A World in Chaos: An Alt-Earth RP (IC/Open) SIGNUP FIRST

[The Emerald Dragon]

A Government HQ

"Council Member Dreyfus Rose, you've been selected to attend the AEGIS conference in Persica, represent the EUP well and concede no demands" Was the voice which resonated like ice across the dimly-lit room, it was Tyson Blackheart, the Armed Forces General and all-around sage when it came to military weaponry and tactics. Dreyfus Rose would have a three hour rest before the flight, and he'd hopefully get there in the quickest of time, which wasn't an issue, considering the HQ's airfield was for Council use only.

Three hours later...

Dreyfus brushed his shiny onyx coloured tuxedo, sat down in a leather seat and watched as his aircraft took off for Persica...

[Soviet Chernarus]

An Airfield on the outskirts of Verdenberg, Kolterüng

Enver Smittë has only been recently informed of the AEGIS meeting that was to take place in Persica - as he waved goodbye to the crowd of onlookers - mostly consisting of his relatives, family, and friends, he had a constant feeling that his nation would not join AEGIS, but rather, its enemies. This did not seem to sit well with him, and now that he mentioned it, he did feel a bit nauseous. However, he knew he would be representing his nation in the meeting, and he wanted to get off a good impression on the foreign delegates and diplomats that would also be attending the meeting. He was well informed on Kolterüng's position in the world, and on the improbable chance that Kolterüng would join AEGIS would mean the nation would be completely surrounded by the UFE...

As he set off with what seemed to be a leisurely stroll towards the private jet he couldn't help but wonder what would happen...

[Cymrea]

Kingdom of Persica - IM Factbook Excerpt
Prepared by Intelligentia Militarum Section 7
WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED [ABOVE MOST SECRET]

"Semper Occultus"

---

The Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information is acquired, converted into intelligence, and made available to policymakers. Information is raw data from any source, data that may be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected, integrated, evaluated, analyzed, and interpreted. Finished intelligence is the final product of the Intelligence Cycle ready to be delivered to the policymaker.


I. ECONOMY

The Kingdom of Persica, a leading trading power and financial center, is the second largest economy in Brettonia after Ghondra. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by global standards, producing about 85% of food needs with less than 2% of the labour force. Persica has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and Persica became a net importer of energy in recent years. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, are key drivers of Persican GDP growth. Manufacturing accounts for about 20% of economic output. After emerging from a recent recession, Persica’s economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of the Brettonian Union.

Persica currently trades with every major nation – primarily within the Brettonian Union - and many of the less developed nations, particularly those in Brettonia. The most conservative trade is conducted with Prussenija, exporting limited resources and manufactured items but no technologies or weapons.


II. FOREIGN RELATIONS – MAJOR NATIONS

Alegeharia: Cordial relations. Nominal trade, treatises are centred around access to the Ostian Ocean through the southern straits. Limited military cooperation.

Andoria: Peaceful relations. Extensive trade through the Brettonian Union. Nominal military cooperation, including assistance with anti-pirating efforts in the Andorian Bretton Island Territories (ABITs). Potential AEGIS ally.

Aqruthia: Peaceful relations. Significant trade, including nominal access through the Maiitval Canal. Nominal military cooperation including training course exchange programmes. Potential AEGIS ally.

Athartha: No significant relations. Limited trade with corporate interests, and humanitarian efforts. No military cooperation since there is an ongoing struggle for governmental authority.

Emeraldic Union of Provinces: Peaceful relations. Significant trade, particularly in energy, manufactured items, and technologies. Nominal military cooperation including training course exchange programmes. Potential AEGIS ally.

Falconmont: Peaceful relations. Nominal trade, particularly in industrial and heavy metals. Limited military cooperation.

Ghondra: Cordial relations. Extensive trade through the Brettonian Union and Persica’s largest trading partner. Limited military cooperation, primarily anti-pirating efforts around Brettonia.

Helvetia: Cordial relations. Nominal trade, though limited technologies and no weapons, expected to decline with potential tightening of north Ostian ports. Limited military cooperation.

Jordslag-Valim: Peaceful relations. Significant trade due to proximity with the Brettonian Union. Nominal military cooperation including training course exchange programmes. Potential AEGIS ally.

Jiade: Peaceful relations. Significant trade via routes through the Ostian Ocean. Nominal military cooperation including training course exchange programmes. Potential AEGIS ally.

Kolterung: Peaceful relations, though potentially downgraded to cordial pending membership in the United Forces of Evora (UFE). Nominal trade, expected to decline with potential tightening of north Ostian ports.

New Cobastheia: Peaceful relations. Significant trade via trans-Rhunic routes. Nominal military cooperation including training course exchange programmes.

Prussenija: Strained relations. Minimal trade, no technologies and no weapons. No military cooperation. Viewed as a totalitarian regime and a potential ideological enemy.

Taehan: Peaceful relations. Significant trade routes in healthy competition with Ghondran trade. Limited military cooperation due to affiliation with the United Forces of Evora (UFE).


III. MILITARY

Both male and female Persican citizens or lawful permanent residents of 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) may enlist or enroll for voluntary service; there is no conscription in the Royal Persican Forces (RPF). The maximum enlistment ages are: 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligations are: 5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active duty (Air Force, Marines). The Ministry of Defence has eliminated prohibitions restricting women from assignments in units smaller than brigades or near combat units.

Each province within Persica maintains its own civilian militia, known as the Crown Guard. Enlistment and enrolment requirements are identical to the RPF, but active duty is limited to 48 hours per month, not including supplemental or maintenance training. Crown Guard units may be activated for indefinite periods during domestic emergencies.

Many units in the Royal Persican Forces participate in exchange programs with friendly and allied nations, acquiring supplemental training in various environments, technologies, tactics and strategies, and cultural perspectives.

The Royal Persican Army has shifted its doctrines from large-scale conventional ground warfare to small unit strike-and-fade/strike-and-hold with mobility and versatility being central tenets. While a broad ground campaign is still within the RPA’s capabilities, it tends to take the form of a profusion of small units working together in tight discipline and precision. Special operations are carried out by units of Wraiths: highly trained, skilled, and disciplined units of elite soldiers utilising cutting-edge strategies, tactics, and technologies. Silo-housed ICBMs comprise the ground-leg of Persica’s nuclear triad.

The Royal Persican Navy operates three fleet carriers; rotating two active and one in reserve at all times. Around each of the two active carriers are carrier strike groups, composed of the fleet carrier and its carrier air group, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and often including submarines. Additionally, smaller task forces composed of amphibious and dock ships are assembled and activated from naval bases as needed. Force projection is occasional, and largely a secondary concern to territorial defence. The forthcoming AEGIS alliance will likely see the strike groups and task forces in more active deployments. Special operations are carried out by units of Corsairs. The Navy’s ballistic missile submarines comprise the sea-leg of Persica’s nuclear triad.

The Royal Persican Air Force provides air support for surface forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. The service currently operates more than nine thousand aircraft, and an undisclosed number of ICBMs and orbital satellites. Core functions include: nuclear deterrence operations, air superiority, space superiority (in cooperation with the Persican Space Exploration Agency (PerSEA, or Percy), cyberspace superiority, global integrated ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), global precision attack, special operations (Archangel units), rapid global mobility, personnel recovery, agile combat support, and – perhaps most interestingly – building partnerships with friendly foreign militaries. Strategic bombers comprise the air-leg of Persica’s nuclear triad.

The Royal Persican Marines are responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the Royal Persican Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. The service operates posts on land and aboard sea-going amphibious warfare ships around the world. The Royal Persican Marines are a component of the Navy, working closely with naval forces for training, transportation, and logistics.

