NationStates Jolt Archive

Declaration to All Governments, Private Militias, Etc.

For countless years, Derscon has had difficulties in getting rid of military hardware. Right now, Derscon spends over ten percent of the military budget simply on the upkeep of weaponry and munitions no longer used by the Dersconi Military (or, simply on an in-numerous amount of said item). In an effort to cut costs and devote the billions and billions of dollars to something more productive.

Therefore, we invite representatives of military organizations, paramilitary organizations, militias, private militias, governments, and everyone else to the Auction Grounds on the Island of Hope.

Due to the sensitive nature of the Auction, security will be high. We will ask that you respect this and not bring excessive numbers of guards or weapons for protection. Security will be provided and present in force.

We invite all. We simply ask you send a message ahead that you're coming.

Deo Vindice.

Zheleztsolupp Kabanov
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Imperial Marshal (ret.) Sir Arthur Wellesley
Minister of Defence

Reichsmarshal Reinhard Helmer
Commander in Chief, Schutzstaffel


OOC: Okay, just for clarification, this thread isn't aimed so much at governments and nations, but at private militias, secret organizations, and perhaps, terrorist organizations if need be. The stuff being sold here is likely not the kind of ZOMG TOP OF ZE LINE!!111 stuff a national military industrial complex is producing in the current NS era, its stuff that's outdated, but still works. So if you're going as a national government, you likely won't find much you'll want, save maybe nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, delivery systems for said WMDs, and perhaps, assassin tools, etc. The actual hardware stuff is geared more towards the private militia etc, that doesn't have the money or infrastructure available to have a military industrial complex to make top-of-the-line weapons.

Official Allanean Response

We require lots of ICCM missiles, like the ones you donated to us during the Doomani war. And nukes. Lots of nukes. Please make us aware of the exact amount of those available for sale so we may begin bidding.

Reply to Allanea

Due to the immense overstocking of nuclear weapons carried out by the Dersconi Strategic Air Command throughout the history of the nation, several hundred thousand nuclear weapons will be available -- an exact number would be approximately four hundred twenty-seven thousand five hundred sixty-six thermonuclear warheads, artillery shells, and bombs (combined total) -- as well as several thousand ICCM missiles of various design.

Due to Allanea's good standing with Derscon, there will be no restrictions on the items to buy. Also, any private militias within Allanea's borders are also welcome to send a represenative to the auction to purchase equipment, be it small arms, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, artillery, warheads, missiles, or anything else that may be available.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

---Official Jimanistan communication---

We would be pleased to attend your auction, as we are in desperate need of weapons.. specifically those made after 1973.

-Chairman Eusobios Demostratskiy

---Official Jimanistan communication---

We would be pleased to attend your auction, as we are in desperate need of weapons.. specifically those made after 1973.

-Chairman Eusobios Demostratskiy

Chairman Eusobios Demostratskiy,

A Jimanistan emissary is welcome to attend the auction, and may depart at any time to make the trip to the Island of Hope.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

Esteemed Anzus General Korbanov,
I request permission to stop by the auction of surplus goods. I make no promise of make a purchase, however, I must see what is avaliable.

Signed,
Lord Francis Carmel, Commander of the Royal Armies
-----
Korbanov,

I will be at the auction. Make proper preparations.

God save the Emperor,
Charles Orlean, General, Soli Deo Gloria Division

Pegasus International Office of Procurement:

Pegasus International, as a private military company, would be interested in sending a small group to bid on equipment ranging from small arms, to medium armored vehicles, as well as helicopters. We will be bringing 6 armed guards for our procurement officers. We do not forsee the necessity of them using their weapons, but we must send them in case of any problems, understandably. We thank you for this oppertunity.

Pegasus International Office of Procurement:

Pegasus International, as a private military company, would be interested in sending a small group to bid on equipment ranging from small arms, to medium armored vehicles, as well as helicopters. We will be bringing 6 armed guards for our procurement officers. We do not forsee the necessity of them using their weapons, but we must send them in case of any problems, understandably. We thank you for this oppertunity.

