When it rains....

[Pachamama]

"WHAT" Minister Yar jumped out of his chair.
He had learned to restrain himself. For a foreign minister, an emissary to other nations representing his country he had always believed this to be the most important trait of his job.
But this news had the man loose his control.
"How many. That is absurd. That`s 2/3 rd of our entire population. There is no way we can support so many people"
"They say it will happen over the next few months" the voice at the other end said.
Minister Yar had started to walk over to the window of his luxurious hotel room at the UFS conference center.
He looked out the window.
"The next few months. Don`t give me that." he said "We both know from the reports that they may not have the next few days"
"How many can we immediately take on?" he asked watching the people on the Plaza below going about their business under the watchful eyes of the ever present MP.
"200,000 right away and the President has promised another 2,000,000 within a month.
The Minister of defense has been called to an emergency meeting together with the Minister of Health care and welfare. They want you to join as soon as you can. we are putting a video conference up. Don`t know if it works but I will keep you informed."
"Tell them I will try to contact other nations. Maybe some of them can take in some refugees." Minister Yar said.
"This is going to hell in a hand basket. just when we had the treaty for Easteros hammered down. Treaties come and fall apart these days faster than you can count them."
"I will tell the conference immediately and good luck Minister Yar" the voice at the other end of the phone said and hung up.
As soon Minister Yar turned towards the phone and started to dial up a few numbers.

[Pachamama]

The three men sat together over large mugs of coffee.
„Well what can we do?“ a huge man with the frame of a bear asked.
„So far I have ordered our Air Force on increased alert but they are still on standby. No need to get a flock of planes in the air. So far we are to far removed from this to even be hit by a stray missile.“
The man said. He was as massive as President Folong. Wearing a black suit and sunglasses he sported three clearly visible scars across the left side of his throat.
„I also have ordered General  Cuetlachtli to take care of everything. I trust him. He has just send me the report that he is going to deploy the Army and Navy construction corps to the City of Yacatecuhtlititlan to build up a refugee camp. Otherwise he has put the army on standby alert and recalled every man from leave.”
“Luckily” a bald man on the other side of the table said we have enough money in our welfare budget to support this but it will not br easy to house 200,000 people in a moment.”
“Don`t worry Minister  Moccha” the Minister for defense said. “The General has given order to pull out all tents and deploy them. Our soldiers won`t need them as they are ordered to stay in the barracks. But we will have to come up with something better.”
“We could rebuild old Containers and trailers as homes, at least to provide temporary shelter.”
“What about your Disaster Relief Office” the President asked Moccha.
“We are just in the start up stages after the last war the UASS fought against Ryazania. Nearly all our people have been deployed to the current effort to provide relief for the Ryazanians on behalf of the Xyraelite government.” the bald man answered.
“On another note I would like to contact M-Tech.Maybe they would supply uds with equipment and manpower.”
“Well Mister President, speaking of manpower I think it is not to much to ask from the Refugees to assist us in building their  own shelter. We can provide them with materials and tools.”
“That is a good idea. Miss Mochtitla please call M-Tech and ask them about their aid.” he said to the young woman that was standing by on a table with a phone.
Minister  Quauhtli picked up the phone in front of him. “Patch me trough to General  Cuetlachtli” he said.
The door opened and a man came in.
“Excuse me Mr. President, Ministers. This just came in from Minister Yar. He is going to contact other nations to take up some refugees. But he says it will be difficult.”
“What else did he have to say?” the President asked.
“Nothing else Sir. He seemed quite upset.”
“Well we should trust him. So far he has done good. Well gentlemen time to get to work.”

[Pachamama]

Outside the city of Yacatecuhtlititlan the air was filled with clouds of dust and the roar of diesel engines mixed with the hissing sound of hydraulics and clanging of metal threads.
Bright yellow civilian equipment mixed with olive drab military construction machinery.
Dozers cleared brush and rocks from the area close to the coast. Wheel loaders shoveled away what the dozers brought in.
A hydraulic excavator dug a trench while