WFF: Dreams of the Oniric World [IC, NEWS THREAD]

[Turmenista]

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[- OOC THREAD -]

CO-OP(s): Valefontaine

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[- THEME SONG -]| [- CURRENT MAP (DISCLAIMER: May not be frequently updated) -]

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OOC INFORMATION

This is the IC News Thread for the P2TM RP "WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR". Relevant information about the RP is found in the OOC thread. As the title implies, this thread is largely for news posts in regards to the ongoing situation — or situations, rather, relevant to the RP threads. Political drama, event chains, conspiracies, actions in regards to situations relevant to the thread, and general news about nations are welcome. Please do not post here if you are not a part of the RP.

[The Enclave Government]

Q1 422 IN REVIEW
March 1st, 422 A.C.

TELOS — The first quarter of 422 A.C has proven to be intensive for foreign-policy hawks among the international relations community. Decade-old tensions between the ancestral rivals of Aenara and Akhmanar has flared up into a standoff anew between the Federal Republic of North Ophir and Akhmanari Empire over the status of the former's military deployment in the Republic of Manae, re-settled through enormous investment of resources and manpower on the part of the Federal Republic. Overshadowing this showdown, however, is the status of the Federal Republic's continuing deployment of 72,000 Federal Marines as part of Ophiric Forces Sinica (OFS.) Due to the Federal Republic's longstanding refusal to recognize the de facto People's Republic of Sinica - insisting upon designating it the Great Liang People's Republic - and it's rejection of the PRS's 'One Sinica Policy,' the existence of the Republic of Sinica is largely predicated upon this sizable deployment. In order to dissuade 'nefarious influences' from the PRS, the Legislative Council of the Republic of Sinica recently passed the 'Law Regarding Foreign Investment,' restricting capital investments in any Sinican institutions unless a nation is on a designated white-list. As of writing, the only nations on this white-list are the Federal Republic of North Ophir, Federal States of Euphemie, Republic of Adelphe, and the Republic of Manae.

In an address to diplomats of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of External Affairs Philip Knight expressed the Government's 'enduring and serious' concern with geopolitical maneuvers employed by the People's Republic of Sinica. Noting 'at this time unverified ruminations' as to the People's Republic's intentions in Kir and Mederum as a whole, the Secretary re-stated North Ophir's continuing opposition to the expansion of the People's Republic's 'nefarious and ill-intentioned' influence. The Secretary announced plans to visit the Ophiric nation of Kael in an effort to countenance Sinican diplomatic movements there. In addition, the Secretary is planning an 'extended visit' to various nations in Kir in the coming months.

Pursuant to the expansion of the Federal Republic's expeditionary capabilities, - which have been, to a degree, drawn down since the Utsanji Wars - the Federal Republican Aerial Service and Haven-Walker Aeronautics have engaged in high-level discussions with executives of McLellan-Kuron regarding a potential FRAS purchase of navalized YF-71 stealth fighters. These navalized YF-71s would replace antiquated F/A-19F Poseidons in carrier service, complementing the F/A-75C Sea Reaper. Procurement of the YF-71 would expand the FRAS' 14th generation footprint from the F/A-75 Reaper and associated aircraft. With the retirement of B-214 Bulldog aircraft, the FRAS is also looking to introduce a new medium-sized tactical strike platform. Potential procurement of the YF-71 would broaden Euphemian-Ophiric defense cooperation into the aerial sphere, matching the successful cooperation on the CSGN project.

[Valefontaine]

Department of State issues South Ophir travel warning
June 20, 422 A.C.

SERONDEQUOT — Following a series of high-profile operations across the 'Lawless Zone' of Southern Ophir, the F.S. Department of State issued a general travel warning to the region, including the Republic of Kina, Republic of Floriana, Republic of Velezia, and the Duchy of Canguari. The decision followed the strategic destruction of the Ubiratã Dam conducted by the Florian Army, which culminated in a mass casualty event for the Canguarian military, and an attack in the Hesperian Gulf targeting the Hesperian oil tanker 'Lukewarm 131', which was bound for Velezia.

Tensions between the lesser powers of south Ophir, largely contesting the stretch of land known as the 'Lawless Zone', have risen in recent years, the conflict being among the more intense engagements in the Zone in the past decade. Alvimia, a strategic partner of the FSE, is reported to be backing the Duchy of Canguari, which is at odds with the Republic of Velezia and the Republic of Floriana.

Tourists coming from the Federal States have been advised by the Department of State to 'exercise extreme caution' in 'known areas of conflict', and screening procedures for returning travelers from the aforementioned countries have been promptly made more scrutinous.

[Turmenista]

Velezia nuclear alert level remains high
June 22, 422 A.C.

LAS PLAYAS — At approximately 17:23:01 on the night of 1 May, 422, a bright flash was reported in the jungles of the lawless zone known as "Las Lindas." The explosion was discovered to be caused from a failed Canguarian nuclear strike on Florianan soil, the target of which is still currently unknown to both MILINT and the Providence Office. The Velezian Department of Defense believes the target to be an airbase of a so-called "Rogue air force" operating throughout Las Lindas from Floriana. The resulting Florianan counterattack left 90% of Canguari's air force destroyed and the Duchy humiliated.

Following the failed strike, Velezia's nuclear alert level was raised overnight to Level Rojo, it's second highest level. Tabuu-ankh-ka, chairman of the Las Lindas Deal, said later that evening in a press release that, "adhering to its doctrine of nuclear deterrence in La Zona, the LPST will not take a nuclear-armed Canguari lightly, even if this attack failed. If they had the capability to launch an attack like this in the first place, they must not be allowed to launch any future attacks." The Velezian Department of Defense has requested for the Akhmanar Empire to station additional Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) defense systems throughout Velezia, as per its agreement of the Las Lindas Deal and status within the Las Playas Strategic Treaty.

Tensions have once again arisen between the Republic of Velezia and its longtime rival, the Fourth Alvimian Empire. Alvimia was reported to have begun backing the Duchy with arms, training, personnel, and other equipment, much to the anger of Velezia and Floriana. Representatives from both countries have begun meeting to draft plans for a truce, albeit a temporary one, in order to deal with a revitalized Canguari that has been metaphorically cornered. No response has been made from Akhmanar on this matter, or from the Velezian representatives brokering the truce.

[Turmenista]

Las Playas Strategic Treaty officializes travel advisory
June 23, 422 A.C.

YEVOSH — By the order of the LPST's Central Command Ophir (CMCT-O), a travel advisory has been issued to all Akhmanari businesses, statesmen and women, missionaries, and tourists currently traveling to South Ophir, due to concerns of a flareup in volatile and violent activity by secessionist guerrillas sponsored by the rogue nation of Valdivia, who are fighting to occupy Velezia's easternmost department. An addendum to this advisory adds a warning about a resurgent Cortina Roja, along with an increase in hostile Canguarian activity over the Zone. This is particularly advised to LPST-sanctioned humanitarian aid operations in the Las Lindas area and the city of Sanchez.

Later in the evening, LPST officials will convene in Yevosh to discuss plans of extending membership to several Jade Sea states, and begin debates on recognition of the so-called "Republic of Sinica." that declares itself separate of the People's Republic of Sinica.

[Tangaliro]

THE TWO SINICAS: A REVIEW OF TODAY
Local News; March 2nd, 422 A.C.

DATONG - Following the passing of the bill of 'Law Regarding Foreign Investment,' the Great Liang People's Republic, or as the international society would usually call it, the People's Republic of Sinica, has responded as. It has been 25 years since the foundation of the current Republic of Sinica (Not to be confused with the pre-Calamity Republic of Sinica and the two founded by Chen Wu and Shen Xuewen respectively.) under the mandates established by civilian government of the Datong citystate under support of the North Ophiric government. On the other side of former Tangaliroan Sinica, under the deal between Shen Xuewu, the son of former Tangaliroan Union Protector Shen Xuewen, and then President Chen Zhiqing of the Liangan People's Republic, launched a coup against the Utsanji puppet government of Ashiaking based in Fusang and merged into the People's Republic, establishing the People's Republic of Sinica.

Despite the official adjustment to the Liangan "One Sinican Policy" under Chen Zhiqing, the two Sinican nations remained mutually skeptical since their foundings. The Republic of Sinica, under protection and support of the Federal Republic of North Ophir, had taken extensive measure, including the recent bill, to prevent their eastern counterparts from expanding influence upon the Republic. The People's Republic of Sinica, in response to FRNO's refusal of recognition, also refused to recognize the legitimacy of the North Ophiric government over former Siedunland, remaining to designate them as the Republic of Aenara up to this day. Luckily, none of the two have resorted to military means to the resolution of the dispute over the past 30 years since the Final War ravaged the world. Yet, the Sinican dispute continued to be a major destabilizing factor in the geopolitical field of the east Atlantics. As the controversial 'Law Regarding Foreign Investment' passed in the Legislative Council, people worry that tension may be once again growing between the two.

In a press conference of the Liangan government addressing the passing of the bill in the Legislative Council, the Sinican Foreign Affairs spokesperson Chen Shengtian expressed sadness for the decision of the Republic's government to 'lock down the country in order to appease Aenara,' stating that the policy is regressive in nature and would only 'damage the status of Datong as a financial hub in the eastern Atlantics'. Chen then commented on North Ophiric Secretary of External Affairs Philip Knight's comment of Liangan posing 'nefarious and ill-intentioned' influence towards other countries, stating that it is 'nothing but nefarious lies made up by the Aenaran government in their wicked cause to demonize the Sinican people in order to protect their unilateral interests,' and that 'the Sinican people will remain unmoved in their sacred cause of peaceful unification and cooperation with international community in promoting an all-beneficial and multilateral world order in spite of the threat of Aenaran hooliganism,' he added that 'only people who knows that they are guilty of crimes would need to fear the growth of the Sinican nation and their normal interactions with other countries,' appealing to the North Ophiric government to look at themselves and introspect their hostile and nefarious behavior.

In an interview, local radical opposition politician Xu Yuanmou of the League of Trade Unions also attacked the establishment on their decision to make foreign investment exclusive to selective countries as 'once again selling out the welfare of the Sinican people in order to protect the rule and interests of Aenaran corporate proxies,' disregarding the immense negative impacts it will cause to the financial sector of Datong, which is 'a vital component of the Republic's economy,' in the lock down of investment and financial market to 'appease Aenaran geopolitical interests'. "Without a doubt, these corporate [Censored] in the government fights not for the general welfare, but to suck the [Censored] of their Aenaran masters." Xu said, in his well-known strong-worded mannerism.

Establishment politician Philips Wong urged for the citizens to 'view this issue with rationality,' insisting that 'whatever damage it will cause to the economy in the short run, it is for the greater good of the security of the nation from nefarious Liangan influence' before leaving as angry protesters arrived in the scene.

The Liangan government is currently discussing about their follow up actions to the Bill.

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Other Articles:
Democracy fighters of Liang: An interview on political dissents within the Liangan People's Republic

Opposition camp calls for demonstration on March 4th against Investment Bill

Bastion of cultural oppression: A review 30 years after the Sacred Union State of Tangaliro

Homicide in Admiral Teranus District leaves 2 dead and 1 injured, police: We are investigating the incident

Quick review on new Euphemian animes coming out this season

TA-IV-CJ graffiti work spotted in Datong District again

Datong Daily, all rights reserved

[Forest State]

Historic Tradewinds Deal Signed By Ceannasai Maura Tsaoir

According to the Kaelic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maura Tsaoir and her cabinet have surprised the country and the world by signing the ‘Tradewinds Agreement’ with the Federal States of Euphemie, breaking the neutral position that Kael has long held in recent decades. The move, according to Ceannasai Tsaoir, is happening because it’s the ‘right time’ and to prevent the country from being ‘outmatched’ by economic and geopolitical rivals such as Hesperia and Floriana - both of whom have competed their fair share with Kael in the businesses of trade and travel. The agreement will bring the Federation of Kael closer to Euphemie in a number of ways, but our reporter in Daernel narrowed down the main things that Kaelic citizens should expect from the deal:

• Closer economic ties, meaning reduced tariffs for Kaelic businesses exporting to Euphemie and Euphemian businesses exporting to Kael. Additionally, there will be initiatives for Euphemian businesses to operate in Kael, and vice versa.
• Increased air and sea routes to the FSE, particularly from Daernel International Airport.
• Mutual defense, with Euphemie guaranteeing the protection of the Federation and the Imperial Army potentially gaining a role in allied operations abroad.
• Protection in the Pacific from piracy and other related issues.
• Collaborations between Euphemian and Kaelic companies in the growing technology industry in the Federation.