[Falconmont]

FALKREICH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 3:15 PM

There was a light rain as chancellor Lovzansky borded his private jet. It's destination was Victoria city, where the people of falconmont had Been invited to attend a conference. Normally he'd have one of his nations many diplomats attend, but as they have been proven incompetent in the past and givin the importance of the situation at hand, Lovzansky elected against the recuests of his advisors to attend this meeting himself. The pilots voice soon chimed over the intercom, marking the sleek black jets takeoff.

(Sorry about the small size of this post, the rest of it was deleted again so I'll try to get it up soon)

[Alegeharia]

FALKREICH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 3:15 PM

There was a light rain as chancellor Lovzansky borded his private jet. It's destination was Victoria city, where the people of falconmont had Been invited to attend a conference. Normally he'd have one of his nations many diplomats attend, but as they have been proven incompetent in the past and givin the importance of the situation at hand, Lovzansky elected against the recuests of his advisors to attend this meeting himself. The pilots voice soon chimed over the intercom, marking the sleek black jets takeoff.

(Sorry about the small size of this post, the rest of it was deleted again so I'll try to get it up soon)

"Hey Hey! Chancellor!" Someone said. "I am a diplomat form Alegeharia and I have a message for you!" The Diplomat then brings a adult sized box that was very dark. From darkness appeared a man. The man was Legoiceking.
"Wow it's yo-not cal. Ah well who are you and where is Calvin?" Lego said as he got out of the box.
"I must speak with him it's been a while. I have much news to give him and also the meeting doesn't start for another week btw so um yeah..." Lego said as he wheeled the chancellor around.
"So what's your name I've been pretty much guiding the conversation sorry about that but yeah who/what/how are you?" Lego said as his tail flicked abit.
"Ignore that cal knows what's going on."

[Cymrea]

Outside of Ceapanach, Athartha
Three hours before dawn

Gage Winter was not his real name. He walked over to the nearby vehicle, an Atharthan-manufactured SUV of Ghondran make. His six soldiers were asleep, trying to get a few hours in while they could. They would only be getting two and a half in this short respite and that was enough to keep them going for many more.

"Oy, Smiff, wake the fuck up!" Gage shouted as he came up to the side of the vehicle. On cue, Smith - not his real name, either - woke right up and looked outside the front windshield before he turned to see Gage approaching. "Get the package ready, already!"

Smith nodded and jumped out of the driver's seat of the vehicle. He had layers on to keep himself warm; he and Jones opted for that route since their sleeping bags were less than sufficient. Everyone else slept in sleeping bags that were hardly anything more than cases to keep them from getting too dirty. They were covered in grime that included mud, dried blood, dirt, and who knew what else. There were holes, rips, tears, and scuffs in them that reduced their overall effectiveness to keep the individuals inside warm. Everyone else wore layers inside their cases, but Smith and Jones slept in their vehicles instead, to keep them off the dirty, cold ground. The seats in the vehicles were marginally more comfortable but they slept in the most uncomfortable of positions.

"Got it, man. Here, she's ready to go." Everyone stirred behind the two as Smith pulled a hard-plastic, black suitcase out of the bed of the SUV. He laid it on the ground and crouched in front of it, quickly unlocking the four clasps that held the two covers together. He pulled off the top cover and put it behind the case to reveal a missile launching system: a 9K32 Strela-2 surface-to-air missile. Manufactured in Ghondra, the previous imperial governments had sold enough of the missiles that their usage would certainly be construed as local. Gage looked down at the missile and Smith handed him the whole system after carefully assembling the components a piece at a time. He attached the missile to the launcher base, clipped in the trigger and grip, locked in the sighting system, and attached the guidance system last. Gage was now holding a forty-five pound weapon that consisted of a fifteen pound launcher and a thirty pound missile.

The Strela-2 missile was guided by imaging infrared and it was a small missile, only 1.44 metres long and 72mm in diameter. Its wingspan was 33cm when fired as the wings popped out of the missile, making it easier and more compact to store. They were spring loaded of course. The missile traveled at 430 metres per second against targets as far away as four kilometres. It used a 1.15kg warhead to obliterate anything it touched and that was a fact. The missile, in skilled hands, was a near-certain way to down an aircraft at low and medium altitude and that was what Gage was going to do.

He walked away from the SUV and to the campfire. He checked his watch again. "We've got twelve minutes to pull this off. Everyone on perimeter except West. You're with me. Now!" The order was obeyed immediately and everyone grabbed their weapons from next to them and sprang to action, manning key positions around the encampment. Gage and West, on the other hand, took a stroll three hundred and fifty metres away, exiting the forested area entirely. There, they stood on flat terrain without much in their way. Gage hefted the launcher onto his right shoulder and looked at West. "Make sure nobody's around." She nodded and took off, putting her night vision goggles over her eyes as she walked away. Gage put his right hand on the grip and elevated the missile launcher so that he could turn the system on, simply by pressing a single switch. The system would take thirty seconds to boot up and another forty-five for the missile seeker to become active. During that time, he oriented himself to the southwest. It seemed like an hour for the system to come online and every second felt like a minute to the impatient soldier; he wanted to accomplish this objective so that he could get back to his regular assignments further north. Time ticked away as he oriented the missile launcher upwards to the cold sky. If it was barely five degrees Centigrade on the ground it would be far colder in the air. That would make the hot exhaust from even the smallest of aircraft visible from far away. Finally, that exhaust was what told him that his objective was nearing. He activated the missile system and began to track the target. An invisible laser departed the missile launcher and hit the fuselage of the aircraft a fraction of a second later. This wasn't to guide the missile but rather to get data on the approaching aircraft. The missile launcher's thermal sights had targeted it but it couldn't give the more accurate firing data that the situation required. The laser returned speed, altitude, and range instantly and he saw that the target was well within the operational envelope of the missile.

The plane was a Douglas DC-3, an airframe that had been designed more than seventy years earlier. This particular aircraft had been built fifty-something years earlier and it was used by local commuter airlines to transport civilians around the country. The flight was heading into Ceapanach, thirty kilometers to the east. Ceapanach was currently a hornet’s nest, partially controlled by government forces, and partially controlled by various rebel and insurgency groups. This flight was an airliner out of Jordslad-Valim, and nearly filled with private civilians – Valimi nationals. This was a fact known to Gage who targeted the aircraft as it flew by. In moments, it was entirely past him and on approach to Ceapanach International Airport.

His orders had been transmitted to him earlier that day by the Intelligentia Militarum through their secretive and encrypted channels. Two years of effort had gone into acquiring Biorchan passports and Ghondran equipment. Any competent agency investigating the forthcoming incident could reasonably conclude that Ghondra had supplied Biorchan terrorists with the weapons to carry out this mission against the innocent civilians of Jordslag-Valim.

Gage watched the plane and looked at the probability of kill indicator on the missile launcher's screen. It was a number that gave the percentage that the missile would hit under the launching circumstances. It was based on environmental conditions, electronic countermeasures, target data, and so on and so forth. When it read zero-point-nine-five, he fired and that meant he had a ninety-five percent chance of hitting the target.

The missile ejected from the launcher by a low-powered rocket that was designed to get the missile far enough away from the launcher so that when its main rocket fired, the launcher wasn't harmed. It was a process that lasted less than a second. The missile streaked upwards, trailing no smoke, only a bright, green flame. Moments later, when the missile traveled its three and a half kilometres to the target, it hit. Gage grimaced as he watched a fireball erupt from the DC-3's port side wing, right where one of its two propeller engines was. The DC-3 wasn't more than twenty-six hundred meters off the ground and it wasn't flying faster than two hundred forty kilometres per hour. It had no chance of evading the missile, even if the pilots knew it was there - and they didn't.

