Assassination (attempt) in Pretoria

[Cataduanes]

The opinions and concerns of the Philippines are duly noted. As for tourism business, we are actually anticipating a small boom for the Phillipines economy as many Transvalers - certainly those of white ethnicity from Johannesburg - have been renewing their visas and booking extended hotel stays in lieu of returning home to the conflict.

With the current crisis in Transvaal escalating the Philippines has experienced an upsurge in numbers of Transvaal citizens booking holidays in the archipelago, much to the delight of the Tourism minister.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Cataduanes

[Shan Revan]

Agreed, formal diplomatic relations will be established at your convenience. As for your offer of the 32nd Division, this would be helpful for the immediate moment. We would like to station this at our naval facilities and shipyards in Cape Town to protect our fleet at anchor.

Very well then. The 32nd Infantry Division, under the command of Major-General Niell will make its way by train. Due to the urgency of the situation, we have opted to fly 2800 men in over the course of a week (OOC: 400 a day) immediately, at which point the full division is expected to arrive. You shall find them to be a highly effective and disciplined force, may they serve Transvaal well.

OOC: If you wish to RP them, you're more than welcome to, I'm happy to rp any of their involvement however.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Shan Revan

[Sargun II]

General Hayley was saddened to hear of his black brothers violently uprising against the white minority. Ignoring the irony (as he came to power during a violent revolution), he urged the Azarian Resistance Movement to stop the violence and restore peace to Transvaal, lest the people suffer more.

In related news, large marches of support for the Azarian Resistance were scheduled throughout the day, drawing tens of thousands of passionate civilians. It is unlikely that the sudden rise in hate crimes against blacks are coincidental, and a majority of the Western Republic citizens support the Azarians. The military has been put along all borders closest to Transvaal (next to Serca) and all flights to Transvaal have been delayed indefinitely.

//private to Transvaal government

If you ever feel your lives are at stake, our nation is open to you and your family.

[Manetheren]

Van Haesten stood still, staring at Van Zyl. He responded, "Well sir, it depends on the manner of what you wish me to do. You see, I don't take well to threats so you certainly did not help yourself by starting off by doing so." van Haesten's voice was cold. He did not take well to threats indeed. He tapped his fingers along the grip of his M1911 pistol, "Sir, I don't mean to be disrespectful and would be more than happy to help you in any manner I can...provided it doesn't come into conflict with my morality, allegiance or mission here. I do, as always, assure confidentiality as that is the nature of my profession. One is not allowed to join the Armtha SS without certain requirements, and the ability to stay discrete when neccessary is one of them."

van Haesten continued to stare at Colonel Van Zyl, waiting for his response.

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

Outside, the two companies of 23 Batallion were escorted to their barracks. After a short briefing from Transvaler officers and a few minutes to get situated, the officers in charge met with a few Transvaler officers for their assignments. Outside, the 300 men of 23 Batallion changed into combat fatigues, gathered their gear and cleaned, checked and rechecked their weapons, prepping themselves for their mission ahead of them. All had seen at least some combat and most had served as a guard at a government building somewhere in Tahoe.

[Subtleknifewielder]

While Promised Land does not condone the violence of the uprising, nor the assassination of these leaders, we feel this is a natural result of how the black majority is treated in Transvaal.

As we said, however, this does not mean we condone the violence--we recognize that the legitimate government is that of Staatspresident (OOC: If I misspelled that, I apologize/OOC) Botha and his supporters, and will continue to do so until a peaceful attempt at reform is considered by those who would support these rebels.

[freakwars]

Andonia recognizes both Azaria and Transvaal.

[Botha]

The 32nd Infantry Division, under the command of Major-General Niell will make its way by train.

Acknowledged. We do not anticipate any disturbances in Cape Town as the population is less restive there than in other parts of the Federal Republic. We may end up spliting the division into two detachments and send one half of the division north to Walvisbaai in Namibia to provide security where our main harbour and additional maritime facilities are located.

The military has been put along all borders closest to Transvaal (next to Serca) and all flights to Transvaal have been delayed indefinitely.

