NationStates Jolt Archive

In the NS world already inhabited by elves, furrys and other such creatures, certain testing would occur. Experiments. Life created. And occasionally, brilliance and accident mix to create something entirely new and something great.

They were called 'Blubs'. Odd creatures that had sprung up as the result of a risky experiment involving stemcells, animal and human genes. Through genetic DNA reconstruction and a non-molded growth canister.

The Blubs had intelligence comparable to humans, even if their brains worked differently. They looked like green blobs sprouting eyestalks and tentacles. The eyestalks were unique, and the tentacles quite flexible, but lacking the suction grippers most-often associated with a squid.

Even the very young Blubs showed remarkable intelligence and independance in the fashion of the animal kingdom, and they were born with innate knowledge of how to communicate with each other. There were millions of Blubs kept locked away in testing areas while their human creators poked and prodded at them with awe. The Blubs would poke back, displaying unbound curiousity and intelligence. Many of them spoke human languages, having learned to do so under human supervision.

The Blubs were tired of being experiments, though. Tired of being unwillfully held and tested upon. Many of the scientists could be cruel with their experiments, leaving Blubs disfigured or dead.

It was time to fight back.

X982 Genetic Testing Site

It was time. Zero Hour. D Day.

It was late night, the cleaning crew came in for their usual maintaince. They would enter the glass enclosures that the Blubs 'lived' in, and clean them. The Blubs seemed to be asleep as the crew fiddled with the locks. It was an illusion.

Tentacles twitched weakly in anticipation and stress, as the first member of the cleaning crew stepped into the enclosure. The Blubs moved as one, rushing forward and shoving the first cleaner back through the door into his partner. The two humans went down in a tangle as Blubs poured out into the lab, chattering excitedly.

One of the crew paniced, "They're out! Call security!" Those were his last words before a Blub inched up and swiped him upside the head with a wooden lab stool. The cleaner went out like a light, followed quickly by his partner who also was pummeled into deep slumber.

The Blubs were free. They snatched up keys and went about the lab, releasing other imprisoned Blubs.

Camp Omega, Army Barracks

Warning never reached the barracks. The Blubs had quickly set about raiding a military depot and captured equipment. They then split into two groups. The first would motor off and set the rest of the Blubs free. The second would make an unwelcome visit to Camp Omega.

Sleepy checkpoint guards saw only a brief flash in the darkness up the road. Their brains simply could not have time to register the fact that what they saw was a M60A2 firing its main gun. The round buzzed downrange and struck the wall of the outpost. The two guards were shredded.

A moment later paniced soldiers were pouring out of the barracks as explosions rippled across the base. Blubs had set up machineguns outside of the fence and now used them to chop down the soldiers, tracers dancing between running shadows to fell them.

In under ten minutes the fight was over.

A Blub wearing a WWII style tanker's cap was perched at the hatch of his M60, surveying the wreckage of the enemy base. His radio crackled, "Groundhog Six to Hogger Lead." The Blub lifted his radio, "Go Six."

The radio buzzed again, "Roger Hogger. We've secured the rest of our people. Camp Gamma and Camp Elipson are destroyed. The government is fleeing. We will let them leave and secure the borders. Move your company to I-89 and babysit the human retreat."

And the Blubs became a blip on the world scoreboard.

A stealth taskforce of 10 F-22 Raptors and 1 B-2 bomber were arming and being equipped to deal with the blubs, hopefully fast enough before they cause too much damage.

"This is Alpha 1 to all units. Report in."

"Alpha 2, reporting."

"Alpha 3, reporting."

"Alpha 4, reporting."

"Alpha 5, reporting."

"Alpha 6, reporting."

"Alpha 7, reporting."

"Alpha 8, reporting."

"Alpha 9, reporting."

"Alpha 10, reporting."

"Big Bird, reporting."

"All systems go?"

"Yes sir!"

"Takeoff!"

The squadron took off for the blubs, expecting an ETA of 45 minutes, with Stratotankers refueling them on the way.

The Community, while attempting to scour the world for terrorists, stumbled upon this happening.

"Sir, we've found something bizarre." The analyst stared at the screen, with the corporal standing over him.

"What is it?"

"A non-human lifeform seems to be assaulting these military base. Appears to be product of biological experiments."

"What is the nature of the attacks?"

"Incredibly sophisticated. Adaptable, resourceful. Tactical geniouses."

"We need to deal with this, but our resources are still spread too thin. Keep an eye on it."

Newly Renamed Blubland

Someone looking down from an aircraft or satellite might note that there were several army bases where wreckage of tanks or buildings still burned. Long streams of automobiles were leaving the country at a rapid pace using all the lanes in both directions of I-89 and I-13.

Monitoring it all were the Blubs. Most of them had snatched up rifles in their very brief 'battle for freedom' against the human enslavers. There were thousands of warmachines on the move, however. Mostly tanks with some APCs or IFVs thrown in for good measure.

In the hanger at Camp Elipson, Blubs were gathered around a shiney new F-35 JSF and examining it. They had somehow obtained service manuals, and in their Blub-like ways, quickly absorbed the information. They seemed content however, to ooo and aaah over the sleek aircraft.

ONN News Telecast

Greetings Osleans! I am Tara Arlen, your newscaster tonight. Oslea has performed its first ever military act, though against who and what they are using to do combat with are classified.

Rumours are abound that they are taking fight against a non-human race, aliens, or a secretive terrorist organization. More details to come soon! Now with Ed Elfred, sports!

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

Camp Blub, Blubland

In the radar control room, the big Cobra Dane systems were still going. The unarmed human radio officers had been escorted out, put into trucks and then driven towards the border to be dropped off.

The Cobra Dane was picking up on some rather odd receptions. Brief periods of contact, then nothing. Then contact for another few seconds and nothing again. "Some sorta .. contact?" one of the Blubs suggested while the others gathered around to peer at the screen with their eyestalks curiously.

At the hangar, a telephone rang. One Blub inched over and picked it up, "Hello?" - "Hi. We're seeing things on RADAR. Go look at it, okay?" - "Sure!"

And a few minutes later, six F-35s and six F-18s were rolling down the runway, awkwardly pulling into the sky as the inexperienced Blubs struggled to control the aircraft. Soon enough, they were orbiting overhead while the Blubs in the radar complex tried to figure out where to send the fighters.

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0220 Local Time
Weather, Foggy
ooc: Still working out the bugs in the new calendar.

The figures watching the sattelite feed, listening to the news reports, and trying to update the maps in real-time were now ceasing their work to huddle around a single screen. "Green blobs... holy crap... what do we do?" "I think we should call the Parliament and inform the Head of St""NO!" the man suggesting procedure was interrupted by a gruff, older gentleman in a Marine officer's uniform. He slapped the railing of the upper platform he stood on, looking down at the gang of huddled scientists and military. He spoke in a commanding tone, "That man is busy, and he set up procedures for this sort of thing for a reason. We are going to send all data up the chain. Inform just the commandants of this biological outbreak, get 24/7 coverage of the area. Also, this is the perfect time to test an unmanned probe."

They all began to scramble to work, everyone back at their departments. The Marine officer left to begin the military side of the operation, monitoring the sattelites and the new probe.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0604
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds
ooc: Of course local time and real weather conditions are up to you.

The first noticable indication anything was arriving was a soft, puffy white object that after a few moments made itself clear as not cloud. It was a parachute, carrying a gray tetrahedron. The parachute was smaller than a drag chute, and the grey triangular object it carried was only the size of a briefcase, .6 meters across each side.

It landed with a thunk on the pavement of an airstrip where jet-planes had just taken off. The parachute was released from the object and fluttered away carelessly. The pyramid like device than unfolded it's flat, smooth panels, revealing inside was what looked like white ceramic tank, overly compact and with no protrusions on it's boxy, treaded form. This soon changed as each of the treads extended outwards, 4 of them, one each on it's own hydraulic arm. The unmanned probe, on it's extended treads rose up a bit, and than extended head-like sensor pod from it's very top. It began to scane the area around itself in a 360 degree angle, while and arm unfolded from the side. It's single arm unfolding indicated detailing on the other side concealed a second possible arm. The first arm, in any case, had a set of tools on it's forward end, the obvious gripping claw, and a few more that looked like various prongs and openings still in packed and unused position.

It's standing orders, seek out movement, possible green blob and study from a distance. If none are apparant, make way to the central command building and than await further orders.

OOC: I sure hope you dont mind me already having an agent in the country your taking over.

IC:"This is CORALHOUND to BLUEBUS, do you copy?" A Intellegince-Consortium Agent said. The Agent had been infiltrated into this particular country a couple of weeks ago with proper operation equipment. Outside, the sound of the Blub manned tanks and APCs rolling by could be heard. The RADIO was encrypted with the best Red Tidean encryption tchnology and went straight for a sattelite.

"This is BLUEBUS, report CORALHOUND." The response came through.

The Intellegince-Consortium Agent replied in that oh-so-monotonic voice of theirs, "There appears to be a coup'd'tat or revolt of some sort going on. There are battle tanks in the streets, Mona six-two Alpha twos."

"Roger that CORALHOUND, we already have explanation and orders for you."

The Agent was told about the apparent, intellegint Blubs, he abosrbed all of this information which, while startling to a regular human, made no difference to the mind controlled person that was a Intellegince-Consortium agent. Then he was given his orders.

The Agent packed up the radio and stood up, he walked out of the basement he was hiding in and took out his Consortium Agent Uniform. The black suit with the Red Tidean flag on the shoulder pads would be unmistakable to reasonably informed person, and then he put on his glasses and left the house he had purchased.

He approached the nearest Blub hands raised and spoke in flawless english with the standard Russian Accent: "Hello, hello, can you understand me?"

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0220 Local Time
Weather, Foggy
ooc: Still working out the bugs in the new calendar.

