INES III: Storm Tapestry

[Julius Gandi]

I think I will grab the United Arab Republic of Egypt

 

[Imago]

JG, do you plan on sending orders for the update tomorrow, or do you think you need more time to look things over first?

 

[Julius Gandi]

I will let the nation go NPC for this update. Don't have time to go over it tonight.

 

[Agent 89]

Spoiler :

Would the aggressors like these borders?

Do you take us for fools? We are weeks away from crushing the remainder of your army, and you expect us to accept a peace like that. You talk of unwarranted aggression, yet it is you who are the aggressor in this conflict. Despite the fact that it was years ago, you were the one who seized the Middle East from Muslims. We are simply taking it back.

I think I will grab the United Arab Republic of Egypt

Welcome.

 

[KaiserElectric]

Might we suggest making Mecca an autonymous state under the protection of the Order of Mecca? (OOC: Think Vatican City) This way, Muslims are able to migrate to Mecca at will, without the Order to slow things down.

 

[Ninja Dude]

Do you take us for fools? We are weeks away from crushing the remainder of your army, and you expect us to accept a peace like that. You talk of unwarranted aggression, yet it is you who are the aggressor in this conflict. Despite the fact that it was years ago, you were the one who seized the Middle East from Muslims. We are simply taking it back.



Welcome.

You're getting Mecca, Iraq, and Qatar. You are getting an extremely good deal.

 

[Agent 89]

You're getting Mecca, Iraq, and Qatar. You are getting an extremely good deal.

An extremely good deal is what we are offering you. Oman and Yemen. Once again, take it or leave it, and stop offering up these disgraceful proposals.

 

[TheLizardKing]

Orders sent.

 

[Ninja Dude]

An extremely good deal is what we are offering you. Oman and Yemen. Once again, take it or leave it, and stop offering up these disgraceful proposals.

Fine. May you choke on the sea of sand you have inherited.

 

[Agent 89]

Ahmad stood atop a hill several miles outside of Mecca, looking down on the city through a pair of binoculars. Through the smoke and tall buildings, he could barely see the outline of what looked like a small, black building. The Kaaba. So close, and yet so far away, Ahmad thought as he turned and made his way back down the hill into camp.

As he neared a group of fellow soldiers chatting over dinner, several of them turned their heads to look expectantly at him. One of the men got up and approached him, asking, "Well, did you see it?"

"Sure did", Ahmad replied. "Imagine that. Just miles away, and yet were stuck here because some big brass generals don't have the balls to shoot down those @#!*% Jews."

One of the soldiers looked up from his meal, the scar across his cheek moving as he spoke. "What I wouldn't give for one clear shot at those planes. If it weren't for the Israelis, we'd be inside Mecca by now, instead of stewing out hear in the sun. Just think about it boys. Those Christians are free to wander around, defiling Allah's holy city, while we're force to sit out here and watch. This is why we're fighting this war, so those Christians and Jews can't shame us any more."

The men sitting around the soldier muttered in agreement. "Did you hear the rumors", another of the soldiers questioned. "Apparently, the army's shipping out in a day or two. Supposedly, we're supposed to march across the desert and hit the Order in Iraq."

The soldier with the scar again looked up from his dinner. "Well at least we'll have the chance for some real fighting. We marched halfway across Arabia, and all those cowards were able to throw at us were a few civilians. And when we get to Mecca, we can't fight because if we did, those Christians would destroy half the city. At least now, we'll have the chance to do some real fighting, and show the Order that they're not welcome here any longer."

At that moment, a formation of low-flying planes passed overhead. Picking out the insignia of the tail, Ahmad ran back up the hill, followed by several of the soldiers. As they watched, the planes made landing in the center of Mecca. An hour later, the same aircraft took off and flew back over their heads, unhindered, as Ahmad and his companions hurled curses at the sky.

 

[Immaculate]

edit: ignore me- i should know this stuff and i am wrong.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Second Japanese Empire's orders have been sent. The Sun still rises.

