TheShammySocialist

[b]Public - Defense[/b] In light of a request by the Constellation Council, the SCDF has announced the adoption of the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5mm_Grendel]6.5mmx39mm[/url] "Grendel" as its standard cartridge for all assault rifles and light machine guns. The 7.62 NATO round will continue to fulfill the role of designated marksman round, as well as for most general purpose machineguns, and both will see continual mass production for both defense, government, and public consumption. In light of the announcement by the SCDF, Denel Australia has pledged to set up two new production facilities in the interior of Victoria, north of Melbourne. "The adoption of a new standard cartridge marks a significant shift by the SCDF in setting itself apart from other militaries throughout the world," noted one ground forces spokesman. "The Grendel round performs very well at the ranges intended for the combat most would see with assault weapons of this day and age, and we expect it to perform admirably on the new [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-12]ARX-14[/url] assault rifle." [b]Public - Agriculture[/b] The Home Ministry has approved plans to strengthen the Union's agricultural sector with a new initiative that is aimed at rebuilding honey bee hives and pollenation rates amongst farmlands. A government study earlier in the year cited that "a weak honey bee population can severely and adversely effect the entire agriculture sector, and by extension, food prices at market". The study cited that "food prices were rising due to reduced pollenation, which was leading to weaker crop yields, mainly due to colony destruction from increased use of pesticides and non-concern of the welfare of existing hives and colonies". The new initiative has begun to give money to several nation companies that have pledged to increase the health of Australia's honey bee population, and ensure its continued growth, rather than contraction. Many agribusiness and farming communities have cited that this will ensure prices at market stay at a stable level, especially for agricultural products. Several other initiatives have been introduced to help the ailing agribusiness economy, including urban development loans, for building indoor greenhouses for agricultural production, particularly in abandoned warehouses and large buildings that can be easily adapted for use.

[b]Public[/b] As part of ongoing efforts to ensure relative peace and stability within the regions of Southeast Asia, the SCDF's [I]Valor[/I] and [I]Victory[/I] carrier battle groups would be dispatched to the southern reaches of the South China Sea, and the southeastern reaches of the Philippine Sea. These movements would coincide with preparations to provide humanitarian relief supplies into the wartorn reaches of Far East Asia, which would hopefully bring some relief to the suffering civilians of the individuals caught up in the ongoing clash. The movement of naval forces would be made public to both domestic and international broadcasters, as part of an effort to alert fellow regional partners of the intent to provide security to humanitarian goods. "The war between Japan and China is just that, a war, we must accept the fact that the devastation it has wrought also extends to those who cannot be held accountable for government actions. The Constellation Council approves the SCDF Naval movements as a measure of security and if needed, defense of transferring humanitarian goods to the effected regions. We stand by the hope that an agreement of peace can eventually be fashioned out of this conflict, but refuse to takes sides in this spate of useless violence over territory. We do, however, extend our arms to the citizens of the countries effected by this massively destructive war, and we pledge that the Union will stand by them in their time of need, and we will do what is necessary to provide aid to those who have little chance of receiving it." The statement was read by a Council spokeswoman, and was considered a group statement, that included the force of the Lord Protector behind it. The government has announced the move as a "refocusing of efforts" meant to "restore a semblance of balance to peoples' lives who have been badly scarred by this tragedy". Reports from several harbormasters along the East Coast have confirmed that the auxiliary forces of the SCDF are loading humanitarian goods, and that there have been several reservist call ups for medical staff who have had to report to local armories for muster. At the moment, it is unclear what kind of response is in store, but the preparations have been noted as "substantial" by several sources close to the SCDF General Staff. [b]Private[/b] As part of acclimatization training and conditioning, the 4th Battalion, RAR has been deployed the Kerguleun Archipelago for cold weather operations training, including amphibious maneuvering and remote operations. The Battalion would also serve as a source of labor alongside deployed Field Engineer elements to construct an all-weather airfield on the island, to serve the growing research and sovereignty outpost that now served as the nexus for SCMSA's Central Indian operations. Similar deployments, including the 2nd Battalion, RAR and the 2nd Battalion, Loyal Australian Irish Regiment have occurred for desert training in Central Australia, which will include combined air-armor-mechanized infantry arms training.

