NationStates Jolt Archive

“O great Father, we offer our praise to you now. For you are the great and the glorious. You are the one and the only.”

“Amen,” said Mr. Groll from the entry to the alley. Immediately the worshipers scattered. However, each door to the alley had been locked, and figures emerged from the shadows on either side of the alley.

The preacher reached beneath his makeshift altar, and was hit by several bullets. Mr. Groll stepped forward. “Possession of an illegal firearm,” he said, pulling out the AK-47. “Attempt to kill an officer of the law. Practicing a banned religion. Possession of banned texts,” he pointed to the book labeled, ‘The Holy Bible, Matheo Edition’ “Any one of those is enough to forfeit any protection under the law. Compounded? You may as well slit your wrists now.”

The preacher let out a shuddering gasp. “Oh, spare us the theatrics,” said Mr. Groll, “You weren’t hit fatally. And you can go on your way like this never happened, as long as you tell us, where is the so called ‘Bishop?’”

The preacher shook his head defiantly. Mr. Groll sighed. “Ah, well, men, you know what to do.”

The men nodded and advanced on the worshippers. The first worshipper, a young man with a pony tail, was seized by his hair and dragged off his feet. As the soldiers covered the worshippers with automatic weaponry, two men began beating the young man. Finally he lay still. Leering, the two soldiers advanced on the young woman who had been with him.

“Stop!” Said the preacher, “I’ll tell you, just leave my flock alone.”

Mr. Groll nodded and the men stopped.

“The Bishop is Henry Oliver.”

“Thank you for your help, Father. Men, continue.” He drew a pistol and shot the preacher in the head before he could protest, before turning his back on the scene in the alleyway.

“John?” He said.

His aid looked up from his laptop. “Sir, Henry Oliver is a talk show host of all things. He lives in a high rise apartment uptown.”

“Address?”

“Transmitting now, sir.”
***
“Henry Oliver, you are hereby under arrest. Place your hands over your head, and we might even let you live to stand trial.”

Henry Oliver complied. Mr. Groll shook his head. “That doesn’t make for a terribly good story, now does it? Harry?”

One of the men nodded, “I’m ready sir.”

“Good man.” Mr. Groll drew his pistol and shot Harry in the leg. Harry swore, and the men began beating Oliver.
***
“Hello, this is Mark Dally with Lroonian National News, reporting live from the capital of the Rogue Nation of Lroon. Late last night, in a daring raid, members of the Lroonian Special Service shut down a cell of the religious fanatics known as Matheons. Despite heavy fighting, no serious injuries were sustained by LSS forces. But that’s not all. Using intelligence gained in the raid, LSS forces were able to locate the ‘Bishop’ himself, now positively identified as talk show host Henry Oliver. For any foreign viewers, or anyone that’s been living under a rock for the last few years, the Bishop is the self proclaimed ‘Cleansing Prophet’ who vowed three years ago to cleanse Lroon and the world of sin. He is suspected in the planning of a number of terror attacks and vicious murders of prostitutes, abortion doctors and homosexuals.

We now have an interview with one of the heroic men who was injured during the capture. Harry Lanx, how do you feel about being a hero?”

“I wouldn’t call myself a hero, Mark. I was just doing my job there.”

“And you received a million dollar wound. Government compensation, assurances that it will heal lean, and a month’s paid sick leave. How did you obtain such a luck wound?”

“Well, I doubt Oliver was trying to do me a favor, Mark.” There was a chuckle from the audience. “I went to cuff him, and somehow he got a hold of my pistol. I was stupid enough that I probably deserved the bullet.”

“No one’s saying that Mark. We’ll be right back, after a word from our government sponsors.”

bump

Canadilia Foreign Ministry:

Although we support the actions in the detaining and killing of the "Bishop" who as the Lroon state government has stated is responsible for the deaths of untold number in terrorist attacks and murders. We are shocked at reports that an unarmed group of his followers, were beaten and shot before the action was carried out and a number of 'innocents' were killed or injured in this action. We urge the Lroon government to investigate this action that may have caused the deaths of innocent people, and arrest people responsible if that is required.