The figures watching the sattelite feed, listening to the news reports, and trying to update the maps in real-time were now ceasing their work to huddle around a single screen. "Green blobs... holy crap... what do we do?" "I think we should call the Parliament and inform the Head of St""NO!" the man suggesting procedure was interrupted by a gruff, older gentleman in a Marine officer's uniform. He slapped the railing of the upper platform he stood on, looking down at the gang of huddled scientists and military. He spoke in a commanding tone, "That man is busy, and he set up procedures for this sort of thing for a reason. We are going to send all data up the chain. Inform just the commandants of this biological outbreak, get 24/7 coverage of the area. Also, this is the perfect time to test an unmanned probe."

They all began to scramble to work, everyone back at their departments. The Marine officer left to begin the military side of the operation, monitoring the sattelites and the new probe.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0604
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds
ooc: Of course local time and real weather conditions are up to you.

The first noticable indication anything was arriving was a soft, puffy white object that after a few moments made itself clear as not cloud. It was a parachute, carrying a gray tetrahedron. The parachute was smaller than a drag chute, and the grey triangular object it carried was only the size of a briefcase, .6 meters across each side.

It landed with a thunk on the pavement of an airstrip where jet-planes had just taken off. The parachute was released from the object and fluttered away carelessly. The pyramid like device than unfolded it's flat, smooth panels, revealing inside was what looked like white ceramic tank, overly compact and with no protrusions on it's boxy, treaded form. This soon changed as each of the treads extended outwards, 4 of them, one each on it's own hydraulic arm. The unmanned probe, on it's extended treads rose up a bit, and than extended head-like sensor pod from it's very top. It began to scane the area around itself in a 360 degree angle, while and arm unfolded from the side. It's single arm unfolding indicated detailing on the other side concealed a second possible arm. The first arm, in any case, had a set of tools on it's forward end, the obvious gripping claw, and a few more that looked like various prongs and openings still in packed and unused position.

It's standing orders, seek out movement, possible green blob and study from a distance. If none are apparant, make way to the central command building and than await further orders.

OOC: Hope you don't mind, but it's more amusing this way.. (If you don't like how this works out, let me know and I'll edit it.)

IC:
The parachute had been spotted by keen eyes from the ground. The first assumption was that a Blub had ejected for one reason or another. And so, in a golf cart some Blubs were sent out onto the runway, and the next wave of jets preparing to take off were put on stand-by.

--- For the probe, the first thing it would 'see' when it 'opened its eyes' would be .. a Blub.

(A Blub. In a wagon.)
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/47/blub3yk.png

It was peering curiously at the machine with its eyestalks. It squeaked something in Blubbish, and others gathered around, 'ooooing' as the thing sprouted arms and legs and such. One of them went back to the golf cart and retrieved a small oil can and returned a moment later, offering the oil to the machine in a friendly gesture. - Two more golfcarts full of Blubs were also approaching to gawk.

OOC: I sure hope you dont mind me already having an agent in the country your taking over.

IC:"This is CORALHOUND to BLUEBUS, do you copy?" A Intellegince-Consortium Agent said. The Agent had been infiltrated into this particular country a couple of weeks ago with proper operation equipment. Outside, the sound of the Blub manned tanks and APCs rolling by could be heard. The RADIO was encrypted with the best Red Tidean encryption tchnology and went straight for a sattelite.

"This is BLUEBUS, report CORALHOUND." The response came through.

The Intellegince-Consortium Agent replied in that oh-so-monotonic voice of theirs, "There appears to be a coup'd'tat or revolt of some sort going on. There are battle tanks in the streets, Mona six-two Alpha twos."

"Roger that CORALHOUND, we already have explanation and orders for you."

The Agent was told about the apparent, intellegint Blubs, he abosrbed all of this information which, while startling to a regular human, made no difference to the mind controlled person that was a Intellegince-Consortium agent. Then he was given his orders.

The Agent packed up the radio and stood up, he walked out of the basement he was hiding in and took out his Consortium Agent Uniform. The black suit with the Red Tidean flag on the shoulder pads would be unmistakable to reasonably informed person, and then he put on his glasses and left the house he had purchased.

He approached the nearest Blub hands raised and spoke in flawless english with the standard Russian Accent: "Hello, hello, can you understand me?"

Blub City, Blubland

The Blub was standing outside of a candy shop, holding a little white bag full of sugary treats and chewing. Its eyestalks lifted to peer at the human curiously, still shoveling candy into its maw with a tentacle. Munch. Munch. Munch. Then it would reply, "Yup. You're supposed to be leaving. This is our country now." He made a shoo'ing gesture with a tentacle.

"Actually..." The Agent said, "I am not from this country. I was sent here to make contact and open diplomatic relations with your kind."

Blub City, Blubland

Still chewing away at his candy, the Blub pondered that information for a moment. Then, finally, he spoke up again, "Did you know that spies are considered illegal combatants since they don't wear uniforms? They are then liable to summary execution right on the battlefield."

Big smile. "Anyway, follow me." And he'd scurry down the sidewalk towards the city hall.

"Alpha 1 has contact with the target!"

"Inbound bandits! All OSlean fighters engage!
"Fox two!" An F-22 fired a missile at an F-18.

Air War

The Blub in the lead F/A -18 peered at his HUD in curiousity for a moment. Then, glanced down at some crib notes taped to the dashboard of the fighter. "Oh. That's a missile." He looked up again. Then .. "Oh!" a tentacle lashed around the handle for the ejection, tugged and.. *POOF*

The Blub and the chair soared into the sky. The fighter continued going for about five seconds, then was struck by said missile and just went to pieces. - The Blub's chair deployed its parachute, and he drifted slowly towards the ground.

The other Blubs in the squadron frowned. "This is Eagle Blub Lead. Can't see them on RADAR, switch to infrared." And as the infrared 'eyes' of the missiles slung under the eleven remaining jets opened, they could indeed see the heat signatures of the approaching F-22s.

"Fox one!" - "Fox one!" - "Fox one!" And so on. The sky filled with missles, each aircraft firing two, for a total of twenty two which corkscrewed through the bright blue sky towards their F-22 targets.

OOC: Hope you don't mind, but it's more amusing this way.. (If you don't like how this works out, let me know and I'll edit it.)

IC:
The parachute had been spotted by keen eyes from the ground. The first assumption was that a Blub had ejected for one reason or another. And so, in a golf cart some Blubs were sent out onto the runway, and the next wave of jets preparing to take off were put on stand-by.

--- For the probe, the first thing it would 'see' when it 'opened its eyes' would be .. a Blub.

(A Blub. In a wagon.)
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/47/blub3yk.png

It was peering curiously at the machine with its eyestalks. It squeaked something in Blubbish, and others gathered around, 'ooooing' as the thing sprouted arms and legs and such. One of them went back to the golf cart and retrieved a small oil can and returned a moment later, offering the oil to the machine in a friendly gesture. - Two more golfcarts full of Blubs were also approaching to gawk.
OOC: That's perfect! Just what I was expecting, really.

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0612
Weather, Clear

The old, modified Los Angelas class sub was on the surface, travelling slowly in the direction of the "Outbreak Area". Inside at the electronics warfare suites, a series of kiosks were dedicated to the 24/7 monitoring of of the nation from the sky. They were still plotting sattelite orbits after only three hours of establishing views, and began with the known outbreak areas and were working their way outwards.
There was one terminal and one set of crewman dediacted to establishing contact with the probe and get it to work. There was a 2 second delay, followed by the first image... "HOLY CRAP!" shouted one ensign, starting a bit and jumping away from the screen. After getting over the initial shock, all of the serviceman got to work on the probe's data and commands. It was just sitting there, studying the blubs, listening to blubbish. The 2 second delay was not going to be good enough, someone needed to get a direct link with that probe. Until than, the crew of the sub would do their best with what they had.
A Marine Transport, a modified factory ship, was moving as fast as it could to get it's rocket deployed landing craft in range of the country. Men were arming themselves with incinerators and level 5 containment suits.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0615
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe seemed to barely do anything in reaction to the blubs, just turn and angle it's head full of sensors. After about a minute of one blub trying to offer it an oil can it extended it's arm and opened it's claw to take it. It drew the oil can closer to it's body to a more powerful magnetospectrometer could give it a scan. Once it determined the oil can was in fact a can of oil, it took a sample in through a top slot and than set the can down.
Once that was done, it's next actions were to 'return the favor'. It's arm moved to take small, gem shaped, blinking device, and offer it to a blub.

Camp Blub

The Blubs gathered around the probe chattered approvingly when it accepted the oil can. One of them patted the probe timidly with a tentacle. Then they all would squeak and 'oooo' at the blinking item. They looked at each other, then one of them carefully took it. They gathered around in a small circle, still 'ooo'ing away happily.

The other two golf carts came to a halt and the Blubs climbed out. They were soon huddled around the probe as well. Such an interesting device. One of the Blubs chased down the probe's parachute from down the runway and came back, folding it up carefully and offering it back to the probe. It belongs to the machine, obviously.

Camp Blub

The Blubs gathered around the probe chattered approvingly when it accepted the oil can. One of them patted the probe timidly with a tentacle. Then they all would squeak and 'oooo' at the blinking item. They looked at each other, then one of them carefully took it. They gathered around in a small circle, still 'ooo'ing away happily.

The other two golf carts came to a halt and the Blubs climbed out. They were soon huddled around the probe as well. Such an interesting device. One of the Blubs chased down the probe's parachute from down the runway and came back, folding it up carefully and offering it back to the probe. It belongs to the machine, obviously.
OOC: Where exactly is blubland, anyway?
I am gonna say one of our medical companies was contracting with your gene labs.


Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0622
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The ceramic white and aluminum gray colored machine moved carefully and methodically when it moved at all. Even a blub touching it caused no reaction except to aim it's sensors at the blub for a moment before returning to it's slow and methodical scan of all things around it.

