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pawnstorm2016-06-26 12:07 pm
whitepiece) wrote in pawnstorm2016-06-26 12:07 pm
Entry tags:
STORY ♚ JUNE
Who: Alexandre Verdoni and written media
When: Various Dates starting Rosa 23, 2016
Where: Caissa
What: What did happen on the other train?
Rating: PG for implications of death and destruction.
Excerpt from The Literate Laskeri, a newspaper popular among Lasker's upper crust and white-collar workers:
Excerpt from the Ma Que Morning Daily, a nationally acclaimed Ma Jiang newspaper with offices across both continents:
Excerpt from the Merry Mancalan, a newsletter widely circulated within the Allied States of Mancala and abroad, but particularly among sailors and airship pilots:
When: Various Dates starting Rosa 23, 2016
Where: Caissa
What: What did happen on the other train?
Rating: PG for implications of death and destruction.
| Verdoni Thanks to your efforts, you Heroes have once again earned the public’s favor, both nationwide and around the world. Expect to be well rewarded. But keep in mind that there are also many who disagree with how the military—and by extension, the Heroic Task Force—conducted this operation. Many of The Shield had family, friends and compatriots among the refugees who perished in the attack. It is natural for them to find someone to blame for their anguish and loss. There are those consumed with hate, those who criticize, and those who sensationalize. However, words come and go. I am sure those who have lived as long as myself will know as much. The situation was out of our control; the most we can do is keep moving forward. On that note, I leave you with various references for your perusal. It is better to be aware of these issues as you carry out your duties and aid those affected by the attack. [ he says the next part rather stiffly, and not without pause ] With regard to Commander Lisbrand’s status, Noir had been targeting her from the beginning. Your commander is both an exceptional fighter and a scion of the Lisbrand clan, owner of a prominent steam technology company. Without a doubt, she was a valuable asset to the operation. Thus, Noir saw her as a threat. They trapped her in a train car and completely destroyed it in the attack. Her disappearance severely affected her unit’s morale and threw them into chaos. She survived the wilderness and did everything she could to report back to Lasker. The news reached the proper authorities right before your mission was completed. The army was immediately sent to aid both parties. She will be out of commission until she recovers from her injuries. She trusts you all to remember your duties as Heroes nevertheless. |
Excerpt from The Literate Laskeri, a newspaper popular among Lasker's upper crust and white-collar workers:
Blanc's Heroes Send Noir Home on the Loser Express! The High Speed Battle for Lasker
... A total of four trains were involved in the military operation, including a second hijacked passenger train operating out of Kibitz. While the connection between this train and the train the Heroes escorted to safety is unclear, we do know that the military was involved, and that casualties are still being estimated.
In the wake of these attacks, border movement and security as well as transportation safety is being reassessed at a regional and national level. Experts across Blanc as well as the staff at Ostrov Station have expressed concerns about the volume of passengers being loaded onto trains in Gris, which is known for its hands-off approach to security and safety standards...
... A total of four trains were involved in the military operation, including a second hijacked passenger train operating out of Kibitz. While the connection between this train and the train the Heroes escorted to safety is unclear, we do know that the military was involved, and that casualties are still being estimated.
In the wake of these attacks, border movement and security as well as transportation safety is being reassessed at a regional and national level. Experts across Blanc as well as the staff at Ostrov Station have expressed concerns about the volume of passengers being loaded onto trains in Gris, which is known for its hands-off approach to security and safety standards...
... Many preeminent members of Lasker's elite families and businesses have stepped forward in the wake of the incident to talk about their experiences on that fateful train journey through Gris. What was meant to be a quiet ride through neutral territory quickly became the latest skirmish in recently renewed hostilities between Sansvoir's two superpowers.
"Ah, but the Heroes were wonderful!" says the Viscountess, when asked about this turn of events. "We were rescued from one of those seedy train cars in the midst of the fighting, and the entire door came down! Those with me had already begun discussing their last will and testament. Oh, I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't held out for a Hero!"
