[Kerbin Only] Kerbin in Jeopardy

[Almedian Malabar]

[Blorbs]

Excerpt from a Suroig Newspaper

USCC Loses Control of Blorbik Northern Coast From Massive Protests

Serrian Flag raised by protesters over a local Communal Council building

In just the past 72 hours, after the beginning of the largest organized protest in Blorbik history, organized in collaberation by dozens of different groups in the area, the central USCC government has essentially lost all control of the region. The protests are being conducted by groups associated with Voketz Sorba/Blorbik Sozusk Evirskia and Serrian nationalists from the large population of Serrian peoples in the area dating back to the Mlorbik Colonization of the island of Serria. Numbers are currently hard to determine, but some estimates place the total participation in the past three days to exceed ten million, with lower estimates ranging from 1-6 million.

The demand of the protests are for the USCC to recognize a referendum for the region to gain independence from the USCC, and for it to be conducted freely and fairly. The USCC, as per its constitution, is legally obligated to conduct such a referendum and allow any commune to secede, but many are concerned that this right might be infringed, so this protest was organized with the goal of ensuring that legal obligation was fulfilled. The USCC has so far recognized that it will conduct the referendum, and that it respects the rights of the protesters, but that it must be allowed to continue to conduct legal government operations in the region up until any independence is potentially declared, and that those which overly interfere will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Specifically, it has focused most on ensuring that military assets are evacuated from the region. Most assets were not yet delegated to local communes, so this has so far been successful, but some, particularly less advanced parts of the military, had been, and certain communes have not yet agreed to comply.

The protests appear to have been in planning for several months, and some government actors have admitted involvement. This includes several communal governments in the region, and the government of Voketz Sorba/Blorbik Sozusk Evirskia. These remain the only government actors with significant authority in the region. These protests have allowed Blorbik Sozusk Evirskia, the remnants of a former Blorbik commune that denies the validity of the USCC and claims to remain as a part of the Blorbik state, to obtain power projection over almost the entire border with the Orba Peninsula, thriving in what has become a significant power vacuum. What local government in the region hasn't been involved in the protesting has largely remained passive, conducting the minimal amount of protest suppression necessary to keep some semblance of control. This is likely in fear that if they respond too harshly, protesting may become extremely violent against communal governments that do not comply. During this time, they are also evacuating many military assets from the region, most of which lay in the hands of communal governments not involved. Some, however, are administered by communes supporting the protests, which are currently refusing to transfer any military assets until the USCC agrees to recognize a free and fair referendum for the independence of the region from the USCC, and organize it co-operatively alongside the local communes of the region.

So far the USCC has not yet declared an official date for the referendum, but many officials have stated the USCC will conduct it "as soon it is reasonably possible." One official involved in the referendum's organization has been quoted as saying "We are working to make this the most quickly organized election in Blorbik history, however if protesters continue to prevent USCC operation in the area the election could be delayed indefinitely to no fault of our own. If the protesters do not calm down, they will not have their referendum."

[The Serrian Archipelago]

RAF Stafford, Muskovan Isles, Dolfikland. 0200

A flight of four Osprey VTOL aircraft are rolled out of the tent hangars under the cover of darkness. The two Globemasters which brought them were taxied under a covering, and they would be departing before morning.

“Are we ready?” says the Osprey lead crew chief, as they prepared to take off into the northwest.

“We’re good to go. Let’s get the passengers on board and get ready to roll.”

The loud, choppy whirr of the four Ospreys with their lights turned off roar into the countryside as they taxi onto the runway and accelerate over the vastness of the pitch-black ocean.

“Okay, we’re clear of the airspace. Maintain 500 MSL and radio silence. Once we link up with the Hercules we’ll gas up. Talk then. Lampo 1-1 out.”

Sea of Purscoiga, 250 miles East of the island of Purscoiga. 0250

“Edusan 1-2 on station, two hours of playtime.”

“Edusan 1-2, Lampo 1-1, ready. Let’s top off all four.”

The first Osprey lined up with the Hercules’ drogue and made contact.

“We got it. Contact.”

Three of the S.I.S. agents in the back of Osprey 1-2 sit with their headphones on, trying to get any minutes of sleep they can with the sound of the massive engines blasting through the cabin.

“You got any sleep yet?” she asks, tying her hair up.

“No, these things are way too loud for that. I’m just waiting until we link up with the safehouse.” He lets out a yawn.

“I hope it’s a nice one. The Nari one was garbage. That whole country was a shithole though.”

The other agent chuckles a bit, along with a SADF Airman sitting near the cockpit door.

“The Altena Embassy has a great station. They put these new computers in and everything. They’ll be in contact with us for this operation on the hybrid front. Social media and whatnot.”

“I’ve been jealous of that assignment for months. This one shouldn’t be that bad though, and the people in our AOR speak Serrian, so we should get along fine.”

Over the headset, they overhear the flight intercom. “Lampo 1-4 refueled and ready to go.”

“Edusan 1-2, Lampo 1-1, thanks for the gas. See you guys on Island.”

“Good luck.”

The Ospreys continue on their northwest track and return to their low altitude.

