NationStates Issues **SPOILER ALERT**

[Serica-]

#1386

MADNESS
The Spy Who Tricked Me

Issue Series
“MADness”

The Story So Far

Your secret agent has been sent to infiltrate the enemy’s missile storage sites.

The Issue

The nation’s top government officials have been anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of James Bont’s secret mission. As you are gathered around a table with your advisors to discuss the situation, Intelligence Minister N suddenly motions for silence and removes a buzzing phone from a nearby briefcase. “That’s Bont’s emergency contact number. I’m putting it on speakerphone.” N places the phone in the middle of the table. “Hello, @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ swine! This is Chairman Joseph Rushev of East Lebatuck. You were expecting to hear from Mr. Bont, I presume? We caught your spy snooping around one of our military bases in San Vitenzo, claiming to have been sent by me! What kind of fools do you take us for? I think it’s time that we taught you a lesson. Perhaps if I sent you Mr. Bont’s severed head in a box, you would finally get the message that East Lebatuck does not tolerate espionage or foreign meddling!” You hear a click, and the line goes dead.

The Debate

1. “What the hell was that?” Defense Minister Mack Rimera takes a long swig from his flask before continuing. “Well, I hate to say ‘I told you so,’ but I knew from the beginning that this spy nonsense wasn’t going to work. Swift and decisive military action directed at those bases is our only remaining option. We need to prepare for a full invasion — land, sea, and air!”

2. “Do you always let your... pistol do your thinking for you?” replies Maureen Dusk, whose guitar is uncharacteristically silent. “What if we were to offer a prisoner swap? We still have that East Lebatuckese spy that we captured a while back — and we already got all of the information we needed out of him. Let’s offer to trade him for our agent. If we act fast enough, they might not be able to extract any classified secrets — or his head.”

3. Before anyone else can speak, your rarely seen Minister of Mass Destruction, Dr. Helix Fenniker, climbs down a rope ladder that has just descended from the ceiling. “I couldn’t help overhearing that we have a belligerent enemy and a captured agent. Allow me to introduce ‘ICE-X’ — my lab’s solution to both of those problems. This breakthrough bio-weapon destroys cell walls via a rapid crystallization process. Deployment is easy — we’ve already loaded the canisters into some modified cruise missiles. Our warships can fire them at the enemy bases with impunity! Of course, any ‘innocent’ civilians or animals that are exposed to the residue will experience catastrophic organ failure. But look on the bright side! Most of the enemy troops will be eliminated. Furthermore, I’m sure Bont will escape in time like he always does — and if he doesn’t make it, he won’t be able to divulge any secrets!”

Issue by The Holy Empire of Pogaria

Edited by Pogaria

[Jutsa]

Woah... fascinating. So #1985 and #1986 are actually both very different and yet... have some parallels.

I'm curious if this situation is replicated in the socialist variant.

[Valentine Z]

My personal fascination is with the issues having the same title. Like Skycrash, for example. One has your nation being bombarded by San Vitenzo, while the other is YOU sending the missiles!

[Jutsa]

The chain definitely bends some of the norms in very nice ways, yeah.

[Serica-]

#1387

MADNESS
The @@DEMONYM@@ with the Golden Gun

Issue Series
“MADness”

The Story So Far

Your government offered to trade prisoners with East Lebatuck.

The Issue

Good news, everyone! East Lebatuck has accepted your offer for a prisoner swap — on the condition that you deliver their agent to the meeting place in person, alone and unarmed.