The deal has issued mixed reactions from members of the public and the Oireachtas. While early polls conducted online would estimate that 60% of the populace after the initial poll believes that the deal is a good thing, Tsaoir’s actions have been criticized from members of rival political parties and factions for acting quickly and without the authorization of the Oireachtas.

“You Can’t Trust Lowlanders. Put A Lowlander In Power And Your Hundred Year Old Tradition Is Broken Without Asking. Sad!” McNamara clan leader Keelan McNamara posted on social media. McNamara, a prominent name in northern politics, is one of the largest known funders of the pro-secession Cairde O Thuaidh party, which itself has been in hot water in recent months for allegations of passing funds to the ALN insurgency.

Members of the Heavenly Party - the party of Ceannasai, her clan, and Oireachtas Chieftain Ruarc Carmody, have already fired back on the matter.

“this clown is SEETHING that the rest of the country doesn’t want to be as poor as the home slum of the mcnamara clan! the rest of the world isnt sitting in isolation anymore, kael will either follow suit or be left behind. i’ll be happy to spread kaelic culture while u ride tractors and crop dusters and talk about the good ol days before the sweatshops closed. and while youre at it stop supporting terrorism, we all know ur dirty money goes thru cot to the aln” replied Carmody, quite brutally.

“The Oireachtas is not and has never been the primary institution in this country,” Tsaoir said upon her return to the Federation. “I feel that if I had asked the Oireachtas for their opinions on this matter, it would have been locked up in negotiations for months on end. Something that we cannot afford while losing ground to Hesperia and Floriana in the international markets continuously. I made a move to stop the bleeding, and if this falls through, it’s my responsibility. However, I expect the people of Kael - and even my rival politicians, will soon see the reasons why I agreed to this pact.”

Nuacht Naisiunta will of course be the first to report any more advancements in this historic deal - as well as opposition reactions.

[Turmenista]

Akhmanaris Arrive in Las Playas
June 24, 422 A.C.

LAS PLAYAS — N/P-28M4K attack aircraft, transport planes, and armored vehicles were among the many things to land at Las Playas International Airport this morning as part of Akhmanar's first official deployment to its partner in the Las Playas Strategic Treaty, the Republic of Velezia. The first quarter of the 16,000-men strong III Corps of the Akhmanar 1st Army, "North Star Warriors", arrived at Las Playas to make their way to Media Luna Air Force Base outside of the capital. This deployment includes the 30th Infantry Expeditionary Division and 110th Joint Air Defense Brigade, functioning as security forces and additional air defense for the Las Playas Department, respectively.

The Deployment is joined by the The 10th Special Forces Brigade to assist their Velezian counterparts with training and small-scale operations. It is also accompanied by the 48th Combat Brigade, who have been ordered to assist the various humanitarian NGOs operating outside of and inside the Zone, with tasks including mine removal and bridge deployment.

The Akhmanari Ministry of Defense and LPST Central Command Ophir (CMCT-O) has confirmed that no Akhmanari deployments to Velezia will be "proper frontline soldiers," as the Minister of Defense stated in a press release later that day. He added, "Velezia is currently capable of continuing the fight in La Zona and ending the threat of a rogue Canguari with its own security forces. Sending innocent Akhmanaris to die for a conflict that is already in Velezia's control is a hyperbolic extension of our forces."

The threat of a nuclear-armed Canguari backed by the Fourth Alvimian Empire has necessitated the deployment of additional anti-ballistic missile defenses throughout Velezia.

[Valefontaine]

Operation Summer Solstice: FSE and North Ophir take Preemptive Action against Akhmanari Targets
July 9, 422 A.C.

SERONDEQUOT — In response to the Akhmanari deployment of ground forces, aerial forces and missile elements in the Republic of Velezia, the Federal States of Euphemie and the Federal Republic of North Ophir conducted a preemptive missile strike targeting Akhmanari military facilities across the eastern seaboard of the south Ophiric nation, following a brief speech by President Camden given to the sailors of the North Ophiric Carrier Strike Group II and the small group of Euphemian vessels deployed to the same task. In the speech, President Camden condemned the Akhmanari Empire's presence in Ophir, deeming it counterintuitive to the peace process in south Ophir and an attempt to encourage an 'Ophiric Calamity'.

This was followed by a series of missile strikes undertaken by both Euphemian and North Ophiric vessels. While Euphemian ships solely targeted Akhmanari ballistic missile defense assets across the eastern seaboard, along with prioritizing the destruction of Akhmanari-occupied Media Luna Air Force Base; the North Ophiric carrier strike group prioritized a complete and utter annihilation of Akhmanari forces present in Velezia, waging a decisive campaign of air attacks and missile attacks.

In his speech, Camden emphasized that Euphemie had no fight with the Velezian people, and that the Euphemian operation was undertaken solely to prevent an Akhmanari-backed escalation of conflict in the region. The transcript is as reads below:

My allies and fellow citizens, we have before us today a task far greater than any of us could imagine. It has always been said that the Federal States and her Allies are forever committed to preserving the peace in Ophir through wise diplomacy and 'peace through strength'. Akhmanar is not committed to that peace. Their deployment, along with their 'strategic partnership' and intrusion in Velezian politics present a very real possibility of creating a nuclear-armed rogue state in south Ophir. Our fight is not with the Velezian people. Today in the next minute, Akhmanari military positions across the Velezian eastern seaboard will be targeted by Euphemian and North Ophiric vessels — a preemptive liberation of the Republic of Velezia of foreign influences, demanding the immediate deescalation of the south Ophiric conflict in the Zone. I do not announce this lightly, the responsibilities that come with this operation are more than apparent to me today — it is the task of the Federal States and her allies to protect the peace and disarm the Akhmanari threat in Ophir, lest we encourage an 'Ophiric Calamity' upon this continent's fair shores. Euphemie has never held anything against the Velezian people — nor will we begin to hold any such sentiment against our Ophiric neighbors. No, we are conducting this in the name of peace and justice. It is not a small task, but it is a task the Euphemian people must undertake today. Thank you, and God bless the Federal States of Euphemie and her allies.

Akhmanari officials could not be reached for comment.

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In the Headlines:
NGOs pledge immediate aid to Sanchez Bombing victims

Boycott for Justice '22: Activists and companies boycott Reinerslander goods at large

How Powerful is Canguari?

Department of State to sign new bilateral trade deals with Imalakia

Statue commemorating Zachodu war hero unveiled in Torch City

[Turmenista]

MoD Orders III Corps Withdrawal from Velezia
July 10, 422 A.C.

LAS PLAYAS — At the request of the Euphemian Department of State, the III Corps has begun withdrawing from Velezia after concluding that "Velezia, in its current state, is capable of defending itself," as the Minister of Defense stated. Even though the deployment consisted primarily of anti-ballistic missile defense systems aimed at preventing Canguari from causing a so-called "Ophiric Calamity," the deployment was nonetheless targeted by Euphemie and North Ophir in a spree of missile strikes, dealing heavy losses to the deployment when it was over. The Ministry of Defense made no mention of any retaliatory action, but expressed its disapproval of the Ophirics' wanton disregard for the safety of nearby Velezian units and civilian settlements.

When asked further questions about his views of the matter, the Minister of Defense gave an addendum to his earlier statement:

The Euphemians are foolish and naive, but this is no truer than with the Aenarans. Their blatant, unwarranted bombing campaign is an attack on the own ideals of "Ophiric Security" that they preach so vehemently. Nations like Floriana and Velezi have always and will always fight to end the conflict in The Zone and restore peace to Southern Ophir, and it is through actions like the Aenarans' that this peace can never come. Their fetish for violence, ironic imperialist tendencies, and disapproval of actions like our own—which were aimed to prevent the very Calamity President Camden warned us about—is what caused Manae to suffer during the Transatlantic war. I ask that the North Ophirics only recall Manae as we withdraw from Velezia, containing three times more troops, weapons, and equipment that we sent to Velezia, all for fending off some imaginary threat. Shame on them.

When asked about the collateral damage and unwarranted missile attack on Velezian soil, the Velezian Department of State and Department of Defense made no official response.

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Additional Stories:
Euphemian NGOs to assist in humanitarian aid to Sanchez

Akhen-re suffers second seizure in week

LPST officials arrive in Wrenhaven, Avalon, for discussions

Pharaist mission in Canten raises $1M FSD for homeless

Anders Bioelectronics CEO discusses absurd "Avatar" project

[Forest State]

Gnothas Mearn CEO Intends To Have Specter In Service By January

Nuacht Naisiunta Editorial Staff
December 3rd, 422

MEARN, FEDERATION OF KAEL --- Gnothas Mearn CEO Mave Devine, the woman in charge of bringing the arms company back to their former glory and competing once again in the crowded military aerospace field, took to the internet today to announce the corporation’s plans to have the F/A-20 Specter ready by January, 423. The Specter was meant to be the most advanced aircraft in the Kaelic catalog and was designed to compete in terms of capabilities with foreign aircraft such as the Velezian F-40 and the Euphemian ‘Chiangshi’. The plane incorporates some of the features familiar in Kaelic designs - maneuverability and agility specifically, but combines them with the most advanced avionics seen in a Kaelic aircraft as well as latest generation radar and ECM technology. However, the development cycle of this plane has been plagued with problems.

The plane was set to enter service in 420 but delays kept it from getting off the ground. When it was assigned to some Imperial Army Air Forces units, the problems were believed to be over but had simply changed form, with engine troubles and a faulty computer system leading to a very public explosion and crash on international TV during the Daernel Air Race. As a result of that incident, more months were tacked onto the IAAF’s grounding of the Specter, with the plane only flying unofficial missions as the IAAF’s squadrons returned to using alternative options, such as the Super Phantasm X2 or the Airm Daernel produced Whirlwind. Despite the reports of the Specter flying over Ophir, Mave Devine herself has denied this.

“The Specter has been grounded for, I forget how many months,” Devine told reporters during the Gnothas Mearn press conference which was streamed on the internet earlier today. “I believe most of them that aren’t sitting in our workshops and factories as we work on fixing the issues are sitting in hangars at AFB Daernel, I don’t believe that any of our planes flew secret missions or anything like that. There has been no agreement between the Federation and the FSE or Floriana or whoever to fly Specters over the Zone, I think you’re all buying too much into internet rumors.”

Devine also stated that the Specter should be back in service as soon as next month. “Our engineers have identified the problems and we’re working on getting it into service with the 1. Wing Daernel next month, as well as the 4. SOW. If those test runs are a success then we’ll work on increasing production and getting the plane phased into the IAAF. Of course, we realize the damage that’s been done already by the delays, but hopefully, we won’t have any more of those and the ones making the calls on what to buy will see that our model is more capable than, say, a 13+ generation Whirlwind. 13+ is good but right now we’re the only ones that can say we have a real 13++ generation option on our hands, that can compete with the top fighters from abroad.”

Gnothas Mearn will have to hurry with getting the Specter out if they want to take back the market share that they lost during the delays. Reports from sources close to the company believe that Airm Daernel is intending to announce a partnership with Euphemie’s McLellan-Kuron Corporation for the development of a fourteenth generation fighter based off their ‘Wight’ prototype which has yet to fly. Started in the years since the Specter’s planned release, the Wight appears to be one of the main competitors for the Mearn Concern’s top product - At least, if it doesn’t become embroiled in a series of delays of its own, as next generation fighters sometimes do.

Airm Daernel parent company CEO Anrai Riley-Shae hinted at the rumored partnership following the Gnothas Mearn press conference. “This Specter is a nice plane, but how many flight hours does it have? Airm Daernel believes that the Whirlwind is the best option for the IAAF because of its proven track record, proven competitiveness, and proven reliability. However, the company does not intend to stop with the Whirlwind. Our supporters should stay tuned in the coming weeks for an announcement about our next project.”

Airm Naisiunta, the government’s own arms company, is largely sitting out of the race between the two private giants, with the Super Phantasm X2 still in production. It’s believed that there’s a place for all three companies in the IAAF - But how the pie is split could create a difference of hundreds of millions of dollars. In this case, the winner of the race may just depend on whether or not the Specter can take hold of the market before the looming distant threat of the Wight comes to realization.

[Valefontaine]

Second National Republican Primary Highlights
March 6, 423 A.C.

RICUS BAY — National Republican presidential contenders fought tough and hard during the second 423 National Republican debate, debating a variety of issues from Akhmanar to Ophiric trade.