15 miles west of Fulusi, USCC. 0330

Two men standing next to a large grey van smoke in a large field. They are outside of the city limits and surrounded by farmland and an empty field. The overcast a few thousand feet above leaves nothing but darkness.

“Are they late?” says one of the men, lighting another cigarette.

“No, but we should start hearing them any second now.”

At first quietly, a hum is heard, which gradually grows to the loud unique sound of four Osprey helicopters. The dirt near the men on the ground kicks up, and they shield their eyes as the downwash covers their spotless van and clothes with small rocks and topsoil. Over time, the four birds touch down, and the men and women inside rush out quickly.

“Move the KBN gear pallet to the back!” one of the female agents yell out, before throwing a rifle in the hand of an airman running to pull security. With all the cargo unloaded, on time and as planned, the Osprey crew load back into their aircraft while the disembarked agents pile into the back of the van.

“Good luck and God bless you!” is heard from the back of Lampo 1-2, the second helicopter, before its cargo ramp closes shut becomes completely obscured by a pool of dust. As the last man sits down in the van, he closes the door, bangs on the side of the van twice, the engine comes to life, and they drive off on the unpaved access road.

Capitol Naval Observatory, Serria, Serria 0335

Minister-President Sofia Moretti sits in her office, working on legislation before the session next week. Suddenly, a uniformed officer enters the room.

“Ma’am, we’ve made contact. Wheels up, assets in. They'll be wheels up in the Globemaster before dawn. Second fleet is on time as well.”

She nods, and he steps out of the room.

[Almedian Malabar]

[Blorbs]

Excerpt from a Suroig Newspaper

"Congress for the Future of the North" Forms Amidst Chaos

The Congress for the Future of the North, an NGO established by the organizations leading the protests in the Northern Coast, has been officially established today, though it has been in planning since before the recent protests. The purpose of the congress is to establish a single unified agreement on what state or states should result if the referendums for northern independence are successful, and while the USCC has officially declared that the Congress holds zero authority unless the communes individually vote to opt in to abiding by the legislation of this NGO, local support for the Congress appears to be immense.

The members of the Congress have been appointed internal vote within a number of nationalist groups, parties, and organizations, along with several local organizations neutral to the question of independence. The Congress has officially stated that it will dissolve after independence is reached, but that until then all memberships are permanent. This has lead to considerable criticism from the rest of the USCC, but within the north this is generally approved of due to fears that any future popular election would be hopelessly manipulated by the USCC.

It is difficult at this time to determine what solution the Congress will determine if the region gains independence. Most analysts lean towards a single unified state, though this is not for certain, and outcomes ranging as far as a series of independent socialist communes to a centralized capitalist republic, Serrian principalityship, or even an independent anti papal monarchy, have all been proposed as the possible outcomes of this Congress.

The Congress has announced that it will release a definitive meeting schedule within 24 hours, including a specific date for when an official, finalized vote on their declaration of the future of the region will be held and released to the public.

---

BLORBIK CENTRAL VOTING AUTHORITY OF THE USCC - INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
FROM CHIEF DIRECTOR ZKA LORBIK TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE CENTRAL VOTING AUTHORITY
CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION - DO NOT DISSEMINATE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION

I have received a strong and valuable suggestion from the Transitional Collection of Departments of the Former KBN.
It states that the referendum must be conducted far earlier than we would normally deem necessary for an election, even if conditions in the territory remain rough.
They further suggested referendum should contain three options: 
One to remain in the union, one to become independent as a commune, and one to become independent and party to the decisions of the Congress for the Future of the North.
As it is not legally specified anywhere in the constitution of the USCC what method of voting will be used, a pure plurality vote for all three choices will be used.
By conducting the election far sooner than normal, the Congress will not have time to decide on a solution before the start of the election.
They at most will make a last minute announcement with little impact on the electorate, and the vote between the two different independence votes will be split. 
This would ensure the electorate would not have a preference for or against the Congress, allowing the region to remain in the USCC with zero foul play necessary.
I do not need to remind you that this would be most beneficial for us, and I also do not need to remind you what occurred the previous time we did not follow such a suggestion.

Thank you for remaining co-operative for all of our benefit.

[Toonu Empire]

The closed meeting!

On 17th September from 16 hours, the birthday banquet of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor took place in the Palace of Foreign Affairs with large attendance of celebrities and politicians from the whole planet. The first arriving pair to the red carpet were His Excellency Prezidanto Rene Lazkano with his wife Paola followed by the Chikaran delegation and Dendarian Royal family. Kerthenian Congressional Republic has sent their ambassador who arrived with Serrian delegation. Among the other official names on the list of attendees were His Royal Highness Princess Indra Almedia of Malabar with her delegation, Barkadian True Pine Justína Rybárová as well as Barkadian ambassador, Eva Melkova and Mike zalski of Kolonian republic, Tunguskan president Smirnov with his delegation, Nuvastian leader Chris Ravenfield and finally Verkimlund Prime minister Pieter Koch with Trooper Bradey. The arrivals were closed by the duo of the Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs of Iconia.

Our efforts to get our reporter into this closed society failed and we do not know what happened behind these closed doors for sure, nonetheless we would like to present you the timeline of events.

