NationStates Jolt Archive

A wet, quiet snuffling noise snuffles the leaves at a remote corner of Saxes, sniffing the new scents with interest. He had not smelled such scents in a long time-they smelled like a traitor's smell. No smell like that had been smelled since the quelling of the civil wars and rebellions of Jessamine's grandfather. Each monarch had had their share of troubles, but their companions where always there-to remind them of the dangers of ruling and to guard them from traitors and assasins alike. A short bark is heard, followed by a mournful howl...each head coming up with perked up ears, going on the alert and hunt...

Team Two
Ferdinando Malacia and Gunther Wardbaum had eased out of the small copse of trees and not being as lucky as Team One were walking towards the City.

They were both dressed as your typical German tourist in leaderhosen, leather suspenders and in jaunty hats with a feather. They had knee high socks and huge hiking boots large enough to double as a canoe. Their equipment was hidden in their backpacks.

Ferdinando "I don't like those dogs barking."

Gunther "They are just farm dogs, barking at the neighbor's cow or rooster or female dog. Don't be so skittish."

"They don't sound normal. If one comes close I'm going to pop it."

"Well that would help us blend in now wouldn't it."

"Those dogs are talking to each other and they are getting closer to us."

"What a sissy. It is almost daybreak don't forget to smile and make a goofy wave to the farmers. We want them to think we are too cheap to catch a bus."

They continue to walk towards the city with Ferdinando looking over his shoulder every few minutes.

Team Three

Emanualla Montanna and Sonya Escardo made up the last team. They both had exotic, dark and sultry South American looks. They knew how to use their looks to get whatever advantage they needed. They too carried sniper rifles and explosives.

They weren't looking to steal a car, any male farm hand with a vehicle would do. Could they help it if men helped them? They never made promises. It wasn't their fault that things happened when there was ample cleavage showing.

Soon enough they got their ride into the city.

[Summary - Three separate teams of assassins from the El Cosa Nazi organization are making their way into the capital.]

::In the Hence Palace, Carmine is holding a meeting with all his advisors to discuss the Hundred Arrows Movement::

Watson: Well I think until the end there things actually went well. You had some real good suggestions and constructive criticisms.

Raskalnokov: Don't you see though? As soon as these people were given some room to comment they started getting ridiculous! Look at this one! One guy wanted to change to a rotating government! "A new ruler every day!"

Ramsus: And let's not forget how in the end it turned into a total government bash.

Carmine: Well, we can safely say that the Hundred Arrows movement was a complete failure. It didn't go at all like I'd hoped. Instead of uniting the people in their support they used it as an excuse to say anything they felt like!

Jenny: The problem is that all citizens were given the chance to speak, so we got some real idiots.

Raskalnokov: Isn't that scary? We have the most intelligent citizens in the region, and almost in the world, and still we get total morons trying to make suggestions.

Carmine: Yes, that seems to be a problem, these stupid people in our country. I think it's time we addressed this issue...

Watson: What do you mean?

Carmine: Well it's obvious that our propaganda and Blue Guard training was not enough. There are still those who openly oppose us. Conservatives and stupid people.

Watson: Conservatives?

Carmine: Yes. The stupid people were the ones with the crazy ideas. The Conservatives are the ones who fear change. The ones who oppose my ruling. And enough is enough. Raskalnokov, I want you to get in contact with the Blue Guard leaders, let's see what they're made of...

Following Team 2, he acted like he was just a farm dog, sniffing at the fences and trotting like one. As he followed, the moon came out and shone on the unmistakable coat. Pricking up his ears, he heard hundreds of feet padding silently towards the city...

Jessamine sat in her meditation room, getting ready to meet the rulers/embassies of the warring nations the next day. She heard her door open, but heard no footsteps across her floor. As a cold nose pressed against her neck, she smiled and buried her fingers in a thick fur coat. Opening her eyes, Jessamine saw a pure silver wolf with the eyes of purest white ice. Looking at him, she said
"What's wrong, Argoth?"

Barks and yelps, sounding very much like a human language, told the ruler about what he had smelled and seen, and that his soldiers were into the city looking for any signs or clues to anyone who wasn't up to any good. Jessamine sighed, thanked her companion, and then went over to the bed in the room, falling asleep under the watchful eye of Argoth.

Lieutenant Corporal O'Neill looked ahead as the car shot forward on Airstrip 10 towards Manarth's group. He viewed each person as his car and four other cars came screeching to a stop in front of their plane. Getting out, Lt. Corp. O'Neill saluted the 6 Marines as his soldiers took up defensive positions and an armored limosine pulled up.

O'Neill: Gentlemen, Lt. Corp. O'Neill here to guard your ambassador's limosine to the secure location of the Royal Grounds.

The driver of the limosine jumped out and opened the door, holding a .9 mm at guard position.

Triana Smith: Lt. Corporal O'Neill, a pleasure to meet you.

::She enters the car with her 5 associates, the 6 marines reboard the plane::

James Vandershale III: That's a strange rank designation you have. I've been out of the Army for a while, but I still find new methods of organization intriguing, and I admit I know little about your military's insignia and rank scale. Would you mind telling me about it, if you'd be so kind?

::Ms. Smith rubs her suit jacket, the clanking of metal underneath signifies the only protection she agreed to, a plate mail breastplate padded with Level 1 Kevlar.::

Triana Smith: I really should build an embassy here. I hope I get the oppertunity to discuss things one on one with the Emperess.

The Manarthian 2nd Flotilla in Eastern Detroit powers up and lumbers towards Counterpoint. It carries within cargo and passenger ships the personel and equipment of the Manarthain 2nd and 4th Armies. Onboard, messages are spread around as to the condition of the Counterpointian blockade.

Grand Admiral Erica Newman: Counterpoint and Andaluciae may already be at war, so I want you all to be extra careful. Full attention to alerts. If Andaluciaen forces fire on us for any reason, even a shot across the bow, I want us turned around. I will not risk a war on the open sea with the lives of so many defenceless soldiers on my consience.

The Manarthian flotilla approaches the outskirts of the Andaluciaen fleet's blockade. There, the main ships go to full halt, and the cargo/passenger ships, guided by a few corvettes and frigates, make their way to some of the local port cities.

Lt. Corp. O'Neill: Well, our system is quite simple to understand. You start out as a soldier and end up as a General. The full list is as follows: soldier, captain, lieutenant captain, lieutenant, lieutenant corporal(myself), corporal, sub-commander, commander, and finally general.

The cars took off, speeding along roadways that were government used and maintained towards the center of the capital.

Jessamine sat in her office, Argoth by her side. Taking care of the everyday things were easy enough, seeing as she had already thought of her answers to each of the requests before her so that she could concentrate on the peace talks. Often she found her mind to be wandering to the reports of traitors Argoth had told her about last night. She also thought of the one report she had kept private, and wondered if it were true...

Motioning for an aide, she strode out of the room to check on the rooms for the embassadors personally.

=The counterpoint ships recieve the message=

Adm- Looks like they want to wrestle....
Com- What should I tell the rest of the group....
Adm- Hang tight... I want to see where this goes...

=The fleet holds their posistion waiting for the Andalucaies response=

*Jackson Hewitt is one of the richest men in Andaluciae due to his success in the tax preparation industry, and beyond that he is noted for his incessant adventures all around the world, he has a new goal*

*He remembers stories he once heard from an old man from Saxes about the wolves of Saxes. These wolves were not normal the old man said, they could speak amongst each other, and they were smart.*

*Jackson Hewitt has decided he must hunt and kill several of these wolves. As such, he is preparing an illegal expedition to Saxes. He and four "Jaegers" will be put on the ground inside the nation, and they will track the wolves and kill them. Any civilians and government officials they come across with either be bribed or dealt with.*

Capt. Bertrand: So, they've decided to just sit where they are...how odd. (grabs phone)

Rear Admiral, the Counterpointians have stopped their ships, they are not moving, what should I do?

Rear-Admrial Stark: Wait until they try to cross the line. If they just sit there I have no problem with them.

Em stepped down from the converted B2 bomber onto the tarmac. She glanced around and noted the almost complete absence of weapons on the welcoming committee. The entire MadderMikian contingent was uneasy without any guns what-so-ever, except for Mrs. Dewey. Having traveled far and wide in her Olympic career she had seen this many times.

Mrs. Dewey was superbly confident in her swordsmanship, having disarmed and dispatched those in MadderMike who thought that if she wasn't carrying a firearm she wasn't someone to be rekonned with. She was so efficient that to Em's knowledge Mrs Dewey was the only person in MadderMike not required to carry a gun. Em was pretty sure Mike's predecessor passed a law exempting Mrs. Dewey from that provision of MadderMikian law.

The lackeys were bustling about arranging and rearranging the luggage waiting for the limos to take them to the sleeping quarters.

Em took a deep breath and was amazed there was so little air pollution. The air almost smelled funny.

[Summary - The MadderMikian delegation arrives in Saxes]

Jessamine finished up her inspections of the rooms as, simultaneously, she got reports of Lt. Corp. O'Neill arriving with Manarth's entourage and MadderMike's entourage arriving at the airport. She walked outside just as the entourage got out of the cars.

Jessamine: Welcome to my nation, Ms. Smith. I am the Empress Jessamine. Please allow me to show you and your associates up to your floor. I hope that you enjoy your stay here, and that everything will be pleasant. Perhaps after the talks we may meet to put an embassy here for your nation.

She shows them inside the hotel, Argoth at her side.

ooc: Now I'm going to start the jackson hewitt story, it's going to be a side RP, just for fun.

ic:

*Jackson Hewitt meets with the old man from Saxes*

JH: So, I've been all around the lake. I've sailed solo from Andaluciae to the canal zone and back, I've hunted bears in Henceland Omega and I had a seven hour layover in Maddermike once. I think I've done and seen just about everything.

Old man: Are you so sure?

JH: Absolutely, there is nothing I haven't done.

Old man: Have you ever been to my home country, Saxes?

JH: No, Saxes is very...unexotic. It's just normal. I can see that in Eastern Andaluciae, and not have to deal with those customs pricks at the airport, we Andaluciaens are too paranoid...

OM: Saxes may be more adventurous than you think. Something strange lives in the woods, wolves.

JH: Wolves? Hah, I hunt wolves during my lunch!

OM: No, not wolves like these...these wolves are different...they are surrounded by legend in Saxes, people have told stories about them since before I was a young child.

JH: Folk tales, eh? What's with them?

OM: They aren't folk tales, I wouldn't bring this up if I hadn't been there...these wolves...it's almost as if...they are sentient. It's almost as if...they can talk...

JH: Oh baloney, come on old man, you can't pull that on me.

OM: I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for these wolves...in my youth there were challengers to the royal family, but I was just a farmboy, and I had no interest in such things as rebellion. I didn't believe the stories, after all I am a rational person. So, as per my family duties, I would collect firewood in the evenings in the forests. One evening, I was out there, and I stumbed across a band of partisans. They took me captive, tied me up, sure, initially I screamed, but they dragged me far away from my home...

JH: *interest piqued* Go on...

OM: These partisans, they were going to kill me, I know it. I was laying down, with my back towards camp, and the woods outside. I watched...phantoms...wolves dancing around the fire, they snarled quietly, the partisans actually saw them, shot at them a few times, then the wolves just left. I laid there for what seemed like hours, when out of nowhere royal troops came out of the woods, they gunned down the partisans, and I was saved...by those wolves.

JH: Very interesting...

::Night settles in in the city of Teac on Xeno Island. It is a moonless night, and the temparature begins to dip slightly. In a modest house, a man goes to bed after a long day of work. He drifts off and begins to dream. Meanwhile, out on the streets a few people can be seen sneaking around. They near the house. They look scope the place out and look around to see if anyone is noticing. At the late hour on a Sunday night almost nobody is out and about. An owl hoots in the distance. Suddenly one person kicks down the door. The group bursts in and runs through the house. The man wakes up, startled by the noise. As he jumps out of bed he's suddenly surrounded by 5 young people, dressed in blue::

Man: What the? The Blue Guard?

Blue Guard Member: Mr. Richard Guillard?

Richard: Yes?

Blue Guard: You're under arrest for crimes against the government, and the whole of Henceland Omega.

Richard: By whose authority are you here?

Blue Guard Elite Membe (It happens to be Shinji Lampola):By the authority of Premiere Zed Carmine, and the orders of Kimitri Raskalnokov. Your actions and words are clearly traitorous in nature. You must now come with us.

Richard: No! You have to be kidding me! We were told that we were allowed to say what we wanted.

Shinji: You were allowed to offer suggestions and healthy criticism. This blatant blunt treason against the Premiere clearly did not fall into that category. The Premiere has since decided to arrest all enemies of Henceland Omega. You sir fall into that category.

Richard: And just who are the enemies of Henceland Omega, aside from myself?

Shinji: Conservatives and morons.

Richard: I certainly hope you don't think I'm a moron...

Shinji: No sir. You are a conservative, wanting to return to the old ways. You would hinder the forward progress of our nation.

Richard: I won't go! ::He jumps one of the Blue Guard members, and begins to run away. The rest of them look at Shinji::

Shinji: Get him, he must be apprehended!

::As Richard tries to bolt out the door, he runs straight into another Blue Guard member outside, who swings a pillowcase of doorknobs at him. Catching him in the head, Richard falls down. Shinji and the others catch up to him::

Shinji: Take him away...

::Across HO, that same night, hundreds of others are arrested in much the same way, for either speaking out against the governement or for their plain stupidity...::

*Ulonov is sitting at the Emperor's desk with his feet up on the table watching television when an intelligence advisor busts in carrying arm loads of papers, maps, charts and sattelite images*

Ulonov: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!
Officer: Sir.... we have a problem..
Ulonov: What's that?
Officer: Intelligence reports a group of 9 nations that are around 200 mill a p
Ulonov: They are of no concern...
Officer: But sir... they inhabit a region known as "The Great Lake"
Ulonov: What are you talking about.. WE are in the Great lakes...
Officer: No sir.. we are in A great lake... Lake Erie... I'm sure you know that.. this region is a new one... known as "The Great Lake" These nations have been apparently under our noses for some time...

*Ulonov sits in his chair, his look of indifference has turned towards anger*
Ulonov: Have we contacted these people yet?
Officer: A Telegram was sent on behalf of the state... asking them for a discussion..
Ulonov: Excellent, Edenstein Armies shall be be marching down their streets.... contact the rest of the lake nations with this info... tell them we are forming a co-alition to discuss this problem.
Officer: Yes sir..

*telegrams are sent to all the nations of LETI LOTI LHTI LMTI LSTI about this new problem, and requesting a discussion on what should be done*

OOC: here is their link in NSwiki and region page

http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Great_Lake_Nations <= Cute if you click on the view region link..... <not amused>
http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_region/region=Great%20Lake%20Nations

*A dark shape slinks around the house of the old man in Andaluciae, listening to the conversation with the big game hunter. Black ears pricked up at the recognition of Jackson Hewitt's voice and the old man's voice whom his father had helped save. A slight rumbling vibrates in his chest as he hears the old man tell his story to the hunter. This could be bad, he realized, and quickly ran off, silently gliding through the shadows into the night.*

Mike of M&MS PM ...lying in bed in traction from two broken legs is reading the Michaelgrad Daily News when his cousin Mike Frod IV wanders in with a lovely bunch of pop-dragon flowers.

Mike "Oh nice pop-dragons." he squeezes one and it fires a seed across the room at amazing speed.

Frod "I see you are reading the News, didn't know you could read."

Mike "Not everyone is dimwitted in MadderMike, but it does help sometimes."

Frod "Did you see the news about the Great Lakes Region?"

"Yes, and it disturbs me. I hope Em settles things with Rialto and perhaps we can get Counterpoint to the table if these imitation Lakers stir up trouble."

"Hold off on any Counterpoint treaty we have stepped up production of the mobile SAM Launchers and we are doing brisk sales. Our profits are up 20%."

"Ok, I will send a secret message to Edenstien to see what their stance on these Lakers is."

*Jackson Hewitt, being a businessman as well as an adventurer, left the old mans house after having heard the story. His pilot had the helicopter ready to go by the time he reached the landing pad.*

Pilot: Hey boss, how was visiting the old man?

JH: Very...interesting...he told me some interesting stories...

Pilot: Like what?

JH: Nothing really all that big, but right now I want to get back to Andrewtinople. The government is considering cutting the 100% flat tax, and I want to be able to be there when we have to change over.

Pilot: Alright, we'll be off to Hewitt tower then?

JH: Yes, Hewitt tower.

*JH and the pilot climb into the helicopter, the rotors whirl to life, and the helicopter roars off into the night*

Argoth trotted through the streets, and found the shallow graves of two people, as well as several other disturbing things. Then each fleeting shadow told of a hunter-businessman who wanted a challenge and was possibly going after them. Alarm raced through his mind and decided not to tell his companion right off...she had a lot on her mind since the peace talks were commencing soon, and he knew that a certain someone might be back...she wasn't as adept as covering her emotions from him as she thought.

Triana Smith is growing impatient with the wait. "If these people want to discuss peace like they say, then why aren't we getting to the table already! Prophetless void! I'm going stir crazy here." She turned to James Vandershale III, "Tell me again why I didn't just send you?"

James Vandershale: Because you wanted to show your commitment to peace firsthand. And because I'm really better with figuring out what should be done than actually doing it. No Charisma, you know.

Triana Smith: Okay, okay, I just hope something happens soon. Get these talks started or something.

The Manarthian troops land in Counterpoint without any Andaluciaen involvement what so ever.

Grand Admiral Erica Newman: I don't get it, they're in the middle of making sure Counterpoint is blockaded and they just let us land troops and supplies on the country? Either they're way overconfident, or exactly the opposite.

Manarthian troops begin to gather along the Counterpoint Border with Edenstein, along the projected invasion point. Still, most Manarthian units have taken up possition 300 miles back from the border as a reserve.

General J. E. P. (Jep) Terrace: Well, we'll see how this goes. If those Edenstein bastards do try something, we'll be ready for them.

Jessamine duly noted that an embassador was getting antsy, and noted that all were there. She sent this telegram to each:

"Please get your arguments and treaties ready for talks. They will begin tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. in the main council chamber. A servant will be waiting at each elevator on your floors to show you there. I look forward to seeing you there."

The day dawned in Saxes, and all was well. Birds were chirping, the cats meowing, the dogs barking, people were waking up, and the servents inside the Royal Palace were scurrying, for today was the start of the peace talks. In the High Council room, trained soldiers combed the room, making sure that the only spy holes were ones that had already been found or made. A huge circular table dominated the center of the room, and there was a section of the table for each embassy to sit. Preparations continue for the arrival of the embassadors.

Prime Minister Triana Smith arrived early in the day, and took up possition at her section of the table. She waited there for the rest of her party. Vandershale was next to arrive, with the three assistants close behind him. They sat on either side of Ms. Smith and waited for the talks to begin.

Jessamine entered the hall and notice that Ms. Smith and her advisors were already there. She sat at the "head" of the table, or the end facing the door. Her advisors started to file in slowly after her and took their seats. Jessamine turned toward Ms. Smith.

Jessamine: I trust that your first night here was pleasant, Ms. Smith? Every thing was to expectation?

::In the Hence Palace, Watson and Raskalnokov are are watching as more and more Blue Guard leaders are coming in to report their accomplishments::

Blue Guard Leader: 7 other people from the list have been arrested and held in the local prison for questioning.

Raskalnokov: Good, the Premiere would be most pleased.

Blue Guard leader: That's all we want sir. When the Premiere is happy, our nation is successful. ::He salutes and leaves::

Watson: Don't you think this is going too far?

Raskalnokov: Are you questioning Carmine's orders?

Watson: Well... kind of. He didn't realy make too many specifications as to what makes a person conservative or stupid. At this point anyone could be arrested.

Raskalnokov: Anyone who hasn't done anything wrong has nothing to fear. Stupid people are easy to pick out, and conservatives make themselves known throughtheir actions. Your average every day citizen is going to be fine. I'm actually glad he's started this. I hear he's planning on having you do a press release about his plans regarding this.

Watson: Me?

Raskalnokov: Well, that is your job...

Watson: I know... but I almost feel like I'm condemning our nation sometimes.

Raskalnokov: I'd be careful if I were you. You're a good guy Helmholtz, but if you keep questioning Carmine, he will find out somehow, and you don't want that to happen.

Watson: ::He sighs:: I know.

Triana Smith: I've had a plesent stay so far, thank you. I'm just a bit antsy to get this peace conference started. Even with the internet I feel disconnected every time I travel abroad.

Jessamine: I know what you mean. Even though I've gone to other countries and places, my true home is here, where I was born. Hopefully the other leaders and their advisors will get here soon, for we have a lot to talk about.


Black shapes floated through the trees of the forests and the alleyways of the cities, keeping watch and slowly gathering for a meeting of great proportions. Each knew that a hunter was coming and they knew that a hunter like the one who was coming killed them, and that a large congregation of their kind would attract such a man. Each meeting came together and met and left as silently as they moved....never to be known to the outside world or the normal man.

*Jackson Hewitt talking to his aide*

JH: I need you to do a favor for me.

Assistant: Yes boss?

JH: I need you to get six of the best Jaegers from southern Andaluciae. I'm going wolf hunting in Saxes.

Assistant: Alright sir, but, Saxes?

JH: I have my reasons, now, do this now, and make sure they all have Mk. IXs. I want one of my Mk. Xs to be ready for me. Also get me some false papers that claim to give me permission to hunt wolves, and a lot of cash, whatever currency unit Saxes uses.

Assistant: Umm, yessir...

JH: I'm also going to need Yellow Fish ready to go.

Assistant: Alright.

*The assistant goes off and does Jackson Hewitt's bidding, all six of the Jaegers meet with JH on his yacht, the Yellow Fish, which then heads out towards Saxes*

Ser Dorence may I come in? Said Colonel Richardson

Dorence- Yes Colonel what can I do for you

COL Richardson- ser Saxes is holding a peace talk for all of the other countries and I think that Tubamanea should help out.

Dorence- I think that is a good Idea. Send a Letter to Saxes offering Tubamaneas assistance for these talks by sending soldier that is from a country that has nothing to do with this war.

COL Richardson left the room and wrote a letter to Saxes saying (Dear Jessamine the people of Tubamanea will like to help you peace talks my sending our best soldier to keep everything in order over there. Jake Dorence Leader of Tubamanea)

Then the Colonel sent the letter and told the military to get ready.

Low Brass Military Base

Major Miles Maxwell stands in front of 500 of Tubamaneas best soldiers from all over the military.

MAJ Maxwell- Men we are going to be go to the country of Saxes and we will be working armed guards for the peace talks. I want everyone to be ready to leave at 1200 hours so say goodbye to you family and get your stuff together. DISMISSED

The watch turns to 1200 and MAJ Maxwell looks up to the 500 men and women standing in front of him he looked over at the SS Bounty a Tubamanea aircraft carrier.

MAJ Maxwell said ok men lets get aboard the ship

Captain John Franklin stands on the ship walks over to Major Maxwell

CPT Franklin- Ser everything is ready to go we will leave when everyone is aboard.

MAJ Maxwell- Very good.

Captain Franklin walks up to the bridge of the ship and said ok take us out.

Major Maxwell and Captain Franklin meet in the Captains chamber to talk about what is the plan.

CPT Franklin- Tell me Major why are we heading to Saxes and the letter will not get there yet.

MAJ Maxwell- Ok this is what will go on we will go to the open water outside of Saxes and hold off until we are invited in by Jessamine or hear from Dorence that’s all we can do.

CPT Franklin- very good we will do that and see what will happen.

Jessamine recieves the letter from Tubamanea, and sent a letter back accepting their offer, realizing that the more soldiers there were the better protection they all had. She hoped that the head of Nerfcat would get back to her soon for her had offered the same help as Tubamanea. Hopefully no problems would arise from two different nations supplying soldiers, but her own resources were strained, so any help was accepted with relief(and only after a good background check to make sure no one was joking around).

Team Three 5:00 AM

Emanualla Montanna and Sonya Escardo are hidden on the sixth floor balcony of the Saxes Hilton. The balcony overlooks a small outdoor bistro.

Emanualla "Are you sure Triana Smith will eat breakfast in an outdoor Restaurant?"

Sonya "Yes, the intelligence reports say she has this routine and does it against the advise of all her security forces. We have the photos of her doing this in the most dangerous of places."

Emanualla "Well thanks to our hosts we have a great vantage point." She turns and blows a kiss to two men propped up against the wall bound in duct tape. When they asked Emanualla if she was looking for excitement, little did they know.

The team rapidly assembles their TAC50 sniper rifles. Both receiver plates are heavily engraved with "Presented to the Finest Sniper in Counterpoint" They take up different vantage points covering the bistro and have already agreed that one will try for a head shot, the other a center body mass attempt.

Five dark shapes move silently and slowly towards the YellowFish, and spread out to follow it and mark its movement towards Saxes. Ahead of the ship, one dark fin came up out of the water and stayed there, keeping ahead of the ship in plain view. All other dark shapes kept underwater, occasionally coming up for air and then retreating under it.

A silver form sat on the rock head of the ocean edge of Saxes. The breeze ruffled his fur as he listened to the seagulls, waiting....

A seagull and a peregrine falcon land on Emanualla Montanna and Sonya Escardo's balcony railing. They look at the both of them with an eye of disdain and the falcon flies quickly off around the building as the seagull remains.

*Jackson Hewitt, sitting on the deck of his ship the Yellow Fish is in his usual belligerent mood. As such, he has a pair of guns, a Winchester ten gauge shotgun, and an older Schraker Mk.VIII Magnum Rifle. One of the crew members comes up to him.*

Crewman: Sir, the skipper is wondering what you've been shooting at out here, and if we should be concerned about something.

JH: Ah, just these damn seagulls, not much better to do out here. No big game really....

Crewman: Well, if you're up for some big game, there seems to be something like a shark or such out in front of the boat. You can see the fin with nightvision.

JH: Oh really, a challenge...*He picks up the Mk. VIII Rifle*

JH: I'll get that bugger, could you run back and get me some more .50 caliber magnum rounds?

Crewman: Yessir, I'll be right back.

*JH walks up to the front of the ship, and turns on the night scope on the rifle, he peers through it, and finds the fin. He chambers the large round, and sets the rifle on his shoulder. He lines up the sight just below the fin and fires four times.*

Several bullets hit the black fin, and a squeal of pain came from the mammal and it went under, joining its fellows. Suddenly, six 30 foot long, 12,000 pound bodies hit the Yellow Fish from one side and tilted it almost 45 degrees, letting out pulses that sounded like screams to the occupants of the boat. Each orca whale hit the side of the boat with its tail as each took breath and dived, disappearing into the dark depths of the sea.

Triana Smith and James Vandershale, tired of waiting for the other nations delegates to show up and get things started, head out to the small bistro. They sit down, and wait for the waiter to come over and take their order.

Triana Smith: I'm telling you, James, I always liked your grandfather. He always seemed to me as the smartest PM that Manarth ever had.

James Vandershale: I appreciate that, Ms. Smith, but where did that come from?

Triana Smith: Please, I ment it as a compliment. Argh, I'm running out of things to talk about here. Why won't anyone get this show on the road?

James Vandershale: I don't really know. It's like they're delaying thiings intentionally. I know there's another election comming up, and the coalition's numbers are worse than last time... They might just be hoping this will all blow over soon.

Triana Smith: I know, I know. I try to do the right thing, but I don't get it. The polls all show that the people of Manarth think Robert Wallace was the best President of the CoC ever, and when I try to emulate his sucess, I get poor numbers. Even with our propaganda.

James Vandershale: I know, I know. But the polls also show that the highest ranking Manarthain PM ever was Zev Killian, and all he ever did was suck up diplomacy, pure and simple. There's no telling what the people want, I'm not even sure they know themselves. But I'm sure that if we get a peace here, the popularity ratings will soar. Nothing vindicates like sucess.

A sudden glimer in the sun catches Vandershale's eye, as the snipers have finalized their checks and drawn a bead on PM Smith. He stands up and squints hard at the sniper's building, but they are focused on PM Smith and do not notice.

Vandershale: Oh, sh**.

Jessamine wondered at the delays by the other delegates, and sent messengers to their floors to make sure that things were alright. Leaving a note for her secretary, Mikey, she slipped outside using secret passageways and ran up to a black motorbike; revving it up, Jessamine sped off for an early morning ride towards the coast.


The seagull just stared at the snipers with a strange look, and let them continue on their way; for wasn't that the way of the universe? Kill or be killed?

The falcon danced above the city in complex patterns, looking for a snack while waiting for the scene below to play out. Enough time had passed for this hawk to know that the human below had no chance with those snipers. Diving downwards, it snatched a dove from the air, about 30 feet above the bistro, and snapped the dove's neck with one powerful foot. Flying away, it thought of the juicy snack it would enjoy in a few minutes.

Emanualla Montanna and Sonya Escardo spot Triana and her party. As agreed Emanualla took a head shot and Sonya went for center body mass. The huge rifles roared as the pair fired simultaneously. They didn't wait to see if they were successful. Carefully wiping down the guns they dropped them into the laps of the bound lads and changed into maids uniforms.

The girls flounced down the stairs and into a conveniently parked laundry van. The driver stared at a magnificent pair of........

The girls drop the body into the laundry and drive off.

Em and ADM Dewey and his wife were wandering out to a nice outdoor bistro when they hear the unmistakable sounds of gunfire.

Em "TAC50, two of them."

ADM Dewey "Yep, not silenced did you hear the crack of the projectile?"

Mrs. Dewey "No return fire, strange."

They continue to walk to the bistro, after all this is an everyday occurence in MadderMike.

On the deck of the aircraft carrier Major Maxwell and Captain Franklin stand looking over the land of Saxes.

MAJ Maxwell- there it is the country of Saxes I hear it is a very lovely place to live.

CPT Franklin- it is but Saxes is not home for me I was born in Tubamanea and I will live there until I die.

MAJ Maxwell- that is true well all we have to do is hold off until we get the ok by Saxes to come into the bay. We already have gotten the ok from Dorence that they accepted your offer.

CPT Franklin- that is true but we don’t want to start anything by coming in to bay with out the ok from Saxes.

Captain Franklin gets onto the radio and said
This is Captain Franklin of Tubamaneas flag aircraft carrier SS Bounty we are asking to be aloud to come into bay.

MAJ Maxwell- captain I don’t know what is going on because the talks should have already started. Send a few of our jets to fly over the area.

CPT Franklin- ok I will do that.

Captain Franklin gets onto the intercom prepare 4 jets for take off to fly around the area of the peace talks stand by for my order to take off.

CPT Franklin- Major I hope this will not bother the people of Saxes to badly.

MAJ Maxwell- I would like to know what is going on I will take full responsibility for this.

CPT Franklin- Ok Major

Franklin walks back over to the intercom and said ok jets you are free to fly and come back and tell me what you see.

4 tomcats take off from the deck of the SS Bounty and start flying over Saxes.

Wing commander- nothing is going on that we can see at the moment we will keep looking but I don’t see anything going on at the peace talks.

After flying around for about 25 min. they return to the SS Bounty. The wing commander walks over into captain Franklin’s office and said sir may I talk to you.

CPT Franklin- yes come on in. what did you find on your flight.

WC- nothing is going on the only thing we can do is stay here until we will be able to come into bay, but until then sir am I going to guess that we are going to fly over saxes 2 times a day like in training.

CPT Franklin- yes that is what we will do the next flight will be at sun set. You and your men get some rest before then.

WC- yes sir

The wing commander turns and leaves the room.

CPT Franklin- I guess all we do is stay here.

As the two snipers fired their well aimed shots, Vandershale sprang into motion. Shoving Ms. Smith to the side with all his might, the instant before the bullets were fired. She squacked in suprise, but hit her head on the pavement below and was knocked into a daze. He was only partially sucessful. The center mass shot hit her in the arm, severing an arterry and nearly amputating the arm above the elbow. The head shot missed her completely, but buried itself deep in the chest of Vandershale. He gasped twice for air, and passed out, the bullet having liquified one of his lungs.

A pool of both their blood began to spread outward along the concrete as the waiter and other patrons screamed. Someone ran to call an ambulance. Triana staggered to her feet and tried to shake Vandershale awake, but found she was unable to move her arm. Looking down at it and realizing what had happened, she passed out on top of him.

Jessamine roared along the road by the coast, and looking to her right, she saw the aircraft carrier from Tubamanea sitting in her waters. Knowing that they were probably waiting for her to let them in, as she had seen from the two aircraft flying overhead, she went to the highest cliff by the ocean, where Argoth was sitting, and set up her portable tv/radio transmitter. Dialing up, she hailed the aircraft carrier.