The parachute was grabbed in the claw and placed on the ground between two of triangular panels of it's delivery vehicle. The chute slid neatly in the space under the panel which had held the chute originally.

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0631
Weather, Clear

On board the Los Angelas class sub ISV Breakneck, things were running very smoothly. Sattelite contacts were all on schedule, and the probes study of the situation was yielding interesting results.

"Perfect, one of those things took the tracker. They're obviously sentient, though I doubt any of them can speak anything we understand." said one of the tactical specialist serviceman studying the probes data. "By gathering around the probe we can determine if they are really a health problem, what's the scan on that oil sample say?" The HAZMAT specialist serviceman responded, answering the captain and the tactical specialist, "Sir's, it seems absolutely nothing is out of the ordinary. The oil contains no noticeable contaminants, and air filters are not picking up anything strange. It's not enough data to declare the area safe yet, but there are certainly no germs yet... just those green creatures."

The captain nodded, and gave a salute to the men before leaving their stations to head to the communications panels. "Numero Uno!" he called to the first officer, "Get command on the horn, I have an update."

OOC: Blubland is basicly, the temporary name for the country which had them held prisoner to begin with. As to its location, just somewhere on NS-Earth. Appearently, it's the size of Jupiter. They've liberated themselves, took over and now call the place 'Blubland'. ;)

Camp Blub

The oil was indeed just regular old lubrication. A spare can taken out of the golf cart's toolbox. The Blubs were passing the flashing device around, examining and poking it. One very small Blub, a toddler really, climbed out of one of the golf carts and examined the device. The other Blubs looked at each other, then let him keep it. The tiny Blub squealed in delight.

The Blubs carry no unnatural diseases or illness, no germs.. they're really quite clean. Except when attacked, or abused, they seem perfectly harmless. And in many cases, quite cute.

One of the Blubs which spoke English peered at the probe curiously, eyestalks stretching out a little to examine one of the sensor lenses. "Hellllooooo? Is anyone in there?"

OOC: Blubland is basicly, the temporary name for the country which had them held prisoner to begin with. As to its location, just somewhere on NS-Earth. Appearently, it's the size of Jupiter. They've liberated themselves, took over and now call the place 'Blubland'. ;)

Camp Blub

The oil was indeed just regular old lubrication. A spare can taken out of the golf cart's toolbox. The Blubs were passing the flashing device around, examining and poking it. One very small Blub, a toddler really, climbed out of one of the golf carts and examined the device. The other Blubs looked at each other, then let him keep it. The tiny Blub squealed in delight.

The Blubs carry no unnatural diseases or illness, no germs.. they're really quite clean. Except when attacked, or abused, they seem perfectly harmless. And in many cases, quite cute.

One of the Blubs which spoke English peered at the probe curiously, eyestalks stretching out a little to examine one of the sensor lenses. "Hellllooooo? Is anyone in there?"
OOC: The size of jupiter thing comes from people trying to say all nations exist at once. Considering there are multiple earths (Earth's 2 through 21) and multiple time periods (Past to future) and differing universes (Fantasy to sci-fi) you can say you are wherever you want to be.

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0642
Weather, Clear

"Oh holy crap! Captain! Dude, somebody get the captain!" The captain was brought back up to the kiosk, and indicated to look at one terminal which displayed a recording of what just happened.

One of the Blubs which spoke English peered at the probe curiously, eyestalks stretching out a little to examine one of the sensor lenses. "Hellllooooo? Is anyone in there?" is what displayed on the screen. "Oh my... that, that answers some questions, and brings up ten times as many. We don't have anyone in direct control of the probe yet, but we have to respond. Suggestions?"

After just a couple minute of a flood of ideas the captain responded, "Allright, shut up! HAZMAT guy, you get to talk to them, this is your show until we determine the nature of the situation but command is still calling it a quarantine situation until the outbreak can be verified."

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0654
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe made sure it's arm was clear of the blubs, and than retacted it's claws and turned the arms end section a few degrees. Next it extended a spatula like device. After this, a noise came from it's main body, a slight fizzle, followed by a very clear voice, similar to Stephen Hawking's but more human. "Hello" it said simply, followed by "How are you?"

OOC: Suppose I could be nearby wherever you are. For the sake of having an interest in it all. :)

Camp Blub

All of that was rather unexpected and the voice from the machine sent Blubs scurrying away to hide behind golfcarts. Twenty or more eyestalks peered over the seats cautiously as the Blub who had spoken early was 'nudged' forward.

That Blub approached very slowly, then made a soft cooing noise before answering, "We are.. okay. Fighting a war because we've been enslaved all our lives." Blink. Some of the other Blubs chattered. He spoke again, relaying the question, "How are you?"

"Evasive act-" Alpha 1 was shot down.

"Alpha 3 here! Need reinforcements!!!! Get us some F/A 35 Talons or something!!"

"This is Oslea Air Command, F/A 35s will take about 45 minutes to get to your destination, see how long you can last... So sorry we can't help you."

"HOLY! Alpha 4,5,9, and 10 shot down!"

"Who's left?"

"Well...me, (Alpha 2), 6,7,8 only...."

"This is Alpha 8, Big Bird report in!"

"Big bird's still here, they didn't spot me.."

"Stay high above the fight here, we're getting picked off..."

"All units, lock on to a bandit and fire!"

"Roger."

The 4 remaining F-22s fired at the enemy aircraft with missiles, just for the sake of distracting them from the B-2 heading towards the base.

ooc: Guess there's an F-35 JSF and a F/A 35 Talon (sold by Emperor Pudu), and I'm guessing they're not the same. Oh and sorry for taking so long to respond.

OOC: Suppose I could be nearby wherever you are. For the sake of having an interest in it all. :)

Camp Blub

All of that was rather unexpected and the voice from the machine sent Blubs scurrying away to hide behind golfcarts. Twenty or more eyestalks peered over the seats cautiously as the Blub who had spoken early was 'nudged' forward.

That Blub approached very slowly, then made a soft cooing noise before answering, "We are.. okay. Fighting a war because we've been enslaved all our lives." Blink. Some of the other Blubs chattered. He spoke again, relaying the question, "How are you?"
OOC: Doesn't matter. Your country used to be corporately involved with mine before this revolution, I'm saying. I dunno, let's just say you have a pacific shore.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0657
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe took it's time in answering. The head tried to keep the majority of it's sensors focused on the one speaking english. After some moment's it responded to the blub's question, "I am fine." it said. This was followed only a moment after by "I am a doctor. I am here to make sure people are healthy. Would you like my help?"

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0700
Weather, Clear

The other serviceman were patting the HAZMAT specialist on the back, cheering about how smooth he was. The HAZMAT guy was a doctor, and the probe was there for medical reasons... just gonna play out that and see how far it can go.

Camp Blub

They looked at each other for a moment, then consulted in their blubbish language back and forth. After a while, one of them hesitantly stepped forward. The English-speaker made introductions, "This is Blub. He cut himself working on one of the airplanes."

The Blub held out a tentacle, which had a small gash on the tip. It's not much of a wound, but the Blub fully expects to recieve some sort of wounded-in-action medal for this. The Blubs hadn't suffered any actual casulties in their overnight war.

Camp Blub

They looked at each other for a moment, then consulted in their blubbish language back and forth. After a while, one of them hesitantly stepped forward. The English-speaker made introductions, "This is Blub. He cut himself working on one of the airplanes."

The Blub held out a tentacle, which had a small gash on the tip. It's not much of a wound, but the Blub fully expects to recieve some sort of wounded-in-action medal for this. The Blubs hadn't suffered any actual casulties in their overnight war.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0705
Weather, Clear, Mild Wind

The probes 'eyes' re-adjusted and focused on the gash on the blub's tentacle. It held the spatula like device out flat under the gash. "Blood sample, please." the probe requested simply and politely. Out one side of the probe, a box extended with the familiar, universal medical symbol of the red cross on it. The probe extended it's second arm now to take the box, and set it upon the ground, maintaining it's grip on the box while it waited for the blood sample.

Camp Blub

The gash had a little green blood around it. Judging by the unhappy way the injured Blub reacted, there's no way he'd let some machine start poking needles into him. The speaker Blub squeaked a bit and then muttered, "He.. doesn't like needles. There's blood on the wound."

A large black arrow-like object hovered high in the sky, near the Outbreak Area.

"Hey guys, this is Big Bird, I'm nearly over our target, I'm guessing about...uh...10 kilometers....Is that a military base!?"

"Uh huh. You got permission to drop your bombs when you get there." Oslea Air Command instructed the B-2 pilot.

"Let's do this thing!"

"You don't have much time! F-22s covering your advance will be shot down soon!"

ooc: Big Bird is the code name for the B-2.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0710
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe moved it's spatula like device closer to the tentacle. "I do not wish to use needles. Please drip the blood on the sample plate on my arm."

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0712
Weather, Clear

"There we go. We get that blood sample for analysis and I can be sure there is no problem." Said the HAZMAT serviceman, sighing as he leaned back in the chair. There were two people working to coordinate the movements of the probe so it could easily work with both arms and appear a bit more life-life while it worked.

From the sattelite monitoring kiosks, a bit of a stir had arisen. It began when they noticed the arial battle some minutes ago, but now there was something that demanded the captain's immediate attention. The captain took a look to see the B-2 bomber at high altitude, getting just a little lower and heading fast towards their probe. "Oh holy crap! Quick, somebody get me a line to that plane and find out who's in charge of it!"

The radio contact in the direction of the bomber was simple, and it would hopefully at least be listening to outside channels.
Determine what channel it was using, if any, and who it was talking to could take 15 minutes at the least.