At 17 hours the ceremonial Hors d'oeuvre was supposed to be served followed by a ceremonial dinner at 18 hours, although around 17:15 the first fire fighting vehicles arrived at the building’s side entrance and rushed into the building. After thorough discussion with their officer, apparently cigarette smoke caused one of the sprinklers to set off. Nonetheless our reporter near the place could smell burned down food.

At 17:28, a van of Mummy pizza arrived at the main entrance immediately stopped by the imperial guard. The main entrance doors slammed after the barkadian ambassador with his security detail departed the building. They stepped down the stairs to the van and started picking up pizza boxes. Doors slammed one more time after Kolonian security detail showed up and started arguing with the Barkadians. More physical exchange followed thereafter stopped only by the imperial guard.

At 19:26 hours, firefighters arrived for a second time and concluded the issue again on the sprinkler set off.

Around 21 hours, the first guests departed. The Avellian President Rene and his wife supported by their guards successfully got into their limousine with their help and drove towards the darkness of the night.

Soon after, the Tunguskan president rushed out of the building with a broken nose with his bodyguards trying to push reporters back. Tunguskan students stayed at the banquet until it ended.

The last departing delegation were the Barkadians who were jumping around and telling the reporters about all the amazing animals that were on the banquet, closing the day in their usual style.

[Almedian Malabar]

[The Serrian Archipelago]

4 miles west of Fulusi, USCC. 1040

The agents unpack their last bag, having slowly moved all of the pallets and backpacks from their van into the safehouse. The last outside drops her spent cigarette and throws it onto the sidewalk before shutting finally shutting the door.

“Okay, that’s the last one. Oh, and Luca, this place ain’t that bad.”

“It’s not the worst. That’s the benefit of operating in the developed world.” He answers before taking a seat on a hastily prepared air matress. She walks along the side of the room, closing all of the window curtains, turns on the light, and leans against the wall.

“Alright, our orders are in. Can’t be any chance that we get ID’d for this one, so keep your faces covered.” She leans slightly to the left, looking down a hallway in the building.

“Roberto! Is that car set up yet?”

A muffled “It will be by the end of the hour!” is heard from across the safehouse.

She takes a few steps forward and scratches her head.

“Ok, in the meantime—Luca, get the rifles ready and cleaned and make sure you’re good with the remote procedure. Don’t want anything happening while I drive.”

“Understood.” He nods.

“Alright, let’s take a few minutes and then regroup outback. Make sure to read through this,” She throws the operational orders in a manilla folder to him.

“I’ll take a break for a minute here.”

Downtown Fulusi, USCC. 1129

A black sedan turns a corner on a busy downtown boulevard. Protestors can be seen around, waving Serrian flags and burning red banners. The demonstrations seem mostly peaceful, with the occasional shattered glass or broken storefront every few yards. The car pulls up to a cordoned road, and the driver rolls her window down. A uniformed officer stands from his folding chair and approaches the car door.

“Good morning ma’am, do you have a purpose to be here?” the officer says in an unenthusiastic voice.

“Yes sir, we’re press and here to report on the Congress meeting. I believe it is here?”

“Well, you’ve found the right place. Do you have your press card or other identification?” The officer lets out a yawn.

“One moment, please.”

“Of course, ma’am.”

She fumbles through her purse, looking for the documents. She pulls out a laminated green, plastic card.

“That’ll do it.” The officer motions to his subordinates to move the metal barricades closing the street.

“Thank you, sir, have a good one.” She steps off the brake and slowly pulls into the road, parking opposite the community center, with the Congress seen slowly making their way in. She shuts off the engine of the sedan, unlocks her phone, and sends a text message before walking off into a nearby alleyway.

[Blorbs]

Excerpt from a Suroig Newspaper

First Public Meeting of the Congress for the Future of the North Bombed



Image taken just moments after the explosion

The meeting of the Congress for the Future of the North in downtown Fulusi was attacked by a car bomb just hours ago, with two known fatalities and several more injured. All those injured or killed were pedestrians or motorists, while the bomb was almost certainly targeted at the Congress meeting actual damage to the inside of the building was minimal, though the explosion has caused a severe fire in the structure and several surrounding it. Very little is known about the perpetrator of the attack, though theories based off of purported former attacks by the Blorbik KBN have already been put forward alleging that the car bombing is the fault of the Blorbik intelligence agencies in the USCC.The Chair of the Transitional Collection of Departments of the Former KBN has already come forward denying all involvement, further stating that it is in the USCC's best interest to ensure the voting process goes smoothly, and that attacking an important organization amidst the electoral preparations would be entirely counter to that motive. Still, claims that they conducted it continue to spread.

As access to the area by central USCC authorities remains limited due to the ongoing protests, it may be some time before further investigations into the attack can be made. This attack has made some sections of the protests more open to allowing USCC authorities to operate in the Northern Coast and Northern Ranges, as they see them as necessary, while it has further enraged other groups. Some have raised concerns that this will mean that if an election is conducted soon, only the areas already more sympathetic to the USCC will have a significant presence in the turnout, and the Blorbiik Central Voting Authority of the USCC has made no comment.

