On Edge And In Grave Danger [MT/IC/OPEN]

[Gonswanza]

Of course, Laura greets them kindly... Even as she was cradling an AR-416, though that is later taken by one of her armed guards, to be placed in the armory. She was a little off, but still a rational person who can be reasoned with, accepting the offers and even deciding to take things down into the bowels of the ship, where a more dedicated area was prepared for the conference. The discussions are peaceful, with nothing dramatic occurring, no fights either, though they would drag on given Laura's odd habit of straying off on a tangent. Yet, she was true to her word, detailing the situation as it had been reported to her, with documents to back her up. While the rebels were now losing ground, slowly, the Gonswanzans were hampered by an insurgency within their own "territory" if one could call it that. The government had to be rolled over, given the Junta threatened to undo everything and bring about a total collapse of the Brazillian government, hence, now there was a Gonswanzan in charge until someone more suitable could be found. Outside of that, it's a rather complex situation, though Laura expressed some mild regret in her inability to offer support for Ukraine. With the Brazillian situation under Green Thunder devolving and being locked up, it was too risky to throw men at Ukraine especially with a superpower (Russia) backing the rebellion there.

However, the Phillippines offered a situation of equal complexity to Green Thunder: With US and Chinese ships facing off, plus some mild Gonswanzan support against the PLAN, there was an extreme risk of a limited nuclear exchange. The diplomatic hopping around was getting dangerous, but it offered some leverage to push the US out of Brazil for now at the cost of pestering the "Dragon" and risking a swift retaliation from them too.

With concerns for space, the Gonswanzan Space Administration accepts the offer, though they now wonder what the window will be for sending over their men to join this mild mission. Additionally, the Space Force (formerly part of the Air Force, now a dedicated branch) has weighed in, wishing to instead send armed men into space on the same shuttle, just to use it for more optimal training in an environment that will soon become their own space in more metaphorical terms. Alas, the latter is simply a proposal that can be shunned or even shut down by either Sol or Gonswanza, given it could mildly annoy or threaten the mission given it's obscure nature and questionably hostile intent.

Egypt continues to hold on to their prisoners, but the exchange in Israel has been going... Well. There were a few complications however, forcing the operatives to sit in Israel, given some red tape and, of course, the situation in Ukraine threatening to destroy any flights from Israel to Germany and vice versa. The US is considering possibly taking more direct action against Egypt, but the president himself quickly silences rumors of a straight up invasion.

Halloween is coming for us all, so of course, decor is going up for sale. Gonswanza comically banned "Christmas Music" in September and the ban has been extended to the end of November, citing the nuisance of such music being played "horribly out of season" per Joseph Spitz. Alas, this is only restricted to radio, while TV ads and online streaming services are allowed to do as they wish. Notably speaking, malls and shopping centers in Gonswanza have been silenced for a few days come the beginning of the month of October, but now the music played is either the usual neutral songs or some cheesy Halloween classics like "Monster Mash" and various others... Including "Thriller".

[Crysuko]

Despite how distasteful Crysukons consider Juntas to be, the diplomatic team nonetheless swallowed this bitterness and continued their efforts. They followed closely aside "Let's get straight to the point, we intend to directly interven ein the Brazilian situation, and are readying troops to do so. As of current, a light infantry division is nearly ready for deployment but we won't act unilaterally. In that vein, we intent to act in coordination with your own country and military, so as to best pacify the rebels and other American backed forces destabilising the area"

[Gonswanza]

Despite how distasteful Crysukons consider Juntas to be, the diplomatic team nonetheless swallowed this bitterness and continued their efforts. They followed closely aside "Let's get straight to the point, we intend to directly interven ein the Brazilian situation, and are readying troops to do so. As of current, a light infantry division is nearly ready for deployment but we won't act unilaterally. In that vein, we intent to act in coordination with your own country and military, so as to best pacify the rebels and other American backed forces destabilising the area"

And so, it shall be done. A wonderful dance of the blade, to strike deep into their hearts, while the Americans pull away, preparing for a final show-down. I give my personal blessing for this, as well as full authorization to go ahead. Keep in step with Gonswanzan forces, however. It would be a shame to see them crumble and good men die without a chance. I'd also consider your nation pushing aircraft into the area, adding support for a little more independence from my own air cover, but that is down to your generals and military leaders. Your intervention, of course, will be praised highly in Gonswanza, offering the foundations of a possible alliance to keep the Eagle at bay.

