Interview with a UN Peacekeeper in Kilani
Exclusive for the Times-Herald Readers

Photo Inset: Kingdom of Listeneisse UN Peacekeeper keeping vigil over the expansive Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the highlands of Kilani between PRK and KRA territories.

by Miles J. Godwyn, Listeneisse Times-Herald

GREEN RIVER, People's Republic of Kilani - The invasion of the People's Republic of Kilani (PRK) by SLI Sector brought an unexpected twist to the UN Peacekeeping and UN International Red Cross Organization (IRCO) missions in the nation provided by the Kingdom of Listneisse.

A counteroffensive, named Operation Hammerblow, was being conducted in the south against the SLI Sector invaders. It had resulted in the temporary cessation of hostilities between the People's Army of Kilani (PAK) and the army of the breakaway Kilani Republican Army (KRA).

While the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was still being established between PAK and KRA cease-fire lines, fighting continued in a broad offensive conducted by a break-away force of the KRA, now known as the New Republicans.

But for those who agreed to the cease fire, the PAK made a remarkable concession. KRA forces were granted safe conduct by the PAK through the nation by rail and road transportaion to take part in the fighting in the far south border region siezed by SLI Sector.

This narrow strip of territory bordered the adjoining nation of Zodno-Pomorskie where the Kingdom of Listeneisse, SLI Sector and the PRK were all involved with the Wilk revolt and Turysta terrorist attacks.

SLI Sector had remained in Zodno-Pomorskie and used the nation as a staging base. Officially, Zodno-Pomorskie had no comment about their nation's use as a launching point of foreign invasion. Foreign Ministry spokesmen from the Kingdom said diplomatic channels to being used address the situation.

Map showing the nation of the People's Republic of Kilani (PRK) including KRA and SLI Sector held areas and the Operation Hammerblow counteroffensive. Source: PRK Foreign Ministry.

Operation Hammerblow seemed to be just that. An army of 325,000 men from the PAK, plus additional forces from the KRA, were assembled to counterattack 50,000 personnel of SLI Sector across a broad front. The territory siezed by SLI Sector was thousands of sq km. If they evenly disbursed across it all, they had only about a squad of men to defend each square kilometer. Instead, they would be forced to choose specific locations and defend at all costs, leaving vast quantities of land to be overrun if there were breakthroughs or bypassing of positions. Initial attacks were already underway and fighting was described as fierce by Red Cross workers contacted.


"We are expecting a great many casualties. Artillery will be the likely cause of most trauma. We are looking at dismemberments, shattered limbs, lacerations and puncture wounds from shell fragments, burns, blunt trauma and concussions, and a great many cases of post-traumatic stress," spoke Dr. Ruth Offre of the Listeneisse Red Cross.

"The fighting in the remote area will make it difficult to get sufficient blood supplies. Transportation is poor. SLI Sector seems to have stranded its soldiers in places with insufficient vehicles to even withdraw in the face of fire. They are dug in, and they may refuse to surrender. We expect a fair number to not even be able to get to aid stations."

On a plane ride towards the counteroffensive, aboard a small turboprop military transport, the Times-Herald was able to conduct an exclusive interview with members of the UN Peacekeeping mission who spoke candidly about the political and military situation in the nation.

One was a dashing figure. He had a pip marking him a Second Lieutenant. His name was 2nd Lt. Thomas Berth. He had not seen service in Zodno-Pomorskie, but had studied the war carefully.

He provided a historical context and comparison.

"A completely different war. There, you had a phony 'Communist' uprising supported by foreign money. The Wilk lacked popular support, and the nation was in far better condition economically to stave off their attacks with international assistance. The people there were politically disinterested in any sort of uprising and preferred peace if they could get it. Here, the KRA enjoys popular support, at least in their own provinces. The economy is... Not good. The government is entirely cash-strapped. And the people are eager to get into a good scrum if they feel the cause is just. Very passionate."

"The war in Zodno-Pomorskie began when the nation was small -- six million people. The nation was able to continue to grow politically throughout the crisis, and eventually they overwhelmed the Wilk, who never really had popular support or economic infrastructure to keep their military forces going in the long-haul. Here, you have a nation with a population over 450 million. The break-away provinces alone are the size of Zodno-Pomorskie, to give you an idea of the scale. This is a vastly different operation. It's an enormous nation with a big problem. Depending on the intensity of the fighting, casualties can be in the millions. We really need to be peacekeepers, because if we fail, the death toll could dwarf what we saw in Zodno-Pomorskie."

LTH: "What do you think of SLI Sector's actions?"

"I believe it's a clear violation of UNR 49. Many cite the violation of UNR 49 by PRK's own entry into Zodno-Pomorskie as the historical basis for the conflict. But there's no justification for UN member nations to go to mutual war and invasion. It was wrong for Kilani to do that in ZP, and it's a travesty that SLI Sector has decided to go that route here in Kilani. Two wrongs, and a gross violation of national sovereignty rights. On both counts."

LTH: "Why do you believe SLI Sector invaded?

"We're puzzled. They brought in 200,000 troops against a nation of 466 million people. In my book, that would be a force hard-pressed to hold a nation a tenth the size of Kilani if they stood against you. Then they pulled out three quarters of their force. It's like they are looking for an excuse to get their troops slaughtered."

LTH: "What effect do you believe this will have on SLI Sector politically?"

