Countdown to Crisis; The J Andres Saga; Chapter 8

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

August 22, 2163

ANTI-TRUST BREAKUP OF OTTAWA SYRACUSE RAILWAY NARROWLY FAILS

Labor Party Leader Edith Bartlett

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- Senator Edith Bartlett attempted to use a 105-year old law to break up the Ottawa Syracuse Railway and nearly succeeded. The Webb Antitrust Act was passed in 2058 and requires a 65% majority vote in the Commune to force a breakup of a company determined to be in violation. In the previous century, it was used to force Annan Enterprises to divest itself from some of its subsidiaries. Now, Bartlett is trying to use it to break up the Ottawa Syracuse Railway, which also owns Bank Erie, the Buffalo Sirens, Rossingol Motors, and major stakes in Kaminski Aircraft and the CMA.

 

28 senators would have been required to pass the resolution. Bartlett had the support of her full delegation, and a number of New Horizon defectors, but only made it to 24 votes, or 57%.

 

"I will continue to fight, until all citizens of this nation are out from the under the thumb of these conglomerate mega-corporations that exist only to extract wealth from the working class," Bartlett said after the vote.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

September 12, 2163

ANNAN ENTERPRISES NAMES NEW CEO

The Havana-class corvette from IMC and Anne Kensington, Annan Enterprises CEO

 

ROSSINGOL -- Annan Enterprises has announced that Anne Kensington will be the company's next CEO. Anne Kensington lead the Syracuse Steel division from 2159-2161, and has been leading Irving Marine Corporation for the past two years. IMC recently released the Havana-class corvette, which was a major success of Kensington's securing the design-build contract from the Augustine Empire. The corvette is a smaller ship, but it is expected to result in a high volume of sales for IMC in the coming decades.

 

Naval shipbuilding has certainly had a stellar few years, and those impacts are being seen in Rossingol. It has been estimated that Rossingol has surpassed Endor Cuidad in population and is now the second-most populous city in the county, behind only Boston.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

October 9, 2163

XALAPA SUPPLY WINS AUCTION; ROCHESTER RENEGADES TO BEGIN PLAY NEXT YEAR

The logo of the newest baseball team, the Rochester Renegades

 

ROCHESTER -- The Appalachian Baseball league has announced that Xalapa Supply, a Rochester-based farming supply company, has won the auction to field the 16th team next year. Xalapa beat out tough competition from a second Boston-based team, a second-Albany based team, and foreign teams from Toronto and Chicago. Rochester will begin play in the Appalachian league. Also joining Rochester will be two teams relegated from the Atlantic league this year, the Buffalo Sirens and Danbury Vampires.

 

This year the Boston Redhawks won their third straight championship and their fifth overall, defeating the Montreal Royals in the Atlantic League. The Richmond Stars defeated the Philadelphia Phantoms to win their 2nd championship in the Appalachian league.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

March 3, 2164

SAMUEL ASTOR STEPS BACK, NAMED VISCOUNT OSWEGO

Former Ottawa Syracuse Railway CEO, Samuel Astor

 

SYRACUSE -- Samuel Astor, railway titan and business magnate is stepping back from his role as head of the Ottawa Syracuse Railway and has given the keys to his daughter, Alexandra Ashbridge. The King has also granted Astor a hereditary peerage, Viscount Oswego, for his honorable charitable work including the opening of libraries in all major cities.

[J Andres]

Pacific Radio Network

TRANSCRIPT FROM PACIFIC RADIO NETWORK STATION 101.9 FM

 NIGHTLY NEWS WITH FRED CAMPBELL

April 19, 2164

GALLAGHER REJECTED

President of New Tahoe, Ronan Gallagher

 

[CAMPBELL] Drama on the west coast tonight as the continent's newest would-be warmonger is dealt a loss.

