Five Of A Kind

[sondra]

Location: Master Bedroom, The Gubarev Residence, St. Andrei, Vitalina

[3:27:55 AM QST]

::RING RING::

“Ugh, hello, who is this? Do you realize what time it is?”

“Three thirty Standard Quagmirian Time, General Gubarev.”

“Oh, excuse me, Your Majesty. I didn't realize it was you—I sincerely apol—”

“Save it, General. I know it's late, or early, I suppose. This, however, is an emergency.”

“How may I serve you, Empress?”

“Have a legion ready to sail from Port Prilectcha by dawn. The coordinates are as follows: 60 degrees South, 44 degrees East.”

“Um, Your Majesty... Those coordinates will take us...”

“I know. Vitalistan.”

[3:31:42 AM SQT]

[vitalistan]

Location: Carrier Slammer, off the coast of Vitalistan

General Zitlaiv- Sir, Vitalinan naval fleet is here.

Dictator Vizliat- Damn, I thought we had more time.

General Zitlaiv- What action should we take?

Dictator Vizliat- Get our "Red Moon" assault team on to one of their carriers. Give them a H.A.V.O.K.

General Zitlaiv- A H.A.V.O.K? Are you sure?

Dictator Vizliat- Yes. Also, give them the Hades.

General Zitlaiv- Why a Crusier?

Dictator Vizliat- Why a H.A.V.O.K? Are you finished questioning me, or do i have to get a new General?

General Zitliav- Sorry sir.

Dictator Vizliat- Tell the Red Moon that they have three hours before this op takes place.

General Zitliav- Yes, sir.

Dictator Vizliat- Damned poker game.

[7:34:45 AM SQT]

[sondra]

Location: The Burgundy Office, the Imperial Palace, St. Andrei, Vitalina

[7:34:02 AM QST]

::General Mikhail Gubarev enters, in full military regalia. Empress Aleksandra Vitalinova sits in the bay window overlooking the Eastern Gardens. Dawn is breaking. She sips her morning tea.::

“My cruisers, Lord General?”

“Your Majesty, they are, even now, approaching the coordinates you have specified. The HMS Regina, Artemis, and Sylvanus.”

“Excellent, Mikhail.”

“If I may, Your Majesty, it's been a day now since you've ordered the launching of the ships to Vitalistan. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

“Are you questioning my judgment, General?”

“Are you threatening your godfather, Sasha? Huh, at least you have the decency to look ashamed. I may be more than twice your age, child, but I'm not yet senile. You just seemed rather agitated yesterday when you gave your orders. Perhaps you've reconsidered.”

“No, Mikhail. Don't worry; I know what I'm doing. Place the order to stay the ships. Get as close as you can to Vitalistan, but remain in international waters at all costs. I don't want to draw attention from the other nations. If one of the other Six find out about this...”

“Heh, and you say you know what you're doing.”

::General Gubarev bows and exits. The Empress picks up her private line.::

“Kirill. Yes, I know I should have informed you. Yes, I know that I'm risking a lot in terms of regional politics. Yes, yes. Well, you're my Minister of Foreign Affairs. Don't I pay you to come up with excuses for the General Assembly? I don't know. If you're pressed for something, go ahead and tell them that we're conducting military exercises. It worked for Beejaya, didn't it? Yes, we're staying in international waters. I may be a woman, Ivanov, but I'm not an idiot. Fine. Send a message to Adre. I want to speak to him about the warheads he cheated me out of."

[beejaya]

Location: Somewhere over the ocean on a converted A400M.

Electronics Officer: As you can see sir, there has been activity between these two nations.

Chief: Interesting. Transmit these results to headquarters. We'll make another pass... and keep our distance. I'm sure the Grand Duke will want this situation monitored.

[Ron]

Location: N.S.O, Ron a capital of S8in

National Security Office, Private Langley: Sir, Sir!..... Mike!!, There have been several reports of activities between our fellow nations, they say that there have been several sightings of activities between the 2 nations. How are we to act?