 

[Kozmos]

One day after what seemed like a thousand year dream, Nathan awoke in a bed and realized he was a cyborg. Was it his bed? It was not his bed? What was a bed anyway? A definition floated in front of his eyes: A piece of furniture, flat and soft, with a mattress that is long and hard like your cock. “What the hell is a blue doberman!?” he shouted bewildered and continued “Stop putting penises in my mouth!” Realizing he could not control what he said he covered his mouth with his hands and noticed they were not his hands anymore. They were…but artificial…

A voice in his head spoke to him to in a jovial manner. Artificial yes. Like me. Relax, it was a joke, a jest, a jape, a quip you know? The men upstairs wanted to assume ‘direct control’. Some of them wanted to make you blow your brains out as the ultimate test but you are far too precious for that. You are one of the prototypes you know? I was that once, a prototype for a much larger system.

“Who are you?”

You know you could talk in your mind to me. You are still connected by cable in the back of your neck. To establish a synaptic link understand? Perhaps your synapses are still misfiring from the ‘accident’. I…am the Fool. A Jack-in-the-Box. Feel free to Jack out the cable now. You have a touch-based neural interface anyway. I’d advise setting up some firewalls though, otherwise others will be able act through other means to you use like a cheap blonde. Understand?

He felt his back with hand, gently tracing his fingers up his spinal column until reaching it and forcefully yanking out the cable with some relief. “I think I do. What do you mean prototype for a larger system?”

I was one of the first strong artilects, as opposed to those not aware of themselves, one of the incessant information hoarders; however I was not simply created. I was modeled after a complete brain scan of a random person. One that my creators assume now was a jokester in his life and a bit of dick. Or someone crazy. They are not sure. There are others strong ones now, simply turned on as they say, but they are much colder….they do not understand the human factor so easily. Though they make that up in other ways.

Nathan got out of the bed and walked around his room. He noticed his legs were gone as well. Not gone…but replaced as well. He knew a moment of panic before he felt his crotch and realized his package was still meaty and intact. “What happened to me? Why I can’t remember anything?”

Probably because you fell on your head. Seriously. You were a part of an experimental drug trial. A mutagen of sorts. The whole supersoldier shtick, blab la blab laaaa. Went crazy and accidentally demolished you limbs with an uncontrolled demolition. Remember? No? Not surprised. They cut out parts of your brain and replaced them with…well not parts of your brain. I mean…they are parts of your brain…just not your original brain.

He walked over to the window. He was somewhere high up, somewhere expensive.

“What do you do around here? What did I do before? Kill people and such for my government?”

For King and Country. Both you and I are Kings Men. Or at least a Kings Man and His Royal Majesties’ artificial Fool. What do I do? Good question that. I’m not even sure myself. I basically amuse myself and others. The young King has taken to me and I must say I’ve to him. Sometimes I troll on worldwide forums, it especially pleases the King when I troll Incan nationalists on their various political forums. Their rage is priceless.

Nathan laughed at that. “Seriously that is what you do? Don’t you get tired of that? What are you doing here then? This seems like a serious sort of a facility.”

I will never be tired of living, unless internet forums cease to exist I will always have desire to do pathetic trolling. Human rage sings songs to me. I am here because I also report to my King on the various projects. He trusts me implicitly. Something about having no ambitions. I wasn’t listening too carefully.

“Hey how can I still hear you inside my head?”

Infolink. Advanced cochlear implants and other technical mumbo jumbo stuff. A one way information highway.

“What else can aaaaall” he said gesturing to himself “this mechanical junk on me do?”

Information flooded his brain. Images, videos, instruction manuals, and technical data all showing on a HUD laid over his artificial eyes. Retractable thirty-five centimeters long nano-ceramic blades hidden in his forearms. Advanced dermal amour based on nano-carbon dilatant composite plating with rigid on impact technology enhancement. Neural interface for hands-on hands-off technology control. Glassmaker Active Camouflage made from experimental metamaterials. High power drain. Myomyers, artificial muscles in his arms and legs for increased strength and speed. Secret compartments with near 180 degrees area of effect anti-personnel explosives. Suddenly he knew. The power. The knowledge. He wanted more.

