Kalistani Major History

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Police in Gendaris Overwhelmed by Protestors
Authority loses control of City Center for 2 days as protests rock Mainland
Gendaris, Duchy of Odufaray
October 2, 5552


The City Center of Gendaris is overrun by anti-Imperial protesters, crippling the city for two days

During the last six months Kalistan Proper has experienced wave after wave of anti-Imperial protests in many of its cities and towns. The most recent wave has been the most destructive and widespread since the protests of April around the Imperial Wedding. During the recent uprisings, several cities were actually taken over for some amount of time by protestors, before police, supported by Militia restored order by force. This wave has been particularly violent, with protestors setting fire to several retail and service sector centers. Widespread looting, vigilantism and arson was reported in Vrassa City, Razar, Gendaris, Python, Eshar, Springfield, Neveras City, Senvias, Port Swede, and Dana. The National Rail Line was shut down for two days by protestors who occupied train depots across Odufaray and Vrassa.

The most serious violence took place in Gendaris, in the Duchy of Odufaray, where protestors barricaded much of the downtown area, and used bricks, Molotov cocktails and rocks to drive police out of the area. A short gun battle between one group of protestors and the police took place early in the occupation, with the cops withdrawing after four police were shot dead and two protestors were killed by police snipers. Hourly attempts to negotiate with protestors were met with projectiles, and after six hours, the police withdrew and were reinforced by Intstitutionalist Militia, who put the entire downtown area under siege, preventing supplies from entering. Additionally, Her Grace The Duchess of Odufaray Martha Allistair ordered power cut for the entire downtown district during the standoff.

Protestors responded by setting fire to piles of furniture that they looted from the stores in the area. After two days, the Duchess ordered the occupation liquidated, and the militia stormed and destroyed the barricades. Meek resistance was easily overcome as the encampment was razed. In the struggle, the militia lost 8 members, while the occupiers lost 42, and 234 treated for wounds, primarily related to dehydration. More than 750 protestors, weak with hunger and thirst, were arrested and charged with insurrection. By evening of the third day, Gendaris was placed under curfew, and anyone found on the streets after 6pm was arrested and sent to Eshar for detention. The part of the downtown area that was under protestors' control was closed: Downtown Gendaris was declared a health hazard after buckets of raw sewage were dumped down storm sewers that emptied directly into Gendaris Harbor, by protestors using them as toilets, and there was litter and burned furniture and tires all over that fire crews were having a difficult time extinguishing. Many stores were also completely burned out, and it was simply not safe to travel downtown.

The protests are just the next phase of the year long protest movement that has gripped the Empire since Nationalist Deputies first objected to the Emperor's marrying of a Kundrati National. Though His Imperial Majesty The Emperor Fredrick II Ananto has been married to Her Highness Empress Pavlina Ananto-Hulanevek for a half a year already, the protests have only intensified as nationalist resentment of the Emperor's sidestepping the nationalist objections to he marriage has been merged with a larger pro-democracy movement from several civil society groups. The Emperor and the Princess Consort, when travelling in Vrassa this summer, were met by angry protestors who pelted the limousine carrying the Royal family with rocks and trash. At the time, the Emperor ordered temperance in dealing with the protestors, and asked the Chancellor to form a special committee to meet the protestors and see what solutions could defuse the situation, but protest leaders have refused any effort by the National Government to discuss grievances.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor is having her own difficulties holding her own Party together. More than 16 deputies have resigned from the National Assembly, and it is expected that another 20 will depart by the end of the year, including His Imperial Majesty's Ministers of Science, Weston Zappa and Environment and Tourism Donald Sanders, both of whom have said are resigning out of concern for their families' safety (Minister Zappa published the death threats that his wife got from pro-democracy protestors, who named his children.) Both Ministers live in Odufaray, and both have been assigned a security detail.

Several of the resigning Deputies have joined the Protest movement, offering it some political legitimacy. Former Deputy Ron Callis, from Port Swede, who issued a statement written by the group he is affiliated with, Vrassans for Democracy, said "We, the loyal opposition, fear that our nation is being ruled by an unaccountable autocrat. We fear, every day for the dystopia our poor children are being raised into. As we see free people in all nations around us, even in a place like Lourenne, who has a Monarch that is limited in almost every way, where the beauty and peace of democracy can flourish unhindered by the evil dictates of a single, solitary ruler who did nothing for his position except be born, we ask the people of of Kalistan then to join our movement and bring an end to this dictatorship of the aristocracy." Deputy Callis was arrested later that day for violating the Single Party Act, charged with building an anti-imperialist political formation outside of the Institutional Party, and has since become a cause celebre for several liberal minded Kalistani elites.

"As far as we can tell," said Chancellor of the Empire Dame Lindsay Ontiveros-Maxwell, "the people, such as they are, are demanding 'democracy'. When you ask them precisely what that entails, they generally don't even know. They'll say things like 'It means We the People,' and 'Government out of National Health Care' and things like this. Its inane, and if these people weren't so violent in pushing their demands, we would almost be able to dismiss them entirely." The dismissive attitude of the Chancellor caused immediate backlash among some protest movements, who called the Chancellor a Snob and the Emperor an "illegitimate bastard."

"How dare she dismiss We the People," said one protestor who asked for anonymity to protect their identity in Senvias. "We are standing up for what we believe and are not afraid to go to Jail. She can't talk down like that to us... uh We the People. We the People are strong, and we the people are growing in power. And if she shows her face down here, We the People are going to show her what democracy looks like with the sole of our boots. We won't stand for any elitist telling us what to do anymore."

When confronted with data that suggests that anti-imperialist sentiment is really a very small segment of the population, never more than 4-5% of the population, most protestors called those figures propaganda. "Of course you're going to say that," one protestor said to a reporter for The Republic. "You're nothing more than a Government rag. You never report on what real people are doing. All you ever talk about is Emperor this and Emperor that. You never talk about what common people are into or want." Others were more defiant. "I don't even care if it is 1% who supports it," said Michael F. in Dana. "This is democracy. If we the people wants it, we get it. That's how democracy works. Kalistan was not founded as an Empire. It was a Republic. That means We the People."

The Chancellor expressed concerns that the things the "people" were saying sounded very similar to one another. "These all feel like someone passed out a script: We've been hearing more discussion about how we are a monarchy, not an empire, or that we're actually a republic and its followed up by an almost identically worded explanation about what a Republic is, and how it means we the people. This whole protest movement feels very astroturf, as if it is being directed by a single group."

But the Chancellor said the National Assembly is still taking it very seriously. "His Imperial Majesty should be able to travel over every square inch of his realm unhindered and unthreatened. As long as these protests are able to take over our cities and attack the Emperor's automobile, the Emperor's liberty is limited. While His Imperial Majesty has forbidden us from introducing legislation that makes assault or insult of the Emperor as crime so far, that forbearance he has show is rapidly coming to an end. The events in Gendaris show us that maybe it should have come to an end long before now. 'We the People' have gone too far. They can not continue to threaten Ministers, take over cities, and keep the Emperor hostage on Ananto."