 

[Montage of election speeches and clapping]

 

[CAMPBELL] This is Pacific Radio Network Nightly News, and I'm your host, Fred Campbell. Tonight our news comes from our west coast news desk in Cascadia. Cascadia has been watching their southern neighbor nervously. New Tahoe was once a small nation, practically a city-state centered on San Francisco and Sacramento. However, their close relationship with the Augustine Empire has given them the allies they need to expand and now are a dominant nation on the west coast. To give you the best perspective, we're going to cut directly to the Cascadian feed.

 

[MEADOWS] ----believe that in this day and age, the concept of manifest destiny is still alive and well. Can you, Brooke?

 

[PARKER] I can't. I think it is an atrocity that Tahoe has grown to their current size. They have not been good stewards of the land they've captured, and for what ends? Did O'Dargan just want the biggest splotch on the map?

 

[MEADOWS] For those of you just joining us, I'm Harper Meadows here with Brooke Parker. We are talking today about the wonderful news the Ronan Gallagher, the President in the south has just returned from a trip to the Augustine Empire.

 

[PARKER] Returned empty handed.

 

[MEADOWS] (chuckles) That's right, Brooke. It is widely believed that Gallagher traveled to the Augustine Empire to get the Emperor's blessing and assistance with invading California. 

 

[PARKER] And the Emperor sent him packing! (looped sound of cheering)

 

[MEADOWS] We've been taking your calls, hearing your concerns, that although Gallagher ran on a peaceful platform, he appears to be pivoting towards expansionism just like his predecessor. We've been hearing your voices, some even advocating that Cascadia should go south, send our daughters and sons to liberate those in New Tahoe.

 

[PARKER] We've got another caller on the line.

 

[MEADOWS] Good evening, caller. You're on PRN with Harper and Brooke. 

 

[CALLER] Hi ladies! I love your show. Beating up on Gallagher's humiliating return is fun and all, but have we discussed why we think the Emperor turned him down? 

 

[PARKER] Maybe he wasn't up to date on imperial etiquette?

 

[MEADOWS] Maybe the Emperor's fondness for Tahoe was limited to O'Dargan?

 

[CALLER] Or what if its because the Empire is planning something else?

 

(four seconds of uninterrupted silence)

 

[PARKER] Like another invasion?

 

[MEADOWS] They just conquered the gulf, renamed it to the Augustine Gulf. Wasn't that the first Emperor's goal? What else is left for them?

 

[CALLER] But why stop at the gulf?

 

[MEADOWS] (papers rustling) We're going to take five minutes folks so you can hear some important messages from our sponsors. (hushed murmuring) We'll be right back with more on this in a few minutes.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

May 2, 2164

 

CURFEW IN OTTAWA

Louis, King of Ottania

 

OTTAWA -- King Louis of Ottania has instituted a curfew in the capital city of Ottawa which begins tonight at 10 pm. This after the pro-democracy demonstrations which have been going on and off for about a year intensified three nights ago with the burning of King Albert Marketplace, the largest collection of vendors and storefronts in the city. Any citizen outdoors in public after 10 pm will be arrested. Announcement of the curfew has so far only intensified the peaceful demonstrations occurring during the day time.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

June 12, 2164

 

ALBANY SHORTSTOP ROUTINELY VISITING FRANCISCO HALL

Princess Elizabeth and William Siegert

 

ALBANY -- Shortstop for the Albany Bears, William Siegert, has been routinely visiting Francisco Hall throughout the spring, and rumors are swirling that the Princess may have finally identified a suitable suitor. There has been no official announcement from the palace.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

August 11, 2164

 

AUGUSTINE EMPIRE ATTACKS NORTH MEXICO

Emperor Alexander Augustus

 

MEXICO CITY -- The Augustine Empire war machine rages on, launching an offensive at Mexico City, the capital of the Republic of Mexico, today. Mexico's most staunch allies, California and the North American Commonwealth are not well positioned to come to their aid. Expectations are that Mexico will fall and the Empire will continue to grow into the leading power in North America.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

November 12, 2164

 

ST-ONGE SUPPORTS OTTANIA PROTESTS

Caroline St-Onge, Prime Minister of Acadia

 

HALIFAX -- Caroline St-Onge, the Prime Minister of Acadia, was quoted earlier this week as saying "Acadia will always support Ottania, but our friendship with Ottania is with its people, not its monarchy." It took some time for the quote to reach the Ottawa, but the support from the Acadian government has emboldened the protesters whose numbers had shrunk over the pst few months. 