The explosion shattered the engine and severely damaged the port side wing. The explosion of the engine did even more damage, structurally weakening the wing beyond its critical limits. Shrapnel was ejected into the air and the aircraft's fuselage. While it injured some of the passengers, it also damaged the port-side rear stabilizer of the aircraft. Severely weakened, the aircraft lost speed and its port-side engine began to burn uncontrollably. As the pilots tried to counter the loss of the engine, they put extra stress on the wing. Five seconds later, the entire port-side wing snapped in half and the DC-3 was now uncontrollable. It spiraled into a nose-down spin and smashed into the ground.

Those terrifying last seconds must have been unimaginable for the people on board. Gage thought about that as he watched it fall out of the sky, trailing black smoke and flames. When it impacted, the rising fireball from the ground was all he needed to know that the mission was a success. He quickly walked back to the clearing and began barking orders. The mission was executed and it took them less than ninety seconds to pack up and go. All of their layered latex gloves and equipment were tossed into a steel barrel, with two gallons of bleach poured on to destroy prints and DNA.

Gage doused the flames of the campfire with sand and jumped into the lead SUV. Everyone operated with precision and speed and tight discipline, as he expected. The three vehicles entered the roadway and headed into the insurgent-controlled suburbs.

As the SUV slowed down into the side streets of the Criolch suburb, Gage checked his watch: twenty-three minutes since the DC-3 went down. The local authorities would only just now be responding. Minutes later, the team was pulling into an unmarked garage. With the previous government collapsed and the current one in disarray, Athartha was a corrupt and chaotic mess; it would be a minimal effort to split up, go underground, find safe houses, and lay low until his team could be recalled by other Persican cells.

[Cymrea]

Persican Broadcasting Corporation

"...in international news, sources inside the war-torn capital of Athartha report that a passenger jet carrying Valimi citizens crashed yesterday, mere kilometres from the Ceapanach International Airport. Eyewitness reports vary widely, but one commonly recurring factor appears to be that the plane may have been shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

"An anonymous submission to the local media claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of Biorchan rebels from Jordslag-Valim. Other elements of the Biorchan independence movement have denied responsibility.

"A unit of peacekeepers from the Royal Perican Army were reported to be investigating the site of the crash and the suspected point of attack. Initial findings released to the media are brief, but one spokesperson stated that evidence found outside the suburb of Criolch points to insurgents who were supplied with Ghondran equipment.

"For the PBC World News, I'm Dan Maroon."

[Ptolemais]

HELVETIAN FOREIGN SECRETARIAT



Government Communication to the Imperial Empire of Kolterüng

Attention Kolterüng Foreign Affairs,

The Principality of Helvetia has recently learned that your nation is entering into negotiations regarding the formation of AEGIS. The United Forces of Evora has held an emergency meeting regarding this development, and we strongly urge Kolterüng to reconsider. The core beliefs of AEGIS conflict heavily with those of the UFE, particularly regarding economic and social policy. As well, AEGIS may eventually present a military threat to the UFE and Kolterüng entering the alliance would inevitably lead to severe tensions with the UFE.

Helvetia recognizes the sovereignty of Kolterüng to choose its own path. For this reason, we would persuade you to sign onto the Rothenburg Pact and enter into the UFE. The nations of the UFE are in unanimous agreement about extending an invitation to Kolterüng to join the UFE as a full-member. The benefits of joining the UFE would be great and immediate. As a full-member, Kolterüng would receive access to many of the alliances mechanisms including: access to the UFE strategic military network, shared military technology, preferred trade arrangements and a say in the future of the alliance. In return, the UFE would expect Kolterüng to provide mutual defence agreement with all members, commitments to maintaining a strong and prepared military, a united front on foreign policy positions important to the alliance and a resounding commitment to a strong, nationalist society.

If Kolterüng joined the UFE, Helvetia would immediately move to construct a pipeline to allow Kolterüng enhanced access to Helvetian energy. We would also, in accordance with UFE policies, give Kolterüng priority investment in Helvetia and reduce tariffs on Kolterüng goods. This would be a great economic benefit to both Helvetia and Kolterüng as we are already strong trading partners.

We hope Kolterüng will choose a future with its neighbours rather than with foreign power on the other side of the world. Only in solidarity will Evora prosper as the greatest continent in the world. Kolterüng can be a part of this prosperity if it chooses.

Regards,
Sayaka Tsunemori,
Chief Representative of the Principality of Helvetia

[Soviet Chernarus]

"Sir, we have just received an official communication from Helvetia - it pertains to the alliance called the Rothenburg Pact, or UFE." The man then proceeded to read the entire message. "We require your input on the situation, as the future of Kolterüng and our Fatherland will be very different, depending on which alliance we joined."
Stroking his chin as if in deep thought, the king murmured, "So if we join AEGIS
we will be surrounded by a very hostile UFE - I believe that the UFE supports our values and ideals more than AEGIS, don't you think?"
"Y-yes sir." The man stammered.
"Very well," The king announced, "I will send back a message to the UFE, informing them that we will join their alliance. I want you to contact Smittë and have him inform the pilot that he will be returning to Kolterüng. Have the appropriate authorities informed of this sudden change of plans - including the gentlemen that are most likely now expecting our arrival at the AEGIS Conference."

"Understood, your Imperial Majesty." He returned the bow that was familiar amongst all Kolterans and generally associated by foreigners as a sign of respect - however, it usually meant obedience and submission to authority. He then stood, saluted, and retreated from the room.

It was later that day when an official response, sent by the Emperor himself, was received by Helvetia's foreign ministry.

To: Helvetia's Foreign Ministry
From: The Humble Emperor Helmuth V of the Second Reich of Kolterüng

We appreciate you respecting our sovereignty as an independent decision to make our own choices, and after much discussion with my closest Imperial Advisors and the Kolteran Parliament, I have agreed that we will be joining the UFE. If there are any requirements in order to officially join your great alliance, then we will hopefully be able to fulfill them to the best of our ability. We agree to abide by the terms of the UFE and we have also decided that joining AEGIS is harmful to our interests and our nation and people as a whole.

I sincerely apologize for the short reply, and I hope to usher in a new age of prosperity for the people in our Fatherland as well as to our new allies...

With best regards,
Imperial Emperor Helmuth V

[Ghondra]

Princess Helena Imperial Opera House & Concert Hall
Victoria City
2300 Hours GMT

The Black SUV slid out the waiting area in front of the premier Opera House of Victoria City, the marquee above the entrance read in big black letters 'Hamlet' by William Shakespeare, always the go-to writer for Ghondran Literature.

The SUV sped along the Victoria City surface streets, the pedestrian walkways was empty, the inhabitants of the city having retreated to their beds as the day turned to a close. But the interior of the SUV was not so quiet.

"So was it us?" Director Vivian Anderson, who was wearing a white dress, her body protected from the night's cold by a mink fur coat, a top-of-the-line bag on hand. "We don't think so, we're not sure yet Ma'am. We exported all our surplus redundants during the Hawthorne Administration to numerous buyers, we think some were stolen right under our nose and sent to the black market,"

"That still doesn't explain the fact that an out-of-date MANPADS got into the hands of terrorists and killed 30 Jordslagi Citizens, the embassy is reporting riots Glenn, Riots 2 hours before midnight! Does that sound like a regular occurrence to you?!" She exclaimed, glaring at the Ceapanach Station Chief. "Now," she huffed "Do we have any leads?"