There is a vote of no confidence scheduled for next week against Dame Ontiveros by the 20 Nationalist Deputies mentioned above. All 20 have declared their support for reform of the Empire and the Imperial Prerogative, but have stopped short of calling for democracy, publicly at least. The move is likely to fail easily in the National Assembly, at which point the Chancellor will ask for the Deputies' resignation. "I'm permitting this vote so that these troublemakers can be publicly repudiated," said the Chancellor. "And if they do not then resign from their office, I intend to have them arrested for violation of the One Party Law. Following their expulsion from the National Assembly, I have asked the Dukes of the four Mainland Duchies to name replacements to fill the seats, and then I have informed Grand Duke Mark Ananto and His Imperial Majesty that I intend to seek a lese majeste law to give the National Government the power to stomp these protests out for good and all."

It is doubtful that the proposed actions of the Chancellor will do much to decrease the protests. It may inflame them, as a matter of fact. "The only thing we are concerned about," said the Chancellor, "is whether the Militia begins to demobilize. We know the Militia to be be fanatic partisans, but then again, we assumed that the Deputies who have registered their dissent against the Emperor were also strong Institutionalists. We were wrong about that, and it may be more in our interest to deploy the Regular Forces, who all affirm personal loyalty to the Emperor upon commission or enlistment, than to over use the militia, especially in our cities and towns. The last thing we want is for the Militia to decide that they are fighting for the wrong side in the middle of a heated battle and defect. This is really the only thing that keeps me up at night."

The Chancellor noted that Ananto was quiet, and remains in full support of the Emperor. "Ananto is certainly behind His Imperial Majesty, especially since every square inch of that Island is the personal demesne of the Emperor and Empress. If there are protests in Kaliburg, we have problems. Most of Suldanor and Neveras are quiet as well. Odufaray and Vrassa are our main concerns right now. Containing the protests here is our priority." The Chancellor added that there was no evidence that the protests were being supported from outside of the Empire.

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Country Supergroup Records album in Kalistan
Musicians from Baltusia, Likatonia and Kalistan join forces to produce AC hit
Vrassa City, Duchy of Vrassa
March 5, 5553


The Outlaws' Debut album is first as a group

Four country music legends, two from Likatonia, and one each from Baltusia and Kalistan have teamed up on a new LP of original music, recorded in Vrassa City over the New Year. The four musicians, long considered forerunners of Outlaw Country, have been long time collaborators and personal friends, but this is the first time all of them have worked together. And the record has made an unexpected splash on Kalistani Rock radio.

The four singer/songwriters, Likatonia's Jerry McCleugh and Christopher Markay, Baltusia's Jacob Martinez, and Kalistan's Sam Conrad, have been corresponding for months about doing a charity tour in Northern Seleya. While the original idea was to play four individual sets, the four friends each also wanted to just come out and jam on each other's songs. "There is so much affection and mutual respect among these four old guys," said VDR producer Kath Yeager, who was contracted by the label to produce the debut album New Horizons for the group who became known The Outlaws. "They have spent years going around Northern Seleya together, decades even. They're probably about as close to kin as you can get."

The charity tour idea was soon nixxed in favor of a supergroup. "The four guys couldn't seem to get their schedules to line up long enough to actually go on tour," said Yeager. "So Sam (Conrad) suggested that they all fly into Vrassa over the New Year and just lay down some tracks together." Soon ideas for songs started flying. Numerous meetings and jam sessions followed: sometimes it was two of them, sometimes three and sometimes all four would get together to work on songs. "The result was certainly a really different and unique mix," said Yeager. "Each one brought something new to the table, and each represented their own brand of outlaw country in the sessions. The result was actually very special and is certainly unique by Kalistani standards, though listeners in Likatonia and Baltusia may be more familiar with the sound."

The resulting album has produced its first single, "A Single Drop of Rain," which could be described as something like a mix of rock and roll themes, tinted with country and western aesthetic. "Well, I don't get to play too often in Kalistan," said Conrad. "The music in this country is very loud and very distorted, and like these guys, I'm more of a troubadour. A lot of our songs are about being free and wandering, maybe you might even say, drifting: Living the wandering life of a touring journeyman musician is a lot like being a desperado or a merchant marine or a migrant laborer, shifting from job to job, or even you could imagine, an explorer of deep space. It's a lonely, solitary life in a lot of ways, and those are the themes in a lot of our songs here. But the best thing is, you are in a local club in a place like Likatonia and don't know a soul, and then you see someone like (Jerry) McCleugh come in and you know you got a brother in the crowd. That's in those songs too."

The single has risen on the Adult Contemporary Singles Chart to number 8 this week, and the album sits at Number 15 on the Hot 100 Albums chart, a stunning foil to the otherwise locked Noisey Top 20. The album's music is country and blues music, and has a traditional structure that is absent in most of Kalistan's music. "This, I think is the source of its popularity in the Empire at this moment," said Conrad. "It doesn't sound like other stuff. We know what sounds good and interesting in Kalistan, and if it is different than every other thing on the radio, people will pick it up. Having the guys on this record made it popular, because it has the potential to reach a much larger audience."

Check out the first single "A Single Drop of Rain" by The Outlaws, from their debut LP, as a supergroup, Called New Horizons, recorded in Vrassa City at VDR right here!

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFkcAH-m9W0]

OOC: RIP Kris Kristofferson Surely He is living still

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Kalistan to pass Lèse-majesté Law to protect Sovereign
FM issues strong warning to Baltusia
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 2, 5553


Dame Jacqueline DuMont warns Baltusia against Destabilization during contentious National Assembly Session

The last year has been extremely contentious in Kalistan. Following the widescale violence of last fall, the protests have died down a bit, and have become primarily peaceful. Most of this reduction in activity was due to weather in much of the northern regions of the Empire, with unusual cold and precipitation measured over the winter. With the arrival of spring, however, protest activity and calls for democratic "reform" are already increasing, and unwillingness of the Government to meet with protest groups will certainly serve to irritate the matter further.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor has ousted the remaining "nationalist" holdouts in the National Assembly and with His Imperial Majesty and the several Dukes, have appointed Institutional Loyalists to fill the vacant seats. The ouster was not a surprise to anyone, as Chancellor of the Empire Dame Lindsay Ontiveros-Maxwell telegraphed her intention to eject the "troublesome twenty" following their failed attempt at removing her from the Premiership. Chancellor Ontiveros has met regularly with His Imperial Majesty who announced that

"Chancellor Ontiveros has our full and complete confidence in her efforts to deal with these troubles that have unfortunately riven our society on the Mainland and have so crassly disrupted the peace and tranquility to which Kalistanis have grown accustomed. We will ensure she has all authority necessary to continue to work on behalf of our People."

