KNOCK KNOCK
__________________________________
(Compromised) Weather Overground Safehouse
AxiomFederal States of Euphemie
4/24/2018 - 12 PM EST
Our freedom of speech is freedom or death
We got to fight the powers that be- Public Enemy
"Nala, wake up. We need to get off these streets, right now."
There was a sense of worry in The Shadowdancer[1]'s voice as the hacker quickly stuffed his black duffel bag with as much computer equipment as he possibly could, rousing the young woman from her otherwise peaceful sleep rather quickly. She rubbed her eyes, blocking the sunlight that crept into her room from her eyes as he pulled aside the curtains on the window, then swore loudly. "Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Are you up?!"
Still a bit half asleep, Nala rose from her bed slowly, rubbing her eyes as the man frantically dashed to the door, looking for a quick exit, a weapon — anything that he could use when the time came and the doors came flying off their hinges. "Hm..? Wha..? What's happening?"
"The Feds. They're here. Practically all of 'em," He explained. "Fuckton of 'em are outside. Armored cars and guns and everything." Pausing momentarily to dart back over to the window, he opened up the curtains once more, then swore loudly as he closed them just as quickly "....and they're fucking kicking down the doors to the houses. God fucking damn it.."
Another look out the window, this time by Nala, only solidified how bad the situation in Axiom had actually begun.
Along with Axiom PD MRAPs and armed jeeps, the streets of the suburbs were chock full of Federal Army Meerkat MRAPs, armored HMMTT trucks, and some armored behemoth that the local population had been well familiarized with before, referring to it simply as "The Citdel."[2] The tracked armored personnel carrier essentially was made from a frame very reminiscent of the Federal Army's ubiquitous Mastodon Tank, with the space inside that would regularly used for carrying tank ammunition hollowed out to instead serve as a dedicated troop transport bay. Along with having all of its sides covered up with an ungodly high amount of reactive armor panels and RPG cages, the vehicle boasted what appeared to be a small tower on top of it, with room for 3 heavy machine guns or grenade launchers guns poking out of the raised armored cupola. The vehicle had become notorious among the locals and criminals for being incredibly effective in urban combat, as well as for putting down riots and protests with ease thanks to its nigh invulnerability and imposing appearance.
Nala began to panic just as much as the Shadowdancer had begun to before as the Army rolled through town. Sure enough, Federal troops and cops in strangely militaristic uniforms were on the green lawns of houses, rifles to their sides as several of the city's dark-skinned inhabitants - many of them Basante - were simply dragged out and brought to the street in rows. Initially hesitant at first, Nala threw herself out of the bed and waved her hand towards the attic, gesturing to the hacker. "They're probably here for you, hurry!"
"No shit, they are here for me after that stunt in Lee. And to kill every single Basante in this town."
"Then you need to go-"
"Nah, man. I'm not letting one of those fascist fuckers touch ya. I dare 'em."
"I'm flattered," She huffed as she finally found her backpack and a fresh pair of clothes, closing the door as she quickly threw them on. "But you need to start moving like you have a purpose, man! There's a gun up somewhere in the attic. Some ammo too. Make yourself useful, please!"
"I'll be quick."
Gunshots rang out in the streets once more as Nala, now fully dressed, frantically grabbed whatever she could and stuffed it into her backpack, eventually pulling it onto her back. By then, the hacker had come down from the attic, wielding a DEC-9[3] in one of his hands and a respective magazine in the other. "Alright. You got an escape route?"
"You're not going to like it," Nala sighed.
"I'll take it over getting dragged out in the street and shot up by death squads."
"We'll use the sewers."
"Um, no, I'm not. Have a plan B?"
A knock on the door broke their train of throught as Shadowdancer stuffed the DEC-9 into his coat's pocket. In Euphemie, a knock on the door at this time of day could mean one of two things: a tax collector arriving at your house or a Federal agent with or without a search warrant about to search your home. Usually the latter. Both of them were prepared for anything, anyways, but knowing how wanted both of them were, Nala wasn't taking any chances today.
Her head whipped around to the Shadowdancer, nodding. "Go. Bathroom, now. I'll try to keep them away. Go!"
