NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: A continuation of the Abomination! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=385455) thread.

++++++++++++

AMF News Update

We go now to the Great Hall, where we have been told a major event has taken place in Automagfreek.

Thousands had turned out to see what the commotion was all about, and underneath Damien's famous balcony where he delivered all his speeches they waited. As the crowd surged, various cloaked beings standing some 9 feet tall began to circulate around the outer perimeter, and a hush soon fell over the entire area. The silence was soon broken by gasps as she stepped out onto the balcony. Dressed in a revealing leather outfit with her fiery red hair put up, she surveyed her new subjects with a grin.

http://img48.exs.cx/img48/7293/rayne0cg.png

People of Automagfreek, the rumors you once heard were untrue. Damien the Deceiver has lied to you through the years, for I was not dead as you were told. Damien for too long has held these lands in his stranglehold, and I have come here today to tell you all that I have missed you very much and I have dealt with this menace. I am Rayne, the new face of Automagfreek.

The crowd gasped again, looking about and whispering to themselves.

It is on this day of glory that I return to you now to take my rightful place at the helm of this great empire. For too long have you all been subjected to Damien's constant call to arms, and I come here today with a vision and a promise for peace. I have changed over these years, and I am a much more caring and compassionate woman. Under my guidance Automagfreek will soar to new heights, but unfortunatly we must first remove the parasites from our midst. I have brought with me here today just the people to do it.

I would like to introduce Peter Ferdinand, my new personal aide and Minister of the Interior.

http://img7.exs.cx/img7/9879/42xi.jpg

And next Christof Schroeder, the new Minister of Military Action.

http://img7.exs.cx/img7/3986/10et.png

Then there is Joseph Schily, The new head of my police force.

http://img24.exs.cx/img24/7/24dr.png

And finally, replacing the Minister of International Affairs, Mr. Hartman will be Minister Bach.

http://img7.exs.cx/img7/7023/33zu.png

Return now to your homes, there is much work for us to do. Our first goal is to find Damien Dreadfire and punish him for his itnernational crimes and crimes against his people. His reign of terror ends now....

The Strikers on the ground began breaking up the crowd as Rayne turned and walked back into the Great Hall.

....and mine is about to begin again.

http://img86.exs.cx/img86/3813/bloodrayne20qe.jpg


++++++++++++++++

The truck that was carrying Lord Dreadfire and entered a secret underground base, and riding next to Damien's sleeping body was Hartman. He starred at his friend with tears in his eyes, for he knew that Dreadfire would have fought it out until the death. He knew that Damien would be furious for doing this and would probably take his life, but it was a move that had to be made for the sake of the country and the world.

As the truck came to a stop, Damien began to stir and groan. His red eyes opened slowly and blinked a few times while they adjusted to the light. Damien, my Lord.....please forgive me for my actions, but we cannot spare you. I offer to you my life for my treachery. Hartman uttered as tears began flowing freely from his weary eyes.

*Tag*

(OOC: Your threads always kick serious ass. You should write a novel already! ;))

(OOC2: Is there any way I could join?)

Tag

Nicely written, AMF. :)

OOC: Crikey, didnt see this one coming. Then again I havnt been paying attention to your threads lol. TAgged n bagged.

OOC: Tag, I wonder what will happen to Hartman. I've always liked that character.

+tag+

With Rayne's long thought out plan already in motion, the country was showing a surprising disinterest in the coup. Years of war and fear had racked the country to the point where they almost did not care anymore. Knowing this, Rayne secretly sent out the newly crowned Automagfreek Gestapo, or AMFG, into neighborhoods and surrounding areas in search of Damien. Notes had been made of staunch Dreadfire supporters, and those on the list began disappearing from their homes swiftly and silently.

The newly formed Freek Nazi Party, or FNP for short, had already made it's first moves hours after Rayne's speech. These moves both angered some and pleased others, for even though loyalty to Damien was demanded, not all Freeks cared for him. This was not the case once, but with the coming of Operation: Brimstone, his approval rating began to decline.