"First, I am a soldier, not a politician. Then again, we have freedom of expression in Listeneisse, and you have freedom of the press, so let's fully exercise those rights. While I am on a UN Peacekeeping mission, I'll watch my language. But let me be blunt: SLI Sector has done some cock-eyed things ever since they first set foot in Zodno-Pomorskie, and they continue to act in bizarre, unpredictable and unsafe ways. Strategically, SLI Sector has lost all credibility as a peacekeeping force. They proved uncooperative in ZP to work with other UN peacekeeping coalition forces. They continued to attack locations long after fighting was declared over in areas. There were reports of terrorist attacks committed by their own troops against their own troops. People commonly disappeared in zones they were given to police. Local political leaders who did not agree with SLI Sector's 'superior ways' were often targeted and some were assassinated. They are volitile and unstable. It's like watching someone juggling explosives. Being around them is dangerous. It's only a matter of time before they make terrible mistakes and there will be a lot of casualties."

LTH: "What do you think about the prospects for Operation Hammerblow? I understand that is what the current counteroffensive is called?"

"My duties as a peacekeeper are to keep the people of Kilani from killing each other. While all wars are terrible in the extreme, in this case, we will not stand against the people of Kilani from taking back their own territory."

LTH: "What do you think will be the outcome of the counteroffensive?"

"RAL [Royal Army of Listeneisse] has its own G2 [military intelligence] assessment of what might happen, but I'd rather not specifically comment about other nation's military capabilities or plans. Yet it's apparent that the SLI Sector forces are outnumbered, broadly disbursed over a large territory defending with only a quarter of the force they had taken it with, and without in depth defenses or strong logistics on a frontier position in a foreign nation. PRK forces are not the best-paid or best-equipped, but they outnumber the enemy and are highly motivated for their national defense."

LTH: "How do you percieve the KRA's position?"

"They are going to be bringing additional forces to bear on the flank of SLI Sector. Yes, I should amend that SLI Sector is facing two offenses. One from PRK and one from KRA. In general, KRA seems rather self-confident. They have already gotten great concessions from the Communist leadership. Hard-liners are unhappy, but the reality is that the nation is going to be different. In Zodno-Pomorskie, the government had to give due acknowledgement to the Communists. Here, the Communist government needs to give due acknowledgement to the Republicans. In a way, the war has already been won for the KRA. They agreed to the cease fire nearly immediately in de facto terms, though their leadership remains mostly silent officially."

LTH: "What about the New Republicans?"

"Fighting is continuing against them. I just came from observing that front yesterday. The combat is intense. It's a real war. There are armoured forces and combat aircraft engaged. New Republicans have 80,000 men, and they are trying to use them all now, while there is still a distraction of the SLI Sector invasion. I'm not sure, but they might be trying to sieze as much territory as possible so that they can declare agreement to a cease fire far beyond what the rest of KRA was willing to declare their held territory. The UN Peacekeeping forces are simply not going to intervene there. No reason to put our forces in harm's way. There is a corridor of combat with advances being claimed in both directions between the NR and the PAK. We had to take the long way around the bulges and hold out positions to continue to set up the DMZ on the far inland side from the fighting."

LTH: "What do you think of the prospects of the New Republicans?"

"If they are successful, the NP might draw in other KRA forces chafing at the peace. Some might also agree that, though they succeeded, they could gain more. However, most KRA territories have been stripped to focus on the SLI Sector counteroffensive. They'd rather gain land at the expense of SLI Sector than against their fellow countrymen. Once that's settled, we'll have to see how the peace holds. NP might suffer in the fighting and dwindle in strength if they lose battles. Or they might gain in strength if they win battles and territory."

"Wars like this, with irregular forces and mass mobilization of populations, there's have a tendency to turn 80,000 hard core fighters into 400,000 personnel overnight. All it takes is an assault rifle, ammunition, PRGs, and a soul willing to die for their ideology. There's a few industrial towns they are aiming to capture, and a few they are being forced to hold at all costs. If they can improve their provincial economy, they could afford a larger force. Or they could attract more KRA loyalists to their more radical position over time. If they fail to achieve quick wins, or cannot attract other KRA forces to join them, the more numerous PAK army might simply overwhelm them and drown them in numbers over time. So it could be anything from a fast and furious but contained brushfire, to a large and protracted and bloody civil war."

"Even after a war, we expect insurgencies and counterinsurgency fighting to continue. That's actually when there's the most danger for civilian casualties. In a conventional war, civilians clear out and the forces move in to fight. We saw in Zodno-Pomorskie that market squares and unconventional explosive devices lead to catastrophic results."

LTH: "Do you think that could happen here?"

"Right now, as a peacekeeper, we' all hoping all the Kilani forces agree to a mutual cease fire and negociate for a new government and perhaps a semi-autonomous state for those who wish it. But it's up to the people of Kilani to determine what's best for them."

LTH: "Thank you."

"You're most welcome. One last thing: a shout to Gomeret United Rugby Club! The game is the game!"

Roleplaying Thread

WAR IN ZODNO-POMORSKIE TURNS CORNER
Wilk Forces Retreat as Battles Rage On

ZP militia woman who took up blood-drenched truce flag standing atop hard-won Wilk position.

Source: Arise People of Zodno-Pomorskie!

Antiwar Protests Lead to Police Death
People Protest ZP Intervention

ISLE OF JOY, KINGDOM OF LISTENEISSE -- Vehement protests erupted today against the nation's involvement in Zodno-Pomorskie and also the MILEX VL '05 military exercises, in which a Vice Admiral of the fleet defended itself with a fictitious nuclear weapons exchange. Clashes with police led to one death of a police officer in a peace protest turned violent.

The Isle of Joy is known for its conservative, insular attitudes towards international engagement. It has also been an area where multiculturalism found in the rest of the nation has been met with stiff opposition from local leaders.