She made her way downstairs as quickly as she could, but her heart skipped a beat as she came around the stairs, bewildered to see that the door was already open... the lower floor occupied by a Euphemian federal agent and two cops in SWAT [4] gear. Surprisingly, they didn't drag her, a flamboyant Ophircentrist[5] and Basante, out onto the streets and shoot her like they had done the others, nor did they charge into her home without their knowledge and raid whatever they could. They just... let themselves in..?
This made the situation all the more frightening - and uncomfortable - for her. Had they really come here to kill her discreetly or, alternatively, had they just found her out? And what of the Shadowdancer in all this? Did they know he was here? And was he in the bathroom?
"This is the home of..." The agent checked his watch, his eyes invisible behind the opaque onyx shades on his face. "A Miss Nala Obu, correct?"
She nodded. "Do you have a search warrant? That is within my legal rights as a Euphemian citizen, correct? To know why my house is being searched?"
"...Very well, Miss Obu. Your house is being searched because you have been suspected as harboring enemies to the state. A hacker, to be exact. As you may or may not know, that is considered treason, and we all know what happens to traitors to the Euphemian state." Reaching into his front pocket, the agent revealed a small, USB drive-sized object which, when a switch was pulled, revealed a small pen-like device that emitted a blue LED light. "I just need to know whether or not we're searching the right house. Now, I'm going to take your baseline[6] now. If you would be so kind as to look at the blue light then to the right-"
More gunshots rang out in the streets - this time much closer to their house than before. They figured this out when one of the windows by the front door suddenly exploded into a million pieces, showering glass fragments everywhere in the doorway, all the while entered the house tearing through whatever they had been inadvertently fired at. Nala shrieked in terror and dove for cover as the agent turned around just in time to see a large, fast-moving red object fly towards him him before embedding itself into his suit. As more stray shots ripped through the house, one of the federal troops was unfortunately felled by one of the stray bullets, while the other directed his assault rifle towards the staircase at the incoming black object.
The Shadowdancer practically pounced down onto the man and fired, missing once but scoring a direct shot through his neck on the other. Gurgling and choking sounds came from underneath the soldier's balaclava as he stumbled backwards, crumpling down onto a nearby lampshade and ultimately landing on the floor, blood spilling from his neck like a broken pipe.
The hacker stepped over the agent's body, watching the Euphemian MiB weakly turn to see him one last time as he executed him with a mercy shot. "Those weren't Euphie shots, Nala," He panted, holstering the DEC-9. "If they were, we'd be dead."
"Then that means that the New Ophrikans are early! The Day of the Kites has already begun!" She said gleefully, glancing at the razor-sharp kite sticking out of the agent's chest. The Shadowdancer tilted his head, confused as he ran a hand across the front of his black mask. "The what?"
"New Ophrikan supporters are taking razor-sharp kites and remote control drones, cars, you name it, having a field day out here. It's really quite amusing.." She explained, taking the man by the arm and pointing to the outside world. "But enough about that. We're going to Canten, but we need to move, fast. When the New Ophrikans come here, it's going to be a bloodbath.."
"Canten?" He inquired. "Why Canten?" Vague as ever, she sighed frustratingly. "Just come on! Don't worry about it - I'll tell you later!"
Sure enough, the streets outside had devolved into pure, unadulterated warfare pitting Euphemian vs Euphemian, black vs white, rich vs poor, police vs criminal, and everything in between. All the while, the Citadel meandered full speed down the road as it was pelted from all sides with razor-sharp kites from above, pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails from the side, and RC cars strapped with bombs from below, which it shrugged off.. mostly.
Whilst the smoking vehicle barreled down the road at full ferocity, the duo witnessed it plow through protesters, soldiers, and cars alike, along with the hastily put up police barricades. As the rest of the convoy of MRAPs and Technicals sped away from the area, the built-in bollards behind them came up a bit too late, causing the armored behemoth to slam into the solid metal poles, stopping it (or at least slowing its charge down the road.)
On all sides, the vehicle was approached by black people wielding machetes, AK47s, or some other crude improvised weapon, or simply using their bare fists to beat Federal troopers to death. One of them, in particular, managed to clamber to the top of the behemoth's cupola, prying it open with what appeared to be a crowbar. Then, after lighting his pipe bomb, he lobbed the improvised explosive down the hatch, running away as fast as he could from the vehicle. A flash of light erupted from the open hatch as the vehicle suddenly stopped, the ammo reserves inside of the flaming vehicle crackling and exploding as more people pelleted it with rocks, Molotovs, and bombs.
