Riots in Centralis

[GeneralTacticus]

"So... has anything changed since before?"

Arrayende yawned and stretched; the Executive Council was back in his office, much refreshed by six hours of sleep, and the deadline for the dispersal of the rioters was fast approaching.

"Not much, Mr. President. The riots are continuing as before, the financial markets are continuing to panic, etc. However, there does appear to have been an upsurge of itnernational interest in the crisis..."

At this point Andreas Von Weiser, the Foreign Minister, pulled a folder from his briefcase and tossed it across the table to Arrayende, who spread its contents out on the table and read through them carefully.

"Hmmm... so, Jackson is offering us any help that we require to stabilize matters, are they? That should be helpful..."

"That's not all they're doing, sir. The latest satellite imagery indicates that they're moving several carrier battlegroups into our territorial waters, and that they're also moving forces toward Sheepsta. I don't know if either of these actions are related to this or one another, but I'd be willing to bet they are."

"Let's concentrate on the situation here for now. Given the situation, I don't think we have any choice - we've got to move in force against the rioters. Angelique, call the army and have them start deploying troops into the streets. Have them stand by for further orders as to whe to take action. Sebron, have public loudspeakers broadcast to the rioters that if they don't disperse by sunset, extreme measures will be taken. Maybe we'll be able to solve this without blood-"

He was cut off by a tone from the internal government phone network. He frowned and lifted the phone.

"This is the President. What is it?"

"Mr. President, I have an envoy from Alecrast here to see you. Shall I send him up?"

"Yes, do."

"He's on his way, sir."

Arrayende put the phone down again and started drumming his fingers on the table.

He looked up as the door hissed open, revealing the Alecrastian envoy and honour guard. Gesturing for the Alecrastians to sit down at the table, he waited to hear what they had to say...

[Sheep]

Lord Protector Sheep Leo II of the Sheepstan Holy Empire calls for the riots end.

He futhermore calls the Assimilation Copr a worthless piece of **** and aks for help in what can only be called an attempt to stop this massed organisation in its attempts to gain world control for machines.

Our ally in the Black Pitt of Charr, a hotspot for Assimilation, The Confederacy of New Sheepmania was apporached for membership to the Corp. The asking price, the nations nuclear arms, and the chemical neutring of the entire populace to allow the gradual take over of the robotic hordes.

[Squeblish Nef?]

Originally posted by Sheep
Our ally in the Black Pitt of Charr, a hotspot for Assimilation, The Confederacy of New Sheepmania was apporached for membership to the Corp. The asking price, the nations nuclear arms, and the chemical neutring of the entire populace to allow the gradual take over of the robotic hordes.

[Aftanun bursts into uncontrollable giggles.]
"The man's a nutter! Imagine putting somebody like that in charge of anything!"
[Aethnorl raises a flea-bitten eyebrow, giving Aftanun an amused glance.]
"Whatever you say, my lord..."
"But, seriously, Aeths, that's a surefire pretext for war, if a shaky one. I don't see why he chose robots, though."
"Mph. Probably makes good press. I didn't remember the Pharaoh saying anything about neutering, though. I also noticed that he declined to include anything about the arms factories."
"Dunno. Maybe he forgot. One thing's certain, though. That little f$#ker can't spell!"

[Squeblish Nef?]

The Assimilation Corp Administrative Board strongly advises Lord Protector Sheep Leo II to procreate with a mammal of the genus bovidae.
We view these malicious allegations as a pretext for a possible nuclear conflict.
We, therefore, challenge Lord Protector Sheep Leo II to produce substantial evidence (i.e. the telegram), in two days' time, or risk having a large tactical nuclear device inserted into your rectum.
-High Prince Aftanun, ACAB Public Relations Spokesman

[Urban Ranger]

Noosland advices against such rash, unwarranted, talks of using nuclear devices. Most countries in this Region will certainly move against any regimes that are demonstrably irresponsible.