Protesters had demanded access to the royal residence at the Castle of the Isle of Joy. No one from the Royal Family was present, but the issue was a heated one. The Royal Constabulary and even Grail Templar military guards of the residency had ordered the crowd to stand down. Chaos ensued and a police officer was beaten to death after disbursing tear gas and pepper spray to disburse the protesters.

"I cannot believe they call themselves 'peace' protesters," said Captain Gar de la Monte of the Royal Constabulary. "Rocks and missiles were hurled at my men who were simply standing to ensure no trespassers or hooligans got into the Royal Estate. Yes, we understand their greivance, but there is no need to resort to this level of barbarism. None. I had to speak to his wife today. I consider her a war widow, and will be taking the case to the appropriate authorities to see if we can get her due benefits."

Official statements by groups who organized the peace demonstration condemned the deadly beating, which was apparently in response to the police discharge of tear gas to disburse the increasingly unruly crowd.

Unofficially, conspiracy theories abound that the government must have sent in agents provocateur to stir the crowd. Such suggestions were roundly denounced by the Captain as the "obvious delusions by those seeking to escape responsibility for today's actions."

Police cameras clearly show the incident unfolding from various angles. The vast majority of the crowd remained back and simply chanted as they had done all morning. But members of the crowd moved forward and tried to push their way through the police line, issuing threats and spitting. The police line failed to part. Due to the increasing hostility, the crowd was finally ordered to disburse, according to members of the Constabulary.

When it failed to do so, tear gas cannisters began to land, and individual officers used their pepper spray to drive away unruly protesters. One officer instead drew his club and hit a protester after being physically shoved. A number of protesters then rushed the officer, who had moved forth from the ranks, and began to beat him. In approximately 38 seconds, they had wrestled his helmet off and hit him on the head repeatedly with his own police baton until he fell. As the crowd disbursed because of the gas, Constabulary officers surged forward and arrested many of those responsible for the beating, while others fled. The officer was pronounced dead at hospital.

Funeral Services and Pro-Government Rally Scheduled

The slain police officer was Sergeant Jonathan Garel, a twenty-four year veteran. Private funeral services for the slain officer will be held Wednesday, open only to members of the Royal Constabulary, family and friends.

Pro-government supporters are planning a march that day to support the people of Listeneisse who have been committed to the Zodno-Pomorskie UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions and to commemorate the lives of all those who have been unjustly lost to the fighting.

Raised Taxes Lead to Raised Voices

The protesters were also complaining about the rising taxes to pay for government services. The present tax rate at 52% was not due to any direct calls for increased military expenditures. The 5% rise (from the prior 47% tax rate) was imposed because of the three main reasons. First, closing of loopholes and incentives which had been maintained for women due to the new equal rights provision. Second, programmes to ensure women's rights are upheld nationwide. And third, the requisite pay raise for women working throughout government at all levels.

Yet it has been seen as a "war tax," which frustrated those who had thought the nation was once on its way to disarmament. The military's percentage of spending has not increased, but the rise in general tax rate also has meant a rise in defense spending. Where once the nation had defense spending as low as 0.71% of GDP, presently 3.39% of GDP is now committed to national defense.

Concern Over Nuclear Wargames

"It is an outrage that we, the Grail Kingdom, were so ready to pretend to use nuclear weapons in a military wargame!" voiced Hanrietta Lyon, leader of People Espousing Advanced Civilized Ethics (PEACE).

A military spokesman assured it was simply a military exercise. It was in response to a simulated attack against the fleet and civilian vessels of over a kiloton of munitions. No one was hurt, and rules of engagement for future exercises were being developed.

Still, the issue was a chilling one. In response to the defensive use of nuclear weapons, there were threats by other war game participants to change the situation to one of general thermonuclear exchange to decimate the Kingdom of Listeneisse.

"Yes, this is always possible," spoke retired Brigadier Chester T. F. Pounder, retired ordnance chief for the Royal Army of Listeneisse. "Nuclear weapons are in the arsenal of most of the over 100,000 nations in the world. The question is being explored by the military: how do you stop that threat? Because it is real, and it has decimated other nations before. In the wargame, they had little choice to keep tens of thousands of sailors alive but to use nuclear weapons to intercept an incoming barrage of conventional missiles. Think then what might be needed to defend against a barrage of incoming ICBMs, and you see the peril that the military is taking steps to address through simulations and exercises, rather than discovering this in what they colloquially call 'a shooting war.'"

"Apparently they are practicing in Van Luxemburg to gain experience that will help them in Zodno-Pomorskie," spoke Ms. Lyon. "Which brings into question the military's competency in getting involved in the first place. It's all in preparation for a long series of 'peacekeeping' operations which are not keeping the peace. People are dying. Yes, it is a tragedy what is occurring in Zodno-Pomorskie. But we need to find a better means of diplomacy to achieve our national goals. We have larger regional allies which could have put a stop to this immediately. Where are they? Where is the rest of the United Nations?"

King Upholds Limited Rights of Protesters

The King was said to be grieved upon hearing the news and reported to have retired early. Sources close to the Royal Family report the soveriegn had hoped the Kingdom's people would see the necessity to defend a nation that was just beginning to move into the world, as he himself had sheparded the nation safely onto the world stage.

This morning, a spokesperson for His Majesty's government affirmed the people's ancient right to bring their grievances to the monarch. Yet it was also reminded to all parties that lawlessness and civility must be ensured for those rights to not turn into abuses of the government, its staff, or general society. Future protests are permitted so long as proper permitting procedures are followed, organizers restrict their expression to a safe area which could contain the crowds, and so long as they remained peaceful.

