Moneylania Internal Affairs (MT, IC, Closed)

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

There is a heavy fog surrounding the base. A chain link fence marks the outer perimeter, and it is obvious that the fence has gone unrepaired for some time. Several large buildings can be seen one hundred meters across open ground past the fence. However, no security devices can be seen.

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

A UH-80 Ghosthawk comes to a halt at a landing pad outside an office. Four soldiers in hazmat gear step from the helicopter and walk inside. The office has been converted into a makeshift decontamination chamber, and there are six personnel from the 3rd Infantry Division CBRN Disposal Team. After decontamination, the leader of the Griffin's away team speaks to the leader of the CBRN team.

Away Team Leader: You know why we're here?

CBRN Leader: Yessir. We''l give you the command codes for the patrol drones and vital monitors connected to the station here. When does our relief arrive?

Away Team Leader: They'll be twenty-four hours.

The away team begins patrolling the island, looking for any sign of intrusion.

[Ironcastle]

01:03: Outskirts of Edurad, town within the occupied nation of Tamrah

It's been a quiet night for the residents of Edurad, with most of the LJPA troops fending off resistance fighters in the countryside. However, an Ironian MQ-4A Greyhawk is circling above, providing a camera feed to a nearby E-8C JSTARS. On the ground, three Prowler LSVs close in on the town.

E-8C Operator: Ground, this is Big Brother. Hostile forces sighted inside the town, mixed in with civilians. Minimal opposition. VIP is at target location. Reccomend mission proceed, over.

Ground Leader: Acknowledged, commencing radio silence. Over and out.

The three vehicles stop at the edge of the town. Several operatives exit the Prowlers, and make their way to a building nearby. A few minutes after they enter, gunshots can be heard, and the town begins waking up. The operatives exit the building with a man who has a bag on his head.

Captive (in Lothinese): Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?

The heads-up display in the operatives goggles automatically provides a translation, but nobody says a word.

Captive (in Sibarian): I have powerful friends! They will rescue me!

The captive is thrown in the seat of one of the Prowlers.

Captive (in English): When the LJPA finds out I've been taken, they will rain holy fire upon your lands!

A soldier behind him hits him with the butt of a SPAR-16 rifle, shutting him up. The Prowlers begin heading away from the town when they recieve a message from their air support.

E-8C Operator: Ground, this is Big Brother. Heads up, you have eight technicals in pursuit. Retasking Greyhawk to assist, over.

The troops watch as a missile flies down and strikes an LJPA technical, destroying it instantly. The turret gunners on the Prowlers make quick work of two more, and the remainder flee.

E-8C Operator: Mission well done. V-44 Is en route for pickup. For anyone who doesn't know, we have successfully captured General Liokai's right hand man.

[Scuro]

North Scuroian Police Headquarters:

Members of the Scuroian government and law-enforcement agencies have been concerned that organised crime may be on the rise once more, in large part due to the recent firefight that, unbeknownst to them, involved Ironian special forces. Police Chief has organised an elite team to deal with this looming threat.

Police Chief: As you all know, I have gathered the three of you here to discuss an issue critical to our national security.

Jim Jenkins: Sir... Aren't there only two of us?

Police Chief: *looks around* Oh, right.

The Chief presses a button on a nearby desk, and a large hatch opens in the floor. Soon afterwards a metallic figure emerges, standing atop an elevating platform.

C.S.O-12: Compact-Special Operations Unit 12 online. Awaiting-... Where am I?

Police Chief:Yeah, I borrowed this thing from the Bananians. Now I normally don't condone the use of these "robots" that are so popular these days, but this mission is of the utmost importance.

Rick Maver: Isn't that the drone that went rogue a couple years back... And when you say borrowed...

Police Chief: That's it! I've had enough of your insubordination. One more episode like this and you're off the case!

C.S.O-12: What's going on? Was I shut down?

Police Chief: Now, you've all had time to analyse the reports. What are you're thoughts Jim?

