Empire of AndrewBoard

Oceara wrote:

GALA Forces would accept an alliance with the other three new rebelling tribes, Sending strike teams to set up similar spacetime stabilizers in their territories and expanding their anti-air operations into their territory as well as working to arm these tribes with LasPlas Ammunition, the latest infantry armor, and the latest infantry weapons.

Sekou feels that things are being too easy and that Control is up to something major with the silence.. Regardless, he fully intends to press his assault with a new armored push towards the Surface facility that acts as the entrance to the Earth Side of the Titanian Gateway deep underground with some spacetime stabilizers set up inside some of his automated tanks in an attempt to secure teleportation access to the gateway and allow his forces to Cut off Titan and use the gateway to invade Titan and liberate Prisoners there to swell their numbers.

GALA Forces' existing armored pushes for the garrisons would be redirected towards the next nearest Federal military positions, with GALA not caring if these forces overextend and get destroyed having the ability to mass produce them with particle manipulators.

Meanwhile, energy signatures consistent with Plasma-based explosives and wormholes would be detected underground throughout West Africa.. Likely Confederate forces attempting to probe for and wipe out GALA's Secret subterranean facilities.

GALA would make it's first public statement, that beginning with the Kahroi GALA will systematically fight for the liberation of all oppressed Localities that make their stands against their occupier-states and liberate the world from the rule of the Great powers.

Their goal is nothing short of the establishment of a global military alliance of Local governments to overthrow the Regional and National governments and institute anarchism across the entire planet.

Ambassadors Weber and Petrasova have offered their respective host governments (West African and Orson) our assistance in wiping out GALA. While we would normally have no interest in intervening in the Karohi war and would in fact welcome said war (because it draws Orsonian attention away from Russia), we will not permit this anarchist threat to persist; we hate anarchy even more than we hate communism.
Across Imperial territories on Earth, broad-spectrum teleportation jammers would be set up to block attempts at creating wormholes in Cybusian territory, while Torchwood has initiated intense surveillance of our territory from orbit to identify and direct rapid response forces to any disruptions in spacetime caused by GALA teleportation.

Assorted Foreign Impressions of the Empire:

“The Empire is a bunch of cultist technocrats who throw tech at problems and if that doesn’t work, they throw money and propaganda at the problem, and, if that doesn’t work, proceeds to erase the problem from existence with precise application of heavy firepower and/or turn to their eldritch god for a solution.”

“Change is excruciatingly slow to happen in the Empire. There is an old proverb: “The work of the heretic is quick: the Lord is slow but sure.”
Nowhere else is the feeling of religiosity so intense as in the Empire. Icons are found not just in churches or corners of homes, but also in shops, restaurants, offices, railway stations, airships, spacecraft, everywhere. “Lord Mercer knows all, for he sees through the eyes of His Saints.” The people here are deeply attached to their faith. They wear fragments of bone from their ancestors bodies as a way to keep them close, to remind them of their inevitable passing into Vorholl. It is quite an eerie sight, made stranger by the sight of an entire town walking through the pre-dawn darkness to attend a church service which will last for hours and hours.”

“Cybusian cities are like technicolor wonderlands during the day; men in suits, women in dresses, fancy hovercars, airships overhead, coffee and cigarette smoke and incense blending in one unique scent, turning into a film noir when the night creeps in and the streetlights flicker to life. But it’s so cold, I swear they make every world colder! Not just literally; Cybs are incredibly polite, but there’s a sort of coldness under the polite smiles when you aren’t one of them.”

Cybus1 wrote:

Ambassadors Weber and Petrasova have offered their respective host governments (West African and Orson) our assistance in wiping out GALA. While we would normally have no interest in intervening in the Karohi war and would in fact welcome said war (because it draws Orsonian attention away from Russia), we will not permit this anarchist threat to persist; we hate anarchy even more than we hate communism.
Across Imperial territories on Earth, broad-spectrum teleportation jammers would be set up to block attempts at creating wormholes in Cybusian territory, while Torchwood has initiated intense surveillance of our territory from orbit to identify and direct rapid response forces to any disruptions in spacetime caused by GALA teleportation.

Diplomacy Commissar Mātairo Natana, at the behest of First Commissar Akenehi, has accepted the Cybusian offer for assistance. While the Communist Party would normally balk at the thought of allowing Cybusian forces on Orsonian soil, the threat of GALA was severe enough that they were willing to work alongside capitalists to destroy this anarchist menace.

Natana has asked Petrasova if the Cybusians can provide emergency fuel shipments to Australian cities.

The Orson Empire wrote:

Diplomacy Commissar Mātairo Natana, at the behest of First Commissar Akenehi, has accepted the Cybusian offer for assistance. While the Communist Party would normally balk at the thought of allowing Cybusian forces on Orsonian soil, the threat of GALA was severe enough that they were willing to work alongside capitalists to destroy this anarchist menace.

Natana has asked Petrasova if the Cybusians can provide emergency fuel shipments to Australian cities.

We have, in a move which will benefit our allies, arranged for massive purchases of oil and gas from Russian sources, to be delivered via Cybusian spacecraft to Orsonian cities.
We are temporarily holding off on deploying forces directly; we want to ensure that Control is on board with the plan and won’t start attacking our forces or spacecraft and thus force us to retaliate. Nonetheless, two vessels from the Martian Fleet are being loaded with Imperial Marines and armored contingents.

Cybus1 wrote:

We have, in a move which will benefit our allies, arranged for massive purchases of oil and gas from Russian sources, to be delivered via Cybusian spacecraft to Orsonian cities.
We are temporarily holding off on deploying forces directly; we want to ensure that Control is on board with the plan and won’t start attacking our forces or spacecraft and thus force us to retaliate. Nonetheless, two vessels from the Martian Fleet are being loaded with Imperial Marines and armored contingents.