With Rayne sitting in Damien's throne enjoying his vast collection of fine alcohol, she summoned her newest puppet, one that made it all possible: Azrael. Azrael entered the Great Hall under Striker escort and made his way to the throne room. Upon entering Rayne stood up from the throne and approached him, throwing her arms around him and kissing him softly. Well, son of Damien, it looks as if daddy is in a bit of a spot. Azrael nodding with a disconcerned look on his face. Rayne's power over his mind was great, and he was nothing more than a empty shell of the valiant warrior he once was.

I know my love, I promise you he will not stay hidden, wherever he is. I will personally bring his head to you Rayne, my dearest. Rayne held back a laugh, impressed with the hold she had on Azrael. She ran her index finger across his chest and down towards his pants, fiddling with his belt buckle. If you bring him to me, I will marry you Azrael. Only my true love can make my dreams a reality, and my dream is to see your father dead. His eyes grew wide with excitement and his heart raced, a look of pure joy on his face. I will rally my forces my love, and I will seek him out, just for you. He kissed her hand and hugged her tightly before taking his leave from the throne room.

Rayne snickered as he left, for things were now going better than expected. With the son of Damien hunting The Destroyer himself, it was sure to bring more support for Rayne, for Azrael was loved far and wide across Automagfreek. You are clever and crafty Damien, but I am so much better than you. She whispered to herself as she watched from the safety of the Great Hall's balcony as more of the AMFG stormed residences and business, on th prowl for Damien and his supporters.

*Tag*

(OOC: Your threads always kick serious ass. You should write a novel already! ;))

(OOC2: Is there any way I could join?)

OOC: I believe he's writing one already.

IC: .::TAG::.

Official Government Tag

OOC: Looks like another good read from AMF. :)

Terribly Apologetic 'Bout the OOC clutter, its just that I want this one TAGged, no, I'm not going to scream "UBER READ!", its a good read definitely but I'm more interested in this to see how it pans out.

Tag.

OOC: I have much wonder as to if I can join this...

OOC: Yeah, this is pretty much open....within the bounds of reason that is.

Bonstocknian Embassy, ULE City, Automagfreek

"Mr. Ambassador, Damien has been deposed."

"Deposed? Damien? Hmf... Does the Foreign Affairs Department in Bonstock have anything to say?"

"Well, not really."

"Well, give an advisory to all Bonstocknian citizens in AMF, telling them to be extra careful. Do we have the tagging device avaliable?"

"One moment, sir." The aide left, and returned a few moments later, with a strange looking electronic device.

The Ambassador looked at it, and pressed a button. The room turned red as the device activated. A message was emitted back to Bonstock, and to the whole world:

TAG!

ooc: Uh, no hard feelings about my submarine/aircraft espionage in your naval thread, right?

Department of Diplomacy, The Unrepentant War Machine of Roach-Busters

Secretary of Diplomacy Chong Moua had had a long day. After seventeen straight hours of skimming files on nations, answering annoying phone calls, placating various ambassadors with a forced smile as false as the prospect of turning lead into gold, and dealing with dour embassy workers, he realized that nothing in the world sounded more refreshing than an ice-cold beer. The thought of kicking back on the couch, the lights dimmed, his eyes closed, slowly sipping the golden greatness, savoring every drop, literally made his exhausted, over-worked eyes water. And at last, he was done for the day. After bidding farewell to his secretaries, grabbing his coat, and heading for the door, as usual, something came up which delayed his badly-needed break.

"Mr. Secretary!"

He sighed, slowly turned around. "What is it?"

"It seems there's been a change of leadership in Automagfreek."