So she says, anyways.

The world is slowly leaning into the fire, with the standoff over the Suez refusing to calm, as even more forces start to push upon the banks of the canal in an unprecedented move. Almost unpredictable, in all reality. Yet, neutrality reigns, as the haze of peace keeps the two from just lashing out.

A CIA backed operation manages to break out the trapped operatives from Egypt, but it soon reaches the news as Laura and co. are discussing Brazillian operations. The report flies back to Laura, who almost barks at the messenger, ordering a swift mobilization of the navy to try to guard Mexican and Gonswanzan waters from possible American aggression. In spite of the mild agreement, the CIA could easily try to stir up a war, hence the mobilization as they were exposed harshly on MEMRI and other news agencies.

In space, the campaign continues, as Gonswanzan satellites even counteract a Chinese killer satellite, with China responding by trying to shoot down the Gonswanzan satellite, instead striking an American weather satellite... Which only added more fuel for a future fire. Russia decides to plan for a new war, as NATO pulls back in Afghanistan to see if they can over-extend the Chinese lines and later crush them in a sudden rush. The situation is becoming more unstable there, as time goes on.

Pakistan decides to launch a first strike against India, with Pakistani troops marching over the border virtually unopposed, igniting a new conflict. China refuses to take advantage of this, given that they have mostly dedicated their troops to their efforts in Afghanistan, with a dwindling presence on the border with India and Russia.

[Crysuko]

One of the diplomats makes a telephone call back to Crysuko, giving the go-ahead. 12th infantry division has since been fully mobilised and is battle ready, they will be accompanied by a carrier battle group to provide air superiority, CAS and aerial recon support. It won't be a long journey, and morale among the troops is high. A news story is being formulated by the media department to inform the populace as to the action. DEFCON 3 is issued by the military, and the Aportik facility readies it's launch platforms for non-nuclear payloads. The Nuke codes are only released at DEFCON 1, less destructive strikes will have to suffice.

[Gonswanza]

Ukraine is still on fire, which was almost expected. The separatists are still hammering away, pushing deeper into Ukraine, with more Russian support and support from foreign countries backing them. Yugoslavia pushes infantry to its north-eastern borders to try to guard against the war spilling over, though it wasn't likely given a few buffer states. Still, they were suspicious that Hungary and other countries bordering Ukraine could be subject to pro-gov't forces attempting to grab land and hence invade them to buy precious time for a futile cause.

Green Thunder is still rolling strong, as Green Aid was now in the works, still in the planning stages, with the intent to launch before the end of the year and to have Brazil rebuilt by 2023. A record, really, but when compared to other major wars, it was hardly on the same scale. Alas, Peacemakers being deployed to the area under Laura Ortiz does offer a hard edge against partisans, aiding with a partial recovery behind the shifting lines of war. Chaos was no longer coming home, though this was proving to be yet another repeat of Vietnam for the United States.

And speaking of, the NATO retreat succeeds in overextending the Chinese lines even under fire from the Taliban, but the offensive is soon bogged down by a number of problems with logistics and morale. The front is now effectively a stalemate, as China secretly begins to prepare for a naval invasion of yet another country. With the USN building up around the Philippines, it wasn't likely that they could suddenly swing for Taiwan, being ill-equipped for such an action without needing to resupply first for actual proper war instead of sitting by idly to waste time and scare off the enemy.

Laura Ortiz again catches news of the growing developments, deciding to call off the meeting now, as it seems the Pacific may heat up even further with suspected action against Taiwan. She was aware of the war in India, which might wreck trade for Gonswanza, but again if the USN manages to bulk up, Gonswanza would be drowning in trouble. She does however offer a few parting words of warning, as crews scramble to try to move the diplomats and their leader around to safety now that Gonswanza was perceived to come under threat:

The situation is devolving quickly, but I must say... Should a global nuclear war break out, pick no side. Shoot down any and all missiles due to strike your nation. Hunker down. Ride out the storm. It may seem like the end, but it isn't. We are the future, after all. Let the powers destroy each other so that we can rise from the ashes. Consider this a goodbye, but not the last time we will meet.