"The Union of the Southern Cross, as one of the pre-eminent neighbors of several Asian countries effected by these tragic events, offers any of its' cities to mediate peace efforts if they are required, along with officials of our government to sit in on such meetings. Furthermore, we are willing to spearhead recovery and humanitarian assistance efforts, and offer coordination between nations, with our government having the facilities and logistical capacity to assist in these measures, in the strategic region. We are well aware of the risks involved and are already in the process of preparing special response teams that will be versed in handling severely affected radiological sites. These latter-mentioned assets are mission-ready, and can be deployed within twenty-four hours of advanced notice, to an effected region. The ports of the Northern Union are wide open to ships bearing humanitarian supplies for replenishment and refueling efforts, and the SCDF Naval Forces stands ready to provide non-aligned military escort of humanitarian vessels through international waters." [I]Collective Statement from the Constellation Council[/I]

Private As perhaps the most important branch of the Southern Cross Defense Forces, the SCDF Navy has been determined as the branch that shall receive the most allocation in budgetary purposes, as ruled in a closed door session of the Constellation Council. Although the other branches will be afforded quite hefty sums, it is the Navy, as one council member put it, "that provides the most stern deterrent and ensures the sanctity and sovereignty of both our lands, and the oceans beyond". Furthermore, the Lord Protector himself stated that the SCDF Navy is "the arm of the SCDF that would allow us to hold any potential threat, be it from maritime crime, or a hostile nation at bay, and or prosecute the threat with impunity". It was thus recommended throughout a series of meetings with various newly-appointed flag officers of the SCDF, that the Navy shall compose a fleet "possessing the ability to combat any enemy, near or far, in any maritime environment, be it littoral or blue water". After these recommendations, the Constellation Council approved a fleet composition of the following vessels, with clearly defined roles, to be the core of the Union's maritime combatant fleet; Valor-class Fleet Carrier - 2 Units (Valor, Victory) Queensland-class Combat Carrier (CVG) - 3 Units (Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania) Triumph-class Amphibious Assault Vessel - 5 Units (Triumph, Tangible, Thunderer, [i]Trounce[/i], Thrasher) Indomitable-class Amphibious Assault Vessel - 7 Units (Indomitable, Indefatigable, Intrepid, Independence, Ironmonger) City-class Guided Missile Cruiser - 9 Units (Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin, Melbourne, Townsville) Bunyip-class Heavy Guided Missile Destroyer - 3 Units (Bunyip, Yowie, Akurra) Dragon-class Guided Missile Destroyer - 5 Units (Dragon, Decisive, Direwolf, Damnation, Daring) Covert-class Special Support Vessel - 3 Units (Covert, Cunning, Clandestine) Fearless-class Frigate (Multipurpose/ASW) - 7 Units (Fearless, Resolute, Brave, Tireless, Victorious, Spirited, Follower) Swift-class Frigate (Guided Missile) - 7 Units (Swift, Pursuit, Viper, Melee, Striker, Charger, Lancer) Unbent-class Corvette - 13 Units (Unbent, Unbroken, Unyielding, Undying, Unfettered, Untarnished, Undisturbed, Unremitting, Unimpaired, Unceasing, Unflagging, Unremitting, Unfailing) [i]Assassin[/i]-class Diesel AIP Submarine (SSD) - 6 Units ([i]Assassin[/i], [i]Agent[/i], [i]Saboteur[/i], [i]Assailant[/i], [i]Adversary[/i], [i]Cutthroat[/i]) [i]Kraken[/i]-class Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) - 2 Units ([i]Kraken[/i], [i]Titan[/i]) [i]Contender[/i]-class Attack Submarine (SSN) - 6 Units ([i]Contender[/i], [i]Combatant[/i], [i]Competitor[/i], [i]Challenger[/i], [i]Champion[/i], [i]Contester[/i])

Danke for affording us identity on ye olde cartography.

"The Union of the Southern Cross hereby recognizes and welcomes the sovereignty of the West African Republic."

"The Southern Cross congratulates one of North Americas' political microcosms on its successful show of democratic due process."