To whom it may concern:

We do not see six guards getting in the way. While we feel it is unnecessary, as security provided by Derscon will be perfectly adequate, we understand more than anyone someone's wish to be protected by their own. Six guards will be an acceptable number. We just ask they keep their weapons in a non-threatening position at all times.

Other than that, Pegasus International may arrive at any time.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

Esteemed Anzus General Korbanov,
I request permission to stop by the auction of surplus goods. I make no promise of make a purchase, however, I must see what is avaliable.

Signed,
Lord Francis Carmel, Commander of the Royal Armies

Lord Francis Carmel,

Seeing the close relationship between Cherry Ridge and Derscon, as well as being a fellow Prussian, you are naturally welcome to attend the auction. Feel free to arrive at any time.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

Korbanov,

I will be at the auction. Make proper preparations.

God save the Emperor,
Charles Orlean, General, Soli Deo Gloria Division

General Orlean,

I believe some of the luxury suites in the Sophia Citadel are open for use. It will be a pleasure seeing you again.

Lord General Drakonov and Marshal Razladanov will also be present at the auction.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

Calizorinstani Head of Armed Services Procurement:

We wish to send 5 repersentives, with no bodyguards to the Military Surplus Auction to bid on items to buy for the Calizorinstan Armed Forces.

SIC:

To: Zheleztsolupp Kabanov, Imperial Marshal Sir Arthur Wellesley, Reichsmarshal Reinhard Helmer
From: Head Hawk Col.Lt. Richard
Subject: Military Surplus Auction
We are a governement funded agency and now only you and our nations government know of our presence. To prevent any civilians from finding out about our presence the government can not supply our weapons. Thus we must supply our own weapons. we can not risk being seen at storefronts so we must go to black markets or military auctions. So we chose yours and hoope to supply us with pistols, submachine guns and all types of rifles. When we are at your auction we can not tell you our last names or what country we are from. We await your answer.

Hawk Col.Lt. Richard

Calizorinstani Head of Armed Services Procurement:

We wish to send 5 repersentives, with no bodyguards to the Military Surplus Auction to bid on items to buy for the Calizorinstan Armed Forces.

Calizorinstan is free to attend the auction, and may send its emissaries at any time it wishes.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

SIC:

To: Zheleztsolupp Kabanov, Imperial Marshal Sir Arthur Wellesley, Reichsmarshal Reinhard Helmer
From: Head Hawk Col.Lt. Richard
Subject: Military Surplus Auction
We are a governement funded agency and now only you and our nations government know of our presence. To prevent any civilians from finding out about our presence the government can not supply our weapons. Thus we must supply our own weapons. we can not risk being seen at storefronts so we must go to black markets or military auctions. When we are at your auction we can not tell you our last names or what country we are from. We await your answer.

Hawk Col.Lt. Richard

SIC:

Hawk Col.Lt. Richard

Naturally, security is paramount to all things, information being of highest priority. At the Auction, we have no intention of divulging the identities of any of the buyers unless they choose to divulge the information themselves.

Arrangements can be made to further protect your identity, if you wish. If this would be ideal to you, please return the message, and we will make the necessary arrangements.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

Calizorinstan is free to attend the auction, and may send its emissaries at any time it wishes.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

We have sent our emissaries to the auction, they should be there in a day or so,

Tony Atwood
Minister of Foreign Procurements
Calizorinstan

To: Zheleztsolupp Kabanov, Imperial Marshal Sir Arthur Wellesley, Reichsmarshal Reinhard Helmer
From: Head Hawk Col.Lt. Richard
Subject: RE: RE: Military Surplus Auction

First we would like to see a list of your items so we could know if we even need to go. we would also like to be sitten in the back, and if we are to get microphones we would like ours to be fixed so I vioce will come out differently. And we must pay in cash at the auction it's self. We hope these requests do not bother your auction