Over the Suez, Egypt has blockaded the canal, preparing for combat. It was long overdue, but it was oddly fitting. Global tensions were rising at a record pace, even as some speed boards manage to beat the blockade to move a small number of goods through. This will have horrid consequences for the global economy, but it was down to them... Even as several wars were now in motion, many of which had the direct input of global powers. The clock is running down... But, nuclear war wasn't the end... If anything, it might even offer a new age for the smaller, "weaker" countries to rise! In the wake of a global war! Or it may just result in a conventional war in which case the smaller nations would have to sit aside and watch helplessly while fending off rogue offenses against them.

[The Republic of Western Sol]

Western sol accepts the gonswanzan proposal to put armed guards on the shuttle, as long as we can put some of our own

The war efforts in Ukraine are getting tense on our sides as well, resulting in some minor protests from pacifist groups, which themselves are pacified, as the government views this war as an important step in the history of western sol, however, this hadls implications for the front lines as well over 10000 troops are dead or MIA, causing a plummet in morale, but we will not let the Ukrainian dogs win, we will free the rebels and possibly install a puppet leader for a year or two to ensure stability.

And in other news, the first intelligent robots are granted citizenship in the Republic of western sol, these robots are able to work in any field but are rewarded more for choosing the military during the war. More cybernetic enhancements are available to the public, who are now willing to chop of their own limbs for a fashionable new arm or leg.

(ps sorry for rushing you up gonswanza, I didn't know there were multiple pages on mobile)

[Crysuko]

A carrier battle group will be deplayed alongside the division which will soon arrive in Rio di Janerio, fixed wing aircraft and gunship support alongside logistics will allow for not only support for the troops but to also help civilians in the MOB area, Plans for a main operating base in the area have already been drawn up, and news given to the public. Public support is high, with the large amount of people vocally in favour of fighting US backed forces, believing Crysukon troops to be superior, faster, stronger, more brave. And those guys? not so much. Morale among the expeditionary force is high.

[Gonswanza]

Brazil continues to burn. Even with resistance slowly pulling back, it seems to suddenly build and push in other areas. However, the added support is appreciated, with strikes aiding in cutting down the rebellion, now that the US has effectively jumped ship for the Philippines. A strange situation, but one that should be quickly resolved with almost breakneck speed. Plans for Operation Green Aid are being built up in the background, with Laura's Advisor overseeing the plans himself and gently adjusting some minor details so it won't result in another Afghanistan.

Speaking of Afghanistan, the NATO counter-offensive fails, with China soon pushing NATO lines even further back, descending upon the capital itself: Kabul. However, to the north, an over-extended Chinese battalion tries to crawl for Mazar-i-Sharif as American forces engage them on the roads leading to the city with airstrikes and mechanized units. Against a tank battalion with infantry support, it's strangely balanced, but the convoy is doomed to destruction without air support.

The new Paki-Indian war (as the media had dubbed it) continues with harsh advances from Pakistan into the Indian mainland, as the goal no longer was to claim disputed territories, but now to absolutely ensure the total destruction of India itself. Alas, India is swinging back, diverting forces to the Pakistani front in hopes of repelling the invasion. Given the swift overextension, they partially succeed, but deep strikes into India hinder the counter-strikes against the Pakistani army.

The war in space is escalating, as now all satellites are free game, with Russia shooting down Chinese satellites, China shooting down American satellites and the US shooting down Russian satellites. Gonswanza even resorts to joining this battle royale, with a greater list of targets for civilian and military satellites alike. Some say that shooting stars in the night sky are actually just satellite debris falling back to earth.

The Suez crisis is only getting worse, but it finally reaches the breaking point, with shots fired over the canal. Egypt sends a rocket strike first over the canal to try to target Israeli armored positions, to which Israel responds with swift airstrikes against Egyptian artillery and armored positions, prior to bridges being laid down under fire while tanks shoot over the canal in an attempt to keep the other side from advancing first. The skies over the canal are soon torn asunder by fighter-bombers and ground-attack aircraft along with artillery shells and rockets. The Egyptian-Israeli war has begun.

