Maelstrom Vortex

It was announced the weapons would be confiscated on a check-in, check-out basis. Ammunition and guns were assigned cards and given to their owners. When they would leave the ship the on-board authorities would grant them their weapons back for whatever mission they happened to be heading out on. They were guaranteed the weapons would be well maintained and likely in better repair when returned than received.

And after a long tour, the good Doctor was shown to some good quarters and he rested as he awaited the arrival of the Chairmain from the Empire. ## 10 hours later... ## A plane touches down at the airport, is escorted to a similar hanger.. and a similar procedure occurs. Except, this time, the Chairman of the Dragon Empire is rushed to the Hospital urgent care center for preparations, he was waxing weak, his wife not far behind. She pleaded with Leclerc when he had arrived to see the Chairman to the treatment center, "Please save him!"

At the request of Rebel Virginia.. this treaty is being modified. Free transit is being removed.

The Dragon Empire takes minimal collateral damage as their surface harbors aren't even major naval installations. 80% of all imperial naval traffic is submerged.. including at submerged harbor areas. The surface harbors are mostly meant for the coast guard.. who.. upon watching this huge fight approach had well and already evacuated the entire area. Several construction and loading cranes had fallen into the water, but overall compared to what they were expecting this wasn't going as bad as it could. Remember, most of the Tasmanian area of the Dragon Empire isn't even on the surface save for military operations outposts.

ooc: It's the latter. The Dragon Imperial crews were isolating people using Hazmats and sealed vehicles. They knew these people would die and would infect others if they left. They were instructed to make themselves as comfortable as possible in their homes.. food, water, and entertainment were delivered to them to ease their suffering. Also, in an event unrecorded in the history of the Empire, unrestricted use of morphine was permitted for patients in the zone afflicted by pain and euthanasia was authorized for the sake of mercy at anyone's who was determined to be infected request. Scientists continued to work around the clock, trying to find any type of sufficient treatment as the Nano-Scrubbers of the UFE worked around them. It was determined the entire population of the city, 99.8% casualty rate. Rate of death among present Dragon Empire troops was approximately 5% from incidental infection. Infected soldiers were treated the same as the local citizens. "We're going to have to wait it out and fight it over every inch of the city." Said ground commander Yon Kang, sounding like Darth banned member through his breathing apparatus. "Keep the air scrubbers going round the clock and give me contaminant reports every morning." Buildings were being sealed and decontaminated one at a time.. as they were purified, they became barracks for additional clean-up operations units. They were going to fight for the city block by block.

The great care LVN has executed in our international waters so as not to cause damage to our assets is greatly appreciated.. but if possible, we would really like to see those present take their conflict out of our domain. We realize we have treaties of friendship and transit with many of you, but it's limited to transit, not warfare. Please be kind enough to attempt to move this conflict away from our shores.. you're scaring our retirees and tourists on the sea-side.. witless.. on the other hand, the presence of the foreign press has more than tripled and we're being overrun by thrill-seekers.

"I recommend just finishing it wherever you started it. I'd hate to waste all the materials you've used so far already in your construction efforts."

The Dragon Empire was boggled at the fact war was taking place in its back yard. It's a good thing it never stood down below Defcon 1. The forces are closely monitored, but no acts of aggression on the part of the Dragon Empire was made. Dragon Empire forces have been instructed to stay well and clear of the conflict zone although sea-crawlers are monitoring the events closely.

People were dieing in droves. The Quarantine was extremely strict. No one was allowed out of the area. Anyone attempting to leave was shot. Only the government had been evacuated and that was after their health was verified as non-compromised and non-exposed. The CDC teams in the area were doing their best to attempt to stem the spread, but it was looking pretty futile. An emergency broadcast was sent to Dragonisia and relayed to the UFE to request assistance in controlling the menace. A request for suggested courses of action by decision teams was also made.

"We cannot deny the will of the people of Othello. Their voices have been made known and we grant our ear to them. They are formally accepted as a state of the Empire. The Empress has been contacted, she has made us aware of her desire to be the Minister of Health. We fully approve of this request.. and the seat will be vacated for her, the current occupant will be granted an early retirement package for their many years of loyal service. Welcome to the Empire, people of Othello.. new citizens of our nation." A press release was made on behalf of Maelstrom Vortex by his press department.

As part of its global economic expansion, the economic minister was instructed to acquire exactly 15%, no more; no less of the ownership of Preferred class Shares of GTI.. the company which now produced part of their military supply on the surface of Tasmania and which was expanding its operations around the globe. "We view GTI as a critical multinational strategic asset in our portfolio, an important and significant way of increasing the value of our currency and to further make us interdependent with the world's global markets. Therefore, we look forward to a long, prosperous business relationship with them and will help them in their business efforts domestically and abroad if possible." stated Dawson Jones, Minister of Economics. "We will be seeking to build additional ownership over time with a final strategic objective of 20% control."