To: Zheleztsolupp Kabanov, Imperial Marshal Sir Arthur Wellesley, Reichsmarshal Reinhard Helmer
From: Head Hawk Col.Lt. Richard
Subject: RE: RE: Military Surplus Auction

First we would like to see a list of your items so we could know if we even need to go. we would also like to be sitting in the back, and if we are to get microphones we would like ours to be fixed so our voice will come out differently. And we must pay in cash at the auction it's self. We hope these requests do not bother your auction

Head Hawk Col.Lt. Richard,

Unfortunately, there is not a comprehensive list available to me at the moment, as it is currently under close guard for security purposes. However, a wide-variety of conventional and unconventional weapons are available, such as a collection of small arms, mines, grenades, other explosive devices, several decommissioned aircraft carriers, nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, and even two weapons satellites.

Also, I believe you misunderstand the layout of the auction. It is an open-air auction, in which there will be displays of the items being sold (either the item itself, or displays of them due to size constraints). The Sophia Citadel, the fortress overlooking the auction grounds, will house the Auction Headquarters and Operations Command, where the current high bidder will be listed, as well as the price, as well as a map of the area and the location of the items being sold. You will never have to talk to any of the other people at the auction, except maybe the sales representative.

Also, payment is irrelelvant -- if we receive the decided-upon value, we don't care how it is received.

If you are still interested, we will arrange for an early flight to the secure military airport within Sophia Citadel itself, rather than the commercial and government airports that most will be landing on. From there, we will give you your 'new identities' as members of the Knights of Luther private militia.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
Director of the Auction
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

Sophia Citadel
Overseer's Office

The current overseer of the Sophia Citadel was on a two-week vacation with his wife and children for the duration of the auction, so Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov moved in, being Quartermaster General, and in charge of the smooth running of the auction.

Also present in the Office was Lord General Kruchina Drakonov, Overseer of the National Military Command Centre, Field Marshal Darii Shchitkovetsovich Razladanov, Commander of the Second Corps of the Dersconi Imperial Army, as well as General Aleksandr Oznobishinov, the commander of the Third Division Schutzstaffel, the SS division present at the auction site and responsible for security. They were all not only colleagues, but good friends.

Security, naturally, was paramount for an event such as this, especially considering some of the customers coming, as well as the merchandise being auctioned off. While the Dersconi government likely wouldn't care if every single one of the crates of small arms was stolen, several hundred thousand nuclear weapons, ICCM missiles, chemical and biological weapons, weapons satellites, et al, all provide for things that require excessive security.

Most of the SS soldiers were in full uniform, weapons out, patrolling the auction area (it was open-air, after all), but there were hundreds of sniper teams hidden amongst the buildings and towers, in case something went wrong. Several Fast Response teams, as well as General Karaka Rakhamov's Shock Troopers, were also on-site in the Citadel. Derscon takes security seriously.

At this point, various convoys of SUVs etc were being sent to the airports to pick up the delegates arriving and bring them to the Citadel for a bit of an introduction session -- describing the layout of the site, giving a brief on the security, telling them all that we don't care what you do with the weapons we just don't want them any more, and of course, as is Dersconi tradition, alcohol and food is being served. A lot.

"You know," Zventlyeni said after sipping his glass of Napoleon Premier. "There are a lot of governments coming to the auction. I hope they're not too disappointed." Kruchina shrugged.

"True, this is more for the militias not the governments, but really, weapons satellites and weapons of mass destruction? Assassination tools? We have plenty a regular government would want." Darii nodded.

"Indeed. I believe a few militias are coming as well, so there shouldn't be a problem there. General Orlean is also coming." Zventlyeni nodded.

"Yeah, I noticed. I like the guy, and all, but I just hope he doesn't act up too much around the customers. If he starts randomly beating people, we'll lose business." Darii shrugged.