Control Director Cenga has approved of the Cybusian deployment, but has requested that the Cybusians coordinate all combat actions with Control and Federal High Command. Cenga has also inquired about using Imperial Army shuttlecraft to ferry Orsonian forces into enemy territory, as the spacetime stabilizers have made it impossible for Control to teleport forces in directly. Cybusian craft are also far more resilient than their Orsonian equivalents against energy weaponry.

Natana has also asked for Cybusian media sources to avoid mentioning that the fuel shipments are coming from the Tsarist regime, preventing any possible political backlash.

Oceara wrote:

GALA Forces would accept an alliance with the other three new rebelling tribes, Sending strike teams to set up similar spacetime stabilizers in their territories and expanding their anti-air operations into their territory as well as working to arm these tribes with LasPlas Ammunition, the latest infantry armor, and the latest infantry weapons...

The rebelling Kahroi tribes have begun rapidly training to use advanced West African equipment. Most are already proficient with firearms due to their rural lifestyles, but it will take some time for them to become comfortable with the advanced tech.

Numerous army garrisons across the Outback have surrendered, raising white flags above their bases. As these forces are small in number with outdated equipment compared to GALA, their officers knew it would be suicidal to mount an effective resistance, and thus decided to take their chances as POWs. Most of these troops were also inexperienced, having never served in World War Three.

A force of 100 Control agents is guarding the Kalgor Gold Mine in southwestern Australia, which contains the entrance to Pnakotus, the ancient underground city where the Titanian Gateway is located. They are armed with neutron guns and much larger neutron cannons, while the entrance is protected by a Null-G gravitic shield. Reality anchors were activated around the surface entrance and gateway, preventing teleportation.

Control has issued a highly encrypted directive to the warden of the Kraken Mare Reformatory on Titan. Should GALA forces successfully seize the Titanian Gateway, the warden is instructed to cut off the supply of oxygen to the entire prison, allowing every prisoner to suffocate and die. Should the prisoners begin to riot, the guards were authorized to use deadly force. Under no circumstances would GALA be permitted to achieve the largest prison break in Orsonian history.

Commission to Protect the Republic:

In a majority vote prompted by ongoing GALA attacks, the Federal Senate has established the Commission to Protect the Republic (COMPOR).

The commission is an independent agency of the Federal government with the purpose of investigating threats towards the continuity of democratic government and attempts to reverse reforms implemented by the Orsonian Revolution. It will also disseminate both republican and revolutionary propaganda to fight against the tide of information from counter-revolutionaries and foreign capitalist powers. Clandestinely, the commission will act as an intelligence agency solely loyal to the Reformist Faction, due to the FSB's alignment with the Conservative Faction and concerns that the FSB may do nothing against or outright support groups threatening the Reformists to increase their own power.

First Commissar Māia Akenehi has promoted the establishment of COMPOR to Communist Daily:

"Since the Revolution and conclusion of World War Three, we have endured several crises which threatened to reverse all freedoms and liberties gained in the revolutionary struggle. Christopher Wells and his Aturorist allies established a rival government at Bangui, undermining the revolutionary government's authority. Then, Prime Minister Kuza waged a ruthless campaign of terror against her political enemies. Following that, the Free Cities rebelled, and Aturorists attempted to resurrect the Empire for a second time in Bangui. Now, we face an army of anarchists striking within the heart of Orson, hell-bent on dismantling our republic in the name of their deranged beliefs. This new commission will ensure no counter-revolutionary force endangers Orson again, and that all Orsonians can prosper freely within a safe, secure society, enjoying the fruits of their labor without fear of rouge forces destroying their livelihoods."

COMPOR has been granted executive authority over the entire Commune of Australia for the duration of the Australian Bush War. COMPOR agents will conduct investigations and detain suspected anarchists, supporters of Kahroi independence, supporters of GALA, and those suspected of aiding the GALA war effort. The commission also has broad powers to expropriate any business or organization suspected of aiding the enemy.

The Orson Empire wrote:

Control Director Cenga has approved of the Cybusian deployment, but has requested that the Cybusians coordinate all combat actions with Control and Federal High Command. Cenga has also inquired about using Imperial Army shuttlecraft to ferry Orsonian forces into enemy territory, as the spacetime stabilizers have made it impossible for Control to teleport forces in directly. Cybusian craft are also far more resilient than their Orsonian equivalents against energy weaponry.

Natana has also asked for Cybusian media sources to avoid mentioning that the fuel shipments are coming from the Tsarist regime, preventing any possible political backlash.

We have agreed not to mention the fuel is from Tsarist sources, but in return, we’d like a reduction in the amount of equipment and “volunteers” being sent to Siberia; we see this as one of the best possible times to ask for this, since the Orsonians desperately need fuel and would reject the request at any other time.
The Imperial Marines have prepared to deploy 35,000 Marines, spearheaded by a 5,000 strong Blackwatch detachment, complete with armor and air support. This force, dubbed the Orsonian Expeditionary Force, will be under Cybusian command, but will coordinate and liaison with Control and Federal High Command.
We will permit the use of Cybusian shuttles to transport Orsonians, but they must be piloted by Cybusians. All equipment sent with the Orsonian Expeditionary Force has multiple redundant tracking devices, and an AI specifically designed to detect if the vehicle has fallen into GALA or Orsonian hands, and if so, to take measures to evade the captors or destroy itself: we are taking pains to avoid any repetition of the Strix incident.

The Orson Empire wrote:

Commission to Protect the Republic:

In a majority vote prompted by ongoing GALA attacks, the Federal Senate has established the Commission to Protect the Republic (COMPOR).

The commission is an independent agency of the Federal government with the purpose of investigating threats towards the continuity of democratic government and attempts to reverse reforms implemented by the Orsonian Revolution. It will also disseminate both republican and revolutionary propaganda to fight against the tide of information from counter-revolutionaries and foreign capitalist powers. Clandestinely, the commission will act as an intelligence agency solely loyal to the Reformist Faction, due to the FSB's alignment with the Conservative Faction and concerns that the FSB may do nothing against or outright support groups threatening the Reformists to increase their own power.