The Emperor also announced that he intended to call a plebiscite within two years to propose "reasonable and moderate" reforms to the constitution in an effort to reintroduce measures of democracy into the National Assembly.

In a seemingly contrary move, Dame Ontiveros, after accepting the resignations of the Ministers of Environment and Technology, began working with the Cabinet and key Institutionalist figures to begin crafting a lèse-majesté law aimed at making insult or assault toward the sovereign a Class 2b Felony under the Prison Abolition Act. "It is important that His Imperial Majesty have mastery of his entire domain, to include those areas that these so called protestors intend to deny him. Issuing personal and implied threats and insult is terrorism, and is aimed at forcing political concession out of fear rather than reason. Conspiracy to do so is just as bad."

The law immediately sparked criticism behind the scenes, said unnamed sources close to the discussions. Several Deputies were noticeably uncomfortable with the curtailment of basic civil liberties proposed by the Chancellor. Two deputies even threatened to resign over the new law, but it is said that the Chancellor called their bluff and they opted to remain in office. Other deputies demanded a stronger law that would give the Government not only power to keep the Emperor safe from unruly demonstrators, but also to provide the police, local governments, Counties and Duchies additional tools to manage unrest if this summer is to be a repeat of last summer.

In the end, negotiations over the wording and the terms of the Bill lasted for four months. Yesterday, the Chancellor laid the final lèse-majesté bill on the table for approval. The Emperor is said to have reviewed the act and has announced his support for the bill ideally hoping it can be extended to Her Highness the Princess Consort Pavlina and Minor Princess Carolina. The finalized bill makes all insult and assault of the Sovereign, including conspiracy to commit those things, illegal, punishable under the terms of the Prison Abolition Act as a Class 2b Violent Felony (Aggravated Assault). The Chancellor left much of the enacting clauses vague to provide the government latitude in prosecution of offenders, but did put the power of curfew into the hands of local authorities, Counts and Grand Mayors. The law also outlaws political advertisements of any kind, apparently as a measure to prohibit propaganda announcing and coordinating anti-governmental protests. All 79 deputies in the National Assembly have voted in support of the law, and it is expected to be fully enacted in December of this year.

To cap the session off, His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister addressed reports that Baltusia have issues statements of support for the Protest movement. "The Baltusian Communists, dedicated as they are to world revolution, have announced support for those in this country supposedly fighting for 'democracy,'" said Dame DuMont. "I come before the National Assembly today to warn the government of Baltusia agaisnt attempting to provide material or political support to the malcontents and violent criminals in these protest cadres. They are not at all what they seem: Many of them are sincere, but these are the people who do not know that they are being sinisterly manipulated by elements in Kalistan's society that aim at power, pure and simple. These groups seek to dismantle Kalistan's institutions, brick by blood soaked brick, until there is nothing left in this nation but anarchy. And furthermore, we have evidence that capitalists and fascists are bankrolling these groups."

The Foreign Minister then announced: "I have asked our head of the IBSI to begin to investigate these civil society groups, to ascertain whether they were receiving any sort of material support from any foreign state. If there is any connection, we will find it. But to Baltusia specifically, let me say, those behind these protests, those bankrolling them, and training them and putting words in their mouths and thoughts in their head about so-called democracy... these shadowy figures like communists about as much as they like Institutionalists. Which is to say, not at all. The Baltusians should be careful about who they hop into bed with. When you coddle a fascist, you become marked by fascism. It becomes a mark that you cannot escape. And your enemy's enemy isn't always your friend."

Dame DuMont reminded Baltusia that Kalistan's policy is reciprocity. "Destabilization for destabilization. We hope Baltusia is intelligent enough to pick the correct side in this whole affair. But at any rate, they are invited to mind their own shack, and don't prove everyone around the world right about them. Just because something says 'we the people' doesn't mean the useful idiot has any idea which monster gave them that sign to carry." The Foreign Minister's speech received widespread applause from the Deputies, including the Chancellor, who has herself embraced a more robust foreign policy that seeks Kalistan standing up for itself internationally.

Time will tell what the summer holds. It is expected to be a long hot one.

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Amethyst Lemon Returns to Studio to Record Followup
Upcoming LP preceded by New Single/B-Side
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 30, 5553


Amythest Melon members beginning to record followup to 5551's Bloom

Three years after the massive release of their debut LP on KMI, the Noise Alternative band Amethyst Lemon has returned to KMI Studios in Kaliburg, and have begun work on their follow up LP to KMI's 5551 recording Bloom. There are few details about the project, but the band has been writing new music for the last year in Kaliburg, and have previewed some fairly rough demos at small venues around Ananto. The most finished tracks, which were left over from the Bloom sessions have been released as a stand along single called "Overwhelm". The single's B-Side is a new song, which is a somewhat country flavored noise track called "Fade".

"We wrote 'Overwhelm' for Bloom, but the producers thought it wouldn't stand out against some of the other longish songs we had there," said lead singer Roger Stuart. "Plus, they said that if we put the track on the LP, we would need to include a second disc, and it would be too expensive for people. So we left it off the record. And then this winter, as we were starting to rehearse for the new record, we decided to re-record it and release it on its own." The song is a very pretty song that both calls back to their first album and hints at the direction forward. "Lots of distortion, lots of guitar feedback and effects," said Stuart. "It's very hypnotic in its way."

The B-Side is a strange mélange of country and Noise. "I think I was super impressed by the Outlaws record [VDR's New Horizons]," said Brad Mifune, who both wrote and sings on "Fade." "The music on that record kind of struck me in a way: it was so different, and I wanted to bring some of that kind of more traditional, alt-folk kind of sound into our music." Most of the song is done on acoustic and steel guitars. "There's very little distortion in most of the song, and I think its a nice way to experiment a little." But don't worry, says Mifune: "It gets plenty loud. You can almost hear where we are plugging in our guitars. There was like six days between those takes, for real, but Mike (Adams, producer from KMI) did such an amazing job with the song, that I'm just so proud of it!"

