KIOT2: Peace in Our Time

[Omega124]

The next day

Elsa Pott nervously looked down at the script that was lying down at the desk. With a fresco of the iron cross behind her, the now-in-uniform Fearless Leader was about to give a speech to her nation in the heart of her secure bunker. This draft wasn't authored by her; Schultz wrote it while the Pottslyvanian leader was trying to get in contact with the rest of her government.

I can't say this, Elsa worringly berated herself as she skimmed through these contents, This isnt-

"We're live in twenty," a stage techie yelled out.

Elsa blinked in horror, "Minutes?"

"No, seconds, get ready"

Oh s*** s*** s***

The ravenette took a deep breath to calm herself down. This was exactly the wrong time to panic. The entire nation was depending on her to serve as leader in this time of crisis; a pillar in the sea of chaos. Yet, Elsa didn't particularly feel brave right now. She just wanted to go back to playing games with her friends and...

Keep it together. Please

"AND WE'RE LIVE"

"Good evening," Elsa said, in her best attempt to keep herself calm and collected. Staring into the camera, she continued reading the script, "Yesterday, in the worst act of terror the Earth has seen since the Other invasion, forces loyal to Feldmarschall Osterkamp have assaulted the German city of Neuberlin, setting it ablaze with white phosphorous. Casualty estimates are within the hundreds, and could potentially reach thousands. Our deepest condolences go out to the Neuberliners, who had to watch their entire city, and their love ones, burn into the ground.

Since then, the GSG9 government, lead by Egon Schuller, has collapsed. Osterkamp has taken over most of Germany, with a few pockets of resistance remaining the only visible threat to his takeover. From there, it is unknown what Osterkamp is planning to do. It is impossible to rule out the possibility that, if left unchecked, an invasion of Pottslyvania itself is imminent.

We, as a people, must remain strong. The memories of the Others are collectively stamped into our consciousness. Despite our best efforts to rebuild, there still remains scars to remind us of the great loss that we suffered as our entire nation was thrown under siege. But unlike so many other nations, Pottslyvania stayed strong until the end, and we defeated the Others, and we liberated our country... ourselves. No matter what the adversary, or the odds, the Pottslyvanian spirit will never die, and her people will not perish from this earth.

To be strong, however.... is not just a matter of never bowing down, never kneeling in the face of those who wish to destroy who we are. To be strong... is to take responsibility of not just ourselves, but of our surrounding nations, their peoples, and of the international community at large."

Therefore..."

Oh god I can't

This was the part that was choking her up. She knew what she was about to say goes against everything she stood for, but at the same point, what got her the chance to be the Fearless Leader in the first place. If she actually said this, the international community would vilify her.

"Therefore..."

Yet, did she really have a choice? People will demand she does this soon anyways, especially now that Osterkamp has opened the floodgates for this scenerio. If she wanted to continue the facade of being a strong leader, of being the Fearless Leader, she needed to be brave and do this. Otherwise, she'd just be a girl in an oversized uniform and stupid hat.

Be strong

Plus, she'd no longer live in her grandfather's shadows. She'd become a hero in her own right.

"Therefore, I assert my right as the sole leader of the German peoples, under a restoration of the Greater German Reich.

Both Osterkamp and Schuller represent illegal reigmes which defy international law. Osterkamp is nothing more than a traitor to Germany, not in his recent actions in overthrowing the GSG9 government, but for abetting and assisting in a coup against Hitler and the German Nation in 1945. Von Fertig's putsch was nothing more than treason, one in which divided our nation's attention during her darkest hour, and ultimately robbed us from our otherwise ordained victory against the Bolsheviks and the Yankees.

And Schuller's reigme is equally as illegitimate, as the legacy of foreign appointed governments on German soil. The Federal Republic of Germany was nothing more than an American client state established once the war is over, and was not nor will ever be a legitimate German nation. Any government which finds its legitimacy as the successor of the FRG is as equally foreign and illegitimate.

