FEDERATION 2020 - FCN Roleplay (IC, FCN ONLY)

[FCN RPing]

Costa Rica2

Map of Costa Rica2 + major military installations

The nation of Costa Rica2, with a population of slightly over 20 million people and an average income of around $16,000 dollars, was usually a peaceful nation - War had not broken out in Stratea in decades, and during those decades the people of Costa Rica2 had built up their economy - and their army. Despite being one of the smaller countries of the world, the Armed Forces of Costa Rica2 comprised of roughly four hundred thousand servicemen, with the bulk of those - Roughly 310,000 soldiers - belonged to the formidable Costa Rica2 army. Despite being considered 'impoverished' and 'poor' in the world, President Ben Shapiro mandated that the army be modernized for god knows what reason - The wars of the world would surely never find their way into Costa Rica2..This modernization project finished though, the Army of CostaRica2 consisted of nine Infantry Divisions, an Armored Division, and a Mountain Division (Trained and currently based in the southern mountain range that separated Costa Rica2 from COTCORP). The Infantry Divisions of Costa Rica2 were numbered one through nine, and were composed of two primarily-mechanized/motorized infantry brigades, an artillery brigade, and the appropriate support battalions.

Upon the rather unfortunate news of COTCORP's attack on the Prussian-Poles, the imminent threat of retaliation required for the Fifth, Seventh, and Eighth Infantry Divisions (Roughly 40,000 combatants and 10,000 other military personnel) to immediately be deployed to the border with Prussia-Poland to support the COTCORP army of 350,000 soldiers. Meanwhile, the Eleventh Armored Division (Roughly 18,000 combatants, consisting of three mechanized/armored brigades, an artillery brigade, and a combat aviation brigade of 2 battalions consisting of primarily attack and utility helicopters) was also immediately mobilized and sent to be deployed to the border along Prussia-Poland. The 5th Infantry would take up position in the state of Managua, the 7th in the states of Caracas and Tijuana, and the 8th in the states of Ensenada, Santiago, and Oaxaca. The forces of the 11th Armored were concentrated largely in Ensenada (Close to Poznan), and a message was relayed to COTCORP positions informing them of their reinforcing. Just in time for this mobilization, MeChat was also largely being integrated into the forces of Costa Rica2 per agreement with the nation of Greater Bastion.

At 7:03 AM of the 17th of January, early warning systems picked up the Eight Fighter Wing of the Gagiumish airforce (Though their identification and allegiance had not been determined). A force of twenty fighter jets would be scrambled from the airfield near San Pueblo to intercept the aircraft, and surface-to-air missiles within the Fifth and Seventh Infantry Divisions (Already nearby the border) readied their attached surface-to-air missiles (OOC Think US' Patriot system). Only time would tell the true purpose of the incoming aircraft, though the Costa Rica2 military intended to fully aid their allies in this conflict.

(OOC: This is Gagium posting as Costa Rica2, with his permission)

[Holy Rhinish Islands]

JANUARY 17, 2020

It was a warm sunny day in Last Karidaron. The Tropical Sun was shining in the Capital. In the Oldest parts of the city were crammed many thousands of people, all here to witness the Inauguration of Jami Madok. It would be a monumental step towards modernizing the Rhinish Islands. The Old Square was lined with old style apartments and hotels for the general public. One one side of the square was a large opening, to the magnificent buildings of the Government; the Legislature and the Executive buildings. On the other side of the square lay a magnificent structure; the Supreme Court of the Rhinish Islands. Security was extremely tightened for this event, as the square was an open place to everyone, no identification was required to witness the Inauguration.

Kil si Dono stood atop the platform with the Holy Bible. As the Chief Justice on the Court, he was tasked with the Inauguration of the new Vice President and President. On the platform he stood, and opened the ceremony with his wise words. Mr. Dono was older than the nation itself, he was aged 10 when Gagium had released the Colony. Aged 85, the man had barely known any English, and spoke primarily in Pure Rhinish. However, as Justice for 20 years, he has learned to give the Inauguration in both Rhinish and English.

Inside the Legislative building, looking upon the Square, stood Jami Madok and her Vice President, Lono Kirol. Mrs. Kirol would be the first one to be inaugurated, followed by Mrs. Madok. In the past month, Jami Madok had made many foreign meetings, including getting the Holy Rhinish Islands into the Depian Ocean Pact, and giving the disputed lands back to Greater Bastion and Aksumar. Jami Madok was ready to make some more changes in her next Three Years in the office.

Mrs. Kirol stepped outside into the Square. Cheers and applause filled the air, but not for long before jeers and boos would also get mixed in. Lono had gotten up to the stand, and Kil si Dono was ready to begin the official process of Inauguration, as defined by the Rhinish Constitution. Five seconds he waited, ten, then twenty.

Silence would fill the Square.

In the room of his apartment building, one of the many that lined the Square, a young man, aged around twenty, with short brown hair and brown eyes was sitting by his window. The dark-skinned man, probably a native of the Islands, was appalled at the choice of Mrs. Madok to cede the ever-so Rhinish lands to the other countries, to even strike a deal with Greater Bastion, of whom was blockading the Rhinish just days before the deal was struck. By his side was a rifle, loaded and cocked. He had conspirated with around ten or twenty other men to take out the Government. He was the plan A; to shoot the Vice President before the President gets inaugurated. Several other plans were made, and if worst came to worst, thousands of people could die under the actions of the Kings Coalition, as they called themselves. Their main goal was to re-establish the King of the Holy Rhinish Islands, of which the what would be current throneholder was a part of the Kings Coalition. The Kingdom of the Holy Rhinish Islands was taken over in 1872 by the Commonwealth of Gagium, and the Islands were established as the Rhinish Colony from 1872 to 1945, when the Colony was released from Gagium, and became the Republic of the Holy Rhinish Islands.

Kil si Dono: "Repeat after me. I,"
Lono Kirol: "I,"
Dono: "Lono Kirol,"
Kirol: "Lono Kirol,"
Dono: "Do solemnly Swear"

The rifle was fired at that exact moment. The wind was strong, and the crowd was aplenty. It would be almost impossible to find who shot the bullet. Lono Kirol did, however, survive, as the bullet had missed it's target and had instead struck Chief Justice Kil si Dono. Aged 84, Dono's last breaths were taken upon that stage, and he was immediately rushed to an ambulance. The crowed quickly thinned out, and Mrs. Kirol and Mrs. Madok quickly took cover.

Plan A had failed, and Security was all over the Square. Still, however, Plan B had existed. The Kings Coalition had quickly left the Square along with the rest of the civilians, or had entered Apartment Buildings along with other civilians during the mass escape.

Outside the square, just behind the Government Buildings in the City Proper, a second and third member of the Coalition were driving a van deceivingly filled with explosives. The plan was to drive it into the square once Security had been re-laxed, and to detonate in such a location that the blast would kill the President-elect and her Vice-President-elect. However, the inauguration could not be held until the sitting President, Yona Poso, had selected a Chief Justice, and the Tnatron had agreed. For this reason, the Courts had nominated one of their own to administer the Inauguration Oaths inside of the Tnatron building.

Because of how horribly Plan A failed, Plan B was doomed to fail, so Plan C, a rather suicidal one, had to be enacted. One of the Kings Coalition members had owned an airplane, a small single-engine piston aircraft called a Sisna 270. The Plan was to fly it over the Tnatron Building and drop some rather deadly explosives onto and in the Tnatron. It took around 20 minutes to alert the fourth man, who owned the aircraft, and the fifth one, who was an expert with explosives back in his day, to take off from the general airport on the neighboring island.

Man 4: HR-EGY requesting takeoff clearance Runway 9 from Last Karidaron General.
EALK Departures Tower: HR-EGY cleared for takeoff from Runway 9, Last Karidaron General. Frequency is with me, squawk 0672.
Man 4: Squawk 0672, EGY.

About 5 minutes into the flight, the following conversation transpired.

EALK Departures: HR-EGY, you are out of my airspace. Frequency to 122.72 on EALK Approach. Good day.
Man 4: 122.72, HR-EGY.

HR-EGY would never switch radios to 122.72, and continued to remain on the EALK Departure frequency without EALK Departure knowing the lack of change. Within around 30 minutes, HR-EGY would be flying over Last Karidaron. The only issue was finding the Square. On a private, Kings Coalition radio, the following transpired.

Man 4: Uh Tanar? Where is the Square?
Man 1: What can you see?
Man 4: Uh we're about 5 miles directly south of EALK heading at 105.
Man 1: Oh you're about 5 miles to the east of the building. You'll know it when you see it. Turn to 090.
Man 4: Alright, thanks Tanar.
Man 1: No problem Midas.

Tanar and Midas are made up code names for these two men, other names have not been uncovered yet.

Within around 1 to 2 minutes, the following conversation transpired on the KC radio.

Man 4: 3, 2, 1, drop.
Man 5: Dropped.
Man 1: Take cover!
Man 2: O Kamp! (Rhinish for O God)
Man 1: Damn there's glass everywhere! O Kamp what did the dumb Whites build this with?
Man 3: Boom, there goes the dynamite.
Man 4: D'we get them?
Man 2: Uh, you got them alright!
Man 5: Kjin, Kjin! (Rhinish for we see)
Man 3: All hail the King!