Check out the new Single here, On the A-Side is "Overwhelm" and the B-Side is Fade. According to Amethyst Lemon, these songs will remain stand alones, and will not end up on the upcoming LP. But they are both already entering heavy rotation on Radio 1, and should tide listeners over until the new album is completed and released sometime next year.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiSJdqFRGyg]
"Overwhelm" the new Single from Amethyst Lemon

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10HPRK6ZZrY]
"Fade", the country-flavored Noise track on "Overwhelm's" B-Side

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Emperor holds audiences with members of Beiteynese Neset
Chancellor Affirms ongoing "Friendship" for Yeudi people
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 7, 5553


Chancellor of the Empire, Dame Lindsay Ontiveros-Maxwell meets with Neset Members at Wilson House

His Imperial Majesty, The Emperor Fredrick II Ananto met this week with members of the Beiteynese Neset at Wilson House in Kaliburg. The formal Audience between the Emperor, The Chancellor of the Empire and Neset financiers Jeremiah Aristocrat and Talia Keshef was aimed at ensuring key members of the Beiteynese diaspora of the Empire's continued open attitude and friendship toward Beiteynu. The formal meeting was behind closed doors, as all formal audiences are, but following the Audience, the Chancellor accompanied Mr. Aristocrat and Ms. Keshef at a reception held in their honor in Wilson House's Grand Hall. The trio was greeted by Her Highness the Princess Consort Pavlina Ananto-Hulanevek, who introduced her daughter, Her Highness the Minor Princess Carolina to the visiting guests of honor.

Jeremiah Aristocrat is the West Majatran Director of Aristocrat Insurance Group, which is a significant funder of various Neset activities around Terra. He is a member of the Aristocrat House in the House of Elior, and is therefore by strange coincidence, also nobility, as his name implies. Madam Keshef, also a member of the Keshef house in the Elior Dynasty, spends time doing major financial and finance services business in Narikaton and Darnussia. The two guests were personally invited by His Imperial Majesty to Wilson House, the Emperor's personal Palace in the parklands of south Kaliburg, and were introduced to several major financial actors in Kalistan, including His Grace, the Grand Duke of Kalistan, Mark Ananto-Orleans, who continues in his role as Director of House Ananto, as well as all independent Anantonese Nobility and many from the mainland, and heads of several major Private Sector corporation including SSC, KNP and KMD.

During the Reception, as the guests were settling in for after dinner sweets, the Chancellor of the Empire, Dame Lindsey Ontiveros-Maxwell rose to provide the speech for the evening. Her comments were brief and focused on a reaffirmation of the friendship and welcoming bonds between His Imperial Majesty and the Yeudi People.

"My Lord, our Sovereign, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick II Ananto has instructed me to reaffirm for the Empire, in his name, the eternal friendship and respect Kalistan has for the Yeudi People all around the world and in Kalistan itself," said Dame Ontiveros. "It is a well known fact that many members of the Yeudi diaspora both live and work freely here in Kalistan. We are sensitive to many of the struggles the Yeudi people face worldwide, in terms of persecution and prejudice for matters of conscience.

"But except for Beiteynu, the Yeudi people have never been more free to practice their own cultural traditions free of all harassment or bigotry more than right here in Kalistan. We have always welcomed our Yeudi friends and neighbors as one and the same with those of us who do not trace our ancestry back to the Homeland. In Kalistan all Yeudis, secular, liberal, conservative and orthodox have a full and public life: in fact the only difference is in how we pray. In all other things, Yeudis are as much a part of our society as the Brethren, and both from myself, and as the acting voice of the Emperor on this matter, we say that Kalistan reaffirms her perpetual friendship and welcome to those in the diaspora who want to come to Kalistan, to visit, or to make a life for themselves and their family, to work in local shops, or to open doors to their own. Religious and cultural persecution is not a thing in Kalistan and if it ever threatened, the Yeudi people have our full assurance that it will be prosecuted out of existence.

"On that note, it is our opportunity and pleasure to extend the hand of peace and brotherhood to our Yeudi guests and the people they stand in for today, both in the Diaspora and in the Homeland. We should look and take every opportunity to strengthen our ties with one another, for our mutual and equal benefit. The Yeudi People always have a home in Kalistan, and most important, it is a secure home. We want you to dwell with us, we want you to interact with us as equals, we want you to feel and be as safe here as you are at home. It is important to His Imperial Majesty, and it is important to all of us that the Disapora knows that Kalistan welcomes you."

The Chancellor's speech was received enthusiastically by the guests of the reception and the two Neset representatives thanked the Chancellor for her kind words.

While it may seem strange that Kalistan is permitting a meeting between non-state actors and the Emperor, and some wonder if inviting members of the Beiteynese Neset to Kaistan might be seen as pandering, the Chancellor, after the reception had ended, was at least candid. "Kalistan wants to increase a presence in eastern Seleya and in Majatra. And what better way than to offer olive branches to countries like Wrnuke and Beiteynu? They made the time to come to His Imperial Majesty's Wedding celebration. What better way to repay a compliment with solid policy that will serve us all down the line? It does not cost much for Kalistan to affirm its friendship to people in the Diaspora: Kalistan actually is a friend to the Yeudi people, so this is a mere restatement of what we are already doing. But we of all people, understand how important it is to make the unsaid things said and to return compliments with compliments and credible opportunities for cooperation. This was a message more to the Beiteynese Government than anything.

"Our Neset friends understand that fully," said Dame Ontiveros. "They speak that language of influence and diplomacy well. They know what their showing up here means, and so do we, and we shall now let the cards fall where they may."

When asked if she thinks that this will endanger other new starts that Kalsitan has in other Majatran nations, like the Microchip processor deal recently inked with Wrnuke, the Chancellor waved away the concerns. "That, like this is business. And we hope even Beiteynu's rivals understand it in those terms. And if not, the Emperor is committed to ensuring that all benefit in all these arrangements. Because it is more important for us to make new friends than it is to take sides in any conflict, real or imagined." She then stopped and smiled, "... with anyone but Baltusia I suppose." That said, however, the Chancellor also announced that His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor also greeted the news that the new King of Wrnuke, the now King Bunjamin, has ascended to his nation's Kingship, and opted to say "No Comment" on the proclamation of a Khaganate and claims to various titles in western Majatra. "His Imperial Majesty believes it might be too early to issue any statements about the developments in Majatra, and we tend to stay out of purely internal Majatran affairs regardless."

The Neset representatives were in Kaliburg for three days, and each received tokens of friendship from His imperial Majesty. Neither was permitted to address the National Assembly, due to the law forbidding foreigners from speaking in the Legislative Chambers. But the Beiteyuese didn't seem to mind. "We will look for an opportunity to send representative to Beiteynu if we are ever invited," said Dame Ontiveros.