Insanity.

There is nothing more we can say of the ruthless actions that unfolded in Lroon today. While the Lroon Sect is not a particularly common religion in this region, we can hardly say that peaceful practice of one's religion constitutes a threat to national security.

President Shanu Aeri has dispatched a bill to the U.S.S. Congress calling for immediate sanctions in response to the event, and early responses indicate that she has more than enough votes to pass it.

The small island nation of Istanico is shocked at the actions that resulted in the murder of a number of innocent people trying to follow their religion. If there are any Lroon Sect survivors left we are willing with Lroon government approval to transport them to Istanico where they can live in peace with other religious communities in the islands of Istanico

We are shocked and appalled at the blatant misinformation which has
been fed to the doubtlessly well meaning foreign governments. First, the slain fanatics are anything but innocent victims. Even leaving aside the speed with which they opened fire on the police who came to arrest them, a full seventy-three percent of the group killed had been linked to violent crime, eighty-three percent of said crimes resulting in the deaths of one or multiple victims.

Enclosed is the portion the relevant papers that has been declassified.

Second, as has been stated above, police moved in only to arrest the above senty-one percent, but were forced to defend themselves against wild fire from the fanatics.

Enclosed is testimony from the officers involved, ballistics reports, and death certificates of the two policemen killed in action.

Finally, we thank the people of Istanico for their well meaning offer, but we would advise against welcoming these violent lunatics into your peaceful land. However, should you still wish to take them in, all further captured members of the sect will be deported to Istanico.

OOC: The papers are all real, or at least, perfectly valid. Think 1984. A fair part of the government (The Ministry of Truth, if you will) is dedicated to being able to produce any such papers, which none but the most extensive investigations with no hindrance would be able to disprove.

The Canadilia foreign ministry has looked at the documentation that the Lroon government has provided and has agreed with the goverment's action, within reason, but they will keep in contact with people in Lroon and look into the incident more and keep their decision reserved. And like the kind offer from the small island nation of Istanico we offer Lroon Sect members who may want to leave Lroon available land in Canadilia.

We thank the nation of Lroon and Canadilia for their warm praises. And we resubmit our pledge that we would accept Lroon Sect members who would wish to live peacefully in the islands of Istanico.

So far a MP of our national government has received an e-mail from a man and several followers, a Preacher called Sanderson, and they have requested protection in the islands of Istanico and if it is not the trouble of the Lroon national government, we would be happy to accept them.

OOC: You should praise Him that my brother isn't online, he would swoop down and destroy you from space. I highly suggest you stop this before he arrives. He has a PMT nation, with a large amount of space based weapons.

OOC: too late TAP, I am on the other computer

As word of the massacre of the order's brothers in christ, outrage swept through the entire Order.

"This is Grand Master Luthien de Gama of the Holy Order of St. Longinus to the offending nation. This is you only warning. As we speak, our warriors are preparing to strike against you. Our "Rods from God" Orbital weapons are moving into position as we speak. I repeat, this is your one and only warning. May the one true Lord, Jesus Christ sway your heart. We shall be praying for the souls of your people."

OOC: too late TAP, I am on the other computer

As word of the massacre of the order's brothers in christ, outrage swept through the entire Order.

"This is Grand Master Luthien de Gama of the Holy Order of St. Longinus to the offending nation. This is you only warning. As we speak, our warriors are preparing to strike against you. Our "Rods from God" Orbital weapons are moving into position as we speak. I repeat, this is your one and only warning. May the one true Lord, Jesus Christ sway your heart. We shall be praying for the souls of your people."