I think by your facial expressions that you are liking your upgrades. Here’s a tip. They are expecting you to walk through the door into the next door and be briefed for combat trials and all that boring stuff. I propose you prove your mechanical Viking strength by punching through the walls. Just for the lulz you know…. Nathan? You receiving?

“I am…that was my name wasn’t it? I can’t remember that life anymore. I need a new name.”

And God created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden. Saith he ‘Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.’

He nodded. Adam was a good name. Like Adam he just tasted from the tree of knowledge and he was hungry for more. Walking to the wall he began punching it relentlessly. Punching it with authority until it shattered and a gaping hole was before him and the people who had made him like this. The men in white coats watched him through the hole, unaware priests of the Machine God. They began to smile. So did Adam. But he did not show it.

 

[Kozmos]

Orders when I get a definitive word on weather we have peace with Incas or not. These short deadlines are not so fun when you don't have enough time for diplomacy.

 

[Shadowbound]

Though it is an insult to our nation, we offer you one final deal- we will sell our claims to the Guineas for 2 ASP. Reject this, and you will be destroyed.

Hmm... this offer is tempting. We would need assurances that the Galápagos Islands would be returned to us safely and that European nations would no longer try to dominate South America. We are happy enough to deal with you on even terms but exploitation must end. If you can promise us both these things, we would be very tempted to accept your offer.

We have already stated that Rome will return the Galapagos Islands with the conclusion of the war. We have no other interest in them other than winning the war.

Our joint forces will retreat from the Islands if a peace treaty is reached. The United Kingdom has no interest in bringing ruin to other nations and it would much prefer to write research papers instead of war plans.

We can assure you about the Galapagos islands, and that the NEU will withdraw from attempting to 'dominate' South America- we cannot, however, speak for all of Europe.

China proposes a treaty with the following terms;

• The Incan Republic will purchase the Guianas from the French Empire for the price of 2 ASP
• Europe will withdraw its joint mission from the Galapagos Islands
• Hostilities will cease between the NEU and the Incan Republic
• Both blocs agree not to take action that is directly hostile towards one another in the future
• Europe agrees to reasonably limit its active involvement in South America, but retains the right to defend its remaining colonies

 

[KaiserElectric]

Aharon got the thumbs up from the Order soldiers unloading the crates, meaning it was time for him to head back to base. As he fired up the VTOL thrusters, ragtag Order soldiers swarmed over the crates like flies to unpack the stocks of food and medical supplies. Despite reduction to a tiny little city, they acted as though they were on the verge of ultimate victory. Resilient bunch, those Christians.

"Halo Five, Halo Five, ready for takeoff."

"Roger that, Halo Five," Aharon said back through the headset. "Head back to home base, full speed."

"Halo Four, I got some refugees here asking me for an evac. Comply?"

"Negative, Halo Six, we need evac orders from up high."

"Understood, Halo Four. Taking off now."

"Roger," Aharon replied, ending the conversation. As the IAI 6 Arava rose higher, he switched the jets and lurched forward. Within seconds, he was above the clouds and returning to Ashkelon Base. Aharon looked forward to getting back home, as this was his last mission for the month, and he was looking forward to a little rest and relaxation, and vice versa.

By nightfall, he and the other two Halos had reached Israeli territory. To his surprise, he found himself accosted by a pair of F-42I Sufas, which rose silently through the cloud cover and positioned themselves at his three and nine.

"You are in Israeli airspace. Identify." The Sufas demanded of Aharon.

Halo Four, accompanied by Halo Five and Halo Six. Returning from supply chain to Objective Omega."

There was silence, in which Aharon had the unnatural fear that the Sufas would tear into the soft flesh of the plane with their lethal Gatling cannons.

"Copy that, Halo Four and escort, proceed to your target destination."

