor of the Holy Empire of the Knights of Hell

The Armed Republic of the Twisted Clans conveys it's condolences to the nation of Andejanni. We stand ready to supplement the security forces of our ally the Knights of Hell with 5,000 of the Red Dragon Guards and 5,000 of the Black Dragon Guards. The Red Dragons are the personal security force of Prince Kreeg. The Black Dragons are the intelligence gathering arm of our govt.

Sincerely,

Prince Kreeg, ARTC

The Elarans were in a state of near panic too, Judge Bell noted. Elara and Adejaani are adjoining countries and the two, while having their 'bad blood', were fiercely loyal to the other. Bell had noted the fighter escorts and the literal panic in the streets as his helicopter touched down at an Elaran airport. Since Adejaani was essentially in lockdown, the NEACP, National Emergency Airborne Command Post had gone to Elara so Bell can board there.

The Elaran official who had met Bell on the tarmac was shaking with fear and tears streaming down her face. "Our condolences, sir. No matter what has happened between our two countries, Elara stands by you and and....." The woman sobbed uncontrollably and Bell hugged her, quietly reassuring her it'll be all right. A photographer snapped this for posterity. Months later, the photo would resurface and forever strengthen the bond between the two countries.

"Welcome aboard, Mister President." Admiral Zac Brosgarth said in the NEACP's briefing room after they took off. "Preliminary reports are in now." This veteran warrior of Adejaani was now the Chief of the Defense Forces. With a nod, amateur footage and blast damage assessment photos were up on the video screens.

"Capital is totally blasted away. Nothing of the government remains. Checked with the Secret Service. Apart from the Presidential Chief of Staff, the entire Executive Branch, Congress and the Senate, well, all wiped out. All the embassies and various liaisons within the capital are burning rubble, too." Brosgarth's hands shook, despite his voice remaining calm and focused.

"Um..... Information is flooding in by the truckload. Some things seem certain, though. Out in space, the Magnian rogues captured a freighter and put a nuke aboard. That's what plowed into the capital. Which, by the way, we freed the Magnian people, but it seemed this rogue faction of Magnia just upped and left after we won our battles there.

[OOC: For reference on this, go to http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2535490#2535490]

"I know this sounds grim, sir, but our Air Defense Network worked pretty well. Air National Guard and Anti Air batteries were off the mark the instant the danger was known and managed to hit that freighter with several missiles, but considering its mass and trajectory, nothing could be done about it. Absolutely nothing could've stopped it from wiping out the capital.

"On um, response, we've got a lot of nations offering aid. Our military forces are on full alert and relief efforts are underway, but of the 20 million population, we estimate a full 80% fatality rate at the moment. That's about all I've got for you at this moment, sir."

Brosgarth sat down, his hands continuing to shake. Everyone else seemed in much the same condition, Bell noted, looking around the table. They all had friends, even family within that city. Bell stood up and while he too was shocked, he hid it. He was the leader, he had to lead now.

"Send a message thanking those governments for their aid, but please decline for the moment. We have to know what's needed first and where. First priority is pulling out survivors. Then..... We've got a country to heal. For now, start relief efforts. I need to..... Make a statement soon..... Go." Everyone nodded and left the room. Finally alone, Bell let one lone tear slide down his cheek, cleared his throat, wiped it off and the new President of Adejaani got to work.

( OOC )...wow, excellent story, excellent writing abilities

Excellent story is right but this is a space RP. I am modern tech but I can still help you out with recovery and such of the capital, mainly recovery I doubt there'll be any rescue from that blast. Medical doctors are arriving too.

The council of twelve were stunned when they heard the news, though currently they were ten in attendance.

"Lionel, my son, had met the Adejaani at their union of souls with the Elarans. It is inconceivable that a nuclear device was used on any populace", counselor Brightwing stated in outraged.

"What shall we do?", one amongst them spoked.

"I believe we should send them our condolences and offer any aid that they required".

All the council members nodded in agreement as they penned the message..

*tag*

*secret rp*

The news of these horrific acts against Adejaani and even the Sambizie, travel fast throughout the Empire. So fast infact, a messenger has reached the Emperor on the battlefield of yet another fallen land. The news brings a faint smile, as his eyes still burn for vengence, a rusult of the previous battle.

The Emperor begins to laugh.."Hjde'or hye uk Gheab" (Glorious days for the Empire). It saddened him in the least as he pondered how wonderious the detonations and the millions of dead Adejaani burned in an instant..