Jim Jenkins: I've honestly got no clue.

Police Chief: Alright, good work. Maver?

Rick Maver: Well, most evidence suggests this wasn't another old gang shootout. I have reason to believe the Ironians were involved, based on-

Police Chief: That's it! Accusing our ally of illicit acts! Hand in your badge and your gun, you're off the case!

Rick Maver: But...

Police Chief: Out!

Maver hands in his badge and gun, and leaves the room, somewhat confused.

Police Chief: 12, what do you have?

C.S.O-12: What's going on?

Police Chief: Ah! That's what I thought at first, but then I realised something... The Ironians were involved... Someone get me the President.

Jim Jenkins: Yes sir, but, what should I tell him?

Police Chief: Things are about to start... *Puts on sunglasses* heating up.

[Sibaria]

In Vladivastak

Stojanovic: Brief!

Kozlov: Sir, it's bad. Very very bad.

Stojanovic: Care to explain?

Kozlov: Stjokvensen, our best agent as you know, has infiltrated an LJPA compound and found not just one nuclear warhead, but four. All pre-Federation. Whoever bought them off of us years ago has sold it off to the highest bidder, and they where the highest bidder. They where planning on selling a fifth one, but Stjokvensen got to it first and is know back in our hands.

Stojanovic presses a button on his table and a map of the Bay area. Sibarian controlled areas and protectorates are in green. The others are in red. A little blue dot shows the men where the hidden base it, deep in

Stojanovic: 4.5.4, bring me some intel on Tamarah.

SRE 4.5.4: Tamarah. Capital_Is_Strata. Population_....

Stojanovic: Military intel?

SRE 4.5.4: Tamarah. Known_To_Be_Second_Biggest_Provider_To_The_LJPA. It's_Captial_Is_The_Second_Biggest_City_In_LJPA_Controlled_Lands. In_Order_To_Get_Close_to_Telavina_We_Need_To_Take_Strata.

Stojanovic: Hmmmm, well, Telavina is crippled due to our attack on it. Lucky no one knows it was us who started that earthquake. They palmed it off as a natural occurance. After we take Strata, we will make another attack on Telavina, crippling it even more. This will make our attack even easier. However, people will start to get suspitious, having two earthquakes so close to eachother.

Kozlov: THese nukes will be our main priority for now. We have to get them back.

Stojanovic: Kozlov, send the word around. We are going into preperation mode. Jordain, Alert the Pact, the North Moneylanian Federation and Ironcastle.

Kozlov: Yes sir.

Jordain: yes sir!

[Ironcastle]

President's Briefing Room, Ironian Senate

The President, Vice-President, several Secretaries and a number of military, ISA and FCA officials are seated watching a presentation given by the head of the ISA. She is connected to the room via a satellite link, and appears on one of two monitors.

Chief Raske: We have received intelligence from a reliable source that the Lothinese Jihad People's Army is in possession of a nuclear missile.

There is some murmuring around the room.

President Lister: What kind of missile are we talking about? Short range? ICBM?

Chief Raske: According to our source, they control a Scud-A missile, along with a mobile launcher. When fitted with a nuclear device, its maximum range is 150 km, and carries a yield of 50 kilotons.

SecDef Johnson: Could our missile shield intercept it?

Chief Raske: I'm confident our shield will hold up. However, I can not say the same for our allies. Their missile interception technology is still in its infancy.

President Lister: Do we know where they got it?

Chief Raske: Unfortunately, no. We assume it's from an overseas nuclear armed state, but they could have manufactured a warhead themselves, then stole an old Sibarian missile launcher.

President Lister: Last question. Do we know where the nuke is?

The Chief pauses for a moment.

Chief Raske: We're still looking into that. I'll update you when we find more.

[Ironcastle]

Excerpt from the Ironian Inquirer online magazine.

We all know Ironcastle has troops deployed across the region. But what does that look like from the ground?