Many other scions of Lasker appear to share the sentiment: the newly established gentleman's club La Voix Ferrée de Notre Patrie is now welcoming applications from members of Lasker's leadership — particularly those victimized in Noir's unsavory schemes — and of course, from Blanc's truest Heroes. Founding members have pledged to open their homes and their coffers to the Heroic cause as well as that of the war.
"Ah, but the Heroes were wonderful!" says the Viscountess, when asked about this turn of events. "We were rescued from one of those seedy train cars in the midst of the fighting, and the entire door came down! Those with me had already begun discussing their last will and testament. Oh, I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't held out for a Hero!"
Many other scions of Lasker appear to share the sentiment: the newly established gentleman's club La Voix Ferrée de Notre Patrie is now welcoming applications from members of Lasker's leadership — particularly those victimized in Noir's unsavory schemes — and of course, from Blanc's truest Heroes. Founding members have pledged to open their homes and their coffers to the Heroic cause as well as that of the war.
Excerpt from the Ma Que Morning Daily, a nationally acclaimed Ma Jiang newspaper with offices across both continents:
Fear and Loathing in Lasker: Noir Implicated in Worst Trainwreck in Sansvoir History
True to its previous tactics, Noir had planted operatives aboard both trains to carry out violent sabotage and distribute explosives across the carriages, using the staff and passengers as shields. Blanc has acknowledged both attacks as part of the Noir strategy to target its major urban centers through national and international trade and transportation channels. Readers will remember a similar and widely publicized attack during the Narcissa Expo on the isle of Palamède, well-known as the starting salvo in the current Sansvoirian war.
It seems this time, however, Blanc has stepped up its security measures: Heroes were present at the scene when Noir made its bid to hijack and destroy the train carrying, among others, Gammonian envoy and foccer superstar Ryder Wreckham. The special Blanc task force that has risen to prominence recently — particularly in war and rebuilding efforts — made swift work of the Noir infiltrators. Casualties were minimal, though there was considerable damage to the train and engine...
True to its previous tactics, Noir had planted operatives aboard both trains to carry out violent sabotage and distribute explosives across the carriages, using the staff and passengers as shields. Blanc has acknowledged both attacks as part of the Noir strategy to target its major urban centers through national and international trade and transportation channels. Readers will remember a similar and widely publicized attack during the Narcissa Expo on the isle of Palamède, well-known as the starting salvo in the current Sansvoirian war.
It seems this time, however, Blanc has stepped up its security measures: Heroes were present at the scene when Noir made its bid to hijack and destroy the train carrying, among others, Gammonian envoy and foccer superstar Ryder Wreckham. The special Blanc task force that has risen to prominence recently — particularly in war and rebuilding efforts — made swift work of the Noir infiltrators. Casualties were minimal, though there was considerable damage to the train and engine...
The question is, where were these security measures when Noir turned its vicious attacks on a second train? Our sources tell us Blanc was receiving insider intelligence about the nature and location of these attacks, and yet they failed to meet the second prong of the two-pronged assault. A small contingent of the Blanc military led by Task Force Commander Fleur de Lisbrand was unable to counter the Noir infiltration nor to control the runaway condition of the train, which contained some 800 civilians and refugees — the majority of them from Noir, but a number hailed from Shatranj, including 53 Ma Jiang compatriots...
Both trains departed from stations deep in Gris territory before their routes diverged; Lasker was their final common destination. Both were intercepted by trains commandeered by the Blanc military for the purpose of the counteroffensive. Sansvoirian railway giant Proverit Express tells us all trains were of a similar make, but the runaway train was an older engine and had lost its brakes to circumstances or sabotage early in its operation, a disaster exacerbated by passenger overloading, the sheer terrain along its route, and a total communications blackout instigated by the infiltrators.
In addition to cars destroyed by explosives, several vehicles were lost in mountainous terrain en route, including one carrying Commander de Lisbrand. Many of their occupants remain missing. The engine and remaining cars, traveling at a speed in excess of 100 miles per hour, overran the tracks within sighting distance of Lasker and destroyed a facade of Ostrov Station as well as several commercial structures and houses adjacent.
We have no preliminary estimate of the casualties, but survivors among those aboard (including military and Noir agents) are estimated at less than 300. The true number of injured, missing and fatally wounded may well be much higher. Our thoughts are with the families of those lost in the tragedy.