"He's arrogant, but he's not stupid." Zventlyeni sighed.

"Well, true. I guess it's a waiting game, now, until everyone arrives."

OOC: Oh, come on now, no one has militias anymore? :p

Also, one note: Just because the auction begins, doesn't mean you can't still show up. You can show up until the auction closes. This is more than just me getting rid of crap, it's a bit of a character RP, too. Feel free to interact with others upon arrival and throughout the auction. :)

To: Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
From: Sektan Keth
Reguarding: Your Little Auction

Message:

I represent a certain interested group in need of a variety of items, anything from small arms and explosives to a nuclear device. As you'll be providing security I see no need for any additional protective services on the part of the group I represent, and other than my knife, I will arrive for the most part unequipped. My only question is reguarding if items will be avaliable for direct purchase as well as bidding. As I have previously stated, my organization is in need of armaments and is already willing to pay good money for such items provided we can begin transporting them immediately. I also refuse to waste my own valuable time bidding on a single lot of assault rifles and the like.

I eagerly await your response.

Sincerly,

Sektan Keth

OOC: I was hoping for a nice character RP anyway.

The Calizorinstanian reps arrived at the place where they were going to be picked up, they were, John Redren, Harry Adams, Jenny Preston, Harrison Dumont, and Tommy Arnold were waiting to be picked up..

John said to Harrison "What do you reckon is there of intrest Harry?", Harrison shrugged and said "We have to bid on something, we have to acquire more things for the Calizorinstanian Armed Forces..",

Jenny piped up "Boys always wanting more, tisk tisk, I say we buy what Calizorinstan truly needs..". John said loudly to Jenny "Pardon me mam, but buying more and more things is what Calizorinstan truly needs, we need to be a nation of substance..", Tommy said "Jenny's right John, we shouldn't waste ocan's so badly here, after all it is an auction.." John rolled his eyes and said "Alright Jenny have it your way then.."

Jenny beamed and said "You're a sensible man John, it's a good thing I am your girlfriend to keep that part in check.." Harry, Harrison, and Tommy sniggered and then fell silent, trying to play the part of serious repersenitves going to a military surplus auction..

To: Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
From: Sektan Keth
Reguarding: Your Little Auction

Message:

I represent a certain interested group in need of a variety of items, anything from small arms and explosives to a nuclear device. As you'll be providing security I see no need for any additional protective services on the part of the group I represent, and other than my knife, I will arrive for the most part unequipped. My only question is regarding if items will be available for direct purchase as well as bidding. As I have previously stated, my organization is in need of armaments and is already willing to pay good money for such items provided we can begin transporting them immediately. I also refuse to waste my own valuable time bidding on a single lot of assault rifles and the like.

I eagerly await your response.

Sincerly,

Sektan Keth

OOC: I was hoping for a nice character RP anyway.

OOC: Hopefully this one won't die. XD

Sektan Keth,

Due to the immensely large amount of surplus we have of what you seem to be interested in, direct purchase could be arranged in person.

Also, you may misunderstand the layout of the auction. You will not need to sit through bidding of small-arms stock. Due to the nature of the auction, you may travel where-ever you please on the auction grounds and bid on what you like, and not waste your time on what you don't.

Also, food and drink will be always available in the Headquarters.

I hope that answered your question.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

Response:

Indeed, that it did. I will arrive via private jet, alone as aforementioned. I hope we can be lucrative business partners in the future.