I'm Lance Corporal Cloe Martell, from the 8th Infantry Division of the Ironian Federal Army. Recently, I was given a camera and told to document the experiences of our troops around the region. I've spent a year doing that, and here are eleven of my favourites.

This was the first picture I took after being given this assignment. Elements of the 1st Airbome Division were conducting patrols along the Pact border. I was patrolling with a Sergeant First Class Ivanov. He's an immigrant from Daminy, who moved when he was two. I could still hear his accent though. While walking through the snow, we though we heard a bear, which are common around those parts. Turns out it was just a tree falling over, but it has me spooked for a time.

This one was much closer to home. A few hours outside of New Contia, there's a large training ground. These two were assigned as a scout for the Blue side in a simulated engagement. The rifles are unloaded, and use lasers to tag 'enemy' soldiers. It's essentially the world's largest game of laser tag. I took this while we were waiting to link up with another scout group. It's easily one of my favourites.

In this picture, you can see several members of the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Disposal Team at work in Lucklond. There were reports of chemical-related sickness in the villages surrounding this crater. The crater itself was created when a Lucklondish Army ammunition depot exploded a few years ago. Before we even got close to the pool of water, I had to put on a hazard suit and carry a rifle. Some parts of the interior of Lucklond are still rife with bandits, which is a stark contrast to the sunny cities on the coast and border.

It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but I didn't to ruin it with night vision, and a flash was out of the question. I was on an assault boat with some members of the special forces, practicing covert landings on an island off the coast. The island itself was actually quite nice for a military training ground. To get this shot I had to sit right on the back of the boat, and almost fell off at one point. You can't see it in the photo, but there was a simulated ambush waiting for us on the shoreline.

This was actually taken about twelve hours before 'Stealthy Approach'. I was sitting in that boat you can see, while a number of divers were earning their underwater explosive ordnance disposal qualifications. I couldn't get any good shots from the boat, so the dive instructor just handed me a small rebreather and told me to jump in. I'd assumed there were actual explosives being handled and decided to stay well clear, but evidently I was wrong. The picture is of Corporal Smith, who was awarded his qualification a week later.

I took this picture in Lothi, during a patrol there. It's still very much an active warzone there. The squad I was with had just secured the wall around this mosque when I heard a Ghosthawk coming in. Those choppers are almost completely silent, so it was practically on top of us by the time I could hear it. The squad in the photo rappelled in from the helicopter, of which you can still see that shadow.

I'll confess, I didn't actually take this picture. It was actually taken by Private First Class Gibbs, who had her own camera. This was taken a few moments before the last image ('Securing the Area'). Private Gibbs showed it to me after we returned to base, and I was impressed with it. I said I'd look at it and consider putting it in my final collection, and here it is.

I took this photo a few days after the last two. It's a standard patrol in Lothi, a squad supported by the surprisingly agile AMV-7 Marshall. They went from house to house, clearing out any weapons caches. On this particular sweep, it was particularly uneventful. I do think that the Lothinese plight is somewhat sad. They're caught between the violent LJPA, and several outside forces who they can't help but view with suspicion. Not to mention the constant threat of suicide bombings and random gun attacks.

On a lighter note from my last paragraph, this is my favourite photo. It was my last day in Lothi, and I was invited to join a desert patrol squad. These guys take Prowler Light Strike Vehicles and race across the desert, looking for any sign of the LJPA. They take their roots from the Desert Raiding Battalions of the Second Great War, who raced behind Organieutish lines in similar vehicles. In the background you can see an abandoned oil pump, which used to be owned by the Lothi National Oil Company. We stopped inside, and there were still some papers from when it was abandoned over a decade ago.

In this picture, several Ironian and Federation military units were conducting a raid on a drug manufacturing plant in Scuro. I was with this sniper, who, along with a Federation sniper and two spotters, covered the ground team. Judging by the efficiency of both nations, I can say good things about our military cooperation.