"Automagfreek..." Normally he could recite endless facts about any nation at the drop of a hat, but now he was so weary and sleep-deprived that his mind, enfeebled by the many hours of laborious, agonizing work, struggled to muster recalling anything. "Automagfreek...one of the world's most revered and feared superpowers, if I recall correctly. It is run by a gentleman named Damien Dreadfire, right?"

"Not anymore, sir."

"Not any..." He paused. "What happened?"

His aide gave him a brief summary which left Moua bewildered, flabbergasted, shocked, exasperated, and incredulous.

So much for a quiet evening, alone with me, myself, and my beer, he thought bitterly.

"Allan, call the Automagfreek government and see if we can schedule an appointment. I'd like to meet with him-"

"Her."

"Okay, with her myself."

"Yes, sir."

In the Grand Citadel of Helios

Grand Carthaginian Emperor of The Lightning Star, Hannibal VII(sacred be his name), read the news-paper with a sense of dread in his heart. Although he was only 25, he had gone through more than what most Emperors went through in a lifetime. Civil-war, revolution, market crash. You name it, it happened. Of course, he had brought The Lightning Star to new heights, but the title of the Newspaper read: (Dangerous Turn of Event's in the Worlds Largest Superpower), sent shivers down his spine. "Ikbal!" he called for his faithful man-servent. The bulky 7 foot man stepped out from the shadows.

"You called, Hanni?" Ikbal was the sole person left in the world who could call the Emperor that name. Ikbal had been the Emperors Guardian and trainer since he was a wee lad, and although he was well into his forties, he had killed hundreds of men with only his hands.

"Have you read the paper?"

"Yes."

"What do you think of it?"

"Well, sir, in my opinion, this could be a very bad situation. Remember what happens when we're unstable?"

Hannibal shuddered. Whenever some loon took over the government, The Lightning Star always ended up being glassed.

"Well, seeing how AMF is at least 3x larger, more influential, and powerful, that could make for a very bad situation."

"Hmmmm... Ok. I've got it. We put all military units on high alert and prepare out missiles. Also, I want to get their new leader on the phone.

Now."

The news had spread quickly through the streets that supporters of Damien were being rounded up for questioning by the AMFG, but reaction to this was minimal. Azrael the Advocate, revered as the son of the people, was totally under the control of Rayne, a move that she herself has planned out. Azrael's influence among the people was far greater than even she anticipated, for across the nation in commuities large and small there were movements to apprehend supporters of Damien.

Dreadfire was a cold and unforgiving being, but Azrael seemed much more human to the Freeks. Regular parades were given anytime he returned home, statues were erected in his honor, and his word was trusted by all.....even over Damien's. So it came as no surprise to Rayne when the predicted opposition did not come, for Azrael was now denouncing his father at every move. Great concocted speeches of doom and undoing he did speak. The massive spiritual turbulance was blamed on Damien releasing new demons into the communities, and having never lied to the Freeks since his existance was made known, they believed him. Riots broke out in several cities as Damien supporters were rounded up by tribal militias and the AMFG.

But the vast muscle of the military remained unflexed, for with Operation: Brimstone still in it's final stages many of the Warchiefs were still afar or returning home. When word reached their ears of Damien's treachery, the Warcheifs were reluctant to take it as fact, but Azrael's reputation made it all the more believable. And Rayne herself would not make the same mistake as she did last time, oh no. The campaign against the Sentinels was ultimatly her undoing, so this time she would use them to her own benefit. Both Striker and Sentinel alike would be a much more volitile mix, one that would leave her all the more powerfull and Dreadfire all the more weaker.

Tag, since I thought Rayne was in several pieces in Freekian soil...

TAG...for now.

Tag, since I thought Rayne was in several pieces in Freekian soil...


Read the Abomination! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=385455) for the wole story. Judging from the TM's I'm getting, alot of people think this is coming out of the blue, but it has been in the works for awhile now.

OOC: Tell me this isn't going to last. Minister Hartman was the best. And of course, that shadowy guy.

