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Post by killer spork on Oct 16, 2015 15:43:44 GMT -6
With military precision, the Asteran diplomatic staff in Victory City wiped data slates clean, burned documents, and shredded files before heading in a convoy to the space port. Thus, the formal diplomatic relationship between Asteron and the RWU was terminated. Yet the government on Asteron was faced with a particularly annoying problem -- Kniov and a holdout full of zealots were refusing to leave.
'' Major Sidor, report. '' The Major turned to find himself underneath the blistering stare of General Gustavus Kruger. Sidor tried to keep his face carefully blank though Kruger was one of the few men that made him nervous. The General was renowned for his ruthlessness and treating failure in his subordinates harshly.
'' Foreign Minister Kniov and the diplomatic staff of the RWU, including security personnel have locked themselves within the embassy and are refusing to obey their order of expulsion. '' Army troops had already been deployed, setting up barricades. But the Asteran Federal Police seemed to be taking the lead here.
Tactical response groups (TRG) was standing by awaiting an entry order.
'' For the moment, we've prepared tear gas canisters and I have troops waiting to storm the building. '' Sidor said but he that option drew a frown from the General.
'' I'm not looking to make these bastards martyrs, Major. What are our other options? ''
'' Starve them out. '' Sidor said flatly, not an option he particularly enjoyed. But if Asteron didn't want outright war, then it had no choice.
'' Do what you need to do, you have command here. '' Kruger said finally, returning Izak's salute.
'' I want hourly updates Major. '' The General said, stepping into his staff car before an aide drove him away.
'' Captain Lanias! '' The infantry officer tore himself away from directing a group of his lieutenants to report.
'' Get me on the line with the 82nd brigade, First Division. ''
'' Psy-ops sir? ''
The Major gave a nod and the Captain went scurrying.
Two long hours passed before massive armored vehicles began growling down the road. But rather than being stuffed with heavy guns to bomb the embassy to pieces, the armored personnel carriers were fitted with heavy duty speakers, parking them just outside the embassy gates.
Soon, the sound of Asteran marching music would fill the air. Day and night the music would play, blasting the poor Ayar inside the building with nonstop noise that was designed to keep them from sleeping, thinking, or functioning normally.
Every hour, on the hour, a single message was repeated over the speaker before the next roar of music.
'' Attention, attention. The Asteran government has expelled all diplomatic and security agents associated with the RWU. Those inside the embassy are urged to come out, peacefully where you will be sent home. '' Then the message would cut out, another blast of marching band music would follow, intermixed with random squawks of noise and static.
SUMMARY: -- The Asteran army surrounds the RWU embassy after they refuse to leave Asteron. -- Power is cut to the embassy and the army begins broadcasting non-stop noise and music to force those inside to come out. -- Asteran police make ready to storm the building.
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Post by Admin on Oct 16, 2015 23:50:08 GMT -6
Modmark The elections on Asteron would be, in a word, chaotic. So many events had happened in the last five years, all appealing to Asterans with radically different ideas of what a desirable government should do. The government's promises of freedom and civilian governance were now suspect, with the government cracking down on Unions and dissenters. Yet despite the loss of promised freedoms, the ANF had overseen strong economic growth and the prospect of a potent Trade Union that could massively boost the local economy. Meanwhile, the AWP had rallied its forces. Disillusionment in the wake of the Unionist scandal and the repeated humiliation of Asteron on the international front only fueled people's desire to return to the strong, military government of the past. General Saratoga spoke to raving crowds about restoring Asteron's honor and burning the Hive - or anyone else who challenged Asteron - to the ground. The AWP had the power and leadership to take control, all they lacked was the legitimacy they had lost in the Hive War years ago. Across the aisle, the PUF stood strong in their commitment to a strong relationship with the RWU, Syndicalism, and freedom for the working masses. Isabella Vos was incredibly charismatic, and the assistance of RWU lobbyist Kniov had helped her hone her campaign team to a razor's edge. They railed against the "Union Busting" of the central government and claimed that the last election had been illegitimately stolen from them by the forces of the Bourgeois. True freedom, Vos said, was the only way to make Asteron strong. But the PUF was having its own problems. The evidence against the Union leaders had been convincing, and many felt disillusioned by the appalling corruption revealed. A splinter faction, calling themselves the People's Coalition of Asteron, had split from the PUF. Like their parent party they opposed the government and wished for liberty and peace, but they determined to work entirely within Asteron, without any affiliation to the RWU. And of course, there was the wild card of the new Enlightened minority - eager converts who turned towards the Yuyan for guidance. In an election this tight, they could easily make or break a party's election chance. A small number had even begun their own party, the Enlightened Governance Party, which hovered near the representation threshold. SUMMARY: Current party polling: AWP 15% ANF 30% PUF 35% PCA 10% EGP 5% Undecided 5% AWP: Heavily militaristic and fascist. Wants to restore Asteron's standing on the international stage. PUF: Heavily associated with RWU and Syndicalism. Advocates stronger civil liberties, renewed relationship with RWU. PCA: Syndicalist faction with no ties to the RWU. Emphasizes civil liberties, fighting corruption, isolationism. EGP: Wants to institute the Fundamental Truth as an official religion, and institute laws based on the religion.