While Sen. Kiswell (NR-Westland) had maintained a narrow lead as frontrunner since the last primary debate, he faced a particularly tough set of questions regarding his apparent lack of policy towards the Gallian Empire's colonialism in Kir, along with a brutal questioning towards his economic policies. Gov. Strickland (NR-Engadine), the runner-up, also faced thorough scrutiny on his policies in opposition to both OSCO and the FRNO, which some have deemed 'destructive' to Euphemian foreign policy ends.

It would be this thorough scrutiny from the moderators that made Strickland demand a steel cage match against the press to demonstrate the superiority of his policies. Surrounded by the twisted steel of 'Hell's Cell', Strickland used his quick wits to use the cage as a weapon with nearly every chance he got. The relentless showoff was a brutal display of not only Gov. Strickland's foreign policy stances, but his stances on the press, as he beat eighteen journalists along with the debate moderator unconscious in the cage before returning to the debate stage. Strickland's honor was in jeopardy when he had to survive several devastating leg locks, but every time he recovered only to put another EBN journalist in their place.

"The press are out to stop me, the Aenarans want to kill me," A sweaty, shirtless Strickland declared upon leaving the cage, the result of his workout regimen visible to the media and attendees. "but I'm takin' what's mine. I'm a Euphemian. I'm mad. And I'm ready."

CE. Bananarama (NR-Luther), meantime, was pressed over allegations of corruption, including an alleged incident in which the Chief Executive accepted payment from an Alvimian multinational. "I have never accepted bribes from foreign corporations. Never. My tax returns and my campaign's tax returns, along with more financial data, are all on my campaign website." Denying any affiliation with foreign corporations, the Chief Executive mostly addressed the concerns of the press, proceeding to level accusations towards Sen. Schroeder (NR-Providence) of similar corrupt activity, including the implication he was accepting campaign donations from the Torch City Mafia.

While Schroeder denied such accusations, the crowd went into uproar and demanded both candidates fight. Schroeder was quick to reply to such demands, demonstrating his respect towards women. "I would never hit a woman," declared Sen. Schroeder. "not even a bitch like you." Sen. Schroeder's bold statement caused six members of the audience to pass out in shock.

When similarly questioned on his policy towards Gallia, Senator Snakeeye (NR-Engadine) declared he would join the millions of Euphemians who had boycotted the Medeuropean nation's goods as a response to their colonialist tendencies in Kir. "While we stand here in comfort, millions are oppressed under the Lecanuet regime. As President I intend to pull our troops out of Gallia and cease our support for the imperialist Gallian state." Snakeeye boldly declared. His policy was quick to come under question by Sen. Kiswell, who challenged Snakeeye to a 'ladders and chairs' match in the Debate Ring, assured that Snakeeye's policy was 'just as destructive to Euphemian interests as Strickland's'.

Throughout the title fight, both senators seemed like they were battling not only for the Presidency, but for personal pride. With both candidates seemingly lost in a haze of cocaine use and ruthless masculine fury, the two candidates could most often be seen brutalizing each other with tables, ladders, chairs and anything the EBN debate crew could insert into the ring. Sen. Kiswell's clever use of a leg drop off the top of a ladder almost left Sen. Snakeeye unconscious, though the Engadine senator was quick to return the favor by conducting a senton bomb that sent the Westland senator crashing through a table. In one crucial moment during the match, both contenders disregarded mid-match questions from the debate moderator entirely and proceeded to throw hands at the center of the ring, debate tension boiling over into a full-on fistfight.

Senator Snakeeye ultimately prevailed at the end of the match, sending a bruised Sen. Kiswell staggering out of the ring and tumbling into the audience, who promptly went into a wild uproar. Making a brief Euphemianist prayer from the ring, the Engadine senator was declared victor of the match and escorted back to the debate stage. Kiswell, after being dragged back to consciousness through the use of drugs, was dragged back to the stage shortly thereafter.

Temple (NR-1st FS Army) remained firm in his stance in firm support for Euphemian military intervention abroad, boldly declaring "all governors would send their National Guard to Canguari under my Presidency. The days of terrorist forces in the Alvimian backyard country are numbered." When questioned further, Gen. Temple repeatedly fired his .50 Executor at the ceiling to drown out the moderator's questions.

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In the Headlines:
Aid to Siracusa: millions donate towards helping besieged city

Providence citizens protest Torch City expansion proposal

Civil conflict in Velezia? Place your bets on who will kill Silva!

Exports to FRNO up 4%

Regentor: dictatorship or benevolent autocracy?

[The Enclave Government]

National Republican primary field heats up
March 30th, 423 A.C.

TELOS — The Governor of Augusta announces his candidacy; Augustan National Guard deployed to Canguari; Bananarama and Cohocton drop out; Temple hospitalized; here's the news you've missed in the past twenty four hours.

As we've come to expect from the Federal States of Euphemie, the Presidential race veers between macabre and farcical within minutes. The mega-popular wunderkind country music star turned Governor of Augusta, Jack Careless-Whisper Born-In-The-F.S.E Cross has entered the race with a largely moderate platform focused on directing the Federal Government's attention towards the heartland of the FSE. Inheriting a bipartisan legacy inherent to his state, his appeal is widespread throughout Euphemie. He marked his entrance to the race by landing on the FSN Perry on an F-13 Hexmaiden, before proceeding to toss another candidate - General Temple - off of the supercarrier with the aid of Augustan National Guardsmen. Shortly after insulting the honor of Governor Strickland's family and his father, he entered a brutal cage match with his fellow Governor. A rarity in Euphemian politics, the match was declared a 'tie' after organizers feared a mutiny as elements of the Engadine and Augustan National Guards brawled on the flight deck. Neither candidate retracted their insults. Jack Cross has surged to third place in nation-wide polling, in a dead heat with Governor Strickland and slightly behind Senator Snakeeye. He has come out on top in states as varied as Augusta, Lehon, and Scornstone.

In other Augusta-related news, elements of the 548th Infantry "And Not The Words Of One Who Kneels" Division have deployed to Canguari to support the tentative reign of the Duke of Canguari and act as a stabilizing force in the region. Shortly after Augustan boots landed in Siracusa, Governor Cross made a flight to the war-zone to speak to the organized forces of the Augustan National Guard before they disseminated to their various forward operating bases. Following an impassioned speech to the assorted forces, harried press reporters initiated an impromptu press conference as he attempted to return back to his transportation craft. Fielding questions from the reporters, he denounced Senator Schroder's characterization of the Presidential field as 'a bunch of chimps,' denouncing a 'racist and denigrating tone more at home in Turmenista than anywhere else in the F.S.E.' He also criticized Governor Strickland's callous post-debate deployment of the Engadine National Guard to Canguari, pointing out that not only had the Governor not visited the region prior to the hasty decision, but his forces were deployed 'in the mountains of Siracusa not achieving terribly much.' Cross wondered aloud whether the danger Strickland was putting his men in and the expense being borne by the Euphemian taxpayer to fund Engadine's deployment was justified by the operational success of the ENG. Drawing contrasts between the ANG's decisive presence in forbidding a unification of the two Nationalist 'pockets,' and the ENG's holding operations, Governor Cross heaped praise upon the servicemen and women of the ENG but made continual criticisms as towards Governor Strickland's directions for them. It seems that as Snakeeye's lead slowly yet surely erodes in polling, the race for the National Republican nomination is increasingly becoming a showdown between a ghost of the past and the future present.

---

In the Headlines:
Camden v. Tamamend; The real election?

Accusations of 'Aenaran Aid' becoming common Euphemian slander

Temple still in critical condition, slumps to 7th place

Cross' album sales skyrocket after his candidacy is announced

402 dead after race riot in Turmenista, Ortega among the victims

[Turmenista]

Continued Coverage of Euphemian NatRep Primaries
March 30, 423 A.C.

FSN PERRY — Flashy aerial landings, all-out brawls, mudslinging, and defenestrations have become but a commonplace in the Euphemian National Republican primaries, with millions around the world tuning in not only for updates on a presidential campaign which could not only dictate the geopolitical climate of Ophir and Mederum for years to come, but also for much-needed entertainment and bare-knuckle excitement to take them away from an otherwise “mad world.”

While the remnants of Akhen-re’s cabinet condemn the Euphemian elections as a “racket” and “outlet for the barbaric Ophirics to spout their warmongering beliefs,” as a viceroy of the Sebek-Khim (who chose to remain anonymous) put it, other Akhmanaris view the primaries with hope for the future. Depending on the candidate chosen, some Akhmanaris believe the election could lead to an improvement in Akhmanari-Ophiric relations, rather than a deterioration. The general consensus among most Akhmanaris, however, is of suspicion, particularly towards the National Republican Party.

Opinion polls conducted by ANC following the NR Primaries have revealed a general sense of suspicion and disapproval towards the NR party. NR Candidates Temple, Kiswell, Clarendon, and Cross have been viewed as the most detrimental towards improving Akhmanari-Euphemian relations and resolving the situation in South Ophir. Some candidates have espoused radical beliefs of violently intervening in Velezia for the purpose of regime change, while others have advocated for escalating the “standoff” in Manae by deploying more troops meant to counter non-existent Akhmanari interests with the sovereign republic of Manae.

When asked by the ANC, Senator Schroeder stopped to take questions.

[ANC]: “Senator Schroeder, what is your general stance on the Euphemian military deployments to Velezia and Canguari?”

[SCHROEDER]: “My stance is that the affairs of southern Ophiric countries should be left to them to resolve on their own. Our objective in performing the dismantling of equipment capable of manipulating Euphemian military assets has been completed, and we should not be sending troops to fight rebels we have no business fighting. Velezian maintenance of order is a wholly Velezian problem to solve.”

[ANC]: “Do you believe the Euphemian deployment to South Ophir should be increased?”

[SCHROEDER]: “For the reasons previously stated, we should not send any more troops to southern Ophir.”

[ANC]: “Recently, Akhmanari officials have hinted at an official ‘deescalation’ policy towards Manae—that is, adopting a policy that looks do decrease troop deployments to the border region and improve relations between Manae and Akhmanar. Will this change your perspective on the Empire’s role in Atlantic and Manaean politics?”

[SCHROEDER]: “My current perspective is that the sovereignty of Manae will continue to be threatened, regardless of what the Akhmanaris say, and that the deployment of Euphemian boots to Manae will only be beneficial for protecting Euphemian military assets in the country and deterring any plans for war on Yevosh's end.”

[ANC]: “What are your opinions towards the other candidates in the election?”

[SCHROEDER]: “There are some personally agreeable fellow National Republicans who I'm competing with, but the vast majority of 'em are chumps. Strickland and Temple, they're going to ruin Euphemie.”

When asked for questions after the debate, General Temple, the most controversial candidate according to polls, could not be reached, due to his injuries. The campaign teams of Temple, Kiswell, Clarendon, Strickland, and Cross refused to take a brief interview from ANC reporters on the Perry, staying that “mummies had no place in Euphemian politics.”

---

Additional Stories:
”International Coalition” of NGOs give aid to Canguari and Velezia

CYBIT Robotics reveals new facial recognition and biometrics systems for Akhmanari Airport customs

Press covering Turmenista race riots assaulted by racists lobbing “milkshakes with concrete mixed in”

Hallucinogens made from native “Glowing Can’joan Pot” plant responsible for rise in ODs among Euphemian servicemen in Coral Islands

Akhmanari MoD: “I am all for peace, but if we are attacked from Manae by FSE/FRNO for a made-up cause, we shall destroy them in 30 minutes.”

[Valefontaine]

Seventeen Guardsmen Dead in Surprise Attack
April 19, 423 A.C.

FORWARD BASE KARI — 17 guardsmen have been killed in a rebel attack in central Canguari, SECDEF Journey Rockwell K. McCartney John Flock-of-Seagulls B. Rogers announced at a press conference this morning, in an incident that has the potential to exacerbate tensions amidst an increasingly volatile political climate. Reportedly an attack group of 'over one-hundred' Canguarian fighters laid siege to the FS Army facility, maintained by the Augusta National Guard. This is the first deliberate attack on a Euphemian military facility in Canguari, and the first instance of National Guard casualties abroad since the Transatlantic War.

One particular cause of controversy is the apparent lack of support during the siege, due to Federal Air Force assets being 'preoccupied' in the ongoing Siege of Siracusa. Augusta Governor Jack Cross (NR-Augusta) fervently condemned inaction from Governor Strickland (NR-Engadine), accusing the Engadine National Guard's role in Canguari as 'useless'. "Seventeen caskets flying the Euphemian and Augustan flags will return home tonight. I do not believe it to solely be Canguarian rifle barrels that killed these men," Cross cryptically declared.