Back in China, the sudden mobilization of infantry to the coast offers a warning for Taiwan, but with the majority of the Pacific fleet either out of reach or concentrated around the Philippines, Taiwan stands alone. Paired to this, the rest of the PLAN organizes for a massive amphibious invasion of Taiwan, with DF-21s prepared should the USN attempt to run a desperate defense. Gonswanzan naval units are pulled back from the Philippines given the strange buildup, plus intelligence reporting on China's intentions. However, this valuable information is not shared with the US, noting that it could offer to aid Gonswanza in staying neutral should a third world war break out. Which, at this point, seems inevitable.

Ukraine is slowly falling to the rebellion, as the gov't officials flee into exile, but are later caught in Yugoslavia and basically held hostage. It appears that Yugoslavia was not too happy about the fact that they were willing to put Europe in danger, should Russia decide to expand its own reach and attempt to "invade other countries from within through proxies injected into former Pact nations." Alas, they are likely to be held in prison for the duration of the war, if not longer.

Africa seems to be in an odd era of peace, given the lack of civil uprisings and war, save for the conflict in Egypt. A strange sort of peace, perhaps due to stable governments being present and the influence of outsiders diminishing as they focus more on themselves and the various wars beyond the continent.

Gonswanzan civilians are now conducting drills for nuclear war, as the navy rushes to claim the Panama Canal in Gonswanza's own interest, noting the harsh information blackout blocking the US from actually spotting the strange rush via spy satellites... Which were blown to pieces, more or less. Gonswanza considers their options, but Laura Ortiz decides that they should hold off on the nukes until everyone is crawling out of the bunkers, just to further cripple the superpowers that be. Yet, this proposal is shot down by Parliament, as they are well aware such a move is suicide. Alas, Gonswanza will try to remain neutral for the coming nuclear exchange. But they still intend to try to make a rush for other countries regardless, especially given that the strikes would weaken them harshly. On paper.

The Doomsday Clock is now at one minute to midnight. Gonswanza is at DEFCON 3. The world is holding it's breath.

[The Republic of Western Sol]

As yugoslavia is holding the main government officials, we request the ability to question the POWs on classified Ukrainian plans or face execution, while shipping more troops to Ukraine to assist in the elimination of pro gov strongholds and setting up temporary hospitals for injured rebels and civilians, helping reduce the cleanup costs in Ukraine.

We gave also petitioned the UN for a "seat at the table", if you will, seeing as we helped keep the Ukrainian war local instead of Europe-wide.

We also ask yugoslavia for a proper alliance, and not just a trade deal,this would mean if any of our countries were attacked, the other will help, be it combat or a civil dispute, if they require aid, we will give them it, if we need aid, they give us it, we also assure that we will help if Russia gets too ambitious.

As the war is near the end, we refocus our efforts back onto our space programme, launching 12 satellites with on board defences to try to prevent destruction, these will also act as guide markers for the West solian Orbital tether or (WSOT), a large, slingshot like space Station that will reduce the fuel costs and increase payload capacity on future space shuttles by using the tethers rotation to give us a speed boost, and will eventually aid us to create a small lunar outpost, and we invite other nations with space agencies to use said tether once built to help ease international tensions.

[Gonswanza]

(Sorry, things got busy, plus waiting on Crysuko... Alas, I'll go on.)

Yugoslavia is slow to agree, but the realization that more information could be extracted through this small move is enough to nudge them to move the prisoners over via secure transport. Alas, this move does result in mild resistance within the civilian population and riots, but they are quickly silenced through various means... As the Yugo gov't tries to save face by claiming the ones who had incited the riots and were subsequently killed had been anarchists attempting to incite an uprising. The UN isn't buying it, but they have far too much on their plate with multiple crises across the world flaring up.

The UN decides to rush Sol to the table, as Gonswanzan reps abscond and refer to remote sessions instead, fearing that the UN's headquarters could fall under nuclear attack should there be a nuclear exchange. That fear is mostly unfounded, but one may never truly know until it happens.

Yugoslavia also accepts the terms for an alliance, extending a hand to Gonswanza who also accepts within the same day. However, Gonswanza continues to warn Yugoslavia of a possible nuclear war, urging them to construct bunkers with "great haste" and to push facilities underground to shield them from attack. Beyond Yugoslavia, other countries are lining their infantry against Ukraine, France, Germany, and Poland/Russia in case of attack. The EU is attempting to hold peace, though the French and Italians walk out in the middle of the latest meeting, citing that the "EU is not willing to hold against the storm. Rather, they wish to dismiss it entirely! They are blind, deaf, and mute with their heads in the ground, praying that it's all a lie."