 

The royal family of Ottania has been secured and is bracing for another night of violence in the capital city.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

January 29, 2165

ARTEMIS DELIVERED

JAS Artemis and Ruth, Countess of Lanier

 

ROSSINGOL -- The nation's newest battleship entered the service today, leaving the Kensington Mews shipyard in Rossingol for sea trials. The ship is under the command of Ruth, Countess of Lanier. The Countess has been stationed in Rossingol and has been instrumental, overseeing the design, production, and launch of the lead ship. 

 

Director of Defense Randall Cohen said in a statement, "The Artemis is the nation's most powerful and capable warship, and will send a strong message to the world that J Andres's maritime sovereignty is paramount."

[J Andres]

Pacific Radio Network

TRANSCRIPT FROM PACIFIC RADIO NETWORK STATION 101.9 FM

 NIGHTLY NEWS WITH FRED CAMPBELL

March 8, 2165

ASTOR ASHBRIDGE HOLDINGS FORMED

Logo of Astor Ashbridge Holdings

 

[CAMPBELL] The deck is stacked against you, folks.

 

[Sound of coins clinking]

 

[CAMPBELL] This is Pacific Radio Network Nightly News, and I'm your host, Fred Campbell. Tonight we begin in the world of business. Alexandra Ashbridge has formed a new holding company, Astor Ashbridge Holdings, to consolidate all the businesses owned by her father via the Ottawa Syracuse Railway, and herself via Bank Erie. While all these businesses were interrelated before, this new organizational structure shows how much wealth the Astor family has truly amassed. With me tonight, is our most favorite guest, Senator Edith Bartlett.

 

[BARTLETT] It is a pleasure as always, Fred.

 

[CAMPBELL] What are your first impressions?

 

[BARTLETT] This is unchecked capitalism at its worst. The new company is now the largest privately-held company in the nation. Hundreds of employees spanning from transportation, to defense contractors, to entertainment, all working to enrich the same family.

 

[CAMPBELL] A year ago, or maybe a year and a half ago now, you tried to break up the railway.

 

[BARTLETT] I did.

 

[CAMPBELL] It didn't work.

 

[BARTLETT] No. We were close. The Webb Antitrust Act is over 100 years old, and was passed in the 2050s to force Annan Enterprises to divest a number of its subsidiaries. We were four votes short of where we needed to be to make it happen.

 

[CAMPBELL] Will you try again?

 

[BARTLETT] Of course, when the time is right. We've got elections coming up this fall, so if we can pick up a few more seats, then I think we will be able to make this work.

 

[CAMPBELL] Speaking of elections, that's our next topic. We are going to pause for a quick word from our sponsors, and when we come back, we are going to talk to Senator Bartlett about her predictions for this October.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

April 13, 2165

 

VALERIA, DUCHESS OF ORLEANS DIES

Valeria, Duchess of Orleans

 

NEW ORLEANS, AUGUSTINE EMPIRE -- Valeria, the Duchess of Orleans, has died this morning. Valeria was the second child of the first Augustine Empire, Marcus Augustus. Valeria was crucial in securing support for her older brother, Alexander, to become the current Emperor.

 

Valeria was a skilled stateswoman, known for her calm temperament. Director of Foreign Affairs Brooke Mueller has released no official statement, but is expected to travel to the Empire for the funeral. Sources close to Director Mueller speculate that Valeria's death may have negative repercussions on Augustine-Andrean relations.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

May 10, 2165

 

ALBANY AND BOSTON COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

 

ALBANY -- Only two years after Boston claimed the title to the tallest building in the nation, Albany has completed construction of a new building, standing at 21 stories and 259 ft. 