An anonymous source in the Augusta House of Representatives divulged to EBN that it is believed Governor Cross will appeal to Congress for the establishment of an official military cantonment, of which he would be eligible to administrate. This potential appeal to Congress is believed to coincide with Federal approval of the Augusta-centric National Security Detention Facility, which proponents have described as 'little more than a modernized mega-prison' aimed at 'housing terrorists and enemy combatants of relevance'.

Protests in Torch City denounced the ongoing involvement of Augustan and Engadine national guard units in the Canguarian Civil War. "Put simply, it's a publicity campaign. It shows the disconnected, self-centric fascism Euphemie is regressing into, and as citizens of the Federal States we must denounce this authoritarian jingoism." Young Students Union leader Lydia Streets-are-Hot You-Keep-Me-Hangin'-On N. Sotomayor declared during a student anti-war demonstration at McKeon Square in Morhatten.

---

In the Headlines:
Cross beats hospital-bound Gen. Temple in viral campaign ad

OPINION: Anti-War Protests: Mayor-Governor Tamanend's secret strategy to come out on top

Turmenista situation deteriorates, Congress considers intervention

CVN-128: Senator Snakeeye publicly backs proposal for first carrier in 20 years

Alvimia declares state of emergency in Aiguari as violence spills over

[Forest State]

3. Squadron Conducts Ballistic Missile Raid On Courburg, Strikes 28 Civilian And Military Targets

Nuacht Naisiunta Editorial Staff
May 1, 423

DAERNEL, FEDERATION OF KAEL --- The Imperial Army Naval Forces and Heavenly Party leader Ruarc Carmody (Oireachtas Chieftan) have confirmed that the Federation of Kael conducted a submarine launched ballistic missile strike against targets in the nation of Courburg, which according to Carmody, are a threat to the security of Kaelic-aligned nation Regentor as well as Kaelic businesses located within Regentor. The official statement from the Imperial Army Naval Forces confirms that the strike was launched by a classified amount of submarines from the 3. Squadron, the submarine warfare unit of the navy which currently operates 12 S-373 class submarines.

The Imperial Army Naval Forces also confirmed that 28 targets in all were struck, all of the targets located in Courburg. “I believe that the affairs of the far south of Ophir are our own business when considering the Kaelic businesses and the Imperial Army personnel currently located in Regentor for the purposes of securing the border with Velezia. When threats come up, such as a neighboring country that presents a threat to our personnel and to our nationals within Regentor… We deal with it. We would implore the Velezians to not make a move which would force the Imperial Army to perform further strikes. This strike, after all, proves that the far south is not too far for us to intervene to protect our allies and ourselves.”

The strike was, according to statements, authorized by Carmody, Ceannasai Maura Tsaoir, and the military itself. It happened without the approval of the Oireachtas, something that drew criticism from some of the usual detractors, including the infamously pro-north and anti-government McNamara Clan. “What does the north want from an independent government? For one, a government which goes through the proper process before beginning conflicts thousands of miles away overseas,” said McNamara clan head Keelan McNamara, in a press statement. “Know that this would not happen in MY north.”

The Imperial Army itself has warned the nations of Velezia and Courburg that the 1010th, 1011th, and 1012th Bomber Squadrons are on standby in the event that either country makes further moves against Kaelic or Regentorian interests in South Ophir. These squadrons, perhaps in a show of force, have been relocated to Puerto Abascal, the capital of the Republic of West Floriana - a closer location to the conflict zone than Kael itself. Accompanying their posting to West Floriana is the 3. Marine Aviation Wing, an interceptor wing using the supersonic F-94 Epee interceptor as well as the AiD-9V, a plane notably able to take off and land from short jungle runways.

There has been speculation about the level of Kaelic military involvement in Regentor, but satellite imagery shows the existence of at least one airbase which is believed to house multiple F/A-20 Specters as well as transport aircraft, AiD-9Vs, and F/A-08V Sea Imps. This base is not on any official records, but the Kaelic nation is no stranger to undeclared conflicts - the Five Nights War, after all, started and ended with no formal declaration of war, following a similar shuffling of forces. These Kaelic personnel, according to statements, are in Regentor for the purposes of securing the border of the country, which could loosely be considered an ally - Perhaps more strongly following the Kaelic SLBM strikes which came from the coast of Regentor.

[Forest State]

Carmody Calls For Euphemie To Join Southern Tensions, But Says Kael Can Go Alone

Nuacht Naisiunta Editorial Staff
May 23, 423

DAERNEL, FEDERATION OF KAEL --- Following the Imperial Army Naval Forces incursion earler this month into South Ophir which resulted in 28 SLBM strikes on targets in Courburg, Oireachtas Chieftain Ruarc Carmody has put out a challenge to one of the other nations that typically operates in this region: the Federal States of Euphemie. The challenge could be put as a call to arms to do more against the threat of Velezia, a nation which has engaged with Kaelic ally Regentor as well as Imperial Army personnel based in Regentor for the purposes of securing its border security.

“The Federation of Kael is not looking to play regional police or to have to get in the trenches and defend the border integrity of our allied nations and our citizens and businesses abroad, but if none of the current candidates in the Euphemian elections have plans of their own to do this, the Federation will just have to do something that it would rather not do and see to it that the problems along the Velezian-Regentorian border are settled. Whether those problems are settled at the table of diplomacy or through the Silva regime being pushed into submission will depend on Silva’s response - as well as the response from Velezian PUPPET STATE Courburg,” Carmody said in a media scrum in the Capital District of Daernel.

“Of course, this isn’t to be too critical of our allies, but simply to point out that with the election cycle continuing, much more of the focus has been on Canguari. Securing Canguari is good and all but you can only fit so many troops into a small country, right? There’s fighting happening involving the Velezians, involving Akhmanari influence in Ophir, and it’s going under the radar as it’s out of sight and out of mind in the far south of the continent. Preferably Euphemie would be the regional power to help curb Akhmanari influence - which is spreading with the addition of Courburg to the Las Playas Strategic Pact. But again, the Federation and its allies will make due regardless of the result in the Euphemian election.”

The Federation of Kael currently has several Imperial Army Air Forces and Naval Aviation units stationed in Puerto Abascal, the capital of the Republic of West Floriana, prepared to make a jump into Regentor if the situation further deteriorates along the northern border with Velezia. Without an official war, however, there is still time for the situation to die down and for both nations to back away from escalation.

[Valefontaine]

Final National Republican Primary Debates (LIVE)
May 24, 423 A.C.

MORHATTEN — As the National Republican Party's official primaries draw nearer, the final debate before the underdog party's election is due to begin. Only one man will come out on top — but who?

A live transcript of the event is shown below.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK CONCLUDES]

ANNOUNCER: WELCOME BACK TO THE 423 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS!... ATOP THE TALLEST BUILDING IN TORCH CITY AND EUPHEMIE, THE WEST TOWER OF THE ATLANTIC ECONOMIC CENTER!

EBN ANCHORMAN: Only five candidates remain in what has been, thus far, one of the closest, most publicized electoral face-offs since '91. We're here LIVE atop the 2 AEC, and it would appear the moderator has a trick up his sleeve this time…

ANS ANCHORMAN: After a rocky campaign including physical assault, the deployment of combat-troops, allegations of foreign interference, and of racist sentiment, the National Republican party gathers tonight for the penultimate debate before the national primaries. As we’ve been for the duration of the campaign, Atlantic News Service is proud to present the world’s finest piece of entertainment in the world’s most vibrant democracy… coming straight to you from Torch City!

ANC ANCHORWOMAN: Another round of bare-knuckle brawls, mudslinging, sweet victories and bitter defeats awaits us today atop the AEC in Torch City. Who will come out as the top National Republican candidate, who will kiss their presidential campaigns goodbye, and who will take on their Federalist counterpart in the Presidential Elections later this year? All this and more will be answered tonight, and the ANC is here to give you live coverage of this groundbreaking event!

MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the final debate of the 423 National Republican primaries. Today, will be a little different...

[AUDIENCE SWOONS]

[CAMERA PANS TO A TABLE, FIVE APPARENT BACKPACKS LIE ATOP THE TABLE]

MODERATOR: In anticipation of violence to come, there are five parachutes here for all candidates to wear — but be careful, one of 'em's rigged to fail! Come, gentlemen — pick your chutes!

[AUDIENCE GASPS]

[CANDIDATES ALL SELECT THEIR PARACHUTES]

EBN ANCHORMAN: That's right — the lives of one of these five politicians is on the line here today. It was in the contract, after all! [chuckle]

MODERATOR: As you might all be aware of by now, General Temple and Senator Kiswell have dropped out of the elections... leaving five candidates to decide the future of the National Republican Party. Without further ado, let the final debate begin...

[MUSIC]

[PREPARATIONS CONCLUDE]

MODERATOR: As is well-known by now, the segregationist National Republican government in Turmenista is in the midst of dealing with one of the worst race riots in.. well, decades, to the degree that the federal government is debating intervention. Starting with Senator Snakeeye, what exactly is your stance on Turmenista?

SNAKEEYE: I disavow all members of Turmenista's National Republican party. We must remember, however, that it was the Camden administration that permitted such a thing to persist. Restoring an egalitarian Turmenista is among the first priorities of my Administration — to think that half a decade ago it was seen as a bastion of multiracial egalitarianism, reduced to this — is absolutely horrific. And yet while black children are beaten to death by police, the Torch City elite reveled in their opulence, hedonism and wealth.

[SNAKEEYE HOLDS UP A PHOTO OF A BLACK CHILD]

SNAKEEYE: Lucas Everything-She-Wants D. Smith — beaten to death by police while our President was getting a blowjob in the comfort of Collis Palatium. This BOY was only FIFTEEN when his life was cut short by Neo-Arcadia police. We CANNOT allow this to go on!

[AUDIENCE GOES WILD]

AUDIENCE MEMBER: DAMA FONTO! FUCK DA NATREPS! JUSTICE FOR LUCAS!

MODERATOR: Thank you. Senator Schroeder, your stance on Turmenista's rampant racism?

SCHROEDER: It is entirely, and wholly condemnable. I think on this matter, me and Senator Snakeeye have the same perspective.

[CROSS THUMPS HIS PODIUM]

CROSS: Senators Schroeder and Snakeeye. I can’t help but see in your denunciations a complete and utter lack of distinction between the errant leadership of the Turmenistan National Republicans, and the rank-and-file membership of that party. The segregation ongoing in Turmenista is not the desire of the majority - it is a system of discrimination implemented by a wealthy and powerful elite to pacify a populace. Turmenista is a state held hostage by a reactionary and extreme minority. Federal intervention is required to bring this state into the line with the rest of our nation, but more importantly, Federal intervention is a moral necessity. As President of the Federal States of Euphemie, I will end the reign of Raven Blake^[1] in Turmenista.

SNAKEEYE: All due respect, Governor, but there is a sickness in not just this great party, but this nation — the spectre of the dated, divisive ideals of racism. If we are to prosper in this renewed, Euphemian Century, we must put a stop to racism where it stands — and disavow any complacency therein!

CROSS: I don’t desire nor demand your respect, Senator. Racism in our country is not a natural condition, as Euphemie is a nation blessed by diversity in serene union. Racism in our country is by the imposition of the moneyed interests which benefit from it. Racism in our country is the brainchild of men you once hob-nobbed with in the Chamber of Commerce, Senator. Racism in our country is why the black men in the prime of their lives spent many of their best earning years digging dirt in Pence for minimum wage.

[AUDIENCE GASPS, APPLAUSE]

SNAKEEYE: Governor, are you using my record in completing the Pence Canal and bridging the gap between our great nation and our northern neighbor against me? At no point have I endorsed any segregationists — not in my goddamn state, and not anywhere in this nation! Engadine is a bastion of religious and individual freedom, which is why two-hundred years ago the Stigmatic Ourielist Church relocated to Pence, fleeing the religious persecution and totalitarian control evident across the former Sacred Union State!

MODERATOR: Thank you, Senator.

[STRICKLAND RAISES HIS HAND]

MODERATOR: Go ahead, Governor.

STRICKLAND: I don’t know about any Augustans here, but over the course of my life Engadine has been one thing if nothing else, and it has been an OASIS of religious, cultural and racial harmony! The same can only be said for the state Governor Cross represents in the last thirty years...