[Squeblish Nef?]

"Irresponsible? What's irresponsible about giving somebody a good nuking?"
[Aethnorl sighs and scratches his half-eaten ear.]
"Well, my lord, some people just aren't very..."
"Silence! I didn't want your opinion! I just want a formal apology. The only reason I put that nuke stuff in was because of those Sheepy missiles that we always get threatened with."
"I suppose you do have a point..."

[GeneralTacticus]

OOC: It would be much appreciated if Archaic could do something about his end of the Alecrast/Centralis diplomatic interaction...

[Archaic]

[OOC] Sorry, had an assignment to hand in today. Chat with me over MSN and we'll sort it out.

[GeneralTacticus]

The head of the Alecrastians delegation spoke first.

"Greetings Mr. President. My name is Yamamoto Shinji. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise to you, Mr. Shinji," Arrayende replied, "I presume you must have something important to say to be travelling here in this dark hour?"

"But of course. Though, I must admit, I hadn't expected to be given an audience so quickly with all the red tape I heard I'd have to go through."

"A privilege of representing an important ally." A slight grin flitted across Arrayende's face.

"I suppose it must be. My thanks for expediting the process."

"You're welcome. Now let's get to the point: what does Alecrast wish to tell us?"

"Well, I suppose that would depend entirely on what you intend to do with the current situation in your country, Mr. President. Alecrast has heard rumours that you intend to instate martial law."

Arrayende sat in shocked silence for a few heartbeats, absorbing this new information. Nobody outside the Executive Council and a few senior Press, Police and military leaders had been informed of the full extent of the plans, and even the troops hadn't been informed when the Alecrastians must have been on their way. Regaining his composure, he replied.

"I won't ask how you came by that information. Suffice to say that we do intend to, and when we do, we're going to mean it. These riots have gone on for far too long already, and there can be no addressing of their social roots until a modicum of order has been restored."

"Given what I've seen just after arriving here, I couldn't agree more. It surprises me actually that you held off for so long."

"At first, we expected the riots to die down fairly soon, so we avoided doing anything that might inflame the situation. Now however, all we've seen is economic chaos and the intensification of violence, and we've decided that it's time to end it."

Shinji frowned.

"I see."

"Anyway, the martial law decree will be coming into effect in about..." Arrayende checked his watch, "12 minutes. The troops are moving out already, and public loudspeakers are broadcasting a final warning to the rioters. Anybody who fails to leave the streets before martial law comes into effect will be removed by any means necessary."

Shinji's frown deepened.

"And what do you expect will be the result? Your citizens are about as stubborn as ours are. Won't they resist?"

"Possibly, although the smarter ones will probably recognize that the game is up...

"If they resist, however, they will be removed, as I said, by any means necessary, and I do mean any means. This has gone on too damn long."

Shinji sat still, then nodded slowly.

"I see... Well, for all our sakes, I hope there isn't any real level of resistance to these measures. None of us can really afford to risk anything like what happened in Wine happening here."

"Yes, I quite agree. If the riots continued, though, Wine would seem like a picnic."

"Still though...do these people have some legitimate grievances?"

"Yes, they do have some legitimate grievances, which we're trying to address, but there's not a huge amount we can do when the country is in chaos and business is panicking."

Shinji nodded again.

"Very true. If only we all had as perfect foresight as we do hindsight, perhaps this might have been avoided. Still, no use crying over spilt milk. Alecrast would like to help you in fixing up these problems, if we can, though I'm afraid we can't spare any forces at this point in time to smother the riots."

"Indeed, and your offer of help is appreciated, although more than anything else, what's needed is not aid, but reform. I believe Professor Linnemann gave a fairly good outline of the problem on the ABC a few days ago..."

"Yes, I've already watched a tape of the broadcast. And yes, you're quite right, reform is needed for long-term stability. However...perhaps we may be able to give you some aid to apply a short term "band aid" if you will to the problem, to at least let you get those reforms through. For instance, helping you to restore some confidence in those financial markets."

