VOCRYAE: With the immanent threat of nuclear war approaching, Confederation member states have once again sent their peoples into hiding.

Concerns were first registered ten days ago by Depackya, with the nation's Ministry of Internal Affairs intercepting suspicious radio chatter. The next day, the Mouth and Will of the Emperor, Sir Aleksandr Ivanov HCF, signed Imperial Order 1, authorising the creation of the Confederation Imperial Nuclear Command (CINC) in Dubrova, Depackya.

This vigilance was just as well. The Confederation went to Code Black on 23 September following an inter-regional announcement that nuclear warfare was, for the fifth time, inevitable. No one can be certain what led to this catastrophe, though some analysts are predicting the recent election for World Assembly Secretary-General could have played into it.

"It was a fierce debate," said historian Dr Veni Hollinger, author of the recent best-seller Aelia Murena: Fraud or Fiend?

"Either a lot of luck played into it, or there were behind-the-scenes dealings. I argue the latter."

Dr Hollinger has based his book on the findings released by the Electoral Commission of ShrewLlamaLand. He rejects that his book has played any role in escalating regional tensions to the point of nuclear war.

"I've only appeared to infuriate the ruling elite of Kuriko, along with Empress Aelia Murena herself. But I assure you, my history is objective. I am but the middleman."

Regardless, the Confederation is by now well equipped in making the best of a bad situation. Reports are pouring in of underground festivities and a generally positive acceptance of "come-what-may."

But fare more sinister concerns do face the Confederation Government.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Lord Secretary Sir Hunteth Veredon HCF of Valerox has taken extensive measures to direct inter-regional attention away from the Confederation, signing temporary alliances with various regions, but a whistle-blower has revealed to The Confederation Bullet that many are worried that not enough has been done.

And numerous other fantasies frighten those who dare to recall them. The last time the Confederation Government descended underground, the Central Rift Command Crisis catapulted the region into a bloody civil war. For this reason, President Hazelwood of Golden impirial utopia has seen fit to geographically scatter the Imperial Senate, as a simple added precaution.

The CINC is under the direct control of the Imperial Council, though they themselves are rumoured to have descended to an alternate underground bunker outside of Vocryae, along with several influential Jocospites. High-Direktor Doris Kohn, Senator Varrum Grevar, and even the Shadow Emperor himself are supposedly among their number. The CINC itself will be staffed by highly trained Depackyans.

As to how the Confederation will conduct itself during N-Day5, no one quite knows. The Imperial Offices released a statement claiming that regions like Farkasfalka and Nazi Europa would be targeted, but as the Confederation has recently made a point of enshrouding its nuclear capabilities in mystery, the region's offensive firepower is anyone's guess.

Before descending underground, the Shadow Cult's Central Imperial Direktorate released the following:

"Honour your Emperor. Hail your Confederation. Thou shalt know no fear."