First Commissar Māia Akenehi has promoted the establishment of COMPOR to Communist Daily:

"Since the Revolution and conclusion of World War Three, we have endured several crises which threatened to reverse all freedoms and liberties gained in the revolutionary struggle. Christopher Wells and his Aturorist allies established a rival government at Bangui, undermining the revolutionary government's authority. Then, Prime Minister Kuza waged a ruthless campaign of terror against her political enemies. Following that, the Free Cities rebelled, and Aturorists attempted to resurrect the Empire for a second time in Bangui. Now, we face an army of anarchists striking within the heart of Orson, hell-bent on dismantling our republic in the name of their deranged beliefs. This new commission will ensure no counter-revolutionary force endangers Orson again, and that all Orsonians can prosper freely within a safe, secure society, enjoying the fruits of their labor without fear of rouge forces destroying their livelihoods."

COMPOR has been granted executive authority over the entire Commune of Australia for the duration of the Australian Bush War. COMPOR agents will conduct investigations and detain suspected anarchists, supporters of Kahroi independence, supporters of GALA, and those suspected of aiding the GALA war effort. The commission also has broad powers to expropriate any business or organization suspected of aiding the enemy.

Oh boy, now there’s two intelligence agencies (three if Control counts as intelligence) which will inevitably have a turf war. This should be interesting

Cybus1 wrote:

We have agreed not to mention the fuel is from Tsarist sources, but in return, we’d like a reduction in the amount of equipment and “volunteers” being sent to Siberia; we see this as one of the best possible times to ask for this, since the Orsonians desperately need fuel and would reject the request at any other time.
The Imperial Marines have prepared to deploy 35,000 Marines, spearheaded by a 5,000 strong Blackwatch detachment, complete with armor and air support. This force, dubbed the Orsonian Expeditionary Force, will be under Cybusian command, but will coordinate and liaison with Control and Federal High Command.
We will permit the use of Cybusian shuttles to transport Orsonians, but they must be piloted by Cybusians. All equipment sent with the Orsonian Expeditionary Force has multiple redundant tracking devices, and an AI specifically designed to detect if the vehicle has fallen into GALA or Orsonian hands, and if so, to take measures to evade the captors or destroy itself: we are taking pains to avoid any repetition of the Strix incident.

Natana has begrudgingly agreed, asking how substantial this reduction in the numbers of equipment and volunteers needs to be.

Control is establishing an ad hoc command center outside of Garramilla, Australia (RL Darwin, Australia). The Orsonian Expeditionary Force has been asked to deploy here, where they will further deploy alongside Control and Federal Army troops into combat.

The Orson Empire wrote:

The rebelling Kahroi tribes have begun rapidly training to use advanced West African equipment. Most are already proficient with firearms due to their rural lifestyles, but it will take some time for them to become comfortable with the advanced tech.

Numerous army garrisons across the Outback have surrendered, raising white flags above their bases. As these forces are small in number with outdated equipment compared to GALA, their officers knew it would be suicidal to mount an effective resistance, and thus decided to take their chances as POWs. Most of these troops were also inexperienced, having never served in World War Three.

A force of 100 Control agents is guarding the Kalgor Gold Mine in southwestern Australia, which contains the entrance to Pnakotus, the ancient underground city where the Titanian Gateway is located. They are armed with neutron guns and much larger neutron cannons, while the entrance is protected by a Null-G gravitic shield. Reality anchors were activated around the surface entrance and gateway, preventing teleportation.

Control has issued a highly encrypted directive to the warden of the Kraken Mare Reformatory on Titan. Should GALA forces successfully seize the Titanian Gateway, the warden is instructed to cut off the supply of oxygen to the entire prison, allowing every prisoner to suffocate and die. Should the prisoners begin to riot, the guards were authorized to use deadly force. Under no circumstances would GALA be permitted to achieve the largest prison break in Orsonian history.

Nearly a thousand automated tanks armed with Plasma Accelerator Cannons would engage with Control forces at the Kalgor Gold Mine's entrance and surrounding area unleashing intense Plasma fire as they try to swarm the Control agents and overwhelm them with sheer numbers, aggression, and intensity of fire. GALA Forces would monitor the battle ready to teleport in strike teams towards the closest locations that it would be possible to do so in order to provide more... Intelligent support than the mindless assault of the automated tanks as well as to be needed to actually push through the mine and reach the Gateway. However for the moment they are waiting to see how the tanks do.

Meanwhile in the Outback Garrisons, GALA Forces would disarm and round up the surrendered Federal Soldiers and turn them over to the rebelling tribes as they begin to rapidly secure Kahroi territory from Federal forces.

Cybus1 wrote:

Ambassadors Weber and Petrasova have offered their respective host governments (West African and Orson) our assistance in wiping out GALA. While we would normally have no interest in intervening in the Karohi war and would in fact welcome said war (because it draws Orsonian attention away from Russia), we will not permit this anarchist threat to persist; we hate anarchy even more than we hate communism.
Across Imperial territories on Earth, broad-spectrum teleportation jammers would be set up to block attempts at creating wormholes in Cybusian territory, while Torchwood has initiated intense surveillance of our territory from orbit to identify and direct rapid response forces to any disruptions in spacetime caused by GALA teleportation.

Ambassador Weber's offer has been turned down, with Confederate forces confident it's only a matter of time before their advanced super-computers and skilled intelligence defeat GALA's Counterintelligence and locate GALA's entire network of secret bases for their complete annihilation.

The best and brightest of the FRO, PSIS, and OAI are working together with the OSA and the OAI's SIGMA Super-Computer to build models of the decision-making of the GALA leadership structure and use all available data to figure out all of the moves GALA Forces have made and are likely to make in order to predict their secret base network's locations.

Already they've made strides in breaking their adjustments to the Default settings of their Spacetime stabilizers and have transmitted the detailed data of their predictions on the settings used by the Stabilizers used by GALA to both Control and Torchwood giving them the ability to Jam the stabilizers and reestablish the ability to teleport behind GALA Lines.