He laughs more so now as he thinks of the Sambizie...Two of three fleets which invaded GZNRII, all but removed from the war against the ShaRa. "Hjde'or hye uk Gheab!"...He shouts as he responds to the salute of a Division Commander. As sure as the troubled news of the Adjaani and Sambizie reached the Emperor, it had spred through the ranks as well. The Emperor knows not for certain, but one thing is evident, the Adejaani and Sambizie have two wars to fight...One with us...and one with themselves. The Emperor burst into laughter once more as he thinks, "Or leave the system...Defeated!"

The Emperor begins walk through the ashes and bodies of the fallen. He slowly turns to look behind him..He stared, the burning skyscrapers and total destruction bring him an idea. "Contact Sectorial Fleet 187", he stated. "Yes my Lord", the messenger stated. With that, he now turned in the direction of troop movement....

The room is filled with reporters and Imperial Guards , in the background an Elarian Flag hangs behind the metal podium. A tall thin man stands at the podium and adjusts his Elarian Suit as reporters snap pictures and yell questions. The man clears his throat and then begins to speak...

"Emperor Roland Meridius will be speaking shortly , I ask you all to hold your questions until the end of his address." The man looks over to his right as another official signals him informing him the the Emperor has arrived.

"And now Ladies and Gentlemen the Emperor of the Empire of Elara."

As he moves aside he bows and the Roland steps up to the podium as the gathering of reporters and officials grows quiet. Roland appears a bit weak from just returning home from the battle of Magnia. He shuffles through some papers and them lets his ice blue eyes gaze across the crowd.

"Today will be a day long remembered." "Our ally Adejaani has been attacked by what intelligence sources say is a rogue Magnian Faction as many of you now know." "I wish to state that as always Elara stands by its good friends and allies from Adejaani." "It is time to set aside our differences and once again embrace each other as brothers and sisters during these dark and troubling times." "I am here to announce that trade between Elara and Adejaani will now get back underway." "Also , the Imperial Military has been put on alert and we wish to let our friends at Adejaani know that we stand beside them should they require aid in whatever is needed." "We will get through this , and those who have done this act shall be punished!" "May the Gods bless Elara and APTO as we all move forward , together , shoulder to shoulder we shall prevail."

Roland leaves the podium to the shouts and yells of a million questions. He looks troubled as he leaves for his chambers...

"JUDGE!" Natalya Meridius of Elara practically leapt out of her makeshift hospital bed, but her leg caught in the sheets and she fell onto the ground. Judge Bell, acting President of Adejaani, moved with the grace of a man not ninety. The Secret Service Agents backed off, stepping outside. Although the relief centers were packed full, Natalya got a small room and a nurse was rotated in every half an hour to make sure she was okay.

"Judge, what happened? I mean, I was in bed when I saw the flash. Silly me, huh? Looking at the bright flash in the night sky." Natalya laughed darkly while Bell held her hands. Her face was covered in bandages, a result of radiation burns. A doctor had whispered a quick summary upon finding her alive. Her retinas were scorched and most sadly of all, her baby, the future Heir of Elara was gone. The massive radiation dose sterilised the fetus.

Now Bell just held Natalya's hands (also bandaged) and hugged her as the two sat on the hard concrete floor. Outside, moans of agony can be heard as more and more survivors were pulled out of the devastated areas. For a long time, neither of them spoke, they just hung on to each other, the only sound being their quiet sobbing. The two of them would represent two things: The wisdom and dignity, the knowledge and courage to rebuild; and youth and passion, the willingness to carry on their dead parents' legacy, to never falter in the eternal search to better themselves.

"Judge, just promise me one thing." Bell pulled back and nodded. He'd been surrogate grandfather to her and her mother and was sure that Natalya, without bandages, would've looked at him with a suitably wide eyed expression, the slight twinkle there and bravery to put her personal losses aside and help her fellow man, woman and child.

"This country has had everything ripped out. Its head, its heart, its very soul. The people not only need guidance, but they also need to be heard. A country shouldn't be based on what it does, but what its people want. My mother, the whole government is gone now. But the Democracy we built was too inefficient, too unweildy. Oh yes, Judge, I can imagine what you're thinking. What's the alternative? Well let me tell you." Bell obligingly leaned in and Natalya whispered to him for almost half an hour. The logic was flawless. Yes, it would be a mess to carry out and need a lot of people to sort and sift, but the advantages would be worth it. But would they buy it?

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

"And just why should we buy into it?! It's madness, lunacy!" The Presidential Chief of Staff rumbled. The raven haired Angelina Kyle was in her mid 30s and knew politics back to front. She was the best there is, but she was also 'old school'. Bell listened impassively and waited. It was better for her to come to grips on her own than to fight her through it.