OOC- Orbital weapons are, in my opinion, very close to PMT and as such represent a potential problem when roleplaying in what appears to be a MT era event. Now, I AM familiar with the idea...Shalrirorchians even at one time invented the "Comet", a satellite designed to survive re-entry and crash into military targets. But I've not used this weapon for a very long time for fear of godmodding, and I have to strongly urge L.O. to tread carefully when it comes to orbital weapons batteries. No offense to L.O., of course...this is only my observation. ;)

We thank the nation of Lroon and Canadilia for their warm praises. And we resubmit our pledge that we would accept Lroon Sect members who would wish to live peacefully in the islands of Istanico.

So far a MP of our national government has received an e-mail from a man and several followers, a Preacher called Sanderson, and they have requested protection in the islands of Istanico and if it is not the trouble of the Lroon national government, we would be happy to accept them.

OOC: I'm very sorry, but while I was willing to accept that you had gathered scattered reports about police brutality in the arrest, announcing what people in my nation are doing seems to border very strongly on what I am sure was unintentional godmodding.

The Longinean Order, I am sorry, but I am, at this point, MT, and as such, I'm going to have to ask that you keep the space weaponry to an absolute minimum. Space based surveillance, sure, but Godrods? No, thank you. That said, if you are willing to play at an MT level and want to repeat the threat with nuclear weapons instead of space weapons, that would be fine.

Shalrirorchia, those were more or less my thoughts.

Finally, IC: Canadilia is more than welcome to conduct remote investigation, although we are certain they will not find anything terribly interesting beyond the bare facts provided in the previously attached reports.

OOC: I'm very sorry, but while I was willing to accept that you had gathered scattered reports about police brutality in the arrest, announcing what people in my nation are doing seems to border very strongly on what I am sure was unintentional godmodding.

The Longinean Order, I am sorry, but I am, at this point, MT, and as such, I'm going to have to ask that you keep the space weaponry to an absolute minimum. Space based surveillance, sure, but Godrods? No, thank you. That said, if you are willing to play at an MT level and want to repeat the threat with nuclear weapons instead of space weapons, that would be fine.

Shalrirorchia, those were more or less my thoughts.

Finally, IC: Canadilia is more than welcome to conduct remote investigation, although we are certain they will not find anything terribly interesting beyond the bare facts provided in the previously attached reports.

OOC: Fine, no kinetic space rods that drop from space, despite the fact that it is possible right now.

IC
As they had not yet received word from the people of Lroon, the military started to prepare. Motorcycles were fine-tuned, lances and swords where sharpened, and sub-machine guns were cleaned.

A message was sent over the airwaves to the faithful of Lroon.

"This is the Grandmaster of the Holy Order of St. Longinus to all faithful, from NAB. contact us at www.(Mt 37:54 2).gov. again contact us at Mt 37:54 2.gov. Should there be any crimes against you, please contact us at the location."

OOC: that gives the website as www.centurion.gov. HAve them post a complaint there if there is any conflict.

OOC:
Something about the first post sounded awefully close to what happened in Waco, Texas...only they killed themselves before anything serious happened. Heh.
IC:

"The Alexander Administration is rather baffled at the actions being taken upon the Lroon citizens. We would like to recieve further elaboration upon what the hell is going on there?"

To The Longinean Order: We understand your concerns about religious oppression, and would like to hasten to assure you that they are in no way founded. As we have told the similarly concerned nations of Canadilia, Istanico, and Shalrirorchia, the fanatics we are cracking down on, by all intentions seek to cleanse the world of what they consider immorality by any means necessary. The deaths would have been arrests but for the fact that the fanatics opened fire on the police. Enclosed is the same clarifying information sent to the aformentioned concerned nations.

OOC:
What's this coming to? War? Or just a COI?

OOC:
What's this coming to? War? Or just a COI?

OOC: Well, depends on whether or not TLO accepts my explanation.

I can waiver the "Do not attack other nations" law for this conflict. For if it is civil war, I'm supporting those that support the ADAN. HAR HAR!

The grandmaster looked at the documents with a skeptical eye, finding it very hard to believe. Word of oppression had reached the Longinean Order before, but this was one of the worst cases he had heard of so far.