Arrayende gave a small smile.

"That would be much appreciated, Mr. Shinji. Any strings attached, or do we get special treatment?"

Several members of the council chuckled briefly.

"No, no real strings attached, other than a public promise from you to your people and to the rest of the Marmo Bloc that you'll restore the status quo in political freedoms as soon as the crisis is over."

"Oh yes," Arrayende responded, "that's quite an east promise to make - the martial law decree won't be maintained any longer than necessary. It's currently timed to expire 24 hours after coming into force, absent an extension order from this Council."

Shinji smiled broadly.

"That's excellent news Mr. President. I'm glad to hear it. Some elements had feared you might become another Bulbagarden."

"Well, I'm happy to say that you have little cause for concern, although I'm not entirely familiar with the history of Bulbagarden... can you fill me in?"

"Essentially.... they faced a similar situation to the one Centralis is currently in, and shortly after they declared Martial Law, after it was not immediately repealed following the reforms, several rebel factions sprung up, the two most prominent being the "Flamers" and "Spammers". They numbered a full 5% of the population, and it was a slaughter. Those who weren't killed in open battle were often executed right out on the streets after having been dragged from their homes, with any trials conducted always being held behind closed doors in the Admin's Forum."

"Sounds unpleasant. No wonder you don't want to see that happen here, and neither do I, for that matter..."

"And nor would any of our allies. I wouldn't put it past nations like Sheepsta to try and take advantage of any such situation if it brewed up. Thankfully, with the Jacksons moving in, that should be unlikely."

"Indeed... anyway, I'm afraid the countdown to martial law will be reaching zero in a few minutes, and we'll all be very busy trying to co-ordinate the situation, so this meeting will have to end here. You can hang around if you like, or go back to Alecrast to report to the Monarch, whichever you prefer."

"I can report to the Monarch from here. Do you have a room I could borrow with a connection to the Internet?

"Certainly. Here has a connection, but it will be rather busy... the room next door should be equally adequate. I don't imagine you'll need anyone to guide you there."

There was some more soft laughter at that.

"Indeed. Thank you for your time and hospitality Mr. President. Could you perhaps recommend a good hotel in the city?"

"I would, but a number of them have been attacked by rioters and you might have trouble getting there anyway. I'd advise you to ask for accommodations in the Foreign Affairs ministry - they have plenty for situations like this."

"All things considered, I'd prefer to not stay in a government building if at all possible. I'm sure you understand. I suppose the Alecrast embassy should have enough accommodation anyway. It was good talking to you sir."

"If you prefer. It's been good talking to-"

Arrayende was cut off by an automated voice over the intercom.

"ONE MINUTE UNTIL MARTIAL LAW COMES INTO EFFECT"

"Well, I really must terminate this meeting now, Mr. Shinji. I expect things to get rather heated in here, very soon."

"As do I. Good luck to you Mr. President."

"Thank you, Mr. Shinji. Tell your government that their offers of support are much appreciated, and that I hope that I will next be speaking to them in brighter times."

The Alecrastian envoy nodded.

"I will." The meeting over, he and the rest of the delegation stood, bowed, and left the office, hurrying off to deliver a report to their Monarch.

Arrayende watched them go, then his attention snapped back to his advisors.

"Right, everybody, get moving. That took longer than I expected, so we'll need to move fast to keep the situation under control. Angelique, I want a direct line from this office to the Press Department and every major military and police unit involved in this. Weiser, keep me posted on all foreign news even rmeotely connected to this. Everybody else... you know your jobs. Get cracking."

The rest of the council nodded and scurried about to do their assigned tasks, while Arrayende stared at the countdown as it inexorably approached zero.

0:31
0:30
0:29
. . .

He pushed the last of his doubts out of his mind.