Jessamine: Greetings, Tubamanea! I am the Empress Jessamine. I understand that you are probably wondering what is going on with the peace talks; this morning, the only delegates who showed up were Triana Smith and her fellows. Right now, Ms. Smith is eating at an outdoor bistro, enjoying breakfast. I have sent up servants to make sure the other delegates are doing alright and that nothing has happened. Whomever is recieving this, I would like to speak with your commanding officer on where to put your carrier and to repeat the message that I just told you. I am currently broadcasting from a high cliff on the coast; its the only one for a couple miles up or down the coast in either direction. I am in the presence of my lieutenant, Argoth, and a black speedbike. Please respond.


A large shape stirred the watery depths around Saxes, monitering the arrival of both the Yellow Fish and Tubamanea's aircraft carrier. Slowly pulsating through the water, large soft eyes rotated, watching ever so carefully the depths for any dangers as a soft clicking came from the bottom of its head....

Two ambulances screeched to a halt beside the outdoor bistro. Several EMTs jumped out, getting to work stabilizing both Ms. Smith and Vandershale. Quickly getting Vandershale stabilized, they put him into an ambulance and roared off, sirens screaming. The other two EMTs put Ms. Smith's arm back into place and tightly wrapped it, temporarily stopping the blood flow and keeping the arm intact. They also roared off to a hospital, but a seperate, private hospital for ambassadors. The seagull watched all of this calmly, then flew off to find her Empress to tell all.

Flashback to just before the previous post


Em, ADM Dewey and Mrs. Dewey round the corner and spot two victims on the pavement bleeding profusely, the trio rushes to their aid. One of the side effects of living in MadderMike is that almost everyone is trained in First Aid/CPR and could probably qualify as EMTs.

Mrs Dewey unsheathes her sword and moves the gathering crowd back as Em and the Admiral begin to work on the two injured people, still not recognizing them.

Em gently rolls Triana onto her back and applies pressure at the pressure point to stop the flow of blood. She checks other vital signs and pronounces her alive.

The Admiral was having a much more difficult time with the man. It was obvious he was hit with a large caliber round. His lung was full of blood and spewing foamy blood with each gasp. Large pieces of rib were sticking out everywhere but the Admiral managed to plug the hole and stop the gasping. Internal bleeding was now the problem. He looked up to see the EMTs arrive and motioned them over as the man was the most critical.

A couple of tourists were trying to pickup souvenirs and found themselves staring at a very sharp sword.

Forget my last post if they're being helped on scene....its just weird to see Ms. Smith and Vandershale being helped out in the bistro when they've already been stabilized and rushed off to seperate hospitals to keep both safe....don't know bout that but I'm confused...

OOC: Saxes you are fine. Just think of my post as occuring just before yours.

Okie dokie, MadderMike.

*The Yellow Fish is violently rocked by the angry orcas, the crew rushes around in panic, but Jackson Hewitt looks at the ocean in bewilderment*

JH: What the hell was that?

Crewman: I'm not quite sure sir...would you like a drink?

JH: I would, indeed I would, make that a double shot of Edensteinian vodka. And keep it coming.

Crewman: Aye-aye sir.

*The crewman rushes off, while JH looks around through the Nightvision scope on his rifle, hunting for the fin that he shot at earlier, he had no luck initially*

*No matter, the Yellow Fish continues on towards Saxes, towards the area the old man had described...*

Team Two
Ferdinando Malacia and Gunther Wardbaum have not been able to catch a ride into the city and Ferdinando is getting more and more nervous about the "dogs" barking and howling. It is approaching 9:00 am and they have stopped by the side of the road and are resting on some rocks.

Ferdinando begins to search his backpack and pulls out a S&W 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

Gunther "What in h*lls name are you doing?"

"Those "dogs" are getting closer. If I see one I am going to shoot it."

"Now that is great, we can't seem to find the city and you want to take pot shots at some sheep dogs."

Ferdinando "It's not my fault you lost the compass."

"You were supposed to bring the GPS, remember?"

"You know I get nervous when you yell at me. You kept telling me to hurry up and get on the chopper. I must have dropped it."

"Well, I am getting tired, you stand watch while I take a short nap."

Ferdinando watches as Gunther goes to sleep. He has forgotten the howling dogs as the sun beats down upon him. He begins to nod off, and then falls asleep.

::HO Channel 2 News::

Diane: Our next story, an erection so big, most women only ever dream about it!

Tom: That's right Diane, Waka Laka is going to be erecting the largest mall ever seen in HO history! Full of department stores and jewelry shops, it'll give your wife plenty to do while you go out and visit yourself a brothel.

Diane: Also, today Premiere Zed Carmine announced a new official period in HO. With the let down of the Hundred Arrows Movement, it would seem people are getting ideas about how to run the country. They believe that they could do a better job than the Premiere, but the Premiere says, "No. No, you couldn't you stupid moronic wads."

Tom: In a press conference held today, Advisor Helmholtz Watson described Carmine's reaction to everything

::Footage of the press conference. Watson is sweating bullets as he reads from Carmine's announcement::

Watson: "It would seem our great country has been far too lenient on our underachievers and conservatives. Our nation has always taken pride in our intelligence. Time after time we top the polls in LETI, and we are quickly rising amongst all the world. Unfortunately there are some who squeak through the systems, people that are not educated properly, or worse, educated incorrectly. These people do not believe in the forward progress of our nation. In fact, these people would harm our nation by passing ideas that only the undereducated would belive in. Therefore, as of today, I am announcing a new revolution in our country. A Cultural Cultural Revolution, or CCR for short. Take pride in your country! Take pride in you Premiere! Take pride in your government! If you happen to find those that long for reactionary government or those who couldn't find their own name in a phone book, do not stand idle! For if you do not stand with us, you stand against us! The Blue Guard is already hard at work finding our undereducated and incorrectly educated people, and correcting the situations. Stand up! Stand proud! And help your nation move forward into greater glory!"

::He pauses for a moment. Reporters hands shoot up with questions::

Watson: The Premiere has instructed me to take no questions at this time. Thank you, and may we be thankful the Premiere is watching over us. ::He quickly leaves the press room. The footage snaps back to Tom and Diane, who are sleeping at the desk. Val leans over from her chair and pounds the coutner::

Tom: Wha?! Wow! Hey! That's the kind of thumping I heard all last night!

Diane: I thought you said your wife was out of town all week?

Tom: That's right Diane! And luckily, she doesn't tape the show either! And now, to weather with Val Liash!

Val: ::mutters:: I need to find a new job...

[Summation:] Carmine announces the official beginning of the Cultural Cultural Revolution in HO, to weed out the stupid and the conservative.

Shapes slunk up to the two assassins Ferdinando Malacia and Gunther Wardbaum, and snuffled their scent. While one shape stayed on each form if either woke up, human forms walked up and took their weapons and equipment, leaving them only their money and their lives. They slowly crept away, not waking them, leaving them relatively defenseless. They also took enough money so that it would not be possible for the assassins to be able to buy any more weapons nor bribe anyone.

The dark form rose from the depths of the sea towards the Yellow Fish and scraped an arm across its bottom, taking a few chunks out of the bottom as orcas swam around him and then rammed the bottom. Each form disappeared into the darkness of the ocean.

*As morning dawned, the crew of the Yellow Fish began to run inspections. First they noticed that the outer layer of the double layered hull had been breached, and they made note of that, part of the inner layer had also been breached, but they had fixed that during the night. They also checked their charts, they were only two hours away from the drop off point, so they got everything prepared for Jackshon Hewitt and company.*

*As the Yellow Fish enters the abandoned harbor, the crew loads the hunting gear onto the deck of the ship. JH and his hunters are discussing what they will be doing.*

JH: Alright, we are going into a relatively uninhabited part of Saxes, as we want to keep our contact with the locals to a minimum. You are all being payed very, very well for this expedition, and I hope that you'll maintain the proper professional behavior I ask for.

Hunter #1: Sir, I just want to make sure, we are hunting wolves, right?

JH: Yes, we are hunting wolves.

Hunter #2: Why so many hunters then?

JH: Because these are not normal wolves. They are smart, they can talk. Myth has long spoken of these wolves in Saxes, and now I have certain levels of evidence which lead me to believe that this trip is worthwhile.

Hunter #1: Alright, and if we need more supplies?

JH: We call in an airdrop. The corporation keeps several planes here in Saxes, and they are licensed for pleasure flying, as such, we can just get ahold of them, and supplies will be on the way. Meanwhile, the Yellow Fish will be heading back home for repairs. The Harcourt will be picking us up when we are done.

*end meeting*

Grey wolves sit in the rock cliffs around the abandoned harbor, blending into the surrounding rock face. They watched silently as the Yellow Fish came into harbor and unloaded the hunters and their gear, then leave limping out of the harbor. They knew that the orcas and the Kraken had attacked it, and that there most likely would be a second attack. Whether there would be any survivors would be up to the attackers and on how hungry the Kraken was. Each sat as still as stone statues, and even if they came up the cliff, they would not realize what the wolves actually were until it was too late.

Jessamine sat and waited impatiently for a response from Tubamanea. She realized that people would be looking for her, but she wasn't in that big of a hurry. Her cell phone vibrated and she picked up.

Jessamine: Yes?
Mikey: Ma'am!!! Triana Smith was a target of an assassination attempt!!!
Jessamine: What???? What happened?
Mikey: Two shots were fired, we're not sure if by one or two people, aimed for Ms. Smith, but Vandershale pushed her out of the way and took one bullet in the lung, liquifying it, and Ms. Smith took a shot in the arm, which was nearly shot off. Fortunately, the delegates from MadderMike were walking around and got there in enough time to stabilize both of them. Ambulences came and picked them up and drove them to seperate hospitals. Currently they are stable.
Jessamine: Thank you. I see Scarrey coming up here, I'm sure he'll fill me in as to what he saw there, if anything.
Mikey: Be careful, Ma'am, the snipers are still out there and unaccounted for.
Jessamine: Of course, Mikey. Continue gathering information and keep a couple of agents at the hospitals.
Mikey: Yes, Ma'am. Mikey out.

Jessamine looked at Argoth as Scarrey came flying up, squawking the news that there were two female assassins, and they dumped the weapons in the hotel. No one knew where they took off to, but most likely escaped in a vehicle, but that it was more likely that they had changed vehicles or were walking along.

Despite his stabilization, James Vandershale III would never regain consiousness again. He survived 2 hours of surgery to remove the bullet, but his one remaining lung could not work hard enough to support himself, and he was pronounced dead after doctors were unable to revive his heart.

Triana Smith was more lucky, the Saxes doctors realized her arm could not be reattatched, but it was a simple matter to amputate it, and cauterize the wound. She would have to relearn how to write with her left hand, but she would live. They sat by and waited for her to regain consiousness. The assistants they brought with them were speculating on what had happened, and waited nearby Ms. Smith's room to tell her what had happened to Vandershale and their suspicians on who was responsible.

Assistant 1: You're awake, Ms. Prime Minister, thank the Prophet.

Assistant 2: We were worried about you; no don't try to move. The doctors said you should take it easy for a few days. DPM Ernest Calloway has sent Edenstein Embassador Samuelson to take over the negotiations.

Ms. Smith: What about James? Oh Prophet, he was bleeding so much!

Assistant 1: He's dead. One of the shots went through his lung. The Saxes doctors tried their best, but there was nothing they could have done.

Ms. Smith: Who was responsible for this? Are there any leads?

Assistant 3: The police found some bound men near where the shots came from, and two rifles of Counterpoint manufacture.

Ms. Smith: Counterpoint? Why in the Prophet's name would anyone from Counterpoint want to shoot me. It's obviously planted.

Assistant 1: Who do you think did this then?

Ms. Smith: Only one person would even consider this. Ulonov. That ****ing ****er. ::she groans and lays back on the bed, quiet for a moment:: Get Maj. Gen. Kennith Wallace over here, I'll show those Edenstein pigs not to mess with Manarth.

Jessamine walked into Ms. Smith's hospital room with Scarrey on her shoulder.

Jessamine: I'm glad to see that you're awake, Ms. Smith. I came as soon as I got the word from my secretary, Mikey. My captain here, Scarrey, says that he sat on the balcony edge and saw the two female assassins. I heard from your aids that they found two sniper rifles; except that they weren't planted, they were left there by the two females. They didn't even stay to see if you were dead, they just wiped off the guns and dumped them on the two bound men in the room. Apparently, Vandershale took the shot that was meant for your head. I was sorry to hear of his passing, and we will let you decide whether to take him home or allow him to be buried/cremated here. If he had any wishes on how he wanted to be buried, we will follow them, of course. If there is anything that you need, please feel free to ask me or any of my aids.

Jessamine turned to go, then stopped and turned to Ms. Smith.

Jessamine: Oh, I almost forgot. The delegates from MadderMike were the first on the scene, and were probably the ones who saved your life. I'll be sure to thank them myself, but I figured that you would want to know that in case you wanted to thank them yourself. Also, if these Counterpoint guns point to anyone, including Edenstein, please do not move until after these peace talks. I understand that you are understandably enraged at losing a dear friend and an arm, but I have to think of my people. If Edenstein sends troops here it could be devastating; that nation is much more powerful than I, and Edenstein troops would overrun mine in no time. If you feel that you need to leave Saxes and let your replacement take over, that is fine. I only ask that you think before you make any decisions. I'll let you think for awhile. If you need to talk, just get in contact with Mikey, my secretary.

Jessamine walked out of the room, allowing Ms. Smith some time to think over the information.

::Raskalnokov takes a trip to the federal prison in a suburb of Fei Fong Wong called Wels. In the prison are most of the people on Carmine's list from the Hundred Arrows movement. He walks in and finds Richard Guillard, and pulls him into the interrogation room::

Richard: So, I suppose you're here to scold me for speaking me mind?

Raskalnokov: Speaking your mind is no crime, but speaking out against the government in an obvious move to stir trouble is.

Richard: Really. I'm stirring trouble. Your Premiere causes public sentiment to sway against whomever he deems a threat, sends out solders for no apparent reason, makes treaties with madmen, changes his mind when something doesn't go as planned, and arrests people for being honest. Who's stirring up trouble now?

Raskalnokov: Your problem is that you are both undereducated and miseducated.

Richard: Excuse me? I graduated in the top 20% of my class from Volgorad High School and then again Summa Cum Laude from Jenny Rom University. I'd like to know how that makes me under and miseducated.

Raskalnokov: Numbers don't mean everything. Look at yourself. You claim to know how best to run the country, you claim our Premiere is not doing his job. It is clear you know nothing about running an entire nation. In addition, your views are reactionary in nature.

Richard: And?

Raskalnokov: And you know for a fact that our nation is progressing forward. The truly educated know this, and support this progress. You on the other hand strive for a return of the old.

Richard: Yeah. Corran wasn't an idiot. He made mistakes it's true, but he knew how to run a country. Carmine doesn't know anything, but somehow he ended up with the power.

Raskalnokov: Thank you. You've convinced me. I need to question you no further.

Richard: Oh what are you going to do now? Put me in prison for the rest of my life? Or are you just going to shoot me here?

Raskalnokov: Neither actually. You say you enjoy the old ways of doing things correct?

Richard: Why?

Raskalnokov: Than you will have no qualms... ::The guards take Richard back to his prison room. Raskalnokov finds the prison director and signs a few papers. He walks back to his car and drives back to Fei Fong Wong. He grins to himself::

Raskalnokov: Enjoy your last 3 days Mr. Guillard. For when those days are finished, you will be dipped in the lake until you expire, the way we've done it even before your precious misguided and stupid leader. We will make a spectacle of you...

As the Yellow Fish was crossing the ocean, a large dark shape slowly took form underneath the boat. As it got closer to the surface, waves started to break around the Yellow Fish, and sailors were perplexed. An older sailor looked over the side and down just as a tenticle came into clear view underneath the water. The sailor jumped back in surprise, and yelled, "Hey, there's a gigantic tentic-urgh!" as the very same tenticle came up out of the water and pulled him in. Other sailors got the same awful surprise as several more came up and either crushed them to the deck or pulled them under. More and more tenticles came up and gripped the boat as the head came into view-the head of a giant squid, otherwise known as the Kraken.

Each tenticle started to pull at the boat, pulling in such ways as to start to put pressure on the seams of the boat. The Yellow Fish groaned and spit steam as sailors dove off the sides in an attempt to save themselves. They surfaced, and suddenly found themselves surrounded by circling black fins...it was only a matter of time for them. Finally, the Yellow Fish split at the seams and broke apart, sinking to the depths of the ocean. Each man was slowly let to get more and more exhausted, then was picked off when he sank below the surface, too tired to continue with life. At long last, each animal disappeared, leaving the ocean as peaceful as if a kingfisher where nesting on it.

::In HO Channel 2's Newsroom, everyone is running around preparing for another day of work. Tom is pacing around with a script in his hand::

Tom: I'm shocked and honored to think that... no wait that won't work. To think, Me as the... no.... Hey, what's got footlong cock and owns the newsroom now? No...

::The owner walks past Tom and up to Elly::

Owner: I've got a story for you. Something in Edenstein. It's not big, but it needs covered, and you'rethe only one to do it.

Elly: ::scans the story:: Well this is lame... it's not my usual stuff...

Owner: Sorry, you head out today. I've already booked your flight.

Elly: WHat?

Tom: Good evening, I'm Tom Tucker, and I'm better than you. Hmm... that has a nice ring to it...

*NSC-168, on the internal debate involving the blockade of Counterpoint, document still classified, non-leaked*

In response to recent charges in the government that the blockade of Counterpoint is unjust, inefficient and not working, the National Security Council (NSC) has decided to set forth the justification and proof of success of said blockade.

First we must notice that Counterpoint initially made motions of attempting to force UN policies into practice in the region, espescially when most LETI nations are non-members. Secondly, we notice the attack upon Maddermike by the Counterpointians, never mind that MM launched the first strike. Counterpoint is clearly better equipped than foreign estimates show, and more aggressive than popular opinion believes. As a result of these things, as well as our still secret alliance with MM led us to decide that something had to be done. Several options were given, including surgical strikes, a full on invasion, a naval quarantine, or appeasement. As a result we chose an option that seems to be middle-of-the-road, the naval quarantine.

Despite some initial clashes, the quarantine has been successful in containing Counterpoint. Excepting for some early challenges, the Counterpointian ships seem to have relegated themselves to being locked in. Our recent permission for Manarthian forces to land and fortify the shores of Counterpoint should show that we do not desire war, or territorial gain. We do not want the land or peoples of Counterpoint.

If a war should break out, it will be at the action of the Counterpointians. Either by attempting to run the blockade, or actually attacking the blockading ships. If this should happen, our current planning states that we must sink the Counterpointian navy, and devastate their long range air force units. Following that up, inland airstrikes against certain strategic targets should be considered. A traditional infantry/armor invasion is not an option.

As such, at this time, the naval quarantine is working and has been totally successful. It should stay in place for the time being, beyond that, escalation should be avoided. If situations were to evolve to be sufficiently suitable to Andaluciaen interests, we would consider lifting the quarantine. These instances include a renunciation of the seat of regional delegate on the part of Counterpoint, or similar circumstances.

Announcer: This is MNN, the Manarth News Network. We report, you decide in a fair and balenced manner. And now, breaking news!

Nate Osman: Hello, I'm Nate Osman, and this is breaking news!

With the death of James Vandershale III, Maj. Gen. Kennith Wallace, commander of the 107th CoC Mercenary Airforce and recent Manarthain citizen, lands in Saxes as the new Manarthian diplomat. Most well known as the mastermind behind the NBC attack on Edenstein possitions during the First Canal War, he has lived in FA until its loss to the Edenstein/HO/Andaluciae forces of the Second Canal War.

Still considered a War criminal in Edenstein for his unconventional attack, DPM Ernest Calloway, at Triana Smith's urging, has appoineted him as the Undersecretary of Foriegn Affairs (LETI). This has made him the de facto Embassador to all LETI nations.

Dr. Calloway has this to say about the appointment.

Calloway: The appointment of Maj. Gen. Wallace as our main diplomat shows that we're not just going to sit around and take an attempted assassination by Edenstein allied forces without fighting back. Edenstein's hegemony litterally knows no bounds when they will attempt an assassination on a nation's leader, just because they don't agree with that leaders posstion.

Nate Osman: In other news, rumors of Edenstein spies attempting to pinpoint Manarthain troops for artillery bombardment was confirmed today, as Manarthian troops stationed in Counterpoint arrested 15 Edenstein spies traveling in Counterpoint, near the Edenstein border. Early reports say that one of the spies, allegedly the ringleader of the group, has admitted to Manarthian army officials of helping plan the assassination of Triana Smith.

And in Saxes today, Triana Smith is recovering, and the corporal shell of James Vandershale is scheduled to return home to Manarth, to be reunited with the earth.

OOC... I'll post when its not 4:00 am

::In Waka Laka, Blue Guard leaders Andrew, Jeff, and Scott are planning a rally::

Scott: Whatever we do, it has to be big and grand so we can get people to follow us.

Andrew: Something that will make the Premiere really notice, as well as make all the fools realize that we aren't kdding around.

Jeff: It'll start with a big parade led by the Jenny Rom College Marching Band. May a thousand horns of bass fill the air with the sweet sound of the anthem of the cause!

Scott: Sounds good. Then afterwards we'll have speakers. I'll talk first just to get things started, but then we should bring out some big dignitaries and rousing speech makers.

Jeff: How about Jon Heavenick? The guy makes the greatest speeches I've heard.

Andrew: Yeah, and then we'll invite one of the government people to talk. Maybe we can get Raskalnokov or Watson to speak.

Scott: I don't know about you, but I want to get Heartwind!

Jeff: That's because you think she's hot!

Scott: Yeah? So? What about it? This is a college, that'll draw a crowd!

Andrew: Fool...

Jeff: Now, we have to be sure we have our Blue Guard Elite issue Tokarevs on us in case anything gets out of hand...

Andrew: Of course. We don't want there to be any trouble...

Jessamine paid her respects to Vandershale, and had her servants put him in the best coffin they had to offer for the trip back to Manarth. She remembered her meeting with Manarth's new ambassador, Maj. Gen. Kennith Wallace. Knowing his past, and knowing how much Ms. Smith wanted revenge, Jessamine was worried about what would happen with a known war criminal, at least in Edenstein and Ms. Smith not including her in her talks with her aids. Jessamine did not want the peace talks to go any further in the dumps than it already was, and she surely didn't want to wake up one day and find that Edenstein troops were marching through her streets. Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she walked down the hallways towards her office with Lt. Marcellus on her shoulder when Mikey ran down the hallway.

Mikey: Ma'am! Maj. Maxwell from the Tubamanean ship stationed just off our coast is on the videophone!
Jessamine: Thanks, Mikey, tell him I'll be there in just a minute.
Mikey: Yes ma'am!

As Mikey ran off towards her office, Jessamine groaned softly. This situation was growing more complicated by the minute. She knew that she had talked to Major Maxwell about him bringing in some of his soldiers for security purposes, but things had gotten a bit more complicated since then. Walking into her office, she sat at her desk as Major Maxwell watched her from the videophone.

Jessamine: Hello, Maj. Maxwell. How are you doing?
Maxwell: Fine, fine. Just was phoning to talk about security issues and the like. I understand that one of the ambassadors was the target of a recent assasination attempt. I also understand that Vandershale died in the operating room after taking a bullet. Please send Ms. Smith my sympathies on her loss.
Jessamine: Will do, Maxwell. Yes, she was, and the guns that were found were of Counterpoint origin. She seems to think that it points to Edenstein, and hopefully she has taken my advice to heart that if she wishes to make a statement to Edenstein, to please do it outside of my nation. However, she has not contacted me with any decisions as of yet. Hopefully she will think of me and what is in the best interest of my people as well as hers. Now, about those security forces...
Maxwell: Yes, the security forces. My men are ready to go ashore into Saxes and follow orders. Just tell us where to go.
Jessamine: I will send my officer, Major Ken Genner, to your ship, along with several of his men. They will escort you to our military center and will explain the situation fully.
Maxwell: Thank you, Empress. We await Major Genner. Maxwell out.
Jessamine: Good bye.

The videophone blinked out, and Jessamine sighed in relief. Marcellus looked at her from his post and lightly screamed a word of support. Looking over at the falcon, Jessamine smiled weakly and wished she could have two free months all to herself with no worries and where she could fully get all the kinks out of her system. No rest had come to her for a long time...

::Today is the day of Richard Guillard's dipping. All government personnel excepting Carmine himself are present, as well as massive amounts of Blue Guards. Throngs of people are crowded down below. One of the secret police is escorting Richard to the top of the tower. Raskalnokov stands at the top waching the crowd. The masses below have mixed emotions about what is going to happen. Of course, HO Channel 2 news is covering the event, as well as a few other news stations. Elly is not at the event, but--much to the chagrin of the other reporters-- ACE Reporter Sam Kitzler has returned to coverthe scene for the recently reawakened DOS. The day itself is perfect for a dipping- warm and clear, but with a slight chill in the air. Richard exits at the top of the tower and is turned to face Raskalnokov::

Rskalnokov: Richard Guillard, you are held in treason against Premiere Zed Carmine, the government, and the entire nation of Henceland Omega. Your actions have labeled you both a conservative and a fool. Worse yet, you feel no remorse, and hold no pride in your country. Today you will be dipped for your crimes. Do you have any last words?

Richard: Yes I do, as a matter of fact. Have you noticed that only Edenstein and Manarth support this country now, when all of LETI enjoyed good ties with us before? Even tFotCoC, sworn enemy of LETI had no beef with us. At the same time I ask you to look at our economy, our status, and our rankings in the polls. I see no growth. I see no forward progress. And most of all, I ask you to look around. Where is the Premiere? Since the end of the Hundred Arrows Movement he has not been seen or heard from. He doesn't even have to guts to make his own speeches! I would laugh if Dubelco walked in now and annexed us! You wouldn't be able to do anything! Corran wasn't the brightest bulb, but he knew how to run a country!

::Richard stops and looks out at the crowd for support. As the secret police tie him up to the rope around the tree, one of the Blue Guard leaders steps forward. It is Shinji Lampola::

Shinji: Mr. Raskalnokov, before you execute this man, I'd like to inform the crowd of something.

Raskalnokov: And what is that?

Shinji: Before Carmine came around I was no more than just an average student. I had no direction in my life, and always ran away from my problems. I killed myself every night to try to get the strict education we needed, but had no idea what good it was doing me. Since the Premiere's reign began, I have found hope. Hope in a nation that is no longer afraid to stand up for what it believes in. Hope in a leader that isn't afraid of what others think. Hope in an organization that looks to brighten the future of my generation. Carmine has given me that through his visions of forward progress in our nation. I have already seen it through his compassion in the HUndred Arrows Movement, his dedication in forming the Blue Guard, and now his movement to show people we won't be pushed around in this, the Cultural Cultural Revolution. I am proud to be a Blue Guard Elite. I won't run away anymore! You Mr. Guillard are nothing more than a crazy conservative fool who can't see what is happening here in this country! You're too blinded by hate and too afraid of change to accept the new forward progress. I think I speak for the nation as a whole when I say to you, "Good riddance!"

::He pauses and looks at Raskalnokov. The crowd stands dead silent for a moment. ACE Reporter Sam Kitzler looks around.

Sam: "Oh boy this is great! Hey! I think this is it! My chance! My one chance!"

::He begins to clap slowly. Others looks at him, then begin to join in. Instantly the rest of the crowd erupts into thunderous applause and cheering. Raskalnokov looks at Watson and Jenny and begins to grin. Watson's jaw is hanging to the ground in total shock and awe. Jenny walks over and grabs his arm::

Jenny: Shh... don't say anything Helmholtz. Just enjoy what is happening here today...

::She begins to pat his back. Watson bites his lip and says nothing. Raskalnokov turns back to Richard as the he is finished being tied up. The crowd slowly begins to settle down::

Raskalnokov: Well Mr. Guillard, it looks like the people have spoken! Your foolish ideas shall perish along with you. And let that be warning to anyone who opposes the Premiere! As our Blue Guard friend said so eloquently, we will not be pushed around by conservatives and fools. We are through running!

::He turns to the Dippers that are standing by::

Raskalnokov: Goodbye Mr. Guillard! Ladies and gentlemen let this man be dipped in the Lake!

::Cheers erupt again as the dippers grab the other end of the rope. As the rope is pulled taut, Richard is swung out off the tower and hangs from the branch of the execution tree, suspended above Lake Erie. The dippers lower him until he is immersed in the waters. They pull him up for a moment, then repeat the process. Unlike other executions, Richard does not struggle or gasp for breath between dippings. He seems resigned to his fate. After approximately 15 minutes of this, the Dippers immerse him one final time, but this time they don't pull him out. They wait until the bubbles stop, then wait a little more. When they are sure Richard has expired they turn and salute Raskalnokov. The crowd applauds again. Watson by this point has stopped looking. Jenny leans in close to him::

Jenny: Here, let's see if I can make you feel a little better... ::She leads him away. Watson does not seem to notice what she said, but follows anyway. Raskalnokov turns to the crowd again::

Raskalnokov: My friends we have made a great accomplishment today! There may be more dippings in the future, but know that what was done today was to protect us all from those who would oppose our great nation! Return to your homes and be proud to be a Henceman!

::The crowd cheers again as Raskalnokov exits the tower and returns to the Hence Palace::

[Summation:] Richard Guillard is publicly executed by being dipped into Lake Erie. The Cultural Cultural Revolution is starting to catch on with the crrowds.

*Assistant Director Kirsch is in charge of the secret Andaluciaen shadow investigation of the attack on Manarth's Triana Smith, he is receiving an odd report from his team right now*

Corporal Wexner: Sir, as you can see in our report, there is something odd about the attack, something that doesn't totally point towards Edenstein.

A.D. Kirsch: I know, somethings wrong. I know Ulonov's a madman, but this just doesn't feel like his style...I'd say it's a contract killing.

Corporal Townsend: I'd agree sir, it's got the nazis fingerprints all over it. ECN does this hit-and-run sort of thing.

Corporal Wexner: Yes, and monetary intelligence records a recent influx of cash from an inidentified source into ECN...That's why we upped security around our dignitaries and Emperor Ed.

A.D. Kirsch: Who did it though...I'm almost tempted to say Maddermike.

Colonel Page: If it is the mikians, there's no way this is going public. I'll personally burn the files if that's the case.

A.D. Kirsch: Aye, we cannot allow for such suspiscion on such an ally. It would be better if we pinned the blame on Ulonov, and somehow got him out of there and Romanov back into power.

:: I would laugh if Dubelco walked in now and annexed us! You wouldn't be able to do anything!

That can be arranged...

Manarth/Dubelco Border: Eastern Detroit

Manarth Maj. Waldorf "Wally" Adler: Good to see you again, Paul.

Dubelco Sgt. "Paul": Same to you Wally. Do you have the goods?

Wally: You bet, the finest in Manarthian whisky. 3 crates. That'll be 2 boxes a crate, if you have it.

Paul: Now, now, Wally; you said 1 1/2 boxes a crate last week, and you promsed 6 crates. What's the deal?

Wally: The powers that be have started limiting my shipments, theirs talk of us moving out. Rumors have it, we're going to Counterpoint to sumpliment the 2nd and 4th armies there, but I don't think thats it at all. They're planning something, and whatever it is it's bad for business.

Paul: Hm... That might be worth the extra 1 1/2 crates, now that you mention it. Here you go, Featherstonian cigars, inspect them if you want.

Wally: Always a pleasure doing business with you, Paul.

Paul: Same with you, Wally.

A lone figure came up to the two sleeping assasins and snorted, for assasins do not fall asleep unless it is absolutely necessary. He walked by them, not paying any more attention to either of the unskilled ones. Walking towards the capital, his long strides quickly took him out of sight and of mind.


Marcellus shifted on his post, watching his commander. His sharp eyes caught everything within sight, and when a ruffling near the roof caught his attention he knew it was Scarrey. Moving over, he let the seagull perch next to him so that they could talk. In the following conversation, they traded choice bits of information, including the finding of the two sleeping assasins in a meadow. Also, Scarrey had seen a man coming towards the capital with the look of a professional soldier assasin with a knowledge of the layout of the land. Marcellus heard this and whistled to Scarrey that he needed to see this man for himself and went off into the afternoon air.