In the aftermath of the attacks, the Congress for the Future of the North has announced that its meetings will take place in secret for the near future, but ensured the populace that, "This attack has meant we will only conduct our meetings faster."

[Island Paradis]

[Barkadia]

Under The Rada Building, September 16th

"Ma'am, I apologize for the suddenness of this meeting, but I can assure you it is of great importance."

She sighs.

"What is it?"

"What we believe to have been some Kolonian reconnaissance aircraft invaded our airspace, with two having successfully managed to loiter enough to record images and data, we think. Our fastest interceptors booked after them as soon as we spotted the group, but it was at approximately 24 kilometers in the air, which is over the ceiling of the aircraft sent. It outpaced them, and they had to refuel before they could fly deeper into Loglia. They reached speeds of around Mach 3. This wasn't some fighter group testing us."

"How the hell did they dodge our missile defenses? You guys clearly had the warning!"

"There was a narrow corridor in which the planes remained out of range the entire time. The Loglian border is lightly defended anyways, because they are our allies."

"Correct this mistake immediately. I don't care what it takes or how annoying it is. I want it done ASAP!"

"We're already working on it, ma'am. Both eastern borders will be fully covered from now on. The air force will remain mobilized for the time being, as well. We've got guys watching the radars 24/7, and pilots are at the ready always."

"Thank you, sir. Do not let this happen again, or your ass is grass. You will lose it all."

"Understood."

"Funny how this happened on the anniversary of the war. You guys think it means anything?"

"Can't say for sure ma'am. I hope not."

"Agreed."

"Now everyone, get out. I need to do some stuff, make some calls, you know the deal."

They all hurriedly get up to leave.

[Toonu Empire]

Dark day for the Empire.

Dear citizens of the Empire. Today on the 23rd September 2020, the Emperor of the Iconian Empire and King of Aquilia, His Imperial Majesty Nazarius Vitus II died at the exceptional age of 96.

The Tribune of the Imperial Household has confirmed that He died by natural cause surrounded by his family in the Imperial palace of Aurelia.

The operation of fallen leaf has commenced and the imperial funeral is planned for 8th October. All Kingdoms of the Empire mourn the death of our Emperor with their flags flying on half-mast. Furthermore the national sadness is issued for the following four days.

The Emperor has been the longest reigning monarch in the world. He managed to rise the empire from ashes after the Great War into the modern nation of today. His often ambitious laws passed through the parliament has seemed futuristic and transitioned the traditional society into the nation looking into the future in the democratic world. Let’s not forget his long reign, achievements and prosperity.

The heir apparent, His Imperial Highness Grand Prince Lucius is currently in the Tiberian residence with his wife. He is believed to continue his father's legacy of progressive development bringing a brighter future to the whole empire.

Shockingly this happened so quickly after the disputably abnormal state banquet of Aurelia. Nonetheless there are important matters to be signed by the new Emperor including the vote already passed through parliament about aiding the efforts of the Avellian republic.

His Imperial Highness Grand Prince Lucius Vitus has suffered a stroke in his private mansion near the city of Tiberia after receiving news about the death of his father and receiving new duties of the head of the state. Furthermore, His Imperial Highness Prince Theodorus Vitus is on his way to aid the coalition task force after his late father signed the declaration of war just before he died. The nation’s loved prince is now the new official head of the state. Long live the Emperor!

This unexpected shift in succession created the need to reassign the older generation tiles of succession to the throne. Traditionally the Duke of Iconia has been the title of the Imperial Grand Prince, successor to the imperial throne, but with this quick succession, this title has been inherited by His Imperial Highness Prince Magnus, Count of Aquilia. There is expected to be new reformation by the heralds and tribunes of the empire directed towards creating a new lawful order of succession of the titles of apparent successors.

[Tungusta]

Tunguskan News Corporation

Kraken One succsesfully launched satellite into geostationary orbit.

The Tunguskan National Center of Spaceflight and Aeronautics (Or the TNCSA) has succesfully launched Observer-1 to a geostationary orbit. The details about Observer-1's purpose isn't fully known to the public. The satellite is a test bed for an ion propulsion system and a scanning system. The launcher itself is very thin with a high thrust-to-weight ratio but suffers from inefficiency. This takes it past the Karman line fast and easy with little effort. The first stage then gets decoupled and falls harmlessly into the ocean.

A computer animation of the flight shows what it would have looked like high up in the atmosphere during the ascent.

After the initial ascent, the second stage kicks in. The second stage circularises the orbit, keeping the satellite from falling back into the atmosphere. However, this is only to get it into Low Kerbin Orbit. Once in Low Kerbin Orbit, the second stage cruises until it reaches a window. The engine then gets re-ignited. This sends it to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit and the engine is shutdown again. Finally, for the last time, at the apoapsis of the orbit, the engine is ignited for the final time and is put into the geostationary orbit.

A picture sent by Observer-1 before the separation of the 2nd stage


A picture from a computer animation depicting the circularisation


Computer Generated Graphics depicting the satellite in geostationary orbit

[The Serrian Archipelago]

SIS safehouse, 4 miles west of Fulusi, USCC. 0700

A small gap in the blackout curtains of the safehouse shines a bright stream of light into the main foyer, slowly creeping down as the sun rises. Equipment is neatly organized through the room, stacked on boxes precisely distanced. A case lay open leaned on a wall with two kits to assemble assault rifles. A rugged laptop computer and rolled up cords sit charging near the door.