"And how about Taiwan's new exchange Nebu II, what have you got in store for the world?" He inquired of the other governor.

"Operation Cargo Change underway... clear the surface.." The surfacing claxons were sounded and the submarines come to the surface topside. When above water, the upper cargo bays opened to allow people from the GTI ships to come aboard. They were inspected for arms to ensure there were no piracy attempts as is standard operation on Dragon Empire submarines.

"So they're all three still opening within a week of each other as projected. The first one will not go up for another 4 days anyhow. You're on schedule, no worries. Tell the world about your project Chairman Biao."

"How many days Chairman of Indochina?"

"I would be greatly appreciative." He nodded to Generosa, "Perhaps show me where we shall be working. I also need to know how I should come by accommodations while I am here. I'm not sure if you have the typical hotels per say." ##In the meantime.. across the world.. ## The ailing Maelstrom was helped from bed into his wheelchair.. and out the door to Dragon One. His attendants brought their luggage and his wife kept an almost vice-like hold on his arm.. dreading the days ahead and their temporary separation during his treatment. She sighed gently and stroked his hair idly as they boarded the plane. Maelstrom occasionally took fits of coughing. He sighed gently and murmured... "Please God, let this work.. or let me finally find peace...."

Chairman Maelstrom was rolled up to the podium, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the World. The Empire has been laboring in silence, together.. and independently.. on a plan to develop financial centers in all of our regions. This week, as part of the "Three Towers" plan, a new Stock Market will be opened to the public in Tasmania, as part of the Sword Building in downtown Dragonisia; in Indochina, and in the New Taiwanese republic. Many already know of the Sword Building development.. so I will now let Chairmain Biao of Indochina and Nebu II of New Taiwan fill you in on their local developments. In the case of New Taiwan, the rush to completion is part of a local recovery from their most recent disasters." He was then pulled back to let the other ministers speak about their personal projects.

"How about we go tour the facilities until he gets here, aye? I can't wait to start seeing everything your nation has accomplished. It's been my dream to come study here for a very long time. You and I seem to be of like passions." He smiled faintly.

"Understood." He got back to the line, "They'll get back to you on it." He then hung up, turning back to Leclerc, "They said 8 to ten hours plus the time to get the codes." "Also, Chairman, they wanted to tell me you may request any resources you need for the project and they'll be glad to deliver.. if you wish any payment for it, they'll be glad to come up with some funding. Maelstrom has also been deeply moved by your offer of help and has told me that, if you would want one with the Empire, a Friendship treaty with us would be most agreeable, but he leaves that for your discretion. You merely need let our foreign offices know. We understand you tend to be a very private people, so we won't intrude unless you would want what we propose. But, honestly, if you truly help him you will have made a life-long friend."

The Doctor picked up the phone and made the call. "Go ahead and get the Chairman here. Yes.. yes.. I'll let him know. Eight to ten hours before arrival? Alright. I'll get them the time table." He looked over his shoulder to Leclerc, "They're asking for the inbound flight code, like the one granted previously."

"I am not even going to try to defend that since it's not what I'm doing and I somewhat agree."

"That is completely understood. Should I contact the Empire and begin arranging his transfer?"

"We're not taking action against them. We're merely maintaining our borders and ensuring the only people getting within them are the ones we allow. That is all. As for the Navy of Neo Japan, what they do is their prerogative."

"This has already been factored into my planning. My research suggests he should be suspended in a perfluorocarbon solution in a semi-amniotic fluid style mix and maintained in a state of sleep as the changes could actually become painful at some points. The first steps that should be taken is the conditioning of the immune system. Since the newly proposed model of himself is based upon modifications of his own DNA; altering the immune system prior to an attempted conversion via T-Cell targeting nano-technology machines... which are little more than re engineered non-replicating viruses, should allow us to transform the immune system to correspond to new genetic programming prior to the more advanced stages of the systemic overhaul. We've already been farming his T-Cells in our laboratories in anticipation of this event and think we have a sufficient quantity to help him through the process." He noted as he stood next to the Chairman, hands folded behind his back, watching him pour through the data provided. "We've also been farming his stem cells." "We'll definitely send his top two doctors, can his wife come also? She loathes to be separated from him, especially in such a process as this. She offered to make you cookies if you permitted." He chuckled faintly. "Also, if you check page 2 of my formulations there, there is a catalyst library I have been collecting of drugs and enzymes known to activate cellular reaction to new nucleic information. We calculate he's going to need an immense influx of nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins for the development process."