NationStates Jolt Archive

Khartoum, The Sudan, Roycelandian East Africa

More Colonial Guard troops are being stationed in The Sudan after the luxury Passenger Train Spirit of Africa was attacked by suspected Arab raiders whilst en route from Cairo to Cape Town.

Shortly after crossing the border from Egypt into Roycelandian East Africa at Wadi Halfa, the train was attacked and strafed by a early WWII-era Gloster Gladiator Biplane. Attempts by the few Colonial Guard stationed on the train to bring down the attacking aircraft were valiant, but in vain.

Seven Colonial Guard were injured in the attack, along with 43 passengers.

Corporal Thomas Hollister has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his courageous attempt to fight off the Biplane with a Lewis Gun, persisting despite receiving no less than four separate wounds in the process.

The identity of the parties responsible for this attack remain unknown, but it is strongly suspected that the militant Arab Tribal Chief Abu Fakar'u might be responsible, having staged several raids on Roycelandian outposts in the Sudan over the past few months.

One of Fakar'us "trademarks" is the use of pre-1930s era equipment, with SMLE Mk III*s, Mauser K98s, Martini-Henrys, Browning M1917s, and similar weapons being commonly encountered.

The Colonial Government in The Sudan has offered a Reward of One Million Imperial Wibbles for the capture or death of Abu Fakar'u, but so far his exact whereabouts, and the whereabouts of his main base, have remained elusive.

Don't make us come over there, Page 6
Funky Cold Medina, Page 11
Gin & Tonic: Mummy's Little Helper, Page 42

IC:

Page 2 of The National Daily News

- Abu Sunbul, Muhafazat (Province) of Egypt, near the Sudanese border

Yesterday, the famous Spirit of Africa train was fired upon by a vintage bi-plane shortly after it crossed into Roycelandian East Africa, the attack, possibly orchestarted by Abu Fakar'u, a secretive and by all accounts eccentric tribal leader, injured members of the Roycelandian Colonial Guard as well as passengers. Mokhtar Khattab, Marketing Director of an Alexandria based manufacturing business and travelling to Mobassa on the train at the time, later described the events as, 'extremely distressing' and said he was, 'deeply concerned that such events could occur so close to our national borders, in a land comparitively civilised when compared to the rest of Africa'. Khattab also praised the Colonial Guard who, 'under the circumstances performed admirably and brought great credit upon themselves, throughly deserving the decorations awarded by their government.'

Frequently used by members of Egypt's ruling and upper classes as well as by wealthy individuals from throughout the nation, the Cairo to Cape Town railway is widely regarded as the most comfortable and elegant way of travelling to REA and other trading partners of United Elias in Africa. However this latest event will likely persuade many to elect to either stay at home and conduct business from a distance or to use air travel. Reflecting this attitude, shares in Elias National Airlines were up considerably at the close of trading in Baghdad this afternoon, and a smaller regional airline declared their intention to 'provide a faster, safer alternative to the railways'.

The government's reaction to the attack has been muted with the Internal Affairs Ministry simply confirming that they were 'would co-operate with Roycelandian authorities in any way they could' but refused to announce any increases in security along the Egypt-Sudan border, which railway officials have now called for. These same officials have also promised improved security measures along the route and reminded the public of an excellent safety record to date.


OOC: Roycelandia, Remember that most of Egypt (Apart from the Western extremities) is part of UE...just in case you were confused by this post

Khartoum Daily Telegraph, Page 3

Spirit of Africa Security to be Stepped Up

Imperial Railways spokespeople have today confirmed that the luxury train Spirit of Africa will have increased security from today, including a Bofors 40mm AA Gun and at least 20 Colonial Guard on the train.

"Imperial Railways would like to reassure passengers that their safety and comfort are our priorities, and that our service remains as excellent as it always has been. We'd also like to announce that, from Friday, a special Club Car will offer Blackjack, Baccarat, Poker, and the finest drinks on the continent to our 1st Class passengers, and there will be further improvements for all passengers, including Audio & Video on demand, and a few other surprises that we'll be unveiling later this month."

Meanwhile, Imperial Airway's famous Flying Boat service from Port Imperial to Cairo has started offering flights for the amazingly low price of $250 one way in either direction.

The Colonial Government has despatched a batallion of Colonial Guard to the Sudan with orders to find Fukar'u and "Deal with him."

Opinion, Page 12
Destination: Cairo, Travel Page 20
Cheese Crisis Remains Unresolved, Business Page 31

The Newspaper of the people is a truckload of propaganda fed to the people.

BWAOLOWE ID RGW OWIOKW
Khartoum, The Sudan, Roycelandian East Africa

The Imperialist pigs are strengthening their military numbers in the once-sovereign nation of the Sudan in an attempt to hold off our Arabian allies valiant guerilla attemps to overthrow the unlegitimate regime of Roycelandia in Sudan.

The Roycelandians are acting against our Arabian alllies in the Sudan and their fight against Fascism - they have sent a unit of the "Colonial Guard" to attempt to root out and destroy Chief Abu Fakar'u - this will not happen while he is under Hogsweatian duristriction.

We are watching this situation unfold very closely.