"Nobody's done this before! We'll be the only Democratic state in existence to do it! Giving the powers of government back to the people, ha! They don't even know how to write laws, but we do! Let the politicians handle the government, not the people!"

"And let me remind you, Miss Kyle, those politicians you talk about are dead." Bell replied evenly and the Chief of Staff whipped her head around. It was true. Apart from local politicians and mayors, anyone who knew to be a politician on a national scale was now wiped out. "And it's not a stupid idea. We'd need more staffs to sort it out and sift it all through, but we'd be doing it. We'd be blazing a path and giving the people what they truly deserve."

Kyle bit her lip. "You know, I agree with you, Judge. The more stupid it sounds, the better it looks. Though I still maintain the need for an Executive Branch to counterbalance and run the government."

Bell nodded. "Which is what I'd said all along. Now go set up a press conference, we've got a Government to set up."

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

Stand by for breaking news

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of Adejaani!" Bell nodded and told everyone to sit. The press conference was being held at Felix City, which was also the headquarters of the relief and reconstruction efforts. The press looked haggard, they too had seen the devastation.

"Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Judge Harry Bell. I was, as my title suggests, a Judge before I became Attorney General of Adejaani. I'm the last and most senior surviving member of the Adejaani government. I apologise in advance that this is only a long statement. There'll be ample time for questions later."

Bell put on his reading glasses and opened the folder to the first page of his speech. "Let me give you a brief rundown on what happened That Day. A space freighter belonging to one of our allies outside of the solar system was taken by Magnian rogues, who then planted a large scale nuclear device aboard.

"This freighter managed to get into orbit when Adejaani Space Customs officers stopped them for a routine scan. When asked what the radiation the Customs officers picked up was, the reply was a matter antimatter reaction. Those officers picked up the antimatter reactor, but someone noticed that the radiation didn't really seem consistent. So they continued scanning, discovered the nuclear device and hit the panic alarm.

"At this point, the freighter entered the atmosphere, headed straight for Ticonderoga City, capital of Adejaani. Air National Guard and National Air Defense missile batteries immediately engaged, but it was assured to me, based on its mass and trajectory, nothing could've stopped it.

"The resulting explosion was equivalent to a twenty gigaton nuclear device. This was due in the most part, to the violent detonation of the matter-antimatter reactor aboard the freighter. The whole of Ticonderoga City was destroyed, as were a few outlying colonies. The detonation also wreaked havoc on the atmosphere, including a low level Electro Magnetic Pulse, which initially hampered relief efforts and will cause environmental concerns for many years to come.

"Now let me make it clear, Ladies and Gentlemen. Adejaani does not hold the Magnian people responsible. Let me say that again. Adejaani does not hold the Magnian people responsible! We do not wish to see vengeance or anger directed towards the Magnian people. They are innocents. Any nation that declares war on Magnia will also declare war on Adejaani.

"I repeat, the Magnian people are not responsible! Adejaani Military and Intelligence units are continuing to track the rogue elements that did this and we'll present that information when we find it."

Bell adjusted his glasses and flipped to the next page of his speech. "Relief efforts in Ticonderoga city are underway. At this point, we wish to thank those nations that have contributed. However, we have enough people on the ground, so we need only basics like medical supplies, food, shelter and the like. We'll be willing to repay for the costs of shipping and the like. Our economy is robust and we politely decline any economic aid.

"To more permanent issues, yes, I can confirm that the Adejaani government, which includes the Executive Branch, the Congress and the Senate were wiped out in the attack. But not all is lost. Myself, Chief of Staff Kyle, Secretary of Intelligence Ryan and the Deputy Secretaries of State, Defense and the Treasury were with me attending an APTO conference. From this group, the Adejaani government can and will rebuild. Which brought me to the next point.

"Democratic systems are inefficient. Abraham Lincoln once said that a Democracy is 'A government of the people by the people, for the people'. This means dividing up a country, putting people up and electing them into a Congress and a Senate or equivalents. Then there's a leader of some sort, who generally 'leads' the country on a day to day basis.

"However, as we all know, politicians usually forget about their pledges of being the advocate of the people. Or that most of the people never get a chance to speak out. There's also favoritism, corruption and backdoor politics which just ruin the whole concept of Democracy.

"So..... No, let me be frank, Ladies and Gentlemen. Democracy in this form stinks. So we asked ourselves how do we keep the Democracy and cut this junk out? Then we looked at ourselves, as a people and as a country. The Technocratic Republic of Adejaani. A country that holds technology in the forefront. Then it hit us. The Internet! Using the Internet, everyone with an opinion can and will be heard!