::At Kakumei High School, Shinji Lampola has now become the school hero. More and more students want to join his branch of the Blue Guard. He is practically beaming as he goes to his classes, and although the teachers try not to show any bias towards him, he can tell he has become instantly respected. As he goes to lunch, he sits with his closest friends, and some of the first Blue Guard recruits after he came back from testing::

Shinji: I just can't belive everythign that's happened. I just feel like I should do more!

Girl: Well you know Shinji, there are a lot of conservative relics around these parts.

Shinji: Conservative relics? What do you mean Asuka?

Asuka: I mean things that are around that remind people of the old ways.

Boy: Now wait a minute! You can't say anything bad about the Druids! They're who our whole nation was based on!

Asuka: I'm not stupid Nicholas. I'm not talking about things that old. I just mean things that remind everyone of the Corran Imperial dynasty.

Nicholas: You're still proposing that anything that reminds us of times after teh Beta Years should be destroyed?

Asuka: Maybe not that extreme. But I do think any relics of the last Holy Emperor should be destroyed. Doing so will prove that HO is ready to move forward and does not dwell on past failures.

Shinji: That sounds like a good idea. Any pictures, newspapers, magazines or whatever that talk about him should be destroyed.

Asuka: We could go around to everyone's houses, seize their relics and get rid of them.

Nicholas: What happens if they refuse?

Shinji: Obviously those who refuse are conservatives and should be arrested on the spot!

Asuka: It's perfect! Then the Premiere will smile upon us!

Nicholas: Sounds like a rather big undertaking, but the spirit is in the right place...

Shinji: Let's do it!

[Summation:] A branch of the Blue Guards has decided to destroy all relics of Corran.

*Jackson Hewitt and company begin to climb the hills, stopping every so often to check the area with an infrared scope or the like*

One by one, the grey wolves dissipated after noting the infrared goggles used by the hunters. One stayed, however, for it was his duty to find out what happened, even if it killed him. Going to the top of the hill, he stood and watched them come up, not worrying about his safety as much as his clan's safety. He stared down at the hunters, daring them to shoot at him.

*JH and his Jaegers continue up the hill, suddenly, JH spots something and stops the party*

JH: I see one...

Jaeger #1: He's all yours boss...

JH: This trip already looks positive

*JH brings up the large caliber rifle, zeros in on his target and fires three shots.*

Orion tried to dodge all three shots, but unfortunately, he was only able to dodge one bullet as one hit him in the shoulder and the other grazed the other shoulder. Biting back pain, he stepped backwards so he had cover and began howling out to his men....and then sank down in pain, for the bullets had done more damage than he had originally thought.

A letter from a Platanese illegal immigrant in MadderMike

Dear Uncle Pablo,

How is the family? How are little Pablozito and Pablozita? I have been living and working in MadderMike for the last two years. You must come and join me in this land of opportunity. I will tell you why.

When I first arrived, I was afraid that I would be caught and deported. But the people here are very stupid. I just tell them that my name is Mike Michaelson, and they think I'm one of them. I also have to carry at least four firearms, and shoot them into the air regularly, or people start to get suspicious of me. This is not so different to home, except that you have to do it while sober as well as while drunk. Also, if somebody says something you don't like, you just shoot them, and nobody cares. Unless he is with his friends, but if you have more friends than him, then they will not try anything.

I have been mostly doing cash in hand jobs, like working in ammunition plants. Everyone lives underground, so there is plenty of room on the surface to build a shanty town or grow marijuana or opium. Also, there is plenty of food to eat besides bananas.

The people are very polite, if they can see that you are armed. I have six friends, called Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike and Myke. Myke hates his name, and wishes he was called Mike. I agree, Myke is a pretty wussy name.

You should bring the whole family over, and we will live like kings. There is so much space here, that we could have as few as three people per room!!!!

Your nephew,
Raoul 'Mike Michaelson' Dominguez.


Hundreds of such letters pour into the poverty-stricken, overcrowded cities of El Platano, now that the Castrato Regime's censorship has been lifted. A stream of crude rafts and fishing boats, piled with hopeful emigrants, set out from towns up and down the Platanese coast, heading for this land of opportunity. Some of the boats flounder due to their occupants being either too fat, or dying of diarrhoea, both conditions caused by a daily intake of 50+ bananas.

Their progress varies, due to the amount of marijuana brought on each boat. By the time they arrive in MadderMikian waters, everyone is paddling frantically, with a chronic case of the munchies.

[Summary: masses of illegal immigrants from El Platano trying to get into MadderMike]

Franklin looks at the Major and walks to the ship and when he is done telling the men what to do they bring out the jeep and Major Maxwell and CAP Franklin go out to talk to Jessamine and get started.

Maxwell: we are here to help so I am going to go up and talk to Jessamine and then we will be able to work to saxes advantage.

CAP Franklin: yes sir now we are ready to move out I will tell the men to stay with the ship and get out our jeep and we will head out.

As the ship from Tubamanea comes into saxes major Maxwell walks onto the land and looks up at the landscape and looks over to CAP Franklin and said

Get out the jeep and go to were Jessamine is so we can talk.

(OOC Juli you can talk with CAP Franklin and MAJ Maxwell)

::In his quaint home in Mia, Pete Krawson is sitting on his favorite chair, watching his favorite prime time sitcoms. His wife is in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner, and his kids are trying to finish up their usual 3 hours of homework. The show he is watching goes to a commercial break, and Pete hears a knock at the door. He gets up and walks over to answer it. As he opens the door, he sees several Blue Guards standing around his door.

Pete: Hello? What can I do for you?

Blue Guard leader: Are you Mr. Pete Krawson?

Pete: Yeah... why?

Blue Guard leader: I am Fred Dearson, Blue Guard elite leader here in Mia. It has come to my attention that you are disregarding Premiere Carmine's orders.

Pete: Excuse me?

Fred: The Premiere has called for the purging of all documents from the previous regime, as they are reminders of embarrassing times in our history.

Pete: What do you mean?

Fred: I've been told that you are in possession of some literature about one Elwood Zev Corran.

Pete: Uh, yeah… I’ve got the book Young and Hence, the book written about his early ruling years.

Fred: We’re going to need to take that book from you. Anything else you have?

Pete: Uh, no…

Pete: Good, then you won’t mind if we look…

::Fred and the other Blue Guards force their way into the house and begin tearing the house apart. Pete stands in horror for a minute. His kids stop their homework and watch with their eyes wide. Pete’s wife looks at him::

Wife: For Heaven’s sake Pete, just give them the book!

::Pete runs upstairs to his bookcase. It has already been ransacked by the Blue Guards. One of them is holding the book in their hands, and is now going through his dresser::

Pete: Why are you still looking? You have the book!

Blue Guard member: You may be hiding something… we have to be sure… Premiere’s orders.

::After 15 more minutes, the Blue Guards decide that he is clean::

Fred: Now Mr. Krawson, you are clean in the eyes of the Premiere, but don’t think we won’t be watching you. I’d advise you do something to clean your image in the face of the Premiere, lest you be labeled a conservative…

Pete: My house! What are you going to do about my house!

Fred: Leave of course. We have what we need. Good evening Mr. Krawson…

::As they leave, Pete’s 8 year old son Jerry walks over to him::

Jerry: Daddy! I want to be a Blue Guard too! Can I be a Blue Guard!

Pete: A Blue Guard!! No you can’t! We’ll hear no more about that! Now you go back to your fraction multiplication…

[Summary:] Blue Guards are terrorizing homes looking for Corran memorabilia

::The Police Chief of Linux, Edenstein was just waking up doing his daily morning routine, he heads out to his Big Edenstein made SUV. He sets his cup of coffee in the cupholder, flips through the morning newspaper.::

::mutters to himself:: so someone is threatening war with us, oh well.
::He skims the newspaper skipping over the story about the Postmaster being assassinated.::

::The Police Chief starts his Vehicle, and a car bomb explodes wiping out half of the suburban block::

::An email is sent to his house explaining that he is dead for supporting the Edenstein government::

*All the lights in the palace are dark, there is very little happening. A few "Operators" walk the hallway wearing night vision goggles trying to keep a look out for anything suspicious*

== about 3 miles out==

*three dubelcan Pavlow helicopters and 2 "Little Birds" with Edenstein markings and transponder codes scream in at tree top level weaving through the city streets, their journey started on a dubelcan carrier approximatly an hour ago.. now they where less then two minutes till drop*

Helo 1: This Is Whisky Tango 415 to strike group... eta 2 minutes, spin up cargo...
Helo 2/3: Roger Whisky Leader, cargo spinning up..

==In the rear of the Lead chopper==
*A crack squad of Edenstein soldiers are checking ammo, weapons, and telling a final joke to their comrads when the yellow light comes on*

SPC1: He turns to the clown and says....... Fuck you clown...
*dead silence and then laughter.*
Lt. Gen Zofia: Sgt get the men ready....
Sgt: Yes Mam... are you sure you should be leading this?
Zofia: I've got a score to settle...
Sgt: Alright.. 1:30 till drop... The dubelcans are going in 5 seconds before to secure the courtyard and the baracks, we're landing on the roof just outside Ulonov's office.... Take him alive if possible...
SPC2: Yeah... Yeah.. yeah.. I know.. kill the operators, flash bangs, take the office...
Sgt: Don't forget it... 45 Seconds... last minute checks!
SPC5: So I tell the dame... Ya gotta pull harder!!
SPC4: I thought that got shot off at Acirema.....
*laughs*
Sgt: 10 seconds!! Remember... FOR THE EMPEROR!!
SPC6: Ulonov?
*door opens and lines are tossed*
Zofia: Dingbat... Romanov... *kicks SPC6 out of the door*


==The courtyard==
*D1 drops in and secures the courtyard, meeting little resistance*
==Baracks==
*D2 drops in and secures the baraks.. 1 man killed, 2 injured*
==Roof==
*The Edenstein team jumps down and swings in through the window, as they swing through, the operators are waiting for them dropping SPC1 and 6 before the rest of the team swings through*

==In the palace==
*OP3 and OP4 are gaurding the entrance to Ulonov's office when they hear the helicoptors, expecting them to swing in through the window, they throw down a table and neal behind it, Two men swing throguh the window and they quickly and efficiently drop them. A grenade flies in through the window and incinerates them both*

==Ulonov's office==
*After a long hard night Ulonov had come back to the office to unwind and contemplate new strategy in what he had described, the manarthian crisis, He had just pulled out the launch codes for the nuclear silo's and looked up the proper trajectory for fireing at Manarth when shotgun blasts and grenades began going off in the hallway and the courtyard... he reaches into his desk and first grabs a bottle of vodka and a .45 caliber pistol, he crouches behind the desk, takes a swig of the vodka and waits for the next person to walk through the door*

=Corridor=
*the remaining Edenstein troops secure the area, they kick down the door to Ulonov's office. The Sgt ducks out of the way just as a 12 gauge slugs flys inches from his head. He quickly puts several rounds into the three operators in the room. Zofia quickly follows him in and aims her handgun at the emperors office door..

=Office=
*Ulonov heard the shooting stop, that ment one of two things, either the intruders where dead, or the gaurds where... he points his pistol at the door, as is kicked in he fires 7 rounds into the opening*

=ante chamber=
*Zofia goes to kick the door in but is stopped by the sgt, he kicks it open and is filled with 5 rounds, he falls over backwords, Zofia tosses a flashbang into the room, when it goes off she runs in*

=Office=
Ulonov see's the flashbang roll in, he ducks behind the desk just in time, as he comes back up, his gun is pointed right at Zofias head, who laying on the desk...

=Office=
Zofia rushes in, and dives to desk, she points her pistol at Ulonov's head just as he comes up from under the desk, he quickly does the same...

Ulonov: SHOULDN'T YOU BE OUT SCREWING RITSUKO?
Zofia: I THINK IF ANYONE HAS BEEN SCREWED... ITS THE PEOPLE OF ERIE!!!! HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU OF DONE THIS ULONOV?
Ulonov: QUITE SIMPLE REALLY!!! YOU AND ROMANOV'S WHERE FOOLS!
Zofia: Why I have half a mind to pull this trigger right now.....
Ulonov: Who's got the quicker trigger finger precious?

*A grenade goes off in the antechamber and zofia flinches.... just long enough for Ulonov to pull the trigger, a single round flies from his gun and lodges itself in the upper left of zofia's head... a random nerve impulse fires in her head, pulling the tigger on her gun almost as soon as the bullet touches her skin, the round fires out of the gun and into the very front of Ulonov's head..... they both slump down to the ground*

=antechamber=

*The rest of the special forces fight off an almost endless stream of operatives when they hear the gunshots from the office, "Doc" the teams field medic runs in and finds the situation*

Doc: Shit.. shit.... *jumps the desk and checks ulonov's pulse... he has quite expired..... leans back over to zofia, who is barely hanging on he begins trying to treat zofia as a medic from the dubelcan squads makes it up to the offices*

[summation] Hell is breaking loose
OOC: More in the next post...

Governor Lagerfelt's palace, Letiburg

It was midnight, and nobody was up, save for Admiral Wilhelmsson and General Borkman, who were playing poker in the main foyer.

"Right, I've had enough of this." said Wilhelmsson, "Shake out your sleeve. I saw you hiding the cards in there.

Reluctantly, Borkman shook out his sleeve, and about five or six cards fell out.

"Now, tip out your shoes." said Wilhelmsson. Borkman glared at him. "Come on, tip them out." Wilhelmsson insisted.

Grumbling, Borkman, tipped another seven or eight cards out of each of his shoes.

"Right, now the underpants." said Wilhelmsson.

"Oh, come on!" protested General Borkman, who was getting a bit annoyed.

"Look, I'm not mad." said Wilhelmsson, "But we're playing with a twelve card deck here. Now, come on, empty them out."

Muttering, Borkman reached into his pants, and pulled out another handful of cards.

"That looks like all of them," said Wilhelmsson, satisfied, "Now, what have you got?"

Borkman laid out his cards, "Four kings, ha!"

Wilhelmsson looked at them, "Interesting." he laid out his own cards, "Five kings! Five kings beats four kings! Now pay up!"

Borkman made a seething noise, and went bright purple, before taking out a piece of paper with the Nimzonian Army letterhead, and wrote an order scrapping a tank company, and diverting the upkeep funds to the navy.

CRASH! Thunk, clonk, bonk!

Abruptly, Governor Lagerfelt came tumbling down the stairs in his night cap and pyjamas, clutching a yellowy old newspaper. He ran up to Wilhelmsson and Borkman, and waved it at them, "Terrible news! I just read the most terrible news!"

"What is it?" Borkman and Wilhelmsson asked, simultaneously.

"I just read that General Jaarinen has been assassinated! And some other guy took over! And now there's a civil war! This is dreadful!"

Wilhelmsson rolled his eyes, "That newspaper's from like six months ago. We gave up trying to tell you about it."

Lagerfelt waved the newspaper, "We must do something about it! What happened to that Otto fellow? He should be taking over the country now, not this Helstag guy."

General Borkman slapped governor Lagerfelt around the face, "What's wrong with you, man!? We give you civil war reports every week! Otto is fighting against Helstag for control of the country! Dubelco and Indian Casino Operator are supporting Otto, and MadderMike is supporting Helstag."

"Well, we must side with Otto at once!" shouted Lagerfelt, staggering back from the slap, "Wilhelmsson, start shipping out as much of our agricultural produce to Otto's forces at once!"

"Our agricultural produce is entirely Opium." said Wilhelmsson.

"Well... Send it anyway! And some guns and stuff. Borkman!" the Governor turned his wild eyes on the chief commander of ground forces in LETIreijk, "We must do something to disrupt MadderMike's support for Helstag! We should declare war on them or something! I know, let's invade the rest of Western Manarth, that should teach them!"

General Borkman clenched his teeth, and steepled his fingers, "Governor... it's not that easy... They'll just flatten us with all those thousands of cruise missiles they've got stockpiled. That's their main deterrant; the only armed forces they ever bother deploying round here are those clowns in the broken ankle division, and that's only so people think they still have an army."

"Well, take out their missiles, then!" said Lagerfelt, "Just do it!"

-----

In a small town in MadderMike, north of Michaelgrad

"Right... Cruise missiles... gotcha..." Col. Hendrik 'Koffee Klatch' Finsen hung up the satellite phone, and turned back to the other members of the Twilight 50 section, who were sitting in the gloomy, cigar-smoke clogged living room. thirty feet below the surface.

The eight surviving members of the squad were all in their sixties, seventies, and eighties, and Koffee Klatch himself was nearly eighty. The squad had been inserted into MadderMike back in the 1960s, during the cold war, with orders to become naturalised MadderMikian citizens and await instructions. Before their insertion, they had been subject to elite training, but after forty years as civilians in MadderMike, they were now the most elite unit in the whole of Nimzonia's special forces. There had originally been twenty of them, but most had died of natural causes; one from cancer, two from heart attacks, and nine from shootouts with other civilians.

"The time has finally come, gentlemen." Koffee Klatch said to them, "We have been activated for an important operation, after which we will receive an honourable discharge, and return to our civilian lives. I know that each of you will do his duty."

There were a few murmurs from around the room. Most of the old men had long white beards and walking sticks and one, private Olaf 'Ironsides' Olsen, was in an electric wheelchair, having lost the ability to walk after a stroke four years previously.

"Whut?" shouted Private Erik 'Overkill' Snorrisson, who was the eldest at eighty-three, and completely deaf.

"HE SAYS HE KNOWS WE'LL DO OUR DUTY!" bellowed someone in Overkill's ear.

"Right you are, darn-tootin'." agreed Overkill.

"Good." Koffee Klatch continued, "As you know, MadderMike has large stockpiles of cruise missiles in silos in the Mikian Alps, which pose a threat to potential military operations in the Great Lakes theatre. Our mission is to infiltrate the alpine silos, and install one of those newfangled virus thingies on one of their computer contraptions. General Borkman has sent a copy of the virus to a hotmail account, if any of you chaps knows how to use that internet thing the young people are always talking about."

"Whut?" said Overkill, and someone shouted Klatch's last speech into his ear.

Corporal Ludwig 'Toxic' Schroter put up a wrinkly, athritis-afflicted hand, "Eh, I know a little bit about that, after doing my tax returns 'online' as they say."

There was a round of mumbling from all the other members of the squad, who distrusted this fancy new technology. Klatch nodded, "Good. You can be in charge of the computer situation, Toxic. We'll need to be heavily armed for this mission, but we can't buy the weapons in case the trail leads back to us. I suggest we raid the locker room at the local high school."

"Whut?" shouted Overkill, and then had a coughing fit. Someone slapped him on the back until he recovered, and explained things to him as loudly as they could.

"Huh huh!" chuckled Overkill, phlegmily, "The girls locker room at the local high school, nudge nudge wink wink, eh eh?"

There were a few chuckles, before Klatch frowned at them all, "Don't encourage him. He's bad enough when he hasn't had his medication. Right, men, we'll begin operations at 1900 hours tomorrow, with a more in-depth briefing, so I suggest you all have a good nap before then. dismissed!"


[Summation] Governor Lagerfelt finally accepts that there's a civil war on. Wilhelmsson and Borkman handily recap the political situation. General Borkman activates an aging special forces unit in MadderMike, to sabotage their missile silos.

OOC: The Nimzonian Civil War is back on! :)

*Doc and the Dubelcan doctor are standing over Zofia trying to stop the bleeding, her body is going into shock. After closer examination, the bullet has missed her brain and just taken out a chunk of her skull*

Doc: Shit... *pressing down on her head* Shit..
DDoc: Her pulse is getting lower..
Doc: Shit! *lifts bandage from head and takes out a small heating element from his med pack.. he puts it next to her head and it begins to cauterize the wound* We need to get her out of here now....

*a few of the spec ops soldiers walk in and unfold a collapsable stretcher, they carefully put her on it and take her to the courtyard where one of the pavlow helicopters is waiting, they load her up and fly her to Torvalds memorial hospital*



*a few hours later a lear jet lands at the now secure Linux International Airport, it taxis around on the tarmac, the wind is unusually cold for linux at this time of the year meaning that the snow is actually sticking to the ground... A few marines who had jumped in to help secure the airport run up the the lear, and take up gaurding posistions.... from out of the plane steps a man dressed in a brown Edenstein Military parka and the tell tale Emperor's hat, he steps down onto the tarmac*

Ed: It is good to be home again.... Marine....
Marine: Yes sir!
Ed: How is the palace operation going?
Marine: Sir, We'll inform you on the way..
*a heavily armed car races up next to them on the run way, Romanov and the marines get in and speed towards the palace*

OOC: Post three probably tomorrow

::In the Hence Palace, Carmine is sitting in his chamber. All day, reports have come in of confiscated paraphernalia, arrested suspects, and people being shot. More and more Blue Guards are being recruited and their activities are covering a much bigger area than before. Finally he has time to sit down and relax. He turns on the news and listens with on ear as he organizes his thoughts on the Cultural Cultural Revolution. His ears suddenly perk up...::

Tom Tucker: ...in a bit of breaking news Emperor Ulonov has just been assassinated. It is believed that he has been taken out by Lt. General Zofia in an attempt to reinstate former Emperor Romanov. A shootout involving the two...

::Tom and Diane go on, but Carmine has stopped listening::

Carmine: Well well well. It seems the dog was finally let loose on the lion. I didn't expect Ulonov to go down that easily, but that's what happens when you start going paranoid...

::He grabs his bottle of Vox and does a quick shot, chuckling as he does so::

Carmine: Stuff like this probably led to his downfall... but in any case, what to do about this? Romonov's not the smartest ruler in LETI, but doubt he'll be thrilled with what's going on. The man may even strike down the alliance we fought so hard to get. Time to start a new plan.... just in case...

[summary:] Carmine is concered about the assassination, and is going to be watching Edenstein carefully

*zofia breifly regains conciousness in the chopper her eyes open but that is about it. In the morphine and pain induced trauma she's in, nothing seems quite right, the last thing she remembered was the grenade going off*

That grenade must of been a little closer then I thought... wait.. Ulonov.. what happened to that sniviling ass?

Just then a air medic leans over her...

Medic: Her eyes are open... *takes a flash light and shines it in her eyes*
Zofia: CUT THAT OUT!! WHAT ABOUT ULONOV?!
Medic: No response... must be nerves..
Zofia: What do you mean nerves... CAN'T YOU HEAR ME?

*The medic goes back to what he was doing, making sure her vitals stay up*

What is going on? I don't understand

Voice: Perhaps I can explain that dear....
*she hears a voice that she hasn't heard in a long time... Sitting up she looks over to where the medic was just sitting, Infact the helicopter crew is gone, and she is sitting alone with a man wearing a Lt. Generals outfit, he his tall, handsome and overall what every soldier in the third army aspires to.. on his chest are several service bars from various campaigns. She quickly darts to his name badge which reads, TEMPCO and then to his face*

Tempco: Miss me?
Zofia: GEORGE! *she reaches out and gives him a huge hug and holds him close* But.. but you..
Tempco: *holding her close as well* Died on the ship.. well in the water after the coc bastards shot at us...
Zofia: *still holding him close and crying*But... but..
Tempco: How am I here? Well lets just say I've been watching out for you since then.... and.. if it hadn't been for that grenade.. You'd be in an entirely worse world of shit right now... Ulonov would of put a bullet in your head. Kid you get yourself in more predicaments then I know what to do....
Zofia: *Crying* Whats going on? I just don't understand..
Tempco: After the grenade you flinched, Ulonov shot at you but only kind of got you... and then you put a bullet in his head... Your on your way to Torvalds hospital.. they are gonna fix you up...

*the souunds of the helicopter ride start to get louder*

Tempco: I've got to go now... just remember, I'm watching out for you....
Zofia: NO!!! DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN!!! GEORGE!!!

*tempco is replaced by the medic who is now holding an IV bag above her as they rush her into the hospital... she blinks out again as they begin emergency surgery*

Triana Smith: Ulonov dead? Honestly, that man needed to prioritize his defences. Even using the same IFF codes as the old regime. Honestly, what was he thinking?

::Ms. Smith is going over the Manarthian intelligance on the assassination.::

Triana Smith: Good riddance anyway, that's what he gets for taking out Vandershale. To think I signed a treaty with that a??hole.

::She makes a call to Gen. Tecumseh Cook::

T. Smith: Yes, General. I saw the news, Ulonov got what he had comming. I think it's time to go to plan B. Yes, can't just deploy that many troops without something to show for it. Yes, I realize your objection, but we can make it look politically sound, that's what diplomacy is for. Has the 5th army landed in Counterpoint yet? Good, good. Contact Press Secratary Jorge Wallens and tell him to start up Opperation Dubelcan Annexation.

::She hangs up the phone::

T. Smith: Why couldn't that bastard have stayed alive a little while longer? I swear, nothing ever comes easy.

George Pollypolis, reporting live from Counterpoint

Manarthain troops have begun to overstay their welcome in Counterpoint, according to some locals. Protests against Manarthain bases on Counterpoint territory, and rumors that these bases are to become permanent, have lead to a rise in tensions between the sides. Earlier today in the small city of Franklintown, an area not even on the map until the creation of a Manarthain foward base for the 503rd MP Battalion, two soldiers were found dead, and the Mess Hall was misteriously burnt to the ground. The names of the soldiers have not been released to the public yet, pending notification of the families.

You can see behind me, where the Counterpoint citizens have set up a line of protesters outside the Manarthain camp. There appear to be about 150 in all, just outside of a business district. I can see homemade signs. "Ulonov is Dead/ Out of Counterpoint Now!" and "Military Aid =/= Humanitarian Aid" are some of the biggest.

(*In the background* Lock and load!)

It seems like the Manarthian soldiers are being ordered to disperse the protesters. I've already heard an order given to form ranks, and make ready for an advance. And the croud has already been informed that their assembly is unlawful due to Manarthain Army policy.

(Advance! Janikowski! Keep your side close.)

The Manarthain troops are moving foward now, determined to disperse the croud, who are chanting against "Manarthain Pigs" now, and...

*A shot rings out, followed almost immediately by the deeper sounds of Manarthian guns going off. For 15 seconds the Manarthains fire into the croud, some shooting at the fleeing protesters, some shooting into the air. In the corner of the screen, a lone officer can be seen slapping rifles into the air and shouting "Cease Fire!"*

*A lone Manarthian soldier is on the groud, bleeding from a wound in his side. About 20 something protesters are on the ground in front of the soldiers.*

Prophet, what the void just happened.

Kenneth Gunner's car screeched to a halt in front of Major Maxwell and company. He kicked the door open and pulled them in, explaining that he would explain on the way. The car screeched off again, and Major Maxwell is told of the assasination of Ulonov and the different civil wars, etc. They headed towards the capitol by the quickest route.

Jessamine paced her office, mulling over the assasination of Ulonov. She knew that with Triana Smith and several other important operative people in her nation that Saxes could be soon finding itself on the recipient end of several attacks by several different nations. She also knew that if any Tubamaneans were killed on her soil, that Tubamanea would go to war and screw any alliances.

"Damn these people" Jessamine thought. "Can't stop warring for two minutes. They seem to thrive on war, destruction, and chaos. They must also realize that with several high level government people here, it would not be wise to attack me, because then their own person would be killed. I also don't want to wake up in the middle of the night to air raids by any nation. Paladine, this is going to be hard."

Looking up, she knew she might have to take drastic actions if necessary. Making a phone call, she put the army, navy, and air force on standby, and then she sent out owls to each of her other standing armies to be on standby as well. Sitting down, Jessamine took out a bottle of brandy and a glass from her drawer and poured herself a cup. Sipping at it, she leaned back and tried to relax, although she personally felt like banging her head against the wall :headbang:.


Orion dragged himself to the corner he had picked to make his last stand against the hunters. If he was to die, it would be here....

Argoth trotted through the hospital halls, dodging the doctors, orderlies, and nurses who tried to stop him. Finding Triana Smith's room, he went in and shut the door with his head. Going up to her bedside, he sat and put a note on her lap from Jessamine.

Ms. Smith: I hope that you are getting better every day. I assume that you have heard of the assasination of Ulonov by now, and I urge you, for the protection of yourself and your fellow Manarthians, to please not provoke any nation to come here to Saxes. If you must go to war I will gladly have someone take you to the airport to fly you back to Manarth. You have come here for peace, and you will leave in peace no matter how much anyone deserved or is deserving of what happened or what will happen to them. Thank you. ~Jessamine

Argoth sat and waited for Ms. Smith to write a response.

Army General Amadeus Planck set down the red phone reciever and called an aid to his side. He issued the order to put the army on standby, and to continue the patrols, training, ammunitions cleaning, etc. He then shut his door and meditated in preparation.

Navy General Joaquin Arrart set down his corresponding red phone reciever and sent out messages to all the ships in the Navy. He then got a steel container and recorded the same message, then dropped it into the sea and watched it drop and start sending out the signal. He strode the decks, watching the skies and ocean. Navy ships began taking strategic points on Saxes' coast.

The orcas heard the message, and went on the alert. As the steel container dropped, it was intercepted by the Kraken, listened to, and then crushed by a tenticle. The bits dropped to the sea floor, never to be seen again.

Air Force General Fredrick "Windy" Marx got the same call and put on alert his men. Several Air Force fighters, such as F-18s and B-52s were wheeled out and made ready to be sent out at a moment's notice. He began running, enjoying the feel of wind in his hair.

::In Andaluciae, Citan Uzuki is running down the street, already out of breath::

Citan: Oh my... I knew I wasn't in the best of shape, but this is terrible! How can she keep it up?

::He pauses to catch his breath. Shaking his head he looks up towards the horizon. Barely visible now is a person running off. As Citan stands the person completely disappears::

Citan: Well I think we're all in trouble now...

::Zoom forward to the horizon. The person running is Ritsuko Yamamoto, still wearing her usual skirt and blouse. She has been running now for 25 minutes straight and shows no sign of stopping. As she runs, people quickly get out of her way. The look on her face is a combined look of despair and fury. After what seems like forever, she finally makes it to the airport where her helicoptor is. She gets in and takes off immediately, ignoring protests from the control tower who aren't thrilled about her taking off without clearance. She begins flying towards Edenstein::

Ritsuko: Stupid! Stupid! She KNEW I'd've helped out with this! She KNEW I'd've figured something out. Now look! She's gone and gotten herself nearly killed! If she dies, I'll never forgive... But it's not... She may... AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!!

::Her palm rings. She glances down to see that it's from Citan and ignores it, as she has the past three times he's called. She flies out of Andaluciaen airspace as fast as the chopper can handle::

Ritsuko: And if that bastard Ulonov wasn't already dead... heck I'd like to put a few more bullets in him anyway! When I see the Emperor I'm going to... well... I'll... Dah!

::Her palm rings again. Ritsuko rolls her eyes as she looks down. This time, the call is from Luna. She thinks for a minute then picks up::

Ritsuko: I don't care what you have to say, I'm giong in anyway! Don't EVEN try to convince me otherwise!

Luna: Well that's a nice hello... Actually I just called to find out how you were doing...

Ritsuko: How I'm doing? How I'M doing? Ha ha ha ha ha! YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW!

Luna: Actually, I've pretty much figured it out. I'm not going to try to stop you, that's pointless really. Just don't act without thinking, ok?

Ritsuko: I never act without thinking! I'll be FINE! ::She hangs up and flies into Edenstein territory, looking for the landing area nearest Torvalds hospital. Meanwhile, Luna hangs up and sighs. She looks around the psych ward she has been at since her rescue. She still has not been allowed to leave, but she has made considerable progress. She walks back to her room, where her psychologist is waiting...::

[Summary:] Ritsuko has gone off the deep end and is making a mad dash for Torvalds

*The Andaluciaen National Security Council has convened, with several of the members being elsewhere, it took some time to get everyone back together.*

Consul Arthur: Well, we don't have Romanov sitting around anymore. That's a good thing, but what the hell is going on in Counterpoint?

General Nitze: Sir, it would seem as if the Counterpointian civilians are turning on their own deterrent. And the Manarthians are handling everything there very badly.

NSA Caine: And beyond that, our reconnaissance satellites are picking something more than just a defensive force in Counterpoint. No, something big is going on, the Manarthians have heavy tanks and long-haul diesel tankers. This is no defensive force.

General Nitze: No, it isn't, the Manarthians are building up a first rate offensive force inside Counterpoint. Sir, if they go after anybody but Empress Jessica...we'll see a region wide war on our hands.

Grand Admiral Scheer: And there are too many nations in that region we have interests in. If the Manarthians make a bum move, our blockading ships will have no choice but to move against them. Naval bombardment against their ground forces, and interdiction of their transports, which we have until now allowed through to ensure a stability, let the Counterpointians know we aren't going to attack them.

...(scene fades out)...