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Post by killer spork on Oct 17, 2015 15:55:47 GMT -6
‘’ What does the RWU offer you? They dress dictatorship and tyranny up in pretty language like Revolution and Liberty! ‘’ Lukien Saratoga roared to throngs of AWP supporters. ‘’ What has this government done for you? Nothing! The Hive remains a threat and what does President Sidow do? He sits in his cabinet making his wealthy friends even wealthier! Meanwhile, millions of our people have died at the hands of those monsters! If I’m elected President, I will defend Asteron by fulfilling the promise I made to my troops! I will invade the Hive homeworld! I will burn its nests to the ground and kill its Queens! It’s only by taking the war to the enemy that we will be able to finally achieve peace! I can tell you fellow Asteran’s, that it won’t be delivered by the RWU and their false promises, nor Sidow and his fat checks! It’s only the army that can truly defend the people! ‘’
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ‘’ We have a choice citizens! A choice between the past and the future! The chains of the past are trying latch onto us! Three weeks ago, the RWU had the audacity to declare the Asteran government illegitimate! They claim if the PUF isn’t elected, that we will be declared an Enemy of the People! ‘’ Sidow said, stalking across the stage. A holo-cam following every movement.
‘’ Think about that for a moment. The PUF and the Union’s have done nothing but cheat the Asteran people out of billions of credits! When my government uncovered this scheme, they cry foul! They want their puppets in office and that’s what Isabelle Vos and the PUF is. Puppets of the RWU that are trying to take your liberty and basic freedoms! Your very right to choose! Don’t let them! If I’m elected, I will complete a massive trade deal for Asteron that will bring jobs and economic growth. Can the PUF offer you that? No, at the behest of their foreign masters, they want us to scuttle the deal! Not under my watch! ‘’ The crowds cheered but outside the mood was growing more grim….
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‘’ FIRE! ‘’ Tear gas boomed, hurtling towards the crowd. The pop, pop, pop of gunshots followed by the sounds of exploding Molotov cocktails and fireworks was continuous.
‘’ Sir, the situation is growing out of control. ‘’ Captain Lanias was sporting a bloody head wound as he stomped into the command tent.
‘’ Fucking Saratoga! ‘’ Izak Sidor snarled. Thousands of AWP supporters had descended on the RWU embassy, stirred on by Saratoga’s impassioned speeches. Now they were threatening to storm the embassy. Negotiations to force Kniov and his cohorts out have proved fruitless.
‘’ TAKE THE BUILDING! NOW! ‘’ Federal agents swarmed forward behind an armored personnel carrier that smashed through the gate. Helicopters descended, heading for the rooftops to disgorge dozens of special operations troops. They had been ordered to use non lethal force to subdue the ambassador and his staff but with AWP supporters pressing at Sidor’s thin defenses, he only hoped that he could save the ambassador before the protesters swarmed the embassy.
SUMMARY: -- The Army makes its play for power. General Saratoga (Activist Agent) stirs up anti-RWU sentiment across the country, sending protesters against the RWU embassy that has declared Asteran democracy illegitimate. Izak Sidor attempts to secure Ambassador Kniov before the embassy is overrun.
-- President Sidow campaigns on his promises to bring reform and grow the economy, while each party highlights the BLATANT corruption and intrusion in Asteran affairs by the RWU.
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Post by killer spork on Oct 18, 2015 18:54:56 GMT -6
The chaos of night and the break of dawn finally brought a fragile sense of calm. Military police had been called in overnight to keep the protests confined though not suppressed. The sympathetic commanders meant that the RWU embassy had been occupied by the AWP organizers but Foreign Minister Kniov, despite his reckless actions was safe (for the moment).