"Unfortunately no, we have detected the trajectory of the Missile to a protected hill several kilometers from the city limits, and less than an hour from the outer suburbs, but the area is a hot-zone for rebels, we retrieved some footage of an SUV, Dubrovnik Corporation model 2006, Ghondran design entering the restricted area at midnight, Agents Delaney and Dubois has attempted to enter the area, but Government Forces has launched a counter-offensive near that area, they won't be able to enter the area until the fighting subsides"

"What about the wreckage?" The director asked, increasingly depressed with each word the Station Chief uttered, "No leads there, it damaged a suburban area and killed 20 locals, it didn't look like it was a planned attack, there was no specific targets other than the Plane, and it killed relatively few people, we think this is an indiscriminate terrorist attack"

"Any idea who did it?" Anderson asked as the car neared her Luxurious home.

"There was a group that claimed responsibility, but we have no prior records of this group, they spoke Ghondran, but in a very obvious Biorchi accent, so we have two primary suspects: The Biorchi Republican Army, which might be our best lead, or its Rebels, the point is we don't know, and we're not even 60% sure about the BIA lead."

The car slid into the front entrance of the estate, the door opened by one of the Dame's valets, "...Try the Persicans"

"Contact them?"

"No. I read reports of some Intelligentia Militarum activities from our Attache in Vanovar, said something about an increased interest in Atharthan Affairs just a few months before the civil war, and about a week before the accursed flight was scheduled. Try that lead"

"Yes Ma'am"

The lady in mink climbed the steps that led to a welcoming home, she smiled as she imagined the faces of her smiling children. But she knew those faces would not greet her until morning comes.

Meanwhile inside the SUV that sped down the road, Glenn West, the Station Chief of the Ceanapach Station called the Director of Section II, "Hello, Daniel. New orders from M: Investigate that Vanovar link.

"What for?" Daniel Keene, the head of Section II asked, his voice sloppy as he was aroused from his slumber.

"She thinks we might have a lead to Case-17, And she thinks it's with the Intelligentia Militarum"

"On it."

[Neo-Assyrian Empire]

Valiin
North Bretton
A child ran around the living room of a family home as the popular show Hetaela played in the background. The child would occasionally hear the characters bicker while he played. "Und so, Helevtia, this is how- HELVETIA, STOP DRAWING THE BIRDS UNDER GET BACK HERE!" As this happened, outside, three black vehicles slowly drive up to the house, all with the Imperial flag waving from the hood of the car. Men in black suits stepped out of the car and began to walk towards the home.

The child ran near the window and saw the men. "Mommy!" He shouted, "mommy! People are here!" The mother walked to the window and saw who were coming.

"Go to your room, child." The mother nudged him towards his room. The men ominously marched towards the home when there was a knock on the door. The mother opened it slowly to see a general there, with thin spectacles and a long, thin mustache. He had a faint smile on his face.

"Good day, Mrs. Richarte. May I come in?" Without saying a word, Mrs. Richarte stepped out of the doorway and let them in. "Thank you. Now, Mrs. Richarte, we have gotten word that you are hiding a dangerous person in your home."

"I... Do not know what you mean..."

"Don't try to lie to us, Mrs. Richarte. I am sure that you are aware as to what happens to those who lie to the State. We know that you are hiding enemies of the Head Marshal here." The official's smile faded into an almost angry expression. "Now, where is he?"

The woman stared blankly at the official, refusing to say anything as to the whereabouts of Him. "Mrs. Richarte, need I remind you that your refusal to answer my question means that you are refusing to help the State and the people?!"

But still, she sat there, refusing to answer. The official just sat there.

"Okay, woman. You've made your point loud and clear. Guards, take her away and search the house for relatives. You know what to do from there." The guards nodded, and two of them began to walk towards Mrs. Richarte, grabbing her by the arms. Two others searched the house, room by room for a few minutes before coming out with a screaming child. "No, nooo!" the child screamed. "They can't take us away, mommy! PUT ME DOWN!" The child went into a fit of rage before the guard slapped the boy across the face.

Mrs. Richarte could not believe what she had just seen. She wanted to yell at the soldiers for even touching her child, but all she could do was scream. The two were thrown into the back of a truck, heading to a remote camp.

---

"The Cooler" Resistance Base
North-Eastern Prussenija
The frigid air of the north blew across the deep snow as the sun hung high in the sky. In this part of Prussenija, few people survive, making it the perfect place for the Resistance to hide. The Cooler, as it is called, is the primary base of the Resistance in the north. It was originally a massive bunker, built in the early '60s in the event that nuclear war should break out on Terra. It was abandoned in the '80s, due to the Head Marshal wanting a more secretive location for to survive in. The Resistance made it home after it was abandoned by the government, making it home for the 150+ Resistance Members who live there.

Here, they are lead by Thomas Richarte, a Bretton man who came to the Cooler after North Bretton fell in 2009. Today, he was sitting at his desk, looking over paperwork when the news arrived. "Mr. Richarte," said one of the recruits, "We have some bad news. It appears that the State Police have abducted your wife and child after finding out that your 'disappearance' four years ago was no accident. Where they are taking them, we do not know, but there is a good chance that they're being taken to Eberdessen. Unless we act quickly, we may not see them alive again."

Richarte sat there in disbelief. He always thought that he was safe after disappearing years ago. Then again, he always knew that it was only a matter of time before the State caught on. "Is our position compromised?"

"Not that we know of at this moment, sir. But if the state realized that you're still alive, there's a good chance that the Black Hats know where we are." Black Hats are what the Resistance called the State Police.

"Good... now, listen here. I have a plan"

---

Röthenburg
Music
The Head Marshal stood in his office, staring out of the large windows just behind is desk. They looked out on the square in front of the palace, giving a good view of the statue of his Father. He listened to the music of Classical Prussenija. He let out a heavy sigh as he returned to his desk, only to receive some pieces of good news. Kolterung, the one nation that could pose a threat to members of the UFE, joined the organization after rejecting AEGIS. This, coupled with the news of heightened tensions on Bretton, made the Head Marshal grin. "Maybe we won't have to fight the Democrats. Maybe they will kill themselves and we'll only have to clean up." The Head Marshal grinned at that idea.

"Hail Prussenija"

[Ghondra]

Vanovar International Airport
Vanovar, Kingdom of Persica
1300 Hours [GMT+2]

The two dark-suited men exited the main Airport building, and into the exit Terminal. Thousands of people have gathered there, in order to return their Vanovari homes, or to tour the world-class Persican Capital. Their mission was neither, they were nondescript in almost every manner, clean cut hair, no facial hair, eyes that were covered with shades, and they both carried equally nondescript travel bags.

Another person approached the suited duo, "Agent Smith and Wells?" She asked, they nodded, knowing full well that the names that the woman has uttered were not theirs. It was only a handle selected randomly from a name generator.

"Follow me" The woman asked, no, ordered the two suited men, to which they could only reply with a silent nod. They entered a vehicle shortly thereafter, a Limousine, as luxurious as it was spacious. "Agents Smith and Wells?" A new voice, one of an old man greted them, they both nodded, when he offered them his hand, he shook them.

"Drive" The old man with graying Auburn hair, wearing a business suit ordered the driver. The woman who previously greeted the duo was nowhere to be seen. "I'm the Senior Intelligence Attache for ISIS in His Imperial Majesty's Embassy to Persica, you may call me Wellesley" The man introduced himself. Same as the names Smith and Wells, it was not his real name.

"Now that we are alone, I will relay your orders from Langdon" The old man said, grabbing a pair of tablets, handing the tablets to them. "Langdon has detected a heavily encrypted transmission from the Intelligentia Militatum Headquarters in Servant's Row (OOC: That's what I'm gonna call the row where most of Cymrea's governmental departments and ministries are based) When we manage to Decrypt it, it was heavily garbled, but we manage to trace the origin of the transmission to Vanovar. We don't know where yet."