The Debate

1. You have arrived at the agreed-upon location, a bridge that spans the border between Smalltopia and East Lebatuck. Their spy, who is still wearing handcuffs and a @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ prison uniform, dutifully shuffles alongside you as you exit your car. The night air seems colder than usual for this time of year. After a few minutes, an armored personnel carrier drives over from the other side of the bridge, with lackeys in suits running alongside the vehicle. A phalanx of bodyguards armed with automatic rifles jump out of the vehicle and point their weapons at you as East Lebatuck Chairman Joseph Rushev steps out of the back. He pulls a hooded, disheveled figure out of the vehicle, who slumps to the ground, unconscious. Your own prisoner starts walking toward his people. “Come here, Comrade Adel. The imperialists can’t hurt you anymore,” smirks Rushev, who turns to face you. “So, I must ask... how stupid are you? Now I get to swap a useless prisoner for the leader of @@NAME@@! How much money do you think your government is willing to pay to get you back?” Without warning, the guard furthest to the right suddenly pivots and unleashes a barrage of bullets into the other guards, who are cut down before they realize what is happening. The rogue shooter removes his helmet, revealing the handsome face of James Bont. Rushev yanks the hood from the unconscious prisoner at his feet and yelps upon recognizing his own bodyguard. Your secret agent runs over to your position, keeping his rifle pointed at Chairman Rushev, and pulls out a phone. After dialing a number, he listens intently for a moment before a loud burst of static disrupts the silence. “Looks like your plans are shot, comrade!” announces Bont, mockingly. “I’ve just detonated all of the hidden explosives that I planted on your missiles on San Vitenzo. Consider yourself impotent! I suggest you head on home, or the next bullet that comes out of this gun is going to get a little Red.” Bont turns toward you as Chairman Rushev jumps back into his vehicle and slinks away towards the other side of the bridge. “Let’s go home, shall we?”

Issue by The Holy Empire of Pogaria

Edited by Pogaria

[Fauxia]

Are people checking for internal issue numbering? There seems to be a mixture and it's confusing to try and figure out.

My nations are slowly getting the chain and I'm trying to pick the options that haven't been picked yet, but due to a variety of different styles I'm not entirely sure which options are which.

I don't mean to sound mad or angry, it's all fun. But I'm trying to discover the new stuff

I'm sure Trott is several miles ahead of me, lol.

[Fauxia]

The first name of option 3 on issue 1391 is random.

[Valentine Z]

Alanis Star, chose Option 3 for Issue 1396 (Skycrash).

"Tourists ask to stay in the same pleasant accommodations where foreign prisoners are kept."

So... let's wait for the next one! ^^

[Valentine Z]

Alanis Star, chose Option 3 for Issue 1396 (Skycrash).

"Tourists ask to stay in the same pleasant accommodations where foreign prisoners are kept."

So... let's wait for the next one! ^^

1396, Option 3 takes me to 1397, nothing new so far. Although, 1397 that is reported (and which I have added) have choice-0 and choice-2, so there are at least 3 options, with choice-1 missing.

I will reflect this when I do some recent changes.

[The Rhein States]

Socialist Chain:
1375 Option 3
1391 Option 3
1392 Option 1
1393 Option 1
1394 Option 2
1396 Option 2
1397 Option 2
1398 Option 1

#1399 VioletEye

The Story So Far
You chose to arm the San Vitenzan peasants to help your outnumbered troops fend off an invasion.

The Issue
The United Federation’s military has invaded San Vitenzo in an attempt to find and destroy all of your nuclear missiles that are stationed on the island. Due to your over-reliance on poorly trained local militias, you and your allies are losing. Badly.

The Debate
1. “We’re overextended,” declares Minister of International Diplomacy Andrea Gramyki, playing a few tentative strains of ‘Comrade Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ on her guitar. “We really shouldn’t have let ourselves get involved in a conflict on the other side of the world — not without sending a lot more of our own troops and equipment over there, which the United Federation would have discovered even earlier. A few hundred guards, missile technicians, and advisors wasn’t going to cut it. Offer a cease-fire and say that we are willing to negotiate.”

2. Before anyone else can speak, your rarely seen Minister of Mass Destruction, Dr. Helix Fenniker, climbs down a rope ladder that has just descended from the ceiling. “I couldn’t help overhearing that we have a belligerent enemy to deal with, but few of our own troops on the ground. Allow me to introduce ‘VioletEye’ — the solution to your problems! My lab has developed and launched an orbital missile platform that can strike any target on the planet with conventional, high-yield explosives. But wait — there’s more! The missiles travel at such a high speed that they’re difficult to intercept without specialized equipment. The VioletEye satellite is only a prototype, but this seems like the perfect opportunity to test it, don’t you think? Just be aware that if we use this weapon, it will take months to load it with new missiles.”