-Sektan Keth

His arrangements made, Sektan gently closed his laptop until the locks clicked into place. Truth be told, he was already on the Island of Hope, sitting on the auction grounds beneath an tent-top reserved for VIP guests. The Argonian Insurgency had some excellent contacts, as did he. Keth wasn't just a suit, a go-between for the Insurgency and arms dealers, he was in fact a field operative, a specialist with the M79 grenade launcher. This was just one more vacation he'd gone on, with a little business thrown in to make it less of a waste of time. The Dark Argonian, all six-feet-four inches and two-hundred-thirty pounds of him, leaned back in his chair and sipped at the glass of bourbon in front of him. The suit he was wearing was a clean white, accenting his charcoal-gray scales nicely. The crimson tie, however, set him apart from the rest, made him visible and made him stick in the minds of those he dealt with, besides the fact that he was a tall lizard-man in a nice suit. His Mercworx Equitorian rode comfortably at the small of his back, a transition from under his right arm, but he didn't have the Tarus Raging Bull .44 magnum to balance out the weight this time, so the small-of-the-back was more practical.

He'd wait a little bit before checking in. Sektan had already scouted the auction, made note of locations of interesting items, and made a few silent bids on a few things. This would be a nice diversion indeed...

Lord Francis Carmel's plane touched down at the designated airport. Followed by three aides, he exited his plane, and went to the appropriate area.
---
General Orlean, on the other hand, landed in Sophia Citadel's private airport. He alone had gotten the invite, as he worked for the Dersconi Tsar, in his guise as Emperor of Greater Prussia. After he landed, he ignored a Dersconi aide who appeared, who was trying to tell him something about where to go. Following him were two other officers, and then, two by two, ten Imperial Guardsmen. The senior officer saluted him, he gave a quick salute back, and departed with the aide. The guardsmen secured the plane, and unloaded three military jeeps, marked with the words Imperial Guard, Soli Deo Gloria Division, and bearing small Prussian flags. Mounted with weapons, they could quickly clear a small crowd of people.

Orlean followed the aide to the Overseer's office. He entered, "Gentlemen, it is good to see you again."

Sektan slowly placed the laptop back into its leather carrying case before tucking it under his chair, wrapping the loop of the case around his foot, clad in a highly-polished tactical boot concealed by the cuffs of his pants. He'd debated carrying his new Wilson ADP with him, but firearms drew so much more attention than knives. More guests were arriving, someone in a convoy of military jeep-like vehicles...

'One of the more important guests it seems. Odd, I thought this would be a gathering of terrorists and revolutionaries, why would a national military need such surplus gear?'

The sight puzzled him a bit, but not to a degree that he needed to find answers. He'd observe if he got the chance, but judging by the amount of firepower they'd already brought along they didn't really need anything short of the nukes and chem weapons on sale here...

To: Zheleztsolupp Kabanov, Imperial Marshal Sir Arthur Wellesley, Reichsmarshal Reinhard Helmer
From: Head Hawk Col.Lt. Richard
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Military Surplus Auction

No need to put us on a rpivate flight that will bring attention to us. Put us on a regular flight. Nothing else will be needed now, besides your false identities. Thank you.

Zventlyeni looked up when Orlean came into the office and smiled, motioning for him to take a seat, a drink already out.

"Welcome to my current abode, Orlean. Please, sit, make yourself comfortable." Kruchina, Darii, and Aleksandr all nodded greetings to Orlean as he sat down.

"We were just discussing security," Marshal Darii said, filling Orlean in. "It seems that everything is under control, and we won't be needing too many Imperial Guard troops patrolling, since the SS has that covered," he commented, referring to Orlean's...'heavy-handed' tactics, and how the four Dersconi did not want them to happen, as they would scare away some of the more sensitive customers.

"But, anyways," Lord General Kruchina said, picking up the conversation before it could degrade into an awkward silence. "I believe the final map and the list of materials has been posted in the main lobby. I hope people start showing up for the quick briefing."

Orlean accepted the drink, dispelling quickly the thought that it may be poisoned. Although he knew it was not, he amused himself with the thought, I would be shot if I poured a freshm glass. More likely to be killed that way.

He took a sip from the glass, eyeing Darii as he spoke. When he had finished, he simply swirled the drink, and took another drink. He simply stated, "Well, Marshal Razladanov," he mocked his title, in a friendly manner, "Sometimes alternative tactics are needed to maintain order." He took a drink, and continued, "I do not intend to aid in securing your wapons anyway," he laughed, "They are for my own protection. Unless of course I see something within the realm of the responsibilites that I have been charged with. I doubt that will occur, however."