On the ground fragments of glass were everywhere. The explosive had hit the dome of the Tnatron and slipped through an opening before exploding in many colors. The architecture of 100 years age, built in 1919, had fallen due to the blast. The large dome had collapsed, the building was hardly recognizable. Several Apartment Buildings and the Square were littered with glass shards and other pieces of the history of the Islands from the explosion. Everyone within the Tnatron had died from excessive blood as a result glass shards, or the weight of a century's worth of information and architecture collapsing onto their bodies. The Tnatron was in session, and all 115 members were killed, along with the selected Court Justice to oversee the Oaths, as well as Mrs. Madok and Dono, and around 50 or so civilians at or near the building when the explosives had detonated.

Within the end of the hour, President Yona Poso had given a speech to the nation from an underground bunker. The Kings Coalition would garner some respect from the hardcore Nationalist Party members in the South State, who also had believed that the Government needed to be gone. By Fifteen Minute's time after the speech, Mrs. Poso had addressed the Nation once again, blaming Snow Hill for the attack on the Government.

At 9:20, exactly two hours after the last radio transmission with flight HR-EGY, Mrs. Poso was undergoing talks with members of the Kings Coalition via telephone. The Coalition members refused to identify themselves, and the phone they were using was a payphone in the South State.

Man 6: Here's what we want you to do.
Poso: Is this a threat?
Man 6: It most certainly is. We want you to fire your Vice President and step down.
Poso: Right now?
Man 6: No, not right now. Before you step down, we have one last request for you.
Poso: What may that be?
Man 6: We need you to reinstate the Monarchy.
Poso: Are you insane?
Man 6: I am in contact with the modern Heir to the Throne. His name is Maraka Salamo.
Poso: And?
Man 6: Should you decline the offer you should find yourself in a similar fate to that of Mrs. Jami Madok.

Within the end of 1 hour, Yona Poso had written an Executive Order declaring the Islands a special type of Monarchy which can only be explained by saying it's a somewhat powerful Constitutional Monarchy. King Maraka I will be Coronated on Sunday the 19th of January, and a Constitution shall be drafted on the 18th of January.

King Maraka I has stated that he will fix affairs with other countries and reclaim our rightful lands. He had also said that the nation will attempt to stay in the DOP, but it is eventually up to the DOP to decide.

More to come later.

[West Phoenicia]

WP||The West Phoenicia Times

Sports || Health || Technology || Gossip || Domestic Politics || International Politics || Entertainment || World || Religion || Weather

In Sports News, The West Phoenician Confederates; the nations international playing baseball team
are a week away from new try outs in preparation for the next World Baseball Classic. After a successful previous season where they took out first place in the FCN Summer Games, Head Coach, Jacob Prosper is looking for continued success. With only one World Baseball Classic title under the belt, The Confederates are praying for a better season in the international tournament.

The pre-season training and try outs hope to bring the best of the current veterans and shake the team up with some new additions from the West Phoenician National Baseball League.

The mixed gender international team which currently has one female on their roster, catcher Abigail Wittman has promised to opening up additional spots in the team for females to meet equal opportunity quotas that many in the West Phoenician government and West Phoenician Council of Sports have pushed for, when only one team is sent to an international tournament.


In the West Phoenician world of Archery, Lady Amelia Defence reigned supreme as one of the best archery players. After years of glowing results, and drama on and off the field Lady Defence has official retired from public competition. She plans to focus more on her new found duties assigned to her due to her marriage into the aristocracy.

---

In World news, the FCN region seem to further plummet into war and violence across many of the nations. Emperor Glenton Gryphon-Bush II and Prime Minister Countess Tia High have both issued concerns of the escalation of wars and violence and have both vowed war and violence will not affect the Galea continent.

The West Phoenicia Ministry of Foreign Affairs will speak with counter parts in the Galean continent to ensure they are all on board in regards to no wars on our soil and ensure all non aggression pacts still stand solid.

Jack Portland, Minister of Foreign Affairs will also begin the task of contacting other nations around the world in an attempt to call for calm and for a peaceful outcome to the current climate.

Minister of Defence, General. Aaron Townsville has announced that the West Phoenician military will on stansby due to the rise in violence and will not hesitate to step in if the madness continues to grow. Military exercises are expect to begin in a few days to prepare the military for any number of scenarios and keep them trained and ready.

[The COT Corporation]

Although the Bastonian blockade had halved in size, invasion was still a minor concern. But why would a minor concern be of any concern? Like the old corporate saying goes, Just in case.

---

Midfora, 16th of January

The 3rd Infantry Corps, which consisted of 50,000 Military personnel, had been located to Midfora. Upon arrival from Gadiume the next day (The 17th), the Corps split into its 3 Divisions. The First Mechanised Division, containing approximately 15000 combatants, was primarily made up of M270A1 TELs, and Combat and utility S-1s. The Division was assigned to the Shoreline of Midfora, along with the 2nd Division. The 2nd Division was fairly standard, consisting of around 20000 combatants, and 5000 other personnel. The 3rd Division was much the same, however, it only held 10000 or so combatants.

The First Typhoon wing had also been relocated to Midfora, as its presence was not so urgent in Gadiume.

[The COT Corporation]

The Roof of the Serra Building, Saledale, Esontria

A lone man stood on the top of the building. He was freezing, as a recent cold spell had hit the east coast. He watched down below, as cars streamed by like large, luxury, ants. The occasional toot of a horn didn't bother him in the least. A few seagulls were flying low, and systematically, they didn't fail to drop their precious load. Although it was meant to keep him warm, his camouflage fleece jacket didn't help one bit. Perhaps it had something to do with the holes in his pre-ancient jeans, which made his knees look like prison bars. However, he was used to this - well, not the cold. He took a sip from his flask, which contained a bitter mix of coffee and some other unmentionable substance. The heat of it scalded his mouth, but somehow, it filled him with energy again. It was the morning, and the city seemed to be waking up around him. So why should he be on top of the Serra building? Surely an employee of their's wouldn't be on their roof, let alone dressed in something so... unprofessional.

Well, he wasn't an employee of Serra. In fact, the man had a large dislike of Serra, especially their all-new SUV, the Flying Incentive™, as his mother was the designer of it. As a young child, he had been removed from his family tree due to their extreme contempt for him. They hated him, for in his eyes no reason. However, there was a reason. When he was 15, he had been caught watching recreational Arsene Rodier II [censored]. Although this was not coherently a bad thing, his family saw it as tradition that [censored] should not be watched. For the rest of the 2 shameful and disdainful years he stayed with them, he only stayed because they were extraordinarily rich, and he had nowhere else to go. One day, he decided he had had enough, regardless of where he was going to go. In the dead of night, he had left his house. Owning only a handgun that was compulsory to have by the age 12, he ran away. Hoping to not be too conspicuous, he had hid behind a dumpster in a back alley of Saledale. Up until recently, that dumpster had been the only place he felt at home.

Newly, though, he had been found by an organisation. One day, as he was behind his dumpster, a disturbance in the street adjacent from him caused him to come out. It wasn't any disturbance, though. It was one of the most famous terror attacks west of Greater Bastion. It was known as Halibujah, roughly translating from the ancient language of the nation as "The Great Collapse". All around him, buildings had been falling down. Concrete smashed towards the roads, and cars were crushed under the immense weight of the tumbling buildings. The only thing he could remember was the fire, the smoke, and the falling. A piece of falling rubble had collided with his head, and knocked him unconscious. The next thing he remembered was waking up in a dingy room, with a bandage around his head. It seemed that he had been rescued. But who by? The Propolommonwealth. Although they were ruthless, merciless terrorists, they did sympathise with the homeless of the nation. Of course, it was they who had caused the attacks. The man instantly took a liking to them, and became a crime boss within the organisation. That was half a year ago. Back to the present:

The man took off his backpack. It was a crude, large thing, but at least it was big enough to hold almost anything. He took out the different parts of the Propolommonwealth's signature sniper. He started to assemble the gun. Once it was complete, he took out his magazine and loaded the bullets. He adjusted the scope - "Nope, that's not right. Oh, wrong again. Ah, Perfect". He swung the barrel round, and faced towards the mountains. This was the time. His boss had told him that at this moment, a S-1 would be patrolling over the city. From over the slopes, there came the familiar beat of helicopter blades. He planned to shoot the chopper precisely where the blades were attached, and force the craft into the city - hopefully causing at least one death. As the helicopter flew over the head of the white crags, it was followed by something that the terrorists had no idea about... Silent fighter jets. (OOC: These are based on the F-15SE, for reference)

This could mean one thing: The Government knew. There were three jets in total, seemingly escorting the S-1. The man ran and hid under the shade of the stairway upwards roof, but it was too late. The lead jet was heading towards the Serra building, and it had unsheathed it's SF-1 missiles. Without missing it, it launched a precise shot onto the roof of the building. The missile exploded practically on top of him. The top of the building was consumed in a ball of fire, however no one worked there, hence no one was harmed. It was a sight to behold, and would go down in COT history as the end of the Propolommonwealth. (Even though it wasn't.). This demonstration leaked one thing, but it was on purpose; The Government knew what was going on.

