OOC thread, sign up here before posting!
NEW IC THREAD
Tidewater Oil Refinery Bravo, Suikar Meer, Altsea
13th of June, 2016
0600 hours.
The first explosion was the loudest. At first light, a rumbling blast shook the entire industrial district of Suikar Meer. A series of pipelines had ruptured and ignited, causing a huge fireball that reacted with other volatile fuels, setting off numerous secondary explosions throughout the refinery facility. The fuel spewed out in a fiery blaze into the morning sky. Putrid black clouds filled the sky, visible for miles around. Millions of dollars, literally up in smoke. The blaring of sirens could be heard in the distance as emergency services rushed across the island towards the refinery. Within the hour, firefighters equipped with explosives and hoses feeding seawater were attempting to control the outpouring of fuel which was ablaze. A rogue source of ignition was determined as the inital cause of the fire, although closer investigation suggested someone had saboutaged the pipeline. Tidewater Fuel Solutions, a subsidiary of the ACC Energy Division, reported that the fire was extinguished by detonating explosives near the fire and resealing the pipeline, preventing further spillages. However, 58 labourers were killed in the blast, with another 125 injured, one of the worst workplace accidents in the company's history. Damage was catastrophic to the facility, with estimated costs of repairs in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Lives had been lost, millions of dollars of profit were forfeit and immeasurable damage had been done to the infrastructure of the facility. The fire had been contained, but the question still remained as to how the blowout had occured in the first place. Altsean authorities would not have to wait long for their answer.
Internet broadcast, https://www.childrenofeden.org.at
13th of June, 2016
1000 hours.
Just four hours after the incident, broadcasting from an undisclosed location, a shaky camera feed began to livestream what could only be described as a rally to arms on the official website of The Children Of Eden, a well known group of environmental activists local to the Suikar Meer region. The handheld camera zoomed out to reveal a man in his mid thirties, donning a mask, green facepaint and brandishing a rifle. His voice was distorted beyond recognition via some sort of audio masking software. There was a brief pause as the figure prepared to deliver his empassioned speech.
"Greetings Ecowarriors and people of Suikar Meer, the Children Of Eden come to you today bearing great news! In the early hours of the morning, our brave brothers and sisters of earth dealt a crushing blow to the corrupting forces of capitalism that have plagued our land for too long. You know of course who I am referring to. Tidewater Fuel Solutions came here twenty years ago with promises of prosperity, job opportunities and wealth, but their words were hollow. Instead they plundered the land, polluted our beautiful waters and exploited our populace. They poison the environment, displace us from our homes, funnel profits to offshore accounts to dodge taxes and have the audacity to claim they are improving the lives of the people who suffer in poverty because of their actions? The Children Of Eden say enough! We will not standby and let Tidewater destroy our home any longer. With today's strike at Tidewater Refinery Bravo, we have sent a powerful message to the world, to the globalists plundering and our habitats for their own gain, to our own government who invited them in! You have pushed us far enough. Unless all drilling operations and industrial facilities are shut down, permanently, the Children of Eden will bring the entire oil industry of Altsea to its knees! The oil drilling which began here less than twenty years ago has forced people from their homes, made water supplies undrinkable and caused irreperable damage to local wildlife. Leave Suikar Meer, and return the land to the people! And now to our followers and supporters, to anyone who cares for this dear planet of ours, hear our call. Join us! Rise up against the forces who seek to destroy our earth with their greed, stop buying their oil, embargo Altsean products, invest in green energy solutions. The fate of humanity depends on you."
With that, the figure raised his rifle in triumph, letting out a single cry, "Praesidia regni!", echoed by voices from behind the camera before the feed cut out and the broadcast went offline.
National Assembly, Patreas, Altsea
14th of June, 2016
1100 hours
A national emergency council had been called the next day in the wake of what was now being referred to as one of the worst terrorist attacks since Altsea's independence. Facing pressure from families of the victims, oil companies and investors in the Suikar Meer region, politicians from all sides of the political spectrum debated the best course of action. It hadn't taken long before the council had devolved into jeering and shouting, as both sides pointed the blame at one another.
"This is an outrage!" One of the speakers from the opposition erupted. "You lot let these so called "activists" operate even though they posed a security risk, and now look what's happened! Our entire economy is at risk! We should have these monsters executed, along with any of their supporters.
"Oh, stop blowing hot air. We can't just kill people for disagreeing with us, or are you taking a note from Astronean colonial history?" Foreign Minister Lewe Danat retorted. This jab caused even more uproar.