"Sucks to be whoever's in there," Nala noted, before the two continued down the street. All the while, the hacker kept his head low, lest a Federal trooper spot him out and prioritize him over everyone else.
"I thought we were trying to get off the streets, Nala.."
"We have... sort of - our man's already here!" the young woman pointed to a convoy of red jeeps, motorcycles, and ATVs incoming from the road that flew green, red, and black flags: the colors of the Republic of New Ophir. Undoubtedly, these were the RNO folk that she had mentioned earlier. The red jeeps approached them, then screeched to a halt as some 7 foot tall titan of a man stepped off one of them, approaching the two slowly. A rather large RPD with a sawed off barrel and improvised machete bayonet was slung on his shoulder as he eyed the two, specifically the hacker with the all black on and with practically no skin visible.
"Play it cool," She whispered to Shadowdancer as the RNO guerrillas approached. "Hopefully they'll be willing to help us get to Canten."
"I hope so," the Shadowdancer quipped quietly. "I want to get there as well, preferably not in a body bag."
The giant approached them, his accomplices still staring downrange, concerned with the ensuing clash between Euphemians. "Who is this?" He asked the woman in surprisingly fluent Euphemian, though with a very thick Basante dialect, making it sound like he said "Whodees?" instead.
"This is a friend, Jakku. His name is the Shadowdancer."
"Why are you friends with a white man, Nala?" The RNO fighter seemed confused, yet oddly intrigued by the man, who tilted his head in confusion. "Hey, I'm biracia-"
"Don't worry about him, Nwanna[7]. He's a friend to the cause, a man from Weather Overground."
"...A friend from Weather Overground is a friend to Jakku Nderi," the giant of a man nodded. "Although, I wonder why dey would employ the services of a white man like you. I respect your work nonetheless."
"Likewise, but we don't got any time left for friendly chatter. Feds are gonna raze this place to the ground soon, and they're gonna be comin' in full force," The Shadowdancer said. "We need to be out of here ASAP. The highways are going to be fucked, so... y'all know any back routes?"
The band of RNO boys looked to one another, laughed, then returned to the group. "The highway is no-go, Enyi[8]! We shall go out where we came from, the main road, but there are several problems for your exit -" From atop their elevated position, the other end of the hilly city of Axiom could be seen, in flames. Federal Army roadblocks covered nearly every conceivable route in and out of the city, whilst sparse or isolated firefights erupted all throughout the city at random.
The Shadowdancer let out a nervous sigh, hands on the top of his baseball cap-wearing head. "Fuck me in half - we gotta ride through that?"
"No. You do," Jakku said, giving the man a reassuring pat on his shoulder. "We are here to fight them, you are here to drive."
"Drive?" The hacker seemed very confused at this point. "Drive where?"
"To Canten, you dunce!" Nala called to him, already inside one the passenger seat of the armored red jeeps that the New Ophir guerrillas had come in with.
Fuck... He swore in his head. Why does everyone want to go to Canten? It couldn't be seen behind his mask, but the hacker's mouth was agape. He scoffed. "You want me to drive through that?" The hacker reluctantly climbed into the driver's seat, promptly blasting away from the New Oprhikan guerrillas behind him. "Hell to the fuck no, Nala. I'd rather take the outside road and hit up those barricades."
"Yeah yeah, trust your gut, go on, get us killed, man," Nala sighed, holding on for dear life as the hacker gunned it down the road, treating the rather large and unwieldy off road vehicle with the precision of a sporting yacht as he maneuvered down the debris and body-covered roads of Axiom.
The city had, indeed, fallen into anarchy. A quick check from the radio and tune-in to ENBC had quickly revealed that the city's notoriously racist police chief, Bull O'Donnell, had been hung in the square by RNO militants, whilst hundreds of razor-sharp kites, RC car bombs and drones unleashed upon the city caused their own little chaos, in a day that the news had since dubbed "The Day of the RC Cars." All the while, Federal and RNO forces battled throughout the streets, with the favor of the battle falling more along the latter than the former, especially considering the large reinforcements that the two had just seen in the form of Jakku Nderi and his boys.