[Holy Rhinish Islands]

JANUARY 18, 2020

Today is an important day in the Holy Rhinish Islands, called kamp pmaginr pam in the Rhinish Language, as the new Constitution was set to being written all in a week, starting with today. Gathered in the Executive Building were current President Yona Poso, her Vice President Jan Kig, the soon-to-be King Maraka On, among with many other high ranking politicians and businessmen, to draft the new document. Because of the modernness of the situation, the document is planned to be typed out and printed as the official copy onto an official looking paper.

King Maraka On had placed his hands onto the keyboard, and started typing away. He typed the preamble in around twenty minutes.

King Maraka On: Mrs. President, Mrs. Vice President, Mr.'s and Mrs.'s in the room, how does this specific preamble sound?
Poso: It's good so far.

Maraka On had continued to type for another 30 seconds when he turned around and started the main debating.

The debating would continue on and on for several hours. By the end of the day, only the preamble and basic rights for Citizens had been laid out. This was going to be a long convention.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

January 17, 2020
Arsentrois Airbase, Arseniana Commonwealth

Stratea was engulfed in war! COTCORP has officially declared war on the Prussian-Poles and launched an aerial attack on the border, and heavy Prussian-Polish retaliation was expected. The nation of Costa Rica2 was caught in the crossfire between the two nations, though it seemed like Costa Rica2 would be joining the conflict and aid the armies of COT Corporation at the Prussian-Polish border...With the long-feared war finally being declared, the populace of Gagium feared for their continued survival and their lives, though war had yet to find its way to Gagium. Many took to the streets on the 17th in a large anti-war demonstration across Gagium to advocate for non-intervention and continued peace, though many also took to the streets to demand that the United Commonwealths of Gagium immediately denounce COTCORP's attack on Prussia-Poland and send aid to the Prussians.

At Arsentrois Airbase, the forty-four fighter jets of the Eighth Fighter wing laid in waiting between the ever-increasing scheduled flights and sorties..Until 7:00 AM on the 17th of January. One by one, the forty-four fighter jets soared off of the twin concrete runways of the Air Force installation, the wind around the jets screaming as they climbed into the air. The jets would approach the Costa Rica2-Polish Prussian Commonwealth border, where thousands of COT soldiers and hundreds of COT tanks laid in wait..Perfect targets, if not already taken by the Prussian-Poles. The leading jet of the Eight Fighter wing would send a message over the radio to any Polish-Prussian fighters in the air through shared military frequencies:

"...This is Devil Six Six Actual, Eighth Fighter Wing of the Gagiumish Air Force...Requesting passage through Prussian-Polish airspace..Repeat, this is Devil Six Six Actual, Gagiumish Air Force, requesting passage through Prussian-Polish airspace..over."

Even if no answers were to come in time, the Eighth fighter wing had strict orders to proceed to their target, an apparent combat outpost set up by COTCORP forces along the Polish-Prussian border to serve as a center of operations for their forces. It was unknown whether Costa Rica2 forces were also present at the installation, though they were allies of the aggressor who dared attack an ally of Gagium, and that would not be easily forgiven. No declaration of war would be made anytime soon, but the mission of the Eight Fighter Wing was sure to be made known sooner rather than later..

(OOC: COT, You can make up how heavily defended your outpost is or if it has significant anti-air defense or not...Though I am targeting a smaller outpost and not one of the larger installations you probably have set up.)

A burst of static came, and then the reply from a ground controller.
Devil Six Six Actual, you are cleared to pass. You want us to task a few boys to help you out up there, or are you hunting alone?

---

The Border

The damage from the attack was repaired almost immediately. It was a simple matter to move around a few hedgehogs and replace concrete pyramids, or to relay mines and stretch out barbed wire.

However, troops seemed to be withdrawing from the border, and towards various cities within the borders...aside, of course, those troops tasked with guarding the installations.

The cities of Poznan, Ochjno, Czestochowa, Lublin, Poznan, and Gdansk began to be evacuated. Fortifications began to be set up around Krakow, Bialystok, Gniezo, Warsaw, and Gdansk. These consisted mostly of basic trenches and firing pits, with some rebar concrete bunkers here and there.
These would be manned mostly by militamen-the hope was that they would never have to be used.

The Northern Field Armies continued their slow mobilization. However, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reserve Corps would begin to be mobilized, alongside the XVII Corps from the V Field Army, forming the VI Field Army. This would eventually add roughly another 150,000 men to the defense of the border, which would result in a total of around 450,000 men, against the 350,000 of the 1st Ground Corps, plus the ~60-70,000 men of CR2.

---

On a lighter note...
Prussia-Poland would begin it's invasion of Gagium, although it wasn't exactly with guns and tanks.

"Weebs"/"Weeaboos" had existed in dispersed populations around the world. These were, put simply, people who enjoyed a specific type of animation style. Prussia-Poland happened to be the home of many of the companies catering to the tastes of these people.

Of course, at first, it was mostly uninspired trash or mediocre stuff. These "animes" focused primarily on the things that your average TV show did. High Schools, white-collar office jobs, etc.

That first changed with the release of Griffin and Kruger.
It was a series that focused on the adventures of a junior commander in a small PMC within an alternate-universe Stratea torn by war. A sharp fall in the amount of humans available in the workforce lead to the creation of sentient androids...some of which, yes, looked like high school girls and acted like them.

The first season was noted to be mostly vanilla. Mostly just fun shenanigans, a romance subplot, coupled with fighting rouge androids inbetween.
Starting from the second season, though, things took a much darker and more serious turn, and became...well, put simply, thus.

"Anime PMC girl androids named after and armed with historical and current-day firearms, but they periodically have existential crises and deep philosophical discussions on the nature of sentience and what constitutes a human(or a machine) when they're not being sandwiched in a complicated web of conspiracies and politicking between the various intelligence services and armed forces of an unnamed state, an extremely powerful and technologically advanced cult who worship zombies, and the rouge androids who at the end of the most recent season are heavily implied to be the least evil of all of the antagonistic factions. Oh, and apparently your troops really like sweets despite being android."

Griffin and Kruger became a pioneer for other works that dealt with more serious topics. These were rare and few-and-far between, but they shone out among the flood of trash.

Most of these were characterized by a heavy focus on realism, with great pains undertaken to ensure that they knew what they were talking about. Aside from this, however, they were a diverse lot, and included everything from an animated series about a world where political crises were dealt with via sumo-wrestling, to a dystopian movie that examined the nature of warfare and international diplomacy in the modern-day.

What does this have to do with the "invasion" of Gagium? Well, Griffin and Kruger was being made into a TV show(to either the jubilation or rage of fans), and the animation studio was looking for foreign broadcasters that it could potentially work with.

[Greater Bastion]

Tensions Broil

"Amid the tensions seen between COT and Prussia-Poland, Bastion has taken an official stance of attempting to resolve for peace. As of now, we are sending diplomats to Prussia-Poland to resolve these tensions, and we hope for peace in these trying times."

Eckard smiles.

---

Arriving

Sir Anthony touches down in a PPC airport. Usually an ambassador to the DOP, he has been temporarily pulled to ensure peace in Stratea. Gathering his bags, he leaves the airport and finds his way to the official capital of PPC, to make contact with any important leaders.

---

Will make a better post soon, have a headache as of time of running this.

[Greater Bastion]

Taking a Step Back from Politics...

The Bastonian people have always been more of a... classically-authentic type of people. They were conservative, but not to a fault, as they actually were quite progressive in their time.

The conservative nature of the nation comes from the love of nation, love of capitalism, and love of familial relations. Nothing hurts a Bastonian more than making them betray their family, whether it be by an enemy in a war, or by seeing regressive social policies such as the promotion of LGBTQ+ politics in their youth, or promoting polygamy in media.

However, this does not mean Bastion is a backwards, socially-repressive nation. LGBTQ+ rights are plentiful, women are exactly equal to men, abortions are legal, contraceptives are commonplace, divorce is, while very rare, allowed, and the people are, other than government spying and subversion of that like, free.

This change mostly came because of the Autocratic phase of government. Hundreds of years ago, Bastonia was a fledgling kingdom, dominated by traditional conservatism and monarchism. However, this was changed when a young Bastonian man, after climbing the military chain of command, coup'ed the monarchy and established a dictatorship focused around the military. His reason to do this is largely forgotten to time, but it's speculated that he had a younger sister who was executed for being heretical (when, in reality, she was just a lesbian).

The man, First Premier Alexander Adalbert, issued a plethora of reforms, including permitting additional educational spending, public law reform, further crackdown on religious superstition, and a basis for a progressive taxation system. He also established the Knights of Order, which, once established, spread through the military ranks to reform (indoctrinate) the military to continue seeking and allowing these reforms to pass through.

Alexander was the first of twelve of the numbered Premiers, all of which are credited to helping establish Bastonia as a major power in the modern times. The Second Premier invaded nearby lands in stunning military victories, the Third Premier integrated these lands as Bastonian, the Fourth established Greater Bastion to initiate the process of creating an Empire. The Fifth ensured the majority of the population strayed to atheism, or at least agnosticism, as he eliminated the clergy class. Further on, these Premiers are revered, not only for their military victories and prowess, but for upholding social dignity, freedom, and progress.

The last of the numbered Premiers was the man who guided the Bastonian people through the last Great War, ensuring their survival as a species and establishing a precedent for being a third way to major political crises.

---

Classically-Authentic

Along with this conservative but progress mentality, is a culture of Bastonians which appreciate, if not love, music which combines both newer and older subsets.