I can't go back now, it's too late, it would ruin everything...'

[Archaic]

Closing the door swiftly behind him, Shinji quickly pulled out a PDA like object from the pocket of his jacket, pulling the earpiece up to his ear as a counter ticked in the corner of the screen.

iser, keep me posted on all foreign news even rmeotely connected to this. Everybody else... you know your jobs. Get cracking.

"Most humble apologies President-san, but Alecrast cannot risk this situation getting too out of control."

Making a few final checks on his equipment to make sure the recording would continue uninterrupted, he swiftly typed up a short report, sending it directly to the Ministry in a single burst, encoded in a protocal that the Centralis agencies already had access to. Nothing was to appear amiss.

Satisfied, he left the room as swiftly as he entered, hurrying down the hall to the transport and the relative safety of the Alecrast embassy.

[Jack_www]

Jackson News Service:
This just in. The nation of Centrail has just declared Marshall Law in effort to crack down on rioters that have been rioting for the past few days in protest to government polocies. We also have word that the president is about to adress the nation on the crisis in Central and what Jackson is going to do. For days administration officals have been hinting at the fact that Jackson troops may be called apon to act as peacekeepers. We have also had word that Jackson naval forces have moved closer to Centrails in recent days as well. We have just gotten word, the President is about to speak.

Image now changes to the President of Jackson sitting at his dest with the symbol of the president in veiw and the flag of Jackson in the backround.

"Hello fellow Jacksons, I am addressing the nation tonight in regards of the ongoing Crisis in Centrails. As you know that nation has been pleged with riots for days now. Some though may wonder what does this have to do with the nation of Jackson and what bussiness it is for us to get involve in such matters. Well there are serval reason. As you all know many nations in recent times have turn communist, a case in point is the just ended Wine civil war were a communist country was formed out of Wine. Many of these countries wish to destroy our way of life and replace it with the communist way, but I am here to tell you that as President of Jackson I will do everything with in my power to stop such a thing from happening.

We have recieved intelligence that the communist factions within Centrails are using the riots to futher their cause and have asked other communist nations, amoung them the nation of Sheepsta to give them arms and to fund their rebellion. There for to prevent the the nation of Centrails, which is friends with Jackson, from turning into yet anther communist state I have taken action. The first is to issue new policy that the nation of Jackson will follow from now on, that we will prevent the futher spread of communism in the Region of Apolyton. We of course will use various means, not just the use of millitary force. In the case of Centrail this is what we have done. First we are now enforcing a blockade of Sheepsta. All ships containing weapons will be turn back towards sheepsta. Also we have postion naval forces in Centrail waters to do the same, to prevent arms intended for the communist rebels from entering the country. Second we have asked the Centrail government what aid they need in stoping the riots and putting down the communist rebellion. This aid will come in the from of humanitrian and millitary aid, as well as the landing of Jackson troops to act as peace keepers if Centrail accepts. I believe that by the nation of Jackson taking these threat and it will protect our nation security and keep the people of Centrails free.

In the coming days we will be giving more information as to what actions we are taking and why, but rest assured that I will make sure that the nation of Jackson remains safe. Thank you and good night."

[Kuebec]

*Letter from Foriegn Minister of Kuebec to the public of
In our small newly created nation, of Kuebec, news of the riots, finally reaches the ears of the people, upon set up of a new National Television Broadcast System. The first television station KNTV, is Spartan, to say the least, and is seeking international monetary support. Here is a transcript of the first two 10 minute television broadcast:

*Intro Music Play*

Anchor: Hello, this is Maria Cunad of KNTV, the voice of Kuebec.
Today in world events...
In the nation of Centralis riot have continued for several days, the bloated, capitalist government, is facing much opposition from the unreliable, and unpredictable Communist Party in that reigon. The International community seems split on this issue. We have also recieved new information that Centralis will enforce Martial Law to retain stablility. No word of the reaction of the government of Kuebec.
Looks like we are out of time for today, but we will see you tomorrow on Kuebec's only news station KNTV.