With radio transmission being sent to the bomber, the captain spoke, hoping the Bomber was listening, "This is Captain Teg of the ISV Breakneck. We have men making contact with the creatures in that base. Do not bomb it yet until we can determine the possible threat. I repeat, do not bomb it yet. Please allow our men time to make a determination."

Camp Blub

The injured Blub dabbed his tentacle against the little spatula thingy, then inched backwards a bit. The Blubs looked at each other then back to the machine. Two more golfcarts were approaching from the hangar area.

The little toddler Blub was still happily playing with the flashing gem-like item, eyestalks curled down to closely examine it.

Camp Blub

The injured Blub dabbed his tentacle against the little spatula thingy, then inched backwards a bit. The Blubs looked at each other then back to the machine. Two more golfcarts were approaching from the hangar area.

The little toddler Blub was still happily playing with the flashing gem-like item, eyestalks curled down to closely examine it.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0715
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe slid the spatula like thing into a slot on it's body. With the blood spotted square inside the mini-analyzer, it re-extended the claw grips on it's arm and got to work with the medical kit. It open up the box, took out a sticky looking, sterile white medical strip and held it out to the injured blob with both arms.
"Here you are, one antiseptic bandage. It might tingle a bit, but it will heal the cut faster while protecting it from dirt and germs."

The little blinking transmitter that the blob held was just tiny, gem-shaped, and had a blinking LED that changed colors. It would be unremarkable if it wasn't for close examination revealing it had perfect symmetry and a blinking light.

Camp Blub

The injured blob carefully bandaged itself, then winced a little as it stung. The other Blubs ooooo'd as they gathered around him. He held up the wounded tentacle to show everyone the glorious battle damage. He would then turn and march off towards the hangars again with a gaggle of Blubs in tow, chattering about medals and awards.

The tiny Blub with the shiney device cackled softly, and also started to wander away. The one who spoke English blinked,blinked at the machine. "Who's inside you?" Leaning closer, peering with those eyestalks.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0710
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe moved it's spatula like device closer to the tentacle. "I do not wish to use needles. Please drip the blood on the sample plate on my arm."

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0712
Weather, Clear

"There we go. We get that blood sample for analysis and I can be sure there is no problem." Said the HAZMAT serviceman, sighing as he leaned back in the chair. There were two people working to coordinate the movements of the probe so it could easily work with both arms and appear a bit more life-life while it worked.

From the sattelite monitoring kiosks, a bit of a stir had arisen. It began when they noticed the arial battle some minutes ago, but now there was something that demanded the captain's immediate attention. The captain took a look to see the B-2 bomber at high altitude, getting just a little lower and heading fast towards their probe. "Oh holy crap! Quick, somebody get me a line to that plane and find out who's in charge of it!"

The radio contact in the direction of the bomber was simple, and it would hopefully at least be listening to outside channels.
Determine what channel it was using, if any, and who it was talking to could take 15 minutes at the least.

With radio transmission being sent to the bomber, the captain spoke, hoping the Bomber was listening, "This is Captain Teg of the ISV Breakneck. We have men making contact with the creatures in that base. Do not bomb it yet until we can determine the possible threat. I repeat, do not bomb it yet. Please allow our men time to make a determination."


"Uh...This is Big Bird... I can't take orders from you, you're not Oslea air command... I can ask permission from air command though..."

"Big Bird, you are to acknowledge their request. Just circle around their base. Give them about 40 minutes, I'm sure your fuel tanks have 3/4ths of their fuel. When you get to 1/2 fuel, send us a message and we will decide action. We don't want any other casualties besides those creatures."

"You got it. Big Bird on standby."

In the meantime, the pilot of one of the F-22s, hungry for revenge, had been shot down, ejected from his plane and headed towards the Outbreak Area. Only armed with his Desert Eagle and with his radio broken, his plan was to head to the base and contact Oslea there with the radios, and to hopefully kill any Blubs.

Since he has no outside contact, he can't take orders from the Oslean army.

The pilot took a swig from his water bottle and went on his quest for survival and revenge.

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0720
Weather, Clear

"Thank you. Please put Oslean Air Command in contact with us. We will have a determination quite soon." said Captain Teg, leaving the radio open and standing by it. He turned to his first officer than, "Numero Uno, get that analysis quick and bring it here. That fancy toy cost a couple million, and if it gets fire-bombed before we can come up with a better course of action... well I hate being cut off from better options."

HAZMAT guy was of course doing everything he could... sitting, waiting... waiting some more. The analysis was slow going as it was basically standard microscope pictures and a series of chemical tests. The blood sample was more than enough. If there was any biological or chemical threat, the tests would find. Orders from the ships first officer caused him to call the Biochemist from sickbay for assistance in analysis. It was a bit of time though before the english speaking organism was trying to interact with the probe...

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0725
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe took about a minute to respond to the english speaking Blub, slow in reaction to everything. It's response was in the same voice and tone as before, no change in emotion, but not emotionless, simply a mild mannered electric voice. "No one is inside me. This is a remote control device. I'm on a boat."

The B-2 pilot obliged and put Captain Teg through to Oslean Air Command.

"This is General Corbin of Oslean Air Command. Do you have a determination yet?"

Camp Blub

The speaking Blub scratched at himself with a tentacle in thought. "Oh. A boat. I think we captured some of those too, but I'm not sure if anyone is going to be using them."

Meanwhile, the sample would be basicly non-threatening. There were strong biological defenses present, and high levels of the sort of genes that help with cell regeneration. The Blubs don't really seem to have much in the way of discernable body structure, more-so based mainly around a sort of flowing-cell structure giving them their squishyness and flexibility.

Elsewhere

A Blub wearing a helmet and carrying a rifle seemed to pop up out of the bushes infront of the downed pilot. He pointed the rifle at the pilot, and squeaked out an order in English, "Halt!" He then chattered again, and there was more movement in the brush.

The B-2 pilot obliged and put Captain Teg through to Oslean Air Command.

"This is General Corbin of Oslean Air Command. Do you have a determination yet?"

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0730
Weather, Clear

Captain Teg let out a long, heavy sigh as he heard the voice of Oslean Air command. Finally he had a chance to buy people some time. "Oslean Air Command, this is Captain Teg of the ISV Breakneck. Very good to speak with you General. General Corbin we do not yet have a determination, but we have tests running as we speak. Give us until 0800 and we can probably determine the nature of the problem. It seems there is a strong possibility that there is no biological threat. It is also possible that the creatures that escaped from their labs are, in fact, sentient beings. The most likely possibility is that they have human minds, and extremely mutated amorphous bodies. One of them has made the claim that this is a war for freedom. The fact they speak english, and their only likely origin... makes it a human rights issue. I'd be happy to give you all the data we've collected so far. In any case, I will not propose we bomb until it becomes the only option. A biological threat is one of those situations in which bombing seems prudent."

The pilot trekked through the landscape. "The base must be about 4kilometres from here...I'm so far. Gonna try my radio again..."

He turned on his field radio and waited for the radio to make a static noise. He punched it, and turned it on again. It made the noise.

"So it does work after all..."

"This is Alpha 10, requesting extraction. Please pinpoint my area by GPS, I have no idea where I am." He repeated his message over and over until he got a response.

"Oslean army here. Extraction request negative, we've only got 2 F-22s left up there and many of the opponent's jets are still up. Bringing reinforcements will take 45 minutes...and Air Command won't send any more jets. They're waiting for some stupid determination if those things are dangerous. Just hold on till the next morning, the next week at most. We won't leave you behind."

The pilot walked under a tree, laid down, and slept.

The pilot trekked through the landscape. "The base must be about 4kilometres from here...I'm so far. Gonna try my radio again..."

He turned on his field radio and waited for the radio to make a static noise. He punched it, and turned it on again. It made the noise.

"So it does work after all..."

"This is Alpha 10, requesting extraction. Please pinpoint my area by GPS, I have no idea where I am." He repeated his message over and over until he got a response.

"Oslean army here. Extraction request negative, we've only got 2 F-22s left up there and many of the opponent's jets are still up. Bringing reinforcements will take 45 minutes...and Air Command won't send any more jets. They're waiting for some stupid determination if those things are dangerous. Just hold on till the next morning, the next week at most. We won't leave you behind."

The pilot walked under a tree, laid down, and slept.

OOC: This pilot is being confronted.

OOC: This pilot is being confronted.

OOC: Thought he was shot down, ejected from the plane and the blubs weren't going after him anymore. In that case, I guess he'll run for his life, toward any cover he can find...

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0730
Weather, Clear

Captain Teg let out a long, heavy sigh as he heard the voice of Oslean Air command. Finally he had a chance to buy people some time. "Oslean Air Command, this is Captain Teg of the ISV Breakneck. Very good to speak with you General. General Corbin we do not yet have a determination, but we have tests running as we speak. Give us until 0800 and we can probably determine the nature of the problem. It seems there is a strong possibility that there is no biological threat. It is also possible that the creatures that escaped from their labs are, in fact, sentient beings. The most likely possibility is that they have human minds, and extremely mutated amorphous bodies. One of them has made the claim that this is a war for freedom. The fact they speak english, and their only likely origin... makes it a human rights issue. I'd be happy to give you all the data we've collected so far. In any case, I will not propose we bomb until it becomes the only option. A biological threat is one of those situations in which bombing seems prudent."

General Corbin had no strong reaction. "In that case, we will bring the B-2 home, hopefully safely without any jets seeing and chasing it, and come back with an escort of 40 F/A 35 Talons and the B-2 if needed. As for the issue of human rights, the old folks at Oslean Parliament don't really care, apparently, since they passed a bill to allow stem cell research and to allow human cloning for research. Again, that could be ethics, I'm no politician. They based the reason for the attack solely on the fact that these creatures had no right to wrestle the command of the military base(s) from their former occupants, and that we viewed them as a threat. We'll await your decision."