Posting a claim on the following small pieces of (mostly) windswept real estate in the Indian; [url=http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa325/VictorDeltaRomeo/SCIndoClaims_zps04219820.png]claim map[/url]. Relevant roleplay and explanation of movements can be found [url=http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?/topic/122069-whispers-of-a-dream-imagined/?p=3262720]here[/url]. Thanks. :awesome:

[b]Public[/b] With the renewal of centralized government in Australia, one of the first priorities of the newly-formed Constellation Council was ensuring the Union of the Southern Cross could adequate and safely manage navigation and the sea lanes that fed to and from the continent. Aside from the SCDF Naval Forces, the Constellation Council would approve the creation of the Southern Cross Maritime Safety Authority (SCMSA), which would essentially serve as the governing body of overseeing the Union's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The sworn duties of the SCMSA were to "ensure the safety of all forms of water traffic around Australia and Tasmania" including "managing and prosecuting individuals and vessels involved in illegal pollution, illicit activities, and other forms of maritime crime". To this end the SCMSA was also given the authority to "extend these duties into international waters leading away from the Union, in an effort to curtail maritime crime, including smuggling and piracy" as well as "leading and/or participating in search and rescue and/or recovery operations beyond the waters of the Union". To this end the SCMSA was to "work vigorously with the SCDF Naval Forces, Southern Cross Coast Guard (SCCG), Southern Cross Fisheries and Maritime Resources Enforcement Authority (SCFMREA), Southern Cross National Police (SCNAP), and the National Office of Environmental Affairs and Protection (NOEAP)" to "coordinate such authorities in their relevant disciplines". Although all of the waters around Australia would be effected by these new developments, the SCMSA's true authority and aim was to ensure the safety and security of the trade lanes moving into the treacherous waters of the Southern and Indian Oceans, which had always been rough bodies of water to navigate and sail. With a blessing from the Lord Protector, and the Constellation Council, the SCMSA would move to consolidate and strengthen its position particularly in the Eastern Indian Ocean and Central Southern Ocean, in a cohesive move made with the SCDF Naval and Air Forces, and high endurance assets from the Southern Cross Coast Guard. A multi-pronged effort would then commence, to re-establish autonomous governance in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Christmas Island, by task force elements made up of officers from the National Police and delegates from the Home Ministry and Foreign Service, with the help of a couple aerial transports. These movements would be made aware to the several regional powers as a matter of courtesy. This would be coordinated with an effort by a few long endurance cutters from the Southern Cross Coast Guard, alongside SCDF Naval Forces replenishment vessels to move on several Southern Indian Ocean islands. These would include [i]Ile Amsterdam[/i] and [i]Ile Saint Paul[/i], as well as the Kerguelen Archipelago further south, and Heard Island and the McDonald Islands southeast of the Kerguelens. These latter moves into the Southern Indian Ocean would be made in partnership with the University of Perth's Faculties of Biology and Botany, as well as the Southern Cross Fisheries and Marine Resources Enforcement Authority as an "effort to ensure the long term protection of unique natural areas". To this end, the SCMSA hoped to utilize the islands as both research stations, as well as navigational and communications relay centers, which would ensure the protection of international maritime traffic in the region, as well as strengthen the ability for the Southern Cross to monitor as well as respond to situations of maritime peril or illicit activity in the Southern Indian and Southern Oceans.