Nala and Shadowdancer, unfortunately, had to deal with the prospects of trying to get out of the city in the middle of all this. Knowing how many Federal troops and RNO guerrillas were coming in, this was turning out to be a very difficult task for the two of them. Luckily for them, Nala knew her way around the city well enough to be a decent form of navigation, and the Shadowdancer had turned up the radio, bringing a little light into their rather dire situation. Still holding on for dear life, she kept her eyes to the front, eyeing the street ahead of her. "This is Caldwell St., take a right... now."
The driver complied, pulling off a very tight turn that, had they not turned in time, would've ended with them being T-boned by a reversing Mastodon. "Nice navigation skills, Nala. You a rally navigator?"
She made no response. "Keep straight... make a right-"
Said right turn made them face right into the tank from earlier... whose barrel was now pointed exactly at them. "OH FUCK! BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK!"
The smaller and more nimble jeep was already out of range as the tank fired, inadvertently annihilating another car with a Depleted Uranium Sabot that had their name on it. The tank quickly backed out of the space in pursuit of them, its barrel quickly rotating to track them, but another left turn with the jeep and a right turn later, and they were back on the main city streets, driving through ongoing battles and crossfire towards the northern main road out of the city.
"Down here!" She practically screamed at him, and he practically threw the truck down to the lower levels of the city, taking them into the graffiti-colored and oddly quiet Grog Tunnel [9].
As he turned down the radio's volume, she suddenly swore loudly, placing her hands on her head. "What happened?" The Shadowdancer asked.
"Ah, shit. I made a mistake. We weren't supposed to go down here," Nala cursed loudly, but the hacker looked at her like she was psycho. "Huh? This leads directly outside of the city.. right?"
"Yeah.. but we're going to have to pull off a sneaky if we want to get past those roadlbocks. Fuck."
"Don't worry about it, I'll find a way." The hacker nodded his head, reaching into his coat pocket and placing the DEC-9 to Nala's side. "Here. Make yourself useful. Driving stick is hard enough with one hand," He echoed her previous quip, to which she sighed, taking the weapon and placing it on her lap. "Thank you."
"No problem... heh, this is the only place there's no fighting, huh?" The Shadowdancer laughed awkwardly, trying to break the silence as best he could. "Times like these, I wish we had people like Bianka of Ophir down here.."
Nala was silent for a good 10 seconds. "..You know, we are meeting her."
"What?"
"Sigil has been our eyes and ears with the Turmenistanian and Valefontene spooks," She explained. "And apparently, they're sending people over. Two, to be exact. One of them is her, the other? A complete ghost, wiped off the records. Nobody knows who he really is. Not even the Turmie spooks."
"Sounds like my kind of guy. When are they getting here?"
That's when she paused for an uncomfortably long amount of time. "I... don't know. Hopefully soon. Hopefully."
"This revolution don't got time for soon, Nala," The hacker sighed. "Sometimes, hoping for change ain't enough. Sometimes, things need to be done yourself."
Before she had a chance to respond, she found her hand tightly grasping the grip to the DEC-9 as they sped down the underground road at dangerously high speeds. Eventually coming out of the tunnel, they saw the roadblock ahead, slowed down slightly, then sped up as the Shadowdancer floored the jeep.
He only turned the volume up to the song on the radio slightly, trying to get his mind off the dangerous predicament at hand. "The fuck are you doing?!" She shouted at the man.
"Just tell me where to go. I'm going through..." He held on as the truck smashed through soldier and barricade alike, then winced as bullets bounced off the makeshift reinforced plating lining the sides of the jeep. "See? We're through. Easy like that. Now.. tell me where to go!"
"Uh.... fuck! Left, NOW!"
The jeep turned to the left, then to the right after Nala shouted at Shadowdancer to turn once more. "Keep down this straight, pass three stop lights then make a hard turn to the right."
"Got it.."
"Then... yes! Get down to the Edmond Potter tunnel[10]. That should take us out of here.."
The Mastodon had returned - this time gunning it down the road towards a captured New Ophrikan APC that rode alongside them for a moment. The recoilless rifle atop the APC fired first as the tank suddenly slowed down, a gaping, smoking hole right in its frontal armor. The jeep quickly weaved through both of the armored giants before another explosion went off behind them. The tank's treads tore out from beneath it as some improvised explosive was set off. Following this, RNO guerrilla and civilians alike clambered to the top of the tank like ants, and it soon fell under the same fate as the Citadel had done before. But, the jeep was already out of there. The path down to the Edmond Potter tunnel was clear, and as they passed through the tunnel, the deafening crackle and pop of gunfire and explosion around them gradually faded away to low thwoomps and rumbles.