This was a concern of ours, the security of our north borders. We are anticipating that as our military operations move north towards our frontier that the rebels will likley flee across the border. There is nothing we can do with the two adjacent PAC Protectorates to prevent rebels fleeing there as those areas are not under central, local control. However we are hoping that both Serca and The Republic will take measures to prevent crossborder movement by rebels into their territories.

If you ever feel your lives are at stake, our nation is open to you and your family.

Thank you for the offer however the situation would have to grow to severe levels (i.e. major damage from in-game wars) before the Afrikaner people would even contemplate such a fatalistic move.

[Botha]

Sir, I don't mean to be disrespectful and would be more than happy to help you in any manner I can...provided it doesn't come into conflict with my morality, allegiance or mission here.

Van Haesten was not quite sure what to make of Van Zyl. The guy had an un-natural, overt creepiness to him which he had never seen exhibited in any other Transvaler official he had met. This guy was either trying to put on a false front to intimidate him or he was certifiably off-his-rocker. He had all the sinister warmth of a child molester.

Colonel van Zyl grimaced. “I admire your bluntnesss. Sso now I sshall be blunt: I need you to execute two men I have in my cusstody. Here and now. No one in the Federal Government knowss I have them and no one iss to know the true nature of their deathss. I am acting alone for the protection of the white man’ss way of life in my country. It musst be done cleanly and quietly, and you musst disposse of the bodiess in a manner sso that no one remotely asssociated with my government is linked – including myssself.”

[Ranather]

OOC: I'm sorry, but that last post made me fall off MY rocker laughing. :lol:

[Botha]

OOC: I'm sorry, but that last post made me fall off MY rocker laughing. :lol:

OOC: glad you liked it, my RP needed moar evil Transvalers.

[Botha]

Two wheelchairs...

PRETORIA

Hendrik Strijdom moved the breakfast tray off his bed and struggled to climb into his wheelchair. He then made his way through the private hospital ward to the room adjacent which had been set up as a makeshift office. The two Tahoan guards standing by the entrance snapped to attention. He gave a casual wave to them in acknowledgement as he wheeled up to his desk and began to sift through the pile of folders which had been deposited there since breakfast.

He picked up a red folder containing the daily medical report and prognosis for his recovery. He slammed his fist on the table. ‘Damn’ he thought, ‘I cannot manage the government stuck here and confined to a wheelchair for a month.’

He then picked up the thick manila envelope containing the most recent military situation reports from Marshal Cruywagen. Strijdom thumbed through them, noting that it would take around a week before all territory south of the Zambesi was back under firm Federal Republican control. However the extension of combat operations into the heartland of ARM support in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland would take longer.

Strijdom put the envelope down and jotted down a note – he wanted to find out how Marshal Cruywagen was handling the pacification phase of operations, as he wanted to send the rebels a clear and firm message that threats to the Federal Republic and its authority would not be tolerated.

He then noted in his planner that TeleTransvaal had arranged for some airtime to broadcast his planned speech to the nation regarding the civil disturbance. Strijdom hated being on television... he would see if radio time instead could be arranged. The last thing he wanted to do while sending an image of the government exercising its authority was that its leader was incapacitated in medical scrubs and a wheelchair.

He then read Minister Stellenbosch’s report on international reaction to the crisis. The prime minister relaxed and cracked an ever-so-slight smile. ‘Better foreign support could not have been expected, that is a relief’ he mused to himself. He noted the viewpoints of the Neo Japanese but he expected that probably they alone would voice strong condemnation. Not to worry, as there were numerous others more than willing to turn a blind eye to domestic issues and cozy up with Transvaal for its profitable trade and markets.

He would do whatever it took to maintain Afrikaner authority over South Africa... some African rabble-rousers would not stand in his way. Even if it meant the end of his career, he would do everything to crush the threat to his volk, culture, and way of life. Strijdom thought 'Transvaal would have another Bloedrivier if need be, but regardless we shall be victorious... there is no option for capitulation... it would be national suicide...'

BLOEMFONTEIN

“Tell them to stop...” muttered the Reverend. It was the first time since Erasmus Du Toit was gunned down that he had awakened from his coma.

“No more violence, the Lord is angry with us. My followers are not to be responsible for more bloodshed...”

As the small group of family and close colleagues lean forward to hear their beloved teacher speak, the Reverend drifted out consciousness and went back to sleep.