When Hitler was treasonsly murdered, it was Hermann Pott who took charge of the loyalists, who refused to surrender to the Soviets or Von Fertig, and never laid down their arms. It is from the Reichskommissariat Ostland that the Pottslyvanian government can directly trace its lineage to. Pottslyvania and Pottslyvania alone holds the legacy of a true German nation, by the Germans, and therefore is the only legitmate government for the German people.

For Osterkamp and Schuller.... lay down your arms..... or be crushed underneath my heels.

Gott mit uns."

Elsa Pott hit a button underneath her desk to cut the feed. She didn't care that there was more to the speech, as everyone in the studio was hastily yelling at her for. She didn't care about anything anymore. The Fearless Leader, face covered in fear, simply bolted out of the room, down the hallway, away from all of them in the bathroom.

She dashed towards the toliet, and puked.

 

[KaiserElectric]

Small change of plans, everyone will be getting ten claims this turn instead of five.

 

[NinjaCow64]

The government of the Commonwealth of Australia calls for international cooperation in this crisis. If this situation is handled incorrectly then it could spark a war which could cause years of needless suffering. The international community must make a unified response to the Osterkamp Incursion. Any and all military response must be done not as nations, but as a global community. The question of the future of the German government must wait until this crisis is resolved, after which all parties will reach an agreement without resulting to bloodshed.

~Statement released by Prime Minister Linda Weng in response to Furchtlose Anführer Elsa Pott's televised speech.

 

[Ailedhoo]

On screens throughout the Gethic Hand's dominion stood Vinsin Vancore in front of a large protective of the Gethic Flag. He stood, processing bushy long brown hair complete with goatee. Is in a stone grey trench coat with dark blue strips. Wearing black leather gloves and boots. Dark red long sleeve shirt. Wearing a dark blue bullet proof vest. Dark grey trousers. White socks. Middle height. To each sides of him stood a vanguard, both armed with assault rifles aiming in opposite directions to were Vancore stood. The Director faced the screen, the background flag seemingly moved in prideful glory in face of its Director as he began to speak.

Citizens of the Gethic Hand! Residents of Germany! Peoples of Humanity! Heed well for Vancore speak on the matters that greatly affect this world!

Citizens! The world, as it has before, is plagued by chaos. The Gethic Hand’s patriotic military marches to restore order in Greater Columbia and Mexico, combating the great plague which like a cancer must be expelled before it extinguishes the host. Our efforts have been lucrative, countering those who threaten the lives of the innocent. Antarsía, the largest of the criminal terrorist groups that threaten civilians with a crazed crusade against order and peace, have been forced to retreat into their dens in southern Columbia and Venezuela. Criminal Mexican cartels meanwhile are to embrace their penalty as the legions of prosperity march to emancipate the nation of Mexico from the chain of chaos. The Gethic Hand has proved themselves grand in my vision to ensure that order, peace, prosperity and unity are the dominant forces in the Americas. Hail your Director, Vinsin Vancore, as he leads the Gethic Hand to victory against evil!

The crowds is aloud 30 seconds of hails and applause.

Citizens! Vancore has told you of glory and prosperity but I must address the situation in Europe and the abyss of anarchy that threatens to engulf Germania. The GSND is past; the German government has retreated into its shell after the Osterkamp Insurrection, a group that appears to process the hallmarks of the 1940s, emerge to contest the authorities in Germany. The monopoly on violence, the determination of who becomes the state, has been shifted in a haze of civil war. The German government is leaded by a fellow sovereign of peace and order; tis would be a disaster if this so called Insurrection crumbles a strong foundation, weakening to foreign invasions or worse the anarchic process they call democratisation. Henceforth the Gethic are officially denouncing the Insurrection which dares dirty the good name of Rennard von Fertig and declare we will provide support to the GSRB so they may return Germania to order.