Outside Automagfreek territorial claims, International Waters

Captain Nadezhda Koshechka Vodianova looked over the latest intelligence sends - as an ally, Vastiva often did nothing more then listen to public broadcasts while on patrol.

However, something was going on, and it wasn't good. The SHARD drones had picked up many disturbing transmissions before - and now this?

"XO. Have swimmers sent to the other vessels on patrol, red setting."

Her XO, Commander Tallis Pushkarevich, nodded once, then set about issuing orders for the small drones to be deployed. He did not question the absence of broadcasts; the Captain knew what she was doing.

Nadezhda continued listening, toggling one of the SHARD settings to a satellite burp send to VAS HQ - and the HSI analysts there.

For now, the patrol continued.

"Damien is gone, eh? This will make for an interesting time, with Freek forces still inside our lands." The armored leader of the Imperial Party observed, considering what to do.

The man sitting across from him was legally dead, wearing a uniform that had not been seen in many years. "Prepare a transport. I'm going to meet with Rayne, personally. Crimmond cannot be overun by her. Not even Delta can stand against a Striker." The former overlord of Baggera looked concerned, for good reason. Barely a few days after being revived, his plans to make himself leader of Crimmond were at a critical point. He had to make sure Crimmond was left alone...

Oran just nodded slowly. "As you command, Overlord."

-------------

Several hours later, the overpowered jet streaked over international waters, approaching the shores of AMF. As it did so, it broadcast it's nation of origin as well as the fact it carried a represenitive of the reformed Imperial government, who demanded to speak to Rayne immediatly.

--------------

The rest of the Imperial leadership was up in arms, yelling and screaming in the Imperial Tower. At the same time, they tried tehir best to keep the average joe in the dark about the regime change. The fact that AMF's forces were in Crimmond while AMF's leadership was drasticly altered isn't really a way to inspire cofidence in the masses...

The military was also put on a higher level of alert, reserved for two front wars. If Rayne decided to try and simply take over Crimmond, they'd be ready to put up some type of resistance...

Bump for the night.

--Office of the President of the Royal Congress, Obsidia--

Senator Bernard Allenby sat in the dark corner of his dark, featureless office, a cup of tea and a single dim light as his only companions. The years were beginning to take their toll on the aging Senator but he would fight nature as long as breath filled his lungs.

Taking care to cool off the scalding hot tea he blew on the cup and set it back down on his desk. "In two months the government will be mine, in a year the entire goddamned nation" he said to himself as he spun himself on his chair so he could stand up.

Tea now in hand, Allenby slowly made his way to the large window and balcony on the north wall of his office. He stopped in front of the heavy curtains and pressed the button to open them. With great pride he gazed out over Obsidia. It was his vision and determination that brought this grand new capital city to fruition. As he looked out he thought to himself, "A physically divided government is much easier to political divide". He drank his tea and continued to scan the still incompletely horizon of Obsidia.

Suddenly a gruff, but familar, voice broke the silence. "The view is better outside."

"It's three degrees out there. The poor may freeze but I will not." Allenby turned around, just to make sure the visitor was genuine.

"You are a cold and paranoid one, aren't you?" Field Marshal Alexander Kepplar said as he did a mock salute to the Senator.

"I didn't get this far by trusting my fellow man blindly." Allenby walked back to his desk and sat back down. "Now, Alex, since it is midnight and you almost never stay around past nine, something big must be up?"

The Field Marshal reached into his briefcase and pulled out several papers. "Big? Try fucking huge" he said as he handed the papers to the Senator.

Allenby ripped the papers from Alex's hand. He fixed his cold, steely eyes on the slightly overweight Field Marshal. "Don't ever say that word in front of me again. You may be a friend, but I do not tolerate that language."

The Senator began to read over the documents. After ten minutes he finished the reading given to him.

"A coup in Automagfreek?"

"Yes."

"And the people are falling for it?"

"Yes."