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Kalistani News in Brief: Emperor Creates new Titles as Crown Lands
Protests re-ignite in Gendaris; Amethyst Lemon releases followup LP
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 8, 5554


Amethyst Lemon's Widely Acclaimed Sophomore LP Somnambulism is released on KMI

Emperor Creates new Titles
In an indication of growing imperialist ambition in the light of he collapse of the Lourennais Monarchy, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick II Ananto, has ordered the creation of four new titles and the grouping of these four titles with existing titles which are claimed but not currently held into a new political designation known as "Crown Lands". These lands are historical possessions and claims that the Empire seeks to lay a marker down on, putting those states that hold the lands currently on notice that Kalistan will someday seek to restore its historical borders. The new Titles are King of Kerzon (southern Dolgava), King of Sekowo (northern Seko), Duke of Athosia (Eastern Baltusia) and Duke of Outannais (far western Lourenne). Of the four, only the Duchy of Athosia was ever a fully integral part of the ancient Anantonese Empire--It is the southern half of what was once Suldanor which connected Kalistan to Vintalli. The Kingdom of Kerzon and the Kingdom of Sekowo were colonial possessions of Kalistan, and the Duchy of Outannais was only controlled for a very short period of time before the land was usurped by Selucia during its imperial landgrab during the 19th Century. The National Assembly is currently voting on a bill that will add these titles to the Imperial Stile. They join the Kingdom of Andalay and the Kingdom of Vintalli in a new political designation known as "the Crown Lands", and it will be required to note the crownlands on all official maps henceforth. There is no hint that the Empire will pursue political control over these territories in the near future.

New Protests spark in Gendaris
A new wave of pro-Democratic protests have sparked in Gendaris. The protests are mostly peaceful, and the Duke of Odufaray has ordered the police to practice restraint when dealing with the mobs, but groups of protestors have camped out in the main Plaza downtown for several days, and are holding teach-ins, delivering speeches, and discussing constitutionalism amongst themselves. "I've asked the Town government of Gendaris to ensure that the protests remain peaceful," said Her Grace The Duchess of Odufaray Martha Allistair. "Having met with a few of the protest leaders, we have agreed on some essential ground rules. I explained that people should have the freedom to express what they think about public affairs but my job is to maintain good order and authority in this Duchy, and I told them that we could either work together to ensure that both of our interests were met, or we could be opponents, and I would win. So far, it appears that the protestors have heard me, and are doing their part to keep the peace and police their own camps." The Duchess was optimistic that even if the protests spread, there feels like a new tone to the protests. "These demonstrators have their grievances, for certain. But I feel like we have an understanding, and that understanding can lead to positive conversations between the Government and the demonstrators. And if more people become more engaged in more cities across Odufaray, I think positive, if moderate reform can come of it." When asked about the proliferation of firearms in the rather large encampment in downtown Gendaris, the Duchess appeared unconcerned. "Firearm ownership is a part of Kalistani culture," Duchess Allistair said. "I would frankly be more surprised if there were no firearms present whatsoever."

Amethyst Lemon releases Somnambulism on KMI
The long awaited and highly praised follow up to the 5551 LP Bloom, by Kaliburg Noise Alternative musicians Amethyst Lemon has been released on KMI. Somnambulism is "just as loud" as Bloom, said Jan Helman, who writes for Kalistani Rawk Monthly. "But on this record, we see the band incorporating some dream pop elements into their music. It is even more disciplined than the music on Bloom, more professional sounding. It is certainly more psychedelic inspired, and though it can get really REALLY loud at times, like in the barnburner finale 'Gold Flicker', you also have really quiet tunes like 'Sucre' that rely less on distortion and more on chorus. Then there's the far more pop adjacent noise fest 'Can't Wait for Tomorrow'. This record really is a massive album, and will probably be on the top of the charts within a week." Along with the release of the LP, the first Single from the record, "When I Can", debuted at number 1 on the Radio 1 Singles Chart, and was subsequently voted in as Kalistan's entry for the upcoming FOMAT contest in Hobrazia. "'When I Can' is one of those songs that is so insanely loud, and yet so very pretty," said Helman. "The chord progression is very romantic, and the really lilty vocals is laid expertly over a wall of absolutely distorted noise. The harmonics in the chorus are literally the hook of the song. It is brilliant. Just a full masterpiece, and represents the height of the genre to date."

You can stream Somnambulism in full here, or Check out the Single for "When I Can" below. Amethyst Lemon is reportedly amazed that people would pick their song to represent the entire Empire before the international audience at FOMAT, but are nonetheless honored and have agreed to attend.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbu_K41efvY]

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Her Grace, Duchess Martha Allistair Odufaray murdered in Eshar
"She was on a mission of peace," announced Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 4, 5554


Duchess' assassination outside Eshar-Regent Hotel in Eshar provokes backlash from Kaliburg

The capital of Odufaray was rocked with violence yesterday as pro-democracy protestors carried out an extremely elaborate program to trap and assassinate the Duchess of Odufaray, Lady Martha Allistair outside the doors of the Eshar Regent Hotel in Eshar. Several members of the protest movement who were at the scene have also been killed by police when they open-fired on the emergency medical personnel who arrived on the scene to try to save the Duchess' life. In all, 6 people died and 5 more were wounded in what has turned out to be the most bloody episode in an ongoing cycle of violence on the Mainland.

The saga that ended in the death of the Duchess and 2 EMS workers, as well as 3 assassins began with the Duchess receiving a call that members of the pro-democracy camp sought to meet with her at the Eshar Regent Hotel. As she resides in Eshar, the drive from her home to the Hotel was to be about 20 minutes. When her car left her townhouse, two sedans began following her. The tail was spotted immediately, and the Duchess ordered her driver to begin taking back streets to try to lose her pursuers. The incident became a somewhat high speed chase through the streets of downtown Eshar, but at a crucial moment, a third sedan appeared and became shooting at the side of the vehicle. Suddenly, the pursuit broke off and the Duchess phoned local police to ask them to meet her at the Eshar Regent when she arrived.

As her car pulled into the loading zone in front of the building at top speed, the Duchess exited the car and was joined by her security detail to begin walking toward the building. Three men, dressed in masks exited just then and opened fire with .38 caliber pistols, mortally wounding the Duchess, who fell on the spot. Her body guards, who were themselves wounded in the gunfire, took up position behind the car as the assassins continued a steady salvo, and repeated attempts to retrieve the Duchess were met with more gun fire. When EMS arrived and attempted to assist the Duchess, they were fired upon as well. One was hit in the head and one was hit in the femoral artery, and both soon died of their injuries along with the Duchess. The standoff continued for less than 15 minutes, when police arrived and shot all three assassins who were in cover, but were trying to kill more people. The Hotel was closed and the Grand Duke ordered a curfew in Eshar.

"These acts of murder are intolerable," said Chancellor of the Empire, Dame Lindsay Ontiveros-Maxwell. "Duchess Allistair was a personal friend of mine, but more than that, she was a competent and fair administrator of the Duchy, and of all the peers, she was the most sympathetic to the supposed aims of the protest movement. Through her tireless calls for understanding, her duchy has known some peace. And when those animals murdered her for it, she was headed to a meeting with protest leaders who were working for a way to come to terms with the government. Instead of honoring her mission of peace, they chased her through the city, trapped her in front of a hotel and gunned her down and then they ambushed people who came that might have saved her life."