The old man paused from his rapid-fire exposition, handing each of the two a briefcase, "These briefcases contains your passports and emergency funds, we'll funnel money to a hidden bank account, untraceable"

"What about weapons?" Smith asked, opening the briefcases to confirm its contents. "Firearms ownership in the Vanovar Capital District is highly restricted, we're still trying to acquire the needed documents. Until then, we have a set of melee weapons stored in your apartments, that reminds me," The man gave Wells a key, "Here's the key to your apartment. Its close to the Row, about 30 minutes walking distance"

"What about our cover?" Smith, the veteran of numerous deep-cover missions like these asked.

"Smith, you work as the secretary to the assistant undersecretary of the Intelligentia Militatum, that's the deepest we can get. Wells your cover is as as a custodian in the basements, they keep the archives somewhere in the underground levels, that might get you somewhere. We'll relay further orders from Langdon as we go"

The limo screeched to a halt in a surprisingly alleyway, "Your Apartment is about 2 hours east of here. I recommend you walk there. The landlord will not be expecting you two until 1500 Hours. Oh and Agents: Good luck"

The duo exited the car, the limousine drove out of the alley, heading to the Embassy.

[Ptolemais]

Mitakihara Royal Press
Tuesday, 0550

TOKIWADAI, HELVETIA - According to the Helvetian Defence Secretariat, the Helvetian Maritime Forces (HMF) was involved in a skirmish with Avorian forces in international waters off the coast of Amakusa. Avorian forces sent a naval squadron in an attempt to intimidate HMF warships protecting Helvetian sovereignty over Amakusa. The squadron was larger than the HMF patrol fleet, but the fleet was ordered to hold their position until reinforcements could arrive. Before reinforcements could arrive, one Avorian warship locked its weapons onto the HMF destroyer Yamada. This was considered a departure from ceasefire protocol and an act of aggression. In order to preempt an Avorian strike, the patrol fleet engaged the Avorian squadron. Fighting occurred for approximately three minutes before the HMF Kirishima utilized its railgun and sunk the leading Avorian warship. This resulted in Avorian forces withdrawing. This is the first time Helvetia has used its railgun technology in live combat, and the results are overwhelming according to sources inside the Defence Secretariat.

The latest incident leaves the status of the ceasefire between the Avorian Defence Union and the Principality of Helvetia up in the air. Neither side has officially commented on the ceasefire, but both Avoria and Helvetia have begun heightened mobilization. International arbitrators are said to be carrying communication between both sides.


Railguns are the future of naval warfare. The railgun equipped Kongo-class battlecruiser (above) is expected to first enter service next month.

[Ghondra]

BREAKING NEWS

"Hello I'm Scott Bailey"

"Breaking news out of Jordslag-Valim, Elska which is the capital of the country has seen a series of riots over the past week, protesting the attack on the Dýrlingur airlines flight DA909 by Biorchi Rebels. Although the attack was instigated by Biorchi rebels as has been claimed by the Biorchi Republican Army (BRA) the weapons that caused the destruction of the DC-3 Douglas Aircraft which carried the some 30 passengers were identified to be Ghondran in origin. Both the Government and the ISIS has declined to comment on the matter, but Prime Minister Caldwell has called the destruction of the flight 'A great tragedy for both Ghondra and our Ally across the narrow sea"

"Much of the Ghondran Embassy staff has been evacuated, but the Ambassador has refused to leave, despite repeated recalls by the foreign office"

"Next up on the list, a new viral disease, titled MEV-01 by the scientists who discovered it has recently discovered in Southern Kaea, it is said to have Hyper-mutative properties and despite its current lack of lethal properties, that could easily change in the future. Epidemiologist Karen Stevenson of the CDC has promised to isolate the virus before it mutates"

"I'm Scott Bailey, good night"

[New Jordslag]

NEWS REPORT
"Hello, hello, good day to you all, this is Haakon Nielsson, a reporter from JNN, the Jordslagi News Network. Recently, Dýrlingur airlines flight DA909 has been shot down with Ghondran terrorists. Upon further investigation by our army, it was discovered that Ghondran missiles were used in the attack. The Government has demanded an explanation for this from Ghondra, and protesters have surrounded their embassy. Police are making no attempt to stop them. Upon this change of events, the Prime Minister, previously considering joining TOTO to help out our ally, Ghondra, has now confirmed that AEGIS is being taken as a serious option. All flights to the Brettonian mainland, except Ghondra, have been canceled, and the Air Force has been put on high alert. That's all for today. I'm Haakon Nielsson, and this is JNN."

15:00 GMT, Jordslagi-Kaltaichi Border
Harald trudged trough the snow with the rest of his Paratrooper Platoon. Their mission this time was to guard him, as he commanded the Platoon. His Platoon, in particular, was one of the best trained and best equipped in all of Jordslag-Valim. They were to meet an informant, who happened to live 3,000 feet high in the middle of a snowy wasteland just on the border. Now they were trudging up to his house. Finally reaching his house, they saw him step outside. He was an Old Man dressed in all white, and had a cloth that covered both his eyes. "Hello, there, Soldier." He said. "I have already noticed your coming. I might not be able to see, even with this cloth off, but I can hear." Harald nodded, exhausted by the long mountain hike. "I need you to tell us what you know about the recent Plane Attack... Ex-Leader of Kaltaichi, Illistruip Guailiip." The Old Man laughed. "I haven't been called that in years. Just call me Georgi. Anyways, as you know, I have informants everywhere. But I know only a little about the crash. My informant died even to bring you this much: The equipment was not produced in Ghondra, and it was not given to the rebels by Ghondrans. But I do not know who DID give it to them. You have to figure that out on your own. May the Ancient Gods bless you." And with that, Georgi headed back inside, and Harald began the long hike back down the Mountain.

(Image)
To: The Emperor of Ghondra
From: The King of Jordslag, and Duke of Valim, Olav IV
Subject: Biorchan Rebel Weaponry
Encryption: Medium

Good sir, as you are probably aware, 30 of my people just died. From Ghondran equipment. I hope you have a VERY good explanation for this.

I don't want to believe you did it, personally. But the protests are getting bigger, and if we don't do something, all countries will see us as easy prey, and do more stuff like this. So I give you two choices: Figure out who did it, and prove it, in two months, or I break off our alliance and join AEGIS.

Simple as that. I'm sorry, my friend.

[Ghondra]

Victoria City, United Empire of Ghondra and Gaella
7 Landers Street, Prime Ministerial Residence
Press Conference Room

James Caldwell frankly looked like shit, there was no other way to put it, no sugarcoating, no veiled compliments, and certainly no hiding the fact that one of the most powerful men in the world absolutely, and without a doubt, Looked. Like. Shit. dark bags under his eyes hid the fact that he was deprived of sleep, with only the unrelenting power of caffeine preventing him from going unconscious at any minute, his suit was obviously worn out, with wrinkles invading every corner and crevice of the suit, his hair was visibly disheveled, with several strands of hair visible. And his graying blonde hair has accelerated in aging by almost several years. The man of 50 that was the Prime Minister of the Empire has accelerated in aging by almost two-fold. To DGPS Agent Janet Parr, the man that she has sworn her life away to protect did not look like the man he was just a few weeks ago.