3. “Wow, missiles that can strike our enemies from space? Let’s do that!” exclaims Crazy Boris, your only spy who is expressly prohibited from carrying exploding pens due to an unpleasant incident at a fireworks factory. “But we also need a distraction so that the United Federation doesn’t detect the missiles until it’s too late to avoid them. Loco Lopez, an old friend of mine in Manamana, tells me that he has successfully completed his rabbit weaponization program and is willing to let us test it. Just strap a tiny parachute on each of these frightening fuzz-balls, air-drop them on the enemy, and watch the havoc ensue!”

Issue by The Holy Empire of Pogaria
Edited by Pogaria

Internal Numbering: 0,1,2

Tempting to take option 3, how cool are space missiles, not to mention weaponized rabbits!

EDIT: Atleast I know I get 1401 as long as I do not pick option 1

I go for option 3: No bunny expects the @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ rabbit coalition. This is great!
(I think it is demonymadjective as I scratched out that part and there is no difference between my puppets noun and adjective. You will know soon enough)

Let's guess, 1401 may be called Moonraker or something?

[Jutsa]

I approve of the killer rabbits.

[Nevertopia]

could we please have more chain issues? Theyre immensely more fun than singletons.

[Fauxia]

could we please have more chain issues? Theyre immensely more fun than singletons.

Lol, I think most people agree. But there’s also much much more effort that goes into them, and there’s a much smaller range of topics that can be done for chains.

Still, Sedge hinted that Pogaria has another even larger one planned. And the editors have said that they may make a pandemic chain when a bit of time has passed since COVID. But I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient.

[Valentine Z]

Valentine’s Changelog 018

---

"What happened?" "He got the boot." And thus the poor henchman plummeted down towards the ground, with nothing but a boot as a parachute. Splat.

Added the rest of the issues!

Changes made to the threads can be seen here.

[Nevertopia]

could we please have more chain issues? Theyre immensely more fun than singletons.

Lol, I think most people agree. But there’s also much much more effort that goes into them, and there’s a much smaller range of topics that can be done for chains.

Still, Sedge hinted that Pogaria has another even larger one planned. And the editors have said that they may make a pandemic chain when a bit of time has passed since COVID. But I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient.

i feel like there could be some kind of opportunity for overarching storyline with blackacre and bigtopia, the generic npc nations if we due chain issues correctly. think of it as NS storymode.

[The Rhein States]

Socialist Chain:
1375 Option 3
1391 Option 3
1392 Option 1
1393 Option 1
1394 Option 2
1396 Option 2
1397 Option 2
1398 Option 1
1399 Option 3

#1403 Tomorrow Never Arrives

The Story So Far
You have ordered an attack on the United Federation’s troops in San Vitenzo.

The Issue
The enemy’s soldiers and ships have been completely wiped out, thanks to your advanced military technology. Unfortunately, the United Federation seems to have interpreted your actions as an unforgivable assault upon their nation. Moments ago, one of their ballistic missile submarines approached the surface near the EV0ian coastline... and fired its entire arsenal of nuclear missiles at targets throughout EV0.
The Debate

1. “HOLY VIOLET! GET TO THE BUNKER! RUN!” A flood of screaming people push you downstairs and through a long hallway, stumbling into the fallout shelter beneath your office. The door clanks shut as the last staff members sprint through the reinforced threshold. Your defense minister shambles over towards you, head in hands. “Well, we’re screwed. EV0 City is finished. I’m not even sure this bunker can withstand a direct hit. On the bright side, our nuclear missiles on San Vitenzo are now ready for launch. Which of the United Federation’s cities do you hate the most?” A nervous guffaw escapes from his lips.

2. “No... we can’t do that to the poor workers,” murmurs Andrea Gramyki, devoid of guitar, her voice barely above a whisper. “The United Federation is filled with people like us. The oppressed, pre-revolutionary laborers won’t ever have a chance to rise up and fight the imperialists if we wipe them from existence. Don’t retaliate, Leader. The violence has to stop somewhere. By the way, it was an honor serving with you.” A single teardrop runs down her face.

Issue by The Holy Empire of Pogaria
Edited by Pogaria

WHAT?! That's it? No killer whales with lasers strapped to their dorsal fins or hammerhead sharks that can punch holes into submarines? UN-BE-LIEV-A-BLE...

Internal Numberings: 0,1

Well, I don't give a damn about those poor workers, so option 1 is my choice

#1404 Die Some Other Day

The Story So Far
You and your staff are huddled into an underground bunker, waiting for the end to come.