The Chancellor continued to say that the proposed plebiscite to be held to discuss reforms was now "obviously off the table." His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor has ordered the Ministry of Justice to begin investigating who was responsible for the planning and execution of this assassination, and so far, preliminary reports point to an underground organization known as the Liberty Brigade, who are known to Intelligence as being aligned with right wing labor movements in the country. "We are not sure if the Liberty Brigade is receiving support from foreign actors, but their goal seems to be to promote their version of 'liberty' which includes small government, the end of health, safety and environmental regulations and national service, and the creation of a free market economic system in Kalistan," said the Chancellor. "They are your standard anarcho-capitalists, but they have made alliances with labor organizations, especially ones that are subtly nativist, and have the potential to spread their ideology in Kalistan." She also noted that their leadership is wanted for questioning on several counts of political violence, and she believes that can be tied in important ways to the protests that have been rocking the country over the last few years.

"These individuals seem to have decided to become a terrorist organization," said the Chancellor, "and so it is reasonable that they be treated like one. The calls they make for more democracy are particularly seductive to people in this country who still, despite all our efforts, have it in their head that any sort of democracy at all is a good thing. But make no mistake: this group, and other instigators and assassins who have aligned themselves with this supposedly pro-democracy grass roots movement, are more like parasites. They will take over the movement and use it for their own goals, and it won't end well for anyone, not in Kalistan, not in Ananto, and certainly not in population as a whole."

For their Part, Liberty Brigade has denied any involvement with the assassination of the Duchess, and most of their leadership has gone into hiding, possibly leaving the country. Their political directory, the outlawed Patriotic League for Liberty, have issued a statement decrying the "harassment of this Emperor and this Government against honest people simply attempting to express a viewpoint. The PLL does not endorse violence against nobility. We are loyal subjects of His Majesty the Emperor, and simply seek an opportunity to participate in a fair election which is not rigged against the people of this Country. If the Emperor's Government would allow us to just simply compete, they would see, we would be able to put together a clear majority in this country. But the game is rigged against us by the very people who are in control of the refs and is as corrupted as the day is long. As a result, the people have no choice. It wouldn't surprise me if some of them did turn to violence. But it is not our hand that is turning them that way."

The Curfew in Eshar will remain in effect for two weeks, as Duchy Authorities work with Eshar County Officials to break up all pro-democracy formations within the City. Similar actions are being planned against other pro-democracy groups in Odufaray and Vrassa. His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor has ordered all flags to be flown at half mast in memorial of the slain Duchess and the brave emergency workers who tried to save her.

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Liberty Brigade compound raided
Shock early morning raid surprises Militant Group
Reynoldia, Duchy of Suldanor
September 30, 5554


Police make 300 arrests of Liberty Brigade members in pre-dawn raid

Police and Militia under the direction of the Duchy of Suldanor and His Imperial Majesty's Ministry of the Interior have completed a surprise early morning raid on a militant compound run by the illegal terrorist organization known as the Liberty Brigade. The Compound was outside Reynoldia, in Suldanor, and was completely over run by police and militia units before 7am local time. More than 300 arrests were made on the site, and no fatalities were reported.

The operation commenced at about 6:10 am, as militia forces coordinating with Duchy Security forces scaled walls and captured four guardposts along the fence line. Maintaining the element of surprise, the militia units then cut the concertina wire and allowed units under special weapons and tactics to quietly and safely enter the compound, where they quickly over ran four other guard posts and went building by building, waking Brigade members up room by room with tear gas grenades. Several of the members were in bed together when the grenades flooded their homes with the noxious gas, and as they came running out of the house, the were apprehended by armored police officers.

"It was an amazingly clean operation" said Sergeant Frank Middleton, of the Suldanor branch of the Institutional Militia. "Each team did their job and we all worked together like a well oiled machine." Middleton said the entire team had been preparing for this operation for three weeks. "We were tipped off in late August about the existence of this compound in the neighborhood, and after investigating it, we discovered that the people in it were affiliated with the Liberty Brigade, who are wanted in connection with the assassination of Duchess Martha Allistair."

The team captured 315 militants and associates, some of whom were significant others of the militants. In addition to the arrests, the team seized more than ₭230,000 of black market crystal methamphetamine and heroin, ₭250,000 in cash, significant amounts of foreign produced pornography and stacks of racist and anti-foreigner propaganda. "The way these people talk about our Empress is just revolting," said Middleton. "They have crude drawings of her on their walls, and the pamphlets about her are unconscionable. It is not illegal to have these materials, because Her Majesty the Empress is not the sovereign, but it is very distasteful and vulgar, and the (police) chief (Albert Weiland, chief of Duchy Police) has ordered that material burned."

In addition to contraband seized during the raid, Kalistani police also discovered pamphlets referring to the Autonomous State, and talking about reuniting the two Suldanors under the Autonomous State's Flag, and liberating the workers to own their own property and to do to others what others have done to then. "By Autonomous State, we assume the literature means 'Baltusia', since that is what they call the territory now. And we weren't sure if this was actually produced by Baltusians, or if it was just produced with them." Among the pamphlets, authorities confiscated a book on bomb making, and a stock of firearms that would make any veteran collector jealous.

"The connection to Baltusia would be very troubling," said Suldanor's Police Chief Martin Rosa. "Since a lot of it is in pro-worker gibberish, and talks about the armed struggle of the liberated proletariat, we assume that Kalistan is a target for destabilization by our Southern Territories. It is mostly unintelligible, it has so much communistical jargon in it. If IBSI is able to link it to Baltusia, it will greatly hurt the already strained relations between the two Northern Seleyan Nations." Baltusian origin or not, those who are affiliated with this armed gang of thugs look to spend decades, if not the rest of their lives, incarcerated.

"We broke up this compound today," said Chief Rosa. "But we have no reason to believe that this is all there is. Often underground groups can hide in plain sight. And when they activate in the underground and become sleeper assets, they become very difficult to locate.

"We got lucky today," said Chief Rosa. "This could have been a LOT worse: Luckily we got to them before they could get regroup and re stock their ammunition. It even surprised us how smoothly it went. But if one shot had been fired, this would have gone way different. We won't always be so lucky... At the end of the day, this is more a message to others: Terrorists are not welcomed in Kalistan." declared Police Chief Rosa.

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Empire at Crossroads
Tensions on Mainland and Encroachment from abroad challenge Ontiveros Administration
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 20, 5555


Ontiveros Administration adopts siege mentality in National Assembly while seeking new Opportunities

Kalistan is often known as a land of stability, to put it kindly. Others would say Kalistan changes at a geological pace. One way or another, the recent troubles have offered new challenges that would absolutely crush lesser administrations. As for the current Government under Chancellor of the Empire, Dame Lindsey Ontiveros-Maxwell, Kalistan is facing numerous issues that are testing her and her Government's resolve and credibility, and her response to the sudden and unexpected dynamism in domestic and world events could be described as "a bunker mentality." And yet, she also shows her nimbleness at policy, and demonstrates why she still is the unequivocal leader of the Institutional Party of Kalistan and the Head of His Imperial Majesty's Government, despite all the ongoing conflicts in the world.

