NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: This is the declaration of war, which you may comment on, but the actual war is in another thread and closed.]

All over the nation, crowds of unemployed men, on the dole for months, were crowding round televisions in pubs, homeless people were watching them from shop fronts, and the upper class were watching them in their fourty inch plasma televisions while partaking in a small glass of champagne. It was the Prime Minister's announcement.

A nation fell silent while the Home Secretary spoke.

'Men and women of Questers.

Two days ago, the United Kingdom struck a deadly blow against the forces of evil. In one fell swoop, the Imperial Navy struck and destroyed fifty percent of the Doomani heavy battleship force. There was, however, a grave loss. Fifty thousand good men and women where killed. They are all heroes. No man wants to go to war, but when the time comes, every man must stand up and be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice and lay down his life for his nation.

I am asking every man in this great country a question. When you look at the flag flying over your city centre, does your heart pound? Is there a part of your head which suddenly springs to being and tells you that your country isthe greatest in the world? Nationalism is a feeling that can be pushed aside in every day life, when you are struggling to make ends meet, or when your daughter has a fever, but when your country is bleeding, when the bombs are falling, what will you say? Will you be among those who will stand in line at the recruitment office with a pride beating in their hearts and a cheer in their step?

It has been two years since the Great Patriotic War ended. Many, many good men fought and died and put their lives down on the line so we can live in our own country, so that we can live without a Juuman telling us what to do. I know. My wife was one of them.'

The Home Secretary paused, pinched his nose, rubbed his moustache fora moment, and held back his tears.

'I am asking every one of you, that when your motherland is in danger, what you will do. I am not making demands, or advising, or pressurising. I am asking every Questarian, kouen or Questaxon, white, black, yellow, or brown - to do your part for your country. If the government asks of you, perform. Do not faulter, or act selfishly. In these difficult times, your nation is the most important, and right now it is calling out for you.

I am an honest man. I am a man of my word, and a practictioner of what I preach. Tommorow I will be taking myself and my two sons to the recruitment office and signing up for the marines.

With the end of this message, the United Kingdom and Rising Sun is hereby at a state of total conflict with Doomingsland. We shall fight until the bitter end to achieve the goal of freedom and victory.

God Save the King.' He nodded.

The Next Day, 32 Tappence Road

Arthur opened the door, called out that he was home, and with a sigh hung his giant coat up on the hook next to the automatic rifle leaning against the corner. He remembered good times when he came home from work with a chocolate bar for both his kids, and he used to be able to hide them in the great coat and pick them up still inside and hug them to death. That was before the war. When there was work, when there was money, and when there was peace.

Those times were over, and tommorow, he was going to rejoin the marines.

[OOC: This is the declaration of war, which you may comment on, but the actual war is in another thread and closed.]

All over the nation, crowds of unemployed men, on the dole for months, were crowding round televisions in pubs, homeless people were watching them from shop fronts, and the upper class were watching them in their fourty inch plasma televisions while partaking in a small glass of champagne. It was the Prime Minister's announcement.

A nation fell silent while the Home Secretary spoke.

'Men and women of Questers.

Two days ago, the United Kingdom struck a deadly blow against the forces of evil. In one fell swoop, the Imperial Navy struck and destroyed fifty percent of the Doomani heavy battleship force. There was, however, a grave loss. Fifty thousand good men and women where killed. They are all heroes. No man wants to go to war, but when the time comes, every man must stand up and be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice and lay down his life for his nation.

I am asking every man in this great country a question. When you look at the flag flying over your city centre, does your heart pound? Is there a part of your head which suddenly springs to being and tells you that your country isthe greatest in the world? Nationalism is a feeling that can be pushed aside in every day life, when you are struggling to make ends meet, or when your daughter has a fever, but when your country is bleeding, when the bombs are falling, what will you say? Will you be among those who will stand in line at the recruitment office with a pride beating in their hearts and a cheer in their step?

It has been two years since the Great Patriotic War ended. Many, many good men fought and died and put their lives down on the line so we can live in our own country, so that we can live without a Juuman telling us what to do. I know. My wife was one of them.'

The Home Secretary paused, pinched his nose, rubbed his moustache fora moment, and held back his tears.

'I am asking every one of you, that when your motherland is in danger, what you will do. I am not making demands, or advising, or pressurising. I am asking every Questarian, kouen or Questaxon, white, black, yellow, or brown - to do your part for your country. If the government asks of you, perform. Do not faulter, or act selfishly. In these difficult times, your nation is the most important, and right now it is calling out for you.

I am an honest man. I am a man of my word, and a practictioner of what I preach. Tommorow I will be taking myself and my two sons to the recruitment office and signing up for the marines.