"Who knows about this?"

"In a few hours everyone will know."

"And they're Facists?"

"Yes. Bona fide Facists...even have a Gestapo."

Allenby broke out in laughter, an evil cackling laugh that sharply pierced the air. "Excellent. This is great!"

Kepplar was confused by Allenby's apparent mood. It was his thought that the Senator would hate the idea of AMF being rocked by civil war or being taken over by extreme facists. Allenby rarely showed any emotion. In fact in 30 years of friendship this was only the second time he had heard him laugh. "Ah...what's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing" Allenby responded as he regained his composure, "it's only the comedy that is perfect timing." He got back out of his chair and started to gather his briefcase and other meeting materials. "Has a Senior Cabinet meeting been called?"

"Not yet. The Prime Minister's Office shows a scheduled meeting at six this morning."

"Excellent, it gives us six hours" he said as he put on his overcoat. "I'm going to visit the Foreign Ministry. You should pay a visit to General Lowell and RAIS."

Kepplar stood back up and straighted out his uniform. "Why?"

"I want us to back Rayen."

"The Grand Duke will never stand for that."

"He'll never know."

"What?!?"

"Oh come on, we don't spend tens of billions of krones each year in deep cover programs for nothing. Afterall, if the Grand Duke doesn't know about a program, how can be oversee it?"


[RAIS= Royal Army Intelligence Service, Hamptonshire's primary military intelligence and deep cover operations service.]

Prime Minister Woody II slumbered in his bed, dreaming about some imperialist nation invading Evil Woody Thoughts and her territories...

He was awakened by a phone call from Intelligence Services. Woody II picked up the phone and managed a groggy "Hello?"

"Prime Minister, we have urgent news. The government of Automagfreek has been overthrown. Details still developing...we're still compiling reports. But the mainstream media is already reporting it as breaking news."

And the Prime Minister's mind froze on two words: holy shit.

The Prime Minister recalled well the events leading up to Operation Brimstone...the rogue Macabee (ooc: I might have misspelled that, sorry) commander, desperate calls from the international community for a diplomatic resolution, and then the RWC losing much of its influence as members disavowed it and resigned to save their own skins. He remembered well the speech in Parliament that MP Whitfield gave that night, combining his usual xenophobia with an unheard-of urgency. What if a stray army just happened to 'visit' Evil Woody Thoughts, taking advantage of the worldwide confusion? It was then that Evil Woody Thoughts committed itself to opening its technological Pandora's box. The Parliament, that night, voted in favor of a crash program to research putting Evil Woody Thoughts' ability to raise forth new land through volcanology into an ICBM.

The previous AMF regime had claimed to adhere to a simple foreign policy, "Don't mess with us and we won't mess with you." But that foreign policy was probably out the window along with the old government. And now, unlike then, Evil Woody Thoughts sat upon 1,700 earthquake ICBMs (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=381422), and Evil Woody Thoughts' defense budget had gone up sixfold during the duration of Operation Brimstone. Prime Minister Woody II prayed to God that the new AMF government wasn't looking to scratch a war itch. Now, it looked like MP Whitfield, considered a crackpot before Brimstone for his ultramilitaristic views, might have been right.

Prime Minister Woody II hung up on Intelligence Services and called the Foreign Affairs office. This being 4 in the morning, no one answered...

Dammit. He would have to try again in a couple of hours. He had to arrange a meeting with the new leader as soon as possible. And his previous dream suddenly took on new meaning...

OOC clutter: Sorry if this post sux0rz...I'm kinda new to any sort of real rping, and you can look up all of my geology research through the link above and the other link in my sig...it's extensively documented. I've spent damn near my entire existence as a nation researching geology; please keep that in mind before saying "Ubern00kz0rz!!! J00 G0dm3d!!!11!"

TAG. Post later.

[OOC-Tag for later.]

