NationStates Jolt Archive

(Forgot to include the Open tag.)

"Good evening. It was today announced that New Isthmus city, population two hundred thousand would be undergoing a period of quarantine due to a disease that, and this is direct from the announcement folks, 'strips away rational thought and pain perception, and instills a hunger for uninfected flesh in the victim'. Critics have decried this as draconian nonsense and a pointless quarantine.

One citizen we spoke to before the last lines out of the city was cut communicated to us that there was no disease, but it is unlikely that the government would lie regarding such a large scale eve-kzzztch."

The screen cuts to a masked man on a shaky camera.

"The official line is a lie. There is no plague here, no disease. The government is cracking down on political dissidents and rebels. They're killing anyone with any kind of record."

The camera moves over to a boarded window, and rests in the corner, just poking through a gap between boards. The image is more than a little disturbing- A large pile of smouldering corpses lies in the street next to an APC and a small group of soldiers dressed in black. An Asian man in nothing but his dressing gown is shoved through the doorway of a nearby building into the light, and it becomes apparent he has been badly beaten. His skin is a patchwork of bruises, and his nose is broken, blood pouring down his face.

They ask his name, his occupation, and his civilian registration number. One of the soldiers radioes it in as it is reported, and then nods to the man who hauled him out. A strong, gloved hand grabs the civilian's hair and forces him to his knees, where the officer can press his pistol to the back of his head.

He pulls the trigger, the man slumping as the report sounds. Together, they hurl him onto the pile and hose it down with a flamethrower.

The camera moves back to the masked man. "Send help."

The Owl Office was dead silent as the ruling Executive Council sat and watched the somewhat disturbing footage. Such brutality to one's own people was unfortunately not unheard of in Psi Upsilon, who had just rebelled from a cruel tyrant less then a decade ago. So as most such nations, Psi U took human rights violations ultra seriously.

Archon Robert Bernard turned off the TV and turned the lights back on. He looked at the people gathered around the table and opened his mouth to speak but one word. "Options?" the ruler of Psi Upsilon demanded of his Executive Council and advisers. The single word, spoken harshly, spoke volumes about the thoughts and feelings that filled his head.

The 2nd High Angelos, what would be known in other nations as the Foreign Minister, of course was the first to speak. "Well there is the diplomatic angle. Hit them with popular opinion first I think." Archon Bernard was shaking his head before his underling even finished speaking. "We will do that of course, but it's not enough."

Next he turned to the Polemarch, who was the same as the JCS in the USA. "I want a military option. What can we spare?" he asked almost desperately. Military intervention was of course only for the last resort, but the footage was graphic enough to warrant it. "Never mind. I know who I want over there. I want you to free up the first Batt. of the Garnet Guard. That should show how strongly we feel. There was a gasp around the room as he announced that. The Garnet Guard was the elite of the military of Psi Upsilon. They should be after all, being as they guarded the EC and Forum.

Robert stood and turned back to the 2nd High Angelos. "I want a message sent to XC-42 telling them to call me as soon as possible. I won't let this stand." He then turned to the Polemarch again. "Mobilize the Garnet Guard and get them over there. Now if you don't mind, I need to deal with the Forum." And with that Archon Bernard exited the room.

Ker-BUMP.

tag for interest

Political Dissidents Killed in Colony XC-42
Deaths Are “Atrocious”, DuPont


SAN IGNACIO, Genovia- Genovian Minister of External Relations, Pierre DuPont, Pacifist Party (PP), had a press conference where he displayed a film recently procured by the Prince’s Guard, Genovia’s main intelligence agency. This film shows the extrajudicial killing of a citizen of Colony XC-42 by military forces and the later disposal of his body. DuPont commented that,

“As a civilized nation, it is our duty to condemn these atrocious murders.”

However, he did not target the Colonial government, saying that more information is needed to figure out who is exactly to blame. DuPont pointed out that military action is “completely out of the question at the current time”, although he said that “we are taking a wait-and-see outlook at the present time and will take all information into consideration and apply new actions as we see fit.”