With the end of this message, the United Kingdom and Rising Sun is hereby at a state of total conflict with Doomingsland. We shall fight until the bitter end to achieve the goal of freedom and victory.

God Save the King.' He nodded.

The Next Day, 32 Tappence Road

Arthur opened the door, called out that he was home, and with a sigh hung his giant coat up on the hook next to the automatic rifle leaning against the corner. He remembered good times when he came home from work with a chocolate bar for both his kids, and he used to be able to hide them in the great coat and pick them up still inside and hug them to death. That was before the war. When there was work, when there was money, and when there was peace.

Those times were over, and tommorow, he was going to rejoin the marines.

OFFICAL IMPERIAL STATEMENT
The Peoples Freedom is shocked at this War. Regardless, we wish to remain neutrel at this time.

OCC:

adds quester to te the list of nations i don't want to piss off. ever.

Congrads you are now among the likes of Kraven, United sith, Chronosia, (This is for PMT and FT) and AMF.

OCC:

adds quester to te the list of nations i don't want to piss off. ever.

Congrads you are now among the likes of Kraven, United sith, Chronosia, (This is for PMT and FT) and AMF.

OOC: Don't insult AMF like that ^_^

tag

Official Clandonian Response
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/madnukedude/clandoniansmallflag.png


Clandonia supports Questers in its act to rid the world of evil.
in another news can we have one the big Hood ships please?

OOC:Forgive the poor post before-hand; I have a raging headache at the moment and good writing is lower on my agenda.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ajer, Yafor 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Davrain Nayadol stared at the Elected Duke, a smirk written plainly and simply upon his face. Amusement decorated every part of his body, from his neatly shined shoes to his partially combed hair. "I told you, Rudiv, I told you!" He chuckled appreciatively, appreciating his own talent and intelligence. "The Questerians are warmongerers, and you know it, I know it, and we all know as well." Davrain chuckled again, this time more to irritate the Elected Duke than to put forward any point of his own. It was an embarressing habit of Davrain's.

Rudiv Sodo returned his Foreign Minister's grin with one of his own. The Elected Duke looked awake and ready, and seemed a lot fuller than he had been close to two years ago, when Yafor 2 had been thrust into the grip of war, against the oppressive forces of Generic Empire. Back then, Rudiv Sodo had seemed taxed and worn down, so much so, that there had been people calling for his resignation, from both sides of the measuring scale. He was like that no longer, and no one questioned his skill at the Yaforite helm any longer. He had his doubters, but they were outnumbered by his backers.

His voice, however, showed no sign of merriment in the least. Shut you mouth, Davrain." The youthful Foreign Minister immediately stood at attention, though, by now, he was used to Rudiv Sodo's false attempts at solemnity. "The question is, what are we going to do? You and I both know that Guillermo is not here to council us," Guillermo Vicente had gone on a short break for his oldest daughter's wedding, though he never hesitated to call. "No doubt that you won't be of much help, will you? Heading off to that Brettonian Conference (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=502743) of yours, eh? Hmm, well, I'll have to do it alone." In a few hours, and two phone calls to Guillermo Vicente, Rudiv had a few ideas of what to write.

Official Yaforite Response

It is not in the nature of the Grand Democratic Duchy to condone wanton acts of violence. In fact, it is, and has been so for years, the policy of our nation to condemn such acts, and to try and end the cruelty that so often accompanies sudden declarations of war. We cannot support any such war, anywhere, or any time, no matter the recipient of the declaration of war. War without reason is never an acceptable practice and it has never found support in the Grand Democratic Duchy.

There are other acts, too, that the Questerians have done that are beyond reprehensible in themselves. A nation such as Doomingsland will always give provocation, will always try to get the other nation to be the agressor in such a conflict. That is no excuse. The Questerian navy, in a single fell swoop, attacked, and demolished, the greater part of the Doomingsland naval forces, without reason, without advance notice, without any of the established international practices. This is a tactic that is Generian in its barbarity, and we call the Questerians out on it.

Perhaps it is in a sense of misplaced nationalism that pervades much of the Questerian identity. Perhaps it comes from the pride Questerians feel in their navy, in such a concept that lives are lost for it. Perhaps it is even to rid the world of Doominsland (a noble objective, to be sure). But the Yaforites will remain neutral in this conflict. Supporting a CAD member was always out of the question. It seems that supporting the men of Questers is as well.

"In peace do we stand, it is in war that we fall."

~Signed~
Rudiv Sodo
Elected Duke of the Grand Democratic Duchy of Yafor 2.

ooc: I must say that was very well written. You know your reading something good when your 3/4 of the way through and havent even noticed the time that went by.