“Eeeergh…” she groans, shielding her face as dawn had finally beamed into her hazel eyes. She picks up a plastic water bottle and chucks it at Luca, sleeping on another air mattress on the other side of the room.

“Dumbass, did you forget to set the alarm?” she says in a passive-aggressive tone, getting up and fixing her hair.

“Oh goddamnit, I left it on silent.” He says, turning the phone off and chucking it onto a stack of papers nearby.

“Serria’s finest, and you can’t operate a fucking cell phone,” she says, chuckling.

“Hey, you know, I seemed to do fine two days ago. I think you’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion!”

“Nice humor, asshole. I’ll remember to laugh next time.”

“I think I’m learning why most of your crew switch stations after two years,” Luca says, focusing on trying to get his eye droplets in. He puts down the bottle and walks into the washroom.

“You sure that’s not just you pushing them away? Regardless, we’re already late, did you read the operations memo for today? Hold on that thought, I’m going to go wake up Roberto.”

“Yeah, I di-“ he lets out before realizing she’s already out of the room. He sits down in the room’s folding chair and sets up his issued computer on a makeshift table. After a few moments, the computer chimes.

“Ok... I plug this thing in there.. and type this in.. and voila!” He scrolls down and opens up his latest encrypted emails and reports. He whistles to himself as works through the feed.

“Do these assholes not know the difference between reply and reply all?” he mutters to himself.

“Oh shit,” Luca says, seemingly surprised. The other two push open the door holding three espressos and take seats in some nearby folding chairs.

“Oh shit what?” she replies, taking a sip of the coffee and then setting down the saucer atop a stack of ammo cans.

“Nothing that affects us, but Vitus II died. The Iconian emperor.”

“Wasn’t he like a hundred years old?”

“Almost. 96. And thanks for the coffee.” He says, clearly focused on reading an updated memo.

“One more comment from you and I would’ve spilled it on you. Alright, whatcha got for us, Luca?” He turns his chair around and hands the other two some manilla folders.

“It’s pretty simple, we’re just here to validate the work that’s going on at the Altena station. They’ve been using their bot networks on these popular social media websites to organize a large demonstration today. So far, it seems to be pretty successful, the few hundred accounts we had started the events with have already blown up with genuine users.” He takes a small sip of the espresso.

“And what’s in the folders?” Roberto asks. Luca puts his cup back on the saucer.

“Right, so in those are the codes which you can use to access the field information which will help you know where the events we’ve organized are. It seems like these are going to populate on their own, but if they don’t we can send you out to start something. So today is probably going to be a sit-in day. Grab a book or something.”

SIS safehouse, USCC. 1320

“Hey, Luca, you see this shit?” she says, excitedly.

“What?” he replies a bit unenthusiastically. He’d been staring at his station for hours now.

“I think we’re going to be staying in today, these numbers are insane. We could shut down the accounts now and be just fine, the authentic users have already blown this up. There are thousands out in downtown.” She takes a bite out of her lunch, a Caprese salad.

“These are the ones with the agenda which is a litter nicer to us, yeah?” Luca says, standing up and stretching. He grabs his coat. She takes a sip of water to wash down the food and then answers.

“Yeah, we organized this through those groups, and it's blowing up. The Congress thing helped greatly too, it seems as if they’re scared shitless.”

“Well, if it’s alright with you boss, I’m gonna go out for a smoke. Altena station knows their shit.”

“Try not to kill yourself with those.”

“Concern noted.” He quietly closes the door behind him and walks down the hallway.

[Blorbs]

Inside a Press Release by the Blorbik Central Voting Department of the USCC in Yeliki Kovtski Sorba

Žuzeppe Bossi walks in through the open doors, part of the flooding crowd that pours into the auditorium. As he rushes into the first seat he can find in the front row, right beneath the stairs onto the stage, Žuzeppe just barely hears a Blorbik in the seat to his left mutter something under his breath,

"Ki dofmok norkov..."

A fucking northman? He thinks, unsure if the slang he knew from North Blorbiks still applied down here. Pushing it out of his mind, he gets settled, putting his backpack on the ground. He unzips the top, and takes out a stick of gum, leaving the bag open.

Žuzeppe waits quietly for another fifteen minutes as more of the crowd packs in, and then the doors are soon shut, the entire room filled to the brim. Finally, the first speaker walks on to the podium. Žuzeppe pays them little attention, catching only the slightest information, most importantly that Zka Lorbic's speech had been moved to the end of the day. More speakers came and went, quite a few of them droning on about the importance of democracy, the security of the referendum, and how free and fair they were ensuring it remained. All lies, Žuzeppe was sure of it. But for hours and hours it kept on going.

Then, finally, one line truly caught his attention,
"Now, Zka Lorbic, Chair of the Department, will announce the official date of the referendum and close this press release."

Žuzeppe stares at the stage with intensity. He leans forward, resting his hand in the top of his open bag.

