NationStates Jolt Archive

As you turn your TV to INN, you hear a young Azurbajani woman speaking.

"This is the International News Network, evening edition. The top story tonight is that of The Azurbajani National and Social Advancement Party. The party and its leader, Hassad Mohammad Al-Quadir, has come under fire after the Carthage Chronicle published an extremely racist prepared statement written by Al-Quadr.

Moments after the statement was released, Sultan Hannibal IV ordered the arrests of every member of the party. So far, only a small number are in custody. The rest are rumored to have fled the country. Due to the racial and religious prejudice depicted in the document, we advise you to have all small children leave the room."

The screen changes to a blue background with white lettered text as the reporter's voice narrates:

"My fellow Azurbajani citizens, there is a great and terrible evil that is threatening to destroy our culture, country, and way of life. This evil can be found everywhere, from your local corner grocer to the very ruling party of this great nation, including our so called 'great and noble' Sultan. These people pose as our friends, our fellow countrymen, our wives and husbands, and our leaders. Many times I have asked myself 'just what is it that is wrong with this country?' I know many others have asked this question as well, and at long last I have found an answer.

Our country is being robbed blind of our money and morality, and the enemies that seek to destroy us are the Sunni Islamic groups, the Jews, the Kurds, and the white men within our borders. All of these people have conspired to destroy us from the foundation up. These are troubled and scary times. Our army is recovering from the ravages of a fifteen year civil war. The economy is being constantly revolutionized, causing strain on the common man. Our Sunni Sultan sits in his palace surrounded by Jews, all of whom carry out his bidding while practicing their strange religion.

What can we do to stop this crisis? The time has come for revolution. Hannibal IV and his royal family have done nothing since their regime began fifteen years ago except force our once great nation into a spiraling quagmire of unemployment, progress toward nothing, bankruptcy, and corruption. The entire Sultanate needs to pay for these crimes, and the time has come to take action. We must take up arms and destroy this evil before it serves to corrupt us further. Any patriot would agree that the Sultan deserves nothing more than death. Hannibal, your rule is at an end."

The young reporter appears again on the screen, sitting behind a desk.

"The Sultan has not yet released a statement in response, however security has been tightened around the Imperial Palace in Carthage. The Ministry of Defense has declared any supporters of the Azurbajani National and Social Advancement Party enemies of the state, and warns that any open support of this party is in itself a warrant for arrest. We will continue to provide updates on the situation as we recieve them. For now, good evening."

The camera pans away from the news desk as the screen darkens.

INN Latest on the crisis in the capital

An older Azurbajani gentleman with a clean shaven face and neatly combed hair appears on screen. As he looks toward the camera, he begins to speak.

"Moments ago, a group of militants estimated to be in the hundreds rallied in front of the Imperial palace. They were armed with automatic weapons and tear gas grenades, and carried with them flags with black crosses. Palace security and military forces quickly surrounded the group and opened fire with assault rifles. Three car bombs exploded, killing 17 Azurbajani soldiers and wounding over 50. Hassad Mohammad Al-Quadir has reappeared in the capital, and is personally commanding his rebel army. Right now the palace is still under attack, and National Guard and Reserve army units are moving into the capital to suppress the coup."

Meanwhile, in a factory warehouse, Hassad Mohammad Al-Quadir worked to assemble his rebels in a "Tet Offensive" style attack. He had operatives in five major cities, each capable of operating without central leadership. The five senior party members, which formed Al-Quadir's high command, met to discuss the plans for the revolt. Al-Quadir himself was preparing to lead his fighters into battle in the capital.

"Once we have the palace, we have the government. Parliament is completely controlled by the Sultanate. As soon as Hannibal is killed, we can seize power easily. The only problem is the military. No one knows how they will react to the Sultan's death." said Al-Quadir as he addressed his commanders.

"The Sultan is the supreme commander of the armed forces. His death would send them into disarray. This can be advantageous, especially if we act fast." said Hussein Al-Assad, one of the five commanders. "Without Hannibal, the snake has no head."

The conference continued as so-called Freedom Fighters around the country armed themselves for the offensive.

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Sultan Hannibal IV sat in his throne atop his palace. He listened with little interest as his advisers filled him in on the current state of emergency.

"Send in more soldiers. If that fails, start tracking down their leaders and arresting them. If that simple task proves to be too much for you, perhaps you should flee the country." Said the Sultan to the chief of his Secret Police.

The situation outside the palace grew far more intense. The masses were in uproar, and riots broke out throughout the capital. Azurbajani soldiers arrived in truckloads, each armed to kill. It would be a bloody day in Carthage.