“Amnesty International launches scathing report of UN operations, accusing the organisation of being complicit in a massacre of indigenous peoples in the Special Region. A UN spokesperson insisted that the Expeditionary Force was acting in self-defence.”
– BBC News, 12 March 2017
“Rep. David Kohmer, D-CO, criticised the UN’s media blackout on the Special Region. Citing the necessity of a free and balanced discussion in the press, he urged operational commanders to hasten the authorisation process for reporters to travel through the Gate.”
– The New York Times, 15 March 2017
“Cities around the world observed a minute of silence today in remembrance of the victims of the Stockholm attack. The UN Security Council voted unanimously to approve a Peacekeeping Operation through the Gate, with the Chinese ambassador declaring the vote as a sign of international support for the people of Sweden.”
– Fox News, 2nd February 2017
“Demonstrations numbering in the thousands took place in cities across Europe and America in support of UN soldiers in the Special Region. Judy Hodge, an Organiser for the March for Stockholm movement in New York said that she hoped to let the soldiers on the front know that the people of the world stood behind them despite recent media coverage.”
– Washington Post, 21 March 2017
“We have clearly demonstrated our technological superiority, and I hesitate to call the situation in the Special Region a war. Right now, the UN insists that it is involved in Peacekeeping operations, but history has shown that a native populace rarely emerges from its first encounter with a technologically advanced invader unscathed. What happens when the situation begins to stabilise? What happens when we find oil reserves and deposits on the other side? To what extent must we apply human rights to the non-humans over there? These are questions that our society will have to grapple with in the coming months and years, and I’m not so sure that I want to hear the answers.”
-Dr. Mark Guttenberg, Professor of Political Science and Geopolitics at Havard University
“And so they fought."
Unto the Breach: A Gate RP
Operation Forward Unto Dawn: United Nations Expeditionary Force
Inspired by Tophat’s The Way Forward.
“We’re sending them completely into the dark. The least we could do is make sure that they’re ready for anything.”
Sven sighed, scratching the high explosives from the material request form. His blue-grey uniform proudly displayed his Colonel insignia on his shoulder patch, the brisk utility of his outfit mimicking the Spartan appearance of his desk and the command tent. A lukewarm cup of coffee sat untouched by his side, neatly set aside from the orderly stacks of paper that were arranged before the Colonel. “The mission is reconnaissance, combat should be avoided at all costs – not encouraged. The LRVs will be more than enough.”
The other man nodded in response, accepting his superior’s decision without any further debate and mentally making a note to have the heavier ammunition replaced with more rations. “I’ll get the paperwork done to have the team loaded up with supplies, in that case. However, my more pressing concern is the route and our pre-existing intel.”
Sven couldn’t help but allow a dry smile to spread across his features, raising an amused eyebrow. “Would you be referring to the lack of said intel?”
“In blunt terms, Sir.”
Sven nodded in agreement with his old friend. Mikkel Nystuen was with the Norwegian military, and the pair had served together in the Nordic group before both being reassigned to the Special Region. The Officer was a desk jockey; he’d never once been sent directly to the frontlines but demonstrated a determined ability to help his unit with the gritty tasks of logistics and command. The two men had learned to work effectively with each other, and Sven knew better than to dismiss Mikkel’s concerns. Looking down at the hand-drawn map of the surrounding area of Alnus Hill, Sven couldn’t help but agree with him. A few markings and estimated distances stood out from a sea of empty unknown, what little information the UN had having been pieced together from interviews with cooperative natives and prisoners. Questionable sources at best. Launching a mission this blind into enemy territory went against every rule in the book, but orders were orders.
“It’s the hand that we’ve been dealt, and Command is getting too impatient to play the waiting game.” Sven paused, his eyes scanning over the painfully thing map. “If they stick to the roads then they should make good time and can outrun or outgun any threat that they encounter. The natives with them should be able to assist in negotiations with settlements along the route.”
Mikkel frowned at the comment. “Are you sure that we can trust the natives? I know their expertise could be useful, but I still don’t trust that dwarf as far as I can throw him.” The officer paused for a moment before continuing, a look of doubt flashing across his features. “And the girl is still just a kid. You know that Civil Affairs is going to throw a fit if we send her out on force recon.”
Sven scowled at the thought. His job was hard enough without getting caught between the politics back home and getting his every decision second-guessed by his chief civil liaison. It was worth the risk if it allowed them to get the results that they needed. “Like I said, it’s the hand that we’ve been dealt. And our boys and girls are going to need all the help that they can get.” The Colonel stamped the final orders before handing them to Mikkel. “Have the squad gather in the mess in two hours, I’ll give them the final brief myself.”