The Gethic will at this time will be vigilant. We are akin to the stars, keeping watch in the night; the stars know their place in the sky and each the season returns and returns, always the same: if they falls they fall in vain… so as it must be, so it is written, on the doorway of Paradise, that those who falter and fall must pay the price! If Germany falters and falls under the weight of either the GSND or the Osterkamp Insurrection then the price must be payed! Henceforth we will mobilise military aid GSND; this will consist of armaments, armoured vehicles and 100 of my Vanguard to be at the service of the GSND in their struggle. The brave Vanguard will be sent to aid in enhance military training for GSND forces and to provide an infantry shield in battle so to aid the GSND advancement against Insurgent positions. I have granted the honour to the Doveshield Corp, whose white and black banner will fly high as they stand their ground in defences of the German populace from chaotic forces. We cannot allow the GSND to fall, less the price be anarchy.

The Gethic will use this crisis as a demonstration of our core strengths and our vision to ensure global order and peace. Vancore will promise you all that no anarchist will have chance to claim Germany for their own ill aims, nor will the Insurrection weaken Germany to the rumoured plans by Australia to impose their anarchy on Germany. The UN is endangered in becoming an agent of chaos if it is too bounded up with imposing “democracy” and trying to forbid sovereign efforts to aid the German people. The strong must protect the weak, less insurgent consumes or Australia enslaves. We will ensure Australia we plot no harm to them but to the Insurrection we vow their annihilation as a means to ensure peace and harmony in Germany.

All hail the road to peace and order! The road of iron is the path to peace and we will ensure that Germania is strong enough to embrace fully the peace the world deserves! Peace through power!

Cries of “Peace through power!” “Hail Vinsin Vancore!” and “Hail the Director!” blocked out anything else that could have continued Vancore’s speech.

 

[Civ'ed]

New claims

more stuff coming soon

 

[Ailedhoo]

I wish to confirm we will be sending our supplies to Mecklenburg; we hope the supplies will be best distributed with the airbase and the vanguard we will send will be ready to defend the bases to the death.

 

[christos200]

New President of Thessaly

- Konstantinos Mitsotakis, President of Thessaly​

Due to health reasons, the President of Thessaly and leader of the National Progressive Party, Thanos Tzimeros, has resigned and given his post to Konstantinos Mitsotakis, the 97 years old Finance Minister. Despite his old age, Konstantinos Mitsotakis was appointed as Minister of Finance due to being a founding member of the National Progressive Party and it's former leader before the leadership of the party was given to Thanos Tzimeros ten years ago. As Finance Minister, Konstantinos Mitsotakis played a crucial role in the implementation of the "Program for Modernization" and the development of the Thessalian economy. The decision to give the Presidency of Thessaly to 97 years old Mitsotakis instead of someone younger is meant to keep the party together and avoid infighting for the Presidency, as Mitsotakis has huge prestige in the party. However, Mitsotakis himself has stated that he is a temporary President until the election of a new party leader of the National Progressive Party who will get the Presidency.

New Leader of Centrists' Union

- Former leader of Centrists' Union, Vasilis Leventis

- Alexis Tsipras, new leader of Centrists' Union​

While the National Progressive Party has a 97-years old leader and President, the Centrists' Union decides to have a new leader so as to attract young people to the party. The former leader, Vasilis Leventis, in his his 60's, resigned from party leadership in favor of the 40 years old Alexis Tsipras. Vasilis Leventis has been made Vice-President of the Party and still retains much of his powers, but the public images of the party is now that of Alexis Tsipras. Polls show that this change has attracted more young people to the party and the National Progressive Party is sure to reply with an election of a younger leader to challenge the Centrists' Union

 

[Ailedhoo]

Due to confirmation that additional claimants can be conducted the Gethic will increase their expansion plan:

 

[Polyblank]

To: The Thessalian Republic
From: The Consensus

We wish to congratulate you in regards to the election of a new President of your Republic, and we wish for stable elections, as we hope that this will extend the republican traditions of Thessaly even more, as it is in a region that severely lacks diplomacy.

Spoiler :

Adam Smith, Consensus Ambassador to Greece

 

[spaceman98]

Kaiser please respond to my PM

 

[christos200]

From: The Thessalian Republic
To: The Consensus

We thank you for your kind words and hope that the relations between our two nations improve. We should increase trade and lower tariffs.

Spoiler :

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

Eogeum pulls his car to the curb, and he and his men hastily debark. A ring of police cars forms a semicircle around the bank's front double thick; several officers carrying automatic weapons crouch behind the first line. "Still no progress?" he asks the nearest man on site.

