Multipolarity IV Game Thread

An ancient siren shattered the morning tranquility. While some civilians immediately ran for shelter inside the buildings, the majority had completely forgotten this particular code.

Four short blasts, one long blast. Repeat. Four short blasts, one long blast. Megaspider incursion, in force.

They fell upon Haven like lightning from a cloudless sky, slaughtering civilians at ground level and then climbing the mammoth structures which made up Haven. At every level, they were opposed - by soldiers, and by helicopters. Megaspider corpses fell to the earth, riddled with bullets or grenades.

But the spiders leapt at the soldiers, battering them off the numerous platforms and walkways of Haven, impaled them with their legs, bit the soldiers causing a horrible death by toxin, or simply ripped the humans limb from limb. While the automatic flashbang-armed Chippewas caused disorder among the Megaspiders, and even some to fall still twitching, the monsters tossed their own webbing at the helicopters or simply jumped into the air and tore them apart.

Blood, brains, and limbs, both human and spider, flowed freely across the many high bridges of Haven and down the skyscrapers. A constant din of war cries, explosions, gunfire, and screams echoed throughout the once-beautiful city.

It was into this hell that Patrol Flyer Green flew. She expertly piloted his AH-33 Topachula under the Parking-Skyway bridge, then gained altitude to sight in on a battle occurring upon the Robinson Balcony Market. Her brothers in arms fought nearly a dozen Megaspiders in close combat. Which makes this impossible. She despaired. The particular Topachulae Green, and her three wingmen, were flying was equipped for urban peacekeeping and suppression - two automatic flashbang grenade launchers, and two automatic grenade launchers.

"13 Flight, I'm about to ask you to do something very hard." Green began, her voice cracking.

"This is Hotel Actual to all Topachulae" An official-sounding military controller interrupted. "Set your Resonance Stabilizers to the debug position. This is a triple-red flagged order."

Green blinked. The AH-33's Resonance Stabilizer devices came with eight settings - Forward, Climb and Hold which directed the device's emissions to pushing the Topachula forward, forcing it to gain altitude, or automatically countering any thrust input (useful for landing). One, Two, Three, and Four which controlled the control sensitivity of the AH-33's rotation with One being most sensitive and-

"Debug." Green's number two sighed on the squadron channel. "They trying to kill us?"

Privately, Green agreed - the Debug setting introduced unpredictable rotation into a Topachula's movement. She had always thought the setting was broken. "No, they're not trying to kill us. They just have their head up their- never mind. Triple-red is treason to refuse, but they didn't say we had to keep the dial there."

Green adjusted the Resonance Stabilizer dial. Immediately, her helicopter began rotating to the left at about 10 degrees per second. Her number two suddenly yawed right, then assumed a slightly faster left rotation. Similar symptoms plagued the rest of her flight.

"Ok, now that we've confirmed it sucks, we can-" Green began.

"Look at the spiders!" #4 interrupted with shock.

Green cast her gaze on the Megaspiders. For a second, nothing seemed to be happening. Then she realized. "They're not moving." She stated to the squadron.

"Our guys are." #3 noted. "Those spiders just stopped as soon as we touched the dial."

"Whatever happened, it's mop-up time." Green declared. "Ok, reach for the dial and-"

"Hotel Actual. We've had incidents with Topachulae changing from the Debug setting. Do not change from the Debug setting. This is a triple-red flagged order. Do not change from the Debug setting. We will give you clearance when you may return to normal operations."

"Well carp." Green sighed.

--------------

"Captain on the bridge!" The tactical specialist called out.

Captain Krystolis stormed onto the bridge. "Situation report."

"Sir, yes sir!" The deck officer stood up. "Haven has been attacked by Megaspiders. Several have boarded this ship along the mooring lines. We've been trying to leave but we're getting no response from ground control." She recited.

"Rotate the engines vertical and engage full power." Krystolis ordered firmly.

"Sir, that will take out the mooring towers." The deck officer objected.

"Noted. Do it." Captain Krystolis ordered.

"Aye, sir." The deck officer saluted.

"Aye, Captain." The navigation specialist flicked a switch marked "All" to the on position, then turned a knob labeled with the 360 degrees, as well as a line at 90 reading "Normal", to the position marked "180-Vertical". He then turned another knob reading from one to a hundred as far as it would go. He then looked at a stopwatch, and when the second hand crossed some threshold, he punched a button marked "set".

Sixty-four engines rotated 180 degrees in 18 seconds, then all of them roared into life, propelling the mammoth airship into the sky. All but one of the mooring lines broke. The remaining line came with the Absolute Power as it surged out of dock, taking its tower along for the ride.

"Climb status?" Captain Krystolis questioned.

"1.5 meters per second, Captain." The navigation specialist replied.

"Should be faster." Krystolis stated with a frown.

"Aye, Captain, but the engines don't go higher than 85% unless engine room turns its dial when we turn ours - normally there's a signal light for that, but they didn't heed it." The navigation specialist explained.

"Then they're dead." Captain Krystolis dismissed. "Security status?"

"Secret Service is moving in to protect the Dictator - regular army troops are protecting the hanger deck very well." The communications specialist relayed. "Hull Integrity division is holding the topside."

"Security team to Engine Room." Captain Krystolis ordered. "We need to get full power back-"

A huge beast burst into the bridge and reared at the deck officer. She screamed.

Krystolis reached into his breast pocket, took out a small spray can, then sprayed the spider.

The Megaspider convulsed, then staggered around the bridge before rolling onto its back and curling its legs above it.

"Be prepared." The Captain stated.

Riot in Hindustan. 23,000 Horde troops killed, 50,000 Hindustani killed. 20 Crimson Influence purged.

Riot in Congolese Cape Verde: 30,000 Congolese troops killed; 70,000 Verdeans killed.