[b]Private[/b] The wind whipped across the surf and sand gently, and the man who stood staring into dawn's rays on the eastern horizon heaved a sigh as the cool water of the Coral Sea lapped at his feet. The wind was heavy with humidity, and every time his tongue licked at his lightly chapped lips, Solomon Winder tasted salt that had collected on them. He smiled wistfully as the dawn started to break further, rays of sunlight breaking through the cloud cover that was plaguing what would otherwise be another spectacular sunrise on the beach along the Gold Coast. "You've spent a lot of time out here since the Council started meeting," said a voice behind him, as Solomon closed his eyes, he knew that voice. He turned to look at Elizabeth Varinis, affectionately known to other members of the Independence Council as "Lizzie", a woman with sound experience in political science, and now a patriot, a hero of the Union, like most Council members were. "The Council meetings went into the late night, but they always started at nine in the morning sharp, I came here a lot to clear my mind before they started," responded Solomon, with a smile, as he turned to look at her. He could feel his feet sinking in the sand as the waves washed over his bare digits, his cargo pants rolled up around his ankles and tied off, he must have been a bit of a sight to see. He was probably even a little disheveled, he hadn't combed his hair or cleaned up after he rolled out of bed that morning. "And here you are again, the Independence Council has become the Constellation Council, it's lost a few members, the great debates have ended, for a big extent. But, yet again, here you are," said Lizzie, with an enigmatic smile, as she walked into the surf with him. "Old habits die hard, Liz. I don't know as if I want to ever give up coming here almost every morning religiously," said Solomon, turning to look back at the sunrise. "I think this place has allowed me to keep my sanity intact over the last few weeks, maybe it can continue to do the trick." "You picked one hell of a place to find your sanity in, I remember coming here as a young child, and as a teenager. I think I had my first kiss here about two miles down the beach that away," declared Liz, waving her arm expressively down the almost desolate beach. A few figures could be seen walking or running along the beach, some with dogs, some as a couple, others just alone. "You picked one hell of a place to share your first kiss with someone, then, Liz," replied Solomon, looking at her with a smile, before looking back out at the sea. "It was really short, we didn't know what we were doing," she chuckled, as she stepped up next to him and looked out at the sun. "Just like we are now? Most of us have no experience guiding a nation as a whole, these are uncharted waters for many of us," stated Solomon, shaking his head, and sliding his hands into his pockets. "I was able to bring together a group of a hundred or so delegates to bring us to new independence, now I'm leading a nation of millions, and its my job to bring them together, hold them together." "If you can do it with a diverse group of a hundred or so, you can do it with any number. There are others that are behind you, Solly," smiled Liz, using a name that few had heard spoken before. "The people who followed you out the door to proclaim a new independence, they followed you because they believed in something bigger than themselves, its bigger than you, than me, everyone. Its an idea that we could all stand together and show the nation that all the infighting was for naught, its time to come back to the fold." "So much still to be done," nodded Solomon, heaving a sigh as he looked down at his colleague with a gentle smile. "So much still to be done, but all of it, from here on out, is improving the Union, its about improving us as a nation, as a government. You're just going to have to learn along the way, we were able to rally around the man from Northern Queensland for a reason. All of us have learning to do, we'll make decisions that effect our people, and other people, but we do it for the good of our nation. That's the basis of governance for thousands of years, our people before others," said Liz, looking up at him with a smile, her eyes deep and a little mystifying. "You ready for the day now?" "Yeah." "Good, because I was sent here to fetch you, the Constellation Council wants to meet over government policy, as well as possibly formulating a response to new developments in Asia." He nodded, as he heaved in one more sigh of salty air, licking his lips, and then turning to Liz, "Lead on McDuff." "With pleasure."

With the formation of the Union of the Southern Cross, the Constellation Council has outlined the reformation of, and official christening of the Southern Cross Defense Force, or 'SCDF', the armed forces of the Union of the Southern Cross. The SCDF has been appropriated as a tri-branch service, with a ground, naval, and air component, like most other nations that feature such forces. The sworn, basic duty of the SCDF is the commitment to the strategic interest that it is to "prevent, resist, and repulse any armed invasion or aggression that threatens the shores of the Union" and "protect the interests of the nation as a whole, and her citizens, both at home and overseas", with a "robust and flexible combined arms approach". To accomplish these basic goals, the SCDF is committed to the "active defense of the approaches to the Union, near and far, as well as the Union itself". Combined with this active defense, the priorities of "ensuring a cohesive, stable, and secure Southeast Asian and Southwest Pacific community is paramount to the objective of a secure Australia". To this end, the SCDF is sworn to "provide assistance to, through humanitarian relief or stabilization missions to ensure continued stability" in ensuring this common goal of regional community security and stability. Furthermore the SCDF must "be able to have the power to project itself on an international scale, utilizing air and naval assets particularly" in the interest of "meeting potential threats to the Union, or region" and "deterring them through both the use of soft and hard power in cohesion with diplomacy and goodwill gestures". The overall goal remaining the "security of the Union of the Southern Cross as a whole, ensuring its continued sovereignty, and the sovereignty of its friends and partners in Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific regions for the common good". It is these principles that will "guide and ensure that the Union of the Southern Cross will ensure the security and prosperity of her citizens, and partners who share a similar vision".