Oceara wrote:

Nearly a thousand automated tanks armed with Plasma Accelerator Cannons would engage with Control forces at the Kalgor Gold Mine's entrance and surrounding area unleashing intense Plasma fire as they try to swarm the Control agents and overwhelm them with sheer numbers, aggression, and intensity of fire. GALA Forces would monitor the battle ready to teleport in strike teams towards the closest locations that it would be possible to do so in order to provide more... Intelligent support than the mindless assault of the automated tanks as well as to be needed to actually push through the mine and reach the Gateway. However for the moment they are waiting to see how the tanks do...

Utilizing the information provided by Malian intelligence services, Control has jammed GALA's spacetime stabilizers via reality anchors built into orbital satellites, permitting them to affect a wide area of the Australian continent.

Immediately afterwards, dozens of experimental neutron bombs were teleported onto the locations of all known GALA units where they subsequently detonated, generating a powerful explosion capable of penetrating their advanced shields and armor. These neutron bombs used the exact same mechanism as neutron guns, but configured to generate a wide explosion rather than a bolt of concentrated energy. While any towns in the vicinity of the explosion would suffer severe damage (possibly being completely razed) with potentially thousands of casualties and the irradiation of the blast zone, Control was willing to suffer these loses if it meant that most GALA forces would be annihilated.

At the Kalgor Gold Mine, neutron bombs were teleported directly above the invading armored force, while Control personnel teleported away to escape the blast wave.

Cybus1

As the diplomatic shuttle circled the Varykinrun Field Office, Ambassador Isserson took stock of the humming river port sheathed in mist. It reminded her of New England, where she had spent a summer twenty years earlier as a visiting lecturer at Miskatonic University.

Mahalia nodded warmly toward Dr. Roth and Section Head Koehler, having encountered them both briefly before. It was the job of an ambassador to commit even trivial faces and names to memory. Flash cards could go a long way in the hands of a capable aide. But with these two particular servants of the law, Mahalia needed no re-introduction. The good doctor in particular enjoyed a fairly high profile back on Earth, having worked several prominent cases. If Torchwood saw fit to dispatch two of its most acclaimed personages to meet with her, she had to assume this was no Varykino picnic.

Mahalia followed the coterie of uniforms inside, to the waiting conference room and expected brief.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

Cybus1

As the diplomatic shuttle circled the Varykinrun Field Office, Ambassador Isserson took stock of the humming river port sheathed in mist. It reminded her of New England, where she had spent a summer twenty years earlier as a visiting lecturer at Miskatonic University.

Mahalia nodded warmly toward Dr. Roth and Section Head Koehler, having encountered them both briefly before. It was the job of an ambassador to commit even trivial faces and names to memory. Flash cards could go a long way in the hands of a capable aide. But with these two particular servants of the law, Mahalia needed no re-introduction. The good doctor in particular enjoyed a fairly high profile back on Earth, having worked several prominent cases. If Torchwood saw fit to dispatch two of its most acclaimed personages to meet with her, she had to assume this was no Varykino picnic.

Mahalia followed the coterie of uniforms inside, to the waiting conference room and expected brief.

Thaddeus and Charlotte led the Ambassador into a conference room, settling into comfortable chairs, while looking distinctly uncomfortable. Charlotte took a deep breath, and spoke.
“Honored Ambassador, you are, I’m sure, aware that for the past two months, our fair planet has been cast under the shadow of a serial murderer, one the press has dubbed “The Woodsman”. It is with the deepest regret that I must inform you that a citizen of your great Empire has become his latest victim. 25 year old Wagain national Ina Hayak, a young woman of Wagain-Czech descent, was found approximately two hours ago by a local PD officer conducting a sweep of the woods. I am incredibly sorry that this has happened, and I assure you that our investigative efforts have only been stepped up even further, and that if you wish to have Wagain law enforcement assist in this investigation, I both understand and welcome their assistance.”
Roth looked solemn, and said.
“I would like to apologize: we have done our utmost, but sadly, we were unable to prevent this. We have some excellent profilers and a superb forensics team investigating the latest scene, and I have personally prepared the behavioral profile of the serial murderer, which I can present if you would like. Miss Hayak’s body is being examined by our coroner, but will be made available for transportation back to Wagondia as soon as possible. Her clothing is being examined by our hair and fiber lab, but the rest of her personal effects have been deemed clean of trace evidence and are available to be released to next of kin or, if need be, the government.”

Conch News: Universal starts construction on new park & resort in East Santa Catalina!

Finishing their long quest to build a vacation destination in the Novoian capital, today that idea was finally realized. The CEO of Universal along with some executives from other partners such as Terrace Hotels & Suites Worldwide, Asiana Airlines, UCP Bank & Investment Corporation, NBC Universal, and someone from Dhaka's wealthy families all shelved the first pieces of dirt of the new Novoian vacation destination.

The assembled real estate includes undeveloped land, vacant warehouses, older unsafe apartments, some strip malls, and other smaller forms of development that will be torn down as part of the construction process. The total size of the development is 980 acres, which is noncontiguous. Part of the park/resort will be located 1.1 miles away from the majority of the real estate and some resorts will be located in nearby noncontiguous plots of land.

The current plan calls for three parks, a waterpark, a shopping/dining district that will be open late, and resorts that can be accessed by walking or a boat ride. Some other nearby resorts will be linked by walking or bus. For the resorts that are assigned to the park 1.1 miles away, they will be linked by bus and, if approved by a cable car transportation system.

Economic Impact:

This will significantly transform the economy of the city. It is always important to diversify an economy. It is estimated that 40,000 direct year-round jobs will be generated when the resort is fully open and running, with at least 15,000 indirect jobs created. The taxes generated from purchases and hotel stays will generate an additional $1.5 billion in new taxes alone. Universal is also proposing the city add a new 15% tax for resorts located around Universal. This tax could go towards funding the cost of new infrastructure for the area and towards affordable housing, as well as creating a new source of revenue for the city.