The spokesperson also has said the King has decided to meet with the leaders of various peace groups in private audience. In the King's own words, the spokesperson quoted: "It was vital that the nation keep allegience to its principles, and the legacy of the defenders of the Holy Grail -- to heal those that were wounded, and to defend that which was innocent and threated."

Zodno-Pomorskie War Continues
ZP Defense Up $200M; Civilian Risks; Queen Mother in ZP

REPUBLIC OF ZODNO-POMORSKIE -- The Republican government of Zodno-Pomorskie (ZP) today announced its latest approved budget. It increased its defense spending an additional $200 Million, for 22% of the overall national budget. Total spending is now $7.66 Billion. Law enforcement was an additional 28%, or $9.75 Billion.

The government continues to lack coordinated investments in healthcare, education, transportation and welfare. The zloty slid slightly to 4.5995 against the dollar in foreign exchanges.

The $200 Million spending increase was due to a last minute public-private consortium to launch the nation's first domestically-produced military spacecraft. The details of the purpose or mission of the launch vehicle and payload have not been disclosed, but already local retail businesses, including a popular local soft drink company, were accepted as sponsors of the mission to increase patriotism and boost the economy.

SLI Sector defense contractors, in unison with the corporation that produces "Bouncy Bubble Beverage" were turned down for a competing bid. The ZP government wished it to be an exclusively domestic consortium.

Counterterroism Operations Continue

Since the terrorist incidents, both military and paramilitary police units have been operating in tight integration for common defense of the nation. The Frontier Corps, Militia and other ad hoc units were quickly adapting to situations on the ground.

More activity was reported along the Wilk front, with Republican forces staging counterterrorist operations and even forays deep into the wilderness areas, once thought to be safe havens for the Wilk separatist movement.

So far, irregulars of Wilk have been somewhat neutral to Kingdom of Listeneisse forces. But a hard core of insurgents, reputed to be sponsored by the Empire of Fujikawa were believed responsible for various terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in recent months.

Listeneisse Civilians Drawn Further into Conflict

Military planners were still wondering what to do against the threat from the sea if there was to be an attack by the Empire of Fujikawa. It has stationed its massive fleet off the coast, and has been performing miltary exercises in preparation for a declared intent to invade.

Last minute diplomatic protests by the Kingdom of Listeneisse halted the invasion, at least temporarily. It remains to be seen what will unfold in the coming days. Tensions in the capital remain high.

All requests for comment by members of the Ministry of Defense or armed services were refused, as this was a tightly-controlled diplomatic situation.

Besides Listeneisse's purely military commitments, over 30,000 civilians attached to the peacekeeping effort are also in country, with more expected as the violence of the counteroffensive against Wilk increases. This included diplomatic corps, law enforcement (such as intelligence agents and analysts, Royal Forestry, and Constabulary), defense contractors (everything from personal security firms to radio tower technicians and unexploded ordnance specialists), customs officials, plus medical and humanitarian aid workers.

A member of the Foreign Secretary's office spoke under condition of anonymity that "forces were fully prepared in case of any eventuality," yet hoped that sanity and peace might still prevail.

Professor M. M. Bleise of the Royal University, an expert in foreign policy, offered his opinion, "I think we know full well who is behind the recent violence in RZP [Republic of Zodno-Pomorskie]. This began as a UN mission dedicated to the national sovereignty of a people. Each small nation in the world has to face this sort of threat from larger and far more hostile neighbors."

He contrasted the plight of the people of Zodno-Pomorskie with our nation's own history, "Recall the Kingdom of Listeneisse during its infancy. We had to dedicate 10% of our GDP to national defense for exactly this reason. Zodno-Pomorskie is in that same position -- quite at risk. But unlike us, it actually was attacked by foreigners, or foreign-sponsored insurgents, during its time of great economic weakness. To force a small nation into such a state of militarization is crippling for a people. If they manage to stave off these incursions, it can galvanize them as a nation and will be seen patriotically in decades and centuries to come. If they fail to rally in a united purpose, you can see the nation carved up into Zodno, Pomorskie, and a few other small claimed territories, such as Kilani Protectorate Zone."

Queen Mother Visits Zodno-Pomorskie

In a surprise visit, the aged Queen Mother came to Zodno-Pomorskie. She was escorted by members of the Order of the Knights of the Temple of the Holy Grail (KOTHG).

Taking both Listeneisse and ZP officials by surprise, she did not bother with state visits but went directly to a field hospital run on behalf of the UN International Red Cross Organization (UN IRCO) staffed by sisters of the Order of the Grey Nuns (OGN).

There, she donned hospital nurse garb and began to work with the local medical staff for the care of trauma victims, many of them children suffering from gunshot and explosives wounds.

Word of her visit spread only after she had been in ZP for a full day and a half. When reporters from the Times-Herald finally met with her during a break from her duties in hospital, the aged but still doughty royal had this to say.

"When We heard that there was going to be a war, We wished to come and be part of it. In Our own way. We wanted to see whether these nations truly understood the suffering they were causing. Whether their people truly supported these means to achieve whatever ends their leaders sought. Whatever profits they hoped to make, We wanted them to see the cost on the balance sheet of their souls. For now, We shall work here to heal and to care for what others have put to grief. If there is anything that We would ask of them it would be this: to act nobly in spirit. For this quality of how profits are made, and the suffering that is required to produce them, is the true differentiation between wealth and mere money."

The Queen Mother, it is to be noted, has usually not spoken with the royal plural since her retirement upon the death of her husband, Parzival XIII. Since then, she has lived a modest life of charitable works on behalf of the Kingdom. She has never taken a public political stand on any matter of foreign policy before this.