By the way, can you give a link to the actual war thread?

OOC: Don't insult AMF like that ^_^

OCC:what? he could crush me like a bug on a windshield.

Response of the Foreign Ministry of the Supreme Commonwealth of Rosdivan

We are grieved that another large war that will assuredly claim hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of lives, has broken out. Already casualties are so exceptionally high. The Questerian government claims casualties to their own forces of only fifty thousand. How many lives, we must ask, were lost by Doomani forces? We have already heard stories of immense suffering by Doomani civilians in this attack; how much more will they be forced to go through?

We request from the Questerian Commonwealth a guarantee that they shall, as far as practical, strive to avoid civilian casualties amongst the Doomani people, and seek a peaceful resolution of the current conflict, whose casus belli we are unaware of. Furthermore, we request a confirmation that the freedom of the seas, and of neutral vessels to travel them unmolested, be guaranteed.

Diplomatic Communique
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k250/IJNYamamoto/Questers/Charter.gif
The United Kingdom stands by its declaration of war. We see no reason to seek a peaceful resolution, nor do we believe it is in the interests of foreign nations to pester the UK to find said resolution.

The UK also reminds Yafor2 that should we have informed Doomingsland of our attack fourty-eight hours previous, and kindly told them that we would strike with three thousand planes, our attack would have been much less successful and therefore not informing the OPFOR of an impending attack is in our interests.

The UK advises Rosdivan not to base diplomatic statements on stories. The attack was directed to minimise civilian casualties and indeed we do not intend to purposefully attack unarmed noncombatants. Furthermore, when our naval blockade is in place, we intend to attack any vessel that does not change its course within an allotted time. While we acknowledge the right to travel the seas freely, the UK notes that any adventure into a warzone should be taken very seriously.

[OOC: Chellis, no AMF brown-facing (yes, facing) in my thread kthxgetout.
Grozynyj, if you got lost in that... well, I'll link yo uto the thread, but the posts are about 5x as long.]

Link for lols (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=498499)

"What?!"

Premier Xerco Longbottom almost choked himself on his bowtie, his jet black tuxedo hiding the wave of surprise that hit his nearly 80-year old frame.

"When? How? And most importantly, man, Why?"

Viceroy Ja'rod Kathon spoke quietly behind him, their eyes meeting each other in the mirror in front of the leader of the Voltarum. "Mere hours ago. The Questerians fleet attacked without provocation it seems. The element of surprised seemed to work - the Romulus was sunk while she was still in harbor. As for why... I don't have that answer yet sir."

Bow tie tied to perfection, Xerco leaned on his cane and turned to eye his Viceroy of the Naval Forces. "Anyone else involved?"

Ja'rod starts to talk, then falters. "Preliminary satelitte imagery shows a build up of Czardaian forces, sir."

Unmoved, Xerco looks down and adjusts his jacket. "An old saying is pulsing through my brain right now, Ja'rod. 'You have to know the past to understand the present.'"

"The media will want a reaction from you soon, sir. Anything involving the Doomies.."

"I know. And I would very much like to stand up and tell them that seeing Doomingsland in ashes before I die would make me dance with joy." He grimaces and gently massages his leg. "But that would not be too wise, would it." He smirks. "I have a party to go to tonight, Ja'rod, and I don't want to think about this right now. But relax, I will say something in the morning. Since the Pact has been so quiet, our reaction is not something the world waits for, my friend."

Leaning even heavier on his cane, Xerco starts to walk toward his waiting limo.

The next morning, a statement is released:

Offical Response from The Voltarum

We find it lamentable that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind. We remind the Questerians, however, to never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.

However, we are not one to judge, especially in this situation. We urge both sides to end this conflict as quickly and sensibly as possible.

Diplomatic Communique
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k250/IJNYamamoto/Questers/Charter.gif
The United Kingdom stands by its declaration of war. We see no reason to seek a peaceful resolution, nor do we believe it is in the interests of foreign nations to pester the UK to find said resolution.

The UK also reminds Yafor2 that should we have informed Doomingsland of our attack fourty-eight hours previous, and kindly told them that we would strike with three thousand planes, our attack would have been much less successful and therefore not informing the OPFOR of an impending attack is in our interests.

The UK advises Rosdivan not to base diplomatic statements on stories. The attack was directed to minimise civilian casualties and indeed we do not intend to purposefully attack unarmed noncombatants. Furthermore, when our naval blockade is in place, we intend to attack any vessel that does not change its course within an allotted time. While we acknowledge the right to travel the seas freely, the UK notes that any adventure into a warzone should be taken very seriously.