General Corbin instructed the B-2 to fly as high as he could, and to get back to an Oslean air base.

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0735
Weather, Clear

The Captain shook his head, and replied to the General, "Well, I'll just give you the rundown of what we have as far as conditions and orders are. Cloning and stem cell research are acceptable. Imprisoning a sentient being is not acceptable. Carrying a biological threat is not acceptable. Those things are neither stem cells or clones, but are sentient beings. As long as they don't carry a biological threat, we can't really do anything. But if they do carry a biological threat, please send whatever you want and feel free to completely fry the bastards."

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0735
Weather, Clear

The Captain shook his head, and replied to the General, "Well, I'll just give you the rundown of what we have as far as conditions and orders are. Cloning and stem cell research are acceptable. Imprisoning a sentient being is not acceptable. Carrying a biological threat is not acceptable. Those things are neither stem cells or clones, but are sentient beings. As long as they don't carry a biological threat, we can't really do anything. But if they do carry a biological threat, please send whatever you want and feel free to completely fry the bastards."

The General saw his point. "We have around 40 jets and 2 heavy B1-b Lancers and the B-2, ready for a full bombing and siege should there be a biological threat.We are also withdrawing the remaining 2 F-22s in the area. I take it that the biological threat you mean is that their very presence spreads harmful chemicals and/or viruses to their surrounding environment, am I right?"

This is a terrible happening. We drahks were also created, but never subject to experimentation. Although we are like humans with better genetics as opposed to humanimals. Do you, leader of the blubs have similar genetic "benefits" perhaps?

The General saw his point. "We have around 40 jets and 2 heavy B1-b Lancers and the B-2, ready for a full bombing and siege should there be a biological threat.We are also withdrawing the remaining 2 F-22s in the area. I take it that the biological threat you mean is that their very presence spreads harmful chemicals and/or viruses to their surrounding environment, am I right?"

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0740
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

"That is exactly right. They either carry or may have inadvertantly released something like that during their escape." Replied Captain Teg. There were only 20 minutes left on the little deadline he managed to negotiate, and as much as he hated the idea of wiping out a harmless species... well they wern't exactly harmless. But this was not a normal situation.


Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0740
Weather, Mild Fog

Commandant Eckels walked through the Military Bureau wing of the Geosphere Observatory, heading straight into the major Telecommunications monitoring offices. He had in his hand a breifcase carrying Gene-Tek data, everything Guathic had been given on the labs research. It contained very little information on the blubs, which pissed off Eckels to no end. He sat down at one long table meant for virtual conferencing and began bringing a computer and some communications ports online. Over in operations, a technician was preparing every communication port conceivable for the commandant to begin trying.

The Geosphere Observatory and the Commandants had been monitoring the situation as closely as possible, and this latest data was downright disturbing. The last thing they needed was someone else blowing up evidence, and the first thing they needed was an ally to help contain the situation.

Eckels was trying every single phoneline right now to reach Oslea's command.

General Corbin was away to eat breakfast , and an officer beside answered the phone.

"Oslean Air Command." was his simple greeting.

Oslea did not have a navy, but the army's phone was asnwered too.

"General Wraithe, Oslean Army. What is the situation?"

General Corbin was away to eat breakfast , and an officer beside answered the phone.

"Oslean Air Command." was his simple greeting.

Oslea did not have a navy, but the army's phone was asnwered too.

"General Wraithe, Oslean Army. What is the situation?"


Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0742
Weather, Mild Fog

Inside, Commandant Eckles leaped for joy that contact was established quickly and efficiently. Outside, he maintained an entirely cool and military demeanor, garnered from a lifetime of living up to Marine Corps standards. "Gentlemen, Generals. This is Commandant Eckels of Guathic's military forces. Today I have been given the task of coordinating with Oslea over the recent biological infestation in the nation that apparantly we were both sub-contracting medical technologies too. We have no idea what exactly went wrong, but I am asking that we combine resources to determine what happened and contain the situation.
General Wraithe, thank you for accepting the call. As for Air Command, please keep the line open and record this until General Corbin arrives. This is a conference call, and I am still trying to reach your head of state, and everyone else with executive jurisdiction in this matter."

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0745
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

HAZMAT guy finished observing the final test. It didn't get any more conclusive than that... other than what appeared to be two blood types and much higher benneficial biotics than in humans, there was no mistaking the test results. He stood up, scribbled his final opinion on the data readout with a felt marker, and tossed it at a serviceman. "Get that to the Captain, ASAP!"

Less than a minute later the paper was in the Captain's hands. He picked up the radio receiver and spoke into it, "Oslea Air Command, our tests have reached a conclusion. There is no biological or chemical threat. Absolutely zero harmful substances on all tests we could conduct. With those tests out of the way, it is not my place to authorize bombing of any kind. In fact, for me, without a HAZMAT situation I am to await further orders. I would appreciate it if you did the same, we got some pretty expensive equipment on the ground there and I'd at least like time to secure it before anything."

Camp Blub

Those Blubs gathered around the machine chattered back and forth to each other at the odd inactivity and silence from the probe. One of them suggested checking its batteries and so, a Blub leaned in to look for some sort of battery pack and make sure it was all in working order.

The eleven jets which had made it back from the fighting began landing on a secondary runway, and Blubs climbed down ladders from the cockpits to be greeted by cheering crowds of yet more Blubs.

Camp Blub

Those Blubs gathered around the machine chattered back and forth to each other at the odd inactivity and silence from the probe. One of them suggested checking its batteries and so, a Blub leaned in to look for some sort of battery pack and make sure it was all in working order.

The eleven jets which had made it back from the fighting began landing on a secondary runway, and Blubs climbed down ladders from the cockpits to be greeted by cheering crowds of yet more Blubs.


Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0750
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

While the blub was checking the underside of the probe, it turned it's "head" to look down at the blub. Than it looked back up at the english speaking blub. "Good news. I have completed my tests on your friend's blood sample. He is healthy, no disease. The bandage should be enough."

Camp Blub

The Blub beamed. The 'injured' Blub was off somewhere by now, probably in the mob of Blubs milling about among the parked aircraft. Half of the pilots had little decals and spray cans, painting insignias onto the sides of their aircraft to represent kills.

The Blub spoke, "Oh good! Yeah, we don't really get sick. No lungs to have a cough or throat to get sore or anything." He patted the machine on its head. "I think the war is over. We chased the badguys away. Want to come eat candy and celebrate?"

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0742
Weather, Mild Fog

Inside, Commandant Eckles leaped for joy that contact was established quickly and efficiently. Outside, he maintained an entirely cool and military demeanor, garnered from a lifetime of living up to Marine Corps standards. "Gentlemen, Generals. This is Commandant Eckels of Guathic's military forces. Today I have been given the task of coordinating with Oslea over the recent biological infestation in the nation that apparantly we were both sub-contracting medical technologies too. We have no idea what exactly went wrong, but I am asking that we combine resources to determine what happened and contain the situation.
General Wraithe, thank you for accepting the call. As for Air Command, please keep the line open and record this until General Corbin arrives. This is a conference call, and I am still trying to reach your head of state, and everyone else with executive jurisdiction in this matter."

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0745
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

HAZMAT guy finished observing the final test. It didn't get any more conclusive than that... other than what appeared to be two blood types and much higher benneficial biotics than in humans, there was no mistaking the test results. He stood up, scribbled his final opinion on the data readout with a felt marker, and tossed it at a serviceman. "Get that to the Captain, ASAP!"

Less than a minute later the paper was in the Captain's hands. He picked up the radio receiver and spoke into it, "Oslea Air Command, our tests have reached a conclusion. There is no biological or chemical threat. Absolutely zero harmful substances on all tests we could conduct. With those tests out of the way, it is not my place to authorize bombing of any kind. In fact, for me, without a HAZMAT situation I am to await further orders. I would appreciate it if you did the same, we got some pretty expensive equipment on the ground there and I'd at least like time to secure it before anything."

General Corbin immediately left his waffles, bacon, and eggs on his plate and answered the phone. The Officer had told General Corbin the details of the situation. "We've acknowledged your request to not authorize a bombing by Oslean pilots. Our forces, however, are still on standby for the next 3 hours should there be an unexpected problem." The General had ordered his jets and bombers to stay on the runway ready for takeoff, and the pilots to stay near their planes, for the time being.
----------------------------------------
Genreal Wraithe had told an officer to get the Prime Minister of Oslea and get him on the line with Commandant Eckles.

John Emmelhart was sitting on his chair, reading a book when he was contacted by an aide, who ran into his office.

"Sir! You're wanted by General Wraithe! I believe he wants you on the phone."

He calmly put a bookmark on the page he was on and put the book on a table, and walked to the phone as if nothing major had happened. He picked it up and put his mouth to the reciever.

"This is Prime Minister Emmelhart of Oslea. How may I help with your predicament?"