In addition to cars destroyed by explosives, several vehicles were lost in mountainous terrain en route, including one carrying Commander de Lisbrand. Many of their occupants remain missing. The engine and remaining cars, traveling at a speed in excess of 100 miles per hour, overran the tracks within sighting distance of Lasker and destroyed a facade of Ostrov Station as well as several commercial structures and houses adjacent.
We have no preliminary estimate of the casualties, but survivors among those aboard (including military and Noir agents) are estimated at less than 300. The true number of injured, missing and fatally wounded may well be much higher. Our thoughts are with the families of those lost in the tragedy.
Excerpt from the Merry Mancalan, a newsletter widely circulated within the Allied States of Mancala and abroad, but particularly among sailors and airship pilots:
It's Going Down: They Shouted Timber
... In the wake of this attack, there are those questioning the intentions behind Noir's latest move: did their flashy, destructive gamble pay off? The Empire is well known for its seemingly bottomless well of conscripts and severe indoctrination practices, but by all accounts, this attack was costly in terms of both material resources and skilled manpower. Even Noir does not have endless mages and technicians of talent at its disposal, not to mention the blanket sacrifice of a large number of undercover agents in and out of Lasker. And now that Gammon, a key naval stronghold, has strengthened its alliance with the Republic, what does Noir stand to gain in the long term? Military analyst Anyagaligbo Solomon has some theories for us.
“As we are all aware, relations between Blanc and Gammon have been cordial in recent decades thanks to a robust trading relationship. However, Gammon had not formalized an alliance with either party in the current war. You could say that up until the 20th of Rosa, there was a decent chance they could have come down on the side of Noir as well,” Solomon tells us. “With the latest attacks, Blanc pulls ahead decisively in terms of international support. Now we have got to ask: what is worth losing in exchange for that?”
The greatest native advantages of the Empire, according to Solomon, lie in the abundance of its manpower, the thoroughness of its preparations, and its unflinching use of any and all strategies — particularly those related to magic. While Blanc has more friends abroad, Noir’s relative isolationism has allowed it to strengthen its infrastructure for war and take full advantage of its forbidding terrain to stave off invasion from any quarter. And despite its focus on building its own civilization, Blanc’s technological advancements have yet to catch up with Noir’s single-minded pursuit of destruction...
... In the wake of this attack, there are those questioning the intentions behind Noir's latest move: did their flashy, destructive gamble pay off? The Empire is well known for its seemingly bottomless well of conscripts and severe indoctrination practices, but by all accounts, this attack was costly in terms of both material resources and skilled manpower. Even Noir does not have endless mages and technicians of talent at its disposal, not to mention the blanket sacrifice of a large number of undercover agents in and out of Lasker. And now that Gammon, a key naval stronghold, has strengthened its alliance with the Republic, what does Noir stand to gain in the long term? Military analyst Anyagaligbo Solomon has some theories for us.
“As we are all aware, relations between Blanc and Gammon have been cordial in recent decades thanks to a robust trading relationship. However, Gammon had not formalized an alliance with either party in the current war. You could say that up until the 20th of Rosa, there was a decent chance they could have come down on the side of Noir as well,” Solomon tells us. “With the latest attacks, Blanc pulls ahead decisively in terms of international support. Now we have got to ask: what is worth losing in exchange for that?”
The greatest native advantages of the Empire, according to Solomon, lie in the abundance of its manpower, the thoroughness of its preparations, and its unflinching use of any and all strategies — particularly those related to magic. While Blanc has more friends abroad, Noir’s relative isolationism has allowed it to strengthen its infrastructure for war and take full advantage of its forbidding terrain to stave off invasion from any quarter. And despite its focus on building its own civilization, Blanc’s technological advancements have yet to catch up with Noir’s single-minded pursuit of destruction...
“The fact is that Noir is not pursuing a strategy of subduing its former compatriots,” Solomon continues. “The fact is that what Noir wants — what its autocratic government wants — is the total annihilation of Blanc. It is what in old days we would have called scorched earth tactics. Blanc’s military forces are weakened and demoralized, and internal unrest is rising as civilian casualties do…”