*back to Saxes*

Jackson Hewitt: We've got 'im cornered, let's finish this bugger off. I'd like to come away with a pelt tonight.

Hunter #3: You lead the way boss.

JH: He's mine...

*JH advances up the hill, following the glowing (because of his night vision goggles) blood trail from the injured wolf, he levels his rifle as he rounds a corner...*

Mike of Mike and Mike Shipping, Prime Minister and President for Life of MadderMike is sipping on a root beer float as he is recuperating from his broken legs. His senior financial advisor Mike Greenspawn enters the opulent hospital room.

Greenspawn "Mike, I think you should take a look at the new arrivals from that small island archipelago."

"Why?"

"Well they have set up shop on the surface, they are assimilating well enough but they are growing opium poppys and marijuana."

"Where is the harm in some rope growers?"

"They have been setting up shanty towns and have quite a trade in heroin and marijuana."

"Get to the point, man."

"They haven't been paying taxes on all their profits!"

"Well why didn't you say so. Send the Infernal Revenue after them."

***Enter the tax men***

The Infernal Revenue are more feared then the police, the military or any foreign country. They get to keep ten percent of all taxes collected from tax evaders.

***

Mike of M&M Shipping.... "So Greenspawn what else is new?"

"Well after the initial attack by CounterPoint our revenues went up but things have slowed down since."

"Send a squadron of F16s out to shoot up some of those boat people."

***Later that day***

MadderMikian National News Network Report

"Mike Pearlywhites here with breaking news. A Squadron of F16s repelled an invasion force off the northern coast just hours ago. We have a government spokesman here with the offical report."

Government Spokesman Mike North "Mike, I can categorically state that the force that the MadderMikian Airforce repelled was not from CounterPoint. Thank you and good night."

Mike's Irish Bar and Weapons Emporium

The patrons of the bar watch the news bulletin and begin discussing the news.

Man #1 "I'm telling you there is a huge force of CounterPointians off the coast."

Man #2 "Yep, I am going overthere to the heavy armor store and get me an M1 Abrams tank."

Man #1 "Wait for me, I need one too."

The loan office of Mike's Irish Bar and Weapons Emporium does a brisk business this evening, as does other similar establisments.

[Summation - Mike is taxing the recent immigrants, scaring the citizenry into buying more high end weaponry.]

MadderMike, surface

Suddenly, all the old pockmarcked roads on the MadderMikian surface are busy with donkeys loaded with Heroin and Marijuana going one way, and donkeys loaded with gold bugs, jewellry, and people's title deeds going the other way. Some of the donkeys are quite feral, and the Platanese immigrants are getting a bit carried away with MadderMikian gun culture, so there are quite a few bullet-riddled donkey carcasses all over the place.

The shanty towns are scattered around all over the place, but the Opium fields are pretty easy to find. They seem to be worked by everyone from chidren as young as 3, to elderly people who don't look a day over a million. There are heavily armed guards all over the place, almost as heavily armed as the Soccer Moms. These are in case one of the customers decides to try and get his money/title deed/wife back.

When the infernal revenue representatives come up, they are met by a sleazy little bald man with a cigar, who scratches himself constantly. He blathers endlessly at the tax men in a pseudo-english patois. This is Don Hablador, de facto leader of the immigrant community in MadderMike.

Don Hablador's normal method of persuasion is to offer bribes, and when that doesn't work, shoot people. However, this works on nearly everybody except a well-armed government that wants to take your money anyway. He agrees to pay up all tax dues this time, and sends a few pots around to collect up all the money they can find that hasn't been posted back to families in El Platano yet.

When the tax men have gone, he takes his chief lackey, Celso, aside to talk to him. "Celso, I have a job for you. You must go into Michaelgrad, and find out which members of the government I must bribe to keep these infernal tax men off our backs, who is willing to ignore the tax situation here for a price. See if you can sell them some Morphine."

Celso agrees. There is much kissing of cheeks and patting of backs, and everyone shoots their guns into the air, and then Celso takes a donkey to Michaelgrad, to begin his operation. He starts by searching around for rumours about which government officials are the sleaziest, and which bars or clubs or other public places they are likely to be found relaxing in.

-----

Puerto Del Coco, capital of El Platano

Presidente Espinosa is watching the news reports from MadderMike, about the defeat of an invasion force.

"Hmmm... that's funny. I'm sure we'd have noticed if an invasion force came between us and MadderMike."

General Loco, chief of the armed forces, hands El Presidente a report, "According to some survivors picked up by our fishing fleet, they were Platanese Emigrants trying to get into MadderMike."

"Oh." said El Presidente, "Those dirty traitors. They deserve whatever they get for leaving our beautiful country."

"I agree with that," said Loco, "But this could be an excellent publicity coup, if we play our cards right."

"Ah, yes, I see your point." said El Presidente, "I'll get writing a speech at once."

El Platano Chanel 1, state broadcast
"The Platanese defense ministry has confirmed that the fleet defeated off the coast of MadderMike was not an invasion force, but platanese civilians who posed no threat to MadderMikian national security. The platanese government strongly condemns the MadderMikian government for ordering this attrocity, which may have claimed several hundred innocent lives. El Platano is a poor country, and does not have the infrastructure to care for the wounded if these attacks continue, or prevent more of our people from heading into this slaughter out of the desire for a better life in MadderMike. We would welcome foreign aid and investment, to ensure that this kind of tragedy does not happen again. We would also implore the MadderMikian government to redeem itself in the eyes of the platanese people by offering compensation to the families of those known to have been killed in this callous attack."


[Summation: Platanese immigrants pay up their taxes, but start looking for ways to bribe government officials to keep the rest of the tax men away. The government of El Platano condemns the attack on the boat people, and tries to bum some money off the international community.]

*Andaluciaen SigInt cruisers in the vicinity of El Platano pick up a weak radio-television signal. Unsure of what is being said, the garbled transmission is forwarded to the translation-and-scrubbing department back in Andaluciae.*

*After 19 hours of surgery, Zofia is pulled from surgery and placed in the high security wing of the hospital. Helga the hospitals top nurse is assigned to her, as well as an elite platoon of Edenstein soldiers*

==back at the palace==

*Emperor Ed has been brought up to speed of the situation, walking through the potmarked hallways he see's where the Edenstein soldiers fell. Walking into the office, he inspects Ulonov's body, which has been laid out on the desk*

Ed: Dimitri..... it didn't have to be this way.... Gaurds, take his body...
*A few soldiers walk in and take away the body, he looks around and notices not many things have changed... expect a larger supply of Vodka, he walks out onto the balcony, where a large crowd of people have gathered to see if the rumors are true, seeing ed, a collective gasp is heard, News teams from all over leti have converged into the square*

=-=Edenstein News=-=
-=-Leti News Channel 5-=-

*screens across the country and the region flash to their respective news programs signals as various news anchors fill in on the scene*

Farbra Walters: The is Farbra Walters for Leti Channel 5 and Edenstein Channel 3, we are here in Edenstein square where Emperor Romanov has just walked out onto the balcony.

*Camera zooms in on Romanov*

Ed: Comrads, I come before you today, not as a conquering hero, vanquishing away an enemy, but, as a man filled with sorrow and grief. Tonight a raid was staged to eliminate a growing threat to the collective security of our region. Several hours ago, a joint operation team from Edenstein and Dubelco raided the palace and ended Ulonov's coup...

I do not look upon this as a great victory, a man who was a dear friend of mine now lays dead. Also, Lt. General Zofia Alexia now lies in the hospital on the verge of death... along with several of the strike team.

Although the evil reign of Ulonov is over, I pine for the loss of an able leader and a friend. This is a dark time in our great empires history and it shall not *slams fist on banister* be forgotten. I look now for the mending of our country to fight an ever increasing terror on our borders.. and abroad. I look to you my fellow comrads, to help make this as succesful as possible. With your help... Edenstein will triumph!

*the crowd cheers as Ed puts up his arms and walks back into the palace*

Walters: There you have it folks... Now... to the weather..
Weather: ITS GONNA RAIN!

=in the palace=
*Emperor Ed walks in and sits at the desk, he plops his hat on the table and puts his head down... he begins to weep...*

::Pete Krawson stands before Raskalnokov. He sighs heavily. "I knew they wouldn't leave me alone... but who'd've thought my own kids..." He thought about what his kids would think later in life when this was all over. He wondered if they'd regret what they did. All he knew was that today his kids valued their country's 'livelihood' over their own father. Blue Guard elite leader Fred Dearson is reading the charges to Raskalnokov::

Fred: ...copy of Young and Hence that he refused to turn over to us. The book was later seized upon a thorough search of his residence. He treated the Blue Guards with disrespect and refused to show the Premiere the respect he deserved. And we have testimony from his children Jimmy and Jerry that he told them that he would never allow them to become Blue Guards. 'Never. Not in my house!' he told them. The Blue Guards of Mia under my authority have taken the liberty to label Mr. Krawson a Conservative, and recommend he face the consequences described by the Premiere through the Cultural Cultural Revolution.

Raskalnokov: What do you have to say about all this?

Pete: What scares me the most is that my own chlidren would sell me out. I have always been proud to be a Henceman. Every night I would go to bed happy that I live here and not in Edenstein where the winters are as harsh as a Russian winter, or in MadderMike where death by shooting is considered an everyday event, or in Spinkoslovakia where the citizens don't have street signs because nobody can read them, or in Dubelco, I thanked God I didn't live in Dubelco. Now, it appears being in possession of a book is a crime against a nation that has gone mad. Can't you see? I haven't done anything wrong!

Raskalnokov: You told your children to never become Blue Guards!

Pete: Is it wrong to want my kids to be kids for a while?

Raskalnokov: You said, 'never.'

Pete: I worry about them! Being a Blue Guard is a dangerous job, and I don't want to see them get hurt!

Raskalnokov: That's a little weak... We haven't had a single report of a Blue Guard being injured on the job. More people get hurt street marching over the curb practicing for a parade than by being a Blue Guard. Mr. Krawson I have decided to go with Elite Dearson on this one. You are a Conservative and a threat to HO's forward progress. You shall be the next one...

Pete: Next one to what?

Raskalnokov: The next one to be dipped...

[Summary:] Pete Krawson is sentenced to a dipping after being sold out by his own kids.

Letiburg, Governor Lagerfelt's palace

In the war room, Admiral Wilhelmsson and General Borkman are looking at the invasion plan of the Former Western Manarth, which Governor Lagerfelt had drawn up for them:

http://jupiter.walagata.com/w/fricasso/Lagerfelt_doodles.jpg


General Borkman sighed, and stubbed his cigarette out on the Ulonov-doodle's face. "How much longer can we put up with his stupidity? I've heard people talking behind my back, but I'm nowhere near as bad as that clown Lagerfelt. We should totally have a coup. Look, he's even drawn it in crayon..."

Admiral Wilhelmsson shrugged, "I think he just had a nervous breakdown. Did you see him today, sticking tinfoil to the windows, and sawing the bottom half off his bedroom door? He's completely lost it. I think it would be easier to leave him in office, and just run things ourselves. Did you do something about the MadderMikian missiles?"

Borkman nodded, "I activated the Twilight 50s. They should have no trouble getting into the installation, but they might have trouble figuring out how to install the virus. I gave them extensive instructions, though, and they're smart enough for a bunch of old guys."

Wilhelmsson pushed Lagerfelt's map aside, and took out a fresh one. "Hmmm. You know, we haven't actually got any towns or military bases or anything marked on this map. Maybe we ought to get some better intel before we start anything."

Borkman agreed, "Right. I'll start sending a few spies in to gather information, locations of military bases, main roads, communications centres, that sort of thing."


Deep in MadderMike, in some heavily fortified underground installation

Koffee Klatch and Toxic were in a cramped air conditioning pipe, above a darkened room. Toxic peered through a vent, with his infra-red goggles.

"You're right, Colonel." whispered Toxic, "The defence autocannons are only in the corridors and stairwells; it's all clear in here. Wait, there's someone coming... Armed with an M16 and underslung grenade launcher. He's moving along the hallway..."

Klatch tried to peer over Toxic's shoulder, "I can't see. Is it a guard?"

"No, I think it's the janitor. He's gone now, anyway."

"Right, let's go into action!"

The two of them dropped out of the vent, landing with disconcerting crunches from their frail old-man hips. They were inside the locker room at the local high school. A couple more of the Twilight 50 section dropped down from other air vents around the room. One of them started having a coughing fit, so the others clamped their hands around his mouth.

Klatch set his watch. "Right, we've got five minutes to collect up as many automatic rifles and explosives as we can carry. Let's move."


[Summation: Wilhelmsson and Borkman start sending spies to gather info for an invasion of the Former Western Manarth. The Twilight 50s break into a MadderMikian high school to steal weapons from the locker room.]

OOC: OMG........ that is probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen......... kudo's....

As JH rounded the corner, Orion sprang forward snarling, attaching himself to the hunter's neck and locking his jaw. His head began to jerk, trying to tear out the man's throat, and his paws were braced on his body.

(Andaluciae, how large is this hunting party? Just so I know)

Major Gunner and the Tubamaneans reached the main capitol building and jumped out of the car. They walked into the building and went to the hallway leading to Empress Jessamine's personal office. They saluted the guards and asked for the Empress to be told that Major Gunner was here with Major Maxwell and company. They stood in the entrance way, waiting for an audience.

*Hunter #1 sees the wolf spring up at JH, and knock him down, Hunter #1 quickly fires his rifle just as the wolf is about to shake JH and kill him. The .50 caliber slug slams into the wolf right behind the front leg, the sheer force of the round throwing the wolf.*

*The other three hunters run over to JH and check him out. While he is somewhat shocked he is alive. He came prepared for a wolf hunt, so he was wearing Neckguard (tm) animal maul survival gear (usually issued to animal control officers in Andaluciae) He of course has bruising on his neck, and his leg is sore from the fall.*

*General Nitze and Grand Admiral Scheer enter the National Security Council room, where NSA Caine, Secretary Schumm and Consul Arthur are waiting with orders.*

GA Scheer: You sent for us?

Consul Arthur: Yes, we have orders, specifically relating to the Counterpoint blockade. Paul has the details.

*NSA Caine hands out sealed orders envelopes*

NSA Caine: We have decided to move an offensive ground force into the area of the Counterpoint blockade, and beef up the blockading forces. If the Manarthians make a move, I want to be able to Counter with an amphibious landing behind their lines, and then be able to hit them with a massive armored punch.

Secretary Schumm: That is why you've been ordered to activate the transport reserves, we need to get those troops into the region as fast as possible. Remind the Manarthians that they are there by our good graces.

General Nitze: The details are in the packets?

Consul Arthur: Yes, we've got all the expected force redeployment numbers in the packets.

Grand Admiral Scheer: Are you informing General LeBay? I'm sure he wants his B-2s to have nuclear bombs orbiting the area constantly.

Consul Arthur: We are letting LeBay know in about two hours, he's on exercises right now.

Grand Admiral Scheer: Alright, I'll supervise this operation from the Megalith class ship.

*the officers salute the politicians and leave the room*

Secretary Schumm: I hope this works...

MadderMike, Surface

On the side of a pock marked hill two well disguised blast doors silently open. Six M1 Abrams tanks roll out escorted by twelve armored personnel carriers and one huge stretch armored personnel carrier painted jet black. They roll into Don Hablador's camp. Sixty heavily armed men emerge from the armored personnel carriers and motion to Don Hablador to move towards the stretch APC. The rear doors open to reveal a very old man sitting at a marble table with a very nice bottle of Edenstein rum, a container of ice cubes and two glasses.

The old man had thin pale skin with blue veins visable, wispy white hair, and deep grey eyes. To live long in MadderMike is an accomplishment in itself. The fire of life was still very strong in the old man's eyes. With a slight motion of his bony rhumatoid riddled hand he directed Don Hablador to join him.

In MadderMikian controled Western Manarth

Mike O'leary was plowing his fields with his T-72 tank when he noticed his neighbor driving up with his Striker.

"Hey neighbor, what's new?'

Don Hablador's camp, MadderMikian surface

As the tanks rolled up, everyone in the opium fields and nearby shanty town stopped working. Women paused from washing their clothes in large tubs outside their huts, and children stopped playing to look at the tanks approaching. Don Hablador made a sharp flick of his head, and gave everyone a meaningful look, and soon everyone except Don's guards had disappeared from view.

Don Hablador watched the armed men get out of the APCs, and glanced at his own guards. When the men motioned for him to join the old man at his table, he walked over. Don Hablador wasn't particularly well dressed, wearing a white wife-beater vest, combat trousers and rodeo boots, and wore two silver-finished six-shooters with ivory handles, in quick draw holsters on either hip. He swaggered up, and sat at the table opposite the old man, pausing to scratch himself.

"Well, Señor, you have me at a disadvantage. I am Don Hablador. Who do I have the honour of addressing this fine day?"

In a secluded part of Saxes, a man sits on a chair, listening to his men train in the woods around him. They were the elite of the elite, and so far no one had ever beaten them in any military institution for CQC(close quarters combat). Sure, they didn't have that many fancy weapons, but send them in to kill someone and they'd do it with just a few handguns and some blades. An owl flew down, dropped a message, then flew off. So it was that the assasins and elite fighters of Saxes recieved word of possible trouble brewing on the horizon.

Orion's body hit the ground, and his body went still as his soul flew from his body. No life remained in his body as his wolves watched, silent and plotting their revenge. They would not be taken as a body cut of from the head, nor act like one.

Jessamine recieved Major Maxwell and company in her office. She assured them that what they had been told was true and that hopefully everything would be alright. Then she began making plans for the several ambassadors to leave Saxes within the next fortnight, for she knew that by now, peace talks were futile and that the best thing to do would be to send them to their countries. Best thing for her country as well...

::HO Channel 2 News::

Tom: Good evening everyone I'm Tom Tucker

Diane: And I'm Diane Simmons, and this is HO Channel 2 News. Today's top story focuses on the Blue Guards.

Tom: That's right Diane.

Diane: That's why I said it Tom.

Tom: That's why I said it Tom indeed Diane! Blue Guard membership has more than tripled since the declaration of the Cultural Cultural Revolution, and in fact has surpassed baseball as the #2 student recreational club. Only DDR Clubs have more members, and scientists such as the one shown here ::A picture of Kermit the Frog appears on the backdrop:: have anticipated that even this will soon be enveloped by Blue Guard membership.

Diane: Enveloped like Poland during World War II Tom!

Tom: Ha ha! That's right Diane!

Diane: Also, today marks yet another milestone in HO History. Today the 4 billionth citizen was born in Sullust Hospital in Waka Laka. Mr. and Mrs. Greg Shivanni had a son today and named him Zed Shivanni in honor of the Premiere. As we get nearer to Founder’s Day, it is anticipated that the Shivanni family begin the festivities the same way the Ayaname family started last year’s Founder’s Day. Rei Ayaname if you recall was the 2 billionth citizen born in HO. What do you have to say about that Val?

::The camera turns to Val who is sitting in her usual spot by the weather map::

Val: It’s strange to think that 2 billion people have been born here in this country in only 1 year. Quite an amazing thing really, even though other LETI nations have similar population growth.

Tom: That’s right Val! Us LETIans sure do like to f*** don’t we?

Diane: Like to f*** indeed Tom!

Val: Wh, what? Umm… hey! And now, I’ve got the weather!

Don Hablador's camp, MadderMikian surface

"Well, Señor, you have me at a disadvantage. I am Don Hablador. Who do I have the honour of addressing this fine day?"

The old man answers in a strong raspy voice:
"Welcome Señor Hablador, please sit down. My name is Michael O'Seanaessy O'Leary O'Day and I run a little business very similar to yours. I have noticed you are making a tidy little profit and I would like to help your endeavors."

He continues "I am expanding into new markets and find myself short of supplies. I was wondering if we could come to an agreement and set up a business deal?"

The old man takes a few ice cubes, drops them into a glass and pours three fingers of rum into the glass and passes it to Señor Hablador. He then prepares a similar glass for himself. "Shall we drink on it?"

MadderMikian Controlled Western Manarth

M. M. M. Cooney Sr. drove up alongside Mike O'Leary, his Striker making a clattering noise due to the three or four scarecrows tangled up in the treads. Cooney Sr. was one of those people who everyone seemed to know of the existence of, but nobody really knew anything about. Nobody was aware of any M. M. M. Cooney Jr, but Cooney Sr. was a cantankerous old goat, and nobody wanted to bring it up. He was a little old guy, with his face hidden behind giant bushy eyebrows and a tall, wide-brimmed straw hat. He always carried a large jar with a cork stopper in it over one shoulder, occasionally stopping to uncork it and take a swig of whatever happened to be inside. The Jar was labelled simply 'X0'.

"Howdy there, Neighbour." said Cooney Sr. as he pulled up alongside, "I'm thinkin' it must be scarecrow season again. Dern things get everywhere. You had any trouble with the varmints?"

Don Hablador's camp, MadderMikian surface

Don Hablador watches the old man, and takes the glass. He rattles the ice cubes around a bit.

"Si, let us drink on it!" he agrees, "We can always expand our operation here, if there are new markets to exploit, especially if you can aid me in getting more of my countrymen past your MadderMikian air force and navy, to work the plantations." he takes a gulp of rum.

"So, Señor O'Seanaessy O'Leary O'Day, let's get down to the exact details of the deal you wish to make..."

Throughout Counterpoint, word begins to trickle in that Andaluciae is begginging to worry about the size of the Manarthian force in the country. Another rumor also begins to circulate that Manarthian forces are negotiating with Emperess Jessica to build permanent bases on Counterpoint. Only the first of these rumors is actually true.

Riots have continued following the Franklinton Massacre, as the locals refer to it. Manarthain soldiers have begin fireing warning shots over the heads of protesters to disperse them, but that has only fueled the anger. Manarthian commanders have requested croud control non-lethal weaponry be delivered to them, but so far only 1/2 of the MP battalions in the area have brought the required supplies to patrol the many Manarthain camps.

Suddenly it all came to a head.

4 armed Manarthain soldiers making practice manuvers in a small field outiside the Edenstein border were attacked and killed by an unidentified group of persons, the next day, another 34 were ambushed in the same way throught the country.

The next day 3 Manarthain Armored Divisions occupied the Capital city of Counterpoint.

104th Manarthian Armored Division, 867th Mechanized Infantry Regement
2339th Battalion, C Company, 2nd Plattoon

Lt. Shapiro: Okay men, the Upper House has declaired that Countepoint is unfit to manage their own affairs, and that they are to be made a Protectorate of Manarth until such a time as they are capable of governing themselves in a normal fashion. We are going to carry out that proclamation.

Charlie Company is scheduled to secure the main govermental Palace as well of Emperess Jessica in order to protect her from her people. We believe that her guards may have her held hostage, and that she may be suffering from "Emperor Maximillian" syndrome, willing to do whatever her people wish, rather than actually ruling them effectively. We cannot allow her to be a martyr for her cause, we need her alive to keep legitimacy for her provisional government. Do you understand?

Soldiers: HOOHAH!

Lt. Shapiro: Good, now our Platoon is going in first, and we're going in weapons free. Anything with a weapon is to be considered hostile, but remember the order of engagement. Do not fire until fired upon. Once we reach the palace though, you are weapons free.

::The soldiers drive through the city streets in thier 4 Armored M-2 Bradley, with 1st Platoon and 3rd Platoon following in theirs. On the way, they pass protesters, but none with weapons and none opening fire. Suddenly a voice comes over the radio::

Voice: Charlie 2-1, Charlie 2-1 this is King, Buildings 42 and 55 are secured, ETA on Building 15? Over.

Lt. Shapiro: King, King, Charlie 2-1. Copy buildings 42, 55, we're ETA 3 minutes out. Should be easy as MadderMike Pi. Over.

King: Copy that Charlie 2-1, keep us posted. Over and out.

Lt. Shapiro: You hear that boys? We've already taken the main goverment buildings besides the palace, so they may be expecting us. Once again, weapons are free once we arrive.

continuation of previous post

::As the M-2s pull to a halt, the soldiers of Charlie Company, 2nd platoon are already jumping out and running for the door. Fire team D reaches it first, knocking the large oaken door off it's handles in 2 swings with their battering ram, and Fire team A secures the entrence. The three Counterpoint Soldiers waiting near the metal detector go down quickly, only wounding SPEC-4 Johannson in the leg. Fire Team B moves left towards the main stairs, firefighting with reinforcement guards, while Fireteams A and D proceed in towards the throne room. Fireteam C soon supports B in holding the reinforcemnts back, as the other Platoons arrive.::

Lt. Shapiro: Emperess Jessica, we're here for your protection! Do not be afraid!

::A small number of her personal guard suround the throne room, with the Emperess hiding behind her cerimonial seat of power. The Manarthains break in quickly, dropping guards who in the sparce setting are unable to find much of anything that provides more than concealment. Cover is nearly impossible to find::

::Still shocked, one of the Manarthian soldiers tackles the Emperess to the ground, and binds and gags her::

Lt. Shapiro: This is for your own protection, Emperess. You've clearly been confused by these bastards. ::He spits on one of her guards, and motions to SSGT Erlichman:: Bring her back to her bedroom, and post a squad by her door. I'm going to make sure this area is secure.

King: Charlie 2-1, Charlie 2-1, King. What is your status. Over.

Lt. Shapiro: Charlie 2-1. We have Buildiing 15 secured, 4 confirmed casualties, 3 requiring medical attention, one KIA. Requesting backup for post-siezure security. How's the action out there King? Over.

King: News is getting out, and the rioting is intensifying. All buildings secured now but building 63. Estimated 80% of standing Counterpoint Army disarmed. All in all, going exceptionally well. Over.

Lt. Shapiro: Copy that, send my congrats to the Col. for me. Charlie 2-1 out.

[Summary of the last 2 Posts]= Manarth has taken over Counterpoint for their own protection. :D

*Andaluciaen Blockading and Escort Force, Third Fleet, Signals Intelligence Corp ANS Mercury patrolling along the Counterpoint coast*

*Ensign Daniels and Captain Willard are going over the daily radio intercepts, when they notice something strange*

Ens. Daniels: Look at this, a sudden burst of chatter from the Counterpointians, and then it drops off. Most of the messages are going from the individual units to the high command, but they aren't getting any response. The chatter drops off across the day though.

Capt. Willard: And over here, we see an incredibly high rate of communications amongst the Manarthians. Almost to the point where it would seem that they are attempting an offensive operation...

Ens. Daniels: And the national television and radio stations are all off, how odd...

Capt. Willard: Yes, very strange, I'll see if we can get some overflights by the U2s and spysats. That ought to clear everything up. Meanwhile, let's listen to some of these intercepts, maybe we might learn something...

*The two officers grab headphones, and direct a trio of enlisted men to do so as well, and they all start listening and analysing*

The Right Reverend Holy Catholic Bishop of Islamic Moors, John Paul Luke Fauhad III, Most Holiest of the Holy, has heard rumors of witches in Saxes. He is dispatching The Kindly Inquisitor, The Reverend Torquemada to investigate.

*Emperor Ed sits at his desk looking over reports from all over Edenstein on what Ulonov had done, most of the time as he is reading, he sits without speaking, General Onotov sits across from him rubbing her head.*

Ed: I can't belive Dimitri was capable of doing all this... I know he was exacting but some of this stuff goes beyond even my comprehension.

Onotov: Yes... I know I've read over the reports as well... I can't believe it myself... at least he got us out of Izembeckwi.

Ed: Very true... but he may of injured relations with other countries in the process.... Onotov, get me the news stations, I need to have a press conference.

==LETI Channel 5 News==

*The Television goes to Jan Blather who is sitting at his news desk*

Blather: Goodevening LETI this is Jan Blather reporting to you from the offices of LETI news here in Edenstein, we are taking you live to Edenstein Square where Emperor Ed is about to make a speach regarding Edenstein place in LETI since the fall of Ulonov.

*The screen flashes out to Edenstein square where a massive amount of people have gathered. A cute young blonde reporter stands in the square wearing a winter parka, Snow is lightly falling in the square*

Reporter: Hello, this is Kim Harleman reporting to you live from Edenstein. We have reports that Emperor Romanov is about to make a speech on the affairs of the lake and Edensteins place since the re-installation of the romanovs to the throne.. *The crowd begins to cheer as the door to the Emperor's office opens and Romanov walks out*
Lets listen...

*Romanov walks out onto the balcony, is wearing a standard issue Edenstein Winter Parka and his large white hat, he raises his hands and the crowd cheers wildly*

Romanov: Comrads! I come before you tonight to ask forgivness, forgivness for letting the traitor Ulonov destroy our way of life, to destroy the good that Edenstein stood for. Edenstein's good name has been tarnished by the foul and bloody rampage that Ulonov perpatrated against the region, and Edenstein.

I come before you tonight to make ammends with the nations that where slighted by the tryanny of Ulonov, Nations such as Andalucaie, Pax, and Dubelco. This long allies have stood fwith my administration and I extend my most sincere thanks.

But that is in the past, I now look to the future, there are still major threats in the lake that must be addressed. Just across our border is a growing conflict between Counterpoint and Manarth. Although in the past Counterpoint and Edenstein have not had the warmest of relations appealed to our nation for assistance in their growing fight against an unprovoked and unwarrented attacke by Manarth. Although at this time Edenstein has not committed troops, I have assured Empress Jessica that we will help their cause in anyway possible. Edenstein and Manarth have been long standing allies, I hope that it is possible to come to a resolution of this situation.

Comrads.. I want to take Edenstein back in its previous direction, although we must learn from the mistakes of Ulonov, I will not repeat them... I will assure that Edenstein remains the most respected nation in this region!

*the crowd erupts in cheers as reporters franticly raise their hands for questions.*

Romanov: *points* Farbra?
Reporter: Farbra Walters Edenstein channel 2, What is the condition of Lt. General Zofia?
Romanov: She is in stable condition... Next question
Reproter: Kim Harleman LETI Channel 5, How are relations with Henceland Omega? Are they strained do to the support of the administration under Ulonov?
Romanov: Well we are currently working on setting up a diolouge between Ourselves and Henceland, after that I am not sure.
Reporter: TOM BROKEJAW NBC news.... Emperor..... Is it true that while you where in Andalucaie you gambled away the entire treasury of Edenstein?

*silence*
Romanov: ohhh how I've missed you brokejaw...

Any other questions?

[summation] Romanov gives a rousing speach and opens for questions from the region as a whole.

=Its a dark moonless night in the wastelands along the Edenstein/Counterpoint border. Jarem sits on the roof of his truck looking off onto the horizon towards Edenstein. About 12 other men are sitting about, napping, laughing, listening to music, and shooting the breeze. Suddenly Jarem sees a small light flashed on the horizon four times. He pulls from his pocket a small LED light and flashes it back four times. He puts away his light and pulls out a ciggarete and begins to smoke, a few minutes later the light on the horizon flashes again noticably closer then before. Jarem pulls the light out again and returns it. About 10 minutes later 4 Duece and a half trucks pull up and a rather large man wearing military fatigues jumps out of the lead truck. A few other soldiers are leaning out of the trucks with AK-105's trained on the men=

Man- Which way does the Penguin Fly in the morning?
Jarem- Penguins don't fly, but they swim to the east.
=the man smiles and the other soldiers disengage their weapons=
Man- Greetings, I have presents from you, I hope you use them well...
Jarem- Well met.. my name is
Man- No Names..... You will be Galapagos You will refer to me from now on as Emperor.
Jarem- Alright, Emperor, please let your patron know that we appreciate the help.
Emperor- Well.. we appreciate the help you are giving us... trust me.
Jarem- Alright...
Emperor- We will be taking our leave now.. =Emperor and the other men jump down from the trucks and take the vehicles that Jarem and his men had driven up in=

Jarem- Same time in two weeks?
Emperor- =starting the jeep= We'll be in contact...
=Emperor and the other men drive back towards the Edenstein border, while Jarem and the other men inspect the cargo=

Jarem- This is enough to level Bachburg..

+sum+ An unknown force gives supplies to another unknown force

*Andaluciaen National Satellite Reconnaissance Office*

*Studying the images from the U2s and ReconSats of Counterpoint*

Dr. Drinko: Well, there's four Manarthian tanks, and what looks like some APCs, trucks, jeeps, and barricades...Higher resolution please...

Technician: Yessir, .1 meter resolution coming up...

Dr. Drinko: Thank you...Oh my.

Mr. Moritz: That's a lot of infantry, all in riot gear...They've even got barbed wire in the streets, and guards at the intersections.

Dr. Drinko: Real martial law...Counterpoint certainly deserves to suffer, but this is just confusing...you know what, I don't see any emplaced air defenses up yet...