He laughed again, as he added, "Although those alternative methods are not alternatives with me!" Thinking for a moment, "Although you know about alternative tactics don't you, Darii? You still don't slaughter women and children, and burn entire villages, do you, Darii?"

The Allaneans began to float in, and there was a truly massive amount of them. There were multiple representatives of major private organizations – the Sisters of Liberty wanted another aircraft carrier, the Allanean Record Industry Assosication was looking for a bomber, and Allanean Arms send a person in a strange pink suit to inqure about atomic warheads. The army, too, sent people, inquiring for Hammer missiles like the ones used in the Doomani War.

More interestingly, a representative of DREAD also arrived. He wore a peculiar T-shirt with a faded slogan – apparently he supported Goldwasser in the last election – and was inclined to ask about discarded prototypes, if any existed.

Official Statement from the Free Havenic Republic of Kahanistan
Ministry of Defence

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/kahanistan.jpg

The Government of Kahanistan wishes to send someone to discuss the transfer of a large quantity of arms to Kahanistan for the purpose of arming our Civil Internal Defence Groups and resisting attacks on our cities.

Signed,
General Abdullah Hassan al-Ghazi,
Supreme General of the Republic

Griffincrest plans on sending representatives to attend this auction. We need to overhaul our air force, and would like to see what you may have to offer.

Griffincrest,

You are welcome to attend the auction. Feel free to land at any time.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon

________________________________________________

General Abdullah Hassan al-Ghazi,

You are welcome to attend the auction. You may arrive at any time. I will warn you, that some of the small arms may not be of military quality as expected by the armed forces of today's nations -- after all, they are all old weapons that have been phased out. However, they are not necessarily junk by any means, and get the job done effectively.

--Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov
Quartermaster General of the Imperial Dersconi Armed Forces
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon


OOC: Actual auction stuff later tonight.

General al-Ghazi himself would not attend the auction; he was planning to send a group of representatives to do that job. The CIDG was a sort of decentralised national militia (its highest level of organisation was at the battalion level, so it couldn't conduct large-scale operations), whose armaments tended to consist of stuff that the military and reserves had phased out.

The plane carrying four battalion commanders from different cities would arrive shortly in Derscon. The reason for using commanders from different areas was to ensure that the arms were not too suited for one particular field of operations at the expense of others.

The Dark Argonian rose to his feet from his chair, throwing the laptop over his shoulder and beginning to walk. First he'd browse the small arms, the cheap stuff. He wasn't picky, the Insurgency just wanted stuff that could throw bullets to a reasonable degree of accuracy and would work every time, if maintained properly.

Bolt and pump actions had been the most popular so far, the close confines of the Marsh adding to the usefulness of a pump-action shotgun, as well as the small degree of training needed to operate it effectively. Handguns were a must, too. He'd be needing some cheaper models, but again reasonably accurate and reliable. T33 Tokarevs and some old German and Chinese hardware were the most widely distributed, but Sektan was seeking something a little more upscale for his own troops. Glocks were popular among their enemies, as were several models of 1911's. They'd 'aquired' a few of each from past conflicts, as well as some of the nicer government hardware.

Sektan's biggest objective, however, was to aquire a nuclear weapon of some kind, to give them some bargining power with the government in ending their little war...

Once most arrived, all present were gathered in the main auditorium at the castle in Sophia Citadel.

At the front, Anzus General Zventlyeni Korbanov stepped up to the podium.

"Thank you all for coming to this, you are all doing Derscon a great service by allowing it to save billions of dollars in upkeep costs," he said, smirking, before continuing on. On the screen behind him, a map of the auction area in Sophia Citadel was displayed, with markings where items were being sold.