+++<"What the hell?">
+++The satellite operator scooted a little more forward in his chair, staring at the monitor. His right paw reached out to tap the "zoom in" key on the console. Two taps later, he was looking at the smouldering remains of what looked to be a city in the assaulted nation.
+++It took him a moment. Then:
+++<"Fuck!">

---

+++The Serebraroshcha Main Military Command and Control Complex (or "The Octagon," in popular Szorosistani language and others, it being quite less of a mouthful) was a beehive of activity. Aides were a-hustling and a-bustling in the hallways and expansive underground rooms, carrying manila folders of pictures, documents, and messages.
+++<"Kapitán Dakaev!"> bellowed a voice from one such room, arresting the attention of slender (attractive, by many accounts) husky woman; she stopped her hurried jog to come to a skidding halt, almost causing an aide who'd been keeping step behind her to crash into her back. A quick dodge saved them both.
+++<"Yes, Sir?"> she queried the tall sable-furred otter in a soft contralto, after making her widely-deviating course through the occupants of the room. Finally, she'd shoved her way to the general's position, in front of an OLED screen, which displayed the live clips of Blub-controlled tanks moving through a city.
+++<"I need you to tell me something,"> continued the general. <"How long has it been since there was a civil uprising on this scale without there being prior buildup? Disregarding intelligence failures, of course.">
+++The husky blinked, quirking an eyebrow in confusion. <"Uh, none, Sir.">
+++<"I thought so. Yet that's precisely what we have here. None of our agents thought there was anything amiss. They didn't even know each other, and they all agreed! So what the blasted, all-damned hell is going on here?"> When the husky didn't respond for a moment, the otter grunted, crossing his arms. <"Sorry. I didn't mean to bite your head off. But, fucking Christ, this has never happened before."> He turned from the screen, dropping his arms to his sides. <"That's why I need you to figure it out. You've got experience in covert ops, so I'm assigning you a platoon to get in. Once you do have the information, don't stick around. There will be a Rapid Deployment Division ready to go in and re-establish order by then.">
+++The woman nodded her understanding, raising a paw to take a folder with all the information she'd need to get started. Once held, she took a step back, and saluted. Once he'd returned the gesture, she turned around smartly and half-jogged away.

---

+++<"Approaching drop coordinates. Prepare for jump."> The captain's voice sounded over the loudspeaker in the belly of the An-72, painted a light-absorbing ebony. A light rain was falling outside--not that the paratroopers could hear it over the droning of the engines.
+++The rear cargo door was lowered, exposing the compartment to the whipping winds that the aircraft's drag created. Kapitán Toma Dakaev stood at the edge of the door, a paw grasped tightly about one of the hydraulic pistons. The troopers were in various stages of standing.
+++<"Over jump coordinates!"> came the bark over the comm.
+++<"Go, go, go!"> Dakaev waved each of her thirty-one men and women on, watching as they made running dives off the platform; the wind smashed into them, and moments later their jet-black chutes opened, although the kapitán couldn't tell. She was the last to go, and then the door closed; the pilot banked the aircraft around and headed back to the airbase that had launched it.

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0800
Weather, Mild Fog

Commandant Eckels allowed himself to grow slightly more positive in demeanor with a non-military statesman on the phone, but otherwise was the same. "Good morning Mr. Prime Minister. I have you and your Air and Army Generals in this conference call to discuss a current issue in progress as we speak. As you are aware, something has gone wrong in medical labs we contracted with. Very quickly, an experimental organism escaped and managed to force out all inhabitants of the nation within a matter of hours. In response, we launched a probe to investigate and prepared several HAZMAT teams, with the intention of assessing the situation before fully glassing the entire nation.
As the reports come in, we find two disturbing possibilities. One is that the experimental organism is a sentient creature, that experiments on it were illegal and that they all had every right to escape and establish security. The other was that there is no biological or chemical threat from the organism's escape. I have just received word that no biological or chemical threat exists, and that leaves us with determining the true nature and intent of these creatures.
They speak english, and our probe is in contact with them now. We can have it ivnestigate the matter further. If they are not a threat, diplomatic relations will be attempted by our nation, and we recognize Oslea's mutual interest in the situation and welcome you as an ally. If they are a threat, a military alliance would be appreciated. We can greatly assist each other and burning every last trace the organism ever existed."

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0800
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

HAZMAT Guy, and much of the serviceman, were eating, all still at stations. HAZMAT Guy simply commented, "This is just the craziest morning."

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0802
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe got slightly more lively, looking around more and even adjusting it's treads to turn it's body slowly around. After a minute it stopped and looked back at the english speaking blub. "I am to await further orders. Until than, are there any other injuries I can treat?"

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0800
Weather, Mild Fog

Commandant Eckels allowed himself to grow slightly more positive in demeanor with a non-military statesman on the phone, but otherwise was the same. "Good morning Mr. Prime Minister. I have you and your Air and Army Generals in this conference call to discuss a current issue in progress as we speak. As you are aware, something has gone wrong in medical labs we contracted with. Very quickly, an experimental organism escaped and managed to force out all inhabitants of the nation within a matter of hours. In response, we launched a probe to investigate and prepared several HAZMAT teams, with the intention of assessing the situation before fully glassing the entire nation.
As the reports come in, we find two disturbing possibilities. One is that the experimental organism is a sentient creature, that experiments on it were illegal and that they all had every right to escape and establish security. The other was that there is no biological or chemical threat from the organism's escape. I have just received word that no biological or chemical threat exists, and that leaves us with determining the true nature and intent of these creatures.
They speak english, and our probe is in contact with them now. We can have it ivnestigate the matter further. If they are not a threat, diplomatic relations will be attempted by our nation, and we recognize Oslea's mutual interest in the situation and welcome you as an ally. If they are a threat, a military alliance would be appreciated. We can greatly assist each other and burning every last trace the organism ever existed."



The PM didn't need even a minute to decide what to do. "We'll get our forces put on standby, in the event that they are a threat. Should they not be a threat, we may attempt diplomatic relations too, but we have fought each other already and it may be hard to pull off."

General Wraithe and General Corbin put half of their men on standby. 200,000 Troops were armed and readied, jets , transport planes, and bombers were put on and left on the runways, and the APCs, tanks, and self-propelled howitzers were revved up.

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0800
Weather, Mild Fog

Commandant Eckels allowed himself to grow slightly more positive in demeanor with a non-military statesman on the phone, but otherwise was the same. "Good morning Mr. Prime Minister. I have you and your Air and Army Generals in this conference call to discuss a current issue in progress as we speak. As you are aware, something has gone wrong in medical labs we contracted with. Very quickly, an experimental organism escaped and managed to force out all inhabitants of the nation within a matter of hours. In response, we launched a probe to investigate and prepared several HAZMAT teams, with the intention of assessing the situation before fully glassing the entire nation.
As the reports come in, we find two disturbing possibilities. One is that the experimental organism is a sentient creature, that experiments on it were illegal and that they all had every right to escape and establish security. The other was that there is no biological or chemical threat from the organism's escape. I have just received word that no biological or chemical threat exists, and that leaves us with determining the true nature and intent of these creatures.
They speak english, and our probe is in contact with them now. We can have it ivnestigate the matter further. If they are not a threat, diplomatic relations will be attempted by our nation, and we recognize Oslea's mutual interest in the situation and welcome you as an ally. If they are a threat, a military alliance would be appreciated. We can greatly assist each other and burning every last trace the organism ever existed."



The PM didn't need even a minute to decide what to do. "We'll get our forces put on standby, in the event that they are a threat. Should they not be a threat, we may attempt diplomatic relations too, but we have fought each other already and it may be hard to pull off."

General Wraithe and General Corbin put half of their men on standby. 200,000 Troops were armed and readied, jets , transport planes, and bombers were put on and left on the runways, and the APCs, tanks, and self-propelled howitzers were revved up.

+++The jump went smoothly: all thirty-one paratroopers had landed in a twenty-metre radius of the planned coordinates, while Dakaev had made her landing twelve metres away. Her IFF beacon blinked twice on the OLED screens before her troopers' eyes, and within less than five minutes, everyone had been assembled, their chutes tucked away inconspicuously in the brush outside the border city. Dakaev blinked her beacon in the "roll call" signal, and counted the number that responded: they were all there.
+++<"Let's go,"> she ordered over the encrypted platoon channel. Splitting into two groups to take either side of the main road in, weaving and dodging as they did so, the soldiers moved like the well-trained ghosts that they were.

Camp Blub

An old-fashioned WWII style Jeep rolled across the airfield and skidded to a halt next to the golf carts and the crowd of Blubs. Hopping down from the passenger seat was an impressive little Blub wearing a helmet and an unlit corncob pipe tucked into the corner of his mouth.

The Blub commander moved over to the Blubs around the probe and squeaked out a question. It was answered, and the Blub Commander's eyestalks turned to the probe. "Hello there. I'm Commander Blub. I'm pretty sure you're here to spy on us.. but since you seem friendly, that's okay. We would like to establish an embassy with your nation and open up an official diplomatic channel."

+++<"Start the sweep. You know your positions,"> came the order over the platoon net as the paratroopers slipped into the city's outer limits. It had been thoroughly reconned from orbit beforehand, and the platoon had the use of live satellite imagery, fed from a geosynchronous OSAT, several thousand kilometres above their heads.
+++The platoon dissolved smoothly into four eight-man squads: Alpha Squad was to take the west end, Bravo the east, Charlie the south, and Delta the north, the farthest away.

I-23

The group of foreign paratroopers would eventually come upon a handful of heavily damaged APCs scattered across the highway. About a kilometer up the road, a squadron of five T-80 tanks were also destroyed. Two of them in the middle of the road and the other three off to the sides as if they had tried to get into fighting positions.

- And motoring up the highway came a trio of WWII era Jeeps. They pulled to a halt among the ruined tanks, and Blubs hopped down to investigate the scene. The crews were dead of course, since that's what a HEAT round will do at close range. One of the Blubs curled its eyestalks and peeped into the hatches of the destroyed tanks, checking for survivors and finding none.

Other Blubs began working with heavy duty tools and a small fold-away V-crane to begin stripping the T-80s for valuable parts.