"This council will come to order!" Declared the speaker of the house, Rebeckah Norsval over a microphone, glaring at the assembled council as if presiding over a kindergarden. "Right now, we must remain composed, dignified and most importantly rational, as we come to decide on an appropriate response. May I remind this council that fifty eight men lost their lives in this attack? To be sat here squabbling like a bunch of toddlers disgraces their memory." She paused for a moment, scanning across the now silent room.
"Now, I understand we are in agreement that reparations will be paid to the victims' families. We are also in agreement that we shall do no such thing as cave to these terrorists' demands, and that security will increase in the region, with the immediate mobilization of Binnelandse Troepe groep Suid, along with the deployment of 5th Gewerkorps to protect infrastructure. From there, we must also appeal for...foreign assistance." The mere mention at asking for outside help was met by groans from both parties present. "I dislike the idea as much as you all, but President Joheers is scheduled to release a statement to the international community, requesting material and intelligence assistance to help bring these terrorists to justice. I think we can all agree that this is not just a domestic threat, but a threat to the global economy. If these lunatics gain followers in other countries, I shudder to imagine the damage they could cause." There were nods of approval from many of the assembled members.
"There is also the issue of...Astronean intervention." A loud retort of anti-Astronean rhetoric was just waiting to pour from the council, however the speaker would not allow it. She held up a hand, standing firmly and waitied for order to be restored.
"Our Astronean partners have large interests in the region of Suikar Meer, let us remember that it is with their assistance that we were able to establish the infrastructure needed to begin oil drilling operations in the first place. They will no doubt invoke the Suikar protocol, allowing them to deploy a larger contingent of armed forces to the region in response to growing unrest, with our permission, which President Joheers has...already authorized. However, we must remain vigilant. If we escalate the situation too far, we run the risk of destabilizing the region further." She again paused, looking down to her notes.
"As for these ecoterrorists responsible for the attack..a concensus has been reached. As of now, the Children Of Eden and their affiliates are considered Altsea's most wanted. Specific military action is to be discussed at the security conference later today. Until such time, this council is adjourned. Thank you."
Presidential Address, National Assembly, Patreas, Altsea
14th of June, 2016
1300 hours.
A nationally televised event, the presidential address was reserved for especially important events. Usually, the president would release a press statement about developing matters of national concern, however an attack on Altsean citizens called for more personal communication. Malvin Joheers had been president of Altsea for four years now, and was in the last year of his final term. His political career began as a member of his local council, tackling issues relating to crime and austerity in his constituency. Over the years, he established himself as a prominent figure in the political sphere, critical of the police force's tendency to kill criminal suspects rather than apprehend them, as well as the justice system's focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation. He reached position of Security of State for Justice and from there ran a successful presidential election. Hallmarks of his presidency have included justice and social reform, as well as moves to improve Altsea's economy with tax cuts for corporations and improved internal security. He stood in front of a large press conference, dressed in black suit and tie, looking solemnly into the camera as he addressed the nation and international community.
""Fellow Altseans. I address you today, during a period of grief for our nation. Yesterday, at 6 o'clock in the morning, an oil pipeline in the Suikar Meer province ruptured, causing a large explosion and fire. Fifty eight men have since lost their lives, and over a hundred more are currently receiving treatment for severe burns. This loss, and these wounds, are shared by us all. I wish that I could speak to you today, and tell you that this was the result of a tragic accident. However this is not the case. Just four hours after the explosion, the terrorist group know as The Children of Eden claimed responsibility for the rupture. Because of their sabotage, fathers, friends, brothers, sons of Altsea, have lost their lives. Their crimes are deplorable. They seek to scare us into submission. To cause us to yield, over some delusional ideology. Yesterday, they delivered a message to us, an ultimatum to withdraw from Suikar Meer or face further violence. Well today, I'd like to answer that message directly.
You cannot break the Altsean people, nor the fabric of our society. We are united by our shared hardships, by our history and our culture. No act of brutality will ever break that bond. This is a grave security concern for us, but not only to Altsea. The Children Of Eden speak as if they act on behalf of the entire world. They do not. I would warn people of all nations of this growing threat. This so called ecoterrorism extends beyond Altsean borders, but its cancer festers the backwaters of the Vieilhomme Delta. I would like to appeal to any nation who shares our concerns, for the sake of world peace, for partnership and assistance in eliminating this threat. Today it is Altsea that mourns, but if we do not come together as a global community to stop these lunatics, then tomorrow it could any nation whose children are buried because of their heinous crimes. Astronea has already extended an offer of assistance, which we gratefuly accept. From here on, we will be sharing intelligence, material, manpower and facilities to any nation willing to help settle the situation in Suikar Meer, before it spreads abroad. Thank you.