[OOC: Chellis, no AMF brown-facing (yes, facing) in my thread kthxgetout.
Grozynyj, if you got lost in that... well, I'll link yo uto the thread, but the posts are about 5x as long.]

Link for lols (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=498499)

OOC: Brownfacing? Nice. I made a joke about my ally, and I'm suddenly a brown-facer. Sorry if I'm interrupting your wildly posted on thread.

Blackwood media observed closely the Questerian declaration of war, as public interest in the nation's internal and foreign affairs had grown the last few years. Royalist factions had grown stronger, the King and Country Party had been formed just a year ago and was already the third biggest party in Blackwood. President Stewern's approval rates had dropped dramatically, as had the popular support for the Liberal Party. After being elected eighteen years ago, the party had lost almost 20 percentage points to other parties, primarily the conservative christian Justice Party and the royalist King and Country. It was perhaps ironic that Stewern, who had assured his party's victory in 2001 by playing on the people's re-awoken longing for glory and empirehood, had under his incubency promoted and reinforced the very same feelings of nationalism, fear of God and longing for revived international recognition, in King and Country mixed with the call for re-installment of the royalty; that would ultimately end his political career in Blackwood.

That was far into the future though. All that existed at this time was a small pub. A wooden house, two stories high; built sometime in the early 18th century by a man named William Blake in a small alley in Blackwood, and aptly named Blake's Corner Pub. It was famed not for the quality of its dishes and beverages, for it served the same fine stout and cottage pie as almost every pub in Blackwood, although many customers insist that the Corner's dishes are of higher quality; but for its clientele. It was a traditional bar for Navy sailors on leave, during the 1796 uprising it had been one of the last royalist strongholds in the city, and King and Country usually held their party meetings in the cellar. It was therefore to no surprise to the people living on the same street, McFarley's Alley, when, shortly after the Questarian Home Secretary had declared that a state of war existed between the two nations of Questers and Doomingsland, a motley band of greatly intoxicated people marching out of Blake's, continuing down McFarley's and up to King Henry Street and further east to Aston Square, singing patriotic songs celebrating the Questerian royal house, the nation of Blackwood and the former King Charles I.

In the Grey Room, the reactions were different. Stewern had been informed that Questers and Czardas had declared war on Doomingsland, indeed even staged a surprise attack on the port city of Arretium. Stewern and his government had always preferred to send peacekeepig forces to stave off international hostilities rather than siding with one particular faction, indeed the government's foreign policy was infamous in Blackwood as the public perceived Stewern though his neutrality betrayed his promises of promoting democracy and freedom in the world, was hard-pressed not to make this yet another failed act of ''mutually beneficial settlements'' or even half-hearted attempts at deploying peace-keeping forces.
Further complicating the issue was that Questers was a founding member of the GDI, an organization that Blackwood had tried to join. The other founding member was Hotdogs2, a nation whose retaliatory actions against Leocardia Blackwood was trying to stop. Jean Robertson, head of intelligence and foreign affairs, believed that it might help Blackwood's acceptance into GDI if Stewern expressed his support of Questers' and Czarda's campaign against Doomingsland. Questers was also a favourite of the growing royalist factions in Blackwood, and open sympathies for Questers might lure som supporters away from King and Country and perhaps even persuade them to support the Liberal Party in this year's election. At least that's what Stewern and his Minister of the Interior thought.
It was therefore conceived that Blackwood would offer moral and political support, for its armed forces were still not capable of guaranteeing victory against a foe such as Doomingsland, and that this support would be announced in a public speech by Stewern himself.