My last destination was a town on the border of Ironcastle and the Pact. It was devastated during the recent war, but both sides have somewhat rebuilt. There is still a no-man's land in the middle full of destroyed homes, but nobody crosses that. Instead, our M2A1 Slammer tanks stare across this bridge at their T-80U tanks all day, every day. At eight in the morning and eight in the evening, civilians are allowed to cross the bridge to visit family or go to work. Otherwise, nobody can cross.

As you can see, our troops are deployed around the region, training, fighting or staring at a potential enemy. On the Army website I have a several page long article about my experiences traveling the region with the IFA and more pictures, but for now, I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse into the lives of our troops.

[Scuro]

Cape Capital Space Center:

Jim Jenkins: So... Remind me, why are we going to space?

Police Chief: It's the fastest method of transportation.

Rick Maver: But it took us weeks to organise-

Police Chief: I put you back on the case and the first thing you do is insult me!? Hand in your badge and your gun, you're off the case.

Ground control officer: (Over radio) T minus ten seconds to launch.

Rick Maver: Sir, I don't think this is the best time-

Police Chief: More insubordination!? You'll be ejected from the force if you keep this up!

Ground control officer: (Over radio) 3... 2... 1... We have liftoff.

With that, the rocket ascends into the sky, its destination unknown to all but Police Chief.

[Ironcastle]

Ironcastle News Network - "Ironcastle's most trusted news source"

Anchor 1: And in tech news tonight, researchers from Lacrea University have discovered a virus which may be infecting your computer.

Anchor 2: The virus is reported to be a form of spyware, which spies on your computer and potentially steals your information.

The INN logo flashes across the screen, as it fades to the story. Several stock videos and images of computers appear.

Reporter: Computers are everywhere. Every day we use them, and we take them for granted. How much personal information is on yours?

Several interviews by INN with people on the streets of Lacrea play, each person answering with a significant amount.

Reporter: While it may be convenient to put your information online, researchers from Lacrea University have discovered a virus that has spread across the nation. It's known as the 'Goo Virus', named after the sci-fi concept of 'grey goo': tiny machines that make copies of themselves, spreading like a virus. We talked to several people from the university to find out more.

The show cuts to a middle-aged man sitting in a chair.

Researcher: This is a new kind of virus. Unlike other viruses, this one is almost impossible to remove. If there's even a trace of it left in your computer, it will rebuild itself.

Reporter: What does this virus do? Does it steal your Social Security Number? Your bank account details?

Researcher: We haven't been able to accurately determine what this virus does yet, but from what we have observed, it does not access that kind of information.

Reporter: So it just... sits there?

Researcher: As far as we know, yes. This may be some hacker's idea of a practical joke gone too far.

Reporter: Do you know how it spreads?

Researcher: It appears to install itself by hijacking downloads from your browser. For now, all I can reccomend is to be doubly sure when downloading applications online. In addition, the university should have a counter-virus ready to install in a few days time.

The screen cuts to more images of computers.

Reporter: While this may just be a joke gone too far, some say this is a cyber-attack. According to the Aelcrest Institute of Security Studies, this virus bears resemblance to a Sibarian virus developed nearly forty years ago. We tried to contact the allegded creator of the virus, who immigrated to Ironcastle in the early 2000's, but we were unable to get ahold of him.

[Ironcastle]

Supercarrier ICS Wyvern (CVN-16), on patrol off the coast of Wellok.

A heavy storm has set in, with visibility severely restricted. Even so, a flight of F-35B Lightning fighters is touching down on the flight deck. On the bridge, Rear Admiral Alexander Spencer is coordinating the Carrier Battle Group.

RDML Spencer: Inform the Cyclops she is too close to the Hussar.

Lieutenant: Sir, the Cyclops is reporting trouble with their reactor. They are requesting permission to break formation.

RDML Spencer: Permission granted. Make sure the Paragon doesn't ram her by accident.

He presses a badge insignia on his shirt, activating his microphone.

RDML Spencer: Connect me to Ops.