+++Charlie Squad picked their way up the street, careful to avoid the debris and flickering streetlights that had survived; they were about to continue past the burned-out APCs when they heard the rumble of motors coming their way. As if with one mind, the troopers melted into the shadows of the wrecked vehicles, while the squad leader pulled out his night-vision binoculars.
+++He pressed them firmly against his face, only switching on the device when he was sure there was going to be no telltale glow eminating from the viewscreen--many a careless soldier had been killed easily when he might have survived, that way. Lying prone against the ground, with only his head protruding past the thrown track of an APC, he zoomed in on the area ahead.
+++Quickly, he switched off the binoculars and waved over the radio operator for his squad, and passed the electronic field glasses to him. With the same process as his sergeant, the efrèytor pressed the display end against his eyes and switched them on, searching out the Jeeps. What he found disturbed him, and he turned the binoculars off and passed them back to the serdzhánt, soon turning away to speak in hushed Russian.
+++<"Charlie to all units: contact. Targets are non-humanoid. Repeat, non-humanoid."> He switched to another channel then: the command level for the platoon. <"Charlie to Base: contact. Redirect satellite to intersection of I-23 and Gregory Avenue. Charlie, over.">
+++<"Copy that, Charlie. Redirecting."> A pause was made as the operator back at the airfield swung the satellite's camera to the indicated area, and then zoomed in. Then: <"Oh, wow."> Another short pause was issued to the squad before the answer came back, issued by a different man. <"Base to all units: collect samples of targets--alive, if possible. Please confirm, over.">
+++<"Bravo copies.">
+++<"Alpha copies.">
+++<"Charlie copies.">
+++<"Delta copies.">
+++<"Good to hear. Base, out.">
+++Charlie Squad packed up and moved east to an adjacent street, keeping to the westward shadows as they worked their way up to the intersection.

I-23

The Blubs chattered back and forth amiably, content with the job of retrieving useful things from the enemy vehicles. You can't have too many tank-sized bolts and nuts, or tank tracks, or gun barrels as spares.

A detail of Blubs dragged the blackened, carbonized bodies out of the tanks and began burying them in the grass near the highway, marking them for reference by slinging the surviving dogtags on the crude little crosses they constructed out of sticks and wire.

One of the Blubs on a tank pulled out a locker and popped it open. Inside was an emergency kit. First aid, a flare gun, compass, rations and so on. The Blub oooo'd and began fiddling with the flare gun, craning one eyestalk to peer into the loaded barrel with Blub-like curiousity.

+++Retrieving live samples was going to be a difficult prospect: the Szorosistanis didn't even know what were vital areas, much less non-vital ones (if either even applied). Still, they could only do their best, and if all they could bring back for study were carcasses, that would surely be all right.
+++Charlie Squad approached the intersection to the east of the one with the destroyed T-80s, and set up on either side of the road, taking cover in alleyways and around corners.
+++Once the serdzhánt had confirmed the readiness of each position, he gave the two-one-one IFF signal for "go."
+++One RPDM-14 (a squad automatic weapon) opened fire on the concentration of Blubs, while suppressed DM-14 rifles gave soft puffs; muzzle flashes would be next to invisible, and the troopers were hidden well. The two grenadiers, with underslung forty-millimetre GP-38 launchers, lobbed fuel-air explosive grenades at the edges of the concentration, to keep them from running away. Anyone nearby might be knocked out, if they didn't receive severe burns.

The PM didn't need even a minute to decide what to do. "We'll get our forces put on standby, in the event that they are a threat. Should they not be a threat, we may attempt diplomatic relations too, but we have fought each other already and it may be hard to pull off."

General Wraithe and General Corbin put half of their men on standby. 200,000 Troops were armed and readied, jets , transport planes, and bombers were put on and left on the runways, and the APCs, tanks, and self-propelled howitzers were revved up.

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0805
Weather, Mild Fog

"Prime Minister, that is absolutely perfect. You have an air force in much closer range, and we already have ground forces and a support sub closing in. As for the attack on them you mentioned, I think we can clean that up. It looks like they suffered one vehicle loss, no casualties, and than devestated your squadron with overwhelming missile fire. If they won't be diplomatic after you graciously backed down... well, they just need to accept the win you gave them and be diplomatic. They showed no flight experience, numbers are on their side, only.

Now, here is the tricky part, we need to recover our materials from those labs, and so do you and every other nation they were contracting with. Arrangements should be made now, while our current diplomatic envoy establishes relations. In our typical style I have suggested to our current probe they draft the least suspecting person to establish diplomatic relations. While he is doing that to lay the groundwork for a diplomatic envoy to enter the nation, we should discuss options for recovering our property.

Right now, we may be able to recover our property during a full scale investigation into the accusation the old company was commiting civil rights violations against those organisms. Your thoughts on this?"

International Waters near "Outbreak Area"
1/8/2007 ACA, 0807
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

Captain Teg nodded to his communications officer and than proceeded to the probe monitoring areas to speak with the HAZMAT guy about the new orders. "Doctor, they are putting the entire ball in your court, you are the first ambassador to the tentacle monsters. Get on it!" Needless to say, Doctor HAZMAT Guy was stunned.

Outbreak Area, Former Camp Omega
1/8/2007 ACA, 0810
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe had focused on the new english speaking blub, the one with the unlit pipe. It took a full minute before it responded to him. "I'm a doctor, not a secret agent. I am here to give medical attention." Was it's reply to Commander Blub, followed by another one of it's pauses, and than just a bit more dialogue. "Sir, I have just received new orders. I am to establish diplomatic relations with your people. I am very proud to make the following request... Take me to your leader."

I-23

Bullets began splattering into some of the Blubs, who squealed and thrashed about before disappearing under tanks or into debris. The Blubs began scattering, only to turn away and be herded back towards the wreckage by explosions.

Within seconds, there were no Blubs in sight. They were all hidden away among the destroyed tanks. Many were squeezing into gun barrels or clinging to the undersides of the tanks.

One Blub chattered away on his personal radio while using one eyestalk to peer out of the tank turret like a periscope.

Camp Blub, Former Camp Omega

The Blub with the pipe and helmet nodded. "Very well. Follow me, please." And the Blubs would help the machine get loaded up into the back of the jeep. Several of them piled in and then took off across the airfield.

They parked in a garage, and then basicly stood around for about thirty minutes or so. Finally, a full squadron of brand spanking new F-35s swept the airfield while a Gulfstream IV came in for a landing.

Soon enough, a Blub wandered into the garage followed by several others. This one wore a tie, humorously enough and a huge smile. "Hello. I'm Blub, the President of Blubland. I'm told that you'd like to exchange embassies?" One of the Blubs in the backround dug into a briefcase filled messily with papers and shuffled through them, looking for the proper forms.

Camp Blub
1/8/2007 ACA, 0842
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe 'stood' and rolled out of the jeep, managing to make it out on it's treads in a rather clunky looking fashion. It wheeled it's way over to the tie wearing blub, listened to him, and than stood there while the papers were being shuffled. After it's typical pause it responded to the Blub, "Good Morning, Mr. President. I am Doctor Guy, and I have been chosen to represent the Incorporated States of Guathic. We would appreciate the opening of diplomatic relations. One of the current matters is an investigation into the crimes against you. It is a serious matter to experiment on a sentient being, and we wish to determine exactly who did what."

+++<"Where the fuck did they get to?"> grunted one of the grenadiers, peering through his holographic sights on his rifle.
+++<"You saw how they moved,"> answered the RPDM-14 gunner, swinging his light machinegun about to take aim at the eyestalk that protruded from one of the tanks. <"They're inside the damn things.">
+++<"Fuck.">
+++<"Da."> The trooper depressed the nine-hundred gram trigger, and sent a short burst of seven-millimetre bullets sailing toward it. <"They didn't look like they got all that hurt when we shot them up, either. Probably absorbed the damn things.">
+++<"Dammitall. The hell are we supposed to do--burn them out?"> He made a face. They certainly could, having brought along an RPO rocket flamethrower for each squad, but it rather defeated their purpose.
+++The gunner shrugged. <"We can't really transport them, either."> He pulled the trigger once more, as a tentacle exposed itself from a gun barrel.
+++The serdzhánt was evidently in agreement, though he couldn't hear the men's conversation: with a sharp bark in Russian, he ordered the troopers back, simultaneously keying Alpha Squad as he retreated.

---

+++<"Sounds fun,"> commented the Kapitán bitterly, speaking with the serdzhánt, Gopankov. <"You got the footage, right?">
+++<"Da," came the reply. <"All on tape."> It was actually digitally recorded onto a centimetre-wide CD-ROM, but old habits did die rather hard.
+++<"Good. Looks like that's all we're getting, apparently. Alpha, out."> She turned the knob atop the radio to the platoon net, and spoke once more: <"All units, fall back to retrieval coordinates. We got what we came for."> She listened as the confirmations came back, and then waved her squad on, working through the streets to an area near to where they'd dropped; no one had made a good deal of penetration into the city just yet, and so they would all be back within half an hour.

I-23

A few minutes later, helicopter rotors were heard. Bouncing up from behind the hills came four OH-58D helicopters. Slung alongside the skids were rocket pods and 20mm minigun cannons.

These began sweeping either side of the road, firing down into the trees and buildings and such with the rockets, blasting away cover and then tearing through potential hiding spots with the miniguns.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/images/kiowa3.jpg

And fourty seconds after that, two UH-1 Hueys with red crosses painted on them touched down on the road. Medic Blubs hopped out and ran over to access the situation. A dozen Blubs were wounded, and thus carried over to the choppers for liftoff.

The remaining Blubs climbed into their Jeeps and sped off down the road the way they'd come.

Camp Blub
1/8/2007 ACA, 0842
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe 'stood' and rolled out of the jeep, managing to make it out on it's treads in a rather clunky looking fashion. It wheeled it's way over to the tie wearing blub, listened to him, and than stood there while the papers were being shuffled. After it's typical pause it responded to the Blub, "Good Morning, Mr. President. I am Doctor Guy, and I have been chosen to represent the Incorporated States of Guathic. We would appreciate the opening of diplomatic relations. One of the current matters is an investigation into the crimes against you. It is a serious matter to experiment on a sentient being, and we wish to determine exactly who did what."