Public Impact:

Universal and their partners realize that these new awesome investments will also have a public cost. To help alleviate those public burdens, Universal has applied to the city to create the following:

A Special Economic District located around the parks and the resorts to help fund transit and public infrastructure improvements. The creation of the economic district will help ensure some of the tax money generated by Universal and its partners stays in the district to help pay for the public cost and does not take away from overall city revenue. The rest of the new revenue goes to the city. The creation of the district also allows the city to issue higher tax rates and fees for those in the district and not outside of it.

Raising the city's tourism bed tax. This is a tax added to hotel stays. Thus, tourists, not residents will pay the cost.

Universal and partners will contribute up to $200 million for public improvements, $100 million to the city's affordable housing fund, as well as create 1,500 units of new rented controlled affordable housing.

Parking: Universal will build new parking lots and garages.

Transportation: Universal and partners will contribute $125 million towards modifying the current bus and metro routes to be fully accessible from the new park, including the cost of new stations. Universal is also privately paying to construct a new cable car system, which will be available to the public. Given the cost of these, Universal will seek to exempt any transportation real estate from being taxed by the city, because of the private investment and unique public benefit.

The Orson Empire wrote:

Utilizing the information provided by Malian intelligence services, Control has jammed GALA's spacetime stabilizers via reality anchors built into orbital satellites, permitting them to affect a wide area of the Australian continent.

Immediately afterwards, dozens of experimental neutron bombs were teleported onto the locations of all known GALA units where they subsequently detonated, generating a powerful explosion capable of penetrating their advanced shields and armor. These neutron bombs used the exact same mechanism as neutron guns, but configured to generate a wide explosion rather than a bolt of concentrated energy. While any towns in the vicinity of the explosion would suffer severe damage (possibly being completely razed) with potentially thousands of casualties and the irradiation of the blast zone, Control was willing to suffer these loses if it meant that most GALA forces would be annihilated.

At the Kalgor Gold Mine, neutron bombs were teleported directly above the invading armored force, while Control personnel teleported away to escape the blast wave.

Most of the Damage GALA Would take from this attack would be to Automated Armored Units, although a number of GALA Militants were hit too while taking prisoners to be turned over to the local tribes. As a predictable result all of the PoWs GALA Took were wiped out by Control's attack.

Shortly thereafter Sekou would broadcast a response to Control's Neutron Bombings hijacking all television and radio signals in Orson with direct modification of the signals mid-air: "Haha! Cenga, you really just blew up captured federal troops alongside local populations with a radioactive weapon just to avoid taking any personal losses among your agents! What an astounding display of cowardice from Orson's so-called 'protectors'! Taking a page out of the Mad Sultan Amneal's Book are you? I wonder how the Federal Military or The Federal Government feel about that. Or more importantly... The People of Orson. Needless to say, you barely scratched us Cenga. " After that response the signal hijacking would continue a couple minutes longer showing radiation readings and images of the blasted areas with an unsettling accompaniment of Geiger counter clicking.

GALA Forces would seem strangely quiet with Sekou clandestinely reassuring the tribal leadership of the rebelling tribes that GALA is staying in the fight and that they only appear to be quiet. That it's best that GALA forces pursue operations with some.. Distance to the tribes themselves to control where the collateral damage takes place.

Based on an interesting graphic I saw earlier today, what percent of your nation's population trust the media?

A relatively high proportion of people in Wagondia demonstrate trust in the media, compared to other western countries. According to the most recent polling by the Sancho-Lira Research Institute, some 65% of Wagains have 'some' or 'a lot' of trust in the media they consume every day, a figure well above what is shown in countries like the United States and United Kingdom.

However, there was considerable variation between types of media consumed. Print media was trusted least of all, reflecting the growth of Wagain newspapers as private, often explicitly partisan enterprises in the nineteenth century, with a large but politically divided readership. Radio is by far the most trusted source of information, reflecting the near-monopoly that state-owned broadcaster MPP has over the sector. Given the trans-continental ubiquity of MPP, which is nonpartisan by statute, political talk radio never diversified to the same extent in Wagondia as in other countries, with most other major channels adopting a religious or cultural (i.e. music) focus. Foreign broadcasts are also commonly listened to.

It is also likely that Wagondia's community-minded culture increases trust in institutions across the board. Broadcasters like MPP and its local affiliates (including hundreds of regional and university radio stations) are owned by the community and run on a non-profit basis, with minimal advertising and zero cost to the end consumer. This is reflected in the prominence of radio within the Wagain public sphere; the so-called 'radiocultura'.

Source: https://i.imgur.com/FHqc0n7.png

Novo Wagondia wrote:

Based on an interesting graphic I saw earlier today, what percent of your nation's population trust the media?

Only 25% of Lucijans have responded that they trust the media as a whole. This is the result of years of strict censorship of non-state media by the Tsarist Okhrana, leading to a tightly controlled information regime in which many Lucijans have learned to watch what they say and consume in public. Many nationwide television channels are owned by oligarchs with close ties to Prime Minister Bichenko and the right-wing Fatherland Coalition, which have been accused of showing biased coverage.

Since the passage of the Kornilov Reforms, in which press censorship was relaxed and hundreds of dissident journalists were released from prison, the proliferation of newspapers and political magazines in particular has exploded. Today Lucija has one of the highest proportions of newspapers per capita of any nation on Earth. Some of the most critical outlets, like the left-wing newspaper Partizan (famous for breaking the Idokopas Palace scandal linking Tsar Alexander to organized crime), continue to publish from exile in countries near Lucija — in Partizan's case, from Latvia.

Oceara wrote:

Most of the Damage GALA Would take from this attack would be to Automated Armored Units, although a number of GALA Militants were hit too while taking prisoners to be turned over to the local tribes. As a predictable result all of the PoWs GALA Took were wiped out by Control's attack...