The DA909 Crisis the previous week has taken its toll on him, over 30 dead, not counting the 80 Atharthan Civilians, which upped the death toll by more than a hundred, the increasing pressure in North Brettonia, and now this accursed communique from the Bastard King of Jordslag, the man looked close to death. And his job was not finished, not by a long shot. "Prime Minister, it's time" The Press Secretary, Marvin Carlson informed the disheveled man, to which the physically weak man replied with a simple nod, "Let's get this over with" He said helplessly, Janet tried to help him up, but the stubborn Duke refused. straightening his jacket, a task Janet thought previously impossible, and greeted by a bombardment of flashlights.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, I ask you to please refrain from photographing me, and to ask questions, the Press Secretary will answer any questions that you might have." He said, taking the stand "At 0245 Hours GMT-2, disaster striked with the death of over one hundred people, caused by the shooting down of Dýrlingur Airlines, Flight DA909, fired by a Ghondran-design Strela-2 Missile Launcher from the outskirts of Ceapanach's Criolch Suburb."

"Our Intelligence Agencies, such as the HDA, ISIS, and Internal Security Forces has made numerous inquiries to the matter. This attack was claimed to be the doing of the Biorchi Republican Army, a Terrorist Group based out of the Biorchi counties of the Union of Jordlsag-Valim."

"Jordslag-Valim, has for the better part of the previous century an Ally of Ghondra. And both parties have no appreciation for a damaging of relations, and the breakup of this Alliance which together, has bring peace and prosperity to many parts of the world. Now I say this to you, one last time" He paused, "We did not order a strike on Flight DA909" With every word he said, he looked down as if in a solemn bow, and took a pause for each word, emphasizing them clearly to the members of the press.

"We have never, in the lifetime of this Alliance has ever attempted to undermine Jordslag in any way, shape or form. This Alliance has always been made with mutual cooperation between democratic countries in mind, not one country's domination over the other, for that idea was the very thing that has sent the world into war so many times in so many different places, consuming so many lives."

"We will bring these Terrorists to justice, each and every person who were denied of their lives the previous week Will. Be. Repaid. Repaid with the blood of the monsters who committed this if needed be" The audience, both in person, and in their homes stared intently at the man. The Prime Minister of Ghondra. The man who just fell unconscious in the audience of the world.

[Renetopia]

A random hospital in southern Jiade

It started off like a regular day. Dr Jiushizhu performed a routine operation, helped take care of some of the longer-staying patients, chatted with her co-workers. She thought she was going to have a good day... She was wrong.

At 20:15 she took in a patient, a little girl, who had peculiar symptoms. She was shaking uncontrollably. Her parents were worried, but Dr Jiushizhu wasn't. She's seen worse.

Pretty soon, another patient came with the same symptoms. This time, it was an elderly man. Dr Jiushizhu got suspicious.

By the eighth patient with the same symptoms, she'd seen enough to know what it meant... Epidemic.

"Quick!", she shouted to the other doctors, "Get these people into quarantine! Shut down the hospital!"

Little did she know, it was too late. This disease was already spreading through the city. Is it dangerous? Is it life-threatening? Is it curable? Will it stop spreading soon or will it infect the entire nation, and beyond?

[La Republica De Filipinas]

1 Month Ago...

Confederal News Channel Breaking News

"...Numerous terrorist attacks have occurred within the Confederal Administrative Territory of Maiitval including bombings against the Elteres commuter train system, a chemical gas attack in the Azentoros Rinante International Airport, and the seizure of government buildings in the city centre."

"Currently, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. We will keep you updated on the situation with live video footage on the scene."

Suddenly, the newscaster nods with shocked emotion, apparently hearing something disturbing from his earpiece on his left ear. A few seconds later he, conveying in a professional voice yet visibly astonished, says.

"We just received information that Salafian militias have organized a siege on the Altorivan exclave of Nyra. Currently, border guards and members of the Altorivan Defense Force are defending against their attacks..."

---

Nyra, Altoriva
14:00

"Are the Salafians by the border leaving anytime soon?" Asked a stressed man in a black, double-breasted suit.

"No, Governor-General." His secretary replied in a calm tune. "We've fired warning shots, but they're still there watching our every move. Something about their looks seems suspicious."

Salafian militiamen for over three days have been gathering in force near the border between Salafis and the enclave. Although occurrences like this - where Salafians dream of reclaiming the land or try to get across the border in hopes of a better future - were common in the lives of those living in Nyra, this was larger than the usual. One warlord couldn't muster enough troops for this incident, and that was what bugged the governor-general.

"Radio in the border guards: I shall go there and try to talk them into sense."

Beyond the border lay hills and dense forests. Several kilometers after, a large, decrepit Salafian city. As much as it was tempting to send scout helicopters to scour the area to know of the intentions of the militiamen, the Aqruthian Confederation wasn't in a friendly neighborhood, and that move could be counted as a sign of a violation of Salafian sovereignty and attract numerous condemnations.

As the governor-general went to the border, he saw Altorivan soldiers in full alert with all their Armored Personnel Carriers and Main Battle Tanks. This vibrant city of 54,000 grew to a standstill, as martial law was declared a day ago.

Finally, he arrived and went up to an observation post.

"Sanis tegir (Good Day), Governor-General." Greeted an officer of the border guard.

"Sanis hanyre." The Governor-General replied. He reached out for a pair of binoculars and looked at one particular Salafian man. He was battle-hardened, ready to die for whatever cause he was ordered. The governor then shrugged and said in a somewhat sarcastic tone, "They seem scary enough."

"What do you wish me to do?"

"Get me a microphone. I wish to talk these bastards to leave immediately."

With the microphone, he issued an order to all Salafians in their own native language to leave at once. However, it was not the response he expected. Artillery shells began to bombard the background. Suddenly, hundreds of men began pouring out of the forest armed with AK-47s, machetes, and numerous makeshift weapons. Border guards immediately responded with machine gun fire, with the objective to not let them cross through the border fence.

Shockingly, there were some who wore bombs beneath them and detonated themselves once they drew close to the fences. Hordes poured through these gaps, and Aqruthians unfortunate enough to be directly in front of them died gruesomely.

The Aqruthians were vastly outnumbered, numbering only 750 and facing a force 3,500-strong. Soon, the Aqruthians were forced to retreat to a second checkpoint - a failsafe made in case of a widescale attack against Nyra. With those stationed here having been fortified with heavy armor, they were able to hold back horde after horde of Salafian militiamen. By 8 in the evening, the attacks ceased. All artillery pieces were destroyed by Aqruthian bombers from the mainland.

The battlefield was littered with bodies. Some of the dead were child soldiers, influenced by the charismatic warlords of Salafis. This day was to mark as a tragic day for the Confederation, sparking long debates at the Transcontinental Assembly at the capital.

---

[La Republica De Filipinas]

Present Day...

Confederal News Channel Breaking News

"...and now for breaking news: After a long, two-week debate at the Transcontinental Assembly, members of the parliament have reached a consensus to greenlight Operation Jolt of Fury, a joint operation between Aqruthian National Armies to eliminate terrorist threats in Salafis and restore peace and order to the nation."

"Here is live video footage of Chairman of the Confederation Henise Oltoro addressing the public regarding the decision to intervene in Salafis."

"The Transcontinental Assembly's decision to greenlight this operation is a just one; given that, with undeniable proof, Salafian warlords represent a great threat not only to the citizens of the Aqruthian Confederation, but for the citizens of the world...

...they have struck blows against the Aqruthian capital and our exclave of Nyre and changed their lives forever. These warlords have disrupted our shipping lanes and took our citizens hostage...

...therefore, on behalf of the Aqruthian Confederation and the Aqruthian peoples, I bid our forces good luck on the battlefield, and may they build better lives for both Aqruthian and Salafian.

"Demonstrators all throughout the Confederation cheered at the announcement after left-leaning MP's renounced their position on non-intervention. The vote ended at 92% aye and 8% nay."