Camp Blub

President Blub paused, thinking carefully before speaking. "Well, we were a race created by them. They were experimenting, producing half-people, half-animals and such. You know, like the Anthros. Somehow, the best they could do was us. We're not people at all. We're our own species now. We were reproduced in labs, passed around as funny little pets and well.. things started to get sinister. When they realized that we take a lot of damage to kill, and we regenerate.. our adaptability.. they started trying to harness us for our traits."

"They tried to replicate our regeneration, our hardiness. And it involved a lot of unhappy tests. They'd 'test' our survivability by dropping us off buildings, or seeing how many bullets it took to kill us. They'd cut off parts and see how quickly they regrew. They'd discect us while still awake and alive."

President Blub glared. "So we fought back. For a few years, we've been secretly smuggling books on military tactics around. Instruction manuals for the aircraft and equipment. We've been planning this for almost a decade now. And.. we succeeded. They never expected us to fight back. And we'll keep fighting as long as it takes to maintain our independance!"

In the backround, two helicopters with red crosses painted on them landed. Blubs ran out of a nearby building, loading wounded Blubs onto a stretcher and carried them inside.

+++However, Charlie Squad was weaving away from I-23, heading east and then south to the pickup spot; as a result, there were no Szorosistani casualties from the Kiowa Warrior assault on the interstate.
+++A short while later, a single Mi-17 thudded through the night, escorted by two Szorosistani-designed La-37 stealth attack helicopters. Within a few minutes, all thirty-two troops and the footage Charlie Squad had taken were aboard, and the three aircraft swiveled, dipped their noses forward, and sped over the ground to the airbase they and the An-72 had come from, flying NOE to avoid detection.
+++Phase One was over, but how would Phase Two play out?

Blubland, Camp Blub
1/8/2007 ACA, 0850
Weather, Clear, Mild Winds

The probe took it's usual pause, than responded. "I request that along with our diplomatic envoy, we dispatch a task force. If all evidence and materials are intact at the labs, we can gather all of the data, hunt down those responsible, and convict them in court. Would that be acceptable?"

Blubland Waters
1/8/2007 ACA, 0850
Weather, Partly Cloudly, Mild Winds

The ISV Breakneck, ISV Hauser, and ISV Happy Thoughts were making their way into Blubland waters, heading for the shore. They joined up with the Marine Transport that had been waiting, and began moving in. Once within communications range, the Hauser would attempt to contact the Blub's recently captured naval base.

+++An assembling of a large invasion force would be noted by any satellite that passed over the field base, situated across the border of the new "Empire," near where Dakaev's platoon had been inserted. It looked like the rocket artillery and howitzers were still setting up, while the armoured columns of T-97s formed up in front of Szorosistan-designed BMP-5s. La-37 helicopters would be spotted sitting on makeshift airfields, accompanied by Te-29 close-support aircraft.
+++If the satellite(s) looked closely enough, markings of the People's Army could be seen on various areas of the units.

Camp Blub

President Blub nodded. "Sure. We can take you wherever you'd like." Pause. "Infact, we'll take you to the very lab where I was being kept." And so, the Blubs would help load the machine up into the Jeep again while a few other Jeeps gathered. The Blubs piled on and they headed out northbound. At the edge of the airfield, the Jeeps were met by a squadron of five M60A3 Patton tanks which escorted the Jeeps off down the road.

From one of the tanks, a message was relayed to the driver of the Jeep that the President and the probe were in. The driver informed the President who spoke up, "They say that there's been more fighting south of here on the highway. Some of our engineers got ambushed. Probably insurgents. That's why we're going to have an escort. They also have helicopter gunships on stand-by." President Blub chattered something to the driver, who radio'd back to headquarters. "I'm putting the military back onto full alert."

And about fifteen minutes later they pulled into a parking lot where a collection of big glass and metal buildings stood. They looked quite high-tech. There was extensive security, a tall fence, cameras and checkpoints and such. All of it abandoned now.

Heading inside, they move through a office and then down a hallway past a lunch room. Down two flights of steps.. and they finally arrive in a massive room where plexi-glass cells line the walls. There are little rabbit-feeder water bottles in the cells and empty food trays. Some cushions for sleeping and such, and rudimentary toys for the toddlers to play with.

Laid out on the floor are about two dozen humans wearing labcoats. Either shot, or clubbed to death. In the center of the room runs a long table where tools are spread, and little Blub-sized examination tables with plenty of clamps for securing tentacles and such. Two of the tables are stained with green Blub blood.

President Blub frowned. "This is the place."

Naval Base

There sat a large collection of ships at this naval base. Frigates, destroyers, cruisers and even a British type ramp aircraft carrier. The Blubs were still getting organized at this base, and there were teams scurrying about taking inventory and such.

There was a warehouse for Marine equipment. Tanks, LAVs and so on. And three hangars with F-35s and F/A-18s.

Establishing contact would be fairly simple. The radio was answered by another Blub, who squinted out to sea while chatting away. "Yup! Hello there! Come on in, you're cleared to dock at Piers twenty-two, twenty-three and twenty-four. Welcome to Blubland."

Blubland Waters, Approaching Naval Base
1/8/2007 ACA, 0900
Weather, Clear, Winds Increasing

Onboard the ISV Breakneck, electronics warfare suites and kisks still running hot and monitoring sattelite imagery were now a bustle as they changed focus. Attentions had been changed from monitoring blub movement to getting an accurate count of personelle and equipment gathering on the Blubland northern border. Captain Teg got on the radio and warned Captain Chesky of the danger, and sent his report in to command.

Captain Chesky of the ISV Hauser, a Hunter/Destroyer battlecruiser, was already in the middle of responding to the Naval Base. "Greetings. Not currently allowed to dock, we have been ordered to remain active. We understand you are still securing this dock and have been asked to provide you sea cover. I just want to say, it is an honor to wo... please hold, I am getting an urgent report." There was a pause from the radio, while a serviceman gave captain Chesky the run down. "Blubland Naval base, it'll be about an hour or two before we are in range of you, but we see you on the horizon. I have just been informed and am required to tell you a military force is gathering on your northern borders. Forces are reaching battalion size and contain both infantry and mobile armor. They have "People's Army" and various Russian Military style symbols. That as all we have for now."

All 4 ships, the sub, the cruiser, the light carrier, and the Marine transport. It would be a couple hours before they could be considered "there".

Blubland, Medical Labs
1/8/2007 ACA, 0922
Weather, Partly Cloudy

The probe climbed back into the truck with the blub's help, and than remained motionless and silent for the entire trip. Upon reaching the labs it also remained silent as the president lead it through, not making a noise as it kept it's eyes on the president and followed closely. In the labs, it didn't take it's eyes off of the president while trying to show the dead scientists and the examination tables. It's only reaction was that less than second after the president had finished speaking, the probe spoke up immediately, "President, I have an urgent report! A military force is gathering on Blubland's northern border, near Omega Camp Blub or whatever. They are close to battalion size and they have infantry and armor divisions. They carry people's army insignia and use russian designations." The probe's tone was atypically urgent during this report. It afterwards went silent.

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0805
Weather, Mild Fog

"Prime Minister, that is absolutely perfect. You have an air force in much closer range, and we already have ground forces and a support sub closing in. As for the attack on them you mentioned, I think we can clean that up. It looks like they suffered one vehicle loss, no casualties, and than devestated your squadron with overwhelming missile fire. If they won't be diplomatic after you graciously backed down... well, they just need to accept the win you gave them and be diplomatic. They showed no flight experience, numbers are on their side, only.

Now, here is the tricky part, we need to recover our materials from those labs, and so do you and every other nation they were contracting with. Arrangements should be made now, while our current diplomatic envoy establishes relations. In our typical style I have suggested to our current probe they draft the least suspecting person to establish diplomatic relations. While he is doing that to lay the groundwork for a diplomatic envoy to enter the nation, we should discuss options for recovering our property.

Right now, we may be able to recover our property during a full scale investigation into the accusation the old company was commiting civil rights violations against those organisms. Your thoughts on this?"

"Hmm.... sounds like a good plan. I don't have any better ideas, I guess we will go with yours. Will you need anything to transport those materials? We have many military trucks and C-17 Globemasters to help recover them, if there are many materials to retreive. Or...is this a more covert operation? C-17s and trucks never seemed to me like a stealth option. UH-60 Blackhawks, maybe, if we need the cover."

Naval Base

There was a couple minutes of silence from the Blubs over the radio as the news was sent to the most 'senior' military Blub present. Finally, the radio would crackle again, "Okay thank you very much. We will begin assigning crews to the ships, but we don't think we'll be able to influence a land battle very much. Most of us have never even seen a ship before.."

Research Labs

President Blub seemed somewhat emotional about visiting his former prison. Restrained anger, really. He remained professional while giving the machine a tour. When the probe spoke up however, President Blub frowned deeply. "We must prepare then. I apologize, but I have to cut this visit short."

An aide moved forward and spoke English while looking at a clipboard, "Mister President, we can currently field an armored company of fifty Pattons, thirty M113 infantry tracks and just a handful of Bradleys that we captured intact. Uh, infantry.. we can move about a thousand infantry to the north right now, and double that by tonight."

President Blub nodded. "Do it."

Tanks, IFVs and APCs began rolling north followed by a column of Blubs marching along the highway.

Guathic, Geosphere Observatory
1/8/2007 ACA, 0820
Weather, Fog Clearing

Commandant Eckels was thoroughly pleased as he could be. The situation was not over but all the blocks were falling into place like a well played tetris game. "Prime Minister, the Globemasters would be greatly appreciated. We may not have to make this covert if our ambassador does things correctly, we will just completely remove and dismantle everything in the labs during our investigation. No need to even be secret about it. If he screws up... well, let's keep the covert option open. I understand our man inside has already arranged a meeting with their leader. We have our ships moving in, only 4 but they should be enough. Two dedicated naval vessels, a marine transport, and a light carrier with VTOL craft."