"We have received your documents, and would like to ask why it is that these people would be attacking you. Most christians are a peaceful people unless forced to defend themselves. That is what our Lord and Savior said to do, turn the other cheek. If it is alright, we would like to send a coalition of priests over to investigate this matter for ourselves."

OOC: Christian people peaceful.

The grandmaster looked at the documents with a skeptical eye, finding it very hard to believe. Word of oppression had reached the Longinean Order before, but this was one of the worst cases he had heard of so far.

"We have received your documents, and would like to ask why it is that these people would be attacking you. Most christians are a peaceful people unless forced to defend themselves. That is what our Lord and Savior said to do, turn the other cheek. If it is alright, we would like to send a coalition of priests over to investigate this matter for ourselves."

OOC: Just a quick little comment, I think the turn the other cheek was supposed to be in lieu of actively defending yourself. Oh, and I want a coat.

IC: Your priests are perfectly welcome to come, provided they follow the proscribed rules for foreign visitors, (OOC: A shitload of paperwork, and a signed agreement to do nothing to harm Lroon while they are there, as well as providing reasons for why they are there, where they will be, what they'll be doing, etc. Basically normal visity stuff.), although the fanatics are not likely to admit their religion unless they find your priests sinful, in which case, your priests, unfortunately, are liable to become victims of their violent crimes. Despite the strides we are making in arresting these violent offenders, we regret to say that we cannot be one hundred percent certain of their safety.

Of course, I understand.

While you may not be able to gauruantee their safety, I can. One of the first things that a Squire-Initiate is taught is how to make his own body into a weapon. Should it come to that, our Knight-Priests can easily defend themselves.

A jet is on it's way now, along with the Preists themselves. Please direct it to land upon it's arrival near your Ecconomic Exclusion Zone (200 miles away from land). You will find them coming carrying a copy of The New American Bible, Jesus Freaks vol I and II, and a ceremonial sword, a Sakabato, or reverse blade Katana. IF you wish, they will leave their weapons on the plane.

They will be redirected to land, however, we would like to inquire whether the training of these monks extends to dodging bullets, as the fanatics are not likely to fight fairly.
***
As the plane was redirected, the beauracrats and customs officials armed themselves with pens and mounds of paperwork. Several of them literally wheeled wheelbarrows piled high with paperwork. They hadn't had to do so for a while. For some reason, Lroon didn't seem to attract many tourists...

They will be redirected to land, however, we would like to inquire whether the training of these monks extends to dodging bullets, as the fanatics are not likely to fight fairly.
***
As the plane was redirected, the beauracrats and customs officials armed themselves with pens and mounds of paperwork. Several of them literally wheeled wheelbarrows piled high with paperwork. They hadn't had to do so for a while. For some reason, Lroon didn't seem to attract many tourists...

OOC: They ahve learned Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu, so if they know the angle of the barrel, they can know the flight path of the bullet, and move quickly. Plus, they are trained in reading people.

IC
The jet landed and seven men in black robes with white tabs on their collars, and Flak Jackets stepped out. Each wore a sword on his waist, a reverse bladed katana, whcih allowed them to utilise their Iajitsu training.

They stepped into the office, and looked in dismay at the massive pile of paper work.

One stepped forward, bearing his ID, on it , it listed him as a Monsignor and a Lieutenant

"Hello, I am Monsignor-Lieutenant Archibald de Leeds. Thank you for allowing us to come to your country."

"You are not yet officially allowed in the country," replied a beauracrat, setting up a card table and plunking the first of several large forms that he carried on it. "This area is a stasis zone. This first form states that you will take no action that you know or suspect will bring harm to the government of Lroon. You will need to sign here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, over here, twice here, initial here, and sign here." As he spoke he flipped through the form, pointing at each dotted line. "All of you will have to sign seperate forms. In addition, you will be required to leave your weaponry here. No one but officially appointed officers of the law are permited to carry weaponry more deadly than a pocket knife in Lroon proper."

