NationStates Jolt Archive

Suddenly the latest episode of your favorite television program is interrupted by a news bulletin.

"Good Morning, this is Hank Greaves of the Imperial Mallagant News Network with a special report! A situation has developed in the fledgling Earth Empire... The Borderlands of DiabloDominia, under the oppressive dictatorship of Lord Adolph Morgue has just taken into custody all visiting citizens of the neighboring Empire of Mallagant. Apparently this is a direct result of a string of communiqués that the leaders of both nations had this morning. Lord Morgue had invited Lord Mallagant to attend the public beating of Lord Morgue's sister and political rival in which Lord Mallagant graciously responded too. However, things went sour when Lord Morgue noticed that Lord Mallagant had misspelled "Adolph" using an "f" in place of the "ph". This angered the hotheaded dictator and he has taken prisoners to be held for a period of twenty-four hours to teach Lord Mallagant, the Exalted, how to spell."

The newscaster presses his finger against his ear as if receiving information through an earpiece before continuing, "This just in... We've just received a report that Lord Mallagant has responded by threatening to publicly execute one citizen of DiabloDominia each hour until his own citizens are released... This situation could escalate rapidly... We will keep you informed. Until then I return you to your regularly scheduled program."

Citizens of the borderlands gather outside the government news agency to view the outside displays of the news channel. Word of a possible confrontation with a neighboring country had spread through the workshops.

“Minutes ago The Empire of Mallagant had stated that if their captive citizens are not released they will start killing DiabloDominia citizens in their country. This confrontation is over a disgracing by Lord Mallagant of our Lord Adolph Morgue. Delegates have been sent to the capital of the Mallagant Empire and are in negotiations with them. DiabloDominia has sent a small special counter strike force to the borders incase of an insurgent is needed to rescue the borderland citizens.” :sniper:

The newsagent is handed a piece of paper from someone outside of the camera's view.

“This just in, the DiabloDominia government has reached an agreement with the The Empire of Mallagant. All Mallagant citizens will be escorted to the boarders and released. All troops will be withdrawn from the boarders and all boarder guards will stand down and reopen the boarder checkpoints.”

Outside the towering walls of the massive palace of Lord Mallagant, the stench of the impaled corpses of the genetists and political rivals that were executed the day before filled the air. Inside the Grand Hall, underneath Imperial banner sat Lord Mallagant on the Imperial throne, surrounded by red garbed royal guards. At his feet was a cowering man strapped to a block of dark stained wood. A basket was placed beneath his head. Lord Mallagant checked his watch, two minutes to go. He stood, igniting a glowing red lightsaber, it filled the chamber with the echoing sound of its soft humming. Just as he was about to lift the blade above his head the giagantic double doors at the end of the hall swung open, presenting a group of negotiators. Mallagant grimaced, he was looking forward to bloodshed first thing in the morning. "I suppose I should be diplomatic about these things," he said to no one in particular. Turning to the representatives of his neighbor, Lord Morgue, he frowned, "If Lord Morgue will release my citizens, I will respond in kind and release mine."

"That is the bargain that our Lord offers, Lord Mallagant," the negotiator replied.

"So be it," he replied. "Return with a message for Lord Adolph Morgue with my apologies for the mispelling of his name. I trust this incident has given us understanding of each other and I hope that the invitation still stands for me to attend the beating of Lord Morgue's sister and her followers."