"No, sir. They take pot-shots if we try to enter, but otherwise they seem to be holding the line."

"No hostages?"

"No claims so far."

"Highly unusual."

"Indeed, sir."

At that moment, a dark green truck pulls up nearby and men in heavy body armour begin filing out. Nostrils flaring, Eogeum marches over to where a thin-bearded man with a shaved head and weathered face is speaking with his troops. "Division never told me to expect the Combat Police," he snaps. "We have this situation under control. We don't need you bloodying up the hostages."

The man turns about, regarding Eogeum bemusedly. "Then it's your lucky day, Assistant Inspector. We aren't from the Combat Police. We're Army."

"Army?"

"Park Kang-dae, 9th Urban Combat Division, at your service."

Eogeum's frown turns into a snarl. "This is a police matter, not the damned army. The generals barely held the line against the aliens, and now they think they're entitled to run roughshod over national security policy whenever they please! This isn't your jurisdiction! If it was, Seoul would've sent a SWAT team."

Park remains unfazed by the tirade. "With respect, Assistant Inspector, it is. Ten minutes ago the Ministry of Public Safety informed National Defense it had reason to believe Hwa-yeom is participating in this robbery."

Eogeum's face goes white, but he remains defiant. "This is a bank heist, pure and simple," he hisses, "Regardless of who's behind it—"

"Have you ever personally met Hwa-yeom?" Park interjects.

"...No."

"Then if you don't want your officers dead, I recommend you leave us to our work." Without waiting for a reply, Park gestures and the squad makes for the blockade.

"Bloody army," mutters Eogeum.


The squadron numbers twenty men equipped with a mix of heavy assault rifles, stun batons, and a handful of rifle grenades, plus three giant personnel shields. Fanning out along the outer line, they don protective helmets. The shield-bearers lead the slow advance into no-man's land with one or two comrades following, strategically spread to cover the main firing arcs from the bank's main floor. A salvo of bullets bounce off the shields, but it's clear the armour is too thick and the fire quickly ceases. Once they reach the front, the remaining troops sprint over.

"Rules of engagement?" asks the soldier nearest Park.

"Evacuate civilians; kill everyone else."

Two men lob smoke grenades through the broken windows. Ten seconds later, the squad storms the building. Bank workers are coughing and hacking on the floor, but there is no sign of the gunmen. Wasting no time, they make toward the teller stations; four armed men spring up from behind the counter, but still disoriented from the gas they are swiftly shot.

Park takes a brief survey of the room. "Three groups. You, get them out of here." He gestures to the workers. "You, check upstairs. The rest, with me."

Even for SWAT, the intervention would be harrowing. The unit comes under fire each time it enters a room—and the gunmen are shooting to kill. But the 'Bloody 9th' didn't earn its nickname from its own casualties, and the attackers are ruthlessly dispatched. By the tenth downed hostile, Park suspects it's a delay tactic—whatever Hwa-yeom's planning, the theft is a major component.

When his team finally reaches the basement, the vault door lies open with most of its contents removed. Here the resistance is fiercest, and soon it's clear why: someone drilled through the concrete foundation to shuttle the money through the adjoining building. Ordering the idle teams to abort and secure the block, Park leads his men unto the breach. It's clear this is the tail end of the rearguard, but it's also the fiercest yet, to the point the soldiers have to fall back, so heavy is the fire. Deploying more covering smoke, the soldiers ascend to the ground floor.

As soon as the shield-bearer reaches the threshold there are three sharp bangs. Park barely manages to avoid being knocked down by his comrade; he notices three ominous holes in the shield as the soldier tumbles down the stairs, taking several more with him. Undaunted, the commander lobs a frag grenade before diving into the room. With a single sweeping burst he downs the awaiting marksmen before clambering to his feet and rounding the corner.