CROSS: Senator, the state of Augusta has been a model for integration of disparate cultures since prior to the turn of the century. We come from a bi-partisan tradition, and have successfully bound together Augustans of white and black heritage. An Alexandrian accountant and a farmer outside of Greenville can feel united in a shared pride in their state, without feelings of jealousy or spite. That’s not solely a testament to the quality of our people, but a testament to real policy that promotes integration. Equality of opportunity for all and government investment to ensure that any Augustan can climb the social ladder has been essential to that harmony. As President of the Federal States, I will proudly apply the successful policy prescriptions used in my home-state to our More Perfect Union. I dream of a day in which a citrus farmer in Red Pine, a cattle rancher in Nephi, and a barista in Blume can come together under our flag. Unlike the rest of the candidates on this stage, I have a proven track record of achieving that.

MODERATOR: Senator Clarendon, your input?

CLARENDON: During my tenure as CEO of Transcontinental Airlines, I joined the multitude of Euphemian companies who embargoed Turmenista. The state's governing elite do not reflect my political views, nor do they reflect the views of the National Republican Party at large. I believe it to also be the aftermath of a weak federal government — to which Camden himself bears a fair degree of responsibility in the current situation. Put simply, we must free our fellow Euphemians who are under the oppression of Turmenista's state government. For too long we've simply told ourselves, 'it can't happen here'... ladies and gentlemen, it's already happened! What we ought to think about now is how to stop it. To this end, the first executive order should be the dismissal of Turmenista's state government by clear, resolute force.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Senator. Onto the next matter — for the past few months, Velezia has become a matter of attention to the Federal States, to which President Camden ordered the deployment of the 1st Armored Division and the 87th Cavalry Division to the northern reaches of the country to maintain the peace. Some see it as a cornerstone of Akhmanari infiltration into Ophiric politics, and some — more recently Oireachtas Chieftain Ruarc Carmody of the Federation of Kael, have publicly interpreted our steady hand in Ophir as weakness. Governor Cross, you may begin.

CROSS: Thank you, Moderator. I am acutely aware of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and military conflict in the region - indeed, I myself have deployed forces of the patriotic Augustan National Guard into the neighboring state of Canguari in an effort to quell the violence. Velezia and Canguari, and indeed, the nations in the wider region, require the steadfast commitment of the Federal States of Euphemie to protect the rights of their citizenry and their continuing sovereignty. That is not, I believe, disputed by anyone on this stage. What is a matter of debate is how we extend that aid. It is my belief that the death of Euphemian servicemen is an inherent consequence of any action involving boots-on-the-ground, exemplified by the recent engagement of Forward Base Kari. We must weigh any commitment of ground troops to the region with the risk inherent to such a deployment, and ensure we have clear-cut objectives and means to accomplish them. We do not currently have that. As we speak tonight, Augustan servicemen are fighting and dying in Canguari to accomplish a vaguely defined objective. And a vaguely defined objective is an unattainable one. President Camden has abdicated his responsibility to our Armed Forces to provide them a mission directive. As President, I will not send a single soldier of our Armed Forces into a combat zone without that man or woman understanding exactly what they are being sent to achieve. As it pertains to our current combat deployments, my objectives are simple. Canguarian nationalists must be stamped out, and a permanent democratic solution to self-governance of the Canguarian people achieved. The Cortina Roja must be limited and eliminated to proclude their violence spilling over international borders, and the Government of Velezia must be brought into line with Ophiric norms. We must partner with our continental partner the Federal Republic of North Ophir and our regional partner Alvimia to attain these objectives. Thank you, moderator.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE+VISIBLE FIREWORKS NEAR THE AEC]

MODERATOR: Thank you, Senator. Senator Schroeder, your anti-war stance is more than publicly known — would you like to elaborate?

SCHROEDER: I would be happy to. My views are known to everyone watching today, except perhaps a few Federalists who were curious enough to tune in to the final debate before primaries. My opinion is that the Federalist government under Camden has decided to commit to an economically and psychologically taxing conflict which it has seen fit to end despite not even being a participant for most of its duration. My view is that which party wins in Canguari is irrelevant. The primary concern is ensuring that whichever faction prevails does not see fit to develop weaponry - or otherwise hijack Euphemian weaponry - which is capable of seriously affecting the conflicts outcome. As President, I will remove this country from a war which has seen dozens of Euphemians killed in a strange and foreign nation, and oversee the diplomatic effort to ensure that what happened in November last year will not occur again.

CROSS: Senator, you’re a legislator. Not a member of executive government. I’m afraid this has tinted your view of the world into one the rest of us view as quite laughable. Outside of the halls of the Senate, persuasion is not achieved through lobbying and eloquent speeches. It is achieved through the display, and ultimately the use, of force. It is the universal language to which all people respond. The forces responsible for the disaster in November knew we would disapprove, so I cannot fathom why you believe having diplomats tell them so would affect anything. The F.S.E does not possess the biggest, greatest military in human history so we can be reduced to politely requesting nations follow our requests. We issue instructions, and deliver consequences if they are not followed. You don’t remedy crime by asking criminals nicely to please stop, you do it by locking them up. Not that you’d know the first thing about tackling real issues.

[STRICKLAND RAISES HIS HAND]

STRICKLAND: You know, Governor Cross, for someone who’s deployed their National Guard to fight the Nationalists you seem to be fairly confident in their victory over the Duke of Canguari.

CROSS: I do not believe the nationalists will attain a military victory over the Duke. I do, however, believe that the Duke’s government has been shown to be untenable. I support the Duke’s reign for the duration of the current emergency, but once the Nationalist uprising has been put down, there must be a peaceable transfer of power to an elected civilian government of all Canguarians.

STRICKLAND: I’m sure that’s reassuring for our allies.

[SNAKEEYE RAISES HIS HAND]

MODERATOR: Go ahead, Senator.

SNAKEEYE: Quite frankly, if Canguari's lower-class 'gene-slaves' were emancipated, the Duke's government would end overnight. We ought to expand our current process of emancipation from Euphemian-controlled Zones to the entirety of Canguari by installing Governor Cross as Administrator of a Canguari military cantonment—

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

AUDIENCE MEMBER: IMPERIALIZTS! Lies! Deceptions! This is what they said when they took over Manae! Brothers and sisters, this is how they annexe Tur-

[MAN PUBLICLY LYNCHED IN THE BACKGROUND AS CAMERAS PAN BACK TO THE DEBATE STAGE]

SNAKEEYE: — after all, it has been Governor Cross's troop commitment that is the largest thus far, outside of Federal Army regular forces.

[CROSS SEEMS SOMEWHAT PLEASANTLY SURPRISED]

CROSS: I heartily agree, Senator. As evidenced by their successful employment in the First Army’s Mederune operations, a cantonment is an effective solution for such issues of the inter-relation of civil and military affairs. I am humbled by your reccomendation that I serve as the head of it, but I must note I support the idea regardless of whether I’m nominated by the relevant officials.

[SCHROEDER INTERJECTS]

SCHROEDER: I do not agree with the viewpoint that the situation in Canguari warrants the establishment of a Cantonment...

CROSS: Senator, you don’t agree with much of any of the foreign policy decisions that have been made in the past thirty years. You would’ve told President Neworder - praise be to his name - that a deployment in Zachod was foolhardy. You would’ve strenuously objected to our valiant efforts in the Transatlantic War to defeat Tangaliro, and you would’ve objected at our rejection of Utsanji encroachment in the Pacific. You are on the foreign policy fringe of our politics.

SCHROEDER: Is this some sort of comment on my family’s military history? Or is this just another attempt by you to snare me? My positions on Utsan are clear enough.

CROSS: Your positions on Utsan are easy to hold when the fighting’s already been done. You would not have had the gumption necessary to obtain the status quo we enjoy now. I must say, I hold substantial disagreements with everyone on this stage. However, Senator Schroeder, you are the only candidate I feel is a genuine danger to our nation. You cannot be trusted with the responsibility of commander-in-chief with such a weak temperament.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

[STRICKLAND LOUDLY AND EXAGGERATINGLY COUGHS]

CROSS: Strickland, are you alright? Need some water?

STRICKLAND: Yes, I’m fine.—

CLARENDON: —not to interrupt, but the foreign policy Schroeder seems to propose is precisely the weakness and terminal decline those who doubt this great nation accuse us of so often.

[AUDIENCE MURMUR]

SCHROEDER: It’s easy to forget where this nation’s real priorities should lay. The perseverance of our current international relationships, as opposed to foreign escapades to secure new allies which will only end in little change.

SNAKEEYE: Respectfully, Senator, but I believe our military is best fitted to the role of ensuring a nation responsible for almost causing an Ophiric Calamity does not attempt to do so again. Were it not for the quick response of our pilots and sailors, Las Playas would have been bathed in nuclear hellfire last November.

SCHROEDER: I am confident that by the time our President Camden’s term is hopefully concluded, that the process of disarmament will have been accomplished by our men and women in uniform.

CROSS: Senator, disarmament is not a singular event. It is a policy requiring continuing commitment.

MODERATOR: Thank you, gentlemen. Onto the next subject — a topic that we've somewhat begun to touch on, and that is our involvement in Canguari. Governor Cross, go ahead.

CROSS: As commander-in-chief of the Augustan National Guard, I am already taking decisive action regarding the situation in Canguari. I must commend my fellow Governor, Strickland of Engadine, with his good intentions regarding his more modest deployment. The soldiers of the Federal Army and the Engadine National Guard have my deepest respect, but the leadership of both of those insitutions is failing their rank-and-file members. President Camden and Governor Strickland have both deployed Euphemian servicemen, as stated before, without clear-cut objectives. These deployments are not being adequately supported, and that is having consequences. I have had to personally welcome home the caskets of Augustan servicemen who died because President Camden has not supplied adequate aerial support to Euphemian operations in Canguari. Augustan servicemen are stretched thinly throughout the Central Plains due to the Engadine National Guard’s rather quizzical deployment in the mountains near Siracusa. A Cross Administration will take charge of the situation in Canguari, become a primary actor than a reactor, and formulate an objective that we will deliver. That is not a campaign promise to the Euphemian people, but a solemn oath I make to the families of the dead. Their deaths shall not be in vain.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE, AUGUSTAN FLAGS WAVING AS CAMERA PANS]

STRICKLAND: Governor Cross, I’m going to have to disagree with your assessment that my state’s troops are deployed solely to the mountains, and by your implication, doing nothing. It is a misunderstanding at best, and intentional misrepresentation of the strategic situation at worst. Engadine’s National Guardsmen fight even today in the streets to Siracusa to try and relieve its inhabitants of an all too fatal siege that the Nationalist’s have established. Our troops also perform much of the logistical work required to keep Euphemian supply routes into Canguari secure and maintained. Without my state’s National Guard units continuously working to establish and expand logistical inlets, supplies for all Euphemian troops in Canguari would find themselves gone overnight. Though I suppose you wouldn’t know, since most of your men are playing security theater in the nationalist-free Central Flatlands.

[AUDIENCE SWOONS]

CROSS: You mean to correct my insinuation that your deployment is useless and perfunctory by proudly declaring you have deployed all too modest a force to root out sectarian violence in a densely populated capital city? You’re responding to an accusation of redundancy by pointing out the immense amount of danger you have put your troops in. As for your testimonials of logistical support, Augustan servicemen have only received supplies flown in by the Federal Air Force or escorted on the ground by the Federal Army. Also, to imply that the critical job of Augustan servicemen in preventing the two nationalist pockets from linking up and cutting off Eastern Canguari from allied forces is ‘security theater’ insults the brave men and women giving the Duke you worship a fighting chance.

[AUDIENCE CHANTS "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT"]

STRICKLAND: Bold of you to assume I worship a man who can’t keep his country together. I think the testimony of every Engadine National Guardsman in Canguari counters your claims, but I feel there’s only one way the Engadinian soldiers abroad will be able to express their thoughts... in the Ring!

CROSS: The first resort of the ignorant is always violence. I’m quite happy to kick your ass back to your mansion, though.

STRICKLAND: I ain’t no pansy like Schroeder, Cross. We ain’t tying this time!

[SCHROEDER ROLLS HIS EYES]

CROSS: That’s right. You’re a Daddy’s Boy trying desperately to live up to the shadow of a President we only talk about because he got shot.

[AUDIENCE GASPS]

STRICKLAND: You won’t EVER put disrespect on a Strickland’s name when I’m done with you, boy!