[Manetheren]

“I admire your bluntnesss. Sso now I sshall be blunt: I need you to execute two men I have in my cusstody. Here and now. No one in the Federal Government knowss I have them and no one iss to know the true nature of their deathss. I am acting alone for the protection of the white man’ss way of life in my country. It musst be done cleanly and quietly, and you musst disposse of the bodiess in a manner sso that no one remotely asssociated with my government is linked – including myssself.”

Van Haesten thought for a moment, before saying, "Well, if these men in your custody are opposed to your way of life then they are opposed to my way of life as well, and thus does not contradict my mission orders. Tell me what I must do."

Luckily for Van Zyl, all members of the Armtha SS conform to mandatory racial and ideological standards, which include fanatical nationalism and white supremacy. This made Van Haesten willing to carry out such orders, even when a more normal soldier (regardless of nationality) might not.

[Ranather]

OOc: Do I sense a change in the Reverend? Or is this just a trinket of false hope?

[Raider]

OOC: Ah what the hell...might as well...

IC:

An address from President Sevan Naum to the citizens of Zurran

*Sevan Naum stood in front of his podium. Waiting for signal that the station would begin broadcasting. He took a deep breath and ran a hand down the front of his shirt. Trying to smooth not only wrinkles, but also nerves. The majority of his advisors had thought ill of making this kind of speech to the entire nation and he himself was having doubts. Afterall the world was a hositle place for communists. Which was why The old Marxist Republic of Azzar had been wiped off the map due a simple news crew trying to get an interview with one nations leader. He took in and out, in and out, calming himself, he had to be on top form. Nothing but. One of the station signalled to him ten seconds...five seconds... 3,2,1...he was on.

"My fellow citizens. Today I come before you to speak of an urgent matter taking place inside the Federal Republic of Transvaal. Transvaal has long been a nation divided between black and white. Now, mistrust and long suppressed hatred of these two races have erupted into armed conflict. This outcome, sadly, comes as no surprise."

"It is because when people are taught to look at their fellow men as aliens, men and women with whom they may share a city, but not a community; men and women bound to them in common dwelling, but not in common effort. This kind of environment only spirals through the cycles of repression and retaliation, of violence upon violence with no true final answer."

"I speak not from any ideological sense, but from a personnal and strong belief that the content of ones character, rather than color of ones skin, is the only important part of them to judge. The Socialist Republic stands by all those who fight for fairness and equality under the rule of law. We condemn those who use force to impose their will and oppress their fellow. I strongly urge both sides to lay down their arms and allow peace talks to take place."

"Thank you. That is all I have to stay."

*As his broadcast ended he walked away from the podium. Military brass had been waiting close by. They fell into step with him along with security personnal as he left the building.*

"Put our armed forces on stand-by alert. Should they move to attack us over this we will not be taken by surprise as the MRA was."

*They grimly nodded to him as he entered his car.*

[Botha]

CYBERNATIONS NEWS NETWORK - reporting from Pretoria, Transvaal:

Transvaler Krygsmagte forces launched ground strikes today in seven districts located in Rhodesia and Mozambique – bringing most of the Matabele and the Lundi districts under Federal Republican control.

Guerilla resistance was most fierce in Matabeleland as most of Western Rhodesia was successfully cleared of opposition except in some small, isolated pockets between Salisbury and Bulawayo.

Federal troops reported substantial enemy casualties from the incessant aerial bombardment from the Lugmag overhead, which subsequently made the ground advance easier than expected.

The Federal Government announced this afternoon that Prime Minister H Strijdom would speak to the nation over the radio sometime in the next 48 hours.

"Put our armed forces on stand-by alert. Should they move to attack us over this we will not be taken by surprise as the MRA was."

OOC: Nice speech!

[Botha]

Van Haesten thought for a moment, before saying, "Well, if these men in your custody are opposed to your way of life then they are opposed to my way of life as well, and thus does not contradict my mission orders. Tell me what I must do."

A broad smile appeared on Van Zyl’s face.

“This is good… hmm, perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. Anyways, I have in my custody… unknown to anyone else except a couple of guards, two of the three assassins. One of them was unfortunately killed before my men could get to her, but the two we did capture I now want you to execute them.”