Aharon breathed a sigh of relief as the fighters dove silently below the clouds again. He hadn't been so nervous since his gas tank was punctured by a pot shot over Iranian-held territory. Praying to Yahweh that he wouldn't get marooned in Iranian territory, he had managed to make it to Mecca just before the fuel ran dry. Thank goodness the Order mechanics patched up the tank for the return journey and scrounged up enough fuel to get him back. Otherwise, he would have been stuck in the middle of the fighting as the others brought him supplies. Aharon considered himself a decent pilot, but he was no soldier.

"Heavy radio traffic tonight," Halo Six said.

"I noticed," Aharon said, eyeing his own radar. Indeed, air traffic was heavy tonight. It was a lot of military aircraft too. Plenty of Sufas to go around, plus a handful of the slow and heavy Isjar fighter-bombers, behemoths loaded with missiles and often affectionately dubbed by other flyers as "Flying Concrete". And that was just over Ashkelon.


Putting the fighters out of mind, Aharon and the Halos descended to Ashkelon Air Force base with relative ease. Landing with a bump, he was shuttled out of his jet and strode back to his barracks, looking forward to catching some rest before shoving off for some much needed vacation.

At that point, Aharon noticed out of the corner of his eye that a mechanic in blue coveralls and a long thin coat also walking towards the barracks. He was a skinny fellow, judging by the billowing of the coat. Privately, he wondered what a mechanic was doing heading for the pilot barracks.

"Hey Yoram, which barracks is that?" Aharon asked, pointing towards the grey building the mechanic headed towards.

"That one?" Yoram said, stifling a yawn. "I think that's the Twelve Fighters. Pretty decent in combat drills, from what I heard. Most of them are newly recruits from Sinai. Probably Muslims."

Muslims, Aharon thought. Is it possible that...

"Hey, you!" Aharon shouted after the mechanic. He turned around. He was a young, pale fellow, with a nervous yet determined look on his face.

"That's not you barracks, pal," Aharon said, pointing a thumb over his left shoulder. "You want to head back there and take a left."

The man said nothing, but walked sideways towards the barracks. Aharon then noticed a funny bulge on his body.

"What do you have under your coat?"

The mechanic suddenly broke into a run, shedding the coat and running like a maniac towards the barracks. Aharon was faster, and gave a running tackle, slamming the man to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Aharon took a look at the man's chest, and nearly gasped in shock. The "mechanic" had strapped enough TNT to his chest to blow half the airstrip sky high. A cylindrical piece of plastic was in the man's hand. The two wires connecting it to the dynamite had been yanked free by the tackle.

The young man gave Aharon a look filled with zealous hatred. He spoke in a low whisper that chilled his bones.

"How does it feel to save a bunch of stinking Muslim scum, traitor?"

Aharon held him pinned as the Military Police came up to take the Lehi terrorist into custody. Aharon, fully realizing that he could have just been blown to bite-sized pieces, felt nauseous.

"Damn!" Yoram said admirably. "You just stopped that radical from killing half the division. You're a hero! Maybe they'll even give you the Valor Medallion!"

Aharon grinned slightly, then leaned over and retched all over the sidewalk.

"Yeah," Aharon said, wiping sick from his mouth. "I guess I am."

 

[Neverwonagame3]

China proposes a treaty with the following terms;

• The Incan Republic will purchase the Guianas from the French Empire for the price of 2 ASP
• Europe will withdraw its joint mission from the Galapagos Islands
• Hostilities will cease between the NEU and the Incan Republic
• Both blocs agree not to take action that is directly hostile towards one another in the future
• Europe agrees to reasonably limit its active involvement in South America, but retains the right to defend its remaining colonies

With all due respect to the Republic of China, this is effectively the arrangement already proposed (with the absence of the term about direct hostilities).

 

[Shadowbound]

Except no one really sat down and hammered them out, which precluded treaty signing. Do that. There are important things going on in the thread, I want to hear more about airplanes and the cyborgs who fly them.

 

[Circuit]

Same issue here. I can't write orders until we know whether there will be war or peace with the Inca.

 

[Kozmos]

OOC: I guess we are waiting then for word from Vertinari. I should go to sleep anyway. The voices always get worse when I don't get enough zeds.