NationStates Jolt Archive

Emperor Titus Celmaetus stood at the oak podium, his hands quivering with emotion. He swallowed hard, and brought his mouth to the microphone.

"It was on this day, January 1st," he began, addressing a crowd of 4,000 on the steps of the Imperial Senate. "That 150 Comatic civilians were taken hostage in their own town, out in rural Comatica. And tonight, we commemorate the Battle of Springbrook, in which 1,500 SAFD Pacitalian troops and 500 VQD Comatic troops attacked the terrorists responsible. The Real ALM terrorist organization, who is also responsible for the death of my father, Lucius Celmaetus, killed 7 civilians that day, along with 6 VQD soldiers, and, if I am correct, 1 Pacitalian SAFD soldier."

Titus paused, taking a deep breath. "Approximately 1:30 AM, on January 2nd, marks the beginning of the Battle of Springbrook. All 100 Real ALM terrorists were killed, and since then, have persued the organization with vigilance. Both Pacitalia and Comatica have made efforts to stop the spread of it's ridiculous ideals, and will continue for as long as it takes. Now; let us hold a moment of silence for those lost, and those who made a contribution to the United Empire."

OOC: The RP thread was here, (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=386186) and probably one of my better RPs.

OOC: The good old days, when the RALM was the bane of people's existence. That was one of my better RP's too.

I believe we were discussing the possibility of a renewed RALM Terror Offensive on TGs? I seem to be up for that now.

IC:

We in Upper Xen will join you in remembering the dead. Know that we have begun a renewed offensive against the RALM in our country, so that they are frustrated here as well.

-Xenizen State Department

OOC: The good old days, when the RALM was the bane of people's existence. That was one of my better RP's too.

I believe we were discussing the possibility of a renewed RALM Terror Offensive on TGs? I seem to be up for that now.

IC:

We in Upper Xen will join you in remembering the dead. Know that we have begun a renewed offensive against the RALM in our country, so that they are frustrated here as well.

-Xenizen State Department

We wholeheartedly thank the Xenizen State Department for it's kindly words, and now we are reminded that we are not alone.

Emperor Titus Celmaetus
Head of State

OOC: Yes, we were. In fact, now that you mention it, I'm up for it again, too.

BTW--I thought New Dornalia was the RALM operating under a new name. Huh.

We wholeheartedly thank the Xenizen State Department for it's kindly words, and now we are reminded that we are not alone.

Emperor Titus Celmaetus
Head of State

OOC: Yes, we were. In fact, now that you mention it, I'm up for it again, too.

BTW--I thought New Dornalia was the RALM operating under a new name. Huh.

OOC: Well, New Dornalia is my FT nation, but I just use it for my general postings; I use the RALM and UX for MT.

Perhaps a terror attack can be arranged....

OOC: Well, New Dornalia is my FT nation, but I just use it for my general postings; I use the RALM and UX for MT.

Perhaps a terror attack can be arranged....

OOC: Send me a TG, away from prying eyes. <_< >_>

OOC: TG Sent.

From PNN.pc

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/Pacitalia/Pacitalians_MomentofSilence.jpg
Pacitalians gathered in Nortopalazzo's
Piazza Andonesca, and with a moment
of silence marked the one year anniversary
of the Battle of Springbrook. The tactical
operation in Comatica took four SAFD lives.

Pacitalians mark battle anniversary with moment of silence


By Manti Soratina-Murana
NORTOPALAZZO

Citizens of Pacitalia's second-largest city were among the millions across the country who stood in a moment of silence to remember the human toll of the Battle of Springbrook, which took place one year ago today. In it, four Pacitalian soldiers lost their lives, along with six of the Comatican forces, and a further seven Comatican citizens.

The battle between the Real Anime Liberation Movement terrorist organisation and the Comatican-Pacitalian "coalition" had been boiling to the surface for weeks, if not months, previously, and finally exploded outward in one of the SAFD's costliest missions to date. Although all one hundred of the ALM men were killed, including leader Gerald Onizuka, the death of four SAFD soldiers was unheard of to that point and caused uncertainty over the integrity and leadership of Pacitalia's elite fighting force.

Outgoing prime minister Timothy Ell spoke to a crowd at Puntafora's Piazza Centrale (the crowd was originally there as part of the days-long vigil to find justice for a gay couple murdered last month). "In times like these, we not only remember the invaluable contributions and the humble sacrifices made by the true patriots who serve in our armed forces, but we remember how proud we are to have an armed force as strong as we do - one that fights for what we believe in, and one that fights for what others want to believe in, what others want to have."

FPD leader-elect Constantino Sorantanali joined a few political opponents (namely Green leader Neros Constantakis, NPA leader Aria Speranza and PSC leader Fernando Chiovitti) in hearing one of the prime minister's final public orations. Sorantanali, the projected victor in the 25th January general election, called the Battle of Springbrook "an honourable sacrifice by patriotic Pacitalians and Comaticans defending their nation's futures."

Constantakis called war "a stain on the global populace" but the armed forces' sacrifice "a necessary one" and a "virtuous cause". His counterpart Chiovitti praised the SAFD and Comatican VQD for fighting "not to defend their own legacy, but for what they knew in their hearts was right". He added, "These men were not afraid to die so long as the mission was accomplished - their achievement at Springbrook was remarkable".

The moment of silence took place at exactly 12.00pm CPST in Pacitalia, with ceremonies, both official and unofficial reported to have taken place in nearly every major Pacitalian city. The largest vigil was in Nortopalazzo's Piazza Andonesca - the four fallen SAFD commandoes were all from Nortopalazzo, and all of them lived mere blocks from this plaza. Similar vigils were held across Comatica, and also in Upper Xen, the nation from which the terrorist movement was originally borne.

Corporali Benito Jaquíro was killed when a stray bullet from an ALM officer struck him in the head, killing him instantly. The other three men, Corporali Marco Zunistanto, Corporali Ambrose Pangozali and Privato Taddeo Berlunghe, were killed in a surprise shoulder-mount rocket attack in the last stages of the battle. They were posthumously honoured in Timiocato -- a plaque was unveiled by the Ministry of National Defence Sunday afternoon thanking all the participating SAFD commandoes and honouring the four fallen men.

The plaque sits at the base of the Camera dei Santi, the holiest and most religious building in Pacitalia that is not classified as a church, mosque or synagogue. A Ministry spokeswoman said "the government intends for this plaque to stay in its current place for many years to come", hinting the plaque's current location was permanent both in the sense of location and time.