She then broke from her formal declaration and added this candid remark of a personal basis.

"I am a mother. And I know what my son is doing to stop this crisis. I came here to be with these sons and daughters of our nation. Those who have chosen to aid in this crisis, many volunteers who have put aside jobs and families to be here, to assure them that our nation and our royal family cares about their fate. I came here also to care for the people of Zodno-Pomorskie. These poor, dear children who have been made fatherless, and motherless, or have had their own bodies torn apart from the fighting. I can only wonder what the mothers of other nations involved in this event are thinking. Especially the mothers of their leaders. I wonder what they might do, to help morally counsel and aid their own sons and daughters at this time."

"We recently passed domestic law for equal rights for women. Well, here I am, an equal participant in the war here. Only, I shall not pick up a weapon. I am here to heal, not harm."

The Queen Mother surely did not need to pick up a weapon. The Grail Templar contingent that protects her is dressed in white surcoats with red crosses, but do not mistake them for unarmed aid workers. They bear the Cross of St. Josephus in rememberance of the struggles fought by Christians to survive in a world frought with cynicism and war. They are armed to fight such a war.

The bodyguard of the Queen Mother is small. Roughly a platoon in size. Other Royal Army units responding to Her presence were sent away. Many of the Templars are not allowed to stand around, but are required to also aid in medical treatment for the hospital. Many of them are trained surgeons, doctors and dentists who were selected for their ability to provide security as well as pragmatic care.

They differentiate themselves from other soldiers participating in the UN peacekeeping mission and Red Cross personnel by not wearing the blue UN helmet. Instead, their helmets were lined specifically for this mission in purple. Their red crosses are also thinner and extend to the end of their surcoats, unlike the truncated Greek cross of the Red Cross.

In fact, most Red Cross vehicles operated by the Kingdom of Listeneisse are now starting to sport the "Red Crystal." It is a hollow diamond shape, neutral in religion, to encompass all religious and secular Red Cross volunteers.

The Queen Mother, for her part, wears the traditional Red Cross, as do the nurses and workers of the Order of Grey Nuns and the Order of White Monks (OWM) working in the nation.

After her break, she once again began her duties, which were to be conducted in private between the Red Cross staff and their patients.

The ZP government officially claims casualty figures in the hundreds, but other reports put casualties in the thousands nationwide since the fighting began. Regardless of the actual figure used, based on the cries of sirens arriving at the Red Cross aid station, the number was going to continue to rise for some time to come.

BOMBS WRACK MICROROOSTER!
GOVERNMENT IN CHAOS!
Listeneisse Offers Aid & Assistance

DAS KAPITAL, USSM -- A large series of bombs detonated today, devastating the national government of the United Socialist State of Microrooster (USSM) by eliminating senior government leadership and causing over a thousand casualties.

The national assembly was in open session when the building exploded, utterly destroyed by one or more military-grade bombs. Simultaneously, senior government members, including the President, were believed to have been sequestered in a secret emergency leadership meeting at a separate location when a massive bomb detonated. Over a dozen other bombs were unleashed across the country over the next hour in a coordinated attack on national government sites, leaving hundreds of other casualties in their wake.



The two devastating bomb blasts in the capital were estimated to have killed 580 people and wounded at least 910. Casualties were estimated by a surviving member of the health ministries, who reported his own superior was missing and presumed killed in the senior committee meeting.

The figures were based on actual confirmed deaths and reported casualties as well as government estimates of the numbers of workers in each building. The health ministry official admitted the figure could be higher, depending on how many tourists or visitors were in the national assembly building at the time. Bodies were still being recovered from the ruins, and many persons were reported missing.

BUILDINGS OBLITERATED

"It just evaporated," said Mrs. Edith Broome, a shaken tourist, describing the national assembly building's explosion, "I was with my husband and children taking pictures when the whole thing went up."

Mrs. Broome's video camera was taken from her by security personnel. She was told it was to be used as evidence. She and her husband and children were first questioned by authorities then barred from the scene. The press were denied access to the video. But the results of the carnage were clear, as the blasts could be heard throughout the city.

While the fires were still being extinguished and bodies recovered, wreckage fragments were taken away for chemical analysis. According to one anonymous source, experts readily detected traces of a military-grade explosive in at least three of the blast sites. Both capital explosions, and another at a regional taxation office, were caused by an explosive known as PBX Composition B. Other bombs were said to have been made soley with traditional explosives like TNT.

USSM officials refused to answer detailed inquiries as to the source or nature of the blast, but did not refute the Times-Herald's information.

"Whoever they were, this was not an amateur operation," said Harold Torpex, a munitions expert for Listeneisse Chemical, a leading provider of explosives for the Ministry of Defense. "PBX, or Polymer Bonded Explosives, are made from rather rare materials. Composition B, for instance, is comprised of TNT but also cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, professionally called RDX. If you want it to really burn hot, you might mix it with some aluminum. You won't get this from your neighborhood chemistry supply shoppe."

Brig. Chester T. F. Pounder, retired ordnance chief for the Royal Army of Listeneisse, estimated the size of the bomb that devastated the USSM national assembly, "Looking at the pictures of the scene, I'd say we're talking about two, three or more tons of explosives to bring a building of that size down that fast."

He said it was too early to speculate the entirety of the damage. "I hear there were seventeen sites in all. Not all of them were as large as the national assembly, and I haven't seen pictures of the other attacks, mind you, but this likely took tons -- and I mean tons -- of explosives. If they could do this in one day, there's still likely to be more tons of military-grade explosives they have laying around."