The most famous of these is called Bindie Rock (Bastonian Indie Rock). Pop music is practically non-existent in Bastion, however a few are notable exceptions. Most artists, and the most famous, are in this Bindie category. Using guitars, bass, drums, and surprisingly commonly, pianos, violins, and other classical instruments (usually as very small segments of a song, as most of the songs are plain indie rock), these artists combine the sounds of rock with the style of pop, making ridiculously catchy lyrics with equally catchy instrumentals.

Along with this, the lyrics aren't just catchy, they are smart. You would be hard-pressed to find a major Bindie band singing about "coke and thots", and more likely using metaphors and lyrical techniques to allude to struggles involving their use of substances and their sadness as they struggle through heartbreak.

However...

---

Bindie Stans

As it's probably obvious, most Bastonians, if not all, enjoy, if not love, Bindie music. But in nations which use MeChat (which would include mostly Costa Rica2 and Eldorado, however also any other nations which allow the use of MeChat in their app stores), Bindie Stan groups are beginning to pop up, but these nations' citizens mostly find it annoying.

In one nation, it's different. Somehow, someway, Bindie music made a surprise blow up in FI. The nation, which has always been mostly neutral to Bastion, has had a sudden and rapid, almost televised increase of Bindie stans, fans, and along with this, haters of haters if Bindie music.

Whether this has a basis in the fact that MeChat is not permitted as readily in FI, or the fact that perhaps they share a similar taste in music, many stans of music groups have popped up, leading to massive hate attacks in FI social services against people who even slightly criticize the music genre.


The most popular band, named Blue Shift and wearing their iconic blue jackets in stage performances, has a massive cult following, not only in Bastion but in FI as well. Their new album, Geil Friends, and a single of the same name, which came out in late 2019, managed to reach the charts in FI music labels (although, not anywhere near the top - yet). This is the first Bindie rock band to reach the charts in FI, although not in other nations, specifically Bastion's neighbors, which have taken influence from Bastonian culture over the years.

How FI will deal with the newfound music genre will be seen. However, if adopted by more Furbish citizens, it could be a way to increase diplomatic ties.

[San Carlos Islands]

House of Representatives
19 January 2020

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "The chamber is called to order... Today's prayer will be given by Bishop Adrijan Mestrich. Bishop Horvat is the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of New Archangel. Please stand and bow your heads in prayer..."

Bishop Adrijan Mestrich (Admiralia): "Dear Lord, Within these turbulent times I ask you to guide these lawmakers to remember do unto Your will as well as realize their power was given to them by You, as it says in Romans 13. Make them make conscious of the issues of life, the environment, civil rights, religious freedom, and economic stewardship so that this country and all countries may be encouraged to put You and Your flock above all. Amen.

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "Thank you Bishop! With that, we will now move onto the first order of the day, debate over House Bill 1778: the Ango-San Carlos Islander Rights Act, which was sponsored by the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister. The Honorable gentleman from Pitt Island South is recognized for his sponsorship speech."

Hon. Kyle Wilkins (National/Pitt Island South): "I thank the chair. Representatives, it startles me that in recent years discrimination and even violence against Ango-San Carlos Islanders has increased exponentially. It sickens me that some people are afraid of their neighbors on account of language barriers and resort to negative means to cope with that fact. That's why I'm proud to introduce House Bill 1778, 1774 being the year the first English speaking people set foot within our borders when James Cook landed in Queensland.

"Friends, this hasn't always been an issue. Since independence, Russian and Eastern European Islanders were very accepting of the settlers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland; but as the population of Anglo Islanders has started to boom in recent years, from 10% in the 80's to about 25% today and a projected 40% by 2050. Many Slavic Islanders have seen us as a threat to the identity of San Carlos Islands they have always known. I understand their concerns, and I am the first person in support of preserving our nation's historical culture and heritage, but discrimination won't achieve that. Barring people from receiving services because of the language they speak will do nothing! Haven't our Commonwealth prided itself as being an inclusive nation?

"Today's legislation give us the best of both worlds, it bans discrimination on the basis of language for starters while taking major strides on maintaining the Russian language and culture by appropriating millions of dollars to the Education Ministry in-order to fund mandatory Russian language classes in Anglo schools."

"I urge you to pass this legislation for a more inclusive and cultured Commonwealth. We cannot continue on this current path. Please affirm. I yield back to the Chair."

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "Thank you, the floor is now open to questioning.... The Honorable Gentleman from Lisvane."

Hon. Roy Benton (National/Lisvane): Hi Mr. Deputy Prime Minister! What effects will this mandatory Russian language class concession have on young Anglo Islanders?"

Hon. Kyle Wilkins (National/Pitt Island South): "Oh, it will be very positive. First off, bilingualism has proven to make youngsters smarter and better thinkers and problem solvers. Furthermore, it's going to open up more job opportunities to them when they graduate secondary school or college. So if you're skeptical, this will actually become a positive thing later down the road."

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "The gentlewoman from Wyngate."

Hon. Tanya Bogdanova (Social Democratic/Wyngate): [Russian-Translated] "How are you going to attract enough Russian teachers to Anglo schools to implement this legislation amid a nationwide educator shortage?"

Hon. Kyle Wilkins (National/Pitt Island South): "Thank you for that question. I think the route of what you're asking lies under the umbrella of education reform not this legislation. Nonetheless, the coalition government is dedicated to education reform and attracting more teachers to the trade. You'll see soon that we will introduce plans to raise teacher's wages and increase benefits for secondary school graduates who pursue a teaching degree. If you can get your colleagues on that side of the floor to support us on that, the teacher shortage won't be a problem anymore."

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "The gentlewoman from Santa Barbara."

Hon. Chloe Horvat (Conservative/Santa Barbara): "Why are you ignoring other minority groups like Croatians, Ukrainians, and Slovenians who have also historically faced linguistic and ethnic hardships in this country?"

Hon. Kyle Wilkins (National/Pitt Island South): "That's a good question. I support any legislation to foster inclusion for many different linguistic and ethnic groups in this nation and look forward to work with you to achieve that.

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "I thank the Honorable gentleman from Pitt Island South. Questioning for this speaker has now elapsed. The member from Bristol is recognized to speak on behalf of this legislation as a co-sponsor."

Hon. James East (Liberal/Bristol): "Hi Representatives, I'm proud to co-sponsor this rare piece of legislation which has support on both sides of the floor. As a member of the Liberal party and a Representative in this house for nine years, I have always been committed to inclusion and equality. That's what we're doing here today. Let me tell you the story of one of my constituents, Claire."

"Claire an Anglo San Carlos Islander, originally from the United States, who is not fluent in Russian, was on a business trip to New Archangel. After closing a deal with a firm in that city, her and her co-workers went to a popular bar in the area to celebrate. After trying to order, she was promptly denied service. One of the individuals with her, a bilingual, native San Carlos Islander who is also from the Port Swansea area then told her after leaving the business that they said they would not serve "Anglos who were invading the San Carlos Islands."

"This is quite disgusting that people are being treated like this in the San Carlos Islands, it's time to cut it out. Don't we all love this country and call it home?"

"Stand up to discrimination and stand for inclusion. Affirm this legislation."

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "Thank you, the floor is now open to questioning.... The Honorable Gentlewoman from Kirillgrad."

Hon. Juliya Krupina (Conservative/Kirillgrad): [Russian-Translated] "Isn't a business's right to discriminate? It's their money."

Hon. James East (Liberal/Bristol): "Absolutely not! America has had that question time and time again, and time and time again they've concluded that individuals had no such right. People there wouldn't serve the blacks, that changed with the Civil Rights Act, people there now wont serve members of the LGBT community; however, the American courts are now starting to rule that that's no okay either. It's time for progress, vote for this legislation."

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "The member from Yakobi."

Hon. Oksana Pavlova (Social Democratic/Yakobi): [Russian-Translated] "Does the member agree that caring for the liberty and well being of all Islanders is important?"

Hon. James East (Liberal/Bristol): "Absolutely! That's why it's so important that we pass this legislation. The Commonwealth is stronger, prouder, and better when we care and believe in each other."

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "The member from Ohmer Creek."

Hon. Avksentiy Ignatov (Conservative/Ohmer Creek): [Russian-Translated] "I move to table this legislation and continue debate tomorrow."

Hon. Daniil Kohut (Conservative/Fort Stikine): [Russian-Translated] "Second."

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): [Russian-Translated] "Seeing as there's a second, the clerk will take note of the ayes and nays..."

Clerk Monica Westerfield: "The Ayes have it 182 to 3. There where 15 no votes.

Rt. Hon Zheglov Larionovich (Conservative/Dvina County): "Thank you Ms. East! This legislation is tabled until tomorrow. Seeing a natural break in the discussion, we will leave for recess."

...

[Gladesville]

It's Time to Spread our Wings!

Time: 16:58
Date: 1/16/20
Location: Vincaract Bay Harbor
People: ~2,500 Colonists, Vindalbal II, Crowd of Onlookers

"I have assembled you here today, for Gladesville to grow!"