The pronouncement of independence by the Independence Council from Brisbane would be hailed by several people who had seen several years of disorganization and factionalism within the Australian continent and Tasmania. The country had been stagnant for several years, with the loss of central government blamed on partisan politics that had left political unity in shambles, and pitted factions against one another. Although civil war had been avoided altogether, the people of Australia would spiral without the ability to truly find peace as a whole. The country had existed more or less, but without effective governance, and sporadic fighting and conflict throughout the land forced had forced the population in a much more isolated mindset. The Independence Council that met in Brisbane was the first true effort by leaders from several disciplines to truly try to reestablish the nation as a politically unified state, realizing that infighting was simply eroding Australia as an effective nation in the Southwest Pacific Region and beyond. Australian nationalists, business leaders, political faction leaders, academics, health specialists, economists, military officers, they all came from several regions of Australia to Brisbane to form the Council that announced independence. The road to a newly-realized independence was far from a smooth one, debates would go into the wee hours of the night, and resume bright and early the next morning, handshakes had to be made with gritted teeth and stiff arms. The efforts of one man, now the newly-christened Lord Protector, Solomon Winder, would stand out amongst the other delegates, exhaustively securing agreements and friendships amongst the other delegates, to fuse the nation back together once again. The dozens of delegates that stood behind the Lord Protector at Brisbane City Hall, the meeting place for the council, before several thousand citizens and media from across the country could be proud in what they had accomplished. Winder spoke with authority when the council emerged again after proclaiming independence, to make a more generalized statement, words that hadn't been able to spoken for so long. Words that hadn't been heard, words that satisfied all Australians, that tipped hats to those that had been there since time had begun, to those who had come from across the sea. The perchance to grasp a dream that had been suppressed for so long was nigh. The words that the Lord Protector used would invigorate any Australian, simple and straight to the point, meant for those that toiled in the fields with their tractors and backs, to those who rode the elevators into the mines in the west, to those who made their commutes to their offices along the East Coast. The Union of the Southern Cross had now emerged with a vengeance, the resurgence of Australian identity, a people who had long been respected for their hard work and hard play prowess, living life to the fullest, whilst providing balance and martial skill that was nearly unrivaled. This was a newly redefined society that the Lord Protector spoke of, embracing the past, while laying out a dream for the future. All it would require was the average citizen to embrace it, and those who would hear those simple, yet telling words that night, would find themselves going to bed, their minds afloat with what could come with a new sun the next day...

"The Union of the Southern Cross welcomes these initial recognitions from nations around the world, and thank them for their kindness. For such initial gratitude, we welcome each and every nation the chance to set up a diplomatic mission within the Union's capital, in Brisbane, and hope that you will allow Union diplomats the same courtesy in your own capitals. Furthermore, we grant a gift of a paired male and female Laughing Kookaburra to each individual nation who has welcomed our coming to sovereignty, so that they may be placed in their respective national zoo."

http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?/topic/122059-under-the-constellation/

"A land of times, utter beauty, and utter desolation. The free lands of Australia rise again into heavens' light, the people shall learn to dream once again, to find responsible leaders, to forge a nation that will burn itself into the annals of history. We celebrate those who have come before, and those who are yet to come, who lead us through the inhospitable tracts of the interior, or the stormy seas that surround our crystal clear shores. This is our home, our land, standing guard over the Southern Oceans, in the light of Southern Cross. We are the Union that rises from the ashes of so many before us, to forge a dream in a world wrought by uncertainty and confusion. We are the Union of the Southern Cross." [i]Statement from the Southern Cross Independence Council[/i]

Speaking of Oceania... I'd like to claim the Land Down under, also known as the continent where anything and everything can kill you, even a non-rabid wombat. Australia and Tasmania, my good fellow, if this is possible, as the Union of the Southern Cross.