"You are not yet officially allowed in the country," replied a beauracrat, setting up a card table and plunking the first of several large forms that he carried on it. "This area is a stasis zone. This first form states that you will take no action that you know or suspect will bring harm to the government of Lroon. You will need to sign here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, over here, twice here, initial here, and sign here." As he spoke he flipped through the form, pointing at each dotted line. "All of you will have to sign seperate forms. In addition, you will be required to leave your weaponry here. No one but officially appointed officers of the law are permited to carry weaponry more deadly than a pocket knife in Lroon proper."

"Beauracraucy" the Monsignor muttered as he took the forms. He carefully read and signed them, his fellows following his lead.

At the mention of his sword, he looked up, "Ah, but a Pocket Knife is more dangerous than this."

He stood up and unbelted his sword, he opened it enough to show that the blade was on the reverse of the weapon. "This sword cannot kill a man, it is little more than a fancy metal stick."

"Beauracraucy" the Monsignor muttered as he took the forms. He carefully read and signed them, his fellows following his lead.

At the mention of his sword, he looked up, "Ah, but a Pocket Knife is more dangerous than this."

He stood up and unbelted his sword, he opened it enough to show that the blade was on the reverse of the weapon. "This sword cannot kill a man, it is little more than a fancy metal stick."

"Sir, a sword is considered a weapon. I don't care if the handle is the sharpest bit on it. But, in any case, this brings us to this." He reached out and set another stack of forms on the table. "This acknowledges that you have turned over all weaponry to us. You'll need a copy of forms A, B, 4, 8, 39A and 12 to pick them up again afterwards."

"Sir, a sword is considered a weapon. I don't care if the handle is the sharpest bit on it. But, in any case, this brings us to this." He reached out and set another stack of forms on the table. "This acknowledges that you have turned over all weaponry to us. You'll need a copy of forms A, B, 4, 8, 39A and 12 to pick them up again afterwards."

The knights looked at the form in disgust, "I would rather leave our blades on the plane we flew in here on. These blades have been forged in sacred flames with passages from the Holy Scriptures written on them."

The Monsignor turned to one of his men and handed him the sword, as did the rest of the group.

"You may keep our plane under armed guard to make sure that we do not return for our blades, but we will not let anyone else hold them."

OOC: if you do make them hand over the swords, and you fully unsheath them, this is what you would find on the blade

そして救助のヘルメットと、精神の剣を取ってください。それは神の言葉〔知らせ〕です； 全てのたゆまぬ努力と全ての聖人のための嘆願でのこの終わりに用心深く、全ての祈りと精神の嘆願で常に祈ること．

エペソ書6:10-18

It is Japanese for this (And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.)

OOC: I'm sorry for the delay, my Internet's down, and I don't really have time to write up a reply here.

The customs official heaved a long suffering sigh. "This is highly irregular," he accused, a more damning statement he could not think of. "But there are no specific laws preventing you from leaving your weapons in the transition area. Very well."

He lifted the files away, and picked up another pile. "You'll need to sign these to confirm you won't make any attempt to illegally obtain weapons while in Lroon."

The customs official heaved a long suffering sigh. "This is highly irregular," he accused, a more damning statement he could not think of. "But there are no specific laws preventing you from leaving your weapons in the transition area. Very well."

He lifted the files away, and picked up another pile. "You'll need to sign these to confirm you won't make any attempt to illegally obtain weapons while in Lroon."

"Good," the monsignor said, as the preist lugged the swords off to the plane. The Squires who had flown them here would stand guard, and be an invisible group until the Preis-Knights where ready to leave.

"Of course," the Monsignor said, as he signed the forms in the designated places. All of his men followed suit.

UPDATE: The Shalrirorchian Congress has tabled the bill for sanctions against Lroon at the request of President Aeri until an ambassador can be sent to the country to converse with the government of Lroon and gain a better understanding of the situation there.

The Shalrirorchian government will send an envoy to Lroon. He will be deposited in the nearest Lroon port by a Shalrirorchian transport, and will proceed via U.S.S. motorcade to the Lroon government plaza. He will be escorted by U.S.S. Secret Service agents.