"Kalistan is suddenly surrounded by people seeking to pick up the scraps of the unexpected dissolution of the world order created by Lourenne's withdrawal from world affairs," said Dame Ontiveros at a party planning retreat in Kaliburg last week. "Luthori is once again making noise about their commonwealth ambitions which will bring an historically expansionistic Artanian empire right into Kalistan's home. And the Baltusian proletarian revolution seems to be linked, even if informally to the terrorist organizations that are plaguing Kalistan Proper, with the aim of destabilizing this Government and this Empire. There is not one appropriate response to all these forces pushing inward. It feels like a fight on all fronts, all the time, all at once."

The mentality of being surrounded often leads to bad policy. His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor has more or less given Dame Ontiveros a free hand in addressing the domestic situation, while working very closely with Dame Jacqueline DuMont, His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister to attempt to create new avenues for international relations. "His Imperial Majesty has sought to create new friendships in Likatonia, Wrnuke and Beiteynu," said Dame DuMont. "while strengthening existing relationships with Lodamun and Kundrati. But the opportunism of Luthori following the Lourenne situation creates additional tension in Northern Seleya, just as we thought we were getting some breathing space. And we now also maintain a fully militarized border with Baltusia, due to their coddling of communists and support for terrorists who assassinate Kalistani Nobility. There doesn't seem to be a light at the end of this tunnel yet. And I fear it will get much darker before the dawn."

To underscore this attitude, the Foreign Minister has recalled the Ambassador to Luthori, Sir William Howard, in protest of their Commonwealth expansion plans. "Luthori has made it very clear that their motivation is to check Kalistan in Seleya," said Dame DuMont. "They have not reached out to us on any topic since we assisted them with building a monorail from their airport to their city center a decade ago. They opted not to attend the Emperor's Wedding. And now they are dispatching emissaries to Lodamun and Likatonia for the purpose of strengthening their Commonwealth in Seleya. They have let this Nation know where we stand with them." Dame DuMont did say, however, that Kalistan is looking for opportunities to work directly with other Artanian Nations, and the Emperor would like to travel in the near future to Kundrati with the Princess Consort to meet her family, and allow the Princess Consort Pavlina Ananto-Hulanevek some vacation time away from the rigors of life in present day Kalistan. "We will also pursue diplomatic openings and security cooperation with the Kundrati Government and President at that time under the Non-Aligned Movement treaty."

The one area where things seem to be progressing as normal, despite the disruption in the international pollical and security order, is in the economy. After more than a decade, Kalistan has finally returned to a tiny but not insignificant trade surplus, and prices are coming down for the first time in 12 years. "We are experiencing a period of deflation in line with about .35% a year," said His Imperial Majesty's Finance Minister, Vincent Rodrigues.

"This is in line with where Kalistan would like to be. A third of a percent will not dramatically affect anyone's pocket book or economic production, but producers will feel a squeeze for about three quarters as higher priced supplies are consumed to be replaced by lower priced ones. We have also ordered a fairly generous tax rebate program to producers to offset business losses due to deflation which we will extend for an additional year if deflation becomes more robust. During the whole period, we have seen prices increase more than 8%, while our economy has grown only 3 percent, and that deflation then is caused by consumers being accustomed to new norms in supply and adopting new purchasing habits rather than a glut in supply, which precedes deflation in market economies."

Over all, imports are down from Lourenne and other Canrillais states, but total trade volume is up to include new sources of trade and investment in Majatra, Keris and Dovani. "In the end, we are hoping for a feather fall in prices over a long term," said the Finance Minister. "This will make Kalistani goods more attractive on the international market including emerging and re-energized Majatran markets. For example, we have preliminary word of a new contract with the Potensi shipping company Derovyan for container ships built by the Sulari based SSC. This deal could be worth a quarter of a billion rubles when it is completed. New friends bring in new opportunities but it is safe to say that Kalistan can outcompete most, if not all international producers in our nationalized sectors. We are also well into a very encouraging investment in Wrnukean microchips that benefit Kalistani Consumers by maintaining KMD's profitabilities while allowing the company to lower prices for consumer electronics. And That doesn't even touch the investment we are making in the equipment necessary to produce those same microchips."

In the Security realm, His Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister, Colonel Martin Jackson, advised the Party leadership on efforts to increase security and intelligence in Northern Seleya with Lodamun. "The Lodamese aim to take up much of the security role carried out by Lourenne in Seleya," said Col. Jackson. "His Imperial Majesty aims to be of assistance in that goal. Naturally, our security interests do not extend south of Gaduridos or west of Likatonia, but within our sphere of interest, Kalistan looks to be a full partner with Lodamun in the security of the Anantonese Ocean, as we were with Lourenne. This includes full access to the Ananto Strait and the Meridian Straits for Lodamese Military vessels, intelligence sharing and possible reconsideration of basing questions. Of course, should Lodamun decide to lock arms with Luthori, the same terms wouldn't be open to Luthori as we would be able to offer to Lodamun. But Lodamun's interests in the region align with His Imperial Majesty's interests, and working together is almost assured for our joint benefit."

The Defense Minister also noted plans to approach both Likatonia and Kundrati on security issues. "Kalistan doesn't seek to project our power into the Mad Dog Ocean," said Col. Martin. "We have no reason to cruise there, and see our natural westward limits to be the Karzon Passage between Lodamun and Dolgava. But Likatonia and Kundrati seem to be logical places for Kalistan to seek the ability to build eyes and ears out into the direction of Artania. Our aim is to build radar installations to keep tabs on the Artanian Sea. Naturally, of course we would be willing to share our Intelligence with the host nations, but the benefit we would get from putting an OTH radar station in Likatonia and Kundrati would certainly be of great value to Kalistan, and it would serve as early warning for both Kalistan and the nations that the installation is built in." Capt Martin also discussed openness to joint training exercises with all three nations and closer security cooperation between Kalistan and other Equifund Nations.

Kalistan may be under constant threat from internal enemies, and new rivals on the international stage, but "We are creative and we adapt to new situations pretty quickly," said Dame Ontiveros. "Our reputation of the country where change goes to die is well deserved, but we also possess a dynamism and a willingness to make the best of a generally bad situation that has allowed us to weather many worse storms. Our Government is stable, it enjoys the full confidence of the Emperor and the support of the vast majority of the people in Kalistan. This is political Capital that we can turn into our advantage when the time comes. We are ready for all challenges and we hope to meet them, with a smile or knife, either way, we will do so."