The Issue
The minutes pass in relative silence. Occasionally, the stillness is punctuated by a sniffle or a whimper that seems amplified in the confined space. A few distant rumbles can be heard, but nothing that sounds like the expected obliteration of everyone’s hopes and dreams. Suddenly, Defense Minister Rolan Malinovich’s voice cuts through the rising tide of whispered conversations. “What the hell? Comrade Leader, we’ve got an incoming call.”

The Debate

Malinovich steps away from the control panel where he was entering the coordinates for targeted enemy cities and ushers you over to a nearby phone, where a red light is blinking. He presses a few buttons to put the call on speakerphone. “Leader? Is that you?” The static-obscured voice of Natasha Milanova is barely audible, causing Malinovich to frantically increase the volume. “I followed up on those enemy plans that I told you about. The officers were plotting to send an armada to bombard @@NATION@@ with the ships’ guns. Captain Duffle was assigned the advance patrol mission near our coastline. I managed to sneak aboard his submarine before it left. As the diplomatic conflict intensified, Duffle was constantly arguing with Commander Harrigut, his second in command. Captain Duffle kept shouting that @@NATION@@ was a threat that needed to be taken out preemptively. Even after some sort of ‘satellite incident,’ Commander Harrigut wouldn’t support any retaliation that would lead to mutually assured destruction. Captain Duffle accused his officer of treason, pulled out his sidearm, and shot him in the head, then took his nuclear launch key. Duffle and the remaining officers immediately launched all of the ballistic missiles straight at @@NATION@@. Fortunately... I had already disarmed each of the warheads.” Milanova’s closing words are obscured by a deafening cheer from the people surrounding you.

Issue by The Holy Empire of Pogaria
Edited by Pogaria

There is no option really.
Internal Numbering: 0

Another puppet of mine has received the issue chain and I am going to follow the same line minus the weaponized rabbits, going for a conference. I want to know if that is the way to get 1401.

EDIT: Oof, I hadn't read the issue yet. Good that I have such spies, she's a keeper
And now? Spectrum of Solace option 2, 5 and 6 (since I am the victor)?

[Fauxia]

Issue 1018 seems to have been altered slightly.

Dr. Henri Jacquil made the headlines yesterday after a mistake made during a routine operation caused the death of your Minister of Foreign Affairs. With the recent advances in the capabilities of artificial intelligence, some in the medical field are wondering if autonomous robot surgeons should be given a whack at surgery.

3. “I think you’re overreacting here,” cautions Dr. Jacquil, his hands shaking with what looks suspiciously like narcotics withdrawal. “Everyone makes mistakes once in a while; it’s a fact you don’t need to hide. The reason that the plebs... I mean patients still come to me is for the human touch, and my empathetic bedside manner! Can a machine offer that? You would be destroying the venerated centuries-old doctor-patient relationship, and putting skilled surgeons out of work! Cutting up meatbags is something that should only be done by a fellow human! Keep these thinking machines away from my operating theatre!”

I haven't gotten the issue multiple times so I can't be sure that the name is not random. But considering the original was, the fact that the word "hide" was inserted in Option 3, and the fact that the name is suspiciously close to "Henry Jekyll", I'm assuming it's fixed.

[The Rhein States]

#1405 Spectrum of Solace

The Story So Far
The enemy’s nuclear weapons failed to detonate due to the courageous actions of your secret agent.

The Issue
Although the United Federation remains angry with you due to recent events, they have insisted that they did not intend for things to escalate this far. As an apology for this sobering occurrence, their contrite government has arranged peace talks in an attempt to defuse the situation.

The Debate

1. “I’d like to personally apologize for the... um... missile incident,” admits President Ken J. Finnedy of the United Federation, looking more sheepish than you have ever seen him. “Captain Duffle was definitely not authorized to initiate a nuclear strike or take any action that would result in our mutually assured destruction. He and his officers have been relieved of duty... permanently. As a token of our goodwill, your agent who managed to infiltrate our submarine will be returned to @@NATION@@ unharmed. If you are willing to sign a non-aggression treaty and pay reparations for the brave warriors of freedom who were needlessly killed, I think we can put this whole unpleasant situation behind us. What do you say?”