The Island of Rose was usually a very major International player. Or for the ghetto people, playah, mack daddy, pimp, whatever. But with the establishment of a new Presidency, the Dossiers were being changed. Ironically, Sergei, the former President now Foreign Minister, looked at it. He then looked at the T.V.

Rose International News Network

Today, Automagfreek had a regime change. Damien Dreadfire, the once former leader of Automagfreek was ousted by a woman named Rayne. Accompanying her were 4 men, each with Germanic sounding names. Also, Automagfreek established the ANP, or Automagfreek Nazi Party. The Counciller of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Ilyanov has yet gave a statement.

Sergei's eyes widened. "Statement my ass!"

Official Statement from The Grand Imperial Empire of The Island of Rose:

The Island of Rose is shocked by these turn of events. Also, the Island of Rose has never supported the Nazi idealogy. It is therefore said that the Island of Rose does not support the new Government. We have very simple words for, we're watching you Rayne. May your gods protect you. Or whatever dieties you worship over there.
Sergei Ilyanov
Counciller of Foreign Affairs (http://img184.exs.cx/img184/1826/presidentsergei7mg.jpg)
http://img184.exs.cx/img184/1639/tior22rn.gif
Protecter of the Seven Stars

And so with that simple statement, the Rosian Armed Forces were being alerted, again.

SecretIC:

Hataropoils, Hataria

Emperor Barbarossa loved The News coming from AMF, If this turned into a Civil War, then Hataria would Stay out of it...till The AMF Government fell, then Hataria would Invade, and Take The Nation of Automagfreek by Storm.

For Years The Imperial Republic of Hataria wanted to rise to become a Superpower and Now...it looked like it was about to happen.

If AMF was to fall, then The Hatarians would be the new Superpower in The world and with AMF out of the way..nothing would stop Hataria from enlargeing it's empire and building it's Armies to be the Most Powerful Ever!

Barbarossa Smiled...It wouldn't be long now.

oocdream on hateria

Damien sat up even though he was still weary of the large dosage of sedatives that had been shot into his back. He watched with an emotionless face as Hartman cried out to him, informing him of the situation and the apparent split in the populace. Azrael the Advocate, his most beloved son had been tainted by a heathen seductress, and upon hearing that Damien's rage grew.

I am so sorry Damien, I openly offer you my life for what I have done.

Dreadfire placed his hand on the handle of his sword and began to draw the blade ever so slightly, before sighing heavily and letting loose his grip. That will be unnecessary, old friend. You did what you thought was right for our people and our way of life, and for that you will one day be welcomed into Valhalla.

As Damien looked about the military base, his Sentinels bowed loyally to him and remained silent. It seemed that through the massive propaganda campaign Rayne had started using Azrael as her mouthpiece had managed to heavily sway public opinion. The massive spiritual turbulance continued even now, and the people of AMF grew tired of vengeful spirits tormenting their every move. It would make sense to the common folk that Damien was the cause for this, for it was public knowledge that he dabbled in the occult and had already released one demon into the world.

With his most trusted advisors around him, Damien sat for many long hours and thought of what his next move was to be. Rayne does not concern me in the slightest. She was vanquished once before, and it shall happen once again. The room grew silent, and Dreadfire grew worried. What is it?

Hartman cleared his throat and in a weak voice said. M'Lord, The One has been taken by Rayne. Hundreds of our Death Dealers have been slain. Damien sunk in his chair upon hearing this, for The One was the most powerful being that served him. Abomination.....how can this be? We must regroup and.... Hartman cut him off promptly without apology. Damien, now is not the time for the sword and the gun. Now is a time for careful thought and planning. Our enemies will most definatly sieze this moment, although I think we all know Rayne and her Strikers could make quick work out of any foe. Azrael's legions may have deserted us, but you still command the loyalty of the military. Brinks and Zander are still consumed in battle, but the remaining 6 Warchiefs still fight under your banner. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage. If we let our Warchiefs get close enough to Rayne, we can spring a trap on her and restore you to the head of the country.