Hwa-yeom stands in the entryway at the far end, flanked by two goons a side still recovering from the grenade. Park may be nicknamed 'the Beast', but it is truly a testament to his fortitude that his face doesn't even flicker. The criminal mastermind is half-way to turning back into the building. Park wastes no time taking the shot; with lightning speed Hwa-yeom feints left, responding with a machine pistol while gesturing his aides to evacuate. He dives behind the shop counter as Park hears his last round loose; tossing the gun aside he primes his baton, the tip glowing an electric blue. A nanosecond later Hwa-yeom leaps over the counter, lunging at the soldier like a guided missile; Park barely manages to swat the gun out of his hand, a single bullet grazing his helmet.

Hwa-yeom swings his left arm straight into Park's abdomen, and despite the tank-like armour, nearly winds him; his right hand and left leg slide contrarily and the soldier is knocked sideways. As Park tries to recover, Hwa-yeom slams his foot into his chest; not enough to hurt, yet deceptively forceful enough to keep him pinned as his adversary levels the gun. Not wasting a second, Park thrusts the baton into the pinning leg as he grabs the free foot and practically throws him sideways. When Hwa-yeom hits the ground, Park slams his legs full-force into his enemy's chest, sending him skitting across the floor.

Within seconds, the adversaries are back on their feet. "All this attention for a little bank heist?" Hwa-yeom teases with unnerving cordiality, "I feel humbled!" One of the teammates, having finally recovered from the fall on the stairs, rounds the corner; the crime boss grabs a splintered beam, lobbing it at the intruder just as the soldier squeezes the trigger while Park lurches toward Hwa-yeom; the bullets bounce off his armour but he manages to connect. His opponent retaliates immediately, and the two momentarily lock in kung fu before Hwa-yeom grabs Park by the back of his head and slams him into the countertop. The visor holds, but the shock stuns him long enough for his enemy to kick over a bookshelf at the incoming troops.

"I'm impressed, General Park!" he states, strolling calmly back toward the exit, "You don't muck about! Not like some supers I've known." Just as the commander rights himself, Hwa-yeom swings his fist downward; a flash, and a wall of fire erupts across the floor between them. "I'd indulge you longer, but I've got some cash to bank. Preferably somewhere other than Chuncheon." With a mock salute, he strides out, the firewall widening in his wake.

Already the heat is making Park sweat. Turning around he sees the beam sticking out of his comrade's shoulder, pinning him to the wall. The rest of the team has just finished heaving the bookcase back into place before hastening to the casualty. "Out," he orders, "Back through the bank. Notify the police immediately," he switches to squad radio, "We need fire crews ASAP. This block's set to go up in smoke."

 

[spaceman98]

We would like to announce that we will be sending millitary aid and advisors to the Rhineland Pocket in order to protect the workers of Germany from the Fascist Insurrectionists.

We will coordinate our own forces in defense of the German people with those of the UN-mandated taskforce, as we must all work together to topple the imperialists.

 

[christos200]

From: Thessaly
To: World

Despite the fact that the situation in Germany causes us sadness, we wish to state that we shall not intervene and we shall not follow the UN resolution on military intervention and sanctions. We do not support the insurrection in any way and we believe that they are a terrorist organization, but Thessaly has a policy of neutrality and non aggression.

 

[Omega124]

A few days later

An ominous wind blew threw the silent field, causing the skirt of Elsa's black dress to flutter in the air. It was the only thing that was speaking that evening; the entire grounds were silent, unmoving, dead. Rows and rows of stones, shaped in crosses, half circles, and even some in Thor's hammer dotted the grounds as the only feature outside of a few trees.

The ravenette stared into one of the stones forelonley. Grasping a bouquet of roses tightly, the leader of Pottslyvania sobbed quietly as she reminisced on events that happened eons ago. The names and dates etched on the tombstone burned into Elsa's mind, refusing to dissipate under circumstances. This wasn't the first time she visited this place, nor it would be the last.

"I miss you," Elsa muttered as she knelt down. The ravenette sighed as she placed the bouquet on the grave. "I miss you so much."

Those words echoed in Elsa's mind, sending a cold spot down her spine. The sensation lasted for seconds, filling her with even more dread. Until it lasted for even longer, unwavering in intensity. The ravenette turned around, seeing Ugnė point the tip of her sword on her back. Decked in her Sword of Gabija costume, the Lithuanian only greeted Elsa with a cold glare.