Ship's Computer: Please tap once if you wish to be connected to Operations.

He taps his badge once.

RDML Spencer: Blasted thing. Old system worked fine.

Ship's Computer: You are now connected to Operations.

RDML Spencer: This is the Admiral speaking. How long until the Battlenet is online again?

Repair Officer: We're still working on it. The antenna is out of alignment, so we've sent a team up to fix it. I'd say half an hour, give or take.

RDML Spencer: Acknowledged. Spencer out.

The microphone's light dims, indicating it is no longer transmitting.

Radar Operator: Sir, you should take a look at this.

The admiral walks over to the radar screen.

RDML Spencer: What is it?

Radar Operator: I have a bogey at 150 nautical miles. No transponder.

RDML Spencer: Is it one of ours? Federation? Scuroian?

Radar Operator: I can't tell sir. Hang on... it's vanished. It could have been a malfunction.

RDML Spencer: Keep an eye on it.

Radar Operator: Aye sir.

Three hours later, at an undisclosed location in northern Moneylania.

The X-33 ACE touches down and comes to a halt, then parks itself under a nearby tarp. Several people are watching it.

???: Was it detected?

???: It doesn't appear so. It got within fifty kilometres of the carrier before turning back.

???: Excellent. We begin the next phase of the plan tomorrow.

[Scuro]

Troesilian Desert:

Police Chief, Jim Jenkins, Rick Maver and C.S.O-12 stand near what remains of the landing capsule that they descended to earth on. An argument is ongoing between Maver and the Chief.

Maver: But why did we have to rendezvous with the Bananian shuttle?!

Chief: After slingshoting around the moon, we needed more fuel for the landing.

Maver: But why not just use the parachute?!

Chief: Because if we had kept the parachute in its compartment, I wouldn't have a tablecloth now, would I?

Maver: Why did you even feel the need to reenact the signing of the Affirmation of Gavelkind Treaty anyway?

Chief Because it is an important part of Scuroian cultural heritage!

Maver: But we were in space! On a tiny rocket!

Chief: That's it! I've had it with these disingenuous assertations! Hand in your badge and your gun! You're off the case!

C.S.O-12: May I recommend you continue this bickering once we have arrived at our destination?

Jenkins: Yeah, and why are we going to Kartof?

Chief: Because it's time *Puts on sunglasses* to get some fresh one-liners.

[Ironcastle]

Aelcrest Police Department, Downtown Station

Detective Jack Baker is conversing with a police officer, while Detective Frederick Nowell is following up some leads in a recent murder case.

Officer: So this guy, he says he's from two hundred years in the future, and travelled back in time to rescue whales. What a nutjob.

Det. Baker: You arrest him?

Officer: Nah, he wasn't hurting anyone, and technically it was legal. I let him off with a warning.

The officer looks at the door.

Officer: Partner's here. Looks like I gotta go.

Det. Baker: Alright. Take care.

Baker walks over to Nowell.

Det. Baker: Anything?

Det. Nowell: Yeah, actually. Some kid found a gun a few blocks away in a trash bin. Caught it just before the garbage truck came around. Kid's parents called, and some officers brought it back for us.

Det. Baker: What else?

Det. Nowell: It's an ACP-C2. Standard issue sidearm of the Federation military. Ballistics were conducted when it arrived at the station, and guess what?

Det. Baker: It matches?

Det. Nowell: Better. Remember that cold case we were looking at not too long ago?

Det. Baker: Don't tell me.

Nowell nods his head.

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

The PA system blares with an announcement.

Voice: This is the base commander. All personnel, be prepared for the arrival of additional personnel in four hours.

[Scuro]

Kartofi Desert:

The group descends into a canyon, hidden within a mountain range. Built into the rock face is a large sandstone gateway.

Rick Maver: What's the point of this? It's just some old ruin.

Police Chief: You have no idea of the purchasing power that rests within those halls. You three remain out here and ensure nobody follows me.