The Office of Military Intelligence responded to the hijacking within seconds, taking all television and radio stations in Orson offline until the signal originating from Sekou's location or other GALA bases could be jammed. The Aturorists had previously implemented a method of jamming certain broadcasts during Turner's reign, to prevent stations from violating Aturorist censorship laws; the post-revolutionary Orsonian government still retained this ability for emergency purposes. Fortunately, Sekou's speech was disrupted before the public saw images of the horrific levels of damage across the Outback.

Federal High Command is enforcing a media blackout regarding the bombing, with all news stations in Orson prohibited from reporting on it.

Following the bombings, 10,000 Pattern A Cylons, having been quickly manufactured with particle manipulators, were teleported into Marrakai and other Kahroi towns where GALA units were known to be stationed, engaging all enemy forces there. These droids were equipped with neutron guns and neutron cannons.

Timmy City wrote:

Conch News: Universal starts construction on new park & resort in East Santa Catalina!

Finishing their long quest to build a vacation destination in the Novoian capital, today that idea was finally realized. The CEO of Universal along with some executives from other partners such as Terrace Hotels & Suites Worldwide, Asiana Airlines, UCP Bank & Investment Corporation, NBC Universal, and someone from Dhaka's wealthy families all shelved the first pieces of dirt of the new Novoian vacation destination...

A major Universal Studios resort (the first in Latin America) will undoubtedly become a major tourist draw for the capital region, bringing tens of thousands of jobs to East Santa Catalina. The proposed site for the main park is in Forcadas bairro of Borborema parish, a heavily industrial area which is considered one of the most deprived in Santa Catalina. This represents 61% of the total 980-acre footprint of the Universal development, with the remainder spread over several noncontiguous locations in the hills of Canhestros and Bomfim (potentially to be linked by cable car). Since the opening of the Eduardo Line, a major new metro corridor modeled after London's Elizabeth Line, it is possible to reach Central Santa Catalina from the main site in just 30 minutes.

The project, which is reliant on subsidies and zoning changes which have yet to be approved by Santa Catalina's Câmara Municipal, has immediately run up against determined opposition from local residents and community organisations. The Rubim Valley, which runs along the eastern border of the city of Santa Catalina, has been a test case for debates around gentrification and urban development for years now, as transit extensions have elevated property values and companies like Rubico and Elektrik have raised the prospect of a new high tech investment corridor. This is a region with a strong working-class character and the highest concentration of recent immigrants anywhere in the city, with nearly 60% of the population being foreign born (mainly Orsonian African). Politically the area is a bastion for democratic socialism, currently represented in Parliament by noted leftist Karri Pallas.

Local and national politicians alike have lambasted Universal for going over the heads of local residents and trying to create a 'consumerist colony' in East Santa Catalina. They contend that the park, which will eat up a considerable amount of land in Borborema and adjoining parishes, will benefit out-of-town tourists at the cost of locals, and that the lion's share of profits will go to foreign corporate partners like Universal, Terrace, and NBC. They worry that residents will be evicted to make room for sparkling resorts, or priced out of the neighborhood by landlords looking to bring in high-dollar tourist stays. Already residents associations have begun organising sit-ins of the construction site, with the hopes of delaying further construction and bringing attention to their cause.

Tsarist Forces Dig in along Yenisey River

Since a major shakeup of Tsarist leadership replaced 4 of 6 top-level commanders of the Tsarist Army, the Winter Palace has been looking for a way to nurse its wounds and regroup, before a counter-offensive can be organized. Recent troop movements observed by satellite suggest the military has abandoned its policy of staging a defense of every town in Siberia, given the high casualty and defection rates which have plagued National Guard units in the area. Instead, Tsarist forces have engaged in an unprecedented 600-mile retreat, settling on the western bank of the River Yenisey. Cities between Irkutsk (the new rebel capital) and the Yenisey, including the aluminum center of Bratsk, have been all but abandoned, as civilians continue to flee westward.

Tsarist defenses have now coalesced around the so-called 'Kazimir Line', after Grand Marshal of the Imperial Army and close Winter Palace ally Kazimir Ostrovsky. The wide Yenisey River provides a natural barrier to advancing rebel columns, but Tsarist regulars have been hard at work digging trenches, mounting AA cannons, and setting up machine gun nests, anti-tank obstacles, and observation posts all along the western bank. Chokepoints, including all six bridges across the Yenisey in the major city of Krasnoyarsk, have been extensively mined and closed off to all non-military traffic. Tsarist High Command has identified three 'sectors' guarding the major passageways to the west, each to be defended by fresh regular army units.

Karsnoyarsk: Capital of the vast Krasnoyarsk Krai and home to multiple crossings of the Yenisey River. The second-largest city in Siberia and eight-largest in Lucija, Krasnoyarsk is a major timber and metalworking center and a key junction on the Trans-Siberian railway. Home to the easternmost metro system in Lucija, recently completed. Defended by forces under the direct command of Kazimir Ostrovsky.

Abakan: Capital of the Khakassia Province and location of an important middle crossing of the Yenisey River. Surrounded by a rich iron mining territory. Defended by forces under Siberian District Commander Andrei Cherkassky, a specialist in mobile tactics.

Kyzyl: Capital of the ethnically and religiously distinct Tuva Province, and site of the southernmost major crossing of the Yenisey River. Center for the processing of wool, meat, and animal furs. Defended by forces under the command of Andrei Bodin, leader of the large and ideologically determined Voluntary Patriotic Legion. It is likely this assignment is meant to be a test of Bodin's leadership and the capacity of his men for frontline combat.