*End of First Show*

*Intro Music Plays*

Anchor: Hello, this is Maria Cunad for KNTV, the voice of Kuebec. The longest running news channel in Kuebec, and also the newest! Kuebec citizens upon hearing the possibility of Martial law in Centralis, gathered outside the Kuebec National Capital, Muntral, to get an anwser from the Interim Leader of the nation Jacques Kaugh.
After many hours of waiting Mr. Kaugh made this statement:

"Hello, May Justice And Peace proceed in our nation." started the National figurehead, quoting the first constitution of Kuebec. "Kuebec is prepared to do all we can to help the situation, and are ready to dispatch our well-trained diplomatic advisors... However we are not sure which position we will take. The current government of Centralis, is unbearably overgrown, and would obviously rather stay in office, and murder their own people, than take the risk of changing government policy. However the rioting Communists, have shown irreconcilable immaturity, by propagandizing, and being incrediably violent, It seems all Kuebec can do is wait for a more developed nation to step to the forefront to peacefully solve the crisis , and we will follow them!"

*End of Brodcast

[Mr. President]

Defense Department, Karakas

"It's begun."

The Chiefs of Staff had been waiting eagerly as the countdown to martial law in Centralis proceeded. Now that the clock had reached zero, the feeling was not of relief but of greater tension. Once soldiers hit the streets and shooting started, anything could – and often did – happen.

“The President will want the plan.” General Myers picked up the phone and hit “President” on the autodial.

“Nurhaliza here.”

“Madam President,” the general said. “The clock just reached zero. Have you made your announcement yet?”

“Not yet,” the President replied. “The news crew is on its way in. What progress have you made on the plans?”

The Chiefs of Staff had been asked to prepare a plan to invade and occupy key areas of Centralis and evacuate Karakasian interests in the worst-case situation. The request was above top secret, and completely unofficial. Never before had Karakas’ military establishment been requested to devise attack plans against allied territory.

“The cost,” the President had said, “in the worst-case scenario, of not being prepared will outweigh the cost of smashing our way into a friendly country.”

And so the Chiefs of Staff had spent three days preparing contingency plans for every situation: What if the Centralis Military Command was co-opted by rebels? What if strategic nuclear resources were stolen? What if the rebels started a wave of terrorism on the airlines of Centralian allies?

Myers had the answer. “We will be ready.” He hesitated. “I hope we never need these plans.”

“I hope so too,” the President said sympathetically. “I have to go, the cameras are outside the door. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Yes,” General Myers said, and hung up the phone. He stared at the receiver, hands folded on the table. All Karakasian forces had been placed at maximum alert, and special-forces troops were already in transit to the Centralis border. There was nothing more to do – at least until more news came in . . .

[GeneralTacticus]

OOC: Just a note for everyone who's taking part in the RP (I should probably have posted this at the beginning, but still...) - please, please, PLEASE consult me before posting. I'm running this RP to a loose script, and I'd appreciate it if everyone could try to avoid screwing it up as far as possible.

[Mr. President]

Skeln Pass, Dakmoristan-Greater Silvera border

"Quiet night, isn't it?"

Diego nodded. Alvaro, the man who had spoken, had a knack for stating the obvious. He called barracks food "mundane" and referred to the local pin-up girl Winona de Vries as "cute". But he made an ideal rifle-brother.

Mostly the Border Rangers undertook missions like the one Diego's squad was on now: walking (or driving or flying in a helicopter) along their designated piece of Dakmoristan's border and watching for things going wrong. Diego was armed to the teeth, with a Karakasian Cyclone rifle, three pistols, and a combat knife, night-vision goggles, a satellite communications headset, and an ultra-modern combat suit that "chemical weapons just slide right off!", at least according to DataDyne War Machines. He had never used most of them, except the headset to acknowledge his sergeant's "go north"-type instructions.