Mr. Moritz: Scroll the screen north and set resolution back to one meter.

Tech: Right away...

Mr. Moritz: Yeah, those are mobile SAM launchers...they're setting up, but they're not ready yet, we can still get a U-2 flight before they get everything ready. We ought to order that now.

Dr. Drinko: Amazing how rapidly the Manarthians pulled this off...you'd think the Counterpointians would have put up some sort of a fight...No matter, I think I'll advise the Arthur that we should lift the blockade, but maintain surveillance. Keep our eyes open for the telltale signs of bad shit, large construction projects in previous undeveloped areas, burning buildings in the cities, fires in the streets, moving tanks and the like.

Mr. Moritz: That's certainly a worry. But we don't dare fly U-2s once those SAMs are up, just keep the ReconSats taking photos every so often.

[in summation: Andaluciaen analysts are studying the Manarthian occupation of Counterpoint, and looking for telltale signs of trouble. Beyond that, the government is considering lifting the blockade.]

::Carmine sits in his office going over reports from the Blue Guards, pasuing to take in some of the press conference Emperor Ed is making. Raskalnokov sits in front of him::

Raskalnokov: This is quite a predicament... Romanov won't help us contain Pax, I'm sure of it. He likely won't even honor the treaty we fought so hard to get with them. All of our work gone to waste!

::Carmine continues sorting out reports, placing some into a pile marked "Ignore", some into a pile marked "Interrogate", many into a pile marked "Arrest", a few into a pile marked "Dip", and a good amount into a pile marked "Vanish In the Middle of the Night".

Raskalnokov: Not only Pax, but Dubelco too! That nation has been nothing but a crock since I've been alive! They think they're all big and bad, but they always hide behind a greater force! Much like HO under the Corran dynasty!

::Carmine continues sorting::

Raskalnokov: And look at this! He's almost preparing to come to the aid of Counterpoint in Manarth continues their attacks! Counterpoint! The nation that has mocked him and ourselves since the day Jessica first stepped into the sun. Last I heard, Edenstein and Manarth were on good terms. He's truning the whole state of the country upside down!

::Carmine pauses as he reads a particular case::

Raskalnokov: Will you do nothing?

::Carmine speaks, but doesn't look up::

Carmine: Dimitri, let me remind you of a few things. First of all, no matter how hard-headed we are, Henceland Omega could never stand up to Edenstein if it came to a military blowout like that. It would be worse than going against Pax by ourselves. Second, Emperor Romanov can be persuaded to see our side of things. Third, and most important is that our concern is with the state of affairs of our own country. Do you know that there are 766 nations in the world with smarter citizens than us? That is totally unacceptable. Even with our Cultural Cultural Revoultion going on, we're missing some of those dumber citizens. It is time we did something about that...

Raskalnokov: But how can you just ignore an obvious threat to our diplomatic relations with Edenstein?

Carmine: I'm alredy on it... Ms. Heartwind will be making a visit with the new Emperor to cement the old alliance.

Raskalnokov: I wonder how successful she'll be when she can't seduce the ruler...

::From the map room, Jenny pokes her head in::

Jenny: WHAT WAS THAT?

Raskalnokov: Nothing...

[Summary:] Carmine is more worried about internal affairs than Edenstein's regime restoration. Jenny is being sent to Edenstein.

Prime Minister Triana Smith: You're kidding me? Edenstein, just recovering from the assassination of their leader, and they just go back to worshiping Emperor Ed as if nothing has changed? No rioting in the streets? No splinter groups under a charismatic general declairing their independance? Not even New Edenstein breaking off? Prophet!

Undersecretary Wallace: Not only that ma'am, but they're supporting Counterpoint, calling our opperations there an unjust occupation.

PM Smith: Unjust occ... You've got to be f***ing sh**ing me. Here Manarth is, a supporter of Emperor Ed, defier of the Ulonov regeme, and we occupy the country of what the consider their greatest threat... And we're the bad guys? At least Andaluciae had the right idea to consider lowering the blockade. Tell you what, let's cement our chances here. Invite Andaluciae to aid in the protection of the Eastern half of Counterpoint. Put out a bulletin in Emperess Jessica's name begging them to help. Send another in her name condemning the Edenstien forces for holding her up as a supporter of the old regeme, and saying she was forced by her advisiors to do these things.

Undersecretary Wallace: Of cource, ma'am. Will there be anything else?

PM Smith: Definately. We seem to be without allies in all of this, what with Ed trying to be big and bad now that he's back in power. What do you say we try to get some sort of Axis together... Have our diplomats ask around, sign up support, we need a large number of people on our side if Edenstein is going to try to interfeer. If we can get Andaluciae, MadderMike, and maybe even HO before they sign on with the new regeme, we could be so strong a force as to give even the most hawkish of Ed's advisors pause. Also, go talk to Press Secretary Causwick and ask her if she her people know of any, and I mean ANY military officers who were happier under Ulonov. We can't have had that many regeme changes in such a short time without someone getting ticked off. A trusted leutenant, a officer's school buddy, a gay lover... something!

Undersecretary Wallace: I'll be right on it.

PM Smith: Oh, and try to get Edenstein to sign a treaty, keep all this on the down low.

Undersecretary Wallace: I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Summary = How the hell is Emperess Jessica asking you for help Ed, if she's under Manarthian "Protection"? And who's not really happy to have the old regeme back in power? Oh, and we're currently asking for an alliance in opposing Edenstein Hegemony, specificly with Andaluciae, MadderMike, HO and anyone else who wasn't really sure they liked the old Counterpoint. Yeah, that's about it. Kinda a long post wouldn't you say?]

Jessamine and Major Maxwell finished up their talks, and more Tubamanean soldiers came off the carrier and took up positions in the capitol. Major Maxwell and company were then shown the military facilities, as well as where they and their men would be staying. Jessamine then went back to her office and decided to create something to try and stop this regional mess. She wasn't sure how, but yeah....hopefully something would pop up that would be useful.

Argoth whined at PM Smith's side, trying to get her attention to read the note. He shifted, uncomfortable with the wait.

In another remote corner of Saxes
Three shapes were dropped off by helicopter and found cover in the trees. They quickly set up communications centers and camp, etc. Their disgruntled leader had been gone from Saxes for too long, and he would not be kept waiting. They also knew the price for not being precise and to the point. Only those who were useful were kept at all, alive or not. About 20 minutes later, the camp was ready and they were standing at attention when a Black Hawk helicopter set down in the clearing they had made. When he stepped out, the three saluted and stayed there, not moving. After a brief inspection, he nodded to the soldiers, then stepped into his high-quality commander's tent as the sun went down.

*In Edenstein Square, a large stage has been set up, On the stage is a couple of brooms, some chairs, and small brass quintet Gathered around the stage are people dressed in overalls, corn hats, tattered clothing and most are barefoot, on the outskirts of this mob are finely dressed men and women. They appear as if they are attending church instead of attending a rally. Suddenly, the quintet begins to play "Give me that old time religion" and the crowd begins to cheer as Bob Jorgenson, and Gaylen Karriker step out. Gaylen who stands no more then 4 foot high is Dressed in a Edenstein Naval uniform, faintly reminisent of the one Emperor Ed wears. Bob, dressed in a Tan Suit, walks out to the 30's style Microphone and the crowd begins to quiet*

Bob: My friends! I SAY! MY FRIENDS! Today I want to tell you of a problem of nere BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS! *takes out a bible and begins waving it* BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS I SAY! *the crowd grumbles a bit, Gaylan Smiles and nods his head* We've traded off one Despot for another! DESPOT I TELL YOU!

*Crowd Grumbles*

Bob: That FORNICATING HEATHEN Romanov is just that! A common fornicator! Turning around on our allies! Supporting an even bigger harlet in Counterpoint! AND SELLING YOUR SOULS TO THOSE HEATHENS IN PAX!

*Some of the crowd gasps*

Crowd Member: He's better the Ulonov! At least we don't have to worry about the secret police or pogroms!

Bob: Ohhhh.... *laughs* Is that what you think my boy? What do you think about that my little friend?

*Gaylan smiles then stomps around the stage*

Bob: What my friend of short stature is telling you is, YOU ARE NOT SAFE! ROMANOV HAS OPENED THE DOORS TO THE GODLESS HEATHENS OF THIS REGION!

*Gaylan Smiles devileshly and begins unfolding some Edenstein flag and hanging them from poles*

Bob: Romanov makes you think he is just! But Just what? NOTHING BUT A FORNICATOR! HE WILL MAKE IT SO YOUR HOMES BURN AND CHILDREN ARE EATEN!

*crowd kind of gasps*

Bob: I SAY! WHAT WE NEED IS A RETURN TO GOOD OLD FASHION RELIGION!
I SAY! WE NEED TO RETURN TO GOOD OLD BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE!!! I SAY!!!

*crowd begins cheering and clapping*

Bob: If you think that you are safer now then under Ulonov... or Prior to Ulonov... let me show you what the Emperor is planning on doing TO YOUR HOMES AND DAUGHTERS!

*Gaylen gets a sickend smile on his face, he takes a can of gasoline out the brass quintet starts playing "Stuck in the Middle with you" he dances around the 4 flags he set up, each from a different period of Edenstein history. The crowd cheers him on as the little man dances around the flags. When he runs out of gasoline, he runs back stage and returns with a flame thrower. He puts on goggles and torches the flags. They go up in a blaze of fire and smoke*

Bob: I TELL YOU THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN! THAT GODLESS HEATHEN IS GOING TO BURN EDENSTEIN TO THE GROUND! WE MUST DEMAND THAT THE GOVERNMENT BE TURNED OVER TO THE PEOPLE!!!

*the crowd cheers, and the band begins playing old time religion again, they begin singing along as the group dissipates into the streets, Bob goes over to Gaylan who is still playing with the flame thrower*

Bob: Good show little man.... good show!
*Gaylan gives a thumbs up and they walk of stage*

[Summation] Bob and Gaylen burn Emperor Ed In effigy and call him a fornicator.

*Emperor Ed is sitting in right field section 111 Row F at Jacob's field in Cleveland Ohio. He sits with a commerative cup of Dr. Pepper watching the Indians take on the Angles. It is the seventh inning stretch and the organ player is butchering the song but considering the amount of people, especially drunk people at the 12:05 game it dosn't sound half bad. Ed sits with Caroyln who is holding Natasha, a few aides and Rumpsfeel who is keeping track of the game in the program*

Rumpsfeel: Emperor, that speach you made, although our people liked it, we have reports from within Manarth and HO that they didn't appreciate it.

Ed: Don't they know good discourse when they hear it?

Rumpsfeel: Well.. I do.. but apparently they didn't like it at all.

Ed: For prophets sake, Manarth put troops on the Counterpoint border because they where supporting her against maddermike, then they take over the country . I think I liked it better when had nothing better to do all day then sit in Andalucaie and play video games.

Carolyn: *trying to keep Natasha away from the wierd smelly guy next to her* Well hunny, don't worry about it... just ask to have a conference between Manarth, yourself and HO and well get it settled. Ohhh and why arn't we sitting in a private box?

Ed: Because its nice out. *he takes out his palm pilot and scribbles a message to both HO and Manarth

==EEMRPalm==
Timestamp 2:12/5/18/05
Source Tower: Clevland Ohio #3452 Terminal Tower

To: The governments of Henceland Omega and Manarth
From: Emperor Edward Romanov
Re: Tensions and Relations.

Friends, I realize that some of my remarks and comments the other day could of be construed in a completly different manner then how they where ment. I did not mean anything by them. Your two nations have been long time allies of Edenstein and of Empress Carolyn and myself. I would like to invite you to Edenstein to discuss the current relations between our nations and hopefully clear up any misunderstandings, I look forward to your response.

Emperor Ed and Empress Carolyn

End Timestamp 2:15/2/18/05
==EEMRPalm==

Rumpsfeel: Did you send them a message or wher you doing something else?

Romanov: Both, I checked the Pirates/Reds game, The Pirates are up 2 nothing.

Carolyn: Ohhh thats nice!

Romanov: I would like to bring baseball back to Edenstein... we came in second in our division last year.

Carolyn: Hehe We beat you... Ohh... by the way hunny, I'm pregnant.

*Ed who is taking a drink of his Dr. Pepper spits it out all over the large biker in front of him, the man turns around but just turns back around*

Ed: WHAT? HOW? WHEN? ANOTHER ONE?

Caroyln: Aren't you excited!!!! I am! I can redecorate the entire one wing of the palace!!

Ed: Yippee...

*the bottom of the seventh starts, with Ed in not as cheerful of a mood anymore*

[Summation] Edenstein Asks HO and Manarth for a conference in Edenstein, Caroyln is with child once again.

*Back to the Jackson Hewitt story for a bit!*

*Hewitt Stands back up*

JH: Gaahhhh...my neck is sore....

Hunter #2: Yeah boss, what do you want to do? Keep pressing into the woods tonight?

JH: Sure, keep your eyes open, I don't want that to happen again...

Hunter #1: Certainly.

::In the Hence Palace, Watson receives Ed's message. He runs in to where Carmine is finishing up some paperwork::

Watson: Sir, we've received a message from Edenstein! Romanov's asking for a meeting to discuss relations.

::Carmine looks up::

Carmine: I know. I'm sending Heartwind and Raskalnokov to Edenstein to discuss matters.

Watson: What?

Carmine: Don't get me wrong, Helmholtz. I know that's technically your job, but with Edenstein, those two are the best for the job.

Watson: Aren't you going yourself?

Carmine: I have things to worry about here. They can handle things. Besides I want to watch the dipping that's taking place tomorrow. I won't be able to watch if I'm in Edenstein.

Watson: So you're attending the dipping?

Carmine: No. I'll watch it here on my closed circuit monitor.

Watson: If I may sir, why is it that you don't go out in public much these days?

Carmine: Mystery. Expectations. Control. Legend. Legends are more powerful than reality, Helmholtz. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be returning to my business...

[Summary:] Raskalnokov and Jenny are going to Edenstein

::At Torvalds Hospital, Edenstein, Ristuko stands behind a hallway corner. By her head are smoking bullet holes. As she stands in surprise, she hears a flood of Russian being yelled::

Ristuko: Damn! I wish I'd've taken Russian in high school! If I ever get around to finishing, maybe I will...

::She peers around the corner. Shots are fired. She ducks back around the corner. Staying low, she holds a mirror in front of her. She angles it to see around the corner. There is a huge woman with an AK-47 on the other side, screaming::

Ritsuko: Boy, Luna'd be pissed right now. Granted, I didn't exactly handle that in the best manner, but SHOOTING?!? ::She shakes her head as she thinks about it...::

10 minutes ago

::Ritsuko walked into Torvalds hospital and up to the information desk. She smiled at the receptionist::

Ritsuko: Hello! I'm here to visit Lt. Gen. Zofia.

Receptionist Jill: Oh, I'm sorry, she's in the high security ICU. No visitors are allowed.

Ritsuko: You don't understand. It's vital that I get in to see her!

Jill: Sorry, nobody is allowed to see her under orders from the Duma.

Ritsuko: No! I MUST see her! I am General Ritsuko Yamamoto from Henceland Omega! She'd want me to see her!

Jill: Sorry...

Ritsuko: Listen here you! I'm going to see her one way or another! This is of international importance! ::She leans forward:: What room is she in?

Jill: I told you...

Ritsuko: Then I'll find out myself! ::She pushes the receptionist aside and looks at the room assignments:: ICU 42A. Great!

Jill: No! No! No! You can't go there!

Ritsuko: You can't stop me!

::Ritsuko looked at a map of the hospital layout on the desk. She located the room. Meanwhile Jill had found her intercom and sent a message out that Ritsuko didn't hear. As Ritsuko ran towards ICU 42A, suddenly she was stopped by a gigantic Russian woman with a nurses outfit::

Nurse: YOU NOT GO IN! NOBODY SEES PATIENT!

Ritsuko: Out of my way you old hag... ::She pushed the nurse aside::

Jill: She's been like that the whole tim Helga!

Ritsuko: Helga? Uh oh...

::Helga reached for and grabbed Ritsuko, lifting her off the ground::

Helga: YOU LEAVE NOW! ::She threw Ritsuko against the wall with a thunderous THUD. Ritsuko shook the plaster off and looked up. Suddenly Helga reached in and pulled out an AK-47::

Helga: NOW!!! ::She fired::

Ritsuko: JESUS CHRIST! ::She quickly ducked behind a nearby corner::

Now

::As Helga continues to yell at her in Russian, Ritsuko reaches in and pulls out a flash bang::

Ritsuko: Goodness knows I'd ACTUALLY like to shoot her with my PP7. But I don't think I could explain my way out of that one... I don't think she was that crazy when Ed himself was here! I wonder what sick crazed things have warped her...

::She throws the flash bang around the corner. Going off, the noise and light fill the room completely. Ritsuko dashes in the direction of ICU 42A. As she runs she sees Helga holding an arm over her eyes, but she is still in the way::

Ritsuko: Crap! ::She jumps, and flips over Helga, and makes a beeline for the ICU::

Helga: NONONONONONONO!!!!!!!

::She turns and fires blindly into the corridor as Ritsuko makes like a bat out of hell for Zofia's room::

[Summary:] Ritsuko is trying to see Zofia in Torvalds. Nurse Helga is shooting at her

*Helga regains her sight and notices the Ritsuko is long gone, she walks over the the wall and gets on the intercomm, she screams into it*

Helga: OT VSEY DUSHI POZDRAVLYAYU I ZHELAYU VSEGO NAILUCHSHENGO!

*Almost immediatly many of the doors in the ICU wing are locked down. Helga reaches into an orderlys closet and grabs her minigun, as she is checking her ammo, 12 gaurds run in, each of them brandishing AK-105 Rifles*

Helga: Dobry den'!
Gaurd: Chem ty seychas zanimaeshsya?
Helga: Niet
Gaurd: A mechtayu vstretit devyshku, s kotory ya mog by prozhit vsyu zhizn'
Helga: NIET!
Gaurd: Vsyo pad kontrolem

*Helga takes the lead brandishing her mini gun, the other gaurds take up flanking posistions in the hall way in the door frames*

==Zofia's Room==

*Inside the room, Zofia lays there in her bed. Numerous IV's, wires, O2 sensors, and Oxygen lines run in and out of her. The top portion of her head is wrapped up in a bandage. Even with the fire fight going on outside she lies motionless in the bed. The Morphiene that they have her on has knocked her out and made her for the most part dead to the world*

~~~Freaky Morphene Induced Dream Sequence~~~

~Zofia, Daniel Jackson, And Lt. General Tempco are running down the deck of the ocean liner. They are being pursued by several CoC soldiers~

Zofia: I think we are going to have to jump for it!
Daniel: I'm not going in the water... expecially with YOU!
Zofia: Fine.. then stay with the CoC's! Are you coming Tempco?
Tempco: ~running looks down at the water~ Yeah... right after you.
Zofia: Lets hit it

~they jump in the water, Daniel Jackson and Sarge Jump in after them just as the bomb goes off the coc troops start shooting into the water. Zofia can see bullets zipping past her in the water, she reaches out for Tempco but just as she grabs his hand a bullet hits him in the chest and another in the head, the water is tinted a sickening red color, She tries swimming down after him but is grabbed by Daniel Jackson~


~Zofia is sitting in a chair flying in an Edenstein Lear Jet. She is talking to Tempco on a video conference screen~

LGZ: I should be ariving in Manarth in about hour, what is your status there at the embassy?

LGT: We will be leaving here shortly to head to the airport to pick you up. Are you going to be Ok on this boat?

LGZ: I should be its big enough, the doctor gave me some sea sickness pills before I left just in case though. I don't see how Ulonov does it, being on those damn battleships all the time. Me I'd rather have my feet knee deep in muck and jungle.... or going across the tundra.. or.. well you get the point, anything but water....

~Tempco laughs a little, rembering back to some of the winter excercises they had done with 3rd Army~

LGT: Well, we are heading out, we'll see you in a bit, Tempco out.
~The screen turns off and Zofia leans back in her chair giggling, can't waiting to see Tempco, she always had thing for him. Whether it was anything serious she wasn't quite sure. Something about sitting a foxhole under constant shelling gave a certain comradery~

~Zofia can see bullets zipping past her in the water, she reaches out for Tempco but just as she grabs his hand a bullet hits him in the chest and another in the head, the water is tinted a sickening red color, She tries swimming down after him but is grabbed by Daniel Jackson~

~Zofia can see bullets zipping past her in the water, she reaches out for Tempco but just as she grabs his hand a bullet hits him in the chest and another in the head, the water is tinted a sickening red color, She tries swimming down after him but is grabbed by Daniel Jackson~


[summation] Zofia has morphene induced dreams of the past.

*Response to Manarthian Proposal to use Andaluciaen forces in an occupation role*

At this current time we are not quite willing to engage in a full fledged occupation of Counterpoint, at least by that name. Instead, we'd be willing to put "neutral peacekeepers" on the ground in several Counterpointian coastal cities. These cities would be deemed "free cities" in which Andaluciaen forces would act in a "civil patrol" role. We would allow people freedom of movement inside the cities, and free import/export of goods to and from anywhere in LETI. Our military forces would "walk the beat" like police officers would. MPs would be the ones inside the cities, with a medium-sized mechanized force ringing the outside of the city to ensure "security and safety." Would this be a possible alternative?

OOC: Whoa, hold on a second. First of all Manarth, why is it you never told me about an invasion or taking over? I didn't even get a telegram saying that you where going to do this.

I don't approve of this at all especially since I was never asked if it was ok if I wanted to roleplay this. If you want to continue this, please TM me so we can discuss what is going on.

Jessica

Jessamine heard that Holy Toledo was sending an "inquisitor" over and thought it probably would be best to go along with them for the time being. If things got bad they would just have to kindly escourt the "inquisitor" out of the country and leave Toledo to their own business. She also was wondering how all of the ambassadors were doing, since things were starting to blow up in their faces and they were still in Saxes. She certainly didn't want to wake up to several tactical teams poised to strike at her palace just because there were ambassadors there. Then there was the matter of making sure that no Tubamanean soldiers got killed and therefore creating a war between Tubamanea and whatever nation killed their soldier...her head dropped to her hands, and her five minute power snooze began.


Jackson Hewitt Story
Eyes watched the hunting party on every side, and they kept to the cool shadows, letting the cooler temperatures cool their body heat down. Each member knew their place and would follow that place to the end. They waited for the next move.

::aboard the former CNS Silencer SSTN-1 A man sits in the command cabin going over videos of LETI Area news networks. At last he sees what he wants. Between the news networks and SIGINTEL He has found the location of his final target.::

::He grabs a phone:: Conn this is Silencer-6 make a course for Edenstein and prep the commando's. Revenge is going to be swift.


::The Silencer slips silently beneath the Thermal level to just above the Lake floor and moves at 4 Knots towards its objective::

Don Hablador's camp MadderMike, Surface


Michael O'Seanaessy O'Leary O'Day outlines the "Trade Agreement" Don Hablador will provide “Rope” and "White Powder" and in return will receive Gold Bugs. The "Goods" will be transported in C-47 Helicopters as well as the payment. They talk long into the night finally agreeing upon a fair price. Mike suggests perhaps one of Don’s daughters might be ready to marry one of Mike’s sons.

In MadderMikian controled Western Manarth


Mike O'leary tells his neighbor about he and his uncle setting up a series of small shops near the border to sell "Rope and White Powder." This is to weaken the resolve of any "Hornheads" in LetiReject.

In the Government Hospital

Mike of M&M Shipping tells his advisors he is bored. The war with CounterPoint seems to be stagnant, the peace talks in Saxes can’t get started as Rialto hasn’t shown up, although a nice assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of Manarth did liven things up. He might side with Edenstein just to mix things up a bit but then Andalusia would call off the blockade.

"My head hurts from all this thinking." Mike says to his economic advisor Mike Tweed.

"You should get Em back from Saxes."

"No I think I should call an election. I am popular, we are at war and the people need to reaffirm their leadership."

Mike Tweed declined to inform his Mikeship that he already declared himself President for Life.

[Summary -- trying to clean up loose ends and continuing the never-ending story.]

*It is a rather dreary day in Detroit Edenstein, the normal mobsters are out in full force doing driveby's, pimps and ho's are going about their buisness as usual, and Mr. Napedalon is out infront of his store, getting ready for the yearly neighborhood festival*

Corran: Ahhh what a beautiful day here. *leans down to pick up some trash just as a spray of bullets flys where he was just standing* I can't belive that the festival is only 3 days away. I'll have to make the shop all tidy.

*his "Wife" walks out of the store with her arm behind her back, she walks up to corran smiling.*

Corran: Ohhh hello my lovely wife! How are our 12 beautiful children?

Wife: GEDT MONEIF SHAVEL

Corran: Ohh I love you too!

*he turns around for a moment, she advances on him and pulls out a huge butcher knife. Quickly she lifts her arms up to plunge the knife into him but he turns around. She brings the knife down but instead of imbeding it in him, her arms fall around his neck and the knife falls to the ground*

Corran: OHHH! What a wonderful life we have here! *he pulls out from under her arms and whistleing walks back into the store. His "Wife" Mutters something discernable and picks up the knife.*

[summation] Mr. Napedalon prepares for the stree faire

::In Torvalds Hospital Ritsuko is running like a banshee. She has already run into 3 dead ends, and has nearly been hit by the minigun several times. When she gets a free second, she turns around and returns fire. She turns around and looks at another locked down hallway::

Ritsuko: Crap!

::As she turns, a couple guards come running at her, guns firing. Ritsuko takes a running jump over them and kicks off the wall. As she does so, a bullet hits her shoulder. She winces, but lands behind them anyway. She turns around and fires at them, taking them out before she continues. Finally she looks and sees a room marked 42A. She tries the door, knowing it won't open. She back up and fires at the lock, breaking it. Just before she runs in, Helga rounds the corner, screaming something in Russian.

Ritsuko: WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?!?!?! I JUST CAME TO SEE ZOFIA! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???

Helga: NOT ALLOWED IN!

Ritsuko: IS THIS A HOSPITAL OR A BARRACKS? WHY ALL THIS SECURITY!

::Instead of answering, Helga raises her gun and fires. Ritsuko ducks and rolls into the door, forcing it open. She rolls into the room and behind the bed::

Ritsuko: She wouldn't shoot in here with a patient would she?

::She stands quickly and looks at Zofia. Her heart sinks. It was obvious that there was no way to communicate with her. She is in almost a coma state::

Ritsuko Why!?! Why did you go and do something stupid like that Zofia? I could've helped you! I would've helped you! ::She sits down and tears up:: "What now? In about 10 seconds, Helga's going to come in and probably shoot me dead. In the meantime there's nothing I can do!" She puts her head in her hands and awaits what she knows is going to be a messy death...::

[Summary:] Ritsuko finds Zofia a vegetable and begins to despair

::HO Channel 2 News::

Tom: ...Well Diane I'd say he's certainly a 'Big Dip!'

Diane: Big Dip indeed Tom! Today, Pete Krawson becomes the second person to be publicly executed during Carmine's reign, which causes one to wonder how many more dippings we see!

Tom: I'll bet we see as much as we do when you wear that dress Diane!

Diane: Indeed Tom! But one thing is sure. Premiere Carmine means business when it comes to the CCR. Next we take you to MadderMike where custodians found a grown man's...

::Elly turns off the news. She sighs as she sits in her hotel. Detroit Edenstein's festival was hardly something someone of her caliber should be reporting. She'd won the position of being assigned to the Holy Emperor's press releases after years of hard work and dedication, but since the Hundred Arrows Movement she'd had nothing but little jobs. Apparently the Premiere didn't go out in public, a lot like the Holy Emperors had in the past. The difference was that now the Premiere refused to have any of the press around unless he specifically called for them. She only hoped that after this assignment she could talk to her boss and try to figure something out. Maybe she could get sent to Linux to report on Romanov or something. Because there was absolutely nothing here in Detroit Edenstein of interest...::

[Summary:] Pete Krawson has been executed by public dipping. Elly hates her new assignment

*Helga runs down the hall, followed by about 12 gaurds she fondals the trigger on the mini gun, she pops into the door way*

Helga: YOU NOT ALLOWED IN!

*she squeezes the trigger and the gun turrets spin, and spin, and spin, helga looks at the feed coming into the gun and she is out of ammo*

Helga: NIET! NIET! *She pulls a knife from her belt and lunges at Ritsuko, but is stopped by a gaurd who has run down the hall way*

Gaurd: Mne ochen' ponravilas vasha photographiya i pis'mo.
Helga: Dlya menya eto ochen' neobychny sposob znakomstva
Gaurd: NIET!

*Helga storms off, the gaurd walks over to Ritsuko*

Gaurd: Prasteete, Emperor Ed send word down. *thinks about english words for a moment* You have clearence to see Comrade General. *hands the orders to her and then leaves the room. The gaurds take up their posistions before the incident. 2 more platoons of soldiers are posted in the high security ICU for protection*

~orders~

General, You have clearence to see Zofia. Next time, contact me first.

ER

::Ritsuko looks at the orders. 'Next time, contact me first.' [i]"Yeah, I guess I'll do that next time...[/] She thinks about how she just rushed to the hospital as soon as she found out, not even thinking. That's what Luna was usually for... to stop her from doing things like that. She chuckled a bit to herself. Looking up at Zofia, her smile faded back away. She stood up and leaned over the hospital bed::

Ritsuko: Boy, they sure are pumping her full of morphine... Oh Zofia! You need to get better! Emperor Ed needs you! Edenstein needs you! LETI needs you! I need you.

::She bows her head and begins to walk out of the room, not sure where she will be going next. Maybe to Linux to find out what Ed was going to do now. It might be safe. As she walks away she turns back into the room::

Ritsuko I wonder what kind of dreams someone has when she's saved the region from a madman and ended up drugged up on morphine...

~~~Drug induced crazy dream~~~

~Zofia is sitting on a sandy beach of Edenstein, she is laying on a large towel in a red Bikini. She's wearing a large pair of black sunglasses and enjoying her time off. All of a sudden she sees a flash from the horizon, she picks up a pair of binoculers and looks out. On the horizon she sees a battleship, and on the deck of the battleship is Ulonov looking back at her. A moment later she hears the screaming of what sounds like a thousand banshee's coming in on top of her.~

Zofia: Oh my god... ~she jumps off of the towl and runs up the beach, the sound gets louder until the next thing she knows, she's laying in a fox hole in full winter camoflauge. Bullets are buzzing over her head she pulls up her rifle and takes aim at to soldiers running towards her foxhole, she drops them both. Quickly she gets out of the hole and towards what looks like a field headquaters, she runs into the command tent. Standing at a table is a Captain and a Grand Marshall. She salutes to the two as she enters.~

Grand Marshall: ~Looks at Zofia's uniform~ Corporal, I have an important mission for you..
~A shell lands very close to the tent sending dirt and debris in~

Cpl Zofia: Yes sir... anything for the Empire..

Captain: We need you to go here, ~points to place on map~ It is the utmost importance, you must secure the bridge there. Unfortunatly, we can only spare two others to go with you. They are making their way up now..

~A private and a private first class enter the tent, they salute~
Grand Marshall: Privates... ~looks at nametags~ Onotov, and Tempco... ~shakes head~ I wish I had more to send but you are all I have to spare. Corporal Zofia will fill you in.
Captain: We need this bridge siezed by 09:30 so the heavy armor can roll across. Failure is not an option. Are we clear?

~The three soilders salute and make their way out of the tent just as they are leaving the Grand Marshall stops them~

Grand Marhall: Make sure that you come back in one ~the Marshall turns into Emperor Ed who is sitting at his desk~

Ed: Piece of the puzzle... what are those people in Manarth doing? ~shakes his head~ They've only been a nation for a few weeks and already having a civil war.

~Zofia looks around, Ulonov is asleep in a chair, Lt. General Tempco is taking notes, and General Onotov is looking at a child care magazine~

Zofia: Umm.. Ed.. what is going on?
Ed: We are having a briefing! What does it look like?
Zofia: No no. I mean, first I was just on a beach, then I was at the battle of Javarind with Tempco and Onotov and now i'm here! I think I'm frieking out man...
Ed: You are frieking out...... MAN...

*Zofia sits up straight in bed and looks around, she is still attached to all of the machinery. A light at the nurses station goes off and Helga comes running down the hall and into the room*

Helga: YOU AWAKE!
Zofia: Apparently.....