"I've been looking all over for you, Elsa," the swordswoman stated, poking her harder with her sword, "I shouldn't ever have trusted you."

Elsa sighed, "In a cemetery, Ugnė? Really? Can you have a little respect for the dead?"

"Says the woman whose nation is built on the lives of mine," the Lithuanian growled. Despite that, she sheathed her sword, adding, "But fine, I still have a sense of honor. Unlike you. Lying nazi pig."

Elsa stood up, to face Ugnė. "I'm not one of them. I swear to whatever gods you have, I'm not of them-"

"Bulls***!," cried the redhead, "I saw you talk like one on national television, talking about a German nation like if you were the chosen people. That 'God' was with you and gave you a manifest destiny to rule the world. Don't even try to deny that was what you said."

Elsa started into the ground, sobbing even more, "I said it because its what my people wanted to hear. If I show weakness, people will overthrow me. Hate the game, not the player."

"Don't play the game, then! No one is forcing you to be a dictator! Step down!"

Elsa silently stood, unsure what to think. With all the tribulations she had to go through to get to the top, the ravenette never even once considered resigning. Her entire life, Elsa thought, no, knew ruling Pottslyvania was her destiny. To just give it up...

"It doesn't work like that..."

"YES IT DOES!," the Lithuanian shouted, "You had a choice to restore the republic, and you chose not to! You had a choice not to invade Germany, but you chose to! You want this, Elsa! You want to be your grandfather! You want to be the Fearless Leader!"

"YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT I WANT TO BE THE FEARLESS LEADER!"

Elsa's eyes were now gunning down Ugnė, her face just as equally red as her counterpart's hair. Unflinching, the ravenette continued, "But I do not want to be a terrible, racist man who died decades before I was even born! I never even met the man, and no one will ever shut up about how I need to live up to his legacy! I'm not Elsa, I'm Hermann Pott's grandkid!

Look at the tombstone, Ugnė. That's who I really am."

Spoiler The Tombstone :

HERE LIES GERALD & LUISE BLAU
JAN 20, 1969-MAY 24, 2018 JUN 16, 1971-MAR 12, 2003
AND THEIR ONE DAUGHTER ELSA BLAU
MAR 12 2003-

Urmana studied the tombstone, never paying attention to the grave that Elsa was standing in front of prior. "Elsa... Blau?" she asked, "...Blau? I thought your name was always Pott."

"My dad," Elsa said, ignoring the question, "Was a bastard between Hermann and one of his secretaries, a fact that he never acknowledged in his lifetime. As far as we know, he is the only child sired by him, so that's why my existence was a shock to the world. My grandmother's father arranged a shotgun wedding for my grandma, Flora, with a family friend, and said he was the one, but they all secretly knew who the real father was. They did end up having kids of their own, but only my dad was Hermann's kid.

He never developed any powers, though; only software. But he did end up finding love with my mom. They married, and tried having a kid. I... never met my mom. But unlike my dad, I had Hermann's powers. Bullies could never seem to hurt me, and in karate classes everyone tripped and fumbled fighting against me. He told me the truth when I turned fourteen. The next year, he died during an Other bombing raid. His last words to me... as he was bleeding out....

'Go claim your birthright, Elsa'"

Elsa started bawling, and for a second, Ugnė's scowl turned into a sympathetic frown. However, she shook her head, and returned to a uncaring glare. "A sob story doesn't excuse that you are a terrible, hypocritical person. You claim you aren't your grandfather, but you want to inherit his legacy without any of his baggage. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

My people are practically dead because of people like you, who think that they have a birthright to something, and that they will crush everyone who stands in their way, without even flinching, in order to get it. You know how many millions you are killing for this promise? How many millions died for that promise to even exist?

At this point, I don't understand why you didn't kill me. I wish you did, because becoming your 'friend' was a fate worse than death."

The swordswoman turned away, and slowly started to leave the crying woman to herself. The wind and tears masked her footsteps, and Elsa could only stare hopelessly as her former friend walked away.

