Sentinels&Vanguards (Semi-open, Attn: Alexlantis)

[Alexlantis]

"Luthor Island, that one little speck on the map off the Alexlantian coast. I believe they have a monastery on the island. No one but monks, nuns, priests, priestesses, and the government can intrude, and even then we have to ask for permission." Emperor Alkovan said, thoughtfully sipping his champagne. "Strange people, they are. They only allow Latin to be spoken, so we always need a translator to help us."

[Unified Western States]

"Well, odd as they may be, they make good champagne." He sipped the champagne. "So, how is your country going? Besides the obvious...obstacles of course."

[Alexlantis]

"Other than the obvious, we're going well. However, as you can see, the obvious covers alot of territory." Emperor Alkovan said with a laugh.

[Unified Western States]

"Yes, well, I hope our nation can help. After all, it was our company, or, our nation's company, that did this."

[Alexlantis]

"Yes, well, it's not your fault. It's the company that did it. I hope we can continue to work together in the future."

[Unified Western States]

"Indeed. I have no doubts about it." His phone ran and he picked it up.

"Excuse me." He answered.

"Hello...yes. What!? How...alright. Has the army already...good."

He hung up, the looked at Alkovan.

"I know this is sudden, but is there a television nearby I can use?"

[Alexlantis]

"Indeed. I have no doubts about it." His phone ran and he picked it up.

"Excuse me." He answered.

"Hello...yes. What!? How...alright. Has the army already...good."

He hung up, the looked at Alkovan.

"I know this is sudden, but is there a television nearby I can use?"

"Right in the parlor. Feel free."

[Unified Western States]

Daniel jumped up, and ran into the den, rapidly turning on the TV and flipping through channels until he found the UWS National News Agency. He looked at the story and collapsed in a chair.

"Dear god." He whispered to himself, pausing the TV feed.

[Alexlantis]

"What is it?" Emperor Alkovan asked, walking into the room.

[Unified Western States]

President Scott was silent. He hit the play button. A young anchor women was sitting at the news desk, obviously shaken.She looked down at her papers then spoke.

"For those of you who are....just joining us, um... We have received multiple reports of a massive explosion in the Seattle Industrial District. There aren't any details coming in right now but an eye-witness sent us this photograph.."

The photo appeared next to the woman's head.

"Like I said, we don't have any details yet on what occurred, but we do know that the explosion seems to have engulfed at least one hotel and possibly a convention center. We'll...bring you more details as they come in."

[Alexlantis]

Emperor Alkovan swallowed loudly. "Jesus Christ. Is that...Genesis that did that?"

[Unified Western States]

"I don't know. I mean, we got rid of Genesis in the UWS at least. We raided every single one of their facilities. And...I just don't know."

[Alexlantis]

"Well, I certainly don't see... Oh, fuck. What about the islands?"

[Unified Western States]

"After Sand Island, we got all the islands that Genesis had anything to do with. We hit every bit of territory they had interests in or had even looked at. But maybe this was just and industrial accident."

[Alexlantis]

"Possibly. Or maybe... Mr. President, what enemies does the UWS have?"

[Unified Western States]

"Well, we had a run-in with the Knights of Kings a while ago, but that was solved....I can't really think of anyone who would want to do this. I mean, there is the ARA, but they're just some radicals, not the type who would pull something like this off."

[Alexlantis]

"I suppose it's just an accident, then. Still, though, that's awful."

[Unified Western States]

"Indeed. Wait, i think they are saying something..."

He turned up the volume. The woman was talking, still shaken.

"We are now learning that the explosion originated from the spot where a Genesis-owned factory stood. Also, we have learned that rescue teams have just begun to pull bodies from the rubble. The explosion....the explosion flattened about ten buildings including a hotel and the convention center. There is still no word on casualties, but the numbers are expected to be extremely high, as there was an event occurring in the convention center. There is also no word on what caused the explosion, since teams have been unable to get to the epicenter of the blast due to extreme damage of the area."

[Alexlantis]

"Jesus Christ. I can't believe it."

[Unified Western States]

"Damn....I was hoping Genesis wouldn't come up...but now...."

[Alexlantis]

"Goddamn. But, then that means... Shit. Just a minute." Emperor Alkovan said, wiping out his cell phone. "Hello? Yes, I know you're busy. They are? Good, thank God. Alright. Bye." He pocketed his phone yet again and turned back to Daniel. "Well, any possible threat here is neutralized. Do you need aid? Security, food, water, rescue workers?"

[Unified Western States]

"I...I don't know. I mean, I'm sure that the Emergency Management and Recovery Department could do it, but I'm sure any help you can spare would be appreciated." Daniel said, resting his head in his hands.

[Alexlantis]

"We'll send aid over right away. I'm deeply sorry for the trouble this is causing you and your nation." Emperor Alkovan said. He wiped out his phone again and stepped out of the room.

[Unified Western States]

"We are now finally getting some solid numbers...but...I...some of these photos are a bit shocking."

The pictures flashed on the screen, one by one.




"These are scenes from around the blast site... emergency services have confirmed that at present, fifty five people are dead, but that is just the number of bodies they have recovered."

[Alexlantis]

Emperor Alkovan glanced into the room, but what he saw was enough. He called and, following that, 5,000 rescue workers were loaded on a jet and began their flight over to Seattle.