''Following the declaration of war against Doomingsland by Questers and Czardas, President Tom Stewern has spoken to the nation saying that...''
The screen cut to the president, sitting in the Grey Room. He wore an immacualte dark blue suit and a red tie. His brown hair, which had begun to grey on the sides, was cut in a mullet, a haircut that the president had grown increasingly found of. He looked into the camera, having memorized his speech before, and spoke with a firm voicce.
''I was informed not long ago that, Questers, a fellow Havenite nation, and their ally Czardas had laucnhed a surprise attack against Doomingsland, a notorious member of the Coalition Against Democracy. While my government has always opposed violence and war, we have also always promoted freedom and democracy with the same, if not even superior, fervor. It is my firm belief that the people of Doomingsland will celebrate the day when they are liberated from the vile dictatorship that has plagued the nation. I hope an I pray that this will be that day.
I also wish to make clear that we give Czardas and Questers our full moral and diplomatic support, but we will not deploy any military forces to aid them in their quest, as we currently do not have the military capacity too.''
The screen cut back to the reporter.
''It is thought that many questions regarding this response, particulary the ones raised about the state of Blackwood's armed forces, will be answered in the coming press conference that has been announced. Doctor Blake, you're an expert on the politics of Blackwood. What do you think will be the internal response to the President's speech?''
''I think this speech tells us mainly two things: first, that the President and his cabinet are pushing for a more hardline approach, perhaps in order to draw some voters from the new party King and Country; and second, that the President has been unable to fulfill his promises.''
''How do you mean?''
''One of his main issues in 2001, and every subsequent election I might add, was to increase the armed forces' capabilities of force projection overseas. Indeed, he went as far as to say, in 2007, that any vote that wasn't in favour of the Liberal Party was a vote for isolationalism. What is interesting in this case, apart form the fact that the President has apparently returned to his former hardline approach, is that the President has been unable to fulfill this promise. He said himself that the military did not have capability to deploy overseas in a major military campaign, and this is after eighteen years of uninterrupted incubency.''
''And how do you think the public will respond to that?''
''That's a harder question actually. While it is certain that some people will leave the Liberal Party, and perhaps even turn to King and Country, after the comment regarding our armed forces, it might be equally true that some people will be attracted by the older, more hawkish Stewern. The President and his cabinet obviously think that the latter category will outnumber the former, and that this announcement and re-affirment of policy will aid them in the coming election.''
''And what do you think?''
''Personally, I think they'll lose.''
''Thank you. That was doctor Blake, professor of civics at the Paddington University. We will now leave the politics, in favour of the forecast. And the forecast is favourable today, Jeanette, I take it?''
Cut to weather forecast.
''It indeed is! As you can see her eon the map behind me, we have...''

HANSARD - TRANSCRIPT OF A SPEECH GIVEN BY HIS MAJESTY SARIUS I BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF THE CROWN COMMONWEALTH OF PRAETONIA & HER REALMS AND DOMINIONS BEYOND THE SEAS BEFORE THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND AN ASSEMBLED CONCOURSE OF THE COMMONS'

GOD SAVE HIM

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS:

I have assembled My Parliament here together, out of session, to address the momentuous international developments of recent days. You are as well aware as I that My Allies in Questaria stand poised at the brink of open warfare with the Great Tyrant. I shall speak plainly now when I say that it is My most sincere hope and belief that the he shall be laid low by the Questerian columns of war. It is for us in our time of peace and prosperity something of an absurdity to think that one day we may be called up in service of our country, but I warn everyone now that that is just as much a possibility now as any time in the past when the safety of our great Country has been threatened by some Foreign Prince.

The world stands, for the first time, on a knife edge between reason, prosperity and liberty on the one hand, and the terrible prospect of a new dark age of ignorance, poverty and tyranny on the other. It is to our shame that in this fight for the future of the world it is a Foreign Power in the vanguard instead of ourselves, but of the assembled multitude of foreign states, there is none I would trust more to bear this burden than my Royal Brother on the Questerian throne.

Let it be made clear that any who would condemn Him of the actions of His Government on this matter are in league, willingly or no, with the Tyrant.

Those who would cry 'Peace!' and ignore that the rulers of Doomingsland and other like states perpetrate war against their own People and the Common Decency and Rights of Mankind every moment that their crime is allowed to continue are as much enemies of the Free Peoples of the World as Doomingsland.

I ask Parliament to put its full weight of legal and moral authority behind the Questerian cause to rid the world of tyranny and of evil, and I am certain that it shall be provided without reservation. As we stood by our Allies in the last war, so shall we stand side-by-side in this. The sinking of the Romulus, and other instruments with which the Great Tyrant has prosecuted his wars with the Free World, is but the first hammer blow in the fight for Liberty. Let us hope there shall be more. Let us hope that Questeria succeeds in rolling back the borders of Tyranny, riding out the storm of war and bringing hope to all the Free Peoples of the World.

[Official Statement from the Avision Department of State]

Once again the world has been thrown into another contest between giants of industry. Once again humanity is being subjected to the argument of what is 'decent' and what is 'evil.' One must wonder what ever changes. In the grand scheme of things, everything stays the same. There will always remain an equal number of people who think that they must be the most 'decent' country in the world. Never will some nations learn that fighting to prove they are right will never, indeed, make them right.

It is at this time that the Socialist State of Avisron condemns anyone who actively takes part, either by military or by economic support, in this grave crime against the progress of humanity. As of this time, any trade between the Socialist State of Avisron and these waring nations is to be disconnected.

The Socialist State can only hope that the uninvolved nations of the world choose to remain that way, and that this doesn't take anymore lives than neccessary.