They had successfully escaped, but only just barely. While the RNO and Federal troops duked it out in the streets of the city, they had their sights set elsewhere: a minor, outlining highway near the border of the Wild Lands north of Euphemie, originally intended to be used by the military during the 50s as a quick evacuation route out of any major cities, though with the current state Axiom was in and unpopularity of the road thanks to its proximity to the perils of the jungle, they'd be experiencing smooth sailing all the way to Canten.
Nala sighed, setting the DEC-9 down on the dashboard. "I didn't even have to fire it once today," she huffed, relieved that the chaos of the city was far, far behind them. Canten wasn't too different from Axiom, though. It was smaller, much more local, but had a massive Weather Overground presence. In secret, of course. This meant that there were very few safe houses in Canten that the Feds hadn't found - only one, to be exact. But, admittedly the cons of living in Canten outweighed that of staying in Axiom.
The other reason that they were inbound to the city was simple: it was home to the ENBC headquarters, the largest news and radio company in Euphemie. This meant the city had a big radio station that could potentially be used to broadcast inspiring messages throughout the entirety of Euphemie, provided that Nala was on the air and Shadowdancer was behind the board. But, in order to get in, they needed help. A lot of help, which was why the alleged arrival of Bianka the Liberator and their second mystery man was all the more important not just to their cause, but to the oppressed peoples of Euphemie altogether...
Thankfully, they had a good hour or so on the road before they would arrive in Canten. From there, they could finally sit down for some good Rest and Relaxation, and figure out how, from where, and, most importantly, when she would come to help them. But it was during the ride away from the burning city of Axiom that Nala then understood why the Shadowdancer had said that the Revolution "didn't have time for 'soon,'" and that "hoping wasn't enough." With the fall of Axiom, and how strong the ensuing response was, she quickly realized that they were out of time. It was true - the revolution, indeed didn't have any time left to spare or "soon" as an answer.
There truly was no time left for the New Ophrikans, nowhere else for Weather Overground to hide, no conceivable end to the infighting that plagued Euphemie, and nowhere to run but towards the revolution. If they wanted change, then simply hoping for it wouldn't help anything. Because if they kept up this streak, the Basante effectively would be wiped out, and her cause would be all for nothing.
He was right, after all. What they needed now was a miracle, and the impending arrival of Bianka seemed to be that miracle.
"When we get to Canten," Nala began suddenly, reaching into her backpack and pulling out a notebook. "I need you to help me and Sigil contact these organizations and people."
"Alrighty. Show me." Hands still on the wheel, he took a glance at her rather lengthy - and worryingly colorful - list of individuals...
"Oh."
- Imalakian Organization of Popular Liberation (IOPL): Paul Monroe
- RNO: General Osas Mdengi Dwengo
- Ophirica - Sister Alexis Nyongo
- Aurentologists - Dr. Sigmund Revere
- Freetown, Mayor John "Cap'n" Freeman
"Look..." The hacker set the list to the side as he slowly turned up the radio. "Let me just focus on driving.. then we can figure out about working out contacting these guys, eh?"
As he did so, she nodded slowly, leaning back in her seat as she shut her eyes. Volume to the radio up ever so slightly, he turned the tuning nob, eventually settling upon a 77.7 FM[11]. Apparently, a new, lengthy rant from host KNOKBAK was inbound, and with a new rant, this meant new songs...
/// [CIV] - [77.7 RADIO FREE OPHIR] - /// - "Honestly, guys I don't give a fuck anymore. I started telling people that the FSE was corrupted from the inside YEARS ago. Told people "don't post your pictures on Squawkr! It's literally called "Squawkr", people! The Feds see whatever you put there, ya dunces! I told people that the government lied about 6/6/06[12], and it was a guise to introduce deep fascism via the Patriot Act, and to introduce the ISA to police the sheep and herd them. I told people to stop giving up their rights for security and that the terror angle was a scam, hyped up by the media, controlled by people like Emiliani, Bates, and Buffel[13]. Told people to not trust the "free" DVR/cable boxes, Smart TVs, and all the constant computer "updates". I told people to stop allowing them to privatize the prison system and that it was unconstitutional to force blood samples when people were arrested, that they couldn't be trusted, and they'd do terrible shit if given the power to do so. That both the Labor Party and Conservative Party were infested with a disease, a disease hellbent on destroying personal liberty. I told them that there would eventually be Revolution and Civil War if they continued to allow freedom to be destroyed and people to be oppressed, one brick at a time, piece by piece until it was gone.