"Now then, I'll get right to the point," Zka Lorbik opens with a sense of haste, "For a multitude of reasons, we have found a particular time and date for the referendum that works very well for our goals, and will allow it to be the most legitimate and fair election we could possibly hold given the current state of our Union, even if it does give us less time to prepare than we usually prefer. The date we have selected is September 25th, and while we regret not informing the public far sooner, we have been working on the assumption of this date for months now, and an internal bureaucratic dispute with the Transitional Collection of Departments of the Former KBN prevented us from making a public announcement until just now. However, please be assured that we have had plenty of time to set up the referendum, and it will be conducted without a hitch. Thank you."

Zka gets off the podium, and quickly begins to walk off stage. As he steps down, Žuzeppe pulls his hand out from his bag, which now cradles the cold nickel of a snubnose. A crack echoes and reverberates through the auditorium, then Zka collapses to the floor. Žuzeppe feels his body launched to the right, as the Blorbik he was seated by throws him to the ground.

[Sekapia]

[Toonu Empire]

Victory is at hand!

His Imperial Majesty decided to keep going on his mission into the war zone. Nonetheless as the supreme commander of the Iconian Defence Force, The imperial guard has the duty to protect him from any harm. For that reason the admiralty has doubled the number of dispatched ships for the protection of the crown in the northern theatre of war. HIMS Emlinil and HIMS Lor will be additionally accompanied by the HIMS Gratidius and HIMS Lad while the HIMS Curu and HIMS Gwau have been activated from reserve. With current status, almost the whole Classis VI and VII has been activated for this important mission to deal the final blow by the coalition.

“The uncertainty of the conflict will surely unite the empire”, was heard from the new Emperor, while we await more official statements once he returns from the campaign. The recent events already projected themselves in the stock market and the general population awaits the uncertain future and hopes the tradition will live on. After almost hundred years of peace, the imperium fights against the imperialists again. The new Emperor hopes that the conflict would be swift and wants to keep on the efforts of his grandfather on establishing new international organization for the benefit of all.

[Blorbs]

Excerpt from a Suroig Newspaper

Independence Referendum Held for the Northern Coast and Ranges of Blorbs

Today the independence referendum has officially been held, just two days after it was announced. This extremely sudden timeline has lead to many questioning the fairness of the referendum, though despite this and many other issues the Blorbik Voting Authority under its new leadership has still declared it will continue to uphold this election as it stands, no matter the outcome. There are some who feel that the replacement of Zka Lorbik as chair of the Authority will mean the election will not have any further interference than it already has, while others still doubt there was any interference in the first place. It is too early to have accurate stats, however turnout already appears to be abysmal, potentially below 25%. The estimated results stand at 37% Stay, 32% Leave with the Congress for the Future of the North, 31% Leave Independently. As the referendum uses first past the post, this would result in a vote in favor of staying. Results will be officially concluded tomorrow.

[Island Paradis]

[Blorbs]

Hidden Meeting of the Congress for the Future of the North

A few dozen sit around a long table, staring intently at a large television at one end of the Room. On screen a Blorbik Official from the voting authority stands, looking excited,

“I have just received the official, finalized election results from all Communes in the Northern Coast Region and the Northern Ranges Region, with the exception of far-northern contested regions. All communes but two have voted to leave under the authority of the Congress for the Future of the North.”

The room erupts in cheering.

“Both communes that did not were located in the south where Sedeńrionale populations are minimal, and both voted to remain in the USCC. Throughout the whole region, approximately 34% of votes were in favor of independence by the Congress, 33% of votes were to remain in the USCC, and 32% were for independent secession. Almost all elections in each commune came to a very close result except one of the communes which remained, having a result of 67% in favor of remaining, which is the only election result where remaining had greater than 50% of the vote. Almost all communes that voted to leave had a gap of less than 5% with the next option, which was most often remaining within the USCC.”

The speaker of the Congress, Umerkov Valedoya, rises,

“Congratulations everyone. Despite the fact we could not meet until this incredibly impromptu election date, which I think we can all agree was done to try and combat our momentum to split the vote, I could not have imagined a more successful result. Now, as much as we ideally would have announced our official decision before the results, with this resounding success I think we all know what option makes the most sense, as popular opinion no longer limits us. Shall we hold our vote now?”

[Wasabiton]

Osak Central News Agency

Wildfire In Kubari Province
The Kubari Province has experienced the outbreak of a Wildfire in the South East region of Osakodo that has been burning throughout the Jansen National Forest. Local Officials have already closed the area and are observing and blocking off the fire to ensure it doesnt spread to any populated area. Firfighters are expected to contain it and let the forest burn down as part of the natural process of life.

Daedalus Craft "Unity" Comes Home
The Daedalus craft used on the Daedalus 1 mission called "Unity" Has returned to where it was made at a factory near Nubari Airbase to undergo tests and preparations for Daedalus 3 next year. Next Month the other craft called "Endeavor" will join as it also gets ready for Daedalus 5. The third craft to be named "Challenger" is also almost complete and will be used for Daedalus 4.