"That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the core of the Adejaani government. An Executive Branch containing the President and various Ministers (Secretaries) in fields like Education, Defense, Trade and all of them; with the people, through using the Internet, acting as a combined Congress and Senate. We call this 'Virtual Democracy'.

"Never before has this even been contemplated. However, with the speed and reliability of the Adejaani internal Internet structure, forums for debating and voting of laws to be enacted, as well as election of new Presidents and approval of the various Executive Branch members can occur. This truly gives the right of government of the people back to the people.

"It's brave and bold and Adejaani is the first nation, I believe, to go down this track. I can only hope we're capable of the task. There is one last issue to address, though. For the moment, because of this new structure of govenment, the official national title of Adejaani will be a 'Grandfather Knows Best state', for obvious reasons, namely me. No, it's not egotistical, the people can advise us on how to do things. We, in turn, know how to run the country, so we'll tell them back, based on the advice given.

"I think that's just about it. We'll continue on with relief and reconstruction efforts and when that's over, we'll hold a ceremony and we invite leaders and representatives of all nations to come as the new Government can be sworn in and enacted and the first soil turned, in the rebuilding of our country, so that the psychological healing of the country can begin too. We shall be entering, an Age of Reason.

"That's all, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for listening." Bell stepped off the podium. The tiny little notepads reporters had were completely filled and some were even scribbling on their clothes so no important points were missed. Most had seemed opposed, but there were some, Bell was sure, who liked the new idea and form of government. But would anyone else?

Age of Reason, indeed. Bell smiled and headed out. He had a country to rebuild.

The Plane lifted off from New Berlin AirPort followed closely by an escort of four Gentari Fighters. Inside was Roland and a small group of Imperial Guards. The planes almost seemed to glow under the light of mid-day and the Imperial Seal would be seen on its sides. Roland sat looking out to the vast sea below them , his fingers tapped quickly on handle of the Elarian Sword at his side. He still did not know the fate of his dear wife , was she dead....was she alive.

As the plane moved over Adejaani territory the sound of the pilots could be heard in the cockpit. "Adejaani Flight Control this is Elara One , permission to land at Fenix City AirPort." With their reply the plane steadily moved towards the ground and with escorts close behind they soon landed.

Roland stepped out of the plane to find a representative , the petite woman looked shaken ,no doubt from all that was going on.

"Welcome to Adejaani your Highness." "Im sure youll want to meet with President Bell." "If youll just follow.." The woman is cut off mid sentence by Roland grabbing her shoulders.

"My wife...where is my wife?!" "Is she alive??"

"W...why yes sir , shes in the local Hospital , n...no one told you?"

"Please take me to her!" Roland says in an excited voice. He then turns to the Imperial Guards.

"You all watch the Plane..."

"The Plane?!" "But sir.....I mean yes Sire!" An Imperial Guard says as Roland turns back to the girl and jumps in a waiting car which heads off to the Hospital ... speeding a bit.

+---+---+---+---+

After a very quick drive the comes screaming into the Hospital Emergency Drive Area. Roland jumps out before the car can stop nearly falling but he continues to run inside.

A Nurse puts her hands out to stop Roland. "My wife...wheres my wife??" "Natalya Meridius , where is she??" The Nurse begins to point down the hall but before she can speak Roland runs off into that general direction. As hes running he spots the door with the name on it , he tries to stop but slips and falls on the wet floor.

Roland picks himself up and runs into the room to find his wife lying there safe. He runs to her and kneels at her side and before she can say a word kisses her mouth gently...

Natalya Harrington Meridius awoke to darkness. Considering her eyes were still scorched from looking directly at the blast, having them bandaged was probably a good thing. Her husband, Emperor Roland Meridius of Elara was by her side and had kissed her. Natalya, grunting as she rolled onto her side, called out "Go away!" and pulled the pillow over her head.

Roland put his blue hand softly upon Natalyas back.

"Tally , I am your husband I care not for these bandages." "Your still as beautiful as an Elarian Sunrise, thats one of the many things the gods have given you and they have not taken it away." "Rest my love...all is well." Roland got up as he looked to one of the dead bodies on a stretcher right outside. The body was covered but for one blue hand which stuck out.

Roland walks outside and pulls down the top of the thin gray blanket. Rolands eyes shut and he stumbles they then open and he looks down to the blue face below him.

"Erasil...my old friend...may the Gods welcome you into their presence....you were as a son to me." "A millenia have I known you..." Rolands eyes begin to water but he stops himself. He covers the face of his old friend and walks back into the room and sits down in a chair next to Natalya's bed. Rolands face seemed to turn cold and sad at the same time.