*reserved*

Official Message from Admiral Nelson "T.J." Marcus, Commander-in-Chief of Operation Iron Blood, Doomingslandi Expeditionary Task Force

In tribute to the thousands of Questarians who lie dead upon the ocean floor, the Czardaian Navy has fired a salute, replacing the traditional twenty-one gun salute with a six hundred intercontinental cruise missile salute. Just, you know, to make things look grander. No evil intentions. This did have the side effect of completely leveling part of the Doomani coast.... I always said they shouldn't put it so close to our fleets, what?

* * *

Official Statement, issued from the pen, well, laptop computer of Kari Alhoun, Foreign Minister of the Greater Czardaian Whole Sort of General Mish Mash

Good evening.

As many of you may have noticed, the WSOGMMC has supported Questaria in her declaration of war, even gone so far as to deploy military units in support.

You may certainly be asking, Why? Why does Czardas, a nation seemingly committed to diplomacy and peace rather than violence, in part due to her rather undersized military forces, choose to wage war against an infamous military power? Why not seek a peaceful alternative, or mercy upon the Doomani people? These are all reasonable questions, and I will address them in order.

To answer these questions we must step back into the pages of history, back to the War of Kregaian Aggression, the invasion of Czardas by several CAD powers which was finally halted by negotiation and diplomacy, a rare instance in today's world. One of the primary opponents of Czardas was the Imperium Doomanum, and in fighting Doomingsland, we learned what that nation was like.

Since time immemorial Doomingsland and her ilk have done nothing more than cause violence and stir fear and destruction across the world. The nations of the Coalition Against Democracy committed dozens of heinous atrocities almost daily, while spreading their hypocritical fascist-collectivist ideologies masquerading as capitalists, instilling hate of capitalism and all the freedom it stands for in dozens of nations. All this was led primarily by Doomingsland, with other nations answering primarily to her. Admittedly, recently the Generic Empire, the Borman Empire, and Freudotopia among several others left the CAD to form an alliance of their own, but the recent amalgation of those two alliances once again merely proves the control of Doomingsland over the alliance. Weakening Doomingsland's power by mounting a successful invasion of its homeland will lead to the weakening of the entire alliance, and destroy these harbingers of terror and destruction; this, in turn, will make the world a more peaceful place and save the lives of literally billions of oppressed citizens.

You see now that, in truth, Czardas and Questaria pursue a mission of peace rather than war; for sometimes, it is necessary to wage war in order to achieve peace. And with the world teetering on the brink of an apocalyptic war between the CAD's bloc and that of the Sovereign League, and all it stands for, we are seeking to avert that war by striking first, in the interests of the preservation of all civilization stands for.

But, you may ask, why do civilians die in this war, if the purpose is to save them? Simply because sometimes it is unavoidable. Doubtlessly due to the indoctrination of the Doomani government-controlled Church, the vast majority of Doomani citizens are religious fanatics just as willing to kill their liberators as members of the armed forces. However, as they are not trained soldiers, and thus not subject to the same training, we are confident that showing them how powerless, in truth, their government is will turn them to our side. To do that, however, killing numbers of them may prove unavoidable, especially if they choose to take up arms against us (in which case they are not civilians any longer).

As you can see by now, this war is far from an act of aggression; it is instead an attempt to bring peace to the world by neutralising the powers that inhibit its progress and threaten the very demise of civilization -- democracy, capitalism, liberalism, and all that truly civilized nations stand for -- itself, by professing to preserve it (I refer here to the so-called Alliance for the Preservation of Civilization, which is indeed little more than the Alliance for the Destruction of Civilization).

Any nation that sees sense in this matter will not condemn us, but support us, in our described mission to remove the Doomani threat and keep the world stable and civilized, as it was always meant to be.

Thank you, and good night.

ooc Yes, I know half of it is propaganda. Shut up./ooc

"Divine One...it is time."

The words trickled into Lucifer's ear and into his darkened mind. The tyrant's eyes snapped open and his brain forced the sea of color and light and noise before him to become coherent. He stood on the stone podium, the Rostra, in front of the Imperial Palace itself. His home. Eyes narrowed in suspicion, the god-king surveyed the throng, millions of the faithful crammed into the Great Forum to hear their master speak to them. Of course. Anything else was heresy. Lucifer gazed upon his subjects, and his power, his presence, his essence gathered as he stepped forward, gesturing for silence.

"Citizens of the Empire, sons of Typhon, faithful of the Seven True Gods!"

The masses hushed, listening to his voice as it thundered from the speakers his men had erected for this purpose. Nobody could project their voice over the Great Forum.