THEORIES ABOUND

No known demand or claim has been made public by any terrorist organizations. It is unquestionably a mass assassination of government officials unprecedented in recent times. But beyond that, there are vast differences in the theories circulating.

Political demagogues immediately began to cast blame on foreign powers, claiming different international rivals paid for the assassination. Some have even listed Listeneisse among potential sponsors of this terrorist act, though the Kingdom was widely regarded as being on good terms with the USSM prior to its collapse.

Regional separatist movements in the USSM have long wanted to break away from the centralized government, but no one gave serious credence to such threats. Most separatist movements were frustrated with the irresponsive central authorities yet presumed peaceful in nature.

Another theory being put forth was that one or more senior leaders decided to flee rather than face internal security scrutiny, which might have led to their criminal arrest, and set up an elaborate 'terrorist' scenario to cover their departure. It was long-rumored a senior-level investigation was occurring, up to the highest levels of government. According to these speculations, some number of conspirators may have been behind the explosions, to cover their escape and to eliminate political rivals and proof of their crimes.

Mid-ranking officials concede today's secret briefing of cabinet was going to be on matters of internal security. But whatever happened in those meetings remains a mystery, at least to the public. All of those who were thought to be present for the briefing are either dead or missing. Anyone monitoring the meeting within the room was killed in the blast.

There are many rumors and hot debate over what happened to the senior members of government. No bodies have been identified with senior USSM leaders. With the utter destruction of the building, it is unlikely that the mystery will be cleared up any time soon.

Suspicions of others who might have committed the act, or cooperated with its conduct, now cast a pall over members of the military and intelligence services of the USSM government, as well as members of the military-industrial suppliers who may have not been paid recently by the faltering government.

No explanation was forthcoming on how massive quantities of explosives were delivered to so many key government installations without a significant internal conspiracy. No visible attackers were reported, and no vehicles were seen approaching or leaving the bombed sites.

Surviving members of the national government have formed a joint civil-military authority (CMA) to handle affairs, but the situation is chaotic, and conflicts between government members have already been reported. The CMA includes representatives of both the USSM military and a few members of the national assembly who were not present for the session. Regional leaders have decried that they have been left out of the new CMA, and that it equates to no more than a military coup.

Talk of a coup, or martial law, has alarmed the nation. Many wonder if a civil war might result. Tonight, there are roadblocks set up across regional borders between the once United Socialist States of Microrooster. State governors, unprepared for this sort of national emergency, are stopping domestic traffic crossing regional borders to perform spot-checks of cars and trucks. National airports are closed.

FRACTURED NATION

It had been commonly joked in this mostly apolitical country, "National Apathy would have been the largest party, but no one decided to register." But today few joked, and the people were far from apathetic.

The "United" Socialist States were long-ignored by their central ruling committee, and for the most part, the average citizen ignored their government.

For many, today's devastation was the final straw. Rather than rally together, with the elimination of so many senior officials, popular sentiment is to devolve the state entirely.

Separatist leaders hope to now see the fruits of their efforts to break the USSM into smaller regional states. Ethnic and regional tensions remain high, but hostilities have not broken out yet, and civil order is being maintained.

Yet in some scattered towns, there were actual celebrations of the fall of the government. While most in the capital or the affected cities mourned the deaths, hard-hit rural and industrial communities waved local flags, spontaneously marched or rallied before other national government buildings, or held up placards with slogans like "USSM RIP" or "The Nation Formerly Known as USSM."

"What government? We have no government!"

So declared one regional separatist leader who refused to be named for interview. "I'll give you my name when I am sure we have a real government again. I don't want the police to come get me. We should not have to fear to say things like this. We had a government who took our money. We had people who promised great things. I haven't seen any great things in a great while. Forgive me for speaking ill of the dead, and I grieve for the families of those killed, but we needed a new government. Maybe now we might get one."

The USSM is, or had been, a nation with a population of 130 million, roughly comparable to the size of Listeneisse. It joined the Warzone of the Defenders (WD) just prior to the Kingdom of Listeneisse's entry into the defensive regional union, but was rather inactive in international affairs. In recent years it had devolved economically, causing many immigrants to come to Listeneisse in search of opportunity.

LISTENEISSE OFFERS AID

Tonight, in a widely-televised speech, King Parzival XIV declared the neighboring government of the United Socialist States of Microrooster was on the brink of chaos, and offered to respond, "with all civil and military means available to the Kingdom of Listeneisse."

The King made the case for international intervention, "We need to act swiftly, to prevent the situation from deteriorating, as it has done in other regions around the world."

The King was likely referring to the situation in those nations which fell to civil war in the International Democratic Union, to which the government responded by supporting relief missions through the Church.

"We have already been in contact with national and regional authorities of the CMA to establish what assistance they wish from us. Right now, we are preparing to respond with medical assistance and law enforcement agents to help in investigating this crime of heinous proportions. We have sent our own son, Prince Kardiez, along with one hundred and fifty knights to assist our stricken neighbor."

During the press questions after the briefing, a USSM journalist from a separatist-leaning newspaper forthrightly asked whether the Kingdom would be interested in annexing any of the states of the USSM, since many of them adjoined Listeneisse's southern border.

"Let us not consider capitalizing on the grief of the people of the USSM. While we understand there may be some who would wish for that to happen, there are many more who would be opposed to a break up of the nation," the King replied.

"Let me be clear that We wish to see the situation stablized peaceably. Today is a day to seek out survivors and answers. To reassure our southern neighbors We care for them during their time of crisis. The people of the USSM should know that they have a northern neighbor who is ready to stand by them. We urge the people of the USSM to support the Civil-Military Authority in the days ahead."