Traffic Jams in Vincaract Bay are omnipotent as 15-bike crews haul huge shipping crates of building supplies, and construction companies are being paid millions to send huge crews of their employees on this journey. Homeless shelters across Greater Vincaractum are being emptied by a royal decree, that's intentionally vague. All the parking spots at Vincaract Bay are filled, and disabled electric wheelchairs are struggling to find a valid parking space. Nobody knows why anything is happening this afternoon, but everyone is hearing Vindalbal II announce, "Come to Vincaract Bay Harbor, now, please.", and everyone wants to prove their loyalty to the monarchy....

Depian Colonialists to Vindy, Depian Colonialists to Vindy

Time: 17:02
Date: 1/19/20
Location:

The Gladesvillagen Green color dot.
People: The Employees & Colonists of Vinville (The Name of the Town), The House of Duchies

"We've made it, Vindalbal"

After 3 days of sailing across the Tenific and Depian Oceans, the Colonial Fleet had landed on the unoccupied island that Vindalbal II promised to colonize for Gladesville. The island had a great coastline, and was rather flat, with a couple of low rolling hills, a great environment, with some tropical trees, but no infrastructure, not even a wharf, and from that lack of a port, everyone was unloaded carefully, but the soldiers were unloaded first to stake the Gladesvillagen Colonial Flag, designed pre-hand by the House of Duchies, and approved by Vindalbal II himself.

,as well as to explore the island, to extinguish any native ambushes. Meanwhile, The Gladesvillagen Telecommunications Branch sent on the colony, is setting up a message to the House of Duchies, for all 190 dukes to watch, and Gladesvillagen Patriots to watch on their TV's. An hour later, (18:02), the Soldiers have scouted the outer lands of the island, and have founded no signs of Native life, so they signal to the boat, "No natives found, come out.", and the 1st Vinvillagen GTB has gotten it's entire message out. At 18:12, the Construction Crew employees have left the boat, and are hauling out their first load of harbor building materials.

[Huvakia]

North Point, Jeiro Province, Snow Hill
04:30

The area surrounding North Point was tranquil and still. The busy sounds of construction having surrendered to the night. Approaching from the south of the complex was a convoy of trucks approaching with the next shipment of supplies for the base. They contained the first of the point defense to be installed on the facilities defensive towers surrounding the base. Their trip from the operational Port Askel was uneventful even scenic as the winter snow gently fell around them.

Off of the shore the outline of the INSS Centurion could barely be made out as she elegantly floated down the coast. The Centurion had been posted separately from the rest of the fleet so that her heavy guns and air defense could cover the base until it was completed.

---

Imperial Palace Aegaeon, Huvakia

The ornate halls of the imperial palace were empty save for the ceremonial guards that stood at attention outside of the entrance to the Emperor's chambers. The soldiers tensed as four figures came walking down the corridor, dwarfed by the immense architecture around them. As they approached the soldiers relaxed the first person visible was Kaera the personal assistant to the Emperor. It wasn’t entirely unheard of for her to appear late at night near the Emperor's chamber though she was typically encountered exiting. Her business was a formality on paper, a person such as the Emperor needs extra management in their daily routine. Alternatively she was also young and strikingly beautiful; there were rumors that she had a more personal role in the Emperor employ.

Tonight was something serious though, following her were the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Imperial Security, and the Minister of Communication. The group approached the guards who opened the door way to the Emperor. There were few people whom had the authority to waltz into the inner sanctum of the Empire uninvited and three of them were here.
Startled by the sudden intrusion the Emperor sat up in bed.

“What is the meaning of this? What’s going on?!”

Kaera was the first to answer their clearly annoyed leader.

“We apologize for the intrusion your grace. There is a developing situation that requires your attention. We thought it best to wake you.”


Yawning and rubbing his face the Emperor straightened himself up to listen to whatever couldn’t wait until morning.

“Let’s hear it then, don’t keep me waiting in suspense, and someone turn on some damned lights.”

“Yes your Grace. As you are aware your brother Crown Prince Aleksi has gone on holiday yachting in the Depian Ocean. He was incessant that no escort be provided, something about needing his independence if he was ever to rule.”

“Yes yes, what about it?”

“Of Course your grace. It would seem that the transponder on his ship has ceased broadcasting. A distress pinger was also briefly detected in his last known area.”

The Minister of Defense spoke up before she could continue

“Sir, we already have the best SAR units we have in route to the location. Come Hell or high water we will bring him home.”

The Emperor sat taking in the situation. His response would have to be calculated. In truth he could care less about his brother. The spoiled brat had done nothing to earn his respect, he had promised his father that he would look after him but his father was gone. Aleksi existed only to live in extravagance and drain the treasury as best as he humanly could. Of course though public opinion would probably land against a ruler who doesn’t even care about his own family, no matter how incompetent.

“Thankyou for the information. Let’s keep this under the radar until we have more information. We don’t need the public in panic and mourning if Aleksi is just off on another bender out of beer on the ocean.”

The group was quiet, before the Minister of Communication picked up a remote and turned on the TV. The story was already all over the news. HCNA was broadcasting a picture of the Imperial flag over the capitol building at night waving somberly in the moonlight, before cutting to a scene of a helicopter scanning the waters surface over the Aegaeon. The Minister timidly spoke.

“I’m sorry your grace. It would seem that the distress transponder broadcast in the clear. Several independent and civilian listeners picked up the signal, including the unique identifier used by the royal family.”

The Emperor let out a sigh and held his head in his hands. How long would he have to clean up the messes his brother left behind. He would have to make a statement in the morning, and manage to look genuinely concerned for his brother's well being.

“For fucks sake. Everyone out. I’ll meet you in the situation room in ten minutes.”

With a respecful bow the group exited as quickly as they had entered. Each secretly relieved that the blame hadn’t been placed at their feet. It was going to be a busy day in the Empire.

[Holy Rhinish Islands]

News of the Gladesvillian landing on one of the Aa Pandaronr islands. The entire nation is in outrage against the Gladesville government. Outside of La Karidaron, chants can be heard, "Death to Gladesville!"

On live television, King Maraka On speaks to the nation.

"We have been alerted of an invasion of Rhinish soil. I believe you have too. The Rhinish Government will not stand by and watch these attacks on the Aa Pandaronr occur. Our Ambassador has already alerted the Depian Ocean Pact Security Council of the invasion, and possible courses of action. We will be asking our fellow FCN Security Council Members to take action on the unwarned invasion. The Government of Gladesville will suffer! No nation takes from the Rhinish, and they will learn that! The entire world will learn that nobody messes with the Rhinish! The Gladesvillians will fall quickly and quietly, without notice! This is a message to Gladesville; you have just mere hours to retract your troops before the entire Depian Ocean is against you."

Within the Depian Ocean Pact's Security Council, Rhinish Ambassador Aran Kador had spoken about a possible war declaration against the Gladesvillians. Out on the streets in La Karidaron, a protest is occurring against the Gladesvillian Government. Large Gladesvillian flags in the Islands have been set alight, the Consulate is no more, having been raided and pillaged by the protestors and Government. Gladesvillian shops have been raided, at this point it might as well be a riot. In Last Karidaron, the capital, protestors are advocating for immediate war declaration. The Square, though still littered with debris from the Coup, is packed with hundreds of protestors screaming for war. All flights to Gladesville have been canceled, possible sanctions may also occur. Most, if not all, Gladesvillian citizens in the Islands have been assaulted and look nothing like themselves. The Last Karidaron shops related to Gladesville have disappeared in fires and explosions.

In the Depian Ocean, the Rhinish Navy, albeit small, mobilizes. 10,000 Navy men are ready for combat with the Gladesvillians. In the Army, another 20,000 are prepared to fight, and 10,000 Air Force members as well. The Rhinish Military, 40,000 strong, and with around 100 thousand reserves being mobilized, and Selective Service, are ready for any possible conflict, on the King's Command. King Maraka On was, however, not going to attack the Gladesvillians until they either stay in the island or move out. Two percent of the Rhinish Population will be mobilized at the end of the mobilization time, and this does not include the Selective Service.

From La Karidaron AFB, several takeoffs occur. The Rhinish Air Force has around 15 Attack Aircraft, Flanker-Cs, as the DOP calls them, which were developed by allies overseas and were then shipped to the Rhinish in exchange for goods and services. 5 Flanker-Cs, capable of reaching Mach 2 at level flight, were deployed from La Karidaron AFB. Ready to patrol the skies over the Aa Pandaronr Islands, the following transmissions occurred.

Fighter 1: How long should we be over water for?
Fighter 2: Maybe 30 minutes or so? I've not flown this route before in these things.
Fighter 1: A ha ha ha. My first time going to the Aa Pandaronr Islands too.
Fighter 2: This is HR-MFC2, La Karidaron Center, just checking in.
La Karidaron Center: HR-MFC2, this is La Karidaron Center.
Fighter 2: LKC, how long until we get to our Destination, Over.
LKC: You've got about, I'd say 5 minutes left, Out.
Fighter 1: Holy crap we covered some ground.
Fighter 3: We doing the thing we discussed?
Fighter 1: Hell yeah.

In five minutes, the jets passed over Aa Pandaronr. Behind them was smoke, all differently colored. Two large bands of green, in the middle had a band of white. Seconds later the other two aircraft had passed behind, fulfilling the cross and the Seal.