"You will all be provided with a holomap when you leave the presentation," he said, holding up a small wristband, and pressing a button on it, causing a hologram to display the map. He pressed the button again and the hologram shut off, and continued with the presentation.

"For those of you with weapons, or guards, I will ask you to please not carry them in a threatening manner, or, if possible, keep them concealed. I'm sure you all understand where I am coming from. Due to the sensitive nature of the materials involved, as well as some customers, it is a bit of a security issue. If you feel you are being threatened, or, you are lost, you may simply approach one of the patrolling SS soldiers for protection, or for directions, and they will be happy to help. There are plenty of SS soldiers on patrol, and SS stations located throughout the auction grounds.

"And now, the materials we are selling." The screen behind him changed to display a massive list of all of what was being classified as 'small arms' being sold.

"As you'll see on this list, they're not quite what you'd expect of a modern-day armed forces, trying to be the best of the best. They are perfectly suitable, however, for militias of all kinds, as well as some national police forces." Items listed consisted of things like the XM8, Barrett E99 .50BMG rifles, a few Dersconi-made AC37 20mm anti-material rifles, even scores of modified Soviet Dragunovs, simply manufactured with modern parts. A few boxes of other old weapons, MP7s, MP5 variants, and UMP-45s, were also present. So, overall, the small-arms stuff was mostly small-scale militia worthy only, all of the weapons being phased out of service some time ago. Also present was a selection of M2 Browning .50 machine guns. It was, perhaps, the oldest weapon being sold, and, in fact, they were still in use with the SS and some factions of the Dersconi Military, simply because of it's sheer power. Also present on the list, though, was the L-4237 Heat Seeking Rocket Launcher, capable of firing two rockets in rapid succession. Not entirely the most practical of things, but it sure was a great toy for birthday parties.

The next screen that flashed up was armoured vehicles. All of them were old M1A2 Abrams tanks. However, Derscon had over three million of them in store, and desperately wanted to get rid of them.

The next screen displayed bladed weaponry, which was a Dersconi speciality. Combat and survival knives of all kinds, shurikens, swords for modern combat (Dersconi special forces units carry a type of blade taken from the design of a katana, but slightly modified in materials and in size for more appropriate useage), swords for other purposes, throwing knives, machetes, and bayonets.

The following screen contained weapons of mass destruction that were being gotten rid of due to overstock. Almost every single chemical and biological weapon you can think of, as well as 20 megaton nuclear warheads, plus smaller ones for tactical and small-scale strategic usage. Also for auction was one 100 megaton nuclear warhead. It really didn't serve a practical purpose, but Dersconi scientists and engineers made it really just for kicks and giggles.

The next slide showed what was simply classified as "big stuff." On auction was one of the original Arkhangel-class duel-flight-deck carriers, the HMS Raphael, a weapons satellite with a 20-rod capacity (fully loaded), as well as several Hammer-II Long Range Cruise Missiles. Also present on the list were several F-35 JSF, F-22 Raptors, and several B-2 stealth bombers, and B-52 II stratofortresses (upgraded and refitted to be more adaptable to modern warfare by the Dersconi Military, before they were phased out for the Loki class bombers).

The final slide was the accessories. Things like silencers, poison dart guns, non-lethal weaponry, laser sights, scopes, equipment belts, night-vision goggles, flares, and

"There is a list of materials in the main lobby, and the map will show you where all of the materials are on display and being sold. Granted, not all of the materials are on display -- things like the nuclear weapons and what-not -- but most are. Now, you are free to go. Don't forget to pick up the map on your way out. If you have any questions about items being sold, how much you get, and what comes with them, ask the attendant at the stands."

The doors were opened and those present at the auction were shown out of the auditorium and into the main lobby, and from there, were left to either stay in the lobby, where drinks and food were being served, or head outside to the auction grounds.

Orlean accepted the drink, dispelling quickly the thought that it may be poisoned. Although he knew it was not, he amused himself with the thought, I would be shot if I poured a freshm glass. More likely to be killed that way.