Regardless of the King's answer, speculation spread over whether it would be a possibility to annex some or all of the USSM border states. Some separatist movements in the USSM would not be adverse to the idea, while others clearly wish to create wholly independent nations themselves. At the same time, the question further polarized debate about whether Listeneisse was behind the explosions.

The Minister of Defense raised the level of alert in the country to the highest level, with troops of the Royal Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy all on standby. Government buildings were searched by bomb-sniffing dogs. Airports, bus, train and ferry terminals remained opened, but all transit to the USSM was cancelled.

Border checkpoints were closed by the USSM military, apparently under orders of the CMA, but the Foreign Minister was trying to contact the CMA to establish a fair system to allow passage across the border.

The Kingdom of Listeneisse maintains an embassy in the country. For now, visitors are advised to avoid travel to the USSM until the situation stablizes.

See also: International Incidents (Roleplaying Thread)

PLAGUE CURE ONLY FOR RICH?
Critics Denounce Incomplete Funding Policy

CASTLE CARBONEK -- Government funds were used to help develop the cure for the Spon Plague, but the control of the cure, and the profits therefrom, remain in the hands of the company who recieved the grant.

The Royal Institute of Health (RIH) was unable to persuade the King that innoculation from Spon Plague should be universal and free. Admittedly not everyone is likely to contract Spon Plague in their lifetime, but many had hope that treatment would have been made part of childhood immunization.

"No one should have to suffer what I suffered!"

Chauncey Brigadoon once could dance a merry caper. But after suffering a debilitating bout of Spon Plague, he can barely walk without his cane. "No one should have to suffer what I suffered! Why can't everyone get shots when they are young?"

Parents have wondered whether to homeschool children to avoid exposing them to Spon Plague carriers. However, in affluent neighborhoods, children have no such fear. With the new cure, it is easily treatable if caught at the onset. While it can be expensive and embarrassing to face, Spon Plague is easily treatable. If you are from a family of means.

The poor and uninsured have no such recourse. For them, unless the case of Spon Plague is life-threatening, doctors tend not to administer the cure, citing its cost and general unavailability.

Blame the Ministry of Finance?

"It's covered under regular medical benefits for most companies with health insurance," said a spokesman of the RIH. "It is also not a cure that lends itself to regular vaccination. In fact, let us be clear, this is a curative -- for those already suffering from Spon Plague. It is not a preventative vaccination."

When questioned why this drug was not universally available, the spokesman said, "Spon Plague is a serious threat to life, but it is still relatively rare, and the drug relatively new. The costs are still exorbitant as it presently exists. If you want to blame someone, I'd suggest taking up issue with insurance actuarials in the Ministry of Finance who convinced the King it would cost too much."

The Lord Minister of Finance was unavailable for comment.

Charitable Contributions Welcome

At Charity Hospital, administrators said they would welcome private donors to the Spon Plague Foundation (SPF). While government programmes may not have afforded universal coverage, private citizens are encouraged to donate what they can.

Popular music and television stars have begun to take up the cause. This month, they plan to hold a "Stop the Spon Telethon." Rumors have it members of the Royal Family, displeased the King did not see fit to fully fund the programme through the Ministry of Health, may even privately sponsor and donate to the project. Others say they may be doing it out of sincere interest for the well-being of Spon Plague sufferers. Whether any members of the Royal Family will appear on the telethon is not yet known.

Spon Plague survivor Chauncy Brigadoon is one of those scheduled to appear onstage during the live performance.

Source
Government Report, 22 Sep 2005, Part 1
Government Report, 22 Sep 2005, Part 2

Grey Nuns Welcome in Groot Gouda and ULF Protectorate
President Michel Personally Welcomes Religious Order and Relief Workers

NORTHERN ISLE, ULF PROTECTORATE OF GROOT GOUDA -- The sounds of the last chirping beetles of summer are dying off in the woods and fields. So are the sounds of automatic small arms fire in the distance. For the past few months, life was difficult for the people of the former state of United Liberator Front (ULF). The archipelago nation saw civil war and piracy swiftly overcome civil order when the government fell into anarchy.

The nearby state of Groot Gouda, another member nation of the International Democratic Union, swiftly responded, moving in relief and security forces to keep the country from falling into all-out civil war.

The populace welcomed the international intervention on the northernmost island of the archipelago, but reports of piracy off the southwestern coast, and fears of civil strife on the island kept relief workers at bay.

Groot Gouda President Clears Way for Nuns

President Michel of Groot Gouda openly welcomed aid sent from the Kingdom of Listeneisse. Through his personal direction, a team of nurses sent from the Order of Grey Nuns was onboard the first relief vessel to arrive from Groot Gouda.

With the President's personal encouragement and approval, a new daughter chapter of the Order of Grey Nuns (OGN) was established in the Groot Gouda capital city. Additional chapter houses have also been opened in the region bordering the former state of King Ca, as well as on the northern island of the former ULF Protectorate.

"The women I have met on the island here are very brave, very sturdy, and very generous," spoke Sister Mary Magdelene, who led the organization of the chapter in the ULF protectorate. "We missed the worst of it all by the time we arrived, but the stories of those first days were simply harrowing."

Reports small arms fire by looters, would-be warlords and criminal gangs ripped through the once-idyllic tourist destination. Murders, arson, theft, and rape were widely reported to have occurred, but not as widespread as first believed. At least on the northern island.

"We have yet to get to the southwestern island," admitted Sister Mary Magdelene. "We've been advised not to go. So instead, we wait here. The women show up. Word is spreading. For many, we're their beacon of hope. We're all they would have left."

