NationStates Jolt Archive

"Now, dear, you don't need to cook breakfast. You can let the servants do their jobs. We are on vacation, after all."

"Oh, you know how much I enjoy cooking, and how I never get to do it ant more. At least ever since you were elected, any way. Just let an old woman enjoy some of the simple pleasures, just this once."

Damog Atenkruf looked at his wife with amusement. He'd chosen a life of politics, and had reached the pinnacle of his ambitions, Fure Calere of the Dominion, a while ago. His wife Katrina, on the other hand, was content to be in the background. She did the expected public duties of a politician's spouse, but never more than what was necessary. She had no love for the limelight or any position of power or influence, and simply wanted to be wife, mother and grandmother. She had a way of keeping him grounded, of reminding him that his elected position, ultimately, meant far less than what quality of person he was. It was one of the many reasons why, even after 24 years of marriage, he was still madly in love with her.

"Katrina," he said, "you are not old. The woman I see before me is still very beautiful."

She smiled. "And you are still an old flirt. But I have to get to work on these omlettes, and you're just getting in the way, so shoo! Go outside! Get some fresh air. Go play with the grandchildren."

"Alright, if you insist." Damog smiled. I'm the most powerful man in Ytovia, he thought, and yet I'm still not in charge of my own home. He walked out of their vacation home where Katie, Braxton, Layton and Sydney were playing. One-and-a-helf year old Sydney saw her grandfather, ran up to him and hugged him on the leg. He picked up and kissed her, which made her giggle.

And that was when the bomb went off.

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We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin. Live from Winona Lake, here's Adrian Wright.

Wright: We have just learned that there has been explosion at the vacation home of Fure Calere Damog Atenkruf, a few miles southwest of Morentag. Security and medical personnel are at the scene. We have word that there may be casualties, and that it is unknown at this time whether the explosion is an accident or not. We will keep you posted as things develop.

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About two hours later:

We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin. Live from Winona Lake, here's Adrian Wright.

Wright: I have sad news to report. Medical personnel in Morentag have reported that Katrina Atenkruf, wife of Fure Calere Damog Atenkruf, died this morning due to the explosion at the Atenkruf vacation home. Atenkruf's daughter, Cherish Wiley, and her husband Mayon, are said to be in critical but stable condition at this hour. The Fure Calere and his four grandchildren are being treated for minor injuries.

The Calere Security Service have issued a statement that they have found evidence that the explosion was caused by a bomb. At this point, it is unclear who is responsible for this attack, but this now does appear to be an act of terrorism. We will keep you posted throughout the day.

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That evening:

We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin. Live from Winona Lake, here's Adrian Wright.

Wright: Just a few minute ago, THE DUCK News received a message from the group Separation Now claiming responsibility for this morning's attack at the Fure Calere's vacation home. The group states that the attack is in retaliation of Atenkruf's policies which, they state, have given a free hand to religions in reaching new converts from the non-religious, especially evangelical Christianity. They state that Atenkruf has used his position illegally to promote his religion, that under his administration the ability of atheists to be elected to office has become virtually non-existant, that Atenkruf is trying to set of a theocracy and that Ytovian atheists should rise up against the Christians and take back their rights, by force if necessary.

Calere Onus Michael Robertson has stated that at this time the Fure Calere is still grieving the loss of his wife, and has been asked to be allowed a day for mourning and will not offer any comments until tomorrow. THE DUCK News is respecting those wishes.

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Later that evening:

We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin. Live from Winona Lake, here's Adrian Wright.

Wright: The office of Calere Onus Michael Robertson has issued a statement regarding the attack by the terrorist group Separation Now. It says, and I quote,

"The Ytovian government condemns the actions and statement by the terrorist group Separation Now in the strongest possible terms, not because they are atheist, but because they have chosen to enact political change through a bomb, and not through the courts or the halls of the government. We wish to point out that the Ytovian Constitution guarantees 14 seats in the House of Representatives to the non-religious, that 17 seats in the other two houses of the Lagukrof belong to non-religious members, incluing 7 atheists, and that Kevin Richards, an atheist, is currently the fifth ranking member of the Senate.

"Yes, Mr Atenkruf does share his beliefs. This is a free country, where freedom of speech is held very dear, and Mr Atenkruf is a very religious man, who seeks guidance from his religious beliefs to govern. However, Mr Atenkruf's religion has led him to seek to protect the right of all Ytovian citizens to choose their own religion or even to choose no religion, and he has championed this same sort of religious freedom worldwide.

"The actions of Separation Now are not the actions of an oppressed minority, but those of a malicious and hateful terrorist organization. They will be brought to justice and will be punished for their crime."

The following morning on The DUCK Morning News with Ted Draman:

Draman: Good morning. Our top story: authorities still have not made any arrests for yesterday's terrorist attack on Fure Calere Damog Atenkruf's vacation home. Investigators say they are pursuing several leads, but none have resulted in an arrest yet.

In related news, authorities across the country are reporting a rash of violent crimes against self-proclaimed atheists and agnostics. Two murders are being reported in Smithville; the alleged perpetrator is in custody. Several cars sporting the "Darwin fish" have been vandalized in Red Lion. School children are reported to have been verbally harassed, and there are a few reports of beatings. These are believed to be in retaliation for yesterday's attack and the statements by the atheist group Separation Now.

The DUCK News will be monitoring events closely and keep you informed throughout the day.