2. “Sure, go ahead and sign their treaty, but it’s not enough,” sighs Andrea Gramyki, who is softly playing ‘Sweet Home @@CAPITAL@@’ on her guitar. “This incident clearly proves that weapons of mass destruction can no longer be allowed to exist. I spoke with my counterpart in the United Federation, and it appears that they are also willing to disarm if we do the same. It’s a bold move, but I think you’re the sort of brave visionary who can lead us into a new era of peace, free from the scourge of WMDs.”

3. “You’ve practically destroyed our island!” weeps President “Doc” Moreno of San Vitenzo, who is incongruously wearing a suit jacket and tie with shorts and sandals. How are my people supposed to ‘put this situation behind us’ when you’ve bombed their houses and crops into oblivion? Even Almighty Bokonon won’t be able to undo this calamity. After you sign whatever treaty the United Federation is offering, you must allow our people to settle in @@NATION@@... and give us a little cash to ease our troubles. Isn’t that what allies do for one another?”

4. “Reparations! We’re not paying any stinkin’ reparations!” blusters Defense Minister Rolan Malinovich, who has turned a rather alarming shade of red. “Have you forgotten how they almost annihilated us? Yes, we would have done the same thing to them if it weren’t for that phone call from our secret agent — and we definitely killed a bunch of their solders. What did they think would happen when they invaded our ally? This treaty is just a slap in the face — and we’re definitely not disarming or letting in waves of immigrants. You need to walk away from the negotiating table, and hit them with sanctions for good measure. They’re our enemy forevermore.”

Issue by The Holy Empire of Pogaria
Edited by Pogaria

Internal Numberings: 0,1,2,3

Okay, that was the end, going for option 3. Thanks Pogaria for this magnificent chain

[Pogaria]

could we please have more chain issues? Theyre immensely more fun than singletons.

Lol, I think most people agree. But there’s also much much more effort that goes into them, and there’s a much smaller range of topics that can be done for chains.

Still, Sedge hinted that Pogaria has another even larger one planned. And the editors have said that they may make a pandemic chain when a bit of time has passed since COVID. But I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient.

There will be more chains... eventually. They definitely take a lot of work. Even after I had written everything, it took 11 months to edit MADness.

Thanks Pogaria for this magnificent chain

You're welcome!

[Honeydewistania]

Lol, I think most people agree. But there’s also much much more effort that goes into them, and there’s a much smaller range of topics that can be done for chains.

Still, Sedge hinted that Pogaria has another even larger one planned. And the editors have said that they may make a pandemic chain when a bit of time has passed since COVID. But I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient.

i feel like there could be some kind of opportunity for overarching storyline with blackacre and bigtopia, the generic npc nations if we due chain issues correctly. think of it as NS storymode.

I don’t think using the generic NPCs is a good idea

[Trotterdam]

Another puppet of mine has received the issue chain and I am going to follow the same line minus the weaponized rabbits, going for a conference. I want to know if that is the way to get 1401.

I think you get that one by choosing #1400 1.

[Nevertopia]

Lol, I think most people agree. But there’s also much much more effort that goes into them, and there’s a much smaller range of topics that can be done for chains.

Still, Sedge hinted that Pogaria has another even larger one planned. And the editors have said that they may make a pandemic chain when a bit of time has passed since COVID. But I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient.

There will be more chains... eventually. They definitely take a lot of work. Even after I had written everything, it took 11 months to edit MADness.

Thanks Pogaria for this magnificent chain

You're welcome!

wait were u the one that wrote the Nuclear war chain?

[Pogaria]

There will be more chains... eventually. They definitely take a lot of work. Even after I had written everything, it took 11 months to edit MADness.


You're welcome!

wait were u the one that wrote the Nuclear war chain?

If you're talking about MADness (the new chain), I did indeed write, edit, and publish that. Of course, the other editors made some valuable contributions/suggestions.

An International Incident (the first chain) can also involve nuclear war, but I didn't write that one.

[The Merry Old Commonwealth]

How do you guys come up with maps for your nations? I can’t seem to find sites that work with me.
For example, how do I do this?

[The Rhein States]

Another puppet of mine has received the issue chain and I am going to follow the same line minus the weaponized rabbits, going for a conference. I want to know if that is the way to get 1401.

I think you get that one by choosing #1400 1.

Results will be published in a few days, if someone hasnt already.