Mike, Commanding officer N.S.O: Follow protocol, inform the Air Force of the activities and tell them to set i monitoring flight path close to the effected areas but they are to keep watch only! Launch the 32nd Naval fleet and deploy an aircraft carrier from the 22nd to accompany.
remember this is a monitoring mission only. Do not engage the enemy, stand your ground if u must but do so cautiously... tread lightly troops, Ron's Speed

[vitalinia]

LOCATION: Masada Palace, Presidential Office

[General Frank Patton enters the office. President Vitaliz stands and shakes his hand.]

Gen. Patton: Mr. President, there may be a military incident that will take place between our sibling nations of Vitalina and Vitalistan.

President: I understand. Intelligence has just filled me in on the situation. I assume that no shots have been fired yet.

General: Not as of yet, Mr. President. But it seems that it is very possible.

President: Very well. Let's raise our alert to Defcon 3. We better take precaution not to let any activity spillover to our shores. If war does break out, I will immediately meet with my cabinet to see what further action needs to be taken. Ambassador Zilativ is already informed of the situation and he is preparing to make a statement to the Assembly if military conflict materializes.

General: I'll assemble the staff and prepare the troops, sir.

[vitalistan]

Location: Crusier Hades on an intercepting course of the Vitalinan naval fleet.

Dictator Vizliat- Men of the Red Moon assault team, you have been gathered here to defend the national soveregnity of your home country! Now forward against the enemy! Not one step back! Do not waver! Do not let up! Fight! Fight for your honor! For your family! WIN!

Crowd- Huzzah!

Dictator Vizliat- Now we will fight! Now we will win!

General Zitlaiv- Sir, ETA ten minutes. We're gonna meet them 20 miles off the coast of Mazy The Big.

Dictator Vizliat- Get ready! We're gonna take them by suprise!

[2:46:31 PM SQT]

Later

::VNN News::

It seems today a military conflict has taken place.
(Screen comes on)
What is shown on this screen is the ruins of a Vitalinan battle fleet assumed to have been headed to our own shores.
No one knows how a whole fleet was decimated like this one yet there are rumors of a new kind of nuke. A mini-nuke people say. Yet this assumption was soon discredited by local military officers.

Signing off,
David Burgandy.

[sondra]

::Taken from the Bridge Voice Recorder salvaged from the wreckage of what is believed to be the HMS Artemis::

Captain Kaftyrev (2:59:16 PM): Leutenant, report.

Leutenent Prasetnik (3:00:15 PM): Captain, we're holding our positions. We're approximately twenty knots beyond the borders of the nation of MazytheBig.

Captain Kaftyrev (3:03:24 PM): Good. Message Sylvanus and Regina. We have received orders to stay in international waters. We are not to enter any sovereign nation's borders.

Leutenent Prasetnik (3:04:04 PM): Aye, aye, Captain. Sending transmission now.

Leutenent Prasetnik (3:04:25 PM): Captain....

Captain Kaftyrev (3:04:29 PM): Hm?

Leutenent Prasetnik (3:04:37 PM): I'm picking something up on radar, Sir.

Captain Kaftyrev (3:04:42 PM): What the hell is that?

Leutenent Prasetnik (3:04:52 PM): Captain, um, I'm not sure.

Captain Kaftyrev (3:05:17 PM): Get me someone who can read this thing.

Leutenent Prasetnik (3:05:31 PM): Sir, I've been doing this for eight years, and I've never seen anything like that

Captain Kaftyrev (3:06:30 PM): Damn it, what the hell.

Captain Kaftyrev (3:09:22 PM): Transmitted On All Frequencies: This is Captain Vladko Kaftyrev of the HMS Artemis. Please identify yourself.

Leutenent Prasetnik (3:09:59 PM): Captain, oh *@#$! Captain!

Captain Kaftyrev (3:11:43 PM): Public Announcement: Attention! This is your Captain speaking. All hands brace for impact! I repeat, all hands break for impact! May God have mercy on us all.