While I'd rather avoid this altogether, and continue to lurk, I suppose I'll give my two cents... The problem with military roleplay is that time tends to be an issue, unless someone specifically states the timing of movements, we don't really have a chronicle or timeline of events, how long events actually go on for, and the like. The issue of large expenditures of weaponry has been addressed before in various conflicts, the Cochin conflict being an influential one, especially on surface-to-surface ballistic weaponry expenditure, and how much can be expended in a single day, as well as stockpiling. We've had this debate many times over limiting stockpiles or setting limits or otherwise, but the spirit of the community towards less regulation has kept these limitations from really gaining any foothold here. Regarding historical use of events to justify the expenditure of weaponry in the modern era, comparisons to mass strategic bombing runs in Vietnam, like Operation Menu, or the Luftwaffe in Stalingrad really don't give us much basis to go off of. Dropping three tons of munitions, for instance, isn't even expending HALF of what a single F-15 can carry, which is around eight tons when fully loaded; a testament to the capabilities of powered flight and how far it has come in seventy-something years. In Vietnam, the United States was also having trouble keeping pace with the need for munitions so much, it was turning to reserve stocks of munitions, dating back to the Second World War. This came with its own inherent risks, and cost us a number of good sailors when these not-so-modern-at-the-time heat-sensitive explosives went off during a carrier fire in the South China Sea. There are factors that do give Vektor the ability to fully mass-produce weaponry, really because there are no strategic attacks being conduct against his industry, nor are there any limitations on his ability to trade, so arguing either line here is a little out of context. Especially because we don't roleplay economies in CNRP. There is something to be said for that, and the ability of modern logistics to provide assembly-line construction of virtually everything, and unguided munitions are relatively easy to make once you have the tooling and lines of supply. That said, the level of explosives being expended does fly in the face of the spirit of precedents set down in other conflicts before this one, like the Cochin conflict, whose scale does far outweigh this one. As Mogar asked for an opinion, I'm not making a ruling, only an opinion at this point. There should be some toning back on the scale of explosives being expended to a certain extent, to a more acceptable level. Even at such a level I am talking, I still think the ability to concentrate firepower utilizing air-dropped munitions would be catastrophic and utterly wearing on any foe, who is not just dealing with explosions, but also injuries stemming from concussive and pressure forces as well from the use of high explosives.

After close to a week of hard steaming undertaken by Task Force Northstar, the mixed convoy of combat and auxiliary vessels had been able to reach a sufficient location east of Newfoundland, for the assemblage of ships to be able to turn west. With the [i]Dahromo[/i] battle group leading the way, the heavy guided missile cruiser [i]Stormsend[/i] the tip of the spear, the auxiliary and amphibious vessels would following along with surface and subsurface assets guarding their flanks. There was little hope of masking the movement of such large numbers of ships, but the movements towards the Straits of Belle Isle would be undertaken at night, with the [i]Grockall[/i] battle group taking up a patrol zone east of Newfoundland to cover the rear of the convoy. Two heavy diesel submarines would take position ahead of the [i]Stormsend[/i], as the convoy as it moved towards the straits, with the Task Forces' hospital vessel taking second position behind the cruiser, and forward of the [i]Dahromo[/i]. Other auxiliary vessels would be flanked by surface vessels as they moved towards the straits. It would be a challenge to navigate the straits, but at flank speed, the task force would hopefully clear it before sunrise. Contact had been made with Newfoundland's government over the intentions of the Stormlands' force, and precautions including manning the decks with extra spotters, and launching RHIB high-speed rafts to prevent collisions with local vessels were being stringently taken. A full carrier air patrol would be up, but they would seek to stay in airspace over water, rather than breaching over-land airspace and unduly alarm the Newfoundland government as the task force negotiated the Straits of Belle Isle. As a precaution, all ships, as they approached the straits, were at general quarters, and defensive systems were engaged and ready. Whether or not movements to block the ships would materialize were unclear, but the precautions were well warranted in such an environment as this. As the task force approached the straits, a statement would be made over the Stormlands' international broadcasters;

"Reduction in air pollution can eliminate so many health problems, I could never imagine living in an industrial age London, I'd probably die on my first breath of arriving there. Its good that Tikal is working towards reducing their own air pollution. We're far from perfect, and there are a number of cities that still have issues with air pollution, Stormsend is probably one of the biggest exceptions, but its certainly progress," nodded Taman, recalling a few major industrial nexus cities still dealing with air pollution problems, especially in the northwest and north. Rafael let the Princess look over brochures over processing and recycling methods, which included material breakdown using chemical synthesizers to return the material to its original composition. Much of it was utilizing non-harmful chemical breakdown methods through a variety of stages so that the recycled material could be reused in whatever manner the customer wanted. "The biggest challenge for Metacycles is actually initial sorting process, because it is human labor intensive mainly, sorting out materials that come in, so they can be processed properly," stated Rafael, recalling his own tour of the facility.