[Blorbs]

Excerpt from a Suroig Newspaper

Congress for the Future of the North To Oversee Transition To Constitutional Papacy


Serrian Flag officially being raised over some government buildings temporarily as a new flag is yet to be selected

In a surprising turn of events, after almost all of the Northern Coast and Northern Ranges voted to leave Blorbs under the leadership of the Congress, the Congress officially declared it would oversee a transition to a Constitutional Papacy for the new government of the north. The local level is likely to maintain much of the same structure it did under the USCC. The Communes of the USCC will be directly transformed into Comuni, which will retain their own internal legislative structures (Communal Councils becoming Cońiglio Comunale, two Sedeńriolane words with the same meaning), and are to maintain their liquid-democratic system, though they may have less autonomy than under the USCC as while it was not stated they plan on any reduction of autonomy from the Comuni, there is no explicit legal protection of their autonomous status thus far. The government would be structured such that the Pope would be both head of state and government of the new nation they have titled Stado Pońivižio. The Pope is appointed by the upper house, which has membership per life. New members are themselves appointed by the Pope. The lower house or Lay House is to contain both representatives elected by the legislatures (Cońiglio Comunale) of each local Comuni and representatives elected by the upper house, with half of the seats reserved for each method of election.

The congress has already named Paba Dańe or Pope Dante as their officially recognized Pope (Or, perhaps, Antipope) to become head of State, claiming the Grand Master of Serria as an illegitimate pope citing his de facto subservience to the King of Serria. The upper house is to be formed of the College of Cardinals as recognized by the Congress itself, which has amounted to mass appointment. This has included all or nearly all of the most important bishops within Sedeńriolane lands, and some bishops from other regions, but also a very significant proportion of the members of the Congress alongside other former laymen. The Comuni are already beginning to elect representatives for the lower house, as will the upper house once it has been fully composed.

Extreme concern about this system has already been raised from all around the USCC, with many left incredibly worried that this system could potentially be highly undemocratic, however the Blorbik Voting Authority has continued to uphold the results of the election and the USCC has already begun the transferring of power. By contrast, the Sedeńrionali seem overjoyed at this result. We spoke with one right after they heard the Congress's decision,

"We were all very worried that even if we all left under the Congress, in the end they would pick a system that would still leave us as an effective puppet state of the USCC. That is, after all, why we started to protest in the first place, as nobody trusted the USCC to truly give up the reigns if we did not force their hand. But even then, a system mirroring the USCC with its extreme over commitment to mob-rule would still ensure effective subject status to the USCC. What we really needed was strong leadership capable of staying independent from the USCC, and no republic could be that leadership. With this system, we stay not only free from Blorbs, but free from the religious repression our people have always experienced. And, we still maintain our local democratic systems, so that our great new nation is neither an oppressive dictatorship nor a Blorbik puppet state. God could not have granted us more than he already just has."

This sentiment is very popular in the region, if at times with not quite as much enthusiasm. The most important issue to most Sedeńrionali at the moment is nationalism, specifically achieving and maintaining complete separation from Blorbs and the USCC, and this system seems to indicate that will be the case more than any other option to the people of this new state.

[Barkadia]

Studenárieka Station, Barko-Kolonian border. 1930

"Eugen, are you okay? You're shaky and sweaty."

"Y-yeah. Just had a little too much caffeine this morning, I'll be alright I think."

"If you say so." He shakes his head and returns his attention to his console. He takes his seat, pulling the chair back too hard and throwing it a little.

"Yup, too much man, haha."

Suddenly, a blip on the radar appears from the east, heading westwards.

"WOAH! Woah woah woah." His posture changes completely, and he sits up in his chair.

"What is it?!" The book he was reading gets thrown onto the desk.

"We have an uhhh unidentified aircraft on my scope heading westwards, coming across from Kolonia. Flight level... 380."

"What do you think it is?!" he says, nervously. "Standby!" He unlocks a cabinet and pulls out a laminated ringed book.

"I-I-I-I don't know! Could be anything! Do you think they're trying something again? I'm not getting chewed out!" The other operator flips to the correct page and begins reading down the checklist.

CHECK FOR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. INITIATE FAST RESET.

"Ok... reset the system, check for malfunction."

"Yes sir!" He moves his hand to the other side of the console, holds down a switch for some seconds, and lets go. The screens refresh.

"No malfunction, we still have the contact."

Someone chimes in from the other side of the room.

"You know, sir, this could just be a passenger aircraft on the wrong frequency. It's happened before."

"Negative. We're following the checklist. If it's civil they'll be monitoring Guard and reply." He moves his finger down to the next item on the checklist.

HAIL ON GUARD (121.5). NO RESPONSE 3 ATTEMPTS, CONTINUE SEQUENCE.

"Hail them on 121.5. No response after 3 attempts, relay the orders to the battery.

"Unidentified aircraft FL 380, four miles north of DARBY, is Studenárieka Station, you are flying into restricted airspace, change your heading northwestwards immediately onto the escort path, please acknowledge!"

"I say again, unidentified aircraft FL 380, four miles north of DARBY, is Studenárieka Station, you are flying into restricted airspace, change your heading northwestwards immediately onto the escort path, please acknowledge!"

He yells the phrase into his headset a few more times, hearing no response. He tries the local approach frequency, he again yells but hears nothing back. He mutters a cuss word to himself and turns around.