I was laughed at. Mocked. Ridiculed. Called a "tin-foil hat wearing lunatic" and a "crazy dude", by almost every person, even my family, who I told the truth to. I started telling people the truth in 2003. As things got worse, and more and more evidence came out, I insisted they try and listen, to put their partisanship aside and just fucking listen and open their eyes. Nope. Nobody wanted to hear it. "Fern this" and "Minton that".. nonstop. Like a bunch of fucking sheep.
I left Euphemie in 2013. I'm glad I did - I'll probably never go back. I love my country and I sure as hell love Turmenista, but I cannot stand the stupid fucking brainwashed herd of cattle that graze there. Excuse my language, folks, but to all those Euphemians who insist on staying in that failed state: you all are fucked. Big time. You sowed these seeds yourself with your goddamn stupidity and stubbornness. You should have listened. I wasn't the only one speaking out. Now, you're just fucked. Completely and totally fucked. I'm sorry. It breaks my heart and honestly crushes me. I've never wanted to be wrong as much in my whole lifetime on this planet, but you're fucked.
With that out of the way, lets take a damn music break. 77.7 FM, RADIO FREE OPHIR, hitting you live from Biko with a new song from viral Turmenistanian Ophirbeat artist PNGMAFIA... This one goes out to all those in hard times, or you poor sods still trapped in Euphemie. From my heart to yours, stick in there. Things are gonna get better. Here's "The 27 Club," by PNGMAFIA..."
CONTEXT NOTES
[1]: The pseudonym used by Thomas Bradley, an enigmatic hacker and ex-CDI agent who defected and quickly joined the Weather Overground cause during its brooding days. He's been on the run ever since and commonly found himself working alongside Nala Obu, the figurehead behind the Basante Sunrise movement.
[2]: A massive armored vehicle made from a modified Mastodon chassis, serving as a heavy armored personnel carrier and fire support vehicle that is commonly used by the Federal Army in suppression of riots, urban combat, or mine disposal. It features a "doghouse," an armored tower-like cupola with three ports capable of mounting dazzling lasers, grenade launchers, tear gas launchers, or heavy machine guns.
[3]: The DecAtur DEC-9 is a blowback-operated semi-automatic pistol. It was developed by DecAtur, a civilian subsidiary of the Euphemian firearms manufacturer Interdynamics ES. Introduced in 1985, the DEC-9 was made of inexpensive molded polymers and a mixture of stamped and milled steel parts, and the simple design of the gun made it easy to repair and modify. The DEC-9 developed a negative reputation for its association with organized crime and mass shootings in the 90s, and was even considered for a ban by the Bureau of Lasers and Firearms (BLF). However, it was a commercial success, and over 250,000 copies were produced until DecAtur dissolved in 2001. Still, it remains easily accessible on the market, and black market modifications such as stocks and fully automatic conversions are available... for a price.
[4]: Special Weapons and Tactics, a section of most Euphemian Police Departments dealing with hostage rescue, escort jobs, and anti-terrorism operations.
[5]: Ophircentrism (also Ophircentricity) is a cultural ideology or worldview that focuses on the history of people of Ophiric descent. It is a response to global attitudes about Ophiric people and their historical contributions; it revisits their history with an Ophiric cultural and ideological focus. Ophircentricity deals primarily with self-determination and Ophiric agency and is a Pan-Ophiric ideology in culture, philosophy, and history. Some Ophircentrics often broadcast their ideology through music, clothing, or, in Nala's case, hairstyle.
[6]: A common test that most intelligence and police agencies use in Euphemie, which can accurately tell if a person is lying to a nominally high degree of success.
[7]: Basante for "brother"; in this context, it means brother in an affectionate way, not as actual family.
[8]: Basante for "friend."