He said that he wished to extend the offer to the Colony XC-42 government to allow several high-ranking members of the Genovian National Council and journalists to enter New Isthmus City on a fact-finding mission, to see what the current situation is exactly.

"Good evening. I am Ra'shodam and this is the Evening Report. Events have intensified in New Isthmus city, with foreign condemnation of the percieved atrocities there. The government is maintaining that no atrocities have taken place, but today made a press release refusing the entrance of a Genovian party to the city, due to fears of 'zombification', a reasonable concern after the Eleventh Quarter Resurgence which claimed over five hundred lives two years ago."

The camera cuts to footage from the city once again, this time showing civilians and the military engaged in a running battle, Ra'shodam continuing his voice over.

"Reports of fighting have come from New Isthmus city, and it is believed that anti-government rebels and their sympathizers are congegrating on the area and utilizing it an excuse to engage in combat. Six soldiers have been confirmed dead in the current violence."

Good evening. It was today announced that New Isthmus city, population two hundred thousand would be undergoing a period of quarantine due to a disease that, and this is direct from the announcement folks, 'strips away rational thought and pain perception, and instills a hunger for uninfected flesh in the victim

The soldier watching the newscast turned pale, "Oh holy SHIT!"

He hit a red button at his station and a message was sent immediately to the director of Outbreak Control and Containment: Commander Michael Hawkins. There was no hesitation as the Commander, only about 30, got on the phone and ordered a Dominion Intelligence satellite brought over the area and notified the Quarantine and Containment Squad to saddle up. He finally got on the phone and opened a line to the Dominion Intelligence Ministry's Central HQ.

"Yes Minister, it looks to be an outbreak. Yes Ma'm, we've got Squad Beta on alert. Yes, I'm aware that the outbreak in Shenyang is taxing all of our resources and I do know the potential risk of taking them off our border, but this is a fairly new nation whose military may not be-Hold on, there's more information," he activated the videophone, angling the camera toward the monitor.

"The official line is a lie. There is no plague here, no disease. The government is cracking down on political dissidents and rebels. They're killing anyone with any kind of record."

The camera moves over to a boarded window, and rests in the corner, just poking through a gap between boards. The image is more than a little disturbing- A large pile of smouldering corpses lies in the street next to an APC and a small group of soldiers dressed in black. An Asian man in nothing but his dressing gown is shoved through the doorway of a nearby building into the light, and it becomes apparent he has been badly beaten. His skin is a patchwork of bruises, and his nose is broken, blood pouring down his face.

They ask his name, his occupation, and his civilian registration number. One of the soldiers radioes it in as it is reported, and then nods to the man who hauled him out. A strong, gloved hand grabs the civilian's hair and forces him to his knees, where the officer can press his pistol to the back of his head.

He pulls the trigger, the man slumping as the report sounds. Together, they hurl him onto the pile and hose it down with a flamethrower.

"Well, the Intelligence Minister responded, "That's all the proof I need. Request denied, Commander."

"Ma'm, that pirate transmission could have been anything. That country could be experiencing their own Class 3-"

"Request DENIED, Commander," her expression changed from irritation to a light smile, showing a very attractive face. She too was young for her office, a sight common since the outbreak in the Capital a few years ago, "But, Mick, I'll let you keep the satellite over the area. I know your just doing your job. If there is anything to this, let me know over dinner this evening."

"Alissa, if this is legitmate, you'll know a lot sooner. But," he raised an eyebrow, "if the pirate transmission is correct, what course of action can we take?"

"You know UDD (United Defense Directorate) doctrine Mick, we do nothing unless it concerns our alliance. An outbreak counts, executing dissidents doesn't," her expression softened again, "And God I hate that doctrine but it's what keeps us from being dragged into countless brushfire wars. Keep me informed."

The screen went black and the Commander sighed as he pulled out a small steel flask. Popping the cap and taking a long swig, he was just calming down when an aid came in.

"Sir, whenever your ready the live feed's coming in."

"Alright, I'm coming," he put the flask away, put on his cap, and followed the aid to the crisis monitoring room. Until it could be established that there was no outbreak, Section 13 had the satellite and the jurisdiction.