Many of the new sisters are widows, orphaned teen girls, runaways and women who left abusive relationships to find peace and calm in the sanctuary of a Christian monastic order. But not all of them were expressly victimized by the current conflict.

"Some volunteered out of pure goodness!" So spoke Sister Helena, who also arrived from Listeneisse on the first relief ship from Groot Gouda.

Sister Joan

Sister Helena introduced a moon-faced smiling woman dressed in the comfortable grey habit of the order as Sister Joan Happiness.

She was a ULF islander who had sought out the sisters when she first heard about them. Word of their arrival had spread to her village, which still suffered without power restoration. So she walked twenty miles to the main port city of the northern island to find the sisters at work.

"I wanted to change my name when I joined the order," she explained. "Who I was before is not as important as what I want to create now."

Fighting had been reported in her town during the early days of the government collapse. When asked, she admitted she had not personally suffered, but she saw plenty who had.

"I saw the boys with guns shooting. Women were hiding from them behind a car. It was like a game to the boys. So I yelled at them to put down their guns. These were real guns. This was no game. Those were not toys. I told them that their mothers' spirits watched them, even if they were not around. Then I went to the women, and told them not to be afraid. I took them away. The boys did not shoot us."

"She chose Joan after Joan of Arc," explained Sister Mary Magdelene, "Like the historical saint, she's a very brave woman!"

Rapid Growth of Chapters

The new monastic chapters are growing rapidly. There are over fifty sisters in the Protectorate, twenty more on the capital of Groot Gouda, and nine by the King Ca border.

They have also opened schools for children, and have almost a thousand attending classes. They charge nothing for their instruction.

The islander women are obviously not yet fully trained in Christian doctrine and divinity. They are first offered baptism and communion by a reverend minister, and take Third Order vows to the Order of Grey Nuns.

Matters are still makeshift. Many of the nuns from the mother house in Listeneisse still need to learn the local dialects. Textbooks written in English, though donated with great Christian goodwill, do little good for children who have yet to master the language.

As Third Orders, the new members of the Grey Nuns are free to live in or leave the monastic community as they wish. They wear the same habits as the other sisters, but are free to depart at any time. Some of the women admit wanting to marry, remarry, or resettle if the opportunity presents itself. Some of the girls in their teens wish to leave when they reach maturity. For now, the Grey Nuns are their safe harbor.

Yet others will eventually take the traditional lifelong vows once they have undergone full training.

"Yes, I know this is what I want to do now," spoke Sister Joan Happiness. "This is what God wishes me to do. And I would do it again and again, so long as I live. To save the women and help the boys to grow up."

"This was how Christianity grew so rapidly in those early centuries after the life of Christ," spoke Mother Mary Elaine Sarrasinte, Abbess of the Order of Grey Nuns, when reached by telephone in Listeneisse, "In a world filled with uncertainty and despair, the safe harbour of a nunnery was all that some had, but it was often precisely what was needed. It was an anchor in a storm. Indeed, an old term for a monastic was 'anchorite,' which means 'to make room for,' or 'to retire or withdraw.' We let these women withdraw from the chaos, and we make room for them at our table."

Food had been donated from many sources. A local widow volunteered her home to be the first convent. Chairs and tables for meals quickly packed the living room on the first floor and then spilled onto the porch. Soon they had outgrown the location.

A proper building for a growing chapter house was purchased from selling the home, along with additional funds sent from Listeneisse. Building materials for prefabricated classrooms were donated, delivered by relief flight to the island, and assembled by the Grail Templars. The soccer pitch was still a dusty lot, but at least the boys played with balls instead of guns as the sun set.

Tonight, Sister Joan led the prayer over dinner at the chapter refectory. "May we all find peace, and bring peace to others, and God bless the President of Groot Gouda!"

To which the assembled women gave a hearty, "Amen!"

Cloning Feather-Bellied Questing Beasts for Cancer Research
Scientists Convinced Formerly-Extinct Species Holds Cure for Humans

CASTLE CARBONEK, LISTENEISSE -- Dr. Thomas Wu firmly believes that the once-extinct Feather-Bellied Questing Beast may hold vital clues to cure cancer in humans. The species once freely roamed throughout the region up until the 6th century AD, when the Dolorous Blow was struck and the ecological disaster referred to historically as the Wasteland spread across Listeneisse and into neighboring nations.

Paleontologists and biologists were amazed two years ago when a specimen was found exposed on a mountain glacier rapidly melting due to global warming. They quickly moved to secure the creature, and have been considering what to do with it since. Originally the creatures died due to a form of cancer of the feathers. To date, no one knew how to cure feather cancer, since it is a disease that does not appear in any other species.

This was where Dr. Wu beame involved. As Chief Oncologist at the Listeneisse Cancer Research Center, and an avid proponent of human cloning, the doctor considered the plight of the once-extinct creature. While cancer was an unstoppable killer in the 6th century, today it can be cured by barrages of treatments, both chemical and radiological.

Research funded by the hospital was able to contain the pathogens that caused feather cancer. Copies of the creature could then be safely cloned from the preserved tissue and raised. This produced a commercial spin-off, QBTesting, which now commercially reproduced the creature as the Feather-Bellied Questing Beast Oncological Test Module™.

The doctor referred to various charts with lines pointing up and down, "Imagine what this can mean to the human race?"

"Probably nothing," countered, Jennifer Wu, Director of the East Listeneisse Questing Beast Sanctuary, the doctor's sister, and a well-known critic of the plan. "When was the last time a human ever suffered from feather cancer?"

Source: Government Factbook, 21 Sep 2005