“I will then use my means to send disinformation that they committed suicide or some other vague explanation. You see, Transvaal has no death penalty on the books. All personal of the Interior Ministry must take an oath never to intentionally kill a prisoner – other wise we are held accountable. However, there is nothing saying that I can ask a foreigner to do the job.”

“The two wretched souls will be taken out back to where your troop truck or whatever you travelled here is located and you can take them away to somewhere isolated and…”

Van Zyl stopped talking and made a slashing gesture across his throat.

“Come follow me…” sighed the colonel as he led the Tahoan officers to the cell bock.

Something really irked Van Haesten about this strange Van Zyl fellow, but he couldn't quite place why. He also noticed that Van Zyl had stop lisping.

Edited January 24, 2009 by Botha

[Manetheren]

“Come follow me…” sighed the colonel as he led the Tahoan officers to the cell bock.

"As you wish, sir." van Haesten was surprised that Van Zyl was having him execute the prisoners, he thought that would have been done already. He had also thought that perhaps Van Zyl was attempting to gain power, perhaps by executing politcal opponents during the confusion. There just wasn't something right about this man. Well, he certainly would kill the communist scum that had initated this mess...and enjoy it too, but van Haesten vowed to stay alert, who knew what was going on after all?

[Botha]

"As you wish, sir." van Haesten was surprised that Van Zyl was having him execute the prisoners, he thought that would have been done already.

Colonel Karl van Zyl unlocked the cellblock door for van Haesten. He proceeded to Cell 34 and unlocked it. Two guards from the interior ministry who had trailed along behind van Zyl entered the cell and dragged out the two wretched men.

Both were African. One of them appeared to be in his thirties and dressed in what looked like a security guard uniform, somewhat tattered and stained from what looked like a beating. The other prisoner was a teenager with a very athletic build.

The two guards grabbed the men, who were handcuffed, and lead them along the corridor to a loading bay in back of the building. The troops carrier which had brought van Haesten and his men was parked, engine running and waiting, his squad of men of inside ready to depart.

As the two guards bundled the two prisoners on board, Colonel van Zyl leaned over toward van Haestan and whispered in his ear. “Also, those two guards there, dispatch them as well. As I said, no witnesses.”

Van Zyl turned around and slinked back inside the building.

Van Haesten climbed on board the troop carrier. As soon as the prisoners saw him, they began to plead for their lives. The younger one, who was probably 16 or 17, but unusually muscular spoke up: “Sir, please do not kill us. We have friends who can make it very worth your while if you free us. That man at the ministry is dangerous. Once you’ve done away with us, he’ll then kill you and your men as well.”

The older prisoner then said: “Look, I do not deny that I shot the prime minister on orders from our political organization, but something strange is going on. Our people were never planning to kill Reverend Du Toit. Yes we hate that man with all our hearts, but killing him would be a mistake because it would just make him a martyr for his people.”

Edited January 24, 2009 by Botha

[Manetheren]

Van Haesten leaned down to look at the youth right in the face, grabbing a fistful of hair, he growled, "I am going to kill you and your begging will only make it more painful. If Van Zyl tries anything, I will kill him too." He slammed the youth's face into the bed of the truck and ordered one of his men to gag both of the assassins.

He sat back up and pulled a radio out of his shirt pocket. Once the troop carrier was out of the city limits, van Haesten turned his radio to channel 6 and pressed the talk button, "Rawhide come in, rawhide come in, this is Lion 1 over."

He waited a few minutes before the radio warbled again, "Lion 1 come in, this is Rawhide, proceed, over."

Good, the men guarding Prime Minister Strijdom had gotten through. "Rawhide, can you put Strijdom on the line, please, over."

Back in Pretoria, one of the guards of Prime Minister Strijdom turned around and knocked on his hospital room door. Another Tahoan guard opened the door and the first guard handed the radio to the bodyguard of the Prime Minister saying, "Van Haesten wants to talk to the Prime Minister, sounds urgent." The bodyguard nodded, taking the radio and closed the door again. He walked over to Strijdom, who sat in bed reading. He snapped to attention, saluting, before saying in Afrikaans, "Mr. Prime Minister, Colonel van Haesten wishes to speak with you, I think it is urgent."