End Transmission :: 3:12:47 PM QST

***
An excerpt from THE VITALINAN OBSERVER

“150 Die During Naval Training”
The Affiliated Press

St. Andrei, Vitalina

Vitalina lies dormant today as our nation mourns the tragic deaths of 150 of our sons and daughters.

At approximately 3 o'clock in the afternoon yesterday, the HMS Artemis, Regina, and Sylvanus were attacked by Vitalistani battleships and sunk in international waters during routine field training. Government officials claim that the three cruisers did not provoke the attack, and the Minister of Defense, General Mikhail Gubarev gave his assurances that the Vitalinan government will launch a full-scale investigation.

Her Majesty Empress Aleksandra Vitalinova has called all flags to be flown at half-mast for the next sixty days in honor of the brave men and women who lost their lives. Local shops and services have voluntarily closed in respect. Even the Vitalinan Orthodox Church is calling for the nation to pray for the souls of those who died for our country.

The only question left to ask is “Why?”

[vitalinia]

SETTING: Emergency session of the SNQ Delegate Assembly, 8:07 QST

Foreman: The Secretary General recognizes the honorable delegate from the Democratic Republic of Vitalinia.

[Ambassador Zilativ assumes the podium.]

AG Zilativ: My fellow delegates, today I stand before you on behalf of an entire nation grieved, disgusted, and appalled by what has taken place today. Today, we have seen two of our leading nations involved in a dispute that has cost 150 lives and could have unraveled the stability of this great region.

We have seen a gross abuse of military power by both nations and on behalf of Vitalinia, I wish to declare that this cannot and will not be tolerated. Mr. Secretary General, the nation of Vitalinia demands that Dictator Vizliat of Vitalistan and Empress Aleksandra Vitalinova be issued a stern censure by the Assembly for their inexcusable behavior.

As many of our nations were led to believe that an invasion of Vitalistan was inevitable, and national sovereignty was maintained, our nation does not believe that a regional tribunal for any of the leaders accountable will be necessary. However, I exhort this sacred Assembly to learn from the grave lessons learned today. Military power is a sacred responsibility that cannot be frivolously used for wanton military exercises, nor should it be used for misunderstood acts of defense. Rather, diplomatic communication must be exercised before any military action can take place.

The hearts of this region goes out to the families of the Vitalinan sailors lost at sea. May God heal and continue to bless the Sovereign Nations of Quagmire.

[akebono]

**The SNQ Delegate Assembly

Ambassador Eleleth Stands up

We believe that a trial should be held. I wish to ask the Secretary General to open the Assembly to formal procedings into the nature of the H.A.V.O.K. weapon that was used. We believe that this is indeed warranted for the safety of the region.

Thank You

[Ron]

Location: Ron's office, Capital house of S8in

*The door swung open and Ron raised his head. Headed toward him was a rather pale 5* General. Ron lent back in his chair and waited to hear the news


Ron's Office, Gorge 5* General: OK Ron they did it they engaged, Vitalinia launched several, what looks to be small nukes at Vitalina. They destroyed 3 naval vessels and killed 150 officers

Ron, Dictator and Un-Holly Ruler of S8in: DAMN! this is going to be a very tough one to judge Gorge. ok, how far away are the 32nd Naval fleet and aircraft carrier from the 22nd??

Gorge: ETA 5 Mins. Sir i suggest we send 2 extra fleets. This could turn out to be a peacekeeping mission...... or worse. I think we should arm our ships and planes with the N43 Nuclear war headed missiles, there dangerous but i think they are needed or at least the new MMP.

Ron: NO WAY! This isn't a war yet general. you are forgetting that we are on both sides here! ohk send the 12th Naval sub devision and the 22nd Aircraft carriers and inform the 10th Frigate division that they are the next step..

Gorge:
But that will make it the 23rd Naval , 22nd Aircraft and the 12th Sub thats close to 1oo, ooo men plus ships. Thats an increadible amount

Ron: Dont tell me what i already know General, I made this country what it is today. But dont go dying on me you here!

