NationStates Jolt Archive

Citizens of Hrstrovokia,

At 3:20 today in Central Beograd, an explosion occured in the main commerical district of our city, at the height of shopper activity. At this moment, we cannot say how it occured, whether it was intentional or accidental.

It kills me to say this, but it is my duty, to inform you that 120 people are dead, and about 650 are injured, many of those in a critical condition. Unfortunately, the death toll will rise. An entire square block of the city has been decimated, nothing but a smouldering ruin of masonry and steel.

Rescue teams are still searching for survivors in the rubble, as fire-fighters battle the inferno that has broken out, and threathens to engulf the city. I have the upmost faith that they will bring the situation under control. Beograd's Hospitals, already strained with the Winter Influenza epidemic, have been hit hard by this latest tragedy. I ask you now, to avoid trips to the Accident and Emergency wings of the city's hospitals if you can, and see your local Doctor instead.

I assure you that I will not rest until I find out what has happened here. We will not rest. The HAF is now on a heightened state of alert, with active patrols through our towns, cities and countryside. I promise you that our nation is safe, and that there is nothing to fear.

President and General Secretary Sasa Mateuz

President and General Secretary Sasa Mateuz watched with sorrow as column's of thick, black smoke drifted over Beograd from his position on the top floor of the Presidential Residence in the Beograd Fortress, now his headquarters.

The raging fire consuming downtown Beograd had yet to be brought under and extinguished. It was the least of his worries. Finding the cause of the Explosion was at the fore-front of his thoughts, gnawing away at his sanity every minute since he heard the terrible news.

It's size and location clearly indicated an intentional attack using insane quantities of plastic explosives, all the hallmarks of terrorists. "They cant be here, can they?" Mateuz said to himself, almost outraged, yet terrified.

"We've may have found those responsible!" cried Nikita Oprenokov, Director of BISS [Bureau of Intelligence and State Security] bursting in through the door of Mateuz's office, with the President's Secretary looking slightly bemused behind him.

"A Romanian separatist terrorist group, calling themselves Free Rumania, delivered a message to the Beograd Times just seconds ago stating their involvement, and declared war against Hrstrovokia and pledged to see it's destruction and the succession of Romania from the Soviet State!" Oprenokov said gasping, hurriedly pouring two glasses of Hennessy on the rocks from the Bar and handing one to Mateuz.

Mateuz young feature's went blank as he gulped the drink in one go. "Those fucking bastards. They are everywhere today. This is becoming a menace." Mateuz said tersely whilst reaching for the telephone. "Assemble the Joint-Chiefs of Staff as soon as possible." he said, and returned to Oprenokov.

Oprenokov had sprawled himself across the fine leather chair opposite the window. He was observing the carbon dioxide pall covering Beograd and sipping his Whiskey. Mateuz stood behind him.

"Do you Remember a similar incidient you in Nutropinia? I believe intervention there is an excellent way to avenge our dead, and smash those motherfuckers. Possibly even gain information on the network on terrorist cell's throughout Europe?" Mateuz asked as he resumed his position at his Oak desk.

He began rifling through reports on diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth of Granzi, designs of the Adriatic SeaPort and proposals to the SocAlComm. "Yes, shall I dispatch BISS Agent's to assist Nutropinia?" Oprenokov said finishing his glass and returning it to the Bar.

"Yes, the sooner the better." retorted Mateuz, and already Oprenokov was off again. The President and General Secretary picked the phone up again and dialled the Communcations Kommand of the HAF. "Conduct full Ground and Air maneuvers in the Military District's bordering Presgreif, authorization command code zero-six-twenty-apollo."

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