OOC: How exactly can there be "Atheist Terrorists"? Atheism is not a religious organization, it would be difficult to organize in any way... unlike Christians or Muslims.

OOC: Yes, I know that atheists don't gather on Sunday morning to offer up praises to Darwin and Nietzsche. But a quick Google search reveals quite a few "atheist organizations" out there. It's not a stetch to imagine that a terrorist organization could be formed by less than scupulous atheists.

It should also be said that just as not all Muslims are members of al Qaeda, or even agree with al Qaeda, not all atheists in the D.U.C.K.Y. are members on Separation Now or even inclined toward terrorism.

The GDMO grieves for the losses incurred by the first family. Although now defunct, the GDMO will hold the nation of D.U.C.K.Y. to be an ally, as stipulated under the February Alliance. Furthermore, though the charter (at least according to my memory) does not require allies to intervene in such internal affairs, we will aid D.U.C.K.Y. to rid themselves of these violent terrorists who will exceed the bounds of democracy to push forward their own values at the cost of others'.

Please call upon us for civilian and/or military aid when the need arises. Currently, we are airlifting an investigative team and an intelligence team, both under Agent Jack Carner of the ATA (Agency for Terrorist Activities) of the NSA (National Security Administration). Also, we send a team of security consultants that will work with your administration to recommend and to make security improvements to ensure the future safety of Fure Calere Damog Atenkruf. This team will be headed by Special Agent Lawrence Heller of the FSA (Federal Safety Agency). These teams will arrive in a maximum of 2 NS days. In addition, the 376th Medical Battalion under Lt.Col. Bradley Voss and the 1045th Civil Engineer Battalion under Col. Albert Debray will also arrive shortly. As these terrorists tend to move on to civilian targets, blindly harming the innocents, these units will aid in the subsequent relief effort. These two battalions will arrive in 1 NS week (1 RL hour).

--JARED BRINTON, Duke of Preinst, National Security Advisor for the Archduke Philip IV of the Grand Duchy of Monte Ozarka

P.S. All units are en route unless the D.U.C.K.Y. government requests to have them turn back.

On The DUCK Nightly News with Adrian Wright:

Wright: Calere Sarva* Jacinda Prime released a statement today, calling for an ending of the attacks against atheists that occured in the last two days. She writes, and I quote:

"We are better than this. Though the terrorists are atheist, that does not excuse commiting crimes against atheists. We call for these crimes to stop, and will pursue justice against those who commit such crimes with the same commitment as pursuing the terrorists."

The Celere Sarva also stated that the assistance and expertise from the Grand Duchy of Monte Ozarka has proven to be invaluable and much appreciated. She also states that still no arrests have been made, but that should change very soon.

In related news, medical officials in Morentag report that Cherish and Mayon Wiley, Damog Atenkruf's daughter and son-in-law, are "out fo the woods" and are now expected to make a full recovery.

Marie Casta watched her favorite soap opera at her apartment. She admitted that she enjoyed the paid time off, but the Atenkruf's had always been nice to her. It was very unfortuate about what had happened, especially with Katrina being killed. Still...

A knock at the door. She answered it.

Two men and one woman were at the door. "Yes?" she said to them.

One of the men pulled out a wallet and showed a badge. "Ms. Casta," he said, "you are under arrest for the slaying of Katrina Atenkruf, for commiting an act of terrorism and for conspiring to commit acts of terrorism."

Her eyes grew wide. They knew! How?

She slammed the door shut and locked and bolted it before the the officers could do anything. "FASCISTS!" she yelled. "You'll never take..."

Before she could finish the sentence, two shots had sounded, and the window behind her had shattered. She felt a prick at the back of her neck and fell into unconsciousness. Minutes later, the lock had been picked, the bolt cut, and Marie Casta was carried off for incarceration and questioning.

This morning on The DUCK Morning News with Ted Draman:

Draman: Our top story: four churches were bombed last night, all at around 10:45. In Rittman, the First Brethren Church lost most of its auritorium. In Palerkrig, the Seventeenth Street Baptist Church was burned to the ground. In Minerva, the Freewill Independent Church lost many classrooms and the pastor's study. In Triway, the home of Miguel Jimenez, a leader in the para-church organization "Crosstraining" was burned to the ground. "Crosstraining" members often met in Mr. Jimenez's home. Authorities say they are following leads in this case.

The GDMO strongly disapproves of this massive display for intolerance. We stand behind the D.U.C.K.Y. government in the investigation of these circumstances. Hopefully, the ringleaders may soon be found, and the civil disturbances can be quickly quelched.

On The DUCK Nightly News with Adrian Wright:

Wright: Calere Sarva Jacinda Prime has confirmed that last night's church bombings were part of a larger plot, that as many as thirteen other bombings were planned, but were foiled by Nation Security Administration operatives. She has stated that 37 men and women have been arrested in relation to those events.

In related, and perhaps surprising news, the Ytovian National Organization of Atheists has pledged to donated money to Miguel Jimenez, the leader of the Triway area para-church organization "Crosstraining" whose home was bombed. A spokesman for the Y.N.O.A. said that the group is appalled that a group purporting to be fellow atheists is responsible for these acts and that Mr. Jiminez's family lost their home as a result. The spokesman also said that the actions of Separation Now are not representative of the country's 54 million atheists, and that the group supports the efforts of law enforcement to "catch these criminals".

Whittier supports you in your fight against the athiests.