[9]: The The Grog Street Tunnel, or simply Grog Tunnel, is a tunnel in Axiom widely-known for its street art. The tunnel links the Cabbagetown and Woodruff Park neighborhoods, but, due to its shady nature, it is often passed on by motorists. Nonetheless, It is very popular among cyclists, and is proposed to be used as part of the BeltLine, for bicyclists and pedestrians to use in the city. One notable historical event which took place in the tunnel was the boycott to a masquerade which was a private and ticket-only event sanctioned by the city government. In response, hundreds of protesters and graffiti artists gathered to paint over all of the art with gray spray paint, rendering the tunnel art-less for the masquerade.
[10]: Another underground tunnel, this time running through the Tooleridoo Mountains (West Hills) of Axiom. A total of 605 meters in length, the tunnels were built with ventilation shafts and sophisticated electrical wiring, so as to improve tunnel illumination without marring the tunnels' appearance with visible conduit. They are well known for their dull, warm orange light, which burns all day, every day in the dark tunnels.
It gets its name from Mayor Edmond Potter, one of the great conservative mayors of Axiom who was incredibly popular during his time (and notorious for his incredibly racist policies). So many lynchings took place in the tunnel and on its entrance that the tunnel was dubbed "Lynchemall Tunnel" for a few years until Federal Police began cracking down on crime in the area. It still carries an ominous vibe to this day.
[11]: 77.7 FM is a radio station centered in Biko, Turmenista. It is very well known for its unadulterated, R-rated commentary and hilarious banter between the hosts, KNOKBAK and SIDEBOY. Both are retired Ophirbeat rappers who often go on very long and very angry tangents about politics, especially related to Turmenista's neighboring countries. KNOKBAK in particular is a Euphemian-born Basante, who immigrated to Turmenista and gained citizenship there, with many of his songs being about the oppression and violence seen in his home country.
[12]: 6/6/06 was an infamous date in Euphemian History, in which Aurentologist cultists, enraged at the lack of transparency regarding the Euphemian government's atmospheric testing program and air force, hijacked a passenger plane and flew it into the "WORLD PEACE" tower on 1488 MDE Street in Torch City. The tower, seemingly impervious to even the toughest of storms, subsequently collapsed in on itself. Although it was since rebuilt taller and stronger, many conspiracy theorists feel that the Aurentologist attacks was actually a false flag attack in order to provide a new motive to increase spending and support for the Federal Military, or to frame the Aurentologists and provoke Euphemie into another conflict. Either way, nobody truly knows how the towers went down...
[13]: Emiliani, Bates, and Buffel are the last names of men, all coincidentally with the first name of Julian. These Euphemian men are very well known not just in Euphemie, but in the rest of Ophir and Ausozera in general for their clout, chiseled chins, and intelligence. Many conspiracy theorists believe them to be aliens with a sort of "invisible hand" controlling the Euphemian and online crypto-currency economies. But these are only theories... right?
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YGARTHA
Valefontene Democratic Republic
C
Col. Chet Bo Nin
SC-44 is an old Tangaliroan pistol that can be dated back to late World War 2 era, it's reliable design allowed it to remain in use for many years to come through upgrades and design improvements. Even after the introduction of newer designs like SC-88, it is still widely-available in reserve units and law enforcement. While Tangaliro itself prohibits civilian firearms, the design is known to be exported for civilian or law enforcement use in other countries.
SC-88 (Shou'Chong - 1988 | 88式战术手铳) - The replacement for the reliable but aging FC-44 pistol, developed and manufactured by the Kunlun Fine Machinery Company (昆仑精细机械公司) under the SINATINco. (Sinican National Industrial Corporation | 华夏国民工业集团).
IAW-04 (Individual Assault Weapon - 2004 | 04式个人突击武器) - A PDW developed and manufactured by the Beiyang Arsenal (北洋兵工厂) under the SINATINco. (Sinican National Industrial Corporation | 华夏国民工业集团). Mainly supplied to TNA Spec Ops or ISB units.
STAW-08 (Silenced Tactical Assault Weapon - 2012 | 12式微声战术突击武器) - A silenced SMG developed and manufactured by the Beiyang Arsenal (北洋兵工厂) under the SINATINco. (Sinican National Industrial Corporation | 华夏国民工业集团). A further shrinked down version of DC-02 short assault rifle. Mainly supplied to the TNA and ISB.