The new strategy of fall back and regroup has proved politically contentious in Saint Petersburg, emboldening enemies of the Winter Palace to become increasingly vocal in their policy disagreements. Murmurs abound of the Grand Duke's cowardice, giving up miles of Lucijan land to godless mutineers. Should the Kazimir Line fall, it is likely to have a devastating and potentially permanent crippling effect on the Tsarist war effort, leaving the flat West Siberian Plain and important urban centers like Novosibirsk vulnerable to a rapid rebel advance.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

A major Universal Studios resort (the first in Latin America) will undoubtedly become a major tourist draw for the capital region, bringing tens of thousands of jobs to East Santa Catalina. The proposed site for the main park is in Forcadas bairro of Borborema parish, a heavily industrial area which is considered one of the most deprived in Santa Catalina. This represents 61% of the total 980-acre footprint of the Universal development, with the remainder spread over several noncontiguous locations in the hills of Canhestros and Bomfim (potentially to be linked by cable car). Since the opening of the Eduardo Line, a major new metro corridor modeled after London's Elizabeth Line, it is possible to reach Central Santa Catalina from the main site in just 30 minutes...

Deputy Karri Pallas has established the "Keep Borborema Cool" campaign which will use all available means, including petitions, lawsuits, and protests to oppose the parks construction. She is currently meeting with community leaders to form a cohesive strategy to achieve their objectives.

On Libra, Pallas has called her 890,000 constituents in the Pacuhy District to action, asking them to donate to the Keep Borborema Cool campaign, write petitions to the Santa Catalina municipal government, and engage in civil disobedience, including sit-ins around the planned construction site and at theaters broadcasting any films produced by Universal Studios.

Santa Lucija wrote:

Tsarist Forces Dig in along Yenisey River

Since a major shakeup of Tsarist leadership replaced 4 of 6 top-level commanders of the Tsarist Army, the Winter Palace has been looking for a way to nurse its wounds and regroup, before a counter-offensive can be organized. Recent troop movements observed by satellite suggest the military has abandoned its policy of staging a defense of every town in Siberia, given the high casualty and defection rates which have plagued National Guard units in the area. Instead, Tsarist forces have engaged in an unprecedented 600-mile retreat, settling on the western bank of the River Yenisey. Cities between Irkutsk (the new rebel capital) and the Yenisey, including the aluminum center of Bratsk, have been all but abandoned, as civilians continue to flee westward...

People's Volunteer Army leaders have suggested to Baryshnikov that the rebels should now focus on conserving their gains and fortifying all occupied towns rather than engaging in any new offensives.

The PVA is being reduced in strength as units are transferred back to Orson due to the ongoing Global Anarchist Liberation Army (GALA) invasion of central Australia, and to comply with a secret agreement made between the Cybusian and Orsonian governments to reduce troops numbers in Siberia in exchange for fuel supplies. As such, if Baryshnikov decides to attack, his force may be smaller in size compared to previous engagements.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

A major Universal Studios resort (the first in Latin America) will undoubtedly become a major tourist draw for the capital region, bringing tens of thousands of jobs to East Santa Catalina. The proposed site for the main park is in Forcadas bairro of Borborema parish, a heavily industrial area which is considered one of the most deprived in Santa Catalina. This represents 61% of the total 980-acre footprint of the Universal development, with the remainder spread over several noncontiguous locations in the hills of Canhestros and Bomfim (potentially to be linked by cable car). Since the opening of the Eduardo Line, a major new metro corridor modeled after London's Elizabeth Line, it is possible to reach Central Santa Catalina from the main site in just 30 minutes.

The project, which is reliant on subsidies and zoning changes which have yet to be approved by Santa Catalina's Câmara Municipal, has immediately run up against determined opposition from local residents and community organisations. The Rubim Valley, which runs along the eastern border of the city of Santa Catalina, has been a test case for debates around gentrification and urban development for years now, as transit extensions have elevated property values and companies like Rubico and Elektrik have raised the prospect of a new high tech investment corridor. This is a region with a strong working-class character and the highest concentration of recent immigrants anywhere in the city, with nearly 60% of the population being foreign born (mainly Orsonian African). Politically the area is a bastion for democratic socialism, currently represented in Parliament by noted leftist Karri Pallas.

Local and national politicians alike have lambasted Universal for going over the heads of local residents and trying to create a 'consumerist colony' in East Santa Catalina. They contend that the park, which will eat up a considerable amount of land in Borborema and adjoining parishes, will benefit out-of-town tourists at the cost of locals, and that the lion's share of profits will go to foreign corporate partners like Universal, Terrace, and NBC. They worry that residents will be evicted to make room for sparkling resorts, or priced out of the neighborhood by landlords looking to bring in high-dollar tourist stays. Already residents associations have begun organising sit-ins of the construction site, with the hopes of delaying further construction and bringing attention to their cause.

The Orson Empire wrote:

Deputy Karri Pallas has established the "Keep Borborema Cool" campaign which will use all available means, including petitions, lawsuits, and protests to oppose the parks construction. She is currently meeting with community leaders to form a cohesive strategy to achieve their objectives.

On Libra, Pallas has called her 890,000 constituents in the Pacuhy District to action, asking them to donate to the Keep Borborema Cool campaign, write petitions to the Santa Catalina municipal government, and engage in civil disobedience, including sit-ins around the planned construction site and at theaters broadcasting any films produced by Universal Studios.

OOC: Pallas and the community leaders have the wrong info. Pallas and others should consider all info on this unique setup and take an informed approach before they make a choice.
Universal working through their Community Relations Department has released a new FAQ on their website to clarify misconceptions about the project which have been mistakenly spread by certain persons.

Question: Is the project reliant on public funds or subsidies?

Answer: No. The project is fully funded by private parties and not one single cent of SC municipal dollars or Novoian federal monies are going to be used for construction, usage, or infrastructure of the site. The project seeks tax exemptions for certain parts such as the cable car that will be for use to the public and are costly to build and maintain.

Question: Will the special economic zone lead to more taxes for area residents?

Answer: No. Actually, it will reduce the burden on the area residents. A project like this is large in scope and require certain infrastructure improvements, new fire stations, demand more municipal services, and is costly. Rather than take from general city funds that could be used on anything in the city, we are requesting the creation of special economic zone around our continuous and non-contiguous portions of the park and resort, as well as our partner parks and resorts. Under this proposal, it would give the city Council the ability to levy higher taxes that will only be applicable to those in the special economic zone. a portion of those monies generated would be required to stay within the special economic zone to help pay off or pay for any of these aforementioned improvements that may be needed. As a result, it does not take away from general funds. Any additional money that does not need to be kept in reserves is transferred to the city for general usage.