"Word has reached your ears, I am sure of a war, here in the CAD. Perhaps you have spoken to the priests and asked for counsel...but mortal words are all too often mistaken, and I am here to give you, my children, the truth.

"We all know, of course, of Doomingsland, our proud and mighty brothers across the sea! How many tales have been told of the bravery and the faith of the Legionaires, like a mirror of our own? Perhaps they worship a single god, but we all forgive our errant brothers for their mistakes. Did we not see, from this very city, the battle in the skies as the treacherous Czardaians sullied our lands with their devils' work? Have we forgotten that the words of Doomingsland brought Czardas, battered and broken, finally to its knees? No! I refuse to believe that this Empire has lost its memory, for there is much to be said of these memories! Have we forgotten Doomingsland?"

Here the Sacred Emperor paused and let the masses roar their massive denial, voiced as one.

"Of course not! And may the gods blast the bones of whoever dares believe it! So prepare yourselves to welcome hate, my children, because the truth I bring to you know...reeks of the infidel." A dead hush fell. The crowd listened intently, wondering what could have happened that merited such an assembly as this. Lucifer used the silence, enunciating each word precisely and slowly. "Doomingsland has come under attack by elements of the Questarian and Czardaian armed forces-"

He could get no further. The mob howled in rage, stomping and screaming and cursing. How dare they? These two nations, perhaps the deepest in sin and idolatry of any, had dared attack their Doomingslandi brothers?

"The mere fact cries out for blood, my children! The mighty ship Romulus was sunk, without warning, by these same fools that whine about civil rights and the laws of war! Hundreds of Doomingslandi citizens lie dead! Shall we tolerate this blatant insult to Imperial honor?" The crowd thundered again, and Lucifer rode the storm, shouting over it. "Shall we let the infidel taint our land? A THOUSAND TIMES, NO! A state of war, my children, is henceforth declared against the lying cowards of Questers and Czardas! Mark me, for I have a message for these two nations, temples to godlessness and perfidy as they are: your lies and weakness are revealed at last today, and the Imperium sees them plainly! Challenge us, if you dare, because I swear that I will dissolve your nations and scatter the ashes of your people to the corners of the earth! We did not finish Czardas before, but we shall have you both now, and by the gods, we shall devour you! No forgiveness! No mercy! Only Imperial honor, and Imperial victory! DEATH TO THE INFIDEL!"

***

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE

To the Home Secretary of Questaria and the Foreign Minister of Czardas

Hypocrisy.

This word is the only possible description for your crimes against the Imperium Doomanum and the Kregaian Imperium. We recall the time when Lord Rahvin received the Czardaian surrender. We recall the boundless arrogance of the Woodstock Pact at the negotiations afterward. We remember your whining about the slaughter we wreaked upon Czardas. Today the entire world sees these statements for lies.

What can we do but laugh to scorn you? We, who infidels such as you accused at Czarna of manipulating the truth to serve our purposes, reply with the same accusation, and this time there can be no argument that it is not true. You suddenly and viciously attacked the Romulus, just as Czardas invaded Kregaia; interesting, then, that you have piped up so often with your coward's voices about the deeds of true warriors.

But unlike you, we are not content to sit by as weaklings, observe the conflict, and wag a finger at you heathens for your behavior. Our warrior blood rises to think that you still pollute the earth, and we are no longer content with it. We shall grind you to dust, gentlemen, and the democracy you prize so highly will be gone. Needless to say, a state of war now exists between your nations and the Imperium. Battle awaits us, heathens. I have nothing more to say.

His Divine Majesty, Sacred Emperor Lucifer of Domain Halcyon

OOC: I doubt I'll be involved in this, this is just an announcement. But then, if the Aralonia war falls through (which I suspect it will) you may see a lot more of me. ;)

St. Michael's Cathedral

The whole Empire had been thrown into a frenzy by the vile attacks on the port of Arretium. Billions cried out for the land to be made fertile with the heathen blood of Questarians and Czardaians. This was the first time in decades the Empire had been openly attacked on its own soil, and it was a most unwelcome turn of events.

On the steps of the mighty Cathedral of St. Michael, which towered high over the capital, its massive gothic spires and Romanesque columns jutting skyward as if it were a knife attempting to slit the throat of the heavens, the Emperor stood just meters above his subjects. Men and women of all classes were arrayed before him, from the lowliest peasant to the richest Senator. Millions of them.

He was flanked on either side by his Equites Singulares clad in their finely-polished black and golden armor, glistening in the sun, with their gladii at their sides, and their rifles trained skyward, their silver shimmering bayonets creating an awe inspiring spectacle.

Massive black and gold banners with the Crusader's Death's Head and Doomani Eagle hung from the massive Cathedral and surrounding buildings.