Sounds like a good plan. Damien replied. But what of our allies? Hartman paused for a second before coming up with a plan. Our allies would be most useful in preventing outside interference while the counter-coup is in effect. We all know that there are many who would sieze this opportunity, but the forces of Arda and those of our friends are strong. Damien nodded in approval.

A fine idea Hartman, you make our country proud. We shall lay low for awhile, probably a year or two so that Rayne will no longer consider me a threat. Then one day it will be upon her.....

~Tag for later post and doomed rescue attempt.

More turmoil in Arda. Those were the first thoughts to occur to Overlord Steelblood when he first received the word from Rillstadt. The government of Damien Dreadfire had fallen, and Rayne had returned to rule once more. It was necessary for the Wretchans to have a working relationship with Automagfreek, for as long as it was a part of the Arda Alliance at least. And so the Overlord was waiting for the Lord of Foreign Relations to arrive, so that he could discuss this unexpected turn of events with him. He heard the door open at the end of his hall, and Arman Grimwald walked in.

“My liege,” the Lord of Foreign Relations greeted him, bowing low on one knee. “I have come, as requested.”

“I trust you’ve been informed of the…situation in Automagfreek?” the Overlord said, getting right to the point.

“Indeed,” Lord Grimwald replied, now all business. “Rayne hasn’t made any attempts to contact us or any other nations of Arda thus far, at least not publically.”

“So we’re not exactly sure where we stand with her,” the Overlord continued, “but I believe we can assume that she will be on friendly terms with us, at least for the time being. Her fledgling government can’t know where it stands with the rest of the world either…unless, of course, she was able to court some members of the international community prior to her little coup. She will need allies, for Automagfreek has many enemies, some of which we can assume her government has inherited from Dreadfire.”

“And do you approve of this new government?” the Lord of Foreign Relations inquired.

“Rayne has been in control of the Excessively Armed Empire before,” Steelblood mused. “As you no doubt recall, she was responsible in part for the formation of Metus. She desired alliance with us then, so I see no reason why she wouldn’t be compatible with our aims now. Her government may well be useful to us.”

“So you approve?” Lord Grimwald asked, wanting a straight answer.

“Not exactly. I don’t disapprove, but there is still the factor of Dreadfire to consider,” the Overlord said.

“Dreadfire is deposed, and his own son rallies the people against him,” Grimwald said, clearly not following his sovereign's reasoning. “I don’t think he really matters at this point.”

“Damien Dreadfire defeated Rayne once before, you fool,” the Overlord snarled in exasperation. “He conquered death itself to cast her down. This time around he is not only still living, but also uncaptured, and he still has the loyalty of some of Automagfreek’s armies no doubt. I would not so quickly embrace Rayne only to have to patch things up with Dreadfire if he returns and takes her head!”

“What then would you have me tell them, then?” Lord Grimwald sighed.

The Overlord hunched over in deep thought for a moment before he spoke again, with certainty in his voice.

“We will tell them nothing, at this time,” he calmly stated. “Our silence will speak louder than words. If Rayne wishes to be regarded as the official authority in Automagfreek, I will treat her as such…when she has the head of Damien Dreadfire on a pike, or when she has control of the entire military, at least. When she has proven that she can maintain control of the country. If she wishes to parley before then, she can come to me, and tell me exactly why she is more worthy of my respect than Dreadfire was, and why our alliance should extend to her new government.”

“As you wish, my liege,” Lord Grimwald said, bowing low. He walked back out through the same door he entered, leaving Bradley Steelblood to his thoughts.

I will be keeping a close eye on Automagfreek, the Wretchan tyrant thought. And no doubt I will not be the only one doing so.

"Prime Minister," a breathless Civil Servant blurted out as he pushed open the door to the Prime Minister's study, "Prime Minister..."