Elsa muttered, "Because I love you..."

Ugnė did not turn around.

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

CHUNCHEON BANK HEIST LINKED TO LOCAL TERRORIST​

SEOUL: Yesterday's bank robbery in Chuncheon was executed by operatives loyal to Hwayeombangsagi, government sources stated earlier today.

At 2:14 in the afternoon, masked gunmen armed with assault rifles stormed the Korea Exchange Bank and locked down the building. Police were called to the scene but were unable to gain entry, and a standoff ensued.

Ten minutes later, a detachment from the Army's 9th Urban Combat Division arrived at the scene and forced its way into the bank. The unit reported heavy resistance throughout the building and responded with lethal force. No civilians were harmed, although the task force reported six casualties, one life-threatening.

Witnesses claimed 8-12 gunmen were involved in the attack, but the Army believes upwards of 35 were encountered in the bank. 22 have been reported killed.

While the Army secured the building, the vault had been penetrated and a large sum of money removed. The attackers had tunnelled through the basement into the neighbouring building. Investigators suspect the raid was planned several weeks in advance, and that the lockdown served as a delay tactic while the vault was emptied.

The unit pursued the thieves through the tunnel, but were forced to fall back after the gunmen set fire to the building.

According to an official statement by the Ministry of Defense, there is "compelling evidence" that the perpetrators are under the employ of Hwayeombangsagi. It remains unknown whether Hwa-yeom himself participated in the robbery.

The cause for the raid is currently unknown, although the targeted branch was holding funds for Korea Eximbank at the time. Police believe the assets were removed in multiple vehicles, and are asking the public for help in identifying possible getaway cars.

It is not known whether the incident is related to this past month's string of minor robberies.

 

[spaceman98]

Claims Attached.

We have secured the Nasser Canal (OOC Note: Suez Canal), and will now begin to repair it. We will not expand further West. Glory to the Revolution!

Actual story to come

 

[spaceman98]

The Comittie on Elections has made its decisions, setting the groundwork for the SRMLKK's first House of the People to be elected since Babylon's ascension to the position of Chancellor. The decisions were as follows:

1: The 55-seat structure of the House of the People will be maintained. The SRMLKK will be divided into 55 geometric districts of equal population. This division will be carried out by the Comittie on Elections, and approved by the Chancellor.

2: 98 candidates have been selected to run. All candidates must either belong to the Communist Party, or run as Independents. 67 Communists and 21 independents have passed all necissary tests, and are permitted to run.

3: Polling is scheduled for late-January.

4: In 4 districts, one Communist is running uncontested. In 21 districts, two Communists are contesting. In 18 districts a communist is contesting an independent candidate. In 1 district (Jerusalem) a Communist is contesting 2 independent candidates. In 1 district (Batman, yes that is an actual city in Turkey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_Province), 2 communists and 1 independent are contesting.

Within the Communist party, the primary point of discussion is between politicians who support greater participation on the global stage to liberate the workers of the world, and those who believe that the nation should focus on improving its own interal economy. Independent candidates are largely running to draw attention to local issues, such as public works, in their district. For example, an independent candidate in Anbar is running to represent the needs of tribal groups there. These elections, to be conducted in the last week of January, are proof that socialist Democracy is a real and powerful force in which the voice of the people can be heard.

The People's House's first priorities, once elected will be: ratifying or ammending existing plans to reclaim the Nasser Canal, passing a budget and appointing 3 individuals to the next Comitte on Elections.

 

[GenMarshall]

Link to video.

Connie was busy overseeing the city skyline of Hartford being erected in a sea of shining girders and glass, fresh from the Pennsylvanian steel mills. She has seen her nation grow from a series of small settlements and vaults to cities. As she opens up the Hartford Courant to read the news of the situation of the world. One such event has caught her attention "Well, this is something that I've not come to expect".

"What's that?" Aradesh Lynette asked as he gets up to read the paper along side Connie.

