OOC Thread
IC:
THE FINEBERG TIMES
Feb 18 2015Hundreds Dead, Government Gutted in Stadium Collapse
Destruction of Fineberg Olympic Stadium
By Annabelle Barca
FINEBERG, New Edom— People across the nation are horrified by the disasterous collapse of Fineberg Olympic Stadium, as hundreds are dead or injured. Among the dead are all members of the cabinet of the Interim Government, including President of the Council General Perrin Pahath-Moab.
In a rare appearance of all members of the government for the finals of the National Football Cup, a number of areas of the stands collapsed. It is believed that many of those who died did not suffer due to massive trauma inflicted and subsequent shock and death. The President of the Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs Levi Dathan, Minister of Police General Sidney Harcourt and Minister of Culture Solomon Cain were found all nearby one another having apparently died instantly.
Investigation by the Ministry of Justice and Council Police has stated that this was due to a critical fault in the building's structure and was not due to a terrorist attack. "If it was," General John Ashdod of the Council Police said, "Then it was a pretty subtle one." However thus far no terrorist or other organizations have come forward claiming an attack.
Stunned people have already been gathering in prayer. Fear for a future without the unification offered by the Interim Government holds a shroud over the people.
The Heir, Crown Princess Jocasta, has released a public statement.On behalf of my sister, the Queen, I am deeply grieved and am myself very saddened by this horrific event. Our prayers go to the families of all the bereaved and for the recovery of the injured. I have asked that our religious leaders pray for our emergency services that they might recover as many people lost in the rubble as they can and be safe themselves, and that we all pray together for continued peace in our country. I have every faith that the New Edomite people will endure. May God defend the right."
The question of government succession, of national unity, and of whether Queen Mara will return to active role in government after her recent illness remain.
General Perrin Pahath-Moab fought in the nation's civil wars and unified the country, ending conflict between Monarchist and Free Congress, establishing peace, greater prosperity for the nation as well as for the Region of Cornellia as a whole. As the Chair and Director of Peacekeeping for the Cornellian Peacekeeping Organization, he was one of the principal authors of a regional movement towards mediation in conflict. He had begun a process of investigating means of establishing democracy in the country through a series of test elections, claiming he had no intention fo establishing a dictatorship. He is mourned by two sisters, a brother, and their families as well as by his own wife, Princess Blanca of Free Garza, who is with child by him. People wept as his dog, life long companion Rover, an Airedale terrier, was also pulled from the wreckage. According to the General's will, the faithful canine will be buried with him.
Padan-Aran
A curious hush lay over the Royal Estate. The Cavalry Guards' usual equestrian and parade exercises were canceled, in fact they were all being called (except those on sentry or emergency watch duty) to full parade formation--in rural battledress kit no less.
Lieutenant Count Domris was astonished. Apart from during target practice and occasional field exercises, he couldn''t remember the last time he had had to carry an assault rifle, he didn't even remember the serial number, but he received it, and watched as his platoon sergeant got his unit to fall in and pretended to inspect them. He wasn't even sure what he was looking for; for the past several months he had largely been looking to make sure people didn't return rain wet swords to their scabbards (it caused rust in the scabbard) or walked their mounts properly. He had avoided reading the M20 Hamsher manual because it was boring and there were mechanics and drivers for that. And now what?
Mr. Zoar spoke sternly to the minimal palace staff. "You will continue to carry out your duties as devoted servants of the Monarch. The news of outside does not concern us save where we are instructed so. Our families are cared for and safely here in Padan. There is nothing to worry about. I want no gossip. Substitute prayer for gossip. Now, I wish to address the subject of the inappropriate table linen with last night's meal..."
Deliveries of food, potables, laundry and other services continued, incuding the bubble pack of Mara's new meds, which were inspected by Father Emmaeus and proscribed as instructed.
Queen Mara allowed herself to be given them, and then got back onto her bed, turned to face the wall and closed her eyes, curling her knees up to her chest, hugging Precious to her.
Jocasta looked around the room. "How was that?"
"That was wonderful, Highness--er good under the tragic circumstances," said Canopus Fade, who was directing, with a bow. "And we managed to actually cut the film that time before you spoke out of script."
He received a warning glare from Dr. Aphek, Countess Jabbok, and Colonel Josephus, and quailed. "But beautifully delivered."
Jocasta sighed. "So tragic...and now I must hold meetings to determine who shall be the next President of the Council. How does that work anyway? Prince Enoch, do you know?"
Enoch looked as though he'd been startled awake; the whole time of the planning of the public address, he had been on his phone off and on, texting, making quiet calls. He seemed very agitated. "I...you know the difficulty, Jocasta, is that no one really knows. The constitution, such as it is, is vague upon that point.."
Jocasta pondered. "My sister is non compos mentis. There is no President of the Council, no Interim Cabinet--who else is there?"
"There are I think some deputy ministers left," said Colonel Josephus briskly. Before Enoch could say anything, he said, "Shall I find out and summon them here, Your Royal Highness?"
Jocasta beamed. What a good fellow he was, his eyes dropping respectfully as usual. "Yes. If I am to run the country properly I must be properly advised and served. Do so at once."
"Properly speaking I should do it," said Enoch.
Jocasta looked at him kindly. "You are hobbled by grief. I want you to go and comfort my sister, and tell me what her condition is. For now, Colonel Josephus will undertake yoru duties as Master of Offices on my own behalf--I would not dream of replacing you--and mother, King Michael, Countess Jabbok and Dr. Aphek will advise me--as they have always loyally done."
Enoch looked at her blankly a long moment, and then bowed. "Your Highness." he said, clicking his heels, and departed so quickly Jocasta was still opening her mouth to say something else. She felt relieved, at last he was gone.
Jocasta was struck by a sudden thought. "I wonder if we should postpone the ball--someone find out by how much, we do not wish to act inappropriately." She stood up and went to thank the film crew, who had been trying to be invisible while she was sending Enoch away. "Mr. Fade, I hope you and your crew will stay close to hand. I may need more public addresses."
"Will that be some kind of contract?" Canopus Fade asked hopefully.
"You may speak to my staff about that," Jocasta replied kindly. "Dismissed for now. I have many affairs of state to concern myself with."