"Yes?" Prime Minister Lucius Agrippa said, looking up from his pile of papers.

"Prime Minister... the government has collapsed in Automagfreek. Someone called Rayne has seized power..."

"Do we actually have anything to do with Automagfreek?" Agrippa asked, matter of factly, dropping his pen and taking off his glasses.

"Well... no," replied the Civil Servant, his excitement visibly ebbing away, "but all the other major governments are getting into an awful flap over it. It's only right that we do aswell."

"Meh," replied the PM, "send them our best wishes and a bottle of Claret."

"Yes, Prime Minister," replied the Civil Servant, but before he could turn to leave, the Prime Minister's Private Secretary spoke from a corner of the large, wood-panelled room.

"Isn't Automagfreek an oppressive Neo-Fascist state with an appaling human rights record that's trying to pretend it isnt?"

"Yes... actually, drop the best wishes... and the bottle of Claret."

Bump

Commander Tallis Pushkarevich personally brought the new dispatches to the Captain.

"Major traffic above. Whatever is going on, is major."
"More then you think. Burps sent?"
"Aye, Captain."
"We have no replies as yet. So we will continue our patrol. How much does the crew know?"
"Captain, this is a matter of utmost importance and secrecy. Which means they probably are aware of everything."
"Good that they know. Let them not know we know they know for as long as practical. It will keep them on their toes."
"Aye, Captain. What of approaches?"
"We already know AMF shipping routes, both those we were given and many we were not. At the moment, there is nothing we need do with that information."
The XO nodded once, noticing the Captains gaze on the far map.
"Not yet. Dismissed."

Crystal City, Tiburon, the United Republics of Tiburon

It was all too familiar to be a dream. How could it be? Second upon second, hour upon hour, the actions had repeated themselves almost perfectly. Rayne's second emergence was a mirror of her first. And yet...

And yet.

Azrael, who was supposedly admired throughout the empire, was now on the other side of the line that he had been on before. Strangely enough, it was him against Damien. Nova smiled a bit. He knew that the CIA would be scrambling for days to see why they had been so wrong, and thinking about the Assistant Director running around in a scared panic was just too amusing not to spark interest. Turning his attention to the rest of the newscast, he found some other things quite informative as well.

The people of the nation seemed to have accepted it relatively quickly. Which was to be expected. One dictator was as good as another in this case, and the people didn't need to be dragged into more bloodshed. They'd already had enough. And, more significantly, the Strikers and the Sentinels were allies.

The Strikers and the Sentinels were allies.

This was a new regime. Drastically different from Damien's... perhaps even different from Rayne's. What held before would not hold again. Although the Gundams, the Mobile Weapons, the Strikers, and the Sentinels had all improved drastically since the times of Operation Blazing Fury, a war was not what anyone needed at this time. Not anyone in the United Republics, anyway. And war wouldn't restore democracy to Automagfreek, the democracy of the pre-Dreadfire days that had become a distant memory once. It had not worked before. It would not work again. But the people still remembered Rayne. She was, in the United Republics, much more than a dictator. She was a reminder that the Tiburonese armed forces, which have remained undefeated, were not all-powerful. She was a painful reminder not to take Tiburon's freedoms for granted. But that- that was what she was. It remained to be seen what she will be.

No chances could be taken. The Tiburonese ambassador had to leave. Whether from Dreadfire's hand or from Rayne's, the risk was simply too great. In response, he had constructed a letter from the entire government.

<Message from the United Republics of Tiburon to the Excessively Armed Empire of Automagfreek>

Rayne,

Although our organizations have had some misunderstandings in the past, we believe it is time for a new road, one to release us from constant violence. We no longer have the democratization hopes we once had for the Empire, and we are content with letting the Empire handle itself, as it has for time immemorial. We therefore declare our neutrality, and ask that your nation declare the same.

-Nova Starfighter, President of the United Republics of Tiburon