 

Not to be outdone, Earnell Chambers and BarlowDavisShaw are also nearing completion of the Boston Port House, which will be the nation's largest seaport for cargo and passenger travel.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

June 17, 2165

 

LABOR PARTY ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES

Presidential Candidate Juan Romero & Senator Edith Bartlett

 

ROCHESTER -- The Labor Party kicked off the campaign season with a rally in Rochester this afternoon. Rochester is the home city of Senator Edith Bartlett, the current Labor Party leader in the commune, but it is also the adopted home of their Presidential Candidate, Juan Romero. Romero, a refugee from Elegada, settled in Rochester four years ago after the Augustine invasion. As such, his views on national defense are slightly outside what is typically the Labor party platform.

 

"I have seen the devastation caused by war and greed. My homeland, the Blessed Dominion, is no more, conquered by the growing Empire in the south. This is my home now, and here we are being slowly conquered and subjugated by a menace no less terrible but much more silent. Corporate strength continues to grow and amass resources leaving nothing left for you and me," he said in his speech.

 

Edith Bartlett will remain the party's leader in the Commune. She was also present at the rally. "During the last few years we have made great strides, but we are still in the minority. If we can secure the majority, then no conglomerates will be safe from the Webb Antitrust Act. We recognize the value in free enterprise, but we are weary of corporations that believe they can be our unelected overlords." Bartlett continued to speak at length about Astor Ashbridge Holdings specifically, and the vast fortune made by Bank Erie and the Ottawa Syracuse Railway.

[J Andres]

Pacific Radio Network

TRANSCRIPT FROM PACIFIC RADIO NETWORK STATION 101.9 FM

 NIGHTLY NEWS WITH FRED CAMPBELL

July 1, 2165

GALLAGHER DECLARES WAR ON CALIFORNIA

President of New Tahoe, Ronan Gallagher

 

[CAMPBELL] It turns out you don't need friends to wage war.

 

[Sounds of explosions]

 

[CAMPBELL] This is Pacific Radio Network Nightly News, and I'm your host, Fred Campbell. War has broken out on the west coast today. New Tahoe, the growing Pacific nation has declared war on the Republic of California. To best address this topic, we are going to cut to the broadcast coming from our friends in Cascadia.

 

[MEADOWS] ---stand a chance?

 

[PARKER] I think so? The war may be long and hard, and certainly would have been easier if Gallagher was able to get the Augustine Empire on his side, but I think Tahoe has the strength to take on California. California just isn't the world power it was a century ago.

 

[MEADOWS] For those of you just joining us, I'm Harper Meadows here with Brooke Parker and there is trouble in the South. Our lovely southern neighbors, the Republic of New Tahoe, have launched an offensive against the Republic of California. I say they launched an offensive, because I don't even think there was a declaration of war.

 

[PARKER] There was, Harper.

 

[MEADOWS] Really?

 

[PARKER] I mean, it's three sentences of boilerplate nonsense. There is a sham perceived grievance about maritime boundaries or something, but it's clearly a fabrication, and not a good one. I think they knew the international community would see through it and didn't bother to try to create a real story.

 

[MEADOWS] So, Brooke, speaking of the international community, do we expect this war to remain contained in the south, or is there risk of this spreading?

 

[PARKER] We know that Tahoe shouldn't be expecting any help from the Empire. That was made clear last year. The Augustine Empire is busy in North Mexico.

 

[MEADOWS] And how about California? The Republic of California has really struggled since the Grand Mexican War. Prior to the war, they were dominant. California, North Mexico, and the NAC really were the three big powers in North America. California especially.

 

[PARKER] Some of my good friends live on streets named after Californian war heroes that were never renamed when Cascadia took over this region.

 

[MEADOWS] Exactly. Nominally, California is still friendly with North Mexico, but they're busy with their own problems, and while it isn't out of the question for the NAC to maybe jump in, they are more concerned with their shared border with the Empire than what's happening here on the coast.