Connie then points at the article in question "'GSND overthrown, Neo-Fascism on the Rise in Germany'. It seems things have gone belly up across the Atlantic. Look here, on the map, the Osterkamp Insurrectionists have pushed the remnants of the GSND government to these pockets". She then puts the newspaper on a table "They have made a desperate plea to the entirety of the world stage. Though it would be unsurprising that fascists and plutocrats would side with the Osterkamps".

"The Commonwealth of Australia has been organizing a task group for the liberation of the GSND" Aradesh Lynette said.

"Well, so far, we still have to see if others are going to commit before we send our troops oversees" Connie said as she grabs her gym bag and heads to change before delivering a State of the Union Address.

Connie, then walked down from the Old Govenor's Office, down the halls to the General Assembly where both the Senate and House of Representatives gather for President Connie's State of the Union address.

"People of the New England Commonwealth. Today, marks the first milestone in the Commonwealth's history that we continue the democratic traditions of the old world. Today, is the first State of the Union address.

Within a span of a season, the New England Commonwealth has grown from a unity of small settlements and vaults to a thriving nation state. We have sought out to rebuild and fine tune our industrial base and shipyards. Just last week, I've overheard that the NEC Megaton was built ahead of schedule and has been commissioned and joins our ever growing naval fleet. The Admiralty of the Commonwealth have been proud to see that their navy has grown into a significant naval power.

NEC Megaton after her launch from Newport News Virginia Naval Shipyards​

Megaton will be joined with three newly built cruisers; Haafingar, Hartford, and Providance to form a task force to aid in the Osterkamp Insurrectionist Crisis with Admiral Gilles under the command. Megaton shall serve as the flagship for this taskforce, along with a detachment of Marines from the Commonwealth Marine Corps. The Long Island, will soon join her sister ship in sea once she's been launched and commissioned in a month or so.

I've received word from submarine shipyards that they are up and running and have started to construct attack submarines using old plans and diagrams found there. I applaud our scavengers and naval advisers on recovering the plans for the old Virginia-Class Submarines, stashed away in the old world terminals.

NEC Long Island at the Newport News Virginia Naval Shipyard​

Our nation's ground and air forces have grown quite exponentially. Air Force Bases across the commonwealth have been restored and are in operational condition. Pilots have started to train future generation of fighter and bomber pilots. Aircraft Manufacturing plants have been restored to operational status and have started to produce aircraft for both the military and civilian markets. I was proud the other day, to attend the first flight of a 737 at Bradley Airport. With the restoration of air travel, we would not have to rely solely on sea transport to transport our goods to other nations across the globe.

Our scientists at MIT have constructed the first prototype of the AER7 Laser Rifle, to be distributed amongst our soldiers and marines. Our MIT scientists have not only worked hard on developing these technologies for our troops, but they've also worked tirelessly to restore and bring back technologies of the old world.

Earlier I've mentioned the Osterkamp Insurrectionist Crisis, It is a crisis of grave importance that would determine the stability of Europe. A state run under a terrorist organization is something that I and the commonwealth cannot stand to see operating, nor does the rest of the world seek to see operating. The Osterkamp is a neo-fascist terrorist organization.

I have personally spoke with Admiral Gilles in leading a task force to support the UN Taskforce in their efforts to bring peace and stability within Germany and drive out the terrorists residing within the borders. I've also spoken with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Markland about activating and attaching the 2nd and 4th Marine Regiments to the naval taskforce lead by Battleship Megaton. We have yet to hear from the United Nations Taskforce to Germany members on their commitments before deploying our sailors, ships, and marines.

Claims:

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

In accordance with General Assembly Resolution 2022-1 ratified earlier this season, the United Democratic People's Republic of Korea officially declares the Osterkamp government a rogue state. Persons or corporate entities providing material support to the illegitimate government will be prosecuted as abettors of a terrorist regime and may face fines, revocation of passports, revocation of corporate charter, seizure of fiscal assets, and/or criminal imprisonment. Seoul thanks you for your understanding.

In other news, the Government of Korea invites representatives from the Russian Empire, Dai Nippon, and Red China to attend a diplomatic conference in Seoul for the purpose of determining means by which our nations may execute good office in Asiatic affairs.