Manarth controlled Counterpoint: Green Zone

Undersecretary of Foriegn Affairs (LETI) Wallace smiled to himself. Already the occupation has been hailed a rousing sucess. Limited loss of life, largte numbers of active Counterpoint Army deactivated, and no major insurrections as of yet. Almost what he'd imagined an occupation of Edenstein would look like, if his uncle had ever managed to conquer them in the good old days. Still, he knew such a thing was fleeting, and temporary. Not all of Emperess Jessica's old guard had been caught, and they were surely biding their time for a comeback.

The man assigned to represent Manarthain interests in Counterpoint, and to speak the word of Emperess Jessica for her, was in his oppinion a most detestable man, clearly more of a political appointee than a compitent leader. Fortunately the man, a certain Dr. Kyle Sommar, while being a major player in the Democratic Republican Party, was still a underling of Undersecretary Wallace. Which in turn ment he was free to micromanage the bejezzus out of him.

This in turn lead to a backlash by the good Doctor, who honestly believed the propaganda being fed to him, that this was for the Counterpointians own good. Which ment in turn that Wallace had to do one thing he wasn't good at doing when ordering the doctor around; he had to be political.

Wallace: And that, Dr. Sommar, is why the military needs the power to search and seize Counterpointians on limited evidence. It's for their own protection.

Sommar: I don't aggree, Mr. Wallace, and I don't think the Secretary would aggree either.

That was another problem, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs was still a Democratic Republican first, and a loyal member of Triana Smith's coalition government second.

Wallace: Listen to me, Doctor. There are still anti-Manarthian forces out there, and if we sit around and wait for them to act, we've already as good as lost. What lessons did we learn from our protection of Eastern Detroit? There will always be people who don't approve of our leadership in this time of crisis. Even Emperess Jessica remains too brainwashed to think this is in the best interests of her government. We need to be able to seak out dissidents and sieze them before they are able to undermine our authority.

Dr. Sommar: Have you ever heard of the Revolutionary Fallacy, Gen. Wallace?

Wallace: No, I can't say that I have.

Dr. Sommar: I learned about it first when I was a Political Science Professor at MSU. One of my grad students, a real genious, came up with a Catch 22 describing what to do when a people are disatisfied with the government.

Wallace: So?

Dr. Sommar: I'm getting to that. In short, he has us assume that the goal of gradual revolution, which is what you fear here, is to provoke an even greater force of counter revolution. Actually, to say that's assumed is a bit strong, rather he went on to prove that first, which was an important stepping stone in it's own right in post-Canal War discussions on the Eastern Detroit question.

Wallace: Do you have a point?

Dr. Sommar: Well, we have two choices in how to respond to a revolution. Of cource the size is a factor, but once it gets... oh nevermind that. The point is two choices for a revolution that is just beginning. The first, is we try to win the hearts and minds of the people so that they accept us as saviors, liberators, and not occupiers. We are forced to ignore attacks on our soldiers, and defend the people to the best of our ability without infringing on any of their rights. To work with the people, and respect thier decisions, even if they err on the side of liberty and not caution. Or...

Wallace: Or?

Dr. Sommar: Or we can try your way, we attack the insurectionists quickly, mercylessly, and anihilate them utterly. We drive them before us, we arrest anyone who might be a threat, including innocents that might have helped our cause. We give the people a choice of who to fear, and we make sure the winner of the competition is us. In short, we play right into the insurrectionists' hands. I won't have us doing that, even if you think we should. We need the people to trust us, if we're going to be able to help them. If they do, it'll be harder than ever to convince them that we're the enemy, we're a threat to them, and that the insurectionists, who are killing their fellow countrymen, truely have their best interests in mind. So in short, no, I'm not going along with your plan. I'm not letting Manarth become the bad guy here in Counterpoint, and if you don't like it, you can talk to your boss about it.

Undersecretary Wallace went back to his office and made a phone call to Lake Clarke City. Ten hours later, Dr. Sommar was on his way to Factory Idiots, as the new Embassador, and Wallace was delivering an order to the Manarthian Army, authorizing them to arrest suspicious Counterpointians.

[Summary: Manarth isn't going to be friendly and helpful to the Counterpointians. In fact, they're arresting any person they want, based on suspicion alone. "Screw the innocents! We're winning the War!"]

*In Counterpoint*

According to plan, the Manarthian occupation troops began to withdraw inland from their positions in several key port cities. As they leave, Counterpointians look out their windows in confusion, not knowing what is going on. Some go out onto the streets, and start to ask questions. The sudden lack of soldiers on the streets is strange, espescially in light of recent events.

Also according to plan, Andaluciaen AMTRACs and Amphibious LAVs roll onto the beaches of Counterpoint. The AMTRACs disgorge Andaluciaen marines, who take up positions around the vehicles, as they advance into the city.

Counterpointian citizens rush inside when they see the new military armored vehicles rolling down their streets. Loudspeakers announce that they are not occupation troops, but peacekeepers, here to relieve the situation in these cities.

By nightfall, the Andaluciaen Marines have moved into the outskirts of the cities, while Andaluciaen Army Military Police Units patrol the streets. Posting signs announcing that the cities are to be considered "free cities." Civilians are told that they are now free to move about without papers, and not to worry about curfews any more. Normal civil procedures will be implemented by an interim Mayoral position in each city, until the cities are capable of running themselves and fielding a police force of their own. The MPs announce that they will be acting in the role of civil police, while combat formations will isolate the city from the surrounding countryside to prevent infiltration of terrorists and smugglers.

Civilians are told a date and time to go to a central government office building to received updated drivers licenses and other similar official papers.

*Message to other nations of LETI*

As of this time yesterday, Andaluciaen forces have taken control of several Counterpointian port cities from the Manarthian Peacekeeper Forces. (MPF) We have declared these cities to be Free Cities, and all the standard issues apply. Your nations will have unlimited shipping into and out of Counterpoint via these cities, and you may receive/send immigrants/emigrants to these cities as well.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Consul Arthur

Manarth News Network: *Special Report!*

William Polachek: Hello, I'm William Polachek, and this is a MNN special report!

::Cheesy newsroom music blares out that it is, in fact, a special report::

William Polachek: Just one day after Dr. Sommar, Manarth's former representative to the Counterpoint interim government, was reassigned to Factory Idiots in what some Democratic Republicans and Democratic Socialists are considering a power play by Prime Minister Triana Smith, he has come home to run as Upper House candidate for his district, Miami/New Philadelphia.

Already, tensions are high between Democratic Republican moderates, who favor a continued coalition with Ms. Smith, and those who agree with Dr. Sommar, who is now advocating a change to the coalition. Dr. Sommar, upset with Manarth's handling thus far of the Counterpoint issue, calling a blowup "Only a matter of time", is courting Democratic Socialists and even Radical Liberals, in his attempt to oust Prime Minister Triana Smith from office.

Currently, Ms. Smith is enjoying a [(8-5)-3]-7-2 majority in the Upper House, with 8 members of her Manarthian Patriot Party (the former Conservative Party), and 8 members of the Democratic Republican Party giving her a 16 member majority, with only 9 members of the Minority coalition, the Democratic Socialist and Radical Liberals. However, 3 of those DR members; Gregory Lyons (DR-Lake Clarke City), Yassim Barali (DR-Eastern Detroit), and Susan P. Wainright (DR-At Large), have declaired that they will break ranks if a vote of no confidence is given.

Ms. Smith is expected to order an election be taken shortly, and she is fairly confident of her victory. DR spokesman and Lower House Majority Leader Thomas Killian has delciared that the break away members were no longer recognized by the party, and will not be on the offical party ballot for the comming election, leading some to believe a new party will be formed.

We will keep you posted on farther developments as they come in.

And now we take you live to George Polllypolis who is reporting live on the Kusa tsunami...

=Now that most of her duties have been taken over by Manarth. Jessica has more time to sit in her tub and relax and exfoliate her skin=

Jessica- =to her self= You know, this ain't so bad..


=Meanwhile in Bachsburg, one of the largest cities in Counterpoint=

=A formal demonstration has begun. About a 1000 Protestors are marching in the streets with banners saying "This is our country, get the hell out!" "Invade Madder Mike" "Liberation = Occupation" as the protestors get closer to the town the ring leader, Mos Definatley stands up with a bull horn to spur the people on.=

Mos- WHY IS MANARTH HERE? THEY WHERE INVITED INTO OUR COUNTRY AS FRIENDS? NOW THEY ARE TAKING THE ROLE OF LIBERATORS? THE ONLY LIBERATING WE NEED IS FROM THEM!

Crowd- Angry shouts.

Mos- And Andalucaie! THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE HERE AT ALL! FIRST THEY BLOCKADE US! THEN "LIBERATE" THESE ACTS AMOUNT TO NOTHING MORE THEN A CONQUERING ARMY!

Crowd- More angry shouts.

Mos- We want Jessica! We Want Jessica! We Want Jessica!

Crowd- =starts chanting we want jessica, they continue marching thru the streets=

::In Detroit Edenstein, a festival rages. Elly stands in front of a small ferris wheel reporting for tonight's news::

Elly: For the past 35 years, Detroit has celebrated "Ford Days", celebrating the car that changed the world. And it's only right that they hold this festival too, as immigrants from Detroit Michigan moved here 35 years ago to escape the city that all know to be the worst city in the world. As you may know, citizens here have enjoyed freedoms that Michigan's residents don't have, and they of course are not the terrorist breed of Eastern Detroit. The festival always includs a car show, demonstrations, and of course a carnival. So come on down, as the festival runs for another 2 days!

Camera man: And cut!

Elly: Wow... Does that sound like it's a decent festival?

::She looks around at the meager carnival that takes up approximately 2 blocks on the main road. The car show she spoke of happens to be the parking lot of the local school. She shakes her head::

Elly: I need something to drink... but I'm not spending the money to buy something here... Isn't there a convenience store around here?

Camera Man: I heard there's a Quickie Mart around here run by some Indian guy.

Elly: Isn't that how they all are?
It's still better than here... let's go...

::A helicoptor flies overhead of Linux, Edenstein. Their helicoptor pilot, Steve Houston, radios into the control tower::

Houston: Control, this is Steve Houston, requesting permission to laand. I have 3 passengers on board: Helmholtz Watson, Jenny Heartwind, and Dimitri Raskalnokov to meet with the Emperor.

In the remote corner of Saxes-The Camp
The man let the flap of the commander's tent fall as he listened to the rodent-like scurrying of his men. They all respected him, and agreed with him on his points of coming back. There was also a level of fear, because former General Fredrick "The Horseman" Planck was a man of necessity. If it wasn't needed or being used, it was disposed of immediately. This thinking also extended to his men. If they were incompetent, then they were a liability and were killed and tossed into the ocean. Planck began planning his takeover of the government by himself; only when his plan was foolproof would he share it with top advisors.

Manarth News Network: 10:04pm EST

*Special Report Music starts blaring in the background*

William Polachek: We interupt our ongoing election coverage for this Manarthian News Network: Special Report!

*Music continues blaring, with special graphics of the Canal War, the Inaguration of Ms. Smith, and stock photos of military actions*

William Polachek: Two days ago, an angry croud marched through the streets of Bachsburg, calling for Emperess Jessica. With fear for her safety, and the demonstrated disreguard for civil solutions of the protesters, Manarthian forces have begun siezing those suspected in aiding the protest. We take you now to talk with Captain Baldovich of the 592nd MP Battalion.

*Background changes to a deserted Countrpointian Street*

Captain Baldovich: As you can see, Will, we've instituted a 2100 hours curfew, in addition to our arrests. So far, the General Staff estimates that about 50 or so of the protesters have been taken into custody. But the mastermind of the protests, Mos Definately is still unaccounted for.

So far, almost all Manarthian military actions here have been patrols or police related. We are expected to begin training a Counterpoint police force in the comming weeks, but that has not begun yet, at this time.

William Polachek: Thanks Captain Baldovich. And now back to your election coverage:

It is now clear that the Democratic Republican Party is going to split over their continued support for Prime Minister Smith. At this time, the splinter group, calling themselves the United Republican Party is seeing a large following in numbers in 5 key areas. Here's a list of the latest polls, the question being "If the election were held today, which party would you vote for"

Lake Clarke City: (140 Lower House Seats)
*Manarthain Patriot Party: 24% (I)
Democratic Republican: 10%
*Democratic Socialist: 22%
Radical Liberal: 8%
Manarthain Workers Party: 1%
United Democratic Party: 15% (I)
Undecided: 20%

Port Hrabe: (125 Lower House Seats)
*Manarthain Patriot Party: 32% (I)
*Democratic Republican: 24% (I)
Democratic Socialist: 10%
Radical Liberal: 4%
Manarthain Workers Party: 6%
United Democratic Party: 8%
Undecided: 16%

New Eatsville: (85 Lower House Seats)
Manarthain Patriot Party: 13%
Democratic Republican: 17% (I)
*Democratic Socialist: 21% (I)
Radical Liberal: 1%
Manarthain Workers Party: 2%
*United Democratic Party: 23%
Undecided: 23%

Palm Springs: (75 Lower House Seats)
*Manarthain Patriot Party: 27% (I)
Democratic Republican: 12%
*Democratic Socialist: 16% (I)
Radical Liberal: 3%
Manarthain Workers Party: 5%
United Democratic Party: 11%
Undecided: 26%

Fort Custer: (80 Lower House Seats)
Manarthain Patriot Party: 15%
*Democratic Republican: 38% (I)
*Democratic Socialist: 18% (I)
Radical Liberal: 0%
Manarthain Workers Party: 2%
United Democratic Party: 2%
Undecided: 25%

Royal Palm Beach: (100 Lower House Seats)
*Manarthain Patriot Party: 28% (I)
Democratic Republican: 15%
*Democratic Socialist: 20% (I)
Radical Liberal: 3%
Manarthain Workers Party: 2%
United Democratic Party: 7%
Undecided: 25%

Miami: (105 Lower House Seats)
*Manarthain Patriot Party: 12% (I)
Democratic Republican: 10%
*Democratic Socialist: 24% (I)
Radical Liberal: 11%
Manarthain Workers Party: 3%
United Democratic Party: 10%
Undecided: 25%

Quinto City: (80 Lower House Seats)
*Manarthain Patriot Party: 25% (I)
Democratic Republican: 12%
*Democratic Socialist: 24% (I)
Radical Liberal: 4%
Manarthain Workers Party: 1%
United Democratic Party: 13%
Undecided: 21%

Republic of Eastern Detroit: (105 Lower House Seats)
Manarthain Patriot Party: 4%
Democratic Republican: 7%
Democratic Socialist: 14%
*Radical Liberal: 20% (I)
Manarthain Workers Party: 1%
*United Democratic Party: 28% (I)
Undecided: 26%

Republic of West Palm Beach: (125 Lower House Seats)
Manarthain Patriot Party: 3%
Democratic Republican: 5%
*Democratic Socialist: 16% (I)
*Radical Liberal: 42% (I)
Manarthain Workers Party: 0%
United Democratic Party: 14%
Undecided: 30%

Upper House Totals:

Manarthian Patriot Party: 6 (6)
Democratic Republican: 2 (3)
Democratic Socialist: 8 (7)
Radical Liberal: 2 (2)
Manarthian Workers Party: 0 (0)
United Democratic Party: 2 (2)

[Summary: Although the DS/RL/UD coalition appears to need only 1 at large vote to have a clear majority, there are still some sections up for grabs. The race is too close to call. Plus, Manarthain troops are arresting suspected protesters.]

OOC: Honestly, who's going to read the whole previous post? You know why I posted it? If so, tell me, because I sure as hell don't.

OOC: Manarth: Where elections and dead Prime Ministers are as common as gun fights in MadderMike. You create: we read, you don't understand: neither do we. It does add color and background.

OOC: I still read your posts kelso. No matter how jumbled they are, I read everyones post, even when I don't care who the hell wins an election! :;

::The Former CNS Silencer has now closed to within 10 miles of Linux, Edenstein. Former CoC SAS Team 4, consisting of 6 soldiers exit the submarine while it still submerged with small swimmer assisting propelled boat that stays submerged, moving at 4 knots the soldiers come within a half mile of a deserted Edenstein beach where they ditch the submersible and swim the rest of the way in. When they arrive on shore they strip off their wet suits, put on civilian clothes, grab their duffel bags and head off for a road where they can hitchhike to a hotel to finalize their plan::

In Saxes
Em, ADM Dewey and Mrs. Dewey have been eating lunch at the little outdoor cafe where Vandershale was assassinated. Somehow the few minutes of terror reminded them of home.

Em: "I am getting tired of waiting for Rialto to show, I think we should pack up and go home."

Mrs. Dewey nodded in agreement, noting that the level of service the wait staff was providing was excellent. This may be a result of her completely stripping an insolent waiter with a few well placed swipes of her sword. That combined with her shaving one half of his head without drawing a single drop of blood. She too longed for the mole-like existance of MadderMike.

The head lackey in charge of the diplomatic party ears perked up. He snapped his long, spindly, well manicured fingers and twenty lackeys sprung to action. He whispered a few words into a tiny cell phone and six hundred miles away a diplomatic B2 "Air Force Two" turned towards Saxes.

Em contacted the Empress' staff and expressed her wishes of a quick audience to explain their departure.

The Kindly Inquisitor, The Reverend Torquemada arrives in Saxes, he is a short man about five foot five inches tall, wearing the elaborate formal traveling attire of a full Reverend of Holy Toledo. His girth is much wider than his height, pushing four hundred pounds, he gasps for breath as he waddles down the airway getting off the plane.

His "Costume" starts with his feet in pink Persian slippers, pale purple silk tights, a brocaded over jacket covering a stiff white shirt with lace cuffs. He looks like an oriental carpet walking on spider legs.

He finally makes his way to the baggage claim and with the help of three red caps gathers his eighteen pieces of luggage and goes to the waiting limo. "To the Hilton, my good man." He tells the driver between great gulps of air.

===Public notice to all Great Lakes nations===

On June 1st, at 07:00 Edenstein will be testing a new weapon on our Nuclear Test range aproximatly 395 miles due south of Linux, and 300 Miles East of the Port of Raliegh. You may observe this test with satellite imagery only.

Signed,

Air General Herbert Kole
Supreme Commander of Strategic Forces

*deep in an Edenstein bunker somwhere in the old lands of Dread Lord Cable, several hundred feet below ground, members of the press corp and a high ranking Edenstein airforce General look onto what appears to be a silo room a clock on the wall reads 05:45*

Gen: Ladies and Gentleman of the press corp, I sincerly apologize for the way that we had to, bound, gag, and blindfold you, the full body cavity searches, the prevasive background screening, and super secret confidentiality waivers that will deny you to report anything but the very basic facts of what is going on here today. These are mearly safty precautions to gaurd an historic event. The testing of an improved version of the H.O.U.N.D. the device we are testing is a smaller scale version of the weapon that can be fired from ground based storage facilities like this one.

Reporter: (Still realing from cavity search) Farbra Walters LETI Channel 5, Where is the test site for this new version of the H.O.U.N.D.?

Gen: Well we've nicknamed it the P.U.P

*hesitent laughs from the crowd*

Gen: On the coast line of Edenstein, about 350 miles due south of Linux and 300 Miles due East of Raliegh. Its a deserted part of Edenstein, propigated mainly by tall cliffs and thick forests, we have been using it as a test range for years now. But in *looks at watch* 5 Minutes, the test range which is aproximatly 40 miles in radius will cease to be. The new P.U.P. is designed to be a high explosive weapon, with low to little fallout.

Reporter: (Still enjoying the cavity search) Jan Blather, Edenstein Channel 3, Are you saying that you've designed almost a "Shaped charge" Warhead?

Gen: Yes, if the test is successful, then yes, if not, well.... it could poten*trails off* Ohh look 1 Minute till launch...

*the reporters all turn and look towards the control rooms, the men in the silo begin going through launch procedures, at 5 seconds a satellite picture of the test area comes up and outside cameras show the silo, at 0, the missle launches out of the silo*

Gen: Now it will take aproximatly 2 minutes for the warhead to get up to speed and hit its target. Any questions while this is going on?

Reporter: TOM BROKEJAW NBC NEWS, I would like another Cavity search....

Gen: How did you get in here? Next?

Reporter: Stephani Schuster ENN 83, How complete will the damage be?

Gen: Total, god help anything or anyone in that area. Residents around the test area where evacuated as a precaution... but sometimes we might miss a group of people. We did warn the populace about the impending doom some time ago... *looks at watch* Well about 10 seconds until impact lets watch..

*on the screen, the satellite keeps an unblinking eye on the range, buildings have been errected to gauge the damage. Just before the weapon hits the satellite tracks six heat signitures walking down a road in the test sight.*

Lt: SIR! INTELLIGENCE HAS PICKED UP 6 HUMANOID HEAT SIGS?

Gen: WHAT ARE THEY DOING THERE?

Lt: Sir I don't know!!!

Gen: Ohh my god....

*on the screen a blinding white flash engulfs the screen, the satellite knocks out for a moment but then reboots, when it does, the screen shows the complete and utter destruction of the area nothing is left standing including vegetation, and housing. The test area has turned into a 40 mile wide wasteland.*

Gen: Get a search party out there for those men... any questions from the press?

[summation] Weapons test at 6 am, 300+ miles south of linux on the coast is a success. Helicopters are dispatched to find the 6 Humanoids....

OOC: Ouch. Well played.

Edit: Overkill much?

OOC: thanks kelso. hehe, if you want to actually rp something with them let me know in advance. I'm usually up for something as long as I know sort of what your going for.

OOC: Who said Children of Connery is still me. ^L^

Baleet-ed...

delteet-ed...

the cheat-ed...

DELETE-ED!

::In Detroit Edenstein, Elly and her crew are getting ready to leave. As the camera crew packs up she and the boom operator--James--enter into a small Quickie Mart. It is a quaint little store, and there is an Indian woman standing behind the counter::

Elly: Always an Indian person running these things...

::James walks up to the counter::

James: Hi! I'd like to get a Pepsi please, and a Gatorade.

::The woman speaks, and although it is supposedly in English, James cannot understand a word she says::

James: Huh? Come again?

::The woman keeps talking, but James still cannot decipher the words. Elly walks up beside him::

James: Can you understand her? Her accent is so thick I can't figure out what she's saying?

::The woman speaks::

Elly: Actually it's not her accent... She's not speaking in English.

James: Do you understand Indian?

Elly: It's not called Indian, it's Hindi, and no... not a word...

James: Crap...

::The bathroom door opens and a man walks out. It is Mr. Napadelon. He smiles at his wife and tousles her hair, not noticing that she has a knife held behind her back::

Mr. Napadelon: Oh thank you for watching the store for me my dear sweet wife! Now, how may I help you?

Elly: ... ... ...

James: Yeah, I need a Pepsi and a Gatorade.

Mr. Napedalon: Yes! We can certainly help you with that!

::Elly's jaw drops and her eyes bulge almost out of their sockets::

Elly: OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James: What? It's actually cheaper here than it is back home. If you can't affor...

Elly: CORRAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Napadelon: What?

Elly: JAMES! THIS MAN IS HOLY EMPEROR ELWOOD ZEV CORRAN!

::James looks at Mr. Napadelon::

James: Now that you mention it, the resemblence is uncanny...

Elly: NO!! THIS ACTUALLY IS HIM!!!!!!! THIS IS WHERE THEY PUT HIM!!!!! JESUS CHRIST HE'S BEEN HERE ALL ALONG! CORRAN! Did they brainwash you?

Mr. Napadelon: What are you talking about? I am Mr. Napadelon and this is my beautiful wife. I've been here as long as I can remember.

Elly: Do you remember anything further back than 6 months?

Napadelon: Umm... actually, now that you mention it... I really don't. But I must? I have 13 children.

Elly: Are they all Indian?

Napadelon: Of course they are!

Elly: Not one of them is LETIan?

Napadelon: No...

Elly: Isn't that a little odd?

Napadelon: Umm...

Elly: James! Get the crew, we have to get Corran out of here now! He's been brainwashed and doesn't remember a thing! HURRY!

James: What about my Gatorade?'

Elly: SCREW THE GATORADE!!!! THE HOLY EMPEROR OF HENCELAND OMEGA THINKS HE'S A CONVENIENCE STORE OWNER IN EDENSTEIN! WE HAVE TO GET HIM OUT OF HERE NOW!!!

::Elly grabs Corran as James warns the crew of their extra passenger. As Corran is yanked out of the store, the woman pulls the knife out from behind her back and throws it at him. The knife just barely misses it. Corran doesn't even have a chance to say anything as Elly throws him in the HO Channel 2 News truck...:

to be continued...

[Summary:] Elly walks in and finds out the Corran is running a Quickie Mart in Edenstein. She has rekidnapped him. More to follow.

=The sun is rising in the air, the opressive heat beats down upon the people in the street like a sulton opressing his people. Many people are laying about the street, their drug fetishes have are now just kicking in. Most are at the peak of the drug induced day. An alarming census ministry record shows that people in this part of the country, especially in this part of town are more heavily armed then the average citizen of MadderMike.=

*two men are sitting along what used to be a main road in Detroit, until the almost war like riots took place, now the street looks like a scene from the moon, with craters and what used to be buildings littering the street, they both sit in the shade of a bombed out building smoking a local mix of Petroleum Jelly, Jack in the Pulpit, Crabgrass, and starting fluid. They hold their AK-47's close to them and have a deep intellectual conversation*

Man 1: Ya.... birds... birds are... are.. well.. birds
Man 2: *takes a hit of his mix from a chia head* Well what if they arn't birds?
Man 1: Then it must be... freud....
Man 2: But freud is sitting here with us, *they look over and see 19th century philosopher Sigmund Freud next to them, smoking the concoction from his pipe*
Freud: Vell.. vat if zees is not velly here? Und just a figment of Wo's Imagination, directly related do a paradoxical methaphore of your Vaters?

Man 1 and 2: Wo...

*the HO channel 2 news van comes screaming down the "Street" and disrupts their deep moment with freud*

Man 1: Hey was that a HO channel 2 news van?
Man 2: Yeah.. I think it was...
Man 1: ehh... LETI News is better...

Freud: *standing up and pointing* GETS THEM!

*the two men shrug at the suggestion from freud and begin fireing at the van they each unload 2 full 30 round clips, they stop fireing just in time to hear other people down the street fireing at the van*

Man 1: I need another hit man...
Man 2: Ja...

*all up and down the street that the van is travelling, people lean out of windows, from corners and any other vantage to fire at the van. Most of it is small arms fire, and AK-47's, though down the road, people are readying RPG's for the crew. Also they start to errect makeshift barricades to bar them from escaping.*

[summation] All hell is breaking loose for the news crew, (Reference Black Hawk down for the sheer pandamonium) The locals have been apparently aggitated during their drug session by the van.

OOC: my last post was deleted for reasons known only to me and one other person, but if you want to know the real reason why, Telegram me...

*Protesters press the Andaluciaen troops up around the Government Control Building, with the troops shoulder to shoulder, bayonets pointing towards the protesters. Helicopters are circling the area, with gunners leaning out the sides.*

Protester1: GET OUT OF OUR COUNTRY FER'NER!!

Protester 2: LET US TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES!!

*Officers run along behind the human wall of the Andaluciaen Infantry, yelling constantly for the men to hold their fire, knowing that if the situation gets bad, they'd have air support from the circling helicopters and a battalion of Urban Combat Equipped tanks was just a few blocks away.*

Protester 3: THIS IS OUR LAND, NOT YOUR LAND!

Multiple Protesters: GO HOME, RUN HOME, TAIL BETWEEN YOUR LEGS!

::The Team after staying a night in a hotel get into two cabs and drive down to the docks of Linux where they rent a run down warehouse from an unscrupolous man, the team sets up shop inside the warehouse with security.::

Reports came in to Jessamine that the Holy Inquisitor from Holy Toledo had landed in Saxes and was being taken to the Hilton. She read the report of what he looked like and snorted. She didn't agree with the opulance of higher-up church members(those who did rake in the money), but in the interest of peace she would tolerate this overweight carpet-at least for the time being. Jessamine realized that it could become a problem if he produced problems and signs of "witchcraft" out of thin air, but those would be dealt with as they came. She also got the message from Em and agreed to the quick audience...she understood about wanting to get home from a foreign country. She prepared for the audience, which would take place as soon as the delegates arrived at her headquarters.

*Manarthian News Network*-Special Report

William Polachek: We are recieving reports today that Manarthian troops are vacating the Edenstein border region of Counterpoint, and are instead concentrating their forces to the interior. Counterpoint citizens, and anyone in the area, is being evacuated, for reasons as yet unknown. More developments on this later.

Also, a Manarthian embassador has been dispatched to all of the newly formed nations in LETI, requesting alliances.

in Saxes

The Reverend Torquemada arrives for breakfast in his rather modest working clothes. Plain black elevator shoes with square silver buckles, a black flowing robe with a thick white collar resembling a "Sue Collar" and topped off with a pink and purple gutrah. He looks like a moving, garish funeral tent.

He sits down at the counter taking up two stools, he orders the "Ploughman's Breakfast" the "Hearty Breakfast", and three stacks of blueberry pancakes.

As he is wolfing down the meal for six, he begins to question the waitress on any suspicious "magical" happenings. He looks carefully around to make sure no one is evesdropping and asks if she has any knowledge of witches.

[Summary-Reverend Torquemada is beginning his search for witches in Saxes]

Counterpoint: Edenstein Border Region

New forces have begun to move into the area, from the general area of Manarthian held lines. Large in number, their forces are comprised mostly of Armor, Mechanized Infantry, and Assault Helicopter units as well as a substantial Air Force.

However, they are not dressed as Manarthians, nor in any uniform seen in LETI for the last six months. Rather, their green fatigues are emblazened with an older flag: two white stripes crossing a blue background.

Almost immediately, recon flights are sent up along the entirety of the Edenstein/Counterpoint border region. Staying just inside of Counterpoint airspace, they look out over Edenstein's border regions, always vigilant.

After a short meeting with his men, the "mystery assasin", Spineaus Amadeus Practoris had a short phone meeting with Jessamine in which he was told of the High Holy Inquisitor in Saxes. He was also told to watch the Inquisitor and make sure that nothing happened to any citizen of Saxes or Tubamanea. Practoris was sent info on the Inquisitor as well as a picture and stats of a Tubamanean soldier(so they would know the difference between them and the Inquisitor's men). After the phone meeting, Practoris sent his men into the forest on routine watches, then got a special ops team together. Their orders were to go around Saxes in pairs to watch for the Inquisitor and/or his men, and to get info on them without being conspicuous. Practoris was to watch the Inquisitor specifically himself, and to possibly be "interviewed" for any "witch information", which, of course, would be to say that there are no witches in Saxes. Unless you counted Wiccans, of course, but since that was recognized as an official religion by Jessamine's great-grandfather almost 100 years ago, it shouldn't be a problem with the Holy Inquisitor.

Counterpoint: Edenstein Border Region

Rather, their green fatigues are emblazened with an older flag: two white stripes crossing a blue background.



Somethings fishy in the state of Denmark...er Counterpoint...

::As the HO Channel 2 Van drives away, suddenly bullets come flying past the van::

James: They're SHOOTING at us! Do you think they're assassins?

Elly: No... they're from Detroit. Think of it as MadderMike, but without the protocol.

James: So... crazed gun nuts are shooting at us. Why?

Elly: In a place like this, if even one person shoots at us, others will follow suit. ::A bullet whizzes by her ear. She turns white and ducks down. She looks over at Corran, who is stil completely bewildered by all of this::

James: Are they going to hit us do you think?

::Suddenly a bullet hits the back driver's side tire. The tire blows out, and the van loses control. The driver steers as best as he can, and gets over to the side of the road::

James: Now what?

::A gang of Detroit citizens steps out from the barricade and walks towards the van, most of them with multiple firearms. James begins to panic. Being a newsvan, none of them were carrying weapons, and none of them would even know how to use one.

James: What do you want?

::The gang says nothing and continues walking towards the van. Suddenly a shot rings out from the van. James and Elly turn to see Corran standing with a shotgun. The shot has dropped one of the gang members. The gang stops too and joins everyne in looking at Corran:

Napadelon: You kids need to stay away. Everyday you try to come in and rob me blind, but you'll never get away with it! My beautiful wife and children should live in peace!

::He loads again and fires, downing another gang member. James and Elly jump behind the van as guns begin blazing. The van quickly gets drilled full of holes. Elly pulls out her radio::

Elly: Mr. Snow! Mr. Snow! Do you copy?

Radio: This is Al, what's going on Elly?

Elly: Al! I need you to bring the chopper in and get us out of here ASAP! Be careful. For some reason pothead gang members are bound and determined to keep us from leaving here alive!

Al Snow: I copy, Elly. We're on our way...