"Currently, 67th Naval Task force of the Aqruthian Armed Forces' naval branch is en route to Salafis."

"Stay with us for more, I'm Ferinu Derines."

---

Somewhere in Salafis,
3:00AM

Somewhere in the skies of Salafis, five helicopters bearing marks of the Aqruthian Survey Corps were flying on an operation before the mainline attack of the Aqruthian Marine Corps. This operation involved the rescue of fifteen Aqruthian journalists, aid workers, and government affiliates who were taken hostage throughout multiple areas in Salafis. It was to take place before the attacks to make sure that none were to be executed as a consequence.

These helicopters were no ordinary helicopters - they were revolutionary designs, featuring longer ranges, faster speeds, and better maneuverability. Their combat effectiveness would be tested here with the ASC, and whether the Aqruthian armies would order helicopters like these would be seen on this operation's results.

"This is Angel-2, we have detected enemy movements near a structure in the mountains; suspecting this location to be where hostages are held."

"Angel-1 responding, we have received confirmation that location is place of objective. All units are to place themselves into position; once rockets are fired, immediately deploy troops. Timing is essential to this operation; firai Yvennu vas na (May God grant us luck.).

Once all helicopters were into position, the two helicopters bearing weapons destroyed all opposition, followed by the deployment of ASC troops which curb-stomped the terrorists. Within a few minutes, aided by air support, the hostages were rescued and boarded the helicopter designated for them. Immediately, they left to return to the command ship, ANS Wisdom.

[Ghondra]

Breaking News

"Hello I'm Scott Bailey, and welcome to the news hour, with GNN"

"In recent news, the Aqruthian Transcontinental Assembly have launched a Military Mission to the Nation of Salafis. Salafis, a nation inside the designated Neutral Zone between Aqruthia and Alegeharia after the 1960 war between the two had its government toppled by the Crime lords of Salafis. It has been lawless since the toppling of the government, and the 3 UN Peacekeeping Missions to the nation has failed due to heavy resistance, with the last Ghondra-lead mission killing nearly 300 Imperial Army rangers, and the shooting down of two Army Blackhawk Helicopters, in 1998"

"This Military Mission has been equally condemned, and commended by nations throughout the world. The Press Secretary to Prime Minister James Caldwell has stated that Ghondra supports the Military Mission, and that the PM wishes the Aqruthian Military good luck in their campaign"

"Additionally, the Ghondran 3rd Fleet, based out of Naval Station Delgado has send its primary Carrier Group, lead by the HIMS King of Gaella 35 km out of Salafi Territorial Waters. This deployment has been stated by the Press Secretary to be one of benevolence. Should the initial campaign succeeds, Ghondra has pledged to begin transferring aid to the famine-ridden and disease-infested country. A country that was previously a Ghondran Colony"

"In other news, Beth Emhoff, a 32 year old woman living in Lancaster, North Ghondra, and the mother of 2 children has reportedly died due to the virus known as MEV-01. The virus, originating from South Kaea that was first reported by the St. Mercy General Hospital in Jiade's Capital City has so far been identified as Hyper-Mutable, and extremely communicable, and an Incubation period of either 2 days, to 3 weeks. Symptoms are still being identified, and the CDC has obtained the cadavers of 19, of the 32 who have died so far of the disease, including Beth Emhoff"

"Stay tuned for more information"

[Cymrea]

Intelligentia Militarum Building (The Dragon’s Lair)
Vanovar, Persica
0743 Rhunic Daylight Time (GMT -5 hours)

Owen Quintus Edwards was his real name. Very few people still knew that, of course; people with sufficient security clearance. Those who did not were long since dead. As far as anyone else was aware, his name was Mr. Winters.

Winters made his way from the secured parking lot to the one entrance into the Lair, sipping coffee he had brewed himself at his government-appointed house in a nearby government neighbourhood. He was tall, with dark hair and blue eyes that lied effortlessly, starkly handsome, and only faintly tanned, as most loyal sons of Persica just happened to be.

As he passed through the security checkpoint inside and the phone in his hand connected to the internal Wi-Fi network, it vibrated silently. He checked the display and nodded. Took long enough, he thought with a wry smile.

Task Nightcap had gone off without a hitch and the fallout was landing almost precisely where it had been predicted. And despite the avalanche of perfectly viable evidence that pointed elsewhere, the Ghondrans had started sniffing after Intelligentia Militarum – also as predicted. If the Ghondran ISIS could be counted on for anything, it was their systemic paranoia to all things Persican.

Winters tapped out a quick reply and sent it before deleting the record.

It was closing on 1300 hours in Victoria City. All the overnight spooks at ISIS would finally be crawling into their beds – at least, the ones not afflicted with the chronic insomnia that was part and parcel of the intelligence trade. So Winters had time to make his way deep into the Lair where his office was located. He nodded greetings to colleagues and subordinates that he passed in the corridors; he saluted the assistant deputy director with his coffee mug and a respectful nod. Turning a corner, he passed through the doorway to his suite of offices.

“Good morning, Mr. Winters,” his secretary said, standing up from her seat. Ms. Grey was tall, taller than Winters. The daughter of Emeralderic immigrants, she was pale and blonde and – thanks to years of dedicated training – a lethal bodyguard as well as an invaluable personal assistant. She reminded Winters of a valkyrie, the demi-goddess shield maidens and choosers of the slain from northern myth, so Winters had taken to calling her Val.

He nodded in response and said, “Get me Zed on the phone, please.”

Grey glanced at the clock on the wall. “You know he’ll probably be asleep by now.”

“Not today, he won’t be. He’s been a busy boy the last eighteen hours, I’ll wager.” Winters continued into his office and closed the door behind him. He sat at his desk and a blue light winked on his secured landline, indicating the call had been placed. He picked up the receiver and waited for Zed to pick up the other end.

Zed was his counterpart at the Imperial Secret Intelligence Service. Winters knew that with Task Nightcap underway, the Ghondran would be on his fourth or fifth cup of coffee, running down the usual leads to try and connect Persica in any way to the Atharthan incident. Zed would find none; this operation was three and a half years in the making and nothing had gone awry. But as Zed tapped certain strands in the intelligence web in Victoria City, Winters felt the vibrations in Vanovar and was obligated to respond. The same was true for Masyaf or Flagstaff, Tokiwadai or Röthenberg.

“Yeah?” answered Zed. He sounded tired and wired, the heady combination of too much caffeine and not enough sleep.

“G’morning!” Winters replied in his most obnoxiously bouncy tone. “It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining! How are you, man?”

There was a noise on the other end that might have been a moist snort. “It’s foggy and cold as a Persican doxy,” Zed said mildly. “To what do I owe the singular pleasure of your call?”

Winters dropped his voice into a theatrically conspiratorial tone. “Well, down the hall, I swear to God I can hear someone in the Vanovar section getting their ass chewed. And since the section manager gets his teeth sharpened in VC, I figured it’s because you bumble-fucks blew some of their covers.”

There was pause on the other end. “My heart bleeds purple dinosaur piss for them.”

Winters laughed a plastic laugh. “Right? So, whatever rock you goobers managed to overturn, it sounds like you may have upset some very elaborate smokescreens.”

Another pause, longer this time as Zed processed what Winters was saying and what he wasn’t. Finally there came a heavy sigh.

“I hate you, Winters. The connection severed.

Winters chuckled sincerely. Wheels within circles within rings within loops. Of two things Winters was certain: first, Task Nightcap was securely hidden and would remain so until it was far too late; and second, that Zed was not going to get any sleep at all today.