Indian forces hold the line, slowly pushing back against Pakistani forces once they had overextended beyond their lines of logistics. A failed invasion of Sri Lanka further motivates the Indian army, dealing a blow to Pakistani morale when paired to the retreats.

The Ukrainian civil war is slowly winding down, though gov't forces are still holding out even as they are being pushed out of their own country. Progress is no longer measured in miles, but in inches. A near-total stalemate, though the state is due to collapse soon given the sheer number of dead on their side, when compared to rebel/separatist losses.

The Israeli-Egyptian war is going along smoothly, with bloody offensives attempting to push for the Nile as Egyptian artillery continues to harass IDF forces attempting to push deeper into Egypt. Italy refuses to grant aid, instead avoiding drawing themselves to the conflict while the UK and France watch on in horror.

Aghanistan is still hell in the desert, China and NATO deadlocked again within the mountains. With the Taliban still fighting against both sides, it seems that nobody will be able to really "win" this war proper, even with the near capitulation of the country's capital as NATO forces stand by. For all one could care, Afghanistan's government is no more, but the country is still being fought over between two different forces with a third wildcard trying to destroy both at once.

Further prep for an invasion of Taiwan is noted, but again, Gonswanza stays silent. A bombing in Beijing is blamed on Taiwanese nationalists, with fatalities reaching into the hundreds as the target was a bustling train station. The weapon itself appears to be an explosive vest, with scant footage showing the attacker tossing around leaflets of propaganda before walking into the crowded station, reciting a prayer and then jumping before detonating the bomb. This footage is leaked, as marshall law is now in effect in China.

Brazil soon stabilizes, mostly, as the last of the rebels are killed in airstrikes with drone warfare being employed to further wipe them out. Operation Green Aid begins sharply, almost in an attempt to construct shelters to save civilians from a suspected nuclear war. It is still unknown what the true targets are, assuming they are no longer limited to the trio of superpowers. But it's likely that Pakistan and India will engage each other, almost certain at this point, once the greater powers begin to engage.

Gonswanza and the US offer to use the tether, but it will take a while for them to get craft suitable for it, as at the moment the US had already retired the shuttle program while Gonswanza was still using capsules for their station along with powerful rockets to deliver supplies and parts into space. China fails to comment. Russia is willing to revive its ancient shuttle program for use with the tether, though its effectiveness is questionable.

The doomsday clock is holding still at 80 seconds to midnight, with 20 seconds added as the Russians back away from the Chinese border. Hardly anything, but it's better than pushing it forwards.

[Crysuko]

The expediitionary force has since made landfall, and is in the process of locking down the city and surrounding suburbs and facilities, a main operating base is under construction in the city center. Logistical and engineering detachments who can be spared have been tasked with distributing aid to civilians, as well as trying to get water and power back online. Logistical corps have sent for additional aid supplies, as food insecurity is a big problem which they are not currently equipped to handle. Military police maintains an uneasy peace as rebel forces and gangs are repressed harshly. A video surfaces of Crysukon troops publically executing the leader of a cell of rebels, as well as several of his cohorts.

The air groups have already begun combat air patrols over disputed areas, providing air cover for ground forces, and helping to dig out entrenched and covered enemy forces.

[The Republic of Western Sol]

The Western sol government decide to try to end the stalemate, they send in the 254 Hocus (fuel using predecessor to the 365 Pocus) prototypes to the front lines, outfitting them with the same .30 calibre machine gun that sees use on the pocus, as well as the predecessor to the mk2 Hodgson, the Mk1, a more boxy, slower tank, but more heavily armed and armoured, with a 20cm wide barrel and the first use of our experimental thorium reactor. We drop these in by zeppelin and gift some to yugoslavia, as they will need them to help end this war.

We also heed Gonswanza's warning, constructing fallout shelters across the island out of, ironically, former missile silos, we offer them some of our experimental vehicles as a good gesture.