He took a sip from the glass, eyeing Darii as he spoke. When he had finished, he simply swirled the drink, and took another drink. He simply stated, "Well, Marshal Razladanov," he mocked his title, in a friendly manner, "Sometimes alternative tactics are needed to maintain order." He took a drink, and continued, "I do not intend to aid in securing your wapons anyway," he laughed, "They are for my own protection. Unless of course I see something within the realm of the responsibilites that I have been charged with. I doubt that will occur, however."

He laughed again, as he added, "Although those alternative methods are not alternatives with me!" Thinking for a moment, "Although you know about alternative tactics don't you, Darii? You still don't slaughter women and children, and burn entire villages, do you, Darii?"

Darii drew a sharp breath when Orlean mentioned that. No, don't give him what he wants, he thought to himself, trying to keep himself calm, as the other three Dersconi glanced at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Orlean, that was far in the past. It would be good form of you not to bring such things up again."

One of the Kahanistanian commanders eyed some night-vision goggles. Just the thing for putting together some sniper teams... let's see, we could use maybe 10,000 of them.

The man walked down with the aid of his cane, having lost a foot. The military might be interested in that godrod satellite, he didn't know if they had any. It was certainly not in the interest of the CIDG, which merely wanted to defend their cities from invaders and occupiers, freeing the military to fight in the fields.

Meanwhile, another commander, an older woman, eyed the rocket launchers. A tandem-charge rocket could detonate enemy ERA while a second blast hit through the armour. This certainly seemed like it would be useful if the Questarians sent tanks into the cities. Of course, if they got into Metzuda... they would be screwed - it was the most fortified city in the nation.

Sektan was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. He'd been expecting AK-47's, cheap bolt action Lee Enfield .303's, and the like. He'd been rewarded, however, with a much better selection of high-speed Heckler and Koch items at reasonable cost. He was impressed, to say the least.

Roaming about, he selected one of the MP7's, clacking the stock outwards and rocking the foregrip downward so he could stare down the barrel through the iron sights. He'd used these things before, they were compact enough to be used like pistols, but had the firepower of a submachinegun. The 4.8x30mm round penetrated extremely well, too. Soft body armor would be no match for it, making it easier to combat the armored government troops.

The weapon went through the readying procedure again, in reverse order, before it was replaced on the table again...

"Excellent. I'll take twenty of these, with a Trijicon Reflex combat optic and six magazines for each, as well as associated ammunition, to the tune of about one thousand rounds per weapon..."

The Dark Argonian continued his browsing, next hefting one of the updated Dragonovs, crafted from machined steel and kevlar-composite instead of plywood and sheet metal. The scope was still Russian mil-dot, which his troops could work with. They were still chambered for the hard-hitting 7.62x54mm Rimmed round, which was more than capable of killing at distances exceeding a mile...

"Ten of these things, with about five-hundred rounds per rifle..."

He'd tweak the weapons himself, smoothing out the trigger-pull and zeroing each before issuing them out. The XM8 was his next pick, but he couldn't afford the price tag for the number he needed, so he put it back down...

"Bump the total number of MP7's to forty, same with the extras. Also throw in two of those beautiful Barrett's. Five hundred rounds per rifle, I want the API rounds, not the ball ammo..."

His large-weapon buying competed for the most part, Sektan had a question for the quartermaster standing behind the auction table...

"You wouldn't have any handguns in inventory, would you? Small submachineguns are also acceptable, Skorpions, TMP's, and the like. I'm also in need of some explosives, both direct-fire and indirect in deployment..."

Those smaller items would be useful for operations in the cities of their enemies, easily concealed and deadly at the ranges he expected to use them at. It was easier than stuffing an assault rifle or full-sized sub-gun in the trunk of a vehicle and not being seen, not to mention the fact that you were unable to carry it concealed and ready to use...