[Cymrea]

Persican Broadcasting Corporation

"...and in domestic news this evening, reports from Jiade and Ghondra about a potential viral epidemic have prompted the Ministry of Health to propose tighter screening at points of entry into Persica. Consul Salutis Dean Tyrell has advised the Circle of Archons that the virus currently isolated in hospitals and labs in the two countries could prove disastrous if spread on the Brettonian mainland...."

[Renetopia]

Presidential Palace, Qiye, Jiade

The press conference today was the toughest one in president Li's life. A mob of reporters asking questions he didn't known the answer to, subtly laying blame on him and his ministers, wanting to know more and responding rudely to any sign of subjectivity on the matter. Li was exhausted, so was prime minister Xun. The two men sat in the Presidential Office, along with the minister of health, Yong Yunqi.

"I can't believe what's happening", sadly said Li, "And to think it all started just a while ago. Now it's already a mess. This virus has already killed 20 people, over 600 are infected, it's spreading like wildfire, there are no confirmed symptoms, no confirmed cure, no confirmed source, the most top-notch doctors don't even know how it spreads. And, on top of all else, they're blaming the government, mostly me, because our health system supposedly isn't prepared for situations like this and that's what caused the epidemic in the first place. How can anyone be prepared for this?"

Xun and Yong wanted to assure the president that they will find a cure soon. But, they didn't because they were too feeling the weight of the situation. If Ghondra, the most powerful country in the world, can't find the cure, well...

The disease is known in Jiade as Diao Ju (the Spreader).

[Ghondra]

Qiye International Airport, Jiade
0900 Hours Local Time

Two people; a man and a woman walked past the myriad thousands departing the City of Qiye. The City was in chaos, what with the rapidly-spreading MEV-01 Virus, people were getting out of Qiye as if they were dropping a sack of hot potatoes. That was part of the reason why Dylan Monroe, and Alexandra Johnston was being sent on their current mission.

Both wore badges indicating their membership in the CDC, what with the cancellation of all non-essential International Flights, only members of organizations such as the CDC or the WHO, and members of other health and aid organizations were able to get inside the tight security checkpoints. They walked past hundreds of people, all huddled in their own little corner of the airport, some clutching their baggage as if they were dependent on it, some holding tightly to blankets, indicating their overnight stay, and some were even actively sleeping.

Pieces of paper warning people about staying away from the infected, informing them of the disease's avenues of infection, their symptoms and even proper containment procedures lay on the ground, some had boot marks on them, indicating that they were step on. They both resisted the urge to shake their heads in disapproval, the containment was failing, and it was failing fast.
-------
St. Mercy General Hospital, Qiye
1000 Hours Local TIme

"You're the epidemiologists the CDC sent right?" The doctor in the white lab-coat asked in heavily-accented Ghondran, "Yes, we're here to inspect the body before we move them to our research facilities" Alexandra answered as the Doctor lead them to the Hospital Morgue, "We compiled an autopsy report, we plan to send them to the CDC and WHO, but you can review them if you like"

"Where is it?" Dylan asked.

"Its in my office, down the hall to the left" Dylan took off, leaving Alexandra in the company of the Doctor

"Alright, here he is, Patient Zero. At least the Patient Zero in our country" The doctor revealed the heavily decomposed corpse, "Don't worry, the virus has been neutralized after 48 Hours, cadaver shows sign of heavy to extreme decomposition after the 48 Hour period. We tried every method of preservation, up to and including mummification, but nothing seems to work. I don't think this is gonna help you very much"

"We'll see about that"

Dylan came his head hung, and report in hand. he handed Alexandra the Autopsy report. They both shared the same thought:

"Oh my God"

[The Great Korean Empire]

Hwangyang, The United Republic of Taehan
The Blue House

Jinheung stared at the paper in silence for what seemed to be a eternity. "Gentlemen if these reports are to be true, we are possibly facing a epidemic. A world-wide epidemic. The results of which would be disastrous for the Taehanese economy and people. Therefore the border between Jiade and Taehan has already been closed a week ago. However more precautions are needed. The wall there with it's heavy surveillance system might not be enough". The Minister of National Defense Park stood up and said "I agree with the President we must be ready for anything and that is why we have gone to Jindo 3 and multiple tactical nuclear weapons have been positioned on the border with Jiade. In fact higher security measures have been made across all airports. And anyone of Jiadese origin is to be shot on the spot". There was a slight moment of stunned silence, but no one spoke out. This was after all the benefit they had as former CEOs of corporations. "And there is also a matter of Ghondra's infection. In response all forms of travel from and to Ghondra have been cancelled. And all Ghondra citizens have been rounded up for quarantine. As of now we seem to have contained it to outside of Taehan". Jinheung continued "Excellent, well that summarizes it quiet nicely doesn't it"?

Later on the Minister of National Defense Park Hong-won; the Minister of Security and Public Administration Yi Byung-se; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Kwan-jin; sat with the President in his Office. Yi hissed "If this break-out reaches Taehan the results will be disastrous". Park nodded in agreement. "With Jiade so close, it's threatening. The only reason why we probably haven't gotten it yet is because of the enormous wall between us and them...". Jinheung nodded and said "And then are two options kill the source or cure it". Choi responded rapidly "The first one would be meet with horrendous condemnation from most other nations. I think the second one would be more plausible after all we are much wealthier than Ghondra. If we worked together with them on this one...". Working with Ghondra would probably alienate there Northern neighbor. But Park stared at the floor. "Unless we make it look like an accident or that a certain man-man with access to our nuclear arsenal does it. Or even yet we arm extremists or domestic terrorists in Jiade to make it look like them. A suitcase nuke could easily be smuggled in". Choi retorted "And what about the millions of other people that will die in the blast and they very fact that we can still be traced is also to be worried on"!

"Enough" All three man looked at the President. Jinheung had a rough day, first he had to deal with a ungodly amount of reporters though they were more complacent that those in places such as Ghondra and Jiade because over here one such as person could disappear for a week or two or maybe even forever. Then with all the bickering that went on in the meeting had given him quiet the headache and rise in temper. "It is very simple what we must do. We will assist Ghondra in finding a cure. And in case it does break-out in Taehan have the military prepared to quarantine everything from a simple house to entire cities. And be ready to crush all sources in Jiade the moment it might break-out in Taehan. And give Jiade the notice that if they can't take care of the virus then we will". Only a few hours later multiple strategic bombers lifted off the run-way and began flying around the outer limits of Jiade air-space. Sometimes they would veer in and leave quickly. But the message was clear: If Taehan's national security was at stake and Jiade couldn't solve it's own problems. Then the Taehanese would solve it for them". At the capital though a message was quickly send to Ghondra.

Official Communique From the United Republic of Taehan
From: The United Republic of Taehan
Encryption: Maximum
To: The United Empire of Ghondra and Gaella

The government of the United Republic of Taehan has been informed of the dire crisis at hands and we've have decided to work with you on this issue for a vaccine or a cure of some sorts. Reports by our intelligence agency that Jiade may not be able to contain the virus at the current time. We are quite sure that Ghondra will be able to, will it not? We know that relations between our two great nations haven't been the greatest in the past, but this is a utter moment of importance. Geopolitical disagreements are at times quite... difficult to put aside, it can be done. Note that this is not in any form or way us leaving the UFE, but a mere "scratching of backs" you could call it. We will should you accept our offer send medical personnel and equipment at a moment's notice. We will send the citizens of Ghondra whom we have quarantined home as soon as possible once they are checked to be healthy. We ask that you send us your reply as soon as possible. And in the future may the relations between our nations improve over time and we wish your nation the stength in the coming crisis. Thank you for your time and may God bless your nation.

With Great Respect, The Government of the United Republic of Taehan/Sponsored by Centauri Industries