That entire text wall was meant in the calmest of manners. I know you didn't, but clearly you don't exactly understand why people are taking an interest in your roleplay. Hence my explanation. Of course it appears that way. Its called measured escalation. That's how I roll, does it mean I'm going to invade you? No. Again, nations do this all the time. And a lot of other nations do the same thing, or would do the same thing if they had the capabilities to do so. Its all about who can do what with what capabilities, the United States just gets the schtick for it, because we're big man on campus. Other nations are frequently engaged in similar movements.

Um, usually when you have stuff that crosses others peoples' borders, like going into Triyun's protectorate space to try to get weaponry, or broadcast stuff, and blatantly say it in your RP, you're going to attract attention. If you roleplay in a provocative way, where you have destabilizing acts going on, whilst trying to engage other nations (like trying to get people to gun run for your FARC-PR movement), you're going to drag them, and other people, into your RP. Whether for bad or good. I roleplay a semi-hyper-vigilant nation for a reason; one, the Americas can get quite violent, quite quick, two, I also have a very large neighbor (who has three times my strength) who likes to hold invasion exercises involving ten marine divisions right next door to me. You really think I like when that happens? No, not at all, but I deal with it in my own way. I could care less about being able to get into CNRP2, I got enough work in real life to deal with, and keeping up with CNRP alone is enough for me. But don't twist peoples' actions and scream "VICTIM" the minute you think you got someone knocking at your door when you open the invitation for them to be there. I have no intention of rolling you, or otherwise. If you're going to make an internal rebellion into a public thing, the odds are someone will get involved in some way, shape, or form, this is an interactive community. The United States regularly impinges on other nations' sovereignty to perform covert action, 95% of which, none of us will probably ever know about, because they're black-on-black operations. Just because I conduct myself in a bit of a similar manner, does not mean you're about to be invaded. Chill. Out.

[b]Public[/b] In response to increased Euphaian helicopter patrols along the Euphaia-Stormlands border, flights of [i]Javelina[/i] Strike Aircraft have begun active patrolling along the Stormlands side of the border. These will be accompanied by standard helicopter-infantry patrols that have been continuously active over the past year. The flights have been ordered in response to a general call by citizens in the Amazon territory concerned with border security, as well as strange broadcasts that were abruptly cut off about calling people to arms against their government.

"If your aim is just to confine them, then you're already losing your war, Ambassador," stated the Stormlander. "You have to utterly and decisively engage your enemies and destroy them, show them your political will, and you will win." "If you just aim to drive them into hideaways, then you aren't solving the problem, you're just prolonging it."

[b]Classified[/b] Following what appeared to be Brazil standing down its military after what were quite provocative drills, the [i]Dahromo[/i] and [i]Grockall[/i] battle groups, with their attendant convoy, would refuel at sea, and redeploy north again. Dubbed Task Force "Northstar", the large convoy of ships would sail to the east of Bermuda and west of the Azores, making for the open North Atlantic almost due east of Newfoundland and Labrador. Comprising of significant surface and subsurface combatants, along with a large fleet train of auxiliary vessels, including additional surface assets that had joined the convoy after it had reversed course back to the Stormlands, it represented the largest gathered fleet the Stormlands had since put together. The 1st Provisional Naval Assault Division would remain embarked throughout the journey, whilst additional ships carrying humanitarian supplies had been added when the opportunity had presented itself.

The emissary representing the Stormlands, would listen to the Euphaian's ambassador's words, nodding every so often, but wearing an enigmatic look on his face. He finally offered a reply when the Euphaian ambassador was done with his words. "The Stormlands are reluctant to hand over weapons to Euphaia, most of these weapons that you list off, we don't even produce, as we mostly have modified equipment for our own uses. We can provide some medical and humanitarian, but military aid is out of the question at this point. We're quite concerned with the situation on the ground in Euphaia, and we're reluctant to put units on the ground for training purposes, as we are unsure whether we can actually ensure their safety without appropriate measures being taken," responded the ambassador, his words careful and tone even. "As for arms being used against protesters? I'm not entirely sure that we could ever support such a use of firearms against unarmed protesters," responded the ambassador, with a troubled look on his face.