With other countries on board, construction of the Orbital Tether begins, and with great pace too, as a peaceful international interaction is very rare these few months, and as a gift to the members of what is unofficially referred to as the Catapult Station, we send base plans for reusable shuttles which have been designed with the tether in mind, and the satellites are put on guard duty, preventing interference from other nations put on Western Sol's list of possible threats
(namely Russia and China)

In other news, the cybernetics market in Western sol is booming, resulting in the leader replacing his right arm with a robotic counterpart, giving cybernetics a larger popularity boost throughout the nation, and we offer trade of cybernetics to nations we consider allies

[Gonswanza]

The world seems to "cool off" rather drastically, though that was due to a sharp series of advances by the rebels in Ukraine, with Russia pulling back support once their lines of (internal) logistics were stretched to the limit. Thanks to Western Sol, Ukraine is effectively liberated, but without Russian support, the rebels fail to break out into other countries. Of course, this occurs over a series of weeks, with the current date being December 20th.

Laura Ortiz hosts a Christmas ball, acting as a celebration of both Christmas and her own birthday... However, certain nations were blacklisted from sending anyone. While the intent of a peaceful party is there, it could also be used for forging diplomatic relations between Gonswanza and other regions, with Latin America banding together under a military alliance when it was shown that NATO would fail to protect them from foreign aggression. Spain was not added to this alliance, given that they were already part of NATO as is. Comical, really.

Africa continues to be a shining beacon of peace, even as UN troops have been deployed to try to secure mines for precious resources, in an attempt to curb the market themselves given a sharp rise in black market exports of blood diamonds and illegally harvested precious metals and ores from the region. This included the smuggling of fuel into Egypt to try to aid the war effort, in spite of Egypt supposedly refusing aid from other countries.

Speaking of Egypt, Israel is still hammering away in the desert, inching closer to the Nile by the day. At this moment in time, Cairo is under siege, with UN peacemakers being deployed to try to aid in evacuations of civilians under fire. For once, the blue helmets were being useful... Though their efforts are questionable, given they are mostly targeted by both sides. In Afghanistan, China is still trying to push harder, as Iran and Saudi Arabia push support for their proxies into the region, igniting a new turf war within the war. No longer was the Taliban alone, as they had picked up a new enemy to keep them occupied. It was a war within a war, as the grinder continues to destroy the lives of both civilians and soldiers alike.

China holds back on invading Taiwan, likely due to how things are going in the east. Paired to that, the plan for the Phillippines encounters some mild complications as the USN Pacific Fleet pulls back to restock, refuel and prepare for a patrol around Taiwan as a show of force. China now had to bank on the Pacific Fleet being too far to respond in time, while trying to stockpile forces and bolster their own naval strength. Only after the Pacific Fleet leaves the Philippines does the PLAN do the same, to try to reinforce the amphibious landing forces once the time does come, assuming they can be ready in time to do so.

India and Pakistan are still deadlocked in war, with India now pushing into Pakistan and forcing the latter into a full retreat. The war is hell, but it is seemingly small when compared to the likes of Afghanistan, Brazil, or Ukraine. Alas, the losses are harsh, with demands for foreign aid being sent to the UN to no real avail.

In space, Gonswanza manages to get a person on the moon, with a lunar habitat. Yet, it had to be abandoned after a short stay of a week, due to the limited resources present. But it was the start of something... New. Something grand. Other countries are invited to join Gonswanza's future colony, which is a mildly ironic twist given Laura's original plans were to claim the stars for Gonswanza to establish an empire. This was more akin to opening the door for exploration instead.

Brazil is still having its fits and bouts of combat, but it is also recovering well. The people are starving, with the new leaders that were installed trying to draw aid from their new allies. When the US comes knocking, however, they formally reject their offer, noting that such a weakness in their policy could be exploited by the CIA to insert agents to stir up unrest. That, of course, would lead to another civil war, with even more destruction in America's favor.

[The Republic of Western Sol]

As the war in Ukraine has died down but there is no competent leader in charge, operation string goes underway, with a puppet government in charge while we meet with rebel leaders to establish the next leader, while this is happening, we and other UN nations can start clearing up the mess and the rubble that is Kiev.