To be continued

[Huvakia]

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a special news bulletin.
We have received word of widespread rioting across the Holy Rhinish Islands in apparent retaliation for the recent occupation of nearby islands by the Vincaracy of Gladesville. Our affiliates in the area have also reported the mobilization of some Rhinish military forces. We'll bring you more on the situation as it develops. Now back to our expose' on Blue Shift.

[The COT Corporation]

January 17, 2020
Arsentrois Airbase, Arseniana Commonwealth

Stratea was engulfed in war! COTCORP has officially declared war on the Prussian-Poles and launched an aerial attack on the border, and heavy Prussian-Polish retaliation was expected. The nation of Costa Rica2 was caught in the crossfire between the two nations, though it seemed like Costa Rica2 would be joining the conflict and aid the armies of COT Corporation at the Prussian-Polish border...With the long-feared war finally being declared, the populace of Gagium feared for their continued survival and their lives, though war had yet to find its way to Gagium. Many took to the streets on the 17th in a large anti-war demonstration across Gagium to advocate for non-intervention and continued peace, though many also took to the streets to demand that the United Commonwealths of Gagium immediately denounce COTCORP's attack on Prussia-Poland and send aid to the Prussians.

At Arsentrois Airbase, the forty-four fighter jets of the Eighth Fighter wing laid in waiting between the ever-increasing scheduled flights and sorties..Until 7:00 AM on the 17th of January. One by one, the forty-four fighter jets soared off of the twin concrete runways of the Air Force installation, the wind around the jets screaming as they climbed into the air. The jets would approach the Costa Rica2-Polish Prussian Commonwealth border, where thousands of COT soldiers and hundreds of COT tanks laid in wait..Perfect targets, if not already taken by the Prussian-Poles. The leading jet of the Eight Fighter wing would send a message over the radio to any Polish-Prussian fighters in the air through shared military frequencies:

"...This is Devil Six Six Actual, Eighth Fighter Wing of the Gagiumish Air Force...Requesting passage through Prussian-Polish airspace..Repeat, this is Devil Six Six Actual, Gagiumish Air Force, requesting passage through Prussian-Polish airspace..over."

Even if no answers were to come in time, the Eighth fighter wing had strict orders to proceed to their target, an apparent combat outpost set up by COTCORP forces along the Polish-Prussian border to serve as a center of operations for their forces. It was unknown whether Costa Rica2 forces were also present at the installation, though they were allies of the aggressor who dared attack an ally of Gagium, and that would not be easily forgiven. No declaration of war would be made anytime soon, but the mission of the Eight Fighter Wing was sure to be made known sooner rather than later..

(OOC: COT, You can make up how heavily defended your outpost is or if it has significant anti-air defense or not...Though I am targeting a smaller outpost and not one of the larger installations you probably have set up.)

The Outpost in question was outpost IX, a smaller outpost along the border force. It wasn't heavily armed, and only housed a couple of troops - approximately 300. Of course, the outpost had picked up the Gagiumish fighter jets long before they were scheduled to arrive. Several mobile Ground-to-air missile launchers had been arrived, as they were plenty in number. As well as this, many troops had left, as the outpost did not yield specific military value.

Although the nation of Gagium was generally liked by the public of the nation, they would not hesitate to defend themselves against a possible threat. As well as this, many of the personnel within the outpost were the soldiers gifted to assist the corporation from CR2. Unfortunately, if any of them died, Gagium would look like a menace - although till this point, neither of the nations, especially the fairly demilitarised CR2, had anything against it.

Along the rest of the border, the Corporation mirrored the defences that the Prussian Poles had set up on the other side. As well as this, trenches had been set up behind these measures, however, these were hoped not to be used. Temporary bridges had been built over these, in case tanks were needed on the battlefield. Although this whole defence thing may seem slightly counter-intuitive, as the tanks would not be able to cross into Prussian land, there were points where tanks could in fact get through, which were highly militarised and held many troops, and bunkers.

---

Airbase XXII, Eastern Gadiume

Thirty-five SB Class stealth fighter jets were beginning to be mobilised. They had been sent news that Gagium had begun to get involved in this conflict, which, unbeknownst to the soldiers, was exactly what the Board wanted. However, the soldiers merely thought Gagium was another threat in this... threatening world. Thirty of them had been sent to deal with the Gagium aircraft, and although they lacked numbers, they made up for in practically post modern stealth technology; the pride and joy being the almost entirely silenced engines, and radar blocking that rendered them practically invisible to a radar.

As they launched into the canyons, an eerie silence was left where the scream of a jet engine should be. When they had reached the clouds, they separated into their two divisions. But as of yet, I haven't told you (OOC: The reader) where the other five were going. This was more... inhumane. Their reason, known only to the pilots, was to annihilate some of the evacuated civilians of the PPC. The corporation had nothing against the civilians, but they also had nothing for them. The plan was that this would prove to the commonwealth two things; first, the stealth technological power of the Corporation, and second, that the Corporation would engage in civilian conflict to prove the first point.

When the group of five SBs flew through CR2, they were far too high, and far too quiet, to be noticed. They arrived at the border with PPC, and without missing it, crossed over. Of course, they were still far too stealthy to be heard or seen, and the clouds which they were above only added to this.

[Greater Bastion]

In Prussia-Poland

The militaries of Bastion and the PPC, having close contact with one another, have been exchanging cultural information.

Bastonians have shared their love for Bindie Rock, and showed songs from Blue Shift. In return, the PPC soldiers shared their animated films, often depicting war and gritty scenarios, which were consumed vigorously by the Bastion military.

The spread of both of these will only increase as time goes on.

---

In FI

Blue Shift has quickly become a phenomenon in the Furbish Islands. They had even begun performing concerts in the nation, which decently large crowds as well.

But today, they had a special announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen..." The lead singer/guitarist, Alex Helders, begins.

"I have a little surprise for ya. Right now, as we speak, we're releasing our new single Electricity, and we're goin' ta play it for ya, yeah?" His Bastonian accent sticks out, very prominently, as he speaks (think of it as a mix of a thick English accent and a bit of German).

The crowd cheers, excited for a new single, not knowing that this will be the first Blue Shift song to reach number 1 on the charts in FI, for all music. Not forever, but it's still an immediate hit.

Ramifications

'Electricity', like the other songs from Bindie artists, isn't necessarily politically-charged. However, it contains messages that could be taken in a certain way by the populace of FI.

"Looks like /
Dominoes,
As it /
Ebbs and flows,
Strikes like /
Thunder,
Strikes like bombs below
Tell me something I don't already know
Got to fight it back, it's falling through the cracks /
Like electricity"

The song, which became an instant hit due to both lyrics and, mainly, the music itself, can be interpreted to have anti-mainstream societal messages, and pro-war themes. If the FI public takes these views, they would view the song as having pro-right/far right, authoritarian themes and suggests taking action in that vein. Since the song is an instant hit, it is viewed very positively, so these messages are not exactly looked down upon.

The upcoming Furbish elections are a hot topic in Furbish media, and this puts more fuel on the fire, as tensions rise and election debates continuously get more fierce.

[Gagium]

January 17, 2020
Prussian-Polish Airspace

January 17, 2020
Arsentrois Airbase, Arseniana Commonwealth

Stratea was engulfed in war! COTCORP has officially declared war on the Prussian-Poles and launched an aerial attack on the border, and heavy Prussian-Polish retaliation was expected. The nation of Costa Rica2 was caught in the crossfire between the two nations, though it seemed like Costa Rica2 would be joining the conflict and aid the armies of COT Corporation at the Prussian-Polish border...With the long-feared war finally being declared, the populace of Gagium feared for their continued survival and their lives, though war had yet to find its way to Gagium. Many took to the streets on the 17th in a large anti-war demonstration across Gagium to advocate for non-intervention and continued peace, though many also took to the streets to demand that the United Commonwealths of Gagium immediately denounce COTCORP's attack on Prussia-Poland and send aid to the Prussians.

At Arsentrois Airbase, the forty-four fighter jets of the Eighth Fighter wing laid in waiting between the ever-increasing scheduled flights and sorties..Until 7:00 AM on the 17th of January. One by one, the forty-four fighter jets soared off of the twin concrete runways of the Air Force installation, the wind around the jets screaming as they climbed into the air. The jets would approach the Costa Rica2-Polish Prussian Commonwealth border, where thousands of COT soldiers and hundreds of COT tanks laid in wait..Perfect targets, if not already taken by the Prussian-Poles. The leading jet of the Eight Fighter wing would send a message over the radio to any Polish-Prussian fighters in the air through shared military frequencies:

"...This is Devil Six Six Actual, Eighth Fighter Wing of the Gagiumish Air Force...Requesting passage through Prussian-Polish airspace..Repeat, this is Devil Six Six Actual, Gagiumish Air Force, requesting passage through Prussian-Polish airspace..over."

Even if no answers were to come in time, the Eighth fighter wing had strict orders to proceed to their target, an apparent combat outpost set up by COTCORP forces along the Polish-Prussian border to serve as a center of operations for their forces. It was unknown whether Costa Rica2 forces were also present at the installation, though they were allies of the aggressor who dared attack an ally of Gagium, and that would not be easily forgiven. No declaration of war would be made anytime soon, but the mission of the Eight Fighter Wing was sure to be made known sooner rather than later..

(OOC: COT, You can make up how heavily defended your outpost is or if it has significant anti-air defense or not...Though I am targeting a smaller outpost and not one of the larger installations you probably have set up.)