::Elly turns to tell James and gasps. James has been shot in the face, and is already dead. Peering around the van, she sees Corran still blowing away gang members, even though he himself has been hit once in the arm. "I've got to do something!" In desperation, she jumps out to where the gunfire is going on.

Elly: Hey! ::She points to a random gang member:: This guy's actually a FOOTCOC and planning to...

::Corran turns and shoots the man Elly was pointing at. "Great... just great. Now we're all dead..."

[Summary:] Napadelon is involved in a shootout with a Detroit gang. Elly is scrambling for an escape and trying to buy time. It doesn't look good.

*Emperor Ed, checking the daily operations reports from the counterpoint border, he curiously looks at photo's and survelliance*

Ed: Don't they know that we have no intrest in counterpoint? This can not stand... I don't know what manarth is trying to pull, we asked them for a conference to discuss this mess but they never got back to us. Well... I have no choice...

*Ed places a telephone call*

Ed: Get me Triana Smith in Manarth, we need to discuss this..

*all across Edenstein units are being called up, some units who have just gotten back from incursions in Izembeckwi are being called back to their units from leave. They are told to be ready to ship out in 72 hours*

(summation) Military forces are being called back to active duty, and being told to report to their bases.

*ANN is showing a special on the Cold War with Aldovar, when...*
...ANN Breaking News Alert...
Massive violent riots have broken out in all the Andaluciaen guarded free cities in Counterpoint. Troops are attempting to minimize these riots. We'll keep you posted as the situation develops.
*ANN goes back to the special*

::The phone rings. Ms. Smith picks it up::

Triana Smith: Hello? Oh, Emperor Ed, what a pleasent suprise. I suppose you've noticed the troop movements. Yes... Yes...

Oh don't worry about us. We have no business with Edenstein at all. We're just vacating the area for one of our allies.

What one? Oh come on now, you've got to have figured it out by now! The Federation of the Council of Clan, of cource. I mean, they reappeared in LETI all of a week ago. Lead by some O'Flannery or another. Charming woman, I think you'd like her.

Well, I'll let you go. I've really got no control over that part of Counterpoint after all, I'm afraid I can't help you. Goodbye.

::She hangs up the phone::

OOC: Wayne's Back Ya'll!

Practoris found the High Inquisitor rather quickly, as he was not that easy to miss. He walked calmly into the diner and sat down in the booth across from the bar in which the Inquisitor was sitting, and ordered a breakfast meal of eggs, sausage, toast, and dark black coffee. He leaned back into the back of the booth seat, taking off his jacket in the process. In doing so, he reveals a tatto on his upper arm of a foxhound holding a knife in his mouth, with the word "foxhound" tattooed above it. He sat in silence, waiting...and watching.


In the same diner, a few of the citizens were nervous. They knew about the High Inquisitor, and knew that if they were pointed out(as they were for ridicule every once in awhile) the Inquisitor would lock them up. They were the local Wiccans, and were part of the Wiccan Guild Society. They kept glancing covertly over at the Inquisitor, and keeping a low profile. No one wanted to be in the Inquisitor's dungeons.

OOC: Wayne's Back Ya'll!

*waves little flag and then eats the minstrils* We knew he was back... i just think its funny how everytime wayne leaves he says he's never coming back because he hates all of us on and on and on... maybe this time around it will be different but until he proves otherwise I'm not holding my breath, In fact, Wayne I want you to prove me wrong and not play into the typical sterotype we have of you.

In fact in game I'm even willing to have some kind of peace treaty with Coc.. but I guess that all lies in waynes hands...

whatever.. after almost 3 years I'm starting to tire of things...

Ed

::She hangs up the phone::

OOC: Wayne's Back Ya'll!

OOC: Umm, woooo? He tried to hide the fact that he was back for what purpose? Before he left the last time, his nation basically went limp noodle since it sold all of its power, therefore, what is he even going to do this time around. If he, you, or anyone else hasn't noticed, its slowed ever so slowly over time, its not lot its a lob-fest of missiles anymore.

For whatever its worth welcome back, not like you missed a truck-load.

OOC: Umm, woooo? He tried to hide the fact that he was back for what purpose? Before he left the last time, his nation basically went limp noodle since it sold all of its power, therefore, what is he even going to do this time around. If he, you, or anyone else hasn't noticed, its slowed ever so slowly over time, its not lot its a lob-fest of missiles anymore.

For whatever its worth welcome back, not like you missed a truck-load.
OOC: I snuck back in that way because, well I thought it was funny.

Oh and as for my placement in LETI, that area in Counterpoint Kelso vacated for me, yup thats where my whole country is. ::shrugs:: I probably won't post a lot because, well I'm a Busy man with work and all So here I come. I have no threats to make or take I'm just carving out a little bit of my own on the LETI Main Island. That is all.

OOC: I have no threats to make or take I'm just carving out a little bit of my own on the LETI Main Island. That is all.

OOC: Did you or kelso ask jessica?

OOC : a detail........

OOC: Hey, I just evacuated the area... Besides, that's more of a diplomacy thing than a OOC thing in my oppinion.

IC: MNN Comercial

Stay tuned tomorrow for LIVE ELECTION COVERAGE!

*Insert exploding graphic with the big words MANARTHIAN ELECTION*
*Also cheesy boxing music*

=Mos Definatly sits in the basement of an abandoned building in Bachsburg. He has many of his top aides around him.=

Mos- Apparently, they arn't taking this very seriously,
Man1- We need to get more supplies, more of everything
Mos- I know we do.
Man2- What about the CoC's? They've taken over a chunk of our land!
Mos- I know, we'll have to have the brotherhood begin operations there.
Man3- Where will we get help?
Mos- Who in this region hates them the most?
Man4- Well that is simple, of the remaining nations, probably Edenstein.
Man1- But they havn't done anything.
Mos- Well, we'll just have to convince them that the CoC is still the threat that it used to be.
Shadow- =stands up in the back of the room= perhaps I can be of assistance.
Mos- And who are you?
Shadow- =flips her hair over her shoulder= someone that can help you with this matter. I was asked here by one of your men.
Mos- Well I'm listening.
Shadow- Well I'm glad that I have your attention.

::sum:: The resistence forces of free counterpoint meet to discuss their options.

::As CoC citizens settle in their new land any Counterpointians are rounded up by soldiers and forced to leave the country. Any Counterpointian that resists is executed on the spot.::

::The CoC army begins building dragon teeth and mine fields along the vast Edenstein/CoC borderland. They also begin building fortifications to defend against a possible Edenstein Attack.::

::Minister Thibault of the Foreign Ministry sends a diplomatic Memo to the Edenstein Diplomatic Corps::

To: Office of Foreign Relations
From: Foreign Minister Thibault(pronounced Tee-bow) of The Greater Federation
RE: Relations

In the past both our great nations have had strained relations. But our nation is rebuilding and recovering from the Tyrannical Reign of the Wallaces and Connerys. And in doing so we would like to pledge that we as a nation bear no ill will towards the Nation of Edenstein, Furthermore we would like to reopen diplomatic relations, an exchange of embassies and possible economic treaties. I will inform your nation that currently we are fortifying our border because we do not want to be left open to an attack if our relations were to sour. These fortifications are defensive in nature and I assure you that our Reconnasience flights along the border are of defensive purposes as well. We understand how these actions can be misconstrued away from our true intentions and I am trying alleviate any concerns that your nation may be having at the moment.

Mike of Mike and Mike Shipping Prime Minister and President for Life of MadderMike reads the latest intelligence reports on the appearance of FOOTCOC in Counterpoint.

"Now we have a reason to invade. We can say we are protecting the greatly weakend Scotsmen of FOOTCOC. We should put fifteen divisions in there." Mike expounds.

General Mike McAuthor master creator of MadderMikian battle plans. "Um Mike we need those troops in the arctic. What if we send some SAMs, stingers, THAAD anti-missile missiles, Javelin Anti-Armour Missiles and the like. They are all defensive equipment and we can look humanitarian."

"I don't like the idea of being humanitarian but let's do it."



General Mike McAuthor directs his chief of staff "Send a secret encoded message to Andaluciae requesting Air support and escorts. Send them the flight path. Contact FOOTCOC tell them what is coming and get co-ordinates on where to land."

2 days later

Sixty C5As are being loaded with the above equipement, air tankers lined up for the long trip to FOOTCOC/CounterPoint.

[summary- MadderMike is going to ship defensive weapons to FOOTCOC]

Andaluciaen forces guarding the exterior rings around the free cities find themselves nearly overwhelmed by the sudden influx of Counterpointian refugees. Lines, miles long wait to enter the cities, some Counterpointians charge at the containment fence, but are stopped and redirected to the lines.

Many of the Counterpointians have decided to flee the country entirely, flights to anywhere are booked for months, and cargo ships are filling up their holds with people.

But the rapid emptying of the cities is still not enough to compensate for the sudden influx of people. Andaluciaen engineers rush to build refugee camps, throwing up temporary barracks, tent cities and such.

Meanwhile, the rioting has quieted, as Counterpointians living inside the cities watch stunned as their countrymen search for new homes elsewhere. The charity of the current residents is shown as they open up many of their homes (for only a nominal fee!) to the refugees.

But still, lines to enter are the norm outside of the cities. Separate military entrances now sport steel gates, machine gun turrets and tanks to keep the refugees from clogging up these strategic exits.

::In Detroit Edenstein, Elly has her eyes shut and is waiting for the end to come. Suddenly she hears one of the gang leaders talking. Opening her eyes she sees him on a phone, holding his hand up to stop his gang from firing at them::

Gang leader: You got to be f*$%ing s#%$ing me... oh Ha-il no! 'Dat s%@% is f#%$@ up!

Gang member: What up Dawg?

Dawg: MY homies on the north side said they heard FOOTCOC's back!

Gang member #2: Aw, hell no!

Gang Member #3: WTF?

Dawg: I s%&@ you not! They said they saw them with their own eyes, building up some kind of damn defenses.

Gang member #3: What do we do, Dawg?

Dawg: I'll tell you what we do! ::He loads a new clip into his gun:: We gonna blow dis joint, go up there, bust some f#^@*$& caps, and s$&* on their remains. Let's GO!

::The gang disperses, just in time for Al Snow to land with his helicoptor. Elly stares in disbelief. She snaps to in time to grab Corran and throw him on the helicoptor. She looks at James' dead body, then gets on the helicoptor::

Al Snow: This isn't James! You've brought the wrong guy!

Elly: No... James is dead. This is the Holy Emperor himself! Unfortunately, he's wounded. We need to get him to a hospital quick!

Al Snow: Where at?

Elly: Somewhere on the way back. Somewhere safe... somewhere we can work on getting his memory back...

[Summary:] Elly has escaped Detroit with Corran

Legend:
MP= Manarthian Patriot Party
DS= Democratic Socialist Party
DR= Democratic Republican Party
UMP= United Manarthian Party
RL= Radical Liberal Party

MNN Breaking News!

Thomas Polachek: It's over folks, the DS/UMP/RL coalition has enough votes in both the lower, and by definition the upper, houses. They are expected to have a 18-7 advantage once the votes have been accepted, and the results made official. It is thought that recent movements, such as the appearence of the CoC, and the defections from the DR camp contributed to this stunning blow to the DR/MP coalition.

We take you now live, to the Upper House, where the Prime Minister is on hand to certify the election.

Inside Wainright Memorial Hall, the meeting room for the Upper House since Lake Clarke City became the capital

Triana Smith (PM-MP): Are there any formal complaints against this vote?

Christopher Taggert (Lake Clarke City - MP): I have a complaint, written in writing, citing the illegal nature of DS/RL campaign tactics in my district. In addition, it cites other districts where this occured, and is cosponsered by several members of the lower house.

Triana Smith: Has everyone had a chance to review this document?

Other members: *verious mutters of "Yes"*

Triana Smith: Is this document seconded by anyone?

Henrietta Jenson (New Eatsville - DR): I second!

*The DS/UMP/RL delegates in the room appear nevious, this is normally routine*

Keller Muelson (Palm Springs - DS) Lies! If anything, it's your parties that fixed the election!

Triana Smith: Order! Order!

Gregory McMillian (Ft. Custer - DR) I call the question!

Triana Smith: Very well, we will have put it to a vote now. All in favor of scrapping the elections due to it's unfair nature, say Aye, all opposed, Nay.

*The split is even allong party lines, 13-12 in favor of scrapping the election*

Triana Smith: The election is hereby declaired null and void, due to tampering by the DS/RL party. We will meet tomorrow to decide what shall be done about it. Adjurned.

Jessamine recieves reports of the war and its consequenses on the nations involved. Wishing so badly to have had those peace talks work, she rubbed her face and called a meeting of her top advisors. It was time to see if she could try and do something for someone without having an army show up right in her doorstep. Hopefully, her tentative alliance with Edenstein shouldn't or wouldn't break up, but with all the weird stuff going on lately, she wouldn't be surprised if it did.

The wolves watched the hunters with anticipation and wariness. They waited for the big boss man to be alone, where no one could help him. The others would pick off his men, one by one, starting with the little one in the back...

Practoris slowly ate his meal, watching the High Inquisitor from the corner of his eye. He had already spotted all of the men from Holy Toledo; they were highly trained and skilled, but he was still able to spot them after about five minutes. They were all either picking at their food pretending to eat, not reading the newspapers they were holding, or just sipping on coffee, staring around. Practoris slid his gun from his pocket, then wiggled his foot slightly to loosen his knife. These people were too darn jittery for nothing to happen here today...

The Holy Inquisitor smacked his lips, wiped various bits of food off of the wide expanse of his enormous gut, little bits of food flying everywhere. He studied the bill and as his fat clogged brain tried to calculate a tip his lips moved in concert with the mental calculations.

Finishing his calculations he left a miserly eight percent tip. With humorous undulations of his belly he managed to get off the two counter stools and stood up. Many pairs of eyes watched their leader. The assembled team of "assistants" checked their silver crosses, the ancient pistols loaded with silver bullets, and the strings of garlic cloves draped around their necks and hidden under their shirts.

The great white whale moved to the exit, his eyes searching for witches behind fat, almost closed eyelids. He would find a witch today, some poor hapless soul encircled with the superstitious assistants would cause something strange to happen and the witch hunt would begin.

Torquemada didn't care about catching real witches, in fact he was pretty sure they didn't exist. But that didn't matter, the only way he was going to climb the ecclesiastical ladder was to catch a witch and extract a "confession". If he could put a cloud of suspicion on the entire country of Saxes, all the better.

::2nd Battalion, 345th Infantry Regiment plus the 567th Military Police Company come upon a Counterpointian town of about 4,000 that hasn't cleared out. Captain O'Dougal the 567th commander rolls up to the city hall with a single Squad in up armored Humvees (2 armed with M-240B's and 1 with a M-2 .50 Cal and one with a MK 19). Captain O'Dougal gets out and meets the Mayor to discuss why they haven't left yet::

Mayor:I and my people are staying in our homes. We have been here for generations.

O'Dougal: you know that you have to leave and if you resist that is punishable by death.

Mayor: How can you do this to people? HOW? this is bordering on Genocide

O'Dougal: Don't try my patience Mr. Mayor if you don't leave within the next 6 hours, we will raze this town down to its foundations, with your people in it.......

Mayor: I will NOT leave and neither will my people

O'Dougal: You have 6 hours

::O'Dougal and his entourage leave, mount up and the 5 Humvees drive out of town::

6 HOURS LATER.............

::A couple hundred people have left the city but most have stayed to fight::

::Lieutenant Colonel Mark Flannery Rolls into town with 2 platoons in Bradley fighting vehicles, He shows up at City hall where the mayor stands outside for him bravely::

::Flannery dismounts along with 75 Infantry soldiers armed with M-8 Carbines as well as M-8 Automatic Rifles. Flannery draws his Sig Sauer P220 .45 walks up to the mayor and without saying a word double taps the mayor to the head. At that moment from all sides of the city Bradley IFV's roll up and begin firing TOW-2 Missiles into major structures. Flannery and his troops move into City hall and begin killing everyone they find.::

4 HOURS LATER........
::with 2/3's of the town devasted the soldiers continue their ghastly work not giving quarter to anyone, regardless of age, gender or race. ALL ARE KILLED::


TO BE CONTINUED...............

ooc: In my current state of delusion, I created a nice little map of the current state of counterpoint (quite similar to my state of delusion.)

http://img70.echo.cx/img70/8963/newcoc8pn.jpg

ic:
As stories of the genocide are reported throughout the Counterpointian radio network, the rush to enter the free cities has increased into a situation of utter chaos. Andaluciaen airborne troops have been dropped in to reenforce the current defenses, but chaos has ensued.

::Off the coast of Tox, (Andulucian Free city) 3 Great Lakes Class, 2 Huron Class, 4 Connery Class and 2 Iowa class battleships begin shelling the city with 16-18" Guns, bringing the total to 68 16" Naval rifles and 12 18.1" Naval rifles. The targets are a systematic leveling of the city begining with the dock facilities and also targeting the largest buildings::

The sudden bombardment of Tox catches the Andaluciaen forces off guard. Already struggling with the Counterpointian refugees, the Andaluciaens rush out of the cities.

After a short period of time, the Andaluciaen shore batteries open up against the CoC battleships, but with only twenty 170mm guns, the firepower does not match the naval weapons. Airstrikes are ordered against the battleships, and over two dozen cruisers are ordered to the area from the North Iberdia Naval base.

Lake Clarke City

*Triana Smith is on the phone with her representative to the Andaluciaen Embassy*

Triana Smith: No, no, no. Tell the Embassador I had no idea that the Clansmen would want the free cities as well. Appologize. Profusely. Offer reparations or something, I don't want them fighting one another. Offer to help them pull out of the other free cities in CoC territory. I don't know!

Undersecretary Wallace: I'm sorry I didn't warn you about this.

Triana Smith: You're kidding me, you knew the Clansmen would be pulling a stunt like this? We need Andaluciae as a hedge against Edenstein, and O'Flannery is attacking them?!

Undersecretary Wallace: That's neither here nor there. We Clansmen can handle ourselves against Edenstein, if they try pulling something. Besides, we have more pressing issues to deal with.

Triana Smith: I agree. How goes the election?

Undersecretary Wallace: Well, we've managed to indicte several key lower house members, as well as an upper house member, for election tampering, and as far as we're aware the tempering is actually legitimate.

Triana Smith: What a bonus!

Undersecretary Wallace: The bad news is that essentially half of our electors could be indicted in just the same way. But we're going to be going hard after them, so with any luck they'll be spending too much time on the defensive to go after us.

Triana Smith: Good, good. And the protests and riots?

Undersecretary Wallace: Finally settling down. Our troops are having some trouble in Counterpoint with all the refugies, but we're dealing with that. We're "negotiating" with the CoC about their displacement of people, and as a bonus, the other nations nearby are probubly as flooded with refugies as we are.

Triana Smith: Can we convince Emperess Jessica to support us overtly yet? A public appearence would really help restore some order and legitimacy to our cause. Simply forging her signature on documents just won't cut it soon.

Undersecretary Wallace: I'm trying my best. We all are. Oh, and you should be aware that I can't legally indict any West Palm Beachers. Their Regional Constitution unfortunately sanctions corruption on a massive scale.

Triana Smith: I know, just do your best. And do me a favor? I want you to fly to the CoC as my Embassador to O'Flannery for now. I don't want anything too drastic to happen. This place is a powder keg, and I doubt normal LETI diplomatic logic will allow for anything short of a war. If so, I sure as hell don't want to be the one to start it.

Practoris left 10 smilfs on the table to pay and stood, almost bumping into one of the Inquisitor's men. He gave a look of apology, then glanced at the people huddled in the corner...and wondered why the Inquisitor didn't have an "inquery" about those in the corner. They obviously knew who the fat man was, and what he could do. No matter, all he had to do was his job...and make sure no one got hurt who didn't have to be.


Jessamine walked quickly down a corridor and disappeared into a small room, containing only a small table(about 2 feet off the floor) and a small little man, who had been waiting for a little while. She bowed, then sat on the floor; so began her new training. Each royal member recieved the same training, then began their specialty; this was her specialty, though she spoke of it to no one.


Walking through the streets was a strange creature, and it got some strange looks as it walked down the street. Its feet gave tiny "clops" and stopped to grab a head of lettuce with its teeth, much to the dismay of the street vendor. Two horns rose above its head, and it continued to walk down the street, munching on the lettuce.

::3 Aircraft Carrier Battlegroups (Peregrine carriers w/Sea Raptors and F-35C's move in to cover the battleships. The Connery Class Battleships target the shore batteries with their Quad M-270 MLRS Launchers on the aft of the ship::

::CoC F/A-22's begin flying CAP for their forces and enforce a no-fly zone above the free cities.::


::CoC Minister of Foreign Department sends a TG to Anduluciae::

To: Foreign Department, Anduluciea
From: Minister Thibault, CoC Foreign Department
RE:Bombardment of Free Cities

We do not wish harm upon any Andulucian forces, and we should have warned your forces to get out of the way. I suggest that our forces conduct a ceasefire and that you pull your forces out of Tox. We will negoitate further. If you are in agreement I will lift the No fly zone over the free cities to allow the evacuation of your troops

<Background>

All over, the people of Edenstein commemorate June 20th as "Wreath Day". June 20th 1820 Edenstein defeated the United States in a naval battle off its shores. This battle proved intrigal in the nations history. It opened the door for Edenstein to become a solidified nation in the Lake Erie Tropical Islands and to become one of the largest naval powers. Ever since then it has been the tradition to go to the shores of Edenstein on June 20th to throw wreaths into the lake with the names of loved ones, ships, battles, and foreign nations attached to them so that they will always be remembered. It is considered to be the most solomn and revered holiday in all of Edenstein, even more so then the nations founding day, June the 19th.

Source: The Edenstein Naval Historical Society

*Off the shore of Edenstein in the approximate location of the battle that enabled Edenstein to enjoy a prosperous future, the ES Romanov sits most of the lights are turned off save a few running and deck lights. A Few hundred yards off of the port bow the ES Red Hat and newly Commissoned ES Ulonov also are running with their lights off and flags at half mast. On the forward deck of the ship sits a coffin draped in an Edenstein flag. Emperor Ed stands next to the coffin and places a large wreath with a picture of Admiral Ulonov and a list of the battles he participated in on top of it. Slowly he is joined by Empress Carolyn, Donald Rumpsfeel, Lt. General Onotov, Ritsuko, and Zofia via a palm pilot with a camera attached. They all stand around the casket as Ed pulls a bible from his pocket but doesn't open it.*

Ed: Friends, we are gathered here tonight to bid farewell to a friend, a colleuge, a leader, and a brilliant military mind. Although Dimitri Ulonov turned his back on us, he never turned his back on his country. I forgive him for his actions and have completly pardoned him. Let us not remember the unfortunate incidents involved at the end but the honerable and memerable times that we have all had with him. I fully belive he was a good man and will find absolution in the after life.

Dimitri asked me once, why I would always go down with him to shore on this day and throw a wreath in. I always would tell him "I do it for the ones who can't" *he picks up the wreath on the casket and tosses it over the side into the water.* Tonight I do this for you dimitri.

*he opens the bible that he is holding and takes out a piece of paper that has been folded neatly inside of it.*

This was Dimitri's bible, he would read this prayer everyear, please bear with me.

O Eternal Lord God,
who alone spread'st out the heavens,
and rulest the raging of the sea;
who has compassed the waters with bounds
until day and night come to an end;
be pleased to receive into
Thy almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us
Thy servants,
and the Fleet in which we serve.

Preserve us from the dangers of the sea,
and from the violence of the enemy;
that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Leader Romanov
and his Dominions,
and a security for such as pass upon the seas upon their lawful occasions;
that the inhabitants of our Commonwealth may in peace and quietness
serve Thee our God;
and that we may return in safety
to enjoy the blessings of the land,
with the fruits of our labours,
and with a thankful remembrance of Thy mercies
to praise and glorify Thy Holy Name;
Amen.

*Ed puts away the bible and moves to stand next to Carolyn, he is obviously very broken up, the ships chaplain steps up to the casket and crosses the casket*

Chaplain: We therefore commit his body to the deep, to be turned into corruption, looking for the resurrection of the body (when the sea shall give up her dead,) and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who at his coming shall change our vile body, that it may be like his glorious body, according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

*The honor gaurd walks up to the casket and commit Ulonov's body to the sea. The order is given and the three battleships move their turrets into full broadside posistion and each ship fires 7 of its guns 3 times almost in Unison. Most of the assembled party re-enters the ship except for Emperor Ed and Empress Carolyn. Ed walks over to the side and Carolyn joins him*

Ed: Goodbye Dimitri, may you find peace...

::In Fei Fong Wong, preparations are being made for Founders Day on June 24 1342, the day the Beta Years ended with the overthrow of King Dyne III. All over the city blue and silver Arrows of Hence are being put up and the streets are going through massive cleaning to prepare for thye occasion. Decorators are outside the Hence Palace, making it look more pristine than usual. Inside the palace however things are different. Carmine is in the map room with Raskalnokov and Jenny while workers run around rampantly compiling new reports::

Intelligence worker: ...about a week or so ago. We still don't know the origin of these survivors, or how they ended up in Counterpoint, or what their connection is to Manarth and Andaluciae's interest in the land.

Jenny: Unbelievable! Even though their entire country was destroyed, the survivors are up to their old tricks again. Although I guess they do need some place to live, don't they?

Raskalnokov: If they want somewhere to live, they should go to Eastern Detroit! Dubelco doesn't use it for much anyway, and nobody there would care! No, they have something else up their sleeves. Counterpoint is already a politically volatile area, considering Jessica's hatred for HO and Edenstein, her semi-secret alliace with Anaverse GHS, and now the recent invasions.

Carmine: Well bring me reports as you receive them. I want to be kept up to date with all of this. This is a very difficult situation right now.

Intelligence Worker: Um sir? If CoC ends up going to war with Edenstein over this...

Carmine: We will join the war of course! We are no pathetic weakling nation! We also do not turn our backs on our friends to 'monitor the situation.' If CoC wants a war with Edenstein...

Raskalnokov: It is possible. Look how quickly they built defenses on the border there...

Carmine: Then they will get a war with HO as well.

Jenny: Let's hope it doesn't happen...

Carmine: You can hope it doesn't happen. I'll be prepared for when it does...

::Outside of Edenstein Al Snow flies the HO Channel 2 News Chopper away from everything::

Snow: How about we go to MadderMike?

Elly: MadderMike? Are you crazy!! They're more armed than... ::she pauses and thinks for a minute:: Actually... yeah let's go there. As armed as they are and as crazy as they are, it might actually be the safest place to go...

Snow: Ok.

::The chopper changes course and heads directly for MadderMike::

::2/345th Infantry and 567th MP Company have finished the Annihilation of that town. Now the 1st Battalion of the 45th Engineer Regiment rolls in with bulldozers and begin to flatten the town::

::All Across New CoC similar scenes are happening on much larger scales, Every last Village, Town and City that wasn't cleared out by manarth has been attacked or Destroyed. Engineers begin building mass graves near the kill zones and bulldoze the bodies into them. Then JP-5 is dumped on the graves and lit ablaze burning the bodies. Black clouds of smoke are visible all across CoC.::

::With 48 F/A-22 Raptors as Air Cover, 24 C-130's fly in dropping MOABS at large parts of Tox. Knocking over almost every building taller than 4 stories::

*In his bunker outside of Tox, General Hlaaren is on the radio phone*

Gen. Hlaaren: Goddamit, I want those battleships sunk, even if it takes a B-52 strike, do you hear me?

*voice on phone mumbles, all of a sudden the sound massive explosion rips through the area*

Gen. Hlaaren: Are you air force weenies good for anything at all? Knock down those damn gunships and their escorts. Our AAA can only do so much!

*slams phone down*

Gen. Hlaaren: Maybe the navy can do something...Corporal, get me an admiral on the line, they've got seven or eight carriers around here somewhere and such. Perhaps the Supreme Consul would even allow me to put some nuclear cruise missiles on those warships...*grumbles*...but he won't, damn politicians always slowing us down...

::14 Peregrine Class Carriers and 3 Nimitz class with various escorts begin steaming from Eastern Detroit at 25 Knots to the Current CoC Homeland to reinforce the force of 5 Peregrines and 3 Nimitz's stationed there::

::2 Divisions Encircle Tox and several other Divisions are moving to encircle the other 2 Free Cities in the CoC::


::A Diplomatic Delegation takes off from Kent, CoC enroute to Andulucie transmitting in the clear that they would like to negotiate the current situation::

The Manarthian fleet located off the coast of Iberdia (Counterpoint) manages to detect the Andaluciaen fleet, streeming towards the CoC. The Admirial decides to follow them, and places a call home for orders.

No one quite knows what to do, and so they mearly follow the Andaluciaen forces in. Finally the order comes. "Request the Andaluciaen forces turn back, and the problems be resolved peacefully."

*Across from the Counterpoint lands that are now occupied by CoC, Edenstein troops are put on alert, also the 3rd army group is dispatched to the border to secure it. The members of the 4th army group are called back to active service and are told be ready to leave in one week.*

-=- Meanwhile in Linux the capital of Edenstein -=-

*Emperor Ed is sitting in his office with several members of the military and Duma, they are discussing reports about the CoC situation from several key intel sources*

Ed: I see three options here, lets discuss them, *points at Bernard Shaw leader of the Duma*

Shaw: Emperor the Duma has decided to put force a diplomatic and economic solution to this matter, Seeing that all the territory around Counterpoint is controlled by Either Edenstein or Carianda, we first ask for a diplomatic solution. Have them stand down, Stand down militarily, surrender their leaders and have them brought up on crimes against humanity and we assure them that Edenstein will take no military action against them. Also, since as was stated before control the land around CoC Place an Embargo on them and get the other nations in Leti to commit to it. Hopefully starve them into submission.

Ed: Hmmm some merit, what else do we have, Onotov?

Onotov: Sir, full military action, we know what these people are capable of. Hell before they supposedly left for good last time they launched missles at us, and what about all of that shit about selling off their equipment and their soldiers becoming "Mercenaries". I don't buy it sir, They said they where going to be good but now they are back.. commiting genocide, threatening everyone, hell.. they are smaller now then even dubelco..... I already have many nations signed on to form a co-alition. Go in, hit them from several fronts at once... end game sir.

Ed: good, good, and ummmm you.. *points* who are you?

Man: Plan S sir, Plan S...

Ed: Whats plan S... ohh wait never mind... we are going to save that till last... we don't want a small sea next to us... well It would mean more irrigation. Well I'm going to telegram them and find out in the words of someone once I don't quite remember who... but WTF is going on!

*the assembled group laugh at the comment and leave going on various assignments*

[summation] Troops are being bolstered along the Edenstein Counterpoint border. Edenstein Command structure was discussing courses of action

*Rear Admiral Dwight Gorrin receives the message from the Manarthian warships*

R. Adm. Gorrin: They want us to what?!?

Lieutenant James: They want us to stand down sir.

R. Adm. Gorrin: I know that, how can they expect us to stand down when those warships are killing our soldiers, peacekeepers! No, tell them that it's our right to defend our ground troops, Helm, full speed ahead!

::In Fei Fong Wong, a massive parade is going on, led as usual by the Winnebago Falls High School Marching Band. The parade is as grand as all yeard past, and the streets are filled with spectators throwing blue and silver arrow confetti as the different floats pass by. Included are such people as the Nieblers, Ayanames, and Shivannis, the Pennyworths in a solid gold float, the winner of the last national DDR Tournament, and several Blue Guard floats. At the end of the parade is an Arrow float being ridden by Zed Camine. For many people, this is the first they've seen of their leader in several months. The crowds are ecstatic as he passes by.
Meanwhile, inside the Hence Palace, Raskalnokov and Ramsus are making plans::

Raskalnokov: We still have not heard back from Edenstein,

Ramsus: I know, but I've already got the 3rd Fleet activated. We have to be ready, just in case.

Rasakalnokov: I understand. But we need to play it safe. For now, have 3rd fleet station itself near Catapillo, with Edenstein permission of course, at least there we'll be ready.

Ramsus: My thoughts exactly...

[Summary:] While Founder's Day is being celebrated, 3rd Fleet is activated and preparing for action

Triana Smith: There's a word for this sort of thing you know... Cluster ****.

Undersecretary Wallace: That's two words ma'am.

Triana Smith: I don't care. Send a diplomatic telegram to Edenstein, asking his permission to help defend his capital with our soldiers. I doubt he's dumb enough to buy it, but we could go 2/2...

Wallace: I'll get right on it.