Jim Jenkins: You're going in by yourself? We don't even know what's in there.

Police Chief: I do. The Mausoleum of the Profiteers.

With that, the Chief enters the ancient temple, and a stone door closes behind him.

[Carbon Dogs]

Dark Prophet Island

Clothed Snake Man carefully navigates his way through the open terrain, moving slowly across ensuring he is undetected by sentries.

After 3 hours Clothed Snake Man reaches the compound

After carefully checking for a way into a building Clothed Snake Man searches for a terminal to give some further intel on the base

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

The terminal beeps online. The operating system is extremely old, with the last update sometime in the late 1990's. After quickly bypassing the login screen with a well-known security flaw, Clothed Snake Man finds a map of the island, complete with labels. The largest building is the hangar, of which the roof can be opened up. There is also a security office nearby.

[Carbon Dogs]

Shadow Prophet Island

Clothed Snake Man finds a map of the compound and analyises every detail

Clothed Snake Man identifies the security office and the main hangar of the compound and moves to investigate the security office

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

CSM slowly opens the door with a creak. The lights are off in the interior, and everything is covered in dust. Several terminals are offline, their internals ruined by decades of neglect. There is a noticeboard with several decrepit pieces of paper, several dated from 1992. The weapons locker's lock has deteriorated to the point where CSM simply punches it off. Inside are several M4A1 carbines, which were replaced years ago in the Ironian military. A quick look at the security systems reveals that they are likely malfunctioning, and the Ironian garrison has probably set up their own, if any.

[Carbon Dogs]

Dank Prophet Island

CSM picks up an M4A1 quickly strips it and ensure it is in working order, after assessing its in working order he loads it and grabs more ammo.

Before leaving he studies the noticeboard for any information

After studying the board CSM heads to the hangar

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

Surprisingly, the weapons and ammunition are still in working order even after decades of disuse. The noticeboard is full of notes from the days leading up to the abandonment of the facility, mostly confirming shutdown procedures. CSM leaves the security office and sneaks between buildings, avoiding several patrols. Eventually, he arrives at the hangar. He picks the lock of a rear door, and slowly opens it, weapon at the ready. After moving through some small rooms. he finds the main hangar area filed with computers, but more importantly, a gigantic bipedal machine sitting in the middle. There don't seem to be any people in the building.

[Carbon Dogs]

Dankest Prophet Island

CSM: Steel Cog?

CSM moves quickly from computer to computer checking for a way to get into the machine, how to operate it and how to open the hangar

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

Opening several files, CSM discovers the giant machine is part of Project Tyrannosaur, an Ironian initiative in the early 2000's to develop bipedal tanks. The schematics and reports reveal that the machine is currently being held for decommissioning. The shoulder-mounted railgun has been removed, as has the ammunition for all weapons. It is running on external power, and the ablative armour has been stripped, leaving it with titanium plating. The cockpit is designed for a single operator assisted by a computer, and has been left open.

It looks like it will take some help to get the Tyrannosaur off of Dark Prophet Island.

The hangar door is operated by a button next to it.

[Carbon Dogs]

Danker Prophet Isle

CSM opens the hangar and moves to enter Tyrannosaur

[Ironcastle]

Dark Prophet Island

As CSM presses the button to open the doors, alarms sound and lights flash. Apparently the 'stand clear' warning is very loud, especially in the silent facility. CSM quickly runs up the ladder to the cockpit, and sits down. As he does, four guards run into the hangar.

Soldier: Command, this is Bravo 2. Intruder attempting to access Secure One, how copy?

Command (over radio): Affirmative, Bravo 2. Engage with lethal force.

The soldier shouts something, and the others open fire at the cockpit.

[Carbon Dogs]

Dark Prophet Island

CSM ignores the guards and commands the cockpit to shut and the Tyrannosaur to power up

Once the Tyrannosaur is operating on its own power CSM commands the Steel Cog to enter Road Brawler mode and begins to move the machine towards the shore