A burst of static came, and then the reply from a ground controller.
Devil Six Six Actual, you are cleared to pass. You want us to task a few boys to help you out up there, or are you hunting alone?

The lead pilot of the Eight Fighter Wing smiled. "We won't be waiting on your boys..Ah, forget it, we'd love to have your finest pilots up here with us. Target grid is Kilo E51 H85, small money-grubber outpost. Over."

The forty-four jets would stay in Prussian-Polish airspace for the duration of a few minutes, radar ground stations in Gagium monitoring the skies for any enemy plane take-offs - None were detected, however. From the fine altitude of 10,000 feet, the fighter pilots would have relatively good visibility into the COT territory ahead of them, with both sides' militaries and some of their structures being visible from the altitude - Including the target outpost. On the Fighter Wing's comms, one of the jet's pilots began a conversation.

"Jesus, look at em. Fuckin' corporates have practically their whole army up here..and the whole package, too."

"Their pilots can't fly for shit, and rumor is the corporates use anti-tank missiles to shoot down planes."

"What a joke. And they think they can rule Stratea? Incompetents. They'll get half their army killed in their offensive. Six actual, couldya inquire about their anti-air?"

"Righty. This is Devil Six Six Actual to Arsentrois, they have anti-air presence in the area?"

After a small pause and static in the radio, a grainy response came in. "Possibly, Devil Six Six. Stand-by..Oh, shit. You've got a blip coming your..wait one.." The radio operator cursed to himself before returning his voice. "You've got Rican fighters forty clicks bearing 190..Wait, shit...unknown contact three hundred clicks bearing 250..Stealth aircraft or some shit..We'll check our radar. Keep your eyes open, Devil Six Six. Out."

The lead fighter groaned. "Alright boys, we have contacts from the Ricans and the Corporates set to intercept us at the destination.."

Eight of the lead fighters had HARM missiles set to target transmissions from enemy radar systems, though the other fighter jets had the standard loadout for the operation - A single internally mounted rotary cannon, six precision-guided bombs effective against soft targets and unhardened structures, and two short-range air-to-air heatseeking missiles. As the Costa Rica2 fighters rapidly closed in on their position, the eight lead fighter's HARM missiles would be launched, targeting enemy radar installations in the vicinity.

[San Carlos Islands]

Office of Prime Minister Elena Kuznetsova
20 January 2020

The Prime Minister barged into the office where the Minster of Foreign Affairs was patiently sitting. "So you're telling me that amid debate over so called 'landmark' Civil Rights legislation I have to pretend not to hate, amid massive disunity within the Conservative/National Coalition, amid falling global oil prices, and a flailing economy, and, and... You're telling me that have to meet with you to discuss something 'urgent'?"

"What is it Aleksey? A crippling rail strike in the Furbish Islands? An autism epidemic in the Holy Rhinish Islands? Racism in Gagium? What is it?" The Minister chuckled. "Well, it involves Gagium, sort of..."

The Prime Minister smacked her knuckles into her desk, "Goddamn Aleksey, don't you take your job seriously? What is it?"

The Foreign Affairs Minister looked down. "I think it's time for the Commonwealth to step up involvement in the chaos on the rest of the continent."

The Prime Minister smiled. "That's all you had to say honey bear. So, since it's an issue that's obviously integral to our national security, what does the Minister of Defense have to say?"

His eyes widened. "Uh, Mr. Pasternak is back in his home district hunting right now, I couldn't get a hold of him or his office."

The Prime Minister reverted back into full-on bitch mode. "So you're telling me, that you want to talk about a fucking WAR, without getting the facts from the Defense Minister first?" She rubbed her eyes, "I can't deal with this right now Aleksey..." She took a deep breath, "Get in contact with the Minister of Commerce, we can talk about sanctions on the Polish Prussian Commonwealth, those are the cunts responsible for this, I hope you know that much... I'll see if I can get one of my guys to cut Pasternak's vacation short. Now get out of here and do some work."

"Yes Ma'am." Said the minister as he quickly let himself out of the room.

[Gladesville]

The Story so Far...

News of the Gladesvillian landing on one of the Aa Pandaronr islands. The entire nation is in outrage against the Gladesville government. Outside of La Karidaron, chants can be heard, "Death to Gladesville!"

On live television, King Maraka On speaks to the nation.

"We have been alerted of an invasion of Rhinish soil. I believe you have too. The Rhinish Government will not stand by and watch these attacks on the Aa Pandaronr occur. Our Ambassador has already alerted the Depian Ocean Pact Security Council of the invasion, and possible courses of action. We will be asking our fellow FCN Security Council Members to take action on the unwarned invasion. The Government of Gladesville will suffer! No nation takes from the Rhinish, and they will learn that! The entire world will learn that nobody messes with the Rhinish! The Gladesvillians will fall quickly and quietly, without notice! This is a message to Gladesville; you have just mere hours to retract your troops before the entire Depian Ocean is against you."

Within the Depian Ocean Pact's Security Council, Rhinish Ambassador Aran Kador had spoken about a possible war declaration against the Gladesvillians. Out on the streets in La Karidaron, a protest is occurring against the Gladesvillian Government. Large Gladesvillian flags in the Islands have been set alight, the Consulate is no more, having been raided and pillaged by the protestors and Government. Gladesvillian shops have been raided, at this point it might as well be a riot. In Last Karidaron, the capital, protestors are advocating for immediate war declaration. The Square, though still littered with debris from the Coup, is packed with hundreds of protestors screaming for war. All flights to Gladesville have been canceled, possible sanctions may also occur. Most, if not all, Gladesvillian citizens in the Islands have been assaulted and look nothing like themselves. The Last Karidaron shops related to Gladesville have disappeared in fires and explosions.

In the Depian Ocean, the Rhinish Navy, albeit small, mobilizes. 10,000 Navy men are ready for combat with the Gladesvillians. In the Army, another 20,000 are prepared to fight, and 10,000 Air Force members as well. The Rhinish Military, 40,000 strong, and with around 100 thousand reserves being mobilized, and Selective Service, are ready for any possible conflict, on the King's Command. King Maraka On was, however, not going to attack the Gladesvillians until they either stay in the island or move out. Two percent of the Rhinish Population will be mobilized at the end of the mobilization time, and this does not include the Selective Service.

From La Karidaron AFB, several takeoffs occur. The Rhinish Air Force has around 15 Attack Aircraft, Flanker-Cs, as the DOP calls them, which were developed by allies overseas and were then shipped to the Rhinish in exchange for goods and services. 5 Flanker-Cs, capable of reaching Mach 2 at level flight, were deployed from La Karidaron AFB. Ready to patrol the skies over the Aa Pandaronr Islands, the following transmissions occurred.

Fighter 1: How long should we be over water for?
Fighter 2: Maybe 30 minutes or so? I've not flown this route before in these things.
Fighter 1: A ha ha ha. My first time going to the Aa Pandaronr Islands too.
Fighter 2: This is HR-MFC2, La Karidaron Center, just checking in.
La Karidaron Center: HR-MFC2, this is La Karidaron Center.
Fighter 2: LKC, how long until we get to our Destination, Over.
LKC: You've got about, I'd say 5 minutes left, Out.
Fighter 1: Holy crap we covered some ground.
Fighter 3: We doing the thing we discussed?
Fighter 1: Hell yeah.

In five minutes, the jets passed over Aa Pandaronr. Behind them was smoke, all differently colored. Two large bands of green, in the middle had a band of white. Seconds later the other two aircraft had passed behind, fulfilling the cross and the Seal.

To be continued

(ooc: I didn't land on a Rhinish Island, I landed on an unoccupied island that is just east of you)

Vindalbal's Rebuttal

Time: just after Vindalbal II caught wind of this
Date: 1/20/20
Location: Vincaract Bay
People: Vindalbal II, HoD

"It's not even a Rhinish Island!"

Vindalbal II was panicking after hearing that the Rhinish Islands was mobilizing against Gladesville, and that the Colonial Fleet was just one Destroyer, 800 Cyclists, and 1 GT branch. He assembled the House of Duchies in an emergency meeting, ranked Fiercon 2, which meant that war is imminent against Gladesville, Fiercon 1 meant war has been declared on the Nationalist Vincaracy of Gladesville. As alarms rang, and the Fiercon markers drop down the board above the mantle, left at Fiercon 3 from the Alaszaqer Immigrant Crisis, the Dukes of the 19 duchies busted through the front door, sweaty, and afraid. Vindalbal II started his "speech" after all 190 dukes were present and in their seats, and here it is, and due to Vindalbal II being stressed out, he's dropping profanity all over the place.

"I-I-, you've gotta be f***ing kidding me! The Holy Rhinish Islands are mobilizing absolutely everything they got, and we didn't even land on one of their god da*n rock lumps! Don't they already have enough s*it on their own, and who the h*ll do they think they are!? The only f***king nation in the entirety of the mo***rf***king Planet!? Do they not know what a absolute f***king h*ll that they've buried their own f***ing selves in!? I will bury their whole pathetic, bulls**t excuse of a navy into the Depian Ocean if they declare war, just watch!"