"No response sir." The eyes move down to the next item on the checklist. He pauses for a moment before reading the next line.

RELAY FIRING ORDERS TO BATTERY.

"Eugen, radio the battery. We're engaging."

He puts the headset back on, and quickly dials in a number into a keypad on his console. The phone takes a moment to go through.

"We are relaying firing orders. Acknowledge when ready."

A muffled "Ready, copying!" is heard through the headset. Eugen follows through with his orders.

"Engage lone bogey, FL 380, now six miles north of waypoint DARBY. The contact has been relayed." The following response is heard.

"Understood. We've got your primary data, our weapons radar is picking it up now. We'll take it from here." A dial tone rings through the headset.

Eugen takes off his headset and lays it on his desk. He wipes the sweat off of his forehead with his sleeve.

[The Serrian Archipelago]

[The United Kolonia Republic]

This is a message from the Parliament of the United Republic of Kolonia

GENERAL OF THE AIR FORCE TO SPEAK LATER TODAY
Later today, General of the Air Force Tobias Kortis is to urgently address the nation. The topic of this address is to be on matters of national security, peace in Sverna, and recent events surrounding the nation of Barkadia. Ambassadors and press crews have received prior notification. The broadcast is to begin at 14:00.

United under the dream!

Being recorded from Air Force Headquarters, Kortica, Eastern Kolonia

September 28th, 14:00

Across Kolonia, the blue and green waiting screens of different news channels suddenly changed to colored image. In full dress uniform, Tobias Kortis, General of the Kolonian Air Force, moved aside the chair and sat down in front of the screen. He took a moment to straighten his uniform, looked into the camera, and began speaking.

Kolonians, there is no way to simply put the two things I am to discuss in this broadcast. It has now been more than a year since the anniversary of the first engagements of the Second Barko-Kolonian War, a war that took the lives of many, and a war that showed to Sverna and the world that peace is all that should be attained. However, as you shall see over the next few minutes, we as a people, and we as a nation, must understand that there are moments where we must show peace through strength, no matter the cost. The hostile and aggressive intentions of the Barkadian State have once again put the prospect of peace across this content in the hands of fate.

He takes a moment to breath.

Exactly one month ago, a shipment of highly radioactive nuclear materials was being delivered to a location somewhere within Barkadia. The Kolonian government can now confirm that this shipment was indeed derailed due to terrible weather conditions, spilling multiple tons of potentially weapons grade nuclear material across a large area near the Barkadian-Slavian border. Evidence continues to arise that there is a large scale cover up taking place, with the knowledge of this incident within the highest levels of the Barkadian government. Pushed aside as a minor incident, all reports from the site were highly censored and likely destroyed, and following stories released by the press have been limited and have not followed through with the truth behind what happened at the wreck site.

Due to the dedication of Kolonian servicemen and women, the highly confidential location of the site was found, and has now been imaged.

The live broadcast of the General stops for a moment, and on the screen comes a series of images of snow covered valleys and plains, leading up to a rail line with light debris building into a massive series of crashed and destroyed cars. A still image freezes on screen.

From images taken by the extensive abilities of Kolonian reconnaissance aircraft and satellites, we have concluded that the area has seemingly been abandoned by all standard recovery operations. The fact that fires have begun to burn almost 3 weeks after the crash indicates that there is in fact a dangerous amount of radiation, to the point that clean up operations are not even possible.

The image on the screen then jumps to a simplified map of the area, with the locations of the wreck site, rivers, and major cities marked.

What is of the greatest concern, however, is where this shipment has derailed. It is highly likely that many hundreds of kilograms of the nuclear material has spread into the surrounding environment, with a sizable percentage of that going into the Studenárieka River. This river flows through a series of Barkadian industrial centers, namely the city of Bana. We believe that the residents of Bana and all population centers surrounding this river have been contaminated with potentially lethal levels of radiation, and that as the signs of this begin to appear, it will already be far too late for people affected. The Barkadian government, to put it simply, has failed its people.

There is a brief pause. The General looks around for a moment, refocuses, and looks back into the camera.

Additionally, the Kolonian Government has important information to discuss relating to the disappearance of Orbit Flight 3554. At 19:29 yesterday, the flight was guided along standard Kolonian air routes before being handed off to Barkadian Airspace Control. The last contact made with the crew indicated no problems and their frequency change was copied correctly. However, at 19:37, a fast moving object was detected by Kolonian radar headed towards the flight, and soon after, radar contacts spalled out and were lost.

Kolonian observers on the ground, near the border, have confirmed what should now obviously be classified as a Surface to Air Missile flying and detonating beside the aircraft. Instances of handheld and security camera footage of the shootdown, along with radar traces from multiple stations, have been confirmed as hard evidence of this.

The Barkadian government must answer for what has happened. For the foreign nationals it killed on the aircraft, and for the crimes that it has committed against its own people, the whole world must hear the loudest apologies.

Kolonians, we must remain strong during this time of uncertainty. Peace through strength will lead us forward.

For a moment, the General looks at the screen, before leaning back, and turning his head to the side. The feed turns to black, and then to the blue and green waiting screens of before.