[CAMERA PANS TO THE RING]

ANNOUNCER: ONCE AGAIN, two candidates face off on the ring — with stakes bigger than ever now, there IS a chance either of these men have the failed parachute, which would make a rather nasty mess...

[CROSS ENTRANCE MUSIC]

[STRICKLAND ENTRANCE MUSIC]

[THREE B-6B DAEMON BOMBERS FLY OVER AS ROUND BEGINS]

MODERATOR: START!

ANNOUNCER: CROSS HAS COME OUT FIRST! HE’S MAKING HIS WAY TO RING! HE’S POSING ON THE TOP ROPE! WHAT A PERFORMER!

ANNOUNCER 2: WAIT, WHAT’S THAT UNDER THE RING!

[CAMERA PANS TO A SLIGHT BULGE IN THE TARP UNDER THE RING]

ANNOUNCER: WHAT’S UNDER THERE!?

[STRICKLAND ENTRANCE MUSIC STARTS PLAYING[

[CROSS LOOKS AROUND, CONFUSED]

[STRICKLAND EMERGES FROM UNDER THE RING]

ANNOUNCER: THE GOVERNOR WAS UNDER THE RING! CROSS DOESN’T SEE HIM! BY GOD HE HAS A METAL BASEBALL BAT!

[STRICKLAND WALLOPS CROSS IN THE GROIN]

CROSS: FUCK! SHIT! YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THAT DADDY’S BOY!

ANNOUNCER: STRICKLAND’S CIRCLING THE RING! HE KNOWS BETTER THAN TO CLIMB ON THE ROPES WHEN CROSS CAN KNOCK HIM OFF!

ANNOUNCER 2: WAIT… CROSS IS GETTING A RUNUP… HE CAN’T DO WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE HE’S GOING TO DO….

ANNOUNCER: HE IS!!!!!! SUICIDE DIVE!!!!!

[CROSS LEAPS OUT OF THE RING AND ONTO STRICKLAND, THE MEN ROLLING TO THE EDGE OF THE PLATFORM]

[AUDIENCE GOES APESHIT]

ANNOUNCER: BY GOD!!!

EBN ANCHORMAN: BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE THIS ELECTION!

[FIREWORKS ABOVE]

ANNOUNCER: NATREP polling across Torch is skyrocketing... it'd seem Mayor-Governor Tamanend has closed Morhatten Bridge to control the crowds below! Wait— what is this?!

[STRICKLAND CATCHES CROSS IN A LOCK, CONDUCTS AN ANGLE SLAM]

[AUDIENCE GOES WILD]

ANNOUNCER: BY GOD! GOVERNOR CROSS HAS TAKEN A BEATING!

STRICKLAND: I’d rather be sitting in Esprit over Alexandria any day of my life!

[CROSS STIRRING IN A HEAP]

[SPITS BLOOD OUT OF HIS MOUTH]

ANNOUNCER: BY GOD! HE'S GETTING BACK UP!

CROSS: You’ll be flying in Torch City soon enough, you son of a bitch!

[CROSS HAULS STRICKLAND OVER HIS SHOULDER, SLAMS HIM WITH A ROCK BOTTOM]

CROSS: I DON’T THINK DADDY’S BOY EXPECTED AN ASS WHOOPING WHEN HE TOOK THIS TO THE RING!

ANNOUNCER: I heard his back crack! It was picked up on the mics!

EBN ANCHORMAN: WAIT— THE AUDIENCE IS THROWING THEIR CHAIRS INTO THE RING!

STRICKLAND: Flies stick to shit, Cross, and you keep using the same line!

CROSS: I’m fresh off a motherfucker’s ass, and I’m getting homesick! Get the fuck up!

[CROSS CATCHES A CHAIR AND CRACKS STRICKLAND IN THE SKULL]

[AUDIENCE GOES APESHIT]

ANNOUNCER: BY GOD! HE'S DOWN! CROSS AND STRICKLAND HAVE SEIZED FIRST AND SECOND PLACE!

[CROSS DRAGS STRICKLAND BACK UP ONTO HIS KNEES]

CROSS: I NEED MORE CHAIRS!

[CROSS CONTINUES CATCHING CHAIRS AND CRACKING THEM INTO STRICKLAND’S SKULL, ONCE PR CHAIR]

CROSS: NOT TOO FUCKING SMART NOW, ARE YOU?

Announcer: This is cruelty! He’s beating a broken man!

[STRICKLAND SPITS BLOOD]

STRICKLAND: Still smarter than you… fuckin’ HICK!

CROSS: What the fuck you say to me, city boy? You love the city so much, I’ll give you a fuckin Blume Skyline!

[CROSS HOISTS STRICKLAND INTO A FIREMAN CARRY AND ATTITUDE ADJUSTS HIM OFF OF THE TOWER]

CROSS: HOPE YOUR PARACHUTE WORKS SO I CAN KICK YOUR ASS AGAIN!

[AUDIENCE GOES APESHIT]

ANNOUNCER: HE'S FALLING! OH GOD! WILL HIS PARACHUTE WORK?!

[STRICKLAND'S PARACHUTE NARROWLY DEPLOYS]

ANNOUNCER: THANK GOD!

[STRICKLAND LANDS INTO A CHEERING CROWD BELOW]

EBN ANCHORMAN: A VICTORIOUS CROSS EMERGES FROM THE RING... THE AUDIENCE IS GOING ABSOLUTELY WILD AT THE DISPLAY GOING ON HERE!

MODERATOR: Governor Strickland will be joining us on the stage soon enough. Now, let the debates continue. Now, I'll let Governor Cross resume here — the Navy. It's the cornerstone of the Federal military, but critics have cited matters such as our aging capital ships — and the fact we haven't built a single carrier in 20 years — as 'evidence' that the Federal States is in decline. It's well known that Senator Snakeeye has backed a navy proposal for a new carrier, dubbed CVN-128. Senator Clarendon, on the other hand, proposes we revive the almost five-hundred year old FSS Augusta and modernize it into a fire support ship. What do you intend to do about the Federal Navy's current state?

CROSS: Thank you, moderator. It’s my firm belief that the Federal States’ Navy is, as you said, essential to our global power projection capabilities. However, I don’t believe that either of the prominent ‘solutions’ are promising for our Naval strength. CVN-128 is a design without a necessity, as it provides at best marginal or incremental improvements over the Alexandria class. R&D costs in addition to base procurement would hamper our Navy’s ability to recapitalize our surface warfare capabilities. Ever since the Utsanji Wars, the FSN has focused on expeditionary power projection rather than the traditional business of ship-killing. Our skills have, in that area, atrophied. With the resurgence of opposing powers like the People’s Republic of Sinica, we must renew that capability. Senator Clarendon’s proposed modernization of the FSS Augusta is a dereliction of our responsibility to our sailors to provide them a modern vessel capable of safely conducting national security operations. I propose a joint program with our continental partner the Federal Republic of North Ophir to create a ‘BCGN’ - guided nuclear battlecruiser. This BCGN would be a purebred anti-ship vessel, and build off the successful groundwork of the CSGN project. The funds saved from this much less ambitious project can be rededicated to procurement of smaller surface vessels such as frigates and destroyers. BCGN will free up those assets from anti-ship warfare they are ill-suited for and allow them to fully focus on the littoral patrol and air defense they are specialized for.

[SNAKEEYE RAISES HIS HAND]

SNAKEEYE: Governor, while the Alexandria-class has accommodated many new technologies over the decades, its ability to support the most recent technical advances is becoming increasingly limited. Its artificial intelligences grow obsolete, its power generation capabilities insufficient. Upgrades over the decades have increased the Alexandria's weight and eroded the center-of-gravity margin that keeps them consistently stable. The CVN-128 program introduces a larger flight deck, a smaller island, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and an Advanced Arresting Gear. With the CVN-128 proposal expected to generate three times the power and 25% more sorties, and host the forefront in Euphemian advanced artificial intelligence, and generally make deployment a much more tolerable affair for its crew. The Alexandria-class's ability to serve us in this brave new world is growing increasingly limited, and we ought to have a reasonable strategy to replace it accordingly.

CROSS: The Alexandria-class does require a replacement, on that we agree. We disagree as to the ‘when’ and the ‘how.’ It is my belief that surface life extension programs are the appropriate manner to keep the Alexandrias combat-relevant, as we await for the technology you’re recommending to mature. Carriers are the centerpiece of our fleet, and to experience teething issues pertaining to new technology could be disastrous for combat readiness. Our northern ally experienced this issue during the replacement of their Leviathan class with the Continental class - there is a reason Euphemian carriers saw much more combat in the Pacific than the North Ophirics during the Utsanji Wars.

[STRICKLAND RETURNS TO THE STAGE]

[AUDIENCE SWOONS]

ANNOUNCER: HE'S BRUISED, BUT CERTAINLY NOT BEATEN!

MODERATOR: Governor Strickland, many candidates here propose a variety of solutions to modernizing the Federal Navy. Some propose modernizing the ancient Augusta-class battleship, others suggest a new nuclear carrier to replace the aging Alexandria-class, while Governor Cross proposes a 'nuclear battlecruiser' as a new class of capital ship in the fleet. What is your stance on the Federal Navy's modernization program?

STRICKLAND: Modernizing a pre-Calamity battleship just for the sake of it is a waste of money and intentional desecration of a true artifact of the past. That being said… I think a new carrier is the best way forward to continue projecting our power across the oceans. A ‘nuclear battlecruiser’ might sound nice and fancy, but I much prefer having ninety aircraft on a floating airfield able to respond to situations.

CROSS: And when that situation is an enemy ship, those ninety aircraft take far too long to sortie to be combat effective. Carriers provide a valuable expeditionary capability, but the best way to eliminate an enemy ship is with a ship of our own.

SNAKEEYE: The destroyers, cruisers and nuclear strike cruisers of the Federal Navy prove adequate in the defensive role of protecting our carriers.

CROSS: At the expense of the expeditionary capability you want to send tens of billions dollars developing, Senator. A jack of all trades is a master of none. A destroyer tasked with fire support, area air defense, anti submarine warfare, and anti submarine warfare will succeed at none of them. A battlecruiser tasked with anti surface warfare will excel at the craft.

CLARENDON: You propose nuclear battlecruisers with pseudo-stealth that is, as you once put it to General Temple, much akin to a .50 to a prisoner's head — overkill. It is an expense of money — and to ignore the strategic value of our pre-Calamity vessels is to ignore an untapped cost-effective solution. Regardless of whether it is a battlecruiser or a battleship — the Sinicans would have immense difficulty bringing such honorable hulls down.

MODERATOR: Thank you, gentlemen. Now, a topic of contention in recent months — the Federation of Kael, and the extent of its military involvement in southern Ophir. Some see it as a force for good benefitting Euphemian policy, others see it as a corrupt state fermenting war and provoking military action from Regentor to Canguari, invading Floriana's western archipelagos and establishing the 'Republic of West Floriana', and arming Canguari to such an extent that it was easily capable of inflicting mass destruction in Florian cities like Jacotlan. Some would say they are our ally — but some would say they are directly responsible for the present situation in south Ophir. Senator Schroeder, you may begin.

SCHROEDER: Thank you. It has been my stance that Euphemie should have limited its involvement in South Ophir’s conflicts to the most minimal presence possible, and to a certain extend, that applies also to the Federation. I feel that Kael’s support of various states, such as the Canguarian government we now support which brought the cities Jacotlan and Sanchez to ruin, is counter-intuitive to the common desire of peace in Ophir.

SNAKEEYE: Which is why we ought to establish a cantonment in Canguari!

MODERATOR: Governor Cross, what is your stance on the Federation?

CROSS: The Federation is a vital regional partner in our efforts for Ophiric stability. They don’t always act in our best interest, and at those times remedial action must be taken. It’s a give-and-take relationship, but I personally believe it’s vital that nations such as Kael and Alvimia step up and take responsibility as regional leaders in their respective neighborhoods. It makes our position much more tenable, and an Ophiric order a reality rather than a dream. The diktats of Torch City and Telos are little more than words on paper without regional allies.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Senator Clarendon?

CLARENDON: Their irresponsible support for the Duchy was buildup to the November Incident that could've very well killed countless innocent Velezian citizens. We need not speak of hypotheticals, of course — the smoldering ruins of cities like Sanchez, Jacotlan and Tlexochtlitla speak measures of the Duchy's regard for human life, and the morality of those who backed such military actions. I believe Canguari is an Euphemo-Alvimian responsibility, not a Kaelic one.