The House of Duchies voted for a response to the act of transgression against Gladesville, and here is the result, from least popular to most popular;
Packup and Leave: 0 Nationalist, 2 Environmentalist, 1 Communist, 0 Centrist, 1 Minority Party (4)
Stay, but send home the Military Forces: 1 Nationalist, 3 Environmentalist, 2 Communist, 2 Centrist, 1 Minority (9)
Abandon the colony, but keep the military forces: 3 Nationalist, 1 Environmentalist, 1 Communist, 1 Centrist, 4 Minority (10)
Assert our claim on the colony: 6 Nationalist, 0 Environmentalist, 3 Communist, 3 Centrist, 5 Minority (16)
Declare War on HRR: All remaining Nationalists, 10 Environmentalist, 15 Communist, 10 Centrist, 10 Minority (A whole lot)

The head admiral was rung up, and the navy was instantly dispatched out into strategic defense positions in the Tenific Ocean.

WAR WAS DECLARED

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Near Warsaw, Polish Prussian Commonwealth
Morning, 17 January 2020

A transport plane began making its final descent into an airfield in Warsaw. The plane was colored gray, marked with a Furbish flag and the words “Ferbeieland Luchmacht”, or Furby Island Air Force. It has four jet engines mounted on its wings. The wings are attached from the top of the plane, not near the bottom like in most passenger aircraft. The plane had cargo doors on the front and back, with the cockpit on top so the front cargo door can open. Inside the plane were supplies and some engineers from the air force. They were to help Poland Prussia in a war against the COT Corporation. The real mission of the plane was secret. As it approached the airfield, the pilots deployed the landing gear, then slowly made their descent. The plane touched down at the airstrip, then the brakes were slammed and the plane began slowing down, then reached a complete stop. The plane taxied to a spot on the airfield. The pilots opened the back door, ready to be unloaded.

The plane would be unloaded with exceptional speed. The engineers would be ordered to bunk with the local Guard regiment, while Prussia-Poland sorted out the supplies and everything.

The plane would be refuelled and sent home whenever it wished.

---

Tensions Broil

"Amid the tensions seen between COT and Prussia-Poland, Bastion has taken an official stance of attempting to resolve for peace. As of now, we are sending diplomats to Prussia-Poland to resolve these tensions, and we hope for peace in these trying times."

Eckard smiles.

---

Arriving

Sir Anthony touches down in a PPC airport. Usually an ambassador to the DOP, he has been temporarily pulled to ensure peace in Stratea. Gathering his bags, he leaves the airport and finds his way to the official capital of PPC, to make contact with any important leaders.

---

Will make a better post soon, have a headache as of time of running this.

[/spoiler]

The ambassador would be booked in a hotel, and would meet with the King in a few days.

Prussia-Poland

Roger that, Devil. Sending up a few boys.


As for those COT fighters...
There was one issue.

Most planes are stealthed against microwave radar. There are no provisions, however, against meter wave radar.

This is normally sufficient.

Microwave radar is high frequency, and as such is normally used and capable of acting as a fire control radar to guide missiles with.

Meterwave is less commonly used. It can only give general information about location and direction...

Unless you have a shitton of them.
And Prussia-Poland did.

Tens of ghousands of low-frequency antennas, scattered all over the border, with overlapping fields of detection.

The 5 planes would be picked up by several antennas. Their general location would be calculated from the return from each radar, and then a missile defense unit would swing into action.

A massive salvo of missiles would be launched, aimed at the 5 planes. To boot, an entire squadron of Gripens would be mobilized and took off.

18 light fighters, with superb avionics, a shitton of missiles(mostly infrared-it was impossible to stealth an aircraft against that), and superb manuverability against 5 fighter jocks with egos too big and brains too small, with missiles on their tail to boot.

---

Devils

2 flights of F-16Cs would pull up besides the Gagiumish aircraft.

"Ello there, we're here to join us lot. This is Stupid Flight and Elessar Flight speaking. There's 30 boogies up ahead, probably from COT, bunch of overbred fighter jocks and all. Ground radar just confirmed their presence. I'd highly suggest using infrared missiles. Impossible to stealth against and extremely difficult to detect."

It was notable that the F-16s were more armed for Air-to-air. 2 radar-guided missiles, 4 infrared-seekers, a jamming/ECR pod, and a pair of guided bombs comprised their loadout.

[Greater Bastion]

The Diamond Hounds

In an undisclosed location, on an abandoned mining platform in the middle of an undisclosed ocean, a group of highly-trained, highly experienced combat veterans and leaders meet, to create what is now called the Diamond Hounds. Working for the highest bidder (when not working for CLASSIFIED), the group performs high risk, high reward jobs with contractors who hire them.

Receiving an initial loan from an unknown source, it bought the abandoned mining platform, found the expertise it was looking for, and bought high-end equipment from the best source around. The leader, Viper, perhaps one of the best private military contractors in the world, will personally be overseeing this mission.

---

On the Platform

A recruit is playing with his revolver, trying to act cool.

"You see that in the movies? That's an automatic - don't bother trying to dampen the recoil. You do that with a revolver. We Diamond Hounds are a force to be reckoned with. We're not some tribal militia, so don't act like one! You will learn how a real soldier fights. You will forget everything those damned movies taught you. And if I catch you doing something else, you'll know it..."

A Bastonian who retired from active service, named Revolver Lynx, or just Lynx, keeps up the discipline in the troops and ensures morale is high.

The recruit fixes his mistake.

---

Viper calls together a meeting with the top members of DH - they have a new target.

"Boys... we're heading to COT."

[Huvakia]

Good morning and thank you for tuning into the morning edition of HCNA. The search for Crown Prince Aleksi has been underway overnight. No sign of the prince has yet to be reported. However authorities are confident they are closing in as divers confirmed the location of the lost vessel. The Emperor has yet to make a statement on the situation.

Now for todays forecast across the Empire, wait. I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen I'm receiving new information. I'm being told now that an apparent state of war now exists between the Rhinish Islands and Gladesville. Due to agreements made within the Depian Economic Pact Huvakia is legally obligated to consider this as a declaration of war against the Empire as well. Imperial involvement is expected to be unnecessary however as a precaution the INSS Imperia is expected to enter the region later today. In a related move Combat Air Patrols have been increased around the carrier to bolster security and expedite potential response times.

[Gagium]

(OOC: More rules will be added later today..Especially regarding war and the like)

[New Inglaterra]

Fire and Forget, January 21st, 2020
Lieutenant Jacob Hendricks of the 212th Infantry Regiment ducked behind a rock. Here he was, on the eastern border of Beaux Terrains pushing against a Centralist front. The Centralists had pushed down south from East Charlotte, attempting to cut off Arcadia’s naval shipyards from the rest of the Loyalists. Now the 212th was being throw across the Arcadian River to link up with the surrounded forces in the coastal ports.

The Centralists had taken the declaration of a Directorate as an act of war. Virtually all of the Confederal Army, Navy, and Air Force, sworn to the central government, not their states, and southern state militias had sided with Director Keeling. The northern militias and a few Confederal Army units had sided with Censor Rivers, although his rebel legislature had declared him to be a Director as well. Rivers had started the war too early and after a popular war hero had sided with the Loyalists. Any fence sitters flocked over to Keeling, and as a general most of the vast armed might of the Confederacy sided with him.

On the international front, Keeling pretended everything was well. He dispatched Confederal naval units to Gladesville for the upcoming war, and CASI was keeping normal updates in Stratea. For the most part, Confederal Army units and Air Force units stationed in the Confederated States proper were being used alongside state militias. The solid pale green, almost gray, state militia uniforms of the southern states contrasted heavily from the gray and green camouflage of the Confederal Army units, but both were distinct from the solid forest green of the northern militias.

Politics didn’t matter to Lieutenant Hendricks as he sat pinned down behind a rock on the far side of the Arcadian River. As a member of the Confederal Army, he was considered the “commander” of a group of Beaux Terrainian militia.

He raised his service rifle, fired a few shots and moved. A captain was nearby and was shouting for the infantry to move with the tanks and to push past the beachhead. That was easier said than done as the MGs in bunkers and homes in the small town on the other side of the river made moving up a slow and difficult task. Hendricks sighed and pushed on.

[Greater Bastion]

War Declaration

"Today, the Depian Ocean Pact voted to declare a defensive war against Gladesville in the apparent aftermath of the foreign invasion by them into a Rhinish-claimed island. With this, Greater Bastion officially declared war upon Gladesville little more than moments after the resolution was passed. Good luck, and may our ancestors' memories smile upon us."

---

Re-Integration

"Today, a resolution was passed in the DOP cultural council. The statement reads as follows:

Emmerald Re-Integration Resolution

Acknowledging the fact that Snow Hill and Greater Bastion have cultural ties due to their geographical proximities;

Understanding now that a vast number of individuals in Snow Hill are, in fact, Bastonian in heritage, and are under oppressive rule by Snow Hill authorities;

Wishing to bring these individuals back under Bastonian rule, without uprooting their established lives and causing undue panic, stress, and disorder to their already hard lives;

This resolution seeks to re-integrate a portion of Snow Hill into the province of Emmerald.

For reference, attached below is a provincial map of Greater Bastion, including the disputed territory to the East of Emmerald.

As this resolution has passed, Snow Hill has 24 hours to vacate the disputed territory to Greater Bastion authorities, or will face greater punishment on the road ahead."

---

"This has been Joy, and I hope to see you all on another bright day in this glorious nation of ours!"