 

[PARKER] So it doesn't look great for California. Let's go to the phones and hear what you think.

 

[MEADOWS] Good evening, caller. You're on PRN with Harper and Brooke. 

 

[CALLER] Hi ladies! I can't believe I made it through! I've got no love for California, but what about us?

 

[PARKER] What about us?

 

[CALLER] Do you think that we would enter the war to help California?

 

[MEADOWS] No.

 

[PARKER] I mean...

 

[MEADOWS] No. There's no way. California has declined invitations from the Prime Minister and all three governors multiple times. I think they're still upset that we are occupying what they view as their land.

 

[PARKER] That's true.

 

[CALLER] But the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?

 

[PARKER] That's true too.

 

[MEADOWS] I guess? Maybe? This is California we are talking about though. Like the people primarily responsible for nearly wiping out the entire species eighty years ago. As much as I'm not a fan of Tahoe, I can't say I would be disappointed to see California wiped off the map.

 

[PARKER] Honestly the best outcome might be their war lasts so long, they both bankrupt each other and then we move in to provide order to whatever remains.

 

[MEADOWS] Thanks for calling in. We will take more of your calls in a few minutes, but first some words from our sponsors.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

July 8, 2165

 

NEW HORIZON PARTY ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES

Incumbent President Eleanor Mueller and Incumbent Premier Walter Lewis

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- The New Horizon Party kicked off their campaign yesterday evening with a large rally in Endor Cuidad. Eleanor Mueller will run for reelection as President and Walter Lewis will continue to serve as the party's leader in the Commune.

 

"This year, our nation faces many grave threats, but these threats are ones which I have faced my whole career, and have kept you safe from," Mueller said in her speech. "I know what war looks like. I fought in them. I saw combat during the first Ottanian conflict. I lost my leg in Montpelier. I don't dream of sending our troops anywhere they don't need to be, because I intimately know the dangers they face.

 

"For decades, as your Chancellor of Foreign Affairs and then as your President, I have managed our relations with our continental neighbors. We have made so much progress here over the past few years. We have a strong network of allies in our neighborhood. We are the center of this economic region. It is our trains that connect all of our neighbors together. It is our baseball teams that they tune into on their radios. It is us they look for to guidance."

 

"This is a dark time on the continent. There is unrest in Ottania, there is an empire growing bigger by the day in our south, and now there is a new war on the west coast. Together, we will continue to counter these threats to our existence, and ensure our own perseverance."

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

July 16, 2165

 

ALBANY POPULATION SWELLS

Albany

 

ALBANY -- Albany, once the bustling capital of Vinsalia, and later a sleepy city that you traveled through on the way to someplace else, is continuing to grow. With the completion of the National Rail line from Albany through Burlington and to Montreal, Albany has become a major connection hub, joining north and south and east and west.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

August 24, 2165

 

NEW TANKS ROLL OUT OF ROSSINGOL

The Rossingol M2 Baker

 

ROSSINGOL -- The first new battle tank since the Grand Mexican War has been produced by Rossingol Motors. The M2 Baker is a light tank, outfitted with a machine gun, and is armored with reclaimed steel. It uses a steam boiler for propulsion.

 

Director of Defense Randall Cohen released a statement today hailing Rossingol Motors for completing the tank. "This is a significant step forward on our roadmap to regional security. The M2 will allow us to continue to project power in new ways and ensure stability here in the northeast."

[J Andres]

Eastern Broadcasting Company

TRANSCRIPT FROM EASTERN BROADCASTING COMPANY STATION 92.3 FM

WHISPERS IN THE COURT

September 6, 2165

PRINCESS ELIZABETH MARRIES

Princess Elizabeth with her husband, William

 

[The sound of jazzy intro music fades out]

 

[VERONICA] Good evening, and welcome back to Whispers in the Court. I'm Veronica, and joining me as always is the illustrious Marcus. How are you doing this afternoon, Marcus?

 

[MARCUS] I'm ecstatic! It's been ages since we could cover a royal wedding!