With a single raised hand, their young yet formidable Emperor Maximus III, clad in his own armor, hushed the vast flock assembled before him. Upon their silence, he spoke in a strong assertive tone,

"Brothers and sisters! Listen!

"Today, over one and a half million of our brethren were martyred at the cold uncaring hands of the infidel while they tended to their prayers and every day lives. This cowardly transgression took place at the mighty City of Arretium.

"It is my sad duty to inform the Empire that Arretium, a much beloved haven of God's Children, has been ruthlessly razed by the cruel actions of two of the Imperium's most hated foes: The Questarian Empire and Czardia. This UNPROVOKED assault on righteous and pious citizens of the Empire shall not be tolerated!

"Despite their being vile heretics, we have shown no aggression towards either one of these pathetic mud holes. I have followed the policies of my noble father, bless his name: I had attempted to pursue a peaceful coexistence with both of these lands. These servants of Satan have so vilely betrayed the trust of both my father and myself.

"And so I say to you, no longer! The infidel refuses to make peace with the servants of Christ, and thus they have chosen instead to make war! Does this not say something of their honor?"

The crowd roared in response, cursing the names of Czardas and Questaria, declaring their wish for vengeance upon their leaders. Maximus once more raised his hand and immediately received silence.

"Now my brothers and sisters, you may ask, what provoked them into such foolhardy defiance. Is it inherent with all blasphemers? Some may say yes, but I believe they have committed this atrocity for another reason, one that may have eluded us. They are JEALOUS, of you, brothers and sisters! They despise everything you stand for because you are BETTER than them!

"They have bowed to the Devil and stooped to his will, carrying out his sickening orders because they know that you follow God's Will! They KNOW that you, you my brothers and sisters, will be taken up on the Day of Reckoning!

"They have signed themselves over to damnation, and now I say to you, brothers and sisters, let us hasten their descent to the Abyss!"

He roared, drawing his sword from its sheath and holding it high. The response was overwhelming as it seemed the entire capital erupted in cheering and chanting. The roar of the crowd was almost deafening.

Once more Mighty Caesar raised his hand.

"And so let us grant their wish, let us aid them on their journey to Hell so that they may greet their master and personally tell him of their failure!

"Today, my brothers and sisters. Today, they have provoked God's own sentinel. Today, brothers and sisters, we have been aroused to CRUSADE! To crusade in His name!

"Let us do as that prayer taught to us as children so nobly stated:

Let Faith be our Shield! Let His Word be our sword! And let us steel ourselves to purify our lands of the infidel! Today, my brothers and sisters, God has summoned us to Global Crusade!”

If one thought any of their previous cheers were deafening, then their ear drums would surely have been shattered by the cacophonous outpour of the Faithfuls’ spirit. Mighty fortresses would have been toppled by the deafening roar of the vast horde assembled before the young Emperor as the spirit of Crusade gained a renewed meaning with all Doomani. Today their beloved homeland had been struck by cowardly heretics, and now His Divine Retribution would be all-present.

Once more, Maximus raised his hand. It was almost frightening the way the crowd instantaneously transferred from such a mighty roar to absolute dead silence in the blink of an eye.


”All my life I have been a soldier for the Empire,” he began more soberly, in an almost reflective tone, ”I have fought alongside countless hundreds of thousands of brother Doomani in many noble wars against the infidel. I have shed my blood for the Empire and for Christ. I truly love this land, my brothers and sisters, as should we all!

“My countrymen, you look to me as your leader. It is I who is the servant! For this Empire belongeth to no man, but to God Himself! Brothers and sisters, this attack on our beloved Empire is nothing short of an attack on Jesus Chris, our Lord!

“Nobles, peasants. Patricians, plebs. What separates us but wealth? Nothing, my brothers and sisters! We are all of the same noble Doomani blood! And this blood shall be shed for the Empire and for God until not a single heathen draws breath! No matter the lot in life you have been dealt, we all hold a single thing in common. We are Doomani! We are Children of the Lord! We are His Warriors! It is our common duty to spread His Word and to defend the Faith!

“And so I now depart you, for I now go to war! But remember this: He who stands with me shall be my brother! And let our battle cry ring loud and true: DEUS VULT!”

A single mighty voice answered the Emperor with a skull-splitting roar of Deus Vult. Maximus once again raised his sword, and they again shouted,

”DEUS VULT!”

As he turned to leave, they continued to chant, their voices never dying down. They had been worked into a complete state of religious zeal. Not even the mighty trumpets blaring the national anthem could overcome the voices of the Doomani people as they bade their Emperor farewell with their chants of Deus Vult. God Wills It.