Triana Smith: General Kiel?

General Primus Henry Kiel: Ma'am?

Triana Smith: I doubt highly the CoC has more than two army groups in their territory. How many troups do we have occupying Counterpoint?

Gen. Pri. Kiel: 3 Armys. We have the 1 more Army of II Legion stationed in Eastern Detroit, as well as IV Legion there as well. III and VI are in West Palm Beach, I and V are here.

Triana Smith: I want LOTI emptied of soldiers. Slap III in Eastern Detroit, bring I and V to Counterpoint and CoC. I want that region swarming with troops. And call up the reserves, say ages 21-25 for now. With the others on standby. That should provide, what? Four to five more legions?

Gen. Pri. Keil: And VI Legion?

Triana Smith: That's the Palm Beachers... Right?

Gen. Pri. Keil: Correct.

Triana Smith: Better plan, put V in Eastern Detroit, and plunk VI along the Edenstein border. We'll go with the standard plan, but with a bit less retreating at first.

To: Emperor ED
From: Premeir Zofia O'Flannery
RE:Peace

Emperor Ed, I understand that my nations sudden reapperance must have startled you and your allies. We mean no one any harm, and definetly want good relations between my great nation and your own. To be perfectly frank if our two nations went to war it would be one that though there would be a winner, the casualty count on both sides would be reminiscent of the Eastern Front of WWII. There would be little naval warfare due to terrain and any land fighting would be brutal. And I would like to remind you that is not what my nation wants. We have been knocked down repeatedly in our history due to our beliegerent ways and we truly wish to turn a new leaf. Furthermore we would like to propose nuclear disarmament treaty for the region. I will gladly reduce troop levels in my border regions by 25% But I ask you to reduce by more, Our Recce planes detect an army group size presence next to our mere Border Division. If you do not agree to reduce to about equal parity we will move more forces forward to reinforce our positions. We also propose a summit to discuss our mutual concerned.

::the CoC fleet sent to relieve the home fleet receives orders to return to Eastern Detroit and their regular patrol sectors.::

::Elly puts down her phone and turns to Al Snow::

Elly: Ok, I've just received permission to land in MadderMike. We should be able to take care of him there.

Al: Ok.

::Elly looks at Corran, who still has a completely bewildered look on his face::

Elly: You seriuosly don't remember who you are do you?

Napadelon: What?

Elly: You must realize that you are not Mr. Napedelon! You don't own a Quickie Mart, and you aren't married to an Indian woman with children!

Napadelon: Elly, I think you've completely lost it.

Elly: No you must listen to me!

Napadelon: When have I ever not listened to you?

Elly: Excuse me?

Napadelon: Goodness you're going batty. I certainly hope when we get back that you calm down a bit.

Elly: What?

Napadelon: You're trying to convince me that I'm Holy Emperor Elwood Zev Corran of Henceland Omega, and I tell you it isn't true.

Elly: IT is! It is true!

Napadelon: No it isn't! I was overthrown by Zed Carmine under the control of Sgt. Slotter and the terrorist group Avalanche before being rescued and brainwashed by Edenstein Special Forces under the orders of Admiral Ulonov!

Elly: WHAT?

Corran: So you see, I'm NOT the ruler of Henceland Omega anymore, at least not until we can do something about Carmine and Ulonov...

Elly: YOU REMEMBER?!?!

Corran: Well yeah, I knew you looked familiar and it was only a matter of time before I came around.

Elly: How long have you remembered?

Corran: Since about the time you accused that gang member of being a CoC person. I just played along...

Elly: You sneaky little BASTARD!

Corran: I'm afraid so... now anyway, I suppose MaddMike will take care of us until I can get ahold of everyone else. Let's go shall we?

Elly: I can't believe this...

[Summary:] Napadelon remembers he is Corran and has been playing dumb until now. the HO chopper is fetting ready to land in MadderMike

Jessamine walks out of the small room and decides that she'll postpone everything else to just relax for a few hours. All notes and paperwork she took with her, to be read at will for the rest of the day. Disappearing into a vintage 1970 Volkswagon Beetle, she drives off to her country estate, to not be bothered unless of importance. Several other cars followed as her top advisors would be there as well, including several Tubamanean officers.

Practoris kept watch at a coffee stand across from the diner. This man did not move without pomp and delaying, and it drove him nuts! He wanted to get things done and over with, and the "Holy" Inquisitor was being idiotic in his rituals. The indoctration of Islam and Catholocism(sp?silly me, I'm Catholic and I'm not even sure)was a good move, but sometimes the rituals of Catholics got more imposing and boring because of it. Oh well, Practoris thought as he sipped his coffee. He'll have to wait for the next move.

Shorttopia news.
anchorman: as many of u know normally shorttopia doesn't normally have news... unfortunatly it is my sad duty to inform u that jessica our president has died of cancer. we go now to mike reporting from the president's office were he is interviewing the vice president.

mike: thank you Rob, miss Filgertson what is the plan for our country now that Jessica is gone?
Amanda: well, our law clearly states I become president so i plan to do just that. and as the new president some things are going to be changed around here,
Mike: like what?
Amanda: well for instance im changing the law that states that you must get a permit to have a gun,
Mike: don't you think that this could be dangerous?
Amanda: maybe...
Mike: what other plans do u have?
Amanda: well I do not want to disguss them now and as your president I am telling you that you must not air that
Mike: you do realize this is live
Amanda: get out of my office, from now on I am running this country very different and though you may not like it, there is nothing you can do!
::mike stares at amanda, gets up and leaves::
Mike: well, umm... back to u

Rob: that was.... interesting....

::in Amanda's office, she calls her friend::
Amanda: yes the plan worked i knew this country was too stupid to realize that she didn't die from cancer. do u think i was too obvious during the interview I am no good at hiding things
person on phone: no, like you said this country is stupid, so what are you going to do first
Amanda: well i have to make you vice president and since i took out that law about guns Jim can finally get one and kill that stupid secratary of war, then i will change the law so that i may be in charge of war, then we attack...
::little did she know, Mike was standing outside her door::

[Summary:] The president (Jessica) was killed but evryone thinks she died from cancer. the vice president takes over and has a plan to attack a country but has not yet said which country. luckily the news reporter overheard the plan

ooc: My permanent feverish state has caused me to, once again, break out the camera. Just a bit of lighthearted fun!

ic: Despite tight press controls in the Counterpoint Conflict with the CoC, some entrepid Andaluciaen reporters and photojournalists have been able to capture some memorable pictures, including the aftermath of a tank battle outside of Tox.

http://cards.webshots.com/cp-101934013-cSiS-album/388308231BEhylB

*Emperor Ed has gone on vacation and has been forced to leave Empress Carolyn behind because she is pregnant. Since she is on bed rest, she has been lying around having her advisors take care of her*

Carolyn: *crying* I am so sick of this, I hate being pregnant, is anyone watching Natasha? *cries some more* I hate being alone!!

Buffy: Natasha's at preschool, Empress. Remember? You enrolled her in that advanced preschool for toddlers so she could learn to read early?

Carolyn: *sniffles* Oh yeah... she's going to be twice as smart as her mother...

Buffy: And you're not alone. I'm here.

Carolyn: You don't count. I miss ED! *Buffy looks perturbed, but says nothing* *The phone rings and plays the Godfather theme, the indication that Emperor Ed is calling. Carolyn jumps for the phone* THAT'S HIM!

Emperor Ed: Hi hun, I'm... *static* ...signal isn't good.
Carolyn: How are you hun? Are you having a good time in Kentucky?
Ed: Yeah, I haven't... *static*...post at a rest stop this time. And we can't... *static* it's a dry county.
Carolyn: Uh-huh.
Ed: I'm watching the flies buzz over the lake.
Carolyn: That's nice, I'm glad you're having fun WITHOUT ME.
Ed: It's not my fault you're too busy producing the next heir to Edenstein's throne! Besides, *static* ...can't drink anyway. The hillbillies are shooting off fireworks.
Carolyn: Are there lots of hillbillies there? Is it like a trailer park on the sea?
Ed: ...actually it's a river...*static* I guess if I stand on this side of the boat, the signal comes in better... *call gets lost*

Carolyn: ED? ED? WHERE ARE YOU?

Buffy: He just lost the call. Chill out, he'll call back.

Carolyn: *sighs* I miss him...

http://cards.webshots.com/cp-101934013-cSiS-album/388308231BEhylB

OOC: Awsome. Although that Andaluciaen tank looks a tad bit brightly colored for tank camoflage ^L^

OOC: HAHA YOUR PLASTIC TANKS WENT FOR MY CARDBOARD DUMMY TANKS VICTORY IS MINE!!!!!

very funny

IC:
::Premier Zofia O'Flannery of the CoC addresses CoC Parliement::

Distinguished Members of Parliement I'd like to announce what is going on in our Nation. Our Long Borders with Edensteing have been reaffirmed and I have personally received from Emperor Ed a pledge of peace along with Troop Reductions pledged from his forces along our borders to equivalent of our current level. Also Emperor Ed has promised to reduce the Size of Naval forces he has stationed in the Bay of Vera Cruz by at least 2/3's Though the forces still in the bay outnumber ours we will maintain the bulk of our Naval forces outside of the bay and they shall patrol around Lake Erie as such and even make Port Visits to major Edenstein Ports. Furthermore the relocation of Counterpointians in our homeland is near complete, all that remains is the 3 Andulucian Free Cities in our territory and we are currently in the process of negiotians to secure those cities, redesignate them into useful parking lots and relocate their occupants to much better conditions outside of our nation.
::Great Applause throughout the Chamber::

Though there are small scale Skirmishes outside of Tox between Andulucian forces and ours. They are being contained. So far our casualties have been slight and currently no building in Tox stands above two stories and rubble has strewn the streets. We are ready to bring in the 5 brigades of Engineers in to clear the rubble and convert it into wave breaks to prevent erosion all along our bay coast. We also are going to remove such eyesores as the refugee camps and allow them to move along the road into Edenstein where they will probably find better living conditions.

::standing Up Applause::

We are currently moving the 4th Army Group into Manarthian controlled Eastern Detroit to conduct joint exercises and training with manarthian forces.

On a sadder note the elitist Major clans have established themselves as a nation that wishes to overthrow our government. The Children of Connery must not be allowed to do that. We are currently mobilizing to fight such a force. We will also be looking for allies to put the hated major clans down. They will not go unpunished for their ages of rule and what they have done to sour relations with all the major powers in this region.

*All along the Edenstein/CoC. Edenstein troops are shipping out to meet the agreed July 11th force reduction terms.*

**Whilst in a press conference regarding the recent deregulation of agricultural genetic engineering, Pax Germanic Premiere Hans Gorebl is slipped a small fold of paper onto which the following message is been written:

--“Communication with 1st Navy interrupted Wed, June 8th. Unable to reestablish. Possible Defection.”--

Gorebl hastily wraps up the conference and rushes to the Pax High Command war room to inform the commanders.**

**As Premiere Gorebl finishes briefing the High Command the five members begin to discuss authorizing military action**

Commander James Ziff: “Sir, how well do you know this William Ballzy?”

Gorebl: “Enough to fear for the whole of LETI. With all do respect, he is sailing with the largest fleet ever assembled, and he is one of the most outspoken Anti-Edensteiniens I have ever met.”

Ziff: “So you believe he could be mounting an effort against Edenstein?”

Gorebl: “There is no knowing with this man, he is a very aggressive leader, and he might set his sights toward the root of this region’s problems as he sees it...Edenstein Square!”

**The High Command exchanges looks of concern and nods of agreement with one another.**

Commander Mary Huston: “Very well, this counsel grants you permission to use whatever means necessary to prevent 1st Navy from incurring the wrath of Edenstein upon this nation’s fragile peace, and plunging this region into further strife and perhaps all out war.”

**Gorebl nods graciously and quickly vacates the counsel war room.**

Gorebl (to aide): “Get me Admiral Lord Nielsen, we have work to do!”

**All Pax Military reservists are activated. Naval and air units are placed on Readiness Status-1. The newly named Naval Force Alpha which is composed of Battle Fleets 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20 sails immediately to the waters west of Dubelco. NF-Alpha will soon be joined by Sky Force Alpha. Naval Force Beta embarks toward Edenstein with Ground Force Alpha should the defecting units actually make landfall. The bulk of Pax’s active units are now engaged in Objective Alpha, the capture and control of 1st Navy.**

::CoC Naval patrols notice the increased activity of Pax Germanian Naval units and sortie their fleets out of Eastern Detroit to increase patrols. The Units in Vera Cruz remain pounding Tox.::

OOC:
Hello people its been frickin 2 weeks since anyone has posted in either the current situations and been 3 since Anduluciae has to respond to mine.

OOC: Some people have school and work to do. It'll pick up again soon.

OOC: Some people have school and work to do. It'll pick up again soon.


OOC: And I don't?
Hmmm nope the army really isn't work, working long frickin hours everyday isn't work all it takes is like 20 minutes to make a simple post. This region has become too stagnant and pussified. Don't get me wrong I like this region, I like the RPing we do here, but if no one does anything, or someone goes weeks upon weeks without posting then expects to jump back in right where he left off. yeah, tarded

Secretary Schumm: ...and so in conclusion, the CoC leadership wants to avoid a general war and they're giving us a nice little opportunity to end this before it gets worse. If we withdraw now from the southern free cities we can probably haul most of the population with us.

Consul Arthur: So, those CoC folks want to end this thing before it escalates, alright, I'm all for it. I want all the shipping we can get in the region there as soon as possible. I want to get as many Counterpointians elsewhere as possible.

Grand Admiral Scheer: I can do that.

Secretary Schumm: I'll dispatch a telegram right away.

*a copy of the dispatched telegram to CoC*
We also do not desire war over such a minor issue as the free cities. We will be withdrawing all Andaluciaen personnel from the southern free cities within the next week, so long as CoC forces maintain and respect a cease fire. We will of course be evacuating a large number of civilians who wish to leave by both sea and air, so larger convoys than would be needed for troops will be in the area. We will not step up our military presence except for three aircraft carriers which will be used as mobile civilian evacuation airfields. Besides those, the fleet, (a term I use loosely) will be composed of LHST (Large High Seas Transport) and VLHST (Very Large High Seas Transport.) It is good to avoid a general war in LETI, and we view these steps as prudent.


(ooc: sorry I couldn't post earlier, I was at Holden Beach, and chilling in the sun, getting sunburned and threatening sharks)

OOC: And I don't?
Hmmm nope the army really isn't work, working long frickin hours everyday isn't work all it takes is like 20 minutes to make a simple post. This region has become too stagnant and pussified. Don't get me wrong I like this region, I like the RPing we do here, but if no one does anything, or someone goes weeks upon weeks without posting then expects to jump back in right where he left off. yeah, tarded

OOC: Ok dude, chill, if it will make you feel any better I'll put my life on hold to make a post, even my nation isn't doing anything, right....
I didn't say whatever you do in the army isn't work, I'm sure it kicks what I'm doing down the hole. All I'm saying is if there's nothing to post about, and your busy, then why would you post? For petes sake take a chill pill and let it go.

(OOC:) Wayne to be fair, you went months without posting then jumped right back into it.... besides.. I don't have internet anymore so its few and far between that I can actually get on for more then 5 minutes.... anyways I was planning on making a post tonight anyways.

IC:

*In the emperor's office, Emperor Ed sits contemplating the state of affairs in the region. Grand General Onotov sits across the desk from him looking at operations reports. Outside, remanants of hurricans that had pelted the coast of the United States are washing up into Edenstein. The wind is howling, rain coming down in sheets and pelts the windows. A crack of lightning hits down in the square, they both turn to look at it.*

Ed: It amazes me, the region has been fairly quiet as of late. Whats going on with CoC?

Onotov: Not much of anything, with the removal of forces from our borders, there hasn't been much of anything going on. We havn't recieved and telegrams from their leader, or anything.

Ed: I see... well, we'll see how things go, How is plan secondary going?

Onotov: Never understood the football references we use with military operations. In anycase, they are going well we've set up the perimeter from the border and the artillary and tank trenches have been dug. We should be prepared if the CoC decides to try anything. Do you think they are genuine this time?

Ed: Well, lets hope for the regions sake we are. Anyways, next order of buisness...

*crack of lightning*

Ed: That was close.. Counterpoint....

Onotov: The UN has awarded Counterpoint the posistion of delegate.....

Ed: Hmmm has Andalucaie, Manarth, or CoC noticed this? That is a rather big event....

Onotov: I don't know...

Ed: Well... lets see what happens... Have we heard anything about HO?

Onotov: Still caught up in the Revolution or something.

*The two continue talking about affairs in the region as the storm rages.*

(summation) Ed and Onotov discuss events in the region.

OOC: too be fair i knew i couldn't RP (no access to internet) so I removed myself from the RP, not let a couple of threads just sort of sit there up in the air. And when I was in Basic Kelso was running my nation in Proxy

(ooc) Well post something other then OOC wayne.. :-P

IC: *At Junon, the newly assembled 12th fleet fast attack force is shipping out, the day is marked by parades and speeches by the emperor, more to come tonight.*

*On the dock of Junon Harbor Emperor Ed sits watching other dignitaries speak, Admirals, Captains, and a few local members of the Duma. All of the news agencies in Edenstein and a few others are here covering the event, most of the reporters have been only idly paying attention. He begins to nod off but then the brass quintet begins playing the Edenstein National Anthem and the crowd begins to cheer. The Edenstein news cameras that had laid dorment until now flicker to life focusing on Ed. Grand General Onotov nudges him and he stands up with hands in the air and walks to the podium, the news cameras and reporters all focus on him.*

Ed: Good day comrads! Today marks a wonderful moment in the military history of Edenstein. We have begun to roll out a new form of sub, surface, and ariel naval warfare.

The new naval groups will suplement out legion fleet command structure, but it will also be a complete and seprate entity outside of our tried and true groups.

Starting with the 12th Fleet, each fleet will be recieving the most modern and powerful warships technology has to offer. The Fast Attack Forces will be comprised of state of the art Surface and subsurface ships that will be the spear head of Edenstein Naval Operations with the rest of the Legion fleet as the spearshaft.

This new capability will allow us to strike at our enemies with more firepower and ferocity then has ever before been seen on our great lakes. We will protect Edenstein... and that is why this new battle plan is so important.

*he looks around* I have time for a few questions... you *points*

Reporter one: Jan Blather Net-7! News... Emperor is this annoncement in relation to the re-apperance of the CoC?

Ed: No.. it takes months.. years to develope a new strategy like this... the CoC have only been back for a few weeks.. and they've been open and friendly with my nation.. next question

Reporter two: Farbra Walters Leti News Channel 5, Emperor, what is Edenstein's stance on the Invasion of Counterpoint by CoC, Andalucaie, and Manarth, and a follow up, what if anything has Edenstein done to deter these nations from invading a "Free" nation?

Ed: *looks over at Onotov who shrugs* Well... umm..at the moment.. no comment.. next..

Reporter 3: Tom Brokejaw NBC news... Emperor..... What ever happened to Elwood Zev Corran?

*most of the audience is in shock at the question*

Ed: Well.. we are still searching for him.. one more question...

Reporter 4: Adrianne Alexis Carianada Channel 4, Emperor, what is Lt. Gen Zofia's condition?

Ed: Stable.. she is getting better everyday... thats all!

*He leaves as the reporters haggle him for more questions*

[summation] New smaller fleets added to naval structure, Ed answers questions...

::CoC forces declare a unilateral cease fire on the free cities and hold there positions to allow Andulucian forces to evacuate::

::The premier Zofia O'Flannery is meeting with her advisors over the current situation::

Defense Minister Madigan: Mam, Edenstein has launched a new Fleet of ships with all new classes

O'Flannery: They created NEW ships

Madigan: well mam, they claim they did, but our operatives haven't discovered much about them.

O'Flannery: You mean Edenstein used Creativity and Innovation? Is that possible for them?

Madigan: As far as we know right now they are just claims, they have nothing to substantiate those claims.

O'Flannery: Minister Thibault do we have anything to worry about with this new launch of ships

Thibault: Absolutely not Mam, we are confident that Edenstein doesn't mean to do anything on their own, they need a massive coalition to even be bold enough to act. But since Henceland Omega and a few others will rubberstamp anything Edenstein will do there isn't much chance of Edenstein going alone on anything.

*Andaluciaen forces have begun dircting the Counterpointian civilians onto large transport ships. All the while loading their heavier military equipment onto vehicle transport ships. Some buildings with flat tops have been turned into temporary helipads where civilians are being airlifted to the aircraft carriers. The aircraft carriers were transporting the landed civilians to other freighters.*

To= The invaders of counterpoint.
From= Your Regional UN Delegate
Re= Status of affairs

Although I am gracious to Andalucaie for the humane treatment of my citizens, it time for Counterpoint to retake its posistion as a free and independent nation. The wholesale slaugheter of our civillians, destruction of cities, and out right theft of our land by the Council of Clan is completly unacceptable and has gone ignored for far to long.

Therefore, I demand that the Clans, Andalucaie, and Manarth come to bargaining table or face explusion from the region. I expect a response by Monday, July 25th 2:30 pm Leti Standard time. If this is not met, then you will be IMMEDIATLY banned from this region.

Empress Jessica
UN Delegate, LETI

To= The invaders of counterpoint.
From= Your Regional UN Delegate
Re= Status of affairs

Although I am gracious to Andalucaie for the humane treatment of my citizens, it time for Counterpoint to retake its posistion as a free and independent nation. The wholesale slaugheter of our civillians, destruction of cities, and out right theft of our land by the Council of Clan is completly unacceptable and has gone ignored for far to long.

Therefore, I demand that the Clans, Andalucaie, and Manarth come to bargaining table or face explusion from the region. I expect a response by Monday, July 25th 2:30 pm Leti Standard time. If this is not met, then you will be IMMEDIATLY banned from this region.

Empress Jessica
UN Delegate, LETI

OOC: whats the matter, can't figure out how to truly RP us out of the country, just as a warning, you kick my nation out of the region, my troops not my civilians will still occupy counterpoint. You will have accomplished nothing. Same goes for Manarth, and Andulucia(actually Manarth is in LOTI so booting the very nation that occupys you is moot. Now come up with an insurgency or something or just sit back and take it. On second thought if you boot my nation, everything will remain, I'll just have a colony in you.

OOC: take that!

IC: ::Premier O'Flanery announces to the nation that they are going to establish their capital in the newly bought land on the Southern Half of the Canal zone, This land has been bought from Featherstones America. We will be leaving all troops and civilians in New CoC(where they are now) and our Lands will span from Eastern Detroit, New CoC, and Southern Half of the land around the Welland Canal.::


::Airborne Troops Land In former Samsylvannia to claim the Land for CoC::

OOC: Wow... wayne I thought you said ya grew up.... I see now nothing has really changed...

in anycase Sammsylvania was TOL nation, under the terms of the treaty upon death of the nation the land becomes a protectorate of Edenstein or other active TOL nation. Now if you want to squabble over it whatever... I don't have enough time anymore to play games. I'll just get Sam to revive his nation.

Lets just not be asses over all of this... jeez..

OOC: Alright CP, while I don't disagree with your goal, I am not at all pleased with your highly unorthodox methods. I'd almost call it an abuse of power, because really, the only times I've ever seen anyone regional delegate kick anyone out of a region was because they misbehaved, they trolled, flame baited and the like. Not because the current RP situation wasn't to their advantage.

Anyways (while I do know that our region is somewhat fanciful) how realistic is it to the RP that someone can come along and remove a nation from it's current location?

But really, if you had offered this in a more natural sort of manner, well then I'd be right open to the request. And if you were to take back your that bit about region booting I'd still be open to the situation. Who knows, I might even be able to get other people to the table as well.

Beyond that, to everyone here, the ooc hostility I'm seeing in the last few days is annoying, let's just separate our own RW lives from our NS nations, I think the RP would be much better that way.

Damn, now I sound like a lecturing smart-ass...

edit: I've also consulted with some of the NS mods I know about this, and they basically said CP was being a pretty poor sport, their advice was to ignore CP, but I don't want to do that unless the problem seems unreconcilable.

OOC: Alright CP, while I don't disagree with your goal, I am not at all pleased with your highly unorthodox methods. I'd almost call it an abuse of power, because really, the only times I've ever seen anyone regional delegate kick anyone out of a region was because they misbehaved, they trolled, flame baited and the like. Not because the current RP situation wasn't to their advantage.

Anyways (while I do know that our region is somewhat fanciful) how realistic is it to the RP that someone can come along and remove a nation from it's current location?

But really, if you had offered this in a more natural sort of manner, well then I'd be right open to the request. And if you were to take back your that bit about region booting I'd still be open to the situation. Who knows, I might even be able to get other people to the table as well.

Beyond that, to everyone here, the ooc hostility I'm seeing in the last few days is annoying, let's just separate our own RW lives from our NS nations, I think the RP would be much better that way.

Damn, now I sound like a lecturing smart-ass...

edit: I've also consulted with some of the NS mods I know about this, and they basically said CP was being a pretty poor sport, their advice was to ignore CP, but I don't want to do that unless the problem seems unreconcilable.


OOC: Honestly I have nothing against her, and about me not having changed. She tried pulling something shitty and I did something about it. Well I do want to get along, she had started to get an insurgency going and did nothing afterwards. That would been fine, even a fun RP. I just got a little upset at the blatent abuse of OOC power. So In response to her Ultimatum I gave a her a big FU, if thats immature well oh well. Hey I tried playing nice and diplomatic, but she wanted to take advantage of her power and took that advantage away from her. She stood by and let Manarth strip her of her power, and then let me occupy her country and now that she has power to "boot" me, she tried throwing her weight around and I took the rug out from underneath her. If she wants to play an insurgency, she can try but umm any counterpointan in my lands is shot on sight, its been my longstanding policy.

OOC: Since I for once seem to be a rather neutral party in the events of LETI.. wow thats a change... let me get a hold of Jessica, she's a good friend of mine, if she agree's to drop the kicking buisness will both of you agree to go back to the way it was before she sent that message?

I.E. Wayne you come back into the region and continue the genocide on her etc I try and get her to do the insurgency thing again? so basicly the last 4 or five posts never happened.

I think she just got frustrated because she has very little time to play this... Let me know what ya think.

Ed

OOC: I'm 110% for that, I'd even accept "Counterpoint Liberation Front" attacks in Andaluciae if that would make it more interesting. Thanks Ed.

Triana Smith: Counterpoint is the UN delegate now? No way!

Secretary of Foreign Affairs LETI Wallace: Yep, it happens. Shall we demand that she reliquish control of the region to us?

Triana Smith: Nah, leave it as it is for now. She can bluster all she wants. I don't think she is able to pull of an insurgancy at this point. Ah, it is nice to have a problem though, I've actually taken to immagining what Argentina would be like pre-WWI, just to stay sane.

Wallace: How odd.

Smith: No kidding. Well, I'm sure something interesting is about to happen.

OOC: Wow, I've been missing a lot.....and somehow, I haven't been dragged into this war or into the (what seems like) squabbling between a few nations. Its role play people. Can we just realize that and then somehow, in role play, finish off the genocide, etc. so we don't have to deal with this anymore? Thanks. And since there hasn't been much role play going on, I won't do anything in context.

In response to the recent death of Vampyrsdon, The United states of Rialto shall assume the role of protecting the nations citzenry and territory in accordance with previously signed treaties.

At the Hence Palace

::Carmine and his advisors have been watching events happen, but unfortunately, the intelligence systems have gone down and it's harder to figure things out. Carmine is furious::

Carmine: I DON'T CARE! GET THE SYSTEMS BACK ONLINE! WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE OUT OF THINGS! WE MUST PRESERVE OUR NEW ORDER!!!!!

Meanwhile, in MadderMike

::Corran is quickly brought up to date on current events through a teleconference with Ristuko and Citan, who are still in Andaluciae. He sits thoughtfully for a few minutes::

Corran: So in other words... LETI is in big trouble...

Ritsuko: Sort of.

Corran: No sort of. LETI is in trouble. And for once It's not CoC I'm worried about. If Counterpoint gets aggressive, or Pax gets aggressive, or even if CoC goes back to their usual bit, Carmine will declare war faster than he can sign his own name. We have to do something about this.

Ritsuko: How about you go back to HO? The people there really loved you while you were there! If you go back we may be able to take back over!

Citan: Hmm... I'm not sure that is a good idea...

Corran: Well, I would like to set foot back home. Why don't we see what happens?


[Summary:] Carmine is out of the loop. Corran is planning to return to HO. OOC: Steve has no internet connection whatsoever. But now that I'm caught up, I'll try to weasel my way into a post every now and then...

*Released Military Report*

In light of the recent commissioning of Counterpoint Home Defense Forces soldiers in the free cities, and their stunning effectiveness against the Counterpointian insurgents, the Andaluciaen Counterpoint Command has decided to take two courses of action: First, we will train a much larger CHDF contingent than originally planned. The insurgents are less willing to attack these soldiers for several reasons, not least of which the generation of ill will that would occur by killing one's own neighbor. Secondly, we will begin to withdraw troop strength from the Free Cities still under our command. This will decrease Andaluciaen casualties, increase Counterpointian self reliance, generate good-will amongst all Counterpointians and several other benefits. We will keep advisor units, espescially those trained in criminal detention, riot control and Special Weapons units on hand for extended periods of time, but besides those, we should expect to have our regular soldiers out of the area quite soon.

Outside of the CHDF developments, we have also pleased to announce that the Counterpointian Inter-City Highways are nearing completion of construction. This road system will connect all of the Free Cities by a near-coastal roadway, it will spur interaction, confederation and trade amongst the Counterpointians from various regions in a manner quite unlike it has been before.

On another front, the civilian government we have set up amongst the Free Cities is also going well. Local elections have been nearly flawless. And our development of a Senate amongst the people's of the Free Cities is well along. We expect to hold elections to the Senate within the next two weeks and from there a Counterpointian President can be freely elected. This governmental system is to not be seen in any way as a manner to supplant the Empress of Counterpoint. More along the lines as a manner to help ease the transition back to self government, perhaps with somewhat more democratic means...


(The report rambles on with a whole mess of statistics and such similar things. It gets rather drab sooner or later.)

::In the Hence Palace, Intelligence worker Harry C. Ick stares blankly at a map of LETI. He yawns and smacks his face to stay awake::

Harry: Man, I know it's late, but there is NOTHING going on here.

::He is temporarily amused by activity going on in Counterpoint, but as it seems of little consequence, he gets bored quickly::

Harry: LETI's turned into a bit of a GHOST towm lately. I wonder what everyone is up to?

::He focuses for a minute on a report that pirates have once again ravaged the southern seas of LETI, something that's not new, and of course, not confirmed. Placing his head down on the computer keyboard, he begins to doze off, drifting off into unconsciousness at his desk...::

[Summary:] Some kind of setup...

Triana Smith was worried that going on a three week vacation might be a problem. She was wrong.

Smith: Did everyone else die and forget to let us know? I haven't even heard from Wallace in three weeks. What the hell?

*silence*

Smith: Okay fine, be like that. Lets check the e-mail. Just a chainletter fowarded by Watson... Why did I give him my address anyway... a Andalucian Bank Account scam and a Saxes "Gentlemen's" spam. Just what I needed.

*She begins typing*

Smith: Dear other nations. I hearby annex everyone. That is all. Hmm... Send to all addresses. Well, we'll see if that evokes a response. If not, I could use some new territory.

*Consul Arthur reads his email.*

*Looks quizzically at the email from Smith*

*Mutters to self*

"I knew she was probably one to stay away from the liquor..."

Triana Smith reads the response from Consul Arthur suggesting she lay off the heavy drinking, and perhapse see a psychologist. It was, she thought, the diplomatic equivalent of declairing that one has knowledge of the recipient's mother's intelligence and deviant behavior, some of which being not only illegal in at least Eastern Detroit, but painful and improbable if not impossible to perform.

She laughed.

"At least someone's home out here."

*Jessamine reads her email from Smith, and grins.*

Jessamine: I'm home as well, and maybe I should send her some of my hasheesh(sp?)...she would like it, hopefully.


OOC: Now that most of us are back in school, we should be leveling up the amount of entries in here. :o)

::Carmine sifts through his weekly mail and runs across a message from Triana Smith. He reads it then pauses for a minute::

Carmine: Who the hell does she think she is, Dubelco?

::He writes back: "Dear Ms. Smith. You are a crazy crackpot, but at least you have the guts to do something ballsy. Good luck with the annexations, but you won't annex us. -Carmine"::

O'Flannery: yeah ummm, she's not going to annex us but we'll Help her annex other things if we can get a cut.