[SNAKEEYE RAISES HIS HAND]

MODERATOR: Senator Snakeeye, go ahead.

SNAKEEYE: While myself and President Camden disagree on many things, we hold mutual agreement on the matter that Kael is a vital ally. However, I find the fact that high members of Kael's government perceive our cautious, humane approach to Ophiric politics to be 'weakness'... quite frankly, insulting. The era of 'bombing cities to the ground' ended twenty-nine years ago in the hellfire of the former Sacred Union State, when our brave airmen vanquished Novus Concordia. We are not in southern Ophir to send our men to die in proxy wars to fund the military industrial complex... we are in southern Ophir to uphold the interests of the Federal States and her allies. I believe a degree of 'mutual respect' is to be, naturally, demanded of this.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Senator.

[STRICKLAND RAISES HIS HAND]

MODERATOR: Go ahead, Governor.

STRICKLAND: My position is that the Federation of Kael’s various actions in Southern Ophir are entirely and wholly dangerous and reckless. In the past year, it has supported a Duke which, as more than one of my colleagues stated previously, flattened three cities. It then went on to, for no real reason or rhyme throw it’s backing to a certain state which claims Velezian territory, fired ballistic missiles into Courburg without warning, and has actively stated its intention to single-handedly try and remove Akhmanari influence from South Ophir. Its leaders are UPPITY and have pursued policies well out of-

MODERATOR: Is holding back Akhmanari influence not among the goals of the Euphemian deployment to Velezia, Governor Strickland?

STRICKLAND: It is. I think our military is more than capable of doing such. I feel that a minor West Ophiric state attempting to take on the same responsibility is… how do I say it? Crossing the bounds? I question their motives in Daernel, is the point I try to make. One of their government figures remarked, ‘the Federation of Kael is not looking to play regional police’, but that seems to be precisely what they are doing.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Governor. Now, this would've been the last subject of this debate, but it appears Mayor-Governor Tamanend attempted to close all bridges into Morhatten to stifle the sheer public uproar this event is creating. There's been a recent spree of 'closed highways' and 'closed bridges' as both President Camden and Mayor Tamanend vie for control — if anything, that's been their primary. Senator Snakeeye, you're welcome to offer your opinion on the blatant corruption evident in the Federalist Party's politics?

SNAKEEYE: Quite frankly, the Torch City establishment runs the place as if they were a mafia. The entire goddamn city's become their bordello, all at the expense of the working class. Public infrastructure should not be a political tool, and as President I will see that no petty intragovernmental disputes halt the efficiency of this great republic.

MODERATOR: Of course, Senator. Governor Strickland, your take on your Senator's statement?

STRICKLAND: Agreed. Mayor-Governor Tamanend is a corrupt sun’va’bitch, and if he wins this election, I’m packing my bags and moving to Sanjar!

[AUDIENCE LAUGHTER]

MODERATOR: Thank you, Governor. Senator Clarendon, you've got the go-ahead.

CLARENDON: To put it simply, Euphemie is represented by much more than one massive state. This election, we ought to tear down the notion that the states of this great nation are but mere subjects to the political and economic dominance of a single city acting as a socio-politico-economic demiurge. Political revolution, ladies and gentlemen — from the ballot box to Collis Palatium. The Federalists have felt entitled to the leadership of this country for far too long, and I quote our Party's great leader from a century ago, 89th President George I-Ain't-Got-No-Time O'Brien when I say: I ain't gonna stand for this shit no more!

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

MODERATOR: Thank you, Senator. Governor Cross, go ahead.

CROSS: None of us disagree with the sentiments expressed. The Federalists have felt too entitled for too long. But we’re not gonna beat them without presenting an alternate view for this beautiful city. Torch City shouldn’t dominate our union, but we would be remiss to deny it’s our beating heart. We need to promote a new Euphemie, inclusive of all and providing a chance for all to succeed. We need to reinvest the wealth generated in our great finance centers in Blume and put that to work sending Cantenite farmers’ children to school. We need to use the civil engineering experience that made the Pence Canal possible to rebuild Torch City’s crumbling infrastructure. We need to, as a nation, reckon with the nebulous influence of moneyed interests that have interests contrary to the interests of our democracy and our citizens. We need to crack down on the manipulative practice of drug syndicates, and we need to create a universal equality of opportunity. Until we’ve done that, we must continue striving towards a Most Perfect Union.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

MODERATOR: A most perfect union indeed... Senator Schroeder, any closing statements for the Euphemian people?

SCHROEDER: I just want to reassure the Euphemian nation and people, that whatever political differences we may have, whatever social or economic divisions, our forebears have beared much worse. At the end of the day, Euphemie is a great nation, and we will stay winning. Whatever the result of the primaries, and the election to come after that, we will overcome whatever lies ahead of us! Hail Fern, Hail Neworder, and may God save Euphemie!

CROSS: And as my black concert-goers often like to remark, come election day, the only appropriate response to the Federalist People will be a curt, two-word retort. “Hoes mad.”

[AUDIENCE GOES APESHIT, B-6B FLYOVER, FIREWORKS]

ANNOUNCER: We've got quite the uproar on the streets of Torch City after our candidates' statements... wait, what is this?! Senator Strickland's walked over to the edge!

STRICKLAND: Hey, everyone, get over here! I wanna say something to Tamanend!

[NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES GATHER AT THE EDGE OF 2 AEC]

STRICKLAND: Moderators welcome! Come one, come all!

EBN ANCHORMAN: It appears the entire debate stage, moderator included, are headin' to the edge...

[STRICKLAND ASSUMES THICK ENGADINIAN DRAWL]

STRICKLAND: TAMANEND, RESIGN BITCH!

[AUDIENCE FOLLOWS IN CHANT]

CROSS: I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY AS WELL!

CROSS: AT PRESIDENT CAMDEN, FUCK YOU!

STRICKLAND: FUCK CAMDEN!

ANNOUNCER: BY GOD! Reports coming in of riots on the streets... this has been an explosive debate to end the prelude to the 423 National Republican primaries. Do the National Republicans have a chance at tipping the scale and creating a political revolution?

---

Context:
^[1] - A blanket term for segregationist policies, specifically modern policies in Turmenista, Raven Blake policies deliberately polarized society among the equal and unequal, based upon racial bounds. Under Raven Blake, disenfranchisement among blacks is common, along with discrimination in the criminal justice system, among the most severe of policies.

---

In the Headlines:
Courburg State Council votes for LPST Alignment

Clancy Petrochemicals employee accused of ordering Kir village massacre acquitted of all charges

Tosaki: Coral Islands DOG Team seizes 7,777 pounds of Can’Joan Pot Hallucinogens

CI Governor Grips: “National Republicans, let my Turmenistan brothers and sisters go!”

Leaked photos of President Silva’s sheltered teenage years and racy lake house trip pictures cause craze on Aurelianet - and she’s not happy

How a female Capchat megastar spawned a viral internet meme with her bathtub

Life inside a Sinican automated Mega-ethno-labor complex

[Forest State]

Clash Of Words Between Oireachtas Chieftan, Euphemian Candidate, Continues

Nuacht Naisiunta Editorial Staff
May 26, 423

DAERNEL, FEDERATION OF KAEL --- The international situation between the Federation of Kael and the Federal States of Euphemie took another interesting turn when Oireachtas Chieftan Ruarc Carmody clapped back at National Republican candidate Clyde Private-Eyes W. Highway 40 Blues Strickland, who is currently one of the members of the field in the primaries stage of the Euphemian Presidential election and recently criticized the actions of the Federation during one of the National Republican debates. The latest statement from Carmody is the latest in a line of them from the Oireachtas Chieftan, who has largely taken responsibility for foreign policy as the leader of Maura Tsaoir’s Heavenly Party.

“I was told that, according to Strickland, our nation might not be living up to its statement that we don’t wish to be world policemen. There is some truth to that, of course. Our recent actions in southern Ophir would indicate that our nation has played that role at least somewhat, but Strickland must understand where these actions are coming from. If not for the FSE ignoring this front of the conflict and focusing most of the attention on Canguari - which seems conveniently linked to the upcoming election - these actions would not have taken place. I don’t know where the idea that the Federation, one day, simply decided to back the nation of Regentor. Our nations have maintained ties before this recent little crisis. In fact, the security of our collective business ventures as a nation and the flow of trade southwards is one of the reasons why the Federation secured its maritime security during the Five Nights War,” Carmody told reporters in the Capital District.

“But now, let’s talk about Canguari. The Kaels as a people will not apologize for aligning with a side which has made significant strides in crushing the Florianan dog. It’s also true that the Kaels as a people will not apologize for our fighting mindset - Our nation was born from fire, reunited by fire, and we have been fighting with ourselves for years in invisible battles which go unmissed by the outside world before our nation was involved in the affairs of Euphemie or the rest of South Ophir. Our culture will not change due to the demands of outsiders… President Camden accepted our nation as is, even with our support for the Duke of Canguari being apparent at the time. All of us here within the Oireachtas, within the upper echelons of leadership, will await the results of this upcoming election with anticipation. Specifically, whether or not the winner of this contest is willing to make the same decision.”

Carmody has also announced the purchase of two C-74 ‘Condor’ transport aircraft, owned by the Imperial Army Air Forces reserves. According to an official statement, Carmody intends to ‘do more for the Euphemian effort in Canguari than Strickland’ by organizing supply drops for the Augustan National Guard units located in the nation of Canguari, as a gesture of goodwill towards the FSE following the scuffle between himself and Strickland. The details of these supply drops, however, remain to be cleared up - it seems the weapons and ammunition included would be Kaelic AR-72 and AR-81 rifles, neither of which are used by the Euphemian military. Other supplies, though, such as rations and medical equipment, may prove useful to the Augustan soldiers on the ground - who may be at odds with Strickland themselves based on the results of the National Republican debate.

There’s little sign of the war of words slowing down, and with Kaelic forces still positioned in Puerto Abascal, the nation’s tension level may be higher than it was in the buildup to the Five Nights War.

[Western Pacific Territories]

Governor Jack Cross Wins National Republican Primaries
June 1, 423 A.C.

SERONDEQUOT — The conclusive battle for dominance of the National Republican candidacy for President came last night, in a fierce two-way showdown between Augustan Governor Jack Careless-Whisper Born-in-the-F.S.E Cross and Engadine Senator Roger "Sorcerer" Tears-in-Rain M. Snakeeye III. Snakeeye's fellow statesman, Governor Clyde Private-Eyes W. Highway 40 Blues Strickland was left to pound sand almost from the very get-go. The Senator from Providence, Caswell D. States-Rights I-Always-Get-Lucky-for-You Schroeder, and Senator from Calistor, Eddie Music-and-Passion Redwater D. Clarendon both dropped out shortly after the beginning of primaries. In the end, however, Governor Cross ultimately won.



The elections began in Torch City, where Snakeeye secured a solid majority of the vote, to the surprise of few. Afterwards, Cross went on a rampage, scoring the delegates of Amelia, Calistor, Mansfeld, Sarasett, Carver and Lancaster consecutively. Calistor Senator Clarendon dropped out shortly after the results from Calistor came in. Strickland struck back, taking Canten and Amure as observers expected. He was promptly humiliated, however, when Snakeeye took his own state of Engadine. Things then moved to the Atlantic Islands, where the Turmenistan National Republicans refused to participate in primaries - partly because of statements of condemnation from every candidate running. Snakeeye scored no victories here, with Strickland only taking Frederick Island. Speculators have concluded that if Turmenista had not boycotted the elections, Strickland probably would have taken it. The primary's focus then returned to Oesterra.

There, Strickland took hardly any states with major delegate counts, which according to EBN reporters on the ground sent him into a rage. Cross and Snakeeye roughly tied in Oesterra concerning numbers of states won. The Sacred Delegates of Jingo were then introduced into the mix, starting with the Air Force. When Air Force primaries concluded, Strickland shouted "my damn state has betrayed me!" and stormed out of the Atlantic Economic Center, where he and his campaign staff were watching the election results.

Soon after that, Strickland dropped out of the race and his delegates were evenly distributed among Cross and Snakeeye, giving Cross a 300-delegate lead. Navy primaries were then conducted, where Snakeeye won a resounding and overwhelming majority of the Navy's delegates. Cross and Snakeeye fought bitterly for the Army's Primary, but as the primaries reached the electoral college phase, it appeared that Cross might have narrowly lost. However, the College of Admirals, Marshals, Computers, Professors and Journalists all voted for Cross, making him the National Republican's Presidential Candidate for the 423 presidential elections.