We decided to send our leader to Laura's Christmas/birthday party, acompanyed by large crate of arms and ammo as a present and a show of good faith, and hopefully improving relationships between Western Sol and Gonswanza and hoping that talks for a trade deal can commence

As the last piece of the orbital Tether is installed and it is put into orbit, we decide that the first thing we are going to launch into space is a Solian made section for the Gonswanza lunar base, outfitted with a crew of free and a small vertical farm to aid with keeping the colony self sufficient.

We openly welcome the nations that use the tether, and give the first 2 that agreed to use it a large, dark gem, formed deep within Western Sol's Black desert as a good will gift and the other nations smaller chunks of the same gem.

[Crysuko]

With a security cordon established, the engineering teams have begun the work of cleaning up rubble and unexploded munitions, clearing away the dead and remains. The aircraft carries docks close by, and a link set up between it and the city's power grid so that essential services can be restored. Water cleaning supplies are also being distributed. Back in Crysuko, cargo planes are being loaded with packages of food, clean water and medical supplies to be paradropped over the city and distributed to civilians. It will be a big job to clear up the mess, but the mission of malice has transformed into a mission of mercy, and of humanitarian good.

[Gonswanza]

The rebels, in spite of being on the "same" side, did have differing views on how to rule. As was such in the Brazillian conflict, given the various factions that had arisen. Unlike Brazil, they were united in part from Russian involvement, though it takes a bit more than a few guards to keep them from just stabbing each other over the table when discussing plans for the future of Ukraine. Alas, they are able to sit down and have a more peaceful discussion come the third day of talks, attempting to get their own say in how the new government will be set up. A little chaotic, but alas, it's better than letting Russia throw their hand and install their own twisted puppet.

So much for precise timing.

The party goes down well, with Laura enjoying her gifts, even offering to show off the supposed future of Gonswanzan military power. A robotic droid, about 7 feet tall, walks onto the floor as a demonstration of mobility and function, though it was unarmed. Yet, it does show advanced capability and presents itself as what could be the future of war. Whether or not this tech demonstration was really going to be followed through however is unknown, even as news breaks elsewhere of quantum supremacy being achieved off (stolen) research. Trade deals are offered, though this time weapons, petrol, and even ships are on the menu. A new kind of destroyer is being prepared for export, with the intent of aiding to arm other nations with a decent "homebrew" option to sidestep the export market of larger countries, notably the US and Russia, given China's mild closure to export orders now that they were pouring resources into their own war.

Gonswanza sends more people to the moon, to try to oversee the Solian section installation, along with attempting to set up a mine and a dedicated nuclear reactor. The installation is a success, though it did come with the mild risk of explosive decompression due to a hole being punched into the environment by mistake. It's patched with, and I quote, "flex tape, foil and more tape with a plaster scab over all that, then a plastic coating... And more duct tape." Even in space, creative solutions are the best solutions, especially in a pinch.

Operation Green Aid pushes along, as South and Central American countries soon attempt to form a military alliance with Yugoslavia and Gonswanza. Gonswanza and Yugoslavia accept though Gonswanza offers to extend it to Crysuko and Sol as well, given that this "counter" to NATO would be decentralized and also offer a safety net in the case of a nuclear war: should a weakened China, for example, attempt to attack a member state, all states would be called to arms, retaliating in kind to multiply their collective response.

Afghanistan continues to burn, though NATO is slowly pushing China back, finally, as China decides to jump to the invasion of Taiwan. Gonswanza once again refuses to warn the states, though now it was seen that if the US and Russia remain unaware of the Taiwanese situation, nuclear war could be flat out avoided. Even if China still held the upper hand in the Pacific, with a nuclear response being the only other option beyond an intervention by sea. And due to the presence of anti-ship ballistic missiles, such a response could be tantamount to suicide.

[The Republic of Western Sol]

The West solian leader decided, with the disapproval of half of their cabinet, to accept gonswanzas invitation to the alliance, seeing as sol and Yugoslavia were already allied before this, we believe this military alliance will be beneficial to us both due to both our countries military prowess as seen from the last year.