 

[VERONICA] I know!

 

[MARCUS] So today is the day of wedding for Elizabeth, Princess of Saratoga, and her betrothed, William Siegert.

 

[VERONICA] It took us a long time to get here to the altar, didn't it.

 

[MARCUS] That's right. The road to the altar begins, in Annapolis, with the death of Prince Albert. The untimely death of the prince, made Elizabeth the heir apparent. Elizabeth was only 19 at the time of her brother's death, but soon after the mourning period was over, there was much discussion and speculation --

 

[VERONICA] Here on this show anyway

 

[MARCUS] --about her prospective courtship.

 

[VERONICA] And we were robbed for a long time!

 

[MARCUS] We were. Her grandmother, The Queen Mother, set up many balls at Francisco Hall, but our young princess always sent all the potential suitors home.

 

[VERONICA] All the gentlemen suitors home.

 

[MARCUS] Well, yes. There was speculation [lowers voice] mostly from my co-host [raises voice again] that maybe there was a reason she was sending all the gentleman packing.

 

[VERONICA] I'm still not convinced.

 

[MARCUS] She's about to walk down the aisle.

 

[VERONICA] Yeah, yeah. She's got a lot of ladies she's friendly with, that's all I'm saying.

 

[MARCUS] Anyway, last year, she started regularly seeing the Albany Bears shortstop, William Siegert. That romance has blossomed, and now, here we are.

 

[VERONICA] Is Siegert going to stop playing?

 

[MARCUS] I think he already has.

 

[VERONICA] Anyway, that catches you all up. We are going to take a quick break for commercials, and then we will come back to tell you all about the room full of guests we have here.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

September 20, 2165

 

PROVIDENCE WINS ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP

Providence Grays Starting Pitcher, Carlota Sanchez

 

BUFFALO -- The Providence Grays (43-41) have outlasted the Buffalo Sirens (45-39) to win the Atlantic Baseball League championship in seven games, winning game seven on the road in a thrilling fashion. Underdogs for the entire playoffs, they managed to defeat the top-ranked Albany Bears in five games to earn the championship berth, and then with everything on the line tonight capitalized when they had runners on base, winning game seven 6-4. Star pitcher Carlota Sanchez earned herself the win, pitching on only two days rest to earn her team their first championship in more than a decade.

 

In the Appalachian League, the Rossingol Robins have defeated the Danbury Vampires to win their first Appalachian Championship and will return to the Atlantic League next year. The Pittsburgh Hornets and Endor Dragons have been relegated to the Appalachian League.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

October 6, 2165

 

MUELLER REELECTED PRESIDENT; LABOR PARTY TAKES COMMUNE

President Eleanor Mueller and Premier-Elect Edith Bartlett

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- We are headed in the direction of a divided government. Eleanor Mueller has been reelected to a third term by a very slim margin of 52%-48% over political newcomer Juan Romero. Mueller's longevity and popularity certainly won her votes in many areas, but were not enough for her to help her New Horizon party capture down-ballot elections for the Senators in the Commune. The Labor party picked up five seats, which will give them a 51% majority in the chamber. With the labor party in control, Edith Bartlett will become the Premier.

[J Andres]

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CASCADIA, ELSIE HUANG

December 27, 2165

 

For more than a decade, the continent has teetered on the brink of crisis.

The Republic of Cascadia has watched as nations have declared war in the name of keeping peace, yet leave only destroyed families in their wake.

 

The New Tahoe Republic has waged war in our own backyard for decades. Using the Augustine Empire as a source of weapons, training, and more. Earlier this year, the New Tahoe Republic declared war on the Republic of California, and in those months, we have seen more people seeking refuge within our borders than ever before.

 

New Tahoe is a bad neighbor.

New Tahoe is bad for the Pacific Coast

New Tahoe is bad for the Continent.

 

Whereas the Republic of California committed no trespass on New Tahoe prior to New Tahoe initiating war, and destabilizing the region, the Republic of Cascadia does hereby declare that a state of war exists between New Tahoe and Cascadia.