Riot in Taylori Cape Verde: 15,000 Taylori killed; 40,000 Verdeans killed.

Riot in Swedish Norway: 10,000 Swedes killed; 25,000 Norwegians killed.

Riot in Chinese Horde: 19,000 Chinese soldiers killed, 50,000 Horde civilians killed.

Border Skirmishes! Troops have fired on each other in an incident on the Syndicalist-American border, killing 1,000 troops on both sides. American forces say the Syndicalists shot first, whereas Syndicate forces state that the Americans instigated the conflict by violating territorial boundaries and stating Syndicate troops’ mothers had more gentleman callers than a telephone operator.

Baby Boom. The Leth have seen a surge in demand for household labor. (+5% Population)

Propaganda. There has been a large denouncement of Communists by the New American government, also citing the Syndicates’ threats against New England in the past. Immigrants from the Syndicalist nations are being offered jobs if they flee to New America. So far only a few thousand have taken up the American offer.

Forged Documents Discovered. State security forces in the Great Plains have identified several documents illustrating a Syndicate-Leth plot to depose the government of the Plains to be false. Despite the tensions with the Syndicates in recent months due to closer ties with New America and the CSA, the Plains’ security agencies see no reason to consider such documents legitimate. (+50 Influence with Leth and Syndicates)

Protests in New America. Workers laid off by the rising tensions with the Syndicates and the resulting cuts to trade have begun protesting the government, demanding relief and relaxed relations with the Communists. (-2 Approval)

Large Oil Field. The Leth have discovered a large reservoir of oil. (+1 Resource)

Some charges have gone off in military bases around the Syndicates of America. Evidence at the scene indicates that the Confederate States of America engaged in sabotage operations within the military and this attack was to help soften the Syndicates for an invasion. (-25 Army tech)

Anti-Leth Riots in Brazil. Disliking the Leth for their species and their anti-slavery policies, some citizens have torched Leth property and murdered some Leth nationals in the country. (-25 Leth influence in Brazil)

Amazonia’s Wealth. Large areas of land have been discovered to contain rare chemicals and plants useful worldwide. (+2 Resource)

Argentine Rallies in Amazonas. Argentina’s powerful business machinery and its diplomatic commitment to South American peace and prosperity have prompted several tens of thousands of Amazonians to show up and demonstrate in favor of closer ties with Argentina. (+50 Influence in Amazon)

Madeira Taken. England’s naval power has grown as a result of the acquisition of Madeira. (+25 Influence with Morocco)

Green Energy. A reservoir of fissile material has been found in Arstotzka; scientists are already trying to find industrial uses for it. (+ 1 Resource)

Failed Assassination of the Caliph. Agents have tried to assassinate the Caliph in Rome. While some evidence implicating Hummel was found at the scene, agents find this bizarre and are certain the Bienen were framed.

The Fruits of Neutrality. Argentina has swooped in and occupied several African islands without a single bit of tension thanks to Africa’s current cannibalism issues. (+1 Infra)

National Bank Raid. A group of several men were caught trying to hack the Congolese National Bank’s accounts, but were fortunately foiled before they could extract more than two hundred million dollars. It is expected the government will reimburse this money and thus keep order in the financial system.

Edible Sand. Egypt’s scientists have found a way to make sand actually somewhat useful as a resource. (+2 Resource)

Coup! The government of Cape Verde has been ousted and the new Republic of the Cape wishes to discuss surrender terms with the victorious Allies. (Cape Verde becomes an NPC for the duration of peace talks)

Claiming of Kuril. Japan’s citizens celebrate at gaining historical lands in and around eastern Siberia. (+2 Infra)

Reclaiming the Title. China has seen a swarm of nationalism in the form of increased child births. (+10% population)

Anti-War Protests. The massive death toll and impending occupation the Golden Horde is suffering has caused several of their citizens to begin calling for peace on the part of the government; Hindustan is not worth the very real risk of losing independence! To get their point across much of the citizenry has refused to pay taxes. (-1% Tax Rate)

Resource Deposits. A great mine has been found in Azerbaijan, rich in various ores. (+2 Resource)

Crimson Australia. The Crimson Court has begun mass brutality (generally committed by Eastralian officials) to enforce its will upon the Westralian populace. Blockades strangle ports and air strikes have targeted vital infrastructure; this is part of a plan to make the population dependent on the East for survival, while bombing runs have also been made on neighborhoods suspected to harbor terrorist cells. For every Eastralian or Court soldier killed, one hundred hostages are being taken. The result has been a bloody orgy of violence across all of Westralia. As a brighter spot a collaborationist government has been established, advocating for autonomy within a united Australia, helping to rally some of the populace to the side of the Crimson Court. (-6 Infrastructure and -300,000 people in Westralia; +50,000 people in Tasmania; -3000 Court soldiers; -20,000 Eastralian soldiers)

Arson in Hawai’i. A few hundred million dollars of Sino-Japanese property have been targeted in Hawai’i. (-5 Influence)

Discontent Over Slavery. With the emancipation of the Crimson Court’s slave population a sizable minority of Brunei citizens have organized for the end of slavery in Brunei as well. While Brunei has no large slave population, the code for enslaving individuals is on the books and demonstrators desire the government end the slavery obligations to the Court, while maintaining all other relationships.

Attempt on King James. Assassins have attempted to kill King James, but broke into his Palace in Westralia; he has long since abandoned the country and gone into exile abroad on the generous three billion dollars given to him by the Crimson Court. One hundred million dollars vanished from the finances of Tasmania, and while some have alleged this was used to finance the would-be assassins, most citizens believe that their government was not responsible for trying to incite an Oceanian War.

Arson in New Guinea. A few hundred million dollars of Court property have been destroyed. (-3 Influence)