Strijdom took the radio

[Botha]

Strijdom took the radio

Strijdom's voice crackled over the radio: "Yes, this is the prime minister... what is it?"

[Manetheren]

"Mr. Strijdom, this is Colonel van Haesten. I am currently aboard a troop carrier with two detainees whom Deputy Interior Minister Van Zyl ordered me to execute. He also ordered me to execute the Transvaler guards who assisted in the transport of the detainees. Under normal circumstances I would carry out his orders without question, but the order to kill Transvalers and his general demeanor lead me to suspicion of his activities. I thought it was important for you to be briefed on the current situation and give me orders as to what to do."

[Subtleknifewielder]

OOC: I'm sorry, but that last post made me fall off MY rocker laughing. :lol:

OOC: glad you liked it, my RP needed moar evil Transvalers.

OOC: I liked it myself...nearly busted a gut laughing... :lol: :lol:

I am also interested in seeing how this latest twist turns out...

Edited January 25, 2009 by Subtleknifewielder

[freakwars]

The Oberjarl

Andonia will be sending weapons and other aid to assist Azaria in it's struggle against oppression. Andonia will also be sending pirates to attack Transvaal shipping lines.

[Botha]

I thought it was important for you to be briefed on the current situation and give me orders as to what to do.

Strijdom's voice cracked over the van Haesten's radio receiver:

“Hmm… I cannot recall ever having heard of this Van Zyl person, he must be someone Minister Boersma appointed recently and forgot to inform the government. Regardless whoever he is, personal of the Interior Ministry are not permitted under any circumstances to execute prisoners – let alone soldiers or civilian personal doing their duty.”

“Minister Boersma is somewhere in Northern Rhodesia with Marshal Cruywagen, I will attempt to contact him and find out whether Van Zyl was given those orders or if he is acting alone. My guess is he is acting alone, as Boersma is known for his by-the-book methods.”

“Under my orders, do not harm those prisoners nor the guards. For their own safety, the guards should probably not return to the Interior Ministry, have them sent to the hospital here and they can assist with me for the time being. I need a couple of orderlies and messengers anyways. As for the prisoners, keep them under your custody and protection until we know for sure what is going on at the Interior Ministry. If Van Zyl turns out not to be what he appears, I will probably need you to move in on the Ministry and arrest him.”

Give me a few hours to uncover more about Van Zyl and then I shall get back to you.”

“Also, I greatly appreciate your diligence to contact me. I shall make sure your superiors are notified of this once these troubles are all over. If you get any further orders that contradict your better judgment, then contact me. Only Staatspresident Botha obviously has the authority to counter-act any order issued by me. ”

[Botha]

CYBERNATIONS NEWS NETWORK [Pretoria]: Transvaal military forces continued their fifth day of ground offensive operations against guerillas of the Azarian Resistance Movement in Rhodesia. The town of Kwekwe, the last pocket of resistance in Mashonaland, fell this afternoon after a short but bloody firefight. The Sobi Valley and Southern Manica border districts in Eastern Rhodesia also fell as enemy forces retreated northwards into ARM-control sectors of Central Mozambique. Federal Republican casualties were in the neighbourhood of 200 while it is estimated the guerillas lost around 800 troops.

Marshal Cruywagen has said that all of Southern Rhodesia should be back under Federal Republican control in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Prime Minister Strijdom made a brief speech this afternoon, summarizing that ‘this was an internal domestic problem of Transvaal and that foreign powers that aided the Azarian guerillas would be deemed hostile nations and treated according’ – without going into details what kind of action would be taken. While most nations having interest in Transvaal have come out in support of the Federal Republic, a handful of states – Neo Japan, Azzar, and Andonia the most notable – have given varying degrees of recognition and support to the Azarian guerillas.

Hendrik Strijdom also stated that [soundclip]: “I will do everything necessary to preserve the Federal Republic and Afrikaner supremacy over it - however I realize that the conflict our nation is going through will be trying and bloody. I stake my own reputation as prime minister on the resolution of this conflict and shall take ultimate responsibility for its success or failure.”

The prime minister also thanked the military assistance of the Tahoe Republic and Naboo for providing ‘peacekeepers’ to help maintain law and order in Pretoria and Cape Town.