Question: Will this lead to increased taxes or reduced services?

Answer: No, not for residents or those not in the zone. Universal and its partners have put numerous proposals forward to the City Council that calls for the city to impose taxes that are only applicable within the district, raising the general citywide tourism bed tax to 17 to 20% from the current rate of 7%, raising the restaurant tax to 10%, and other situations.

Among these proposals calls for a good portion of the tax revenues generated from the district to flow exclusively to Borborema. That means that money can only be used outside of the district in Borborema. This is money that can be used on anything in Borborema that is not associated with the District or can't be applied to other projects citywide. Given the current status of public facilities within Borborema, this money could be used on projects, like infrastructure, education, healthcare, affordable, housing, or other needs as deemed necessary by the Borborema community. If the success of universal parks worldwide is an indicator, this is a significant amount of money that will flow into the community as a community benefit that will be exclusively for the use of the community.

Question: has anyone been displaced by the construction?

Answer: not one business or person has been or will be displaced by the construction and maintaining this project. All of the commercial and residential properties that were purchased were vacant or had no one living in them. Many of these properties were beyond disrepair, and we're not considered safe or usable for the public. They were in many ways a danger to the public if they were not maintained, and we're not economically productive, since they were not allowing a space for people to use or live in, and we're not taxable for the city.

Question: how will the universal work with the community on the issue of affordable housing, jobs, and healthcare?

Answer: our partners and us believe in cooperation with our neighbors.
That means being part of the solution, and not a problem. That means having a difficult dialogue with those that may be against our interest. We believe that the only way forward is cooperation. That's why we are willing to make a substantial investment in our community, to see their success, because their success is our success.

That's why Universal is proud to announce that they have acquired another 120 acres spread throughout the community. Unlike the other land, this land is exclusively dedicated to the community. The land is split up into different parcels, the largest parcel being 40 acres. Universal and its partners have preemptively partnered with local and national organizations that have different focuses but will benefit this community. While some of these partnerships are still being negotiated, we can announce the following.

A trilateral partnership with the University of Santa Catalina. The university will open up a new campus that will only operate in the community. The focus of the new campus will include a state-of-the-art Level 1 Trauma Center and medical school, that will have a particular focus on Orsonian medical science and human cardiology, as well as other medical disciplines. This will be an extension of the famous Ouro Verde Teaching Hospital. The university health system will also set up about six different clinics spread throughout the community that will help assist everyone from birth to old age. This will only be possible with private donations from Universal and their partners, a percentage of the proposed tax on the District going to help pay for the construction and maintenance of the University's location in the community, and cost sharing with the University.

The university is also going to open up a brand new campus dedicated to engineering. This will be dedicated to helping graduates develop skills necessary to work with the nearby high-tech community. Rubik, Electrik, and Universal have all agreed to donate 90% of the funding needed to open up this new campus. The remaining 10% will be provided for with the tax generated from the district. All three corporations have pledged provide a pathway via internships or other programs so that students can get the necessary experience and jobs to work in this burgeoning industry. It is important that the talent needed for these industries is generated and can stay in SC.

Affordable housing. Universal has already pledged to construct 5500 apartments ( an increase) units that will be rent-controlled and spread throughout the community. This is the largest investment in affordable housing by any private and governmental industry in SC history. This is a 100% private effort. The housing will be managed by Novoian Fisher House.

The Harper Foundation will also provide $300 million to the community to preserve existing homes and businesses. This money will be issued in the form of a grant, so that members of the community can continue to maintain their place where they call home or do business.

There will also be other investments, such as in public parks, community centers, and other public benefits. But these benefits will only be provided if the project can proceed without delay or hassle.

Impact fee's: universal and its partners are not skipping any step in this process. As part of this, they are going to pay hundreds of millions in impact fees to the local and federal government. This is for the impact of the construction on the area. It is common in any project, but in this case, it will be substantial.

Conclusion: we understand that there may be some hesitancy towards this project. Change is never easy. But, people must have all the facts. This is a beautiful community with a warm sense of unity. We want to partake in that. We had multiple inspectors and geologists come out and test the soil and the existing buildings. Many of the lots have existing issues that will require environmental remediation because of their industrial past or are unsafe to be in. The current cost for teardown and remediation is going to be about $165 million and that cost could rise.

When it comes to private public partnerships, they could come in different forms. In the history of those partnerships, this is by far the most generous when it comes to public benefits. Universal and its partners are providing an estimated $1.5 billion value in public benefits. That is not, including the economic tax base that will be introduced to the city or the tens of thousands of jobs that will be created. Given all these benefits, and the increase in public quality of life, opposing this project is opposing more money for schools, better healthcare, better transit, and denying a chance to help your community. Our estimate show that the conservative estimate for the revenue generating that will be solely allocated to the community will be at least 125 million a year.. with our higher estimates at 455 million.

Timmy City wrote:

OOC: Pallas and the community leaders have the wrong info. Pallas and others should consider all info on this unique setup and take an informed approach before they make a choice.
Universal working through their Community Relations Department has released a new FAQ on their website to clarify misconceptions about the project which have been mistakenly spread by certain persons...

On Libra, Deputy Karri Pallas has urged Borborema residents not to believe anything said by Universal:

"I urge you all not to trust any information originating from Universal Studios's Community Relations Department. These vulture capitalists from the Timmian Confederation do not have your best interests at heart. The corporate suits in charge of Universal are only concerned with making a profit and nothing more, and will eagerly peddle lies to gain your trust. Regarding their proposed projects to improve life in the community, who is going to ensure they keep their end of the bargain once their treasured park is finished? Who will prevent the gentrification of Borborema and the devastating economic effect this will have on local residents, many of whom are poor immigrants?"