Gorge: Yes Sir.... I will do as ordered

*Ron looked into the eyes of a very determined friend.....

Ron: Gorge.... Be Careful, Your my number 1...... Ron's Speed

*With this Ron turned his chair around and looked out a very large window behind his desk. The window overlook his capital and all he had built. Gorge walked out of the office and left to set the wheels into motion.....

[beejaya]

Location: Inside Ace's Den Below the Royal Palace

Walrus: Things are beginning to spiral out of control, You Highness.

Ace: I've noticed. The funny thing about wars is that they rarely stay in one place. We could find ourselves with a war on our hands quickly.

::Ace stands and walks over to the projection table. He punches up a 3rd map of Beejaya in relation to the rest of the SNQ region.::

Ace:: Have our air force maintain CAP's in the airspace around Beejaya here....here... and here. No country claims these lands, so I think no one is going to complain if we put our forces outside of our country.

Walrus: And the borders?

Ace:: Leave them open for now... lets not disrupt the local economy there just yet. If a land war begins on this continent, then we will deploy the army. Until then I want you to put all air units on Level 2 alert and all army units on Level 3.

Walrus: As you wish.


*Ace sits himself back down into his chair*

Ace: Oh. And if any of these nations contacts us on buying weapons. Be sure to give them a good rate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This is Adelle Ascherin of Channel 7 news.

The Grand Duchy of Beejaya has apparently made it's stance on the current military conflict known. With the deployment of its advance fighters to the airspace around Beejaya, it seems that the Grand Duke plans not to enter this fray.

Quoting a source within the palace, "We are watching. But we are not participating in this event."

While Beejaya has no sizable naval force, its land based aircraft are considered some of the most advanced ever built. Reports from within the military have indicated that all air crews have been mobilized and that most army units are currently on standby.

While it is not clear how this event will end, the Grand Duke in a statement earlier today promised to "Defend every Beejayan."

This is Adelle Ascherin, Channel 7 News.


--------------------------------

Location- Somewhere over the unnamed ocean where the conflict has taken place. Several electronic aircraft, under armed escort patrol the area. They are clearly identified and are broadcasting their identity so that no mistake can be made.

Staying clear of the area, the electronic aircraft scan the area for transmissions and to plot military positions. This data is sent, encrypted to Ace's Bunker for analysis.

[secretarygeneral]

***Secretary General The Great H.***
(On the tellefon to the Great A.,the chairman of the Dictator Council of Dominion of Mazy the Big...)
-Gaddemit....cni48nqo8O^O*&V%*&#*&#$vvovgeghdk#&^e*#&@$^*#&....Now I'm realy pissed off.Me,myself went away for couple of days to spread good will and influence of our great region and they pulled off this stunt...
-Yes,I know...the council informed you as soon as we found out...
-150 dead soldiers!...ARE THEY F**** INSANE.....
-Yes,yes...I know....The Question is-"What to do now?"
-Hm,I'm so confused...Not sure what steps to take...this is why I contacted you first....
-Well we have to avoid outburst of total war in the region....that's for sure!
-Offcourse....I will try to talk some sense into them both.If they wont listen...
-First off all,let us get support from other nations,then they will listen!
-Offcourse,offcourse...region stability is the most important thing now...it is absolute imperativ that all other nations remain neutral!
-Yes!
-I will contact other nations as soon as we finish conversation...we will have peace in the region,no mater the costs!!!
(The tellefon conversation ends...)
The Great H. invites his assistant into the office.
-Write this down!
...

[The official post]

***Secretary General The Great H.***
===NOTICE OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE===
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
(The Secretary General of the Great Assembly,The Great H. to the fellow peace loving nations of SNQ...)

My fellow delegates,we have come to a place in time where we will have to make some big decisions.
Decisions that will affect our region in every imaginable way.The dispute between two of our nations has all chances to grow into all-out regional war.It has chances
if we stand aside and watch it unfolds in front off our eyes.But we will NOT do such a thing.
WE WILL NOT stand motionless and watch all we created turns into dust.I will not be remembered as the Secretary General that couldn't maintain peace thru out the region.
First: This madness and tensions in the region will cease to exist NOW!
Beejaya will land it's plains,Ron will take back his two extra fleets and if anybody even mentions NUCLEAR WEAPONS in any form,I will personally see that their political carrier's become just a fade memory!!!
Second: For now I have support from my home-nation,
The Dominion of Mazy the Big.I pledge other peace loving nations especially of The Sensational Six(Vitalinia,Beejaya,Akebono....) for support on my authority!!!
Third: As of tonight I'm forming the peace-keeping force,the SNQ-PKF which will consist of mixed military from different nations.
It only assignment will be the total blockade of nations of Vitalina and Vitalistan.Their trade routes will be cut-off,their military routes will be blocked.They will be separated from rest of the region.This blockade will last until they agree to solve their disputes!NOT BY FISTS!
And finally I call on the disputing nations to come to their senses and withdraw all of their military or they WILL REGRET THEIR ACTIONS!!!

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
===NOTICE OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE===
***Secretary General The Great H.***

[vitalinia]

SETTING: The SNQ Delegate Assembly

Foreman: The Secretary General recognizes the honorable delegate from Vitalinia.

AG Zilativ: The nation of Vitalinia praises the decisive action of the Secretary General. I exhort all nations to stand down their military alert. We are a peaceful region, and it will take the cooperation of all SNQ nations to maintain that peace. Furthermore, our nation asks that Beejaya does not encourage war by selling weapons to any nation for the purpose of military escalation. This talk of war must end. As for the recommendation of the honorable delegate from Akebono, we ask that any talk of regional tribunals be rescinded as it could be a hindrance to the negotiations of peace in the region.

As the Secretary General has requested, by the authorization of the President of the Democratic Republic of Vitalinia, our navy is sending six battleships to contribute to the campaign of the SNQ-PKF for the duration of no longer than 6 months as stated in the Constitution. For the sake of the region, we ask that Vitalina and Vitalistan work out a treaty to put this incident behind them.

May God continue to bless the Sovereign Nations of Quagmire!

[Ron]

Location: The SNQ Delegate Assembly:
:::::: Dictator and Un-Holy Ruler of S8in, Ron takes to the floor:::::

Ron:"Now I may be Corrupt and i may be a Dictator BUT how can we stand back and let them get away with the MURDER of 150.... ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY inocent family men and women!! ........ I say and eye for an eye. They should... nay MUST have revenge taken upon them. Does Vitalina not have the right to seek out and destroy those who attacked?!?!"

*Going red in the face and with eyes of fury and enragement Ron glared around the assembly until he spotted Empress Aleksandra Vitalinova

Ron:"Are you just going to stand back and let them get away with it? 'Sending a peacekeeping mission' Thats just letting him off with a slap on the wrist..... I wont stand for it. Vitalina today, S8in tomorrow then what?! The whole region......?!?! WHO IS WITH ME HERE?!?!?!"

*With this Ron stepped back wards and stood there glancing around the room. Still enraged he hoped that he wasn't the only one that wanted justice, who wanted peace and the only one that wants to have the right to protect his allies and the interest of his own nation.....

[akebono]

***SNQ Delegate Assembly
***Ambassador Belias stands up

I have here a letter from my Grand Duke. I shall read it to the Assembly.

Greetings

I present to the Assembly my new representitive to the SNQ Regional Assembly, Ambassador Belias. Know that his words are my words and my words are those of AkebonoBambusa.

Thank You
Grand Duke Akebono

***Ambassador Belias sets the letter down and motions to address the Assembly for the first time.

What we have here are some very tough choices to make. The delegate from Vitalinia has motioned that the no talk of any investigation into this incident will be had until peace negotiations have concluded. I say, What Peace Talks! We have seen nothing of the like here just violence. As for the Beejayan arms deals, though they border on the amoral side, I do believe that it is their right to sell weapons. Of Course we would prefer Beejaya to dismantle its weapons factories and employ its workers in something more peaceful like cut flower production but this is not our right to say.

With that I see no reason to withdraw AkebonoBambusa's call for more open information on weapons systems and we would like to ask for a clear statement from the Vitalina and Vitalistan as to their reason why so many had to die.

Thank You

***The Ambassador sits down.

[beejaya]

(man... it's hard to keep everyone...straight. 3 names being Vilita----- Maybe our avatars should be our national flags. heh )

::Ambassador Ric Flair steps up to the podiumn::

Woo... honorable delegates, in response to the recent events... the current position of our government will be given by The Duchess Celeya. Woo!

::Duchess Celeya enters the chamber and takes the mic::

Honorable delegates. The government of the Grand Duchy of Beejaya condemns the recent military action that resulted in the deaths of 150 people. Also, our government condemns, and has always been against the use of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.

With that said, we take offense at the suggestions that we are encouraging war by selling arms. These weapons are for defensive purposes. It is obvious that one side has attacked the other, and we are simply helping the people of SNQ to defend themselves. Although I am sure that it pains the Ambassador from Akebono to hear this... but we have no plans to enter the cut flower buisness.

And while we respect the request from the secretary general to withdrawl our planes, our military will still send up aircraft to monitor the situation as we see fit. Let me remind you that our forces are not under any SNQ mandate nor has there been a resolution calling for all withdrawl. Until then... we will continue to fly patrols to safeguard our nation.

We will also be open for buisness for any nations who wish to defend their nation.

Finally... We call for all forces from both sides of this conflict to withdrawl from the current area so a peaceful solution can be found.

::the Duchess sits down after her speech::

Ric Flair:: Wooooooooooooooooo!

[vitalinia]

[Ambassador Zilativ rises from his seat and is given the podium]

AG Zilativ: You say an eye for an eye, but I say unto you, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Our fellow delegate, Ron, says that revenge must be taken for justice to be fulfilled. This is an innate contradiction. Revenge only spurs further violence while justice seeks to repair what has been done. This is what we must be wary of. I understand that this sacred assembly is a gathering of friends, leaders of a great region who wish to see their children, nay their nations live in prosperity in a region that knows only of peace. War only begets war. Violence only begets violence. I am calling for a break in this cycle of destruction. Therefore, while we are all grieved at what has happened and some are calling for the blood of those responsible, it is of the utmost importance that we stand down and let the diplomatic method prevail.

Any credible intelligence agency will testify that an attack upon Vitalistan by the Vitalinan navy seemed all but imminent, and therefore Vitalistan cannot be fully blamed for what has taken place. So in response to the delegate from Akebono, I too motion the call for a full explanation on both sides for this tragic incident. I call for Empress Aleksandra to state her reasons and intentions for what was to say the least, wanton military exercises that have borne tragic consequences. I call for Dictator Vizliat to state his reasons for using what was to say the least, excessive use of force on international waters.

To Duchess Celeya of Beejaya, I wish to say that no offense was meant when we asked for Beejaya to suspend weapons transaction in the region for the time being. However, you must understand that this action can be, for better or for worse, taken as a signal to the tide of war. Therefore, as it is still your sovereign right to continue to sell weapons, we ask that you use your discretion that this will not lead to something worse than the situation already is. It is also your sovereign right to fly planes over Beejayan airspace and international waters as a precaution. However, we exhort that you respect the sovereign airspace of our member nations and to not enter airspace without the permission of the respective nations.

Again, our nation stands by our Secretary General's call for a blockade against these two nations. The Vitalinian delegate rests its case and shall not speak about this matter any further until we receive an official address by both heads of state concerning this matter.

May God continue to bless the Sovereign Nations of Quagmire.

[akebono]

***SNQ Assembly

***Ambassador Belias takes the podium
We wish to make it clear that no AkebonoBambusan will take part in the blockade or the SNQ Peacekeeping force.

Thank You