 

 

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

January 13, 2166

 

INNOVATIVE PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR ACADIAN-BUILT SHIPS

The IMC Havana-class Corvette and the Logo of Moncton Integrated Propulsion Systems

 

MONCTON -- A new Acadian company has developed an improved modular propulsion system design, allowing a ships steam boiler and engine to be constructed in a factory, shipped via railroad, and installed directly onto a ship, no further assembly required.

 

Moncton Integrated Propulsion Systems is located in the Acadian city of Moncton, and is just one railway stop away from Halifax, the location of Irving Marine Corporation. IMC announced that this propulsion system will be used new Havana-class corvettes delivered next year, and is expected to reduce delivery time and cost.

 

The organization which stands to lose the most from this arrangement is Rossingol Motors, the Astor Ashbridge Holdings owned subsidiary which previously provided the propulsion system. Rossingol Motors was falling behind among its various land-based and sea-based platforms and was failing to meet the demand.

Edited April 16 by J Andres

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

February 4, 2166

 

OTTANIAN PRINCE GRAVELY INJURED IN UNREST

Prince Nicolas of Ottania

 

OTTAWA -- Prince Nicolas, the youngest son of King Louis and Queen Isidora is in critical condition in an Ottawa hospital today after a brutal attack outside of his home. The streets of Ottawa have been chaotic over the past few months, as the civil unrest continues. Violent and non-violent demonstrations continue, urging the King to bring democracy to Ottania.

 

Prince Nicolas was stabbed "in excess of 12 times" as he attempted to enter his home. First responders were quick and while the Prince is not yet stable, he is expected to recover from the wounds.

[J Andres]

Pacific Radio Network

TRANSCRIPT FROM PACIFIC RADIO NETWORK STATION 101.9 FM

 NIGHTLY NEWS WITH FRED CAMPBELL

February 17, 2166

CALIFORNIA TEETERS ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE

Prime Minister of Cascadia, Elsie Huang

 

[CAMPBELL] War continues to rage in the west

 

[Sound of an explosion, and then the rapid rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire]

 

[CAMPBELL] This is Pacific Radio Network Nightly News, and I'm your host, Fred Campbell. For the last seven and a half months, war has been raging on the west coast. The Republic of California has been under siege from New Tahoe, and quite frankly, that war has not been going well. California has been reduced to more or less the city-state of San Diego. There has been a bright spot in the war, and that was the entry of Cascadia. It might be too early to say that the tide has turned, but certainly, New Tahoe is struggling to manage a war on two fronts. To talk with us today about the war efforts, we have a very special guest today, Prime Minister of Cascadia, Elsie Huang.

 

[HUANG] Thank you for having me on your show, Fred.

 

[CAMPBELL] Ms. Huang, this is an unbelievable honor.

 

[HUANG] Always a pleasure to speak on the Pacific Radio Network, and help provide the voice of reason.

 

[CAMPBELL] Well, yes. Ms. Huang, Cascadia entered the war about a month and a half ago, intending to defend California. How can you say the war effort is going?

 

[HUANG] It's moving along. California has been hanging on by a thread for much of the end of last year. But we've forced Tahoe to divert their attention. The city is under siege though, and that Tahoe fleet is blockading the city from the sea. It is nearly impossible to help California directly. Their fate rests in their own hands, and we will do what we can from a far.

 

[CAMPBELL] And what you can do, is advance directly into Tahoe territory.

 

[HUANG] That's exactly right. Our forces have advanced into northern and eastern Tahoe.

 

[CAMPBELL] And ultimately, what is your objective?

 

[HUANG] We want ensure our southern neighbor learns to respect borders. If we don't stop Tahoe here now, perhaps the next borders they infringe on will be our own. 

 

[CAMPBELL] Okay. We will spend some more time with Ms. Huang in a moment, talking about Cascadia's transportation strategy, but first, a word from our sponsors.