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Kalistani Regular Navy steps Forward with new ASW Prototype
KMC NH-20 employs Magnetic Anomaly Detection to find modern submarines
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
March 19, 5555


The KMC NH-20 to enter large scale production in Suldanor

KalMilInCo today announced that it has received the green light from His Imperial Majesty's Defense department to begin large scale production of the Helicopter known as the NH-20. During prototype phase, several systems were improved on Kalistan's standard rotary wing aircraft to enhance the helicopter's subsurface detection and ASW capabilities. The Ministry of Defense announced that several of these new Helicopters will be deployed with forward units of the Regular Navy, but most will remain at Naval air stations and will serve as a full time anti-submarine defense network.

"Kalistan has long had access to active and passive sonar buoys that have helped us keep tabs on surface and subsurface traffic in and around the Northern and Southern Limits," said Naval spokeswoman Commander Natalie Eastman. "These buoys are themselves variants of scientific sensor arrays that help geologists detect underwater anomalies like earthquakes or eruptions at very long distances. However, in recent decades, they have received a specific naval mission because we also learned that a sonar buoy sitting in the middle of the Strait could also pick up passing ships. Most university scientists would dismiss this noisy, obviously human generated traffic, but a few formed KMC operators began tracking those sounds, and could soon tell the difference between military and civilian traffic. From there, they contacted members of the Regular Navy and compared the data they had found with classified tracking data from passive and active sonar on surface and subsurface traffic, and found that the subsurface sonar buoys provided robust target acquisition that was as accurate as submarine sonars and more accurate than surface based sonars. Thus the naval application was born."

Several decades ago, the Empire announced its desire to send sonar buoys into the Straits and the Northern Anantonese Ocean as part of a large scale traffic monitoring program. "IBSI did deploy more than 300 sonar buoys into the Ocean during that period," said Commander Eastman. "But there were two issues with that program. First, During regular wargames, fleets would always aim to take out the sonar Buoys: They were easily visible from the surface, as they needed to be to transmit data to naval vessels, and occasionally they would be destroyed simply by accident. Sailing a destroyer over one renders it utterly unserviceable." But the second weakness of the program, according to the Commander, is that the data takes, in relative terms, a mind-numbingly long period of time to be received. "Keep in mind, these buoys were meant to record seismic anomalies over months and then conduct data dumps a few times a year. Improving transmission time proved to be difficult in the waters of the Strait especially, and it would sometimes take four hours for the buoys to transmit their data. By the time it can be acted upon, the contact may have travelled a hundred nautical miles in one direction or another. Theoretically, the war could be over before anyone actually was able to analyze the data, so the program was scrapped."

According to the Commander, the Navy worked on these two problems for years. "We thought of everything," said Commander Eastman. "We thought of large ship based arrays, we thought of towed arrays. We tried to locate a ship near the buoy to receive and retransmit data... None provided us with a very practical, and more importantly safe way of collecting sonar data from the middle of the sea on a reliable basis, in a way that would permit us to keep our eyes open at all times, and prevent naval units from being able to effectively counter our abilities with their own."

But then she said, the Navy began testing out an air based system. "The idea is: The sonar buoy is mounted on a helicopter. It can be lowered by winch into the sea, do a scan, listen for a period of time, be re-raised and head to another location. With this system, we can theoretically have eyes and ears on the entire Strait and all international waters adjacent to our national territory during a conflict without creating easy targets for enemies. The Helicopter mounted sonar buoy was a real revolution in our thinking, and we tested these out on standard cargo helicopters five years ago. They have since been deployed in the blue waters adjacent to our coasts."

After five years, the Navy came back to KMC and informed them that they needed two major improvements in the program. "We asked for a specifically long range helicopter that could operate the buoys that could be lightly armed with air based torpedoes incase a target of opportunity came into view, and we asked if there was any way to detect the modern internal drive electrical motor submarines. We found that even against Kalistani subs, and especially on our continental shelf, our passive and active sonar detection was unreliable. It did a better job at sea, but ships running silently were still very difficult to detect." So KMC set about to develop a lightweight, long range helicopter that could carry a number of sonar buoys, as well as an optical scanner and a new device called a Magnetic Anomaly Detection System, that could be used effectively up to 300 feet. The new systems would provide immediate data to tracking computers which could be relayed to ships in the area, and could remain invisible to submarine crews who were oblivious to the presence of a helicopter that is tracking them.

"The magnetic anomaly detection system was a brilliant solution to the problem of all the noisy sonars receive in shallow waters," said Commander Eastman. "A very sensitive magnetic sensor flys over an area, and if it encounters large metal objects, it notifies the crew of the presence of a ship in the ocean. Mounted on a helicopter that is tracking the ship, the targeting computer can receive range, speed and orientation data as the submarine slips through the water." At optimal tracking height, the MADS can 'see' about 300 feet below the surface of the ocean.

"We first asked about adding these systems to drones," said Commander Eastman. "But UAVs are better for sweeping an area than tracking. What was needed was indeed a helicopter that could stay with a target until it could be intercepted by surface or submarine units. Human operation was key for this kind of mission: A man in a seat can interpret data in real time and then forward that data to the fleet operating in the vicinity. While drones have a distinct all weather advantage, the helicopter remains a far more versatile and useful vehicle for this sort of sub hunting mission."

Field tests gave the new Helicopter, called the NH-20, an A, putting its detection rate at 94.5% against Kalistani submarines and 100 percent against Kalistani surface vessels. "In the Green Waters, we detected 100 percent of submarines," said Commander Eastman. "But in the blue waters, when a submarine was not moving, we did not see it. This of course counted as a miss." One of the main weaknesses of the system is its inability to operate in all weather. "We don't get a lot of hurricanes in Kalistan," said Commander Eastman. "But I imagine that if we were at war, hurricanes will not stop just because we need to see submarines. The Helicopters, however, will remain grounded in that sort of weather, and the Navy will have to rely on its other technology, which is good, but not perfect."

Another weakness is that occasionally, when a submarine was running shallow, at a depth of less than 45 feet, the NH-20 could easily detect it, but the submarine could detect the helo as well, and could theoretically deploy anti-aircraft countermeasures before the Kalistani Navy could intercept the submarine. "This is a vulnerability of the helicopter. At depths between 50 and 500 feet, the helicopter was invisible to our submarines." Additionally, there is no telling how the helicopter will fare against nuclear powered submarines. "...but only in the deeps," said the Commander. "We have modern sub detection for nuclear subs, but the helicopter based ASW tech will give us the most advantage where nuclear submarines try to sail closer to the shores to avoid active sonar."

The new Helicopter will begin mass production at the KMC aircraft lines in Sulari this summer, and will begin deployment from naval airstations in Yoshimi, Port Swede, Dulnerstaad and Bozo River by October.