As talks with Rebel leaders in Ukrainian territory proceed, the majority of the leaders have agreed upon a democratic government, and, once a suitable leader is chosen, they can get back to building Ukraine back up

At Laura’s party, the west solian leader asks gonswanza for a bit of advice on the 365 Pocus prototype, seeing as they have got droids and a overall better military than us. We also ask if we can merge the Solian cybernetics and the gonswanzan droid programs to form a shared military and science division, we decide to invite Laura Ortiz to a West Solian shooting range to discuss things further.

[Latorik]

New Albania has risen as a growing regional power among the baltic states, after the establishment of a military junta, the country underwent a period of vigorous infrastructure and military overhaul, modernizing greatly in a short period thanks to extensive re outfitting courtesy of numerous arms donations. Numerous humanitarian violations are pinned on the government, at least according to those pesky NGOs. Its domestic affairs now sufficiently sorted, it quietly turns a baleful eye to the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

(can anyone give me a basic rundown of what's gone down so far?)

[The Republic of Western Sol]

New Albania has risen as a growing regional power among the baltic states, after the establishment of a military junta, the country underwent a period of vigorous infrastructure and military overhaul, modernizing greatly in a short period thanks to extensive re outfitting courtesy of numerous arms donations. Numerous humanitarian violations are pinned on the government, at least according to those pesky NGOs. Its domestic affairs now sufficiently sorted, it quietly turns a baleful eye to the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

(can anyone give me a basic rundown of what's gone down so far?)

Basically Brazil is no more, I am puppeteering Ukraine, me, yugoslavia, gonswanza and I believe crysuko are in an alliance and there is a paki-indian war going on

[Latorik]

Fearful of Solian interference and a potential Baltic bloc, New Albania begins funneling arms to various struggling Ukranian national groups in an effort to destabilize the new regime in place.

[Lutvikkia]

Here to find

[The Republic of Western Sol]

/bump

[Gonswanza]

(Back from Hiatus!)

The world continues to turn (and burn) regardless of the actions taken... Though, things are shifting. For one, Gonswanza was being re-organized, stepping back from attacking foreign shipping, while a tangled web of alliances were being forged in Africa come pressure from the Israeli-Egyptian war over the Suez, along with harsh actions taken in the Indo-Pakistani war. But the first new steps to a global nuclear war appear yet again, as North Korea pushes infantry to the DMZ with tanks, expecting movement from the South as the US sends forces over as a precautionary measure against the Chinese prep for invasion. It was a guess in the dark, but one that seemed to have spurred the N.Korean war machine, threatening the Korean peninsula.

Taiwan remains in China's sights, in spite of China continuing to throw infantry into Afghanistan, ignoring the possible sweep that could be done through invading India during their conflict with Pakistan which once again reaches a stalemate. In the words of one Indian rifleman, "there's so many dead on both sides that we started using bodies as sandbags instead." while various middle eastern and European nations offer supplies to Pakistan and India respectively to continue to fuel the war.

Gonswanza sets up a new program to draw in migrants from the US and Canada, challenging them in a new way even as the threat of global nuclear war begins to loom overhead once again. But this was a slightly careless move, as Gonswanza officially abandons elections themselves. However, Brazil remains as is, a stable democracy, even if they did offer rather negative views about Laura's sudden shift in policy.

As for the invite, it's taken well... Even if Laura did have a large fit of almost psychotic paranoia over the phone, which then turned into a breakdown before she was able to save face and proceed with the visit. However, her scientists offer their advice on the prototypes, given she was clearly not suited to talking about tech given her seemingly degrading mental state. Ironically, she deems that as false information, which is furthered by the now state-controlled press, which only offers to boost her approval rating artificially, while also demolishing Gonswanza's reputation of "freedom" globally given such blatant control of the media and harsh moves to ensure the presidency has as much power as possible.

[The Republic of Western Sol]

We are happy to hear that president Ortiz has accepted our invite, we send out a luxury class zeppelin to come and pick up Ortiz, it is armed with guns for her protection, and discussions can begin when she arrives.

While the cameras were pointed away from western sol, a drastic change happened, the Recently elected president Seth Bornto decided to do a drastic government reform, causing small revolutions left and right, which resulted in Seth only wanting power more, to control those who oppose him, changing Western Sol to a dictatorship and meaning the country is now, as you could say 'on edge and in grave danger'

We have also proceeded to work on our own droid programme to impress the gonswanzan scientists, only prototypes have been made so far, but they seem promising