In the aftermath, Cross was quick to assemble his team of presidential appointees. His pick for Vice President was a very unexpected one - Strickland. He gave most of his fellow National Republican candidates significant roles, appointing Engadine Senator Snakeeye as Secretary of State, Calistor Senator Claredon as Secretary of Commerce, Westland Senator Kiswell as Secretary of Energy and Providence Senator Schroeder as Secretary of Health and Wellbeing. The Presidential Election looms in November.

---

In the Headlines:
Gallian Emperor Lecanuet declares all Sinicans 'rats' in speech

Velikossiyan President Ustinov holds elections, declares results 'illegitimate', threatens prison sentences

Vrystadt army officer accused of ordering 'mass lynchings' in northern Avalon acquitted

Turmenistan Governor Ken Degrassi gives "Mailpost Speech" to cabinet

Alvimian Senator proposes collecting hands of dead Canguari nationalists to provide accurate death tolls

[Turmenista]

Federal Authorities Seize Kaelic Weapons in Neo-Arcadia
June 3, 423 A.C.

NEO-ARCADIA — As the National Republican Party's primaries draw to a close, and as the presidential race begins, Federal authorities have come across information related to the Earlier today, Agents of the Bureau of Lasers and Firearms embedded within the Neo-Arcadia Port Authority temporarily impounded a shipment belonging to the Eleven Eastern Shipping company, after receiving an anonymous tip suggesting the company was being used by the Nelson Mafia criminal group (flag above) to smuggle weapons throughout Turmenista.

While searching the vessel, BLF agents found two unmarked crates, presumably belonging to the Nelson Mafia. When searched, it was revealed that the crates contained 52 AR-72 rifles and 42 AR-81 rifles—both weapons made in Kael—as well as over 12,000 rounds of caliber ammunition for various firearms, and a vintage black powder rifle from Hesperia. The crew were later detained by BLF agents for questioning; thus far, two crewmembers have been arrested for connections with the Nelson Mafia, while all firearms involved in the shipment were apprehended by the BLF.

"Neo-Arcadia, unfortunately, has become an international hub for arms smuggling, in part due to the prevalence of crime syndicates like the Nelson Mafia, South Ophiric Cartels, and Sinican Triads," BLF Special Agent Bauhaus P. Floyd, supervisor for the operation, said in a news conference. "I believe that these groups are all working in unison to establish a sort of Triangular Trade network for drugs, weapons, and humans, between Ophir and Mederum, and Turmenista has become the nexus.”

The Governor of Turmenista, Kenny "Ken" Whitewoods Garden Piano-Man O'Donnell Degrassi, has expressed his thanks to Federal authorities for their speedy interception of the firearms.

The Nelson Mafia, a Hesslerist crime syndicate active within the Turmenistan archipelago, had previously been involved with violent altercations with Turmenistan and Federal Authorities, especially as racial violence in Turmenista escalated last week, and are assumed to have connections to criminal groups active in South Ophir and triads in Fuxia and Sinica. News of the seizure of Kaelic guns bound for Hesslerist groups in Turmenista has already brought about additional controversy to the already hectic presidential campaign, especially among Federalist candidate and incumbent president Dean Camden.

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In the Headlines:
Aurelianet debates over "intimate nature" of Florianan President Gutiérrez and Velezian President Silva's handshake from May 2

Turmenista Governor blocks ISB investigation of police brutality

"Furry" Convention in Naiko met with mob from International Academy

"Summer with You" Reboot announced for Summer 424

Akhmanar: Outspoken friend or mortal enemy?

Female EBN Anchor heckled by West Florianan insurgents while filming documentary

Department of Culture and Akhmanar Historical Records Office send robot to Blake's Folly, unable to find source of radiation

[Valefontaine]

Snakeeye Publically Questions Pres. Camden's Demilitarization Policy
June 4, 423 A.C.

STYX ISLAND — "It has become direly apparent that the situation in Turmenista is rapidly deteriorating," Engadine Senator and 'Cross 423' Secretary of State nominee Roger "Sorcerer" Tears-in-Rain M. Snakeeye III was quick to get to the point while making a speech during his visit to silo FSE00396 in Styx Island. "There are six nuclear silos in Turmenista, need I not mention the headquarters of the Navy Biological Research Agency, and yet not a single major Federal Army unit, save for the bare minimum in security personnel, have been present on the island under the Camden Administration. Just miles away from where the Federal military keeps and tests their most potent biological and chemical weapons, you have rioters and terrorists running rogue on the streets."

"While Congress remains adamant in their indecision regarding the notion of Federal intervention on Euphemian territory, and while this President sits on his ASS — we have REAL danger imminent. I remain thankful to the men, women and computers of Styx Island for keeping this country safe — and I extend my gratitude to the silo computers of Turmenista that keep that shitstain of a governor Degrassi from having his hands on the nuclear codes."

Snakeeye's statements were quick to cause uproar on the Internet and across the nation, bringing serious attention to the situation in Turmenista. The Department of Defense was quick to issue a response, however, dismissing Snakeeye's claims as 'paranoid, politicized fearmongering' and assuring that 'all Federal facilities in the archipelago are safe and secure'. However, Snakeeye's statement has already been enough to renew Congressional debate on the matter of deploying Federal troops to Turmenista, and whether the Federal armed services have the right to remove a governor from office.

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In the Headlines:
Top Canguarian general: Sofia will be ours tonight

Camden's approval rate steadily dropping

Turmenista civilian air travel grinds to a halt

Speculation widespread in alleged Kael-armed racial extremists on Arcadia streets

Tangaliroan ballistic missile submarine recovered after Euphemian-Acasian undersea expedition

Courburg cautious as Regentor and Velezia butt heads

Floriana pursues Acasia arms deal

[Forest State]

Kaelic Government Points At The Mummy In False Flag Row

Nuacht Naisiunta Editorial Staff
June 4, 423

DAERNEL, FEDERATION OF KAEL --- The government of Kael is rarely a united one - various factions vie through control both in the elections and through other fields such as the fields of business and even sometimes through the military. However, something at the moment has distracted from most of the internal disagreements in the country and has focused Kaelic interests against an alleged different enemy - one that hides behind false flag actions and trickery rather than an open and claimed attack such as the Kaelic submarine strikes on Courburg or unapologetic support for an ally, such as the Kaelic aid to Canguari in the past.

“Rather than respond like a real nation with a real military of their size, the nation behind this false flag incident felt the need to move in the dark and to fight back in a very, dare I say this, unmasculine and low energy way - by doing something to muddy the waters with our allied nations and something that they believe they can get away with, without this action being tied to them,” Oireachtas Chieftan Ruarc Carmody of the Heavenly Party said in a press conference in the Capital District. “Before getting to the subject of this nation, however, we would like to disprove the idea that Kaelic mercenaries or guns have been in Turmenista… Or in the case of the latter, we would like to disprove that we and not a foreign power placed guns in Turmenista.”

“First off, we would like to ask why antagonizing the Federal States of Euphemie by aiding violent movements within its nation would be a smart move on our part. What would our nation have to gain from creating a bigger crisis in Euphemie even though we have asked, fairly recently, for further Euphemian involvement against the Silva regime? When much of our own trade heads to Euphemie? When considering if this action on our part is real or not, consider the fact that it runs contrary to our strategic goals and our own economic interests - the fact that our two countries are allies with no decline in relations notwithstanding.”

Carmody continued by offering records from the main weapons manufacturers in Kael, including Gnothas Mearn and Airm Daernel, who produce the AR-72 and AR-81 rifle respectively, the two that were found in Turmenista. “We would like to offer our allies the FSE and the FRNO the records pulled by the KIB from our nation’s top armsmakers, showing that no company in Kael has produced weapons with the intent to sell them to armed groups in Turmenista. We believe that most likely, these weapons were produced for the Canguarian government and seized by foreign bad actors during the recent chaos in the country. Matching the serial numbers would certainly support that idea.”

Finally, Carmody blamed the alleged false flag on the nations that Kael has recently engaged in a feud with - one that has included both words and ballistic missiles. “Furthermore, we would ask that all of the nations in the surrounding area, whether they be the Euphemians, the Hesperians, the North Ophircs, Alvimians, or anyone else, take a close and hard look at just who could be behind this. Logic would indicate that this is an action of the Velezians, their puppet regime in Courburg, or worse yet, the mummy. And for this action, there will be hell to pay for the former sides, who aren’t simply going to escape their responsibility through obfuscation a lack of a hard connection. We believe that our own claims have far more validity behind them, after all, than the claim that Kaelic mercenaries are operating in Turmenista.”

[The Enclave Government]

Cross visits Turmenista, issues call for action
June 12, 423 A.C.

ALANOIR — "Euphemie hears you, Euphemie sees you, and Euphemie will save you." Jack Careless-Whisper Born-In-The-F.S.E Cross, the nominee of the National Republican party for Presidency of the Federal States of Euphemie, struck a calculated tone that mixed alarm and reassurance during a campaign visit to the state of Turmenista. Pushing for his inclusion on the Turmenistan ballot in November through a write-in initiative, Cross issued rattling denunciations of the paralyzed State Government and the willful ignorance of President Camden as sectarian tensions have increasingly been inflamed.

"While Camden nurses wounds to his infamously fragile ego from the bruising a former teamster gave the leader of the free world in the Federalist primary, Euphemians are dying in one of our integral states. The Camden Administration's ignorance as to the seriousness of this matter is only allowing the racist tensions that have caused this violence to fester. Federal intervention is essential, and under a Cross Administration, federal intervention will be delivered speedily and effectively. The current Turmenistan Government has, by way of inaction, lost their mandate. A temporary deployment and government by the Federal States' Army ought to return Turmenista to a state of law and order in which free and fair elections can be held to a racially unbiased electoral franchise."

Cross' statements followed a tour through bombed-out neighborhoods north of Alanoir. Escorted personally by troops of the Augustan National Guard, a half-hearted assassination attempt was thwarted by forward security.

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In the Headlines:
North Ophiric trade at record highs

Where is President Camden?

Canguari: Still a warzone

Is Kael a Friend or a Foe?

University of North Ophir opens Augustan campus
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[Forest State]

Patriotas De Las Islas, Kaelic Government, Strike Back At Florianan Insurgents

Nuacht Naisiunta Editorial Staff
June 12, 423

PUERTO ABASCAL, REPUBLIC OF WEST FLORIANA --- There is a popular video going around the internet in recent days from the city of Puerto Abascal, capital of the Kaelic-aligned Republic of West Floriana. The video seems to be a response to Florianan nationalists who appeared on camera heckling an EBN anchor who was in the area to work on a documentary. The video, titled ‘The Real West Floriana’ has footage taken from a rally held by the pro-separatist group known as the Patriotas de las Islas, which is believed to be Kaelic backed and appeared in the months following the Kaelic occupation and eventual withdrawal from the country which led to West Florianan’s creation.

The group claims to support the islands remaining separate from the nation of Floriana due to receiving little attention from the Florianan government and little investment in key areas, things that the group believes the Kaels will provide. In the video spread around the internet by the group, a rally of what appears to be about 500 or so people burns an effigy of Florianan President Gutierrez, which was passed around through what appeared to be a large crowd before dumping gasoline on it and setting it on fire.

A masked spokesperson of the group, which is political rather than military in nature, also warns Florianan nationalists within the country to stop advocating for a government which doesn't care about them and simply views them as their most far flung territory. Lack of government investment and economic stagnation in the area has been one of the talking points of the group, which believes that close association with Kael is a better path for the future.

In exchange to favorable rights to the ports in the Republic of West Floriana, the Federation of Kael has organized deals for several state owned companies to begin opening offshoot locations within the Republic, most notably in the two major cities of Puerto Abascal and Ajuchitepac. On the 10th, the Kaelic government announced another series of investments, including a shipyard in Puerto Abascal and a hangar for the Kaelic Aircraft Company in Ajuchitepac, which will service planes that are produced by the company and later sent back in for performance tweaks or for repairs. Perhaps most notably is the addition of a Cabry State University campus in Puerto Abascal, set to open in the coming years - while Daernel may be the richest city in the country and home to the best private colleges, it’s often said that Cabry is home to the best public higher education that one can pursue within Kael.

These decisions seem to be an advancement of earlier Kaelic promises to West Floriana and a reaction to the appearance of insurgents within the country. It’s hard to justify an insurgency, after all, if life is better under the new government than it was under the old.