Some people joined the army to see the world, to meet exotic people (and then kill them). Some people joined the army to channel their urge to shoot things into constructive channels. Neither worked in the Border Rangers. They never left Dakmoristan, and rarely fired their guns in anger, except on drug dealers and in the Sandrakkan operations.

But Diego had been assigned to neither smuggler interdiction nor Sandrakkan, and so his Cyclone's clip was still full after sixteen months.

Alvaro went on, "Hey, look over there. Was that a light?" He pointed across Skeln Pass, into Silvera. A rough track led down the hills, flanked by tall trees. Behind the squad were steep hills, dropping gradually to the rolling plains of Dakmoristan's Mysidia region. Northward, their view of Silvera was partially blocked by a grove of towering magnigoth trees, a species native to the sub-continent.

"I think you're right," was the sergeant's reply. They fell back into silence. What the Silverans did with their lights was not the concern of the Border Rangers . . .

"Unknown at two o'clock!" But this was. Diego saw two figures clambering on top of the steep ridge to his squad's left, well inside the Dakmoristani border. As one, the Rangers primed their weapons and aimed them at the movement, their training immediately taking over. The unknowns moved with confidence, considering the difficult terrain.

The sergeant pressed a button on his headset, activating a megaphone feature. "Unknown individuals! You have illegally entered the territory of the Empire of Dakmoristan! Hold your position and prepare to be taken into custody!"

Diego heard whispering from his left; Alvaro had contacted the dispatcher and alerted base camp to the unknowns. Keeping their weapons trained on the people on top of the ridge, the Border Rangers began edging towards the slope. As the first man began to climb towards the unknowns, a volley of shots exploded from the bushes to the north, dropping him to the ground.

"Combat procedure!" Diego dived for cover, and not a moment too soon; the night was torn apart by the rattle of machine guns. A clicking sound drew his eyes upwards: he saw one of the figures on the ridge throw something down towards the Dakmoristanis, and crouched as low as he could. The grenade exploded somewhere to his right. More gunfire and the screams of wounded men rang in his ears.

"Fire at will!" The Border Rangers raked the bushes and the ridge with gunfire. Diego saw the two figures on the ridgetop fall, and heard men's voices from the bushes. The volume of fire against the Rangers was impressive, but the firing rate of their Cyclones was beginning to tell. Diego took aim carefully and put four rounds in the back of an unknown gunman who broke cover to flee.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard someone radioing the dispatcher. "Hostiles on Skeln Pass. Repeat, hostiles on Skeln Pass. Shots fired. Rangers down. Request air cover. Over."

For several minutes Diego's squad traded shots with the hostiles. In that time, he took stock of the situation. The bushes where most of the shots seemed to originate were clearly on the Silveran side of the pass. It was possible they had disrupted a drug sale or a smuggler's run. Another Border Ranger fell, crashing to the forest floor.

With a great ball of fire, the battle ended abruptly. What gunmen survived broke cover and fled northward, into Silvera; several more were cut down by the Rangers' shots. Diego saw a welcome sight through his night-vision goggles; an Osprey multi-purpose hybrid aircraft was landing in a clearing, and medics were loading wounded men aboard. One of its wing-carried Hellfire missiles was gone.

Several squad members climbed the ridge, to search the bodies of the original two hostiles. Looking back, Diego resisted the urge to be sick. Seven Rangers lay motionless on the southern side of Skeln pass, and perhaps a dozen more were injured. He couldn't see how many of the unknowns they had killed. Alvaro flipped one of the dead men over with his boot, and, after a cursory visual examination, ripped something off the corpse's shirt. He examined it, without his goggles, in silence.

"What is it?"

Taking the item, Diego removed his night-vision equipment and looked at it. By the Osprey's lights, he could see a segmented triangle surrounding a black box, the flag of Greater Silvera.

"Oh my God . . ."