The Foreign Minister of the RWU had been placed under house arrest while the bulk of his staff sat within holding cells while the government debated what to do with them. There was calls to put Kniov on trial for inciting public unrest (most notably by the AWP) and hardliners within the ANF but President Sidow was playing his cards close to his vest. He did not want Kniov becoming a martyr for some long lost revolution.
Izak Sidor stepped outside, surveying the damage. Glass crunched underneath his boots while fire fighters battled a blaze that had started in one of the adjacent habs and spread over to the next block. Several of the buildings were still smoldering as Colonel Corwin joined him.
'' Protesters storming the RWU embassy, do the General's want a war? '' Sidor growled, the remarks to no one in particular as the two stood in quiet reflection for a moment.
'' They want to send a message to the RWU that their revolution is dead. '' Corwin said, struggling to light his cigar. Sidor stepped forward his own light to aid his superior. With a nod of gratitude, the Colonel let smoke slip from his lips and head towards the sky (which was obscured by the smoke and haze of the morning).
'' None of them seriously want a war. The RWU is strong and the Army is more concerned with the Hive regaining its strength since the fall of Nas. '' He said, continuing his train of thought.
'' Yes...but these events have a habit of snowballing out of control. These idiots are playing with matches around a powderkeg, hoping it doesn't spark. '' Sidor growled, turning away from the serpentine column of military trucks and vehicles that was making its way down the road.
'' That they do... General Andriesen wants us to keep our ear to the ground.'' The cagey old fox it seemed was playing both sides of the party, ensuring that he got his due. The Major idly wondered what his price would be? Further control over the internal security apparatus? A bigger stake on the Security Council?
One thing was for certain, with the election still undecided, the next few weeks and months would be anything but dull.
SUMMARY:
-- AWP protesters occupy the RWU embassy. The Asteran military evacuates Kniov and his staff, holding them in custody while the government decides their fate.
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Post by Admin on Oct 21, 2015 16:15:40 GMT -6
Modmark
"This is ARNN with the latest election news. The election controversy remains strong after two days following the upset surge of the AWP." A screen display showing election percentages as a set of colorful bars stretched across the screen. "The AWP and PUF are now neck-in-neck with 35% of the vote each, miraculously within a single seat of majority. The ANF came in a distant third with 25% of the vote and the PCA received a measly 5%. Here now to our election correspondent Tabitha Molen." The screen faded, replaced by the image of a young woman standing before what looked like a government building, microphone clutched firmly in her hand.
"Thank you Meer. Things are tense here at the capital as the recount continues. The PUF and AWP are both threatening litigation over potential vote tampering. The AWP over the alleged purposeful mishandling and discarding of voter data by an official known to be sympathetic to the PUF, while the PUF has voiced complaints over voting-place violence and intimidation by AWP members. If either of these complaints is judged legitimate by the ruling court it could swing the election. As you know, both parties are claiming victory at this time."
"Thank you Tabitha." The screen switched back to the news anchor. "Tensions remain high in the streets with several protests having turned violent in cities across Asteron. Police are out in force and hundreds of arrests have been made. The attorney general made a call for calm earlier today, asking citizens to return to their homes and accept election results. PUF and AWP spokesmen refused to comment on his pleas. Both parties have claimed victory and are now racing to establish a coalition in the absence of decisive election results."
------------------------------------------ SUMMARY The election is too close to call. Both the PUF and AWP claim victory due to the narrowness of the vote. Victory will be decided by who can build a coalition faster, but either way the situation is a powder keg waiting for a spark. Several results were possible in the coming days...
AWP-ANF Coalition: The AWP and ANF join forces. Asteron remains capitalist, but the AWP will bring a much stronger emphasis on armed forces. The PUF declares the election fraudulent. Must declare war on any target once during the next government. Must construct at least 2 additional military facilities. -1 Order from Unrest until next election
PUF-ANF Coalition: The capitalists and syndicalists unite to keep the AWP locked out of government. This is a very uneasy alliance, but potentially the best for civil liberties. The AWP declares the election fraudulent. Must make detente with RWU. May not increase military upkeep costs above -10 Credits/Turn. -1 Order from Unrest until next election
AWP-PUF Coalition: The Syndicalists and the Army reforge their old alliance. This is the most politically stable option, but only in the short term. Must declare war on any target once during the next government. Must make detente with the RWU
Runoff: President Sidow could refuse to recognize the results of such a controversial election and instead demand a new one. This would allow him and his party another shot at victory while the AWP and PUF are at each other's throats, but will also massively destabilize Asteron. Current government remains in power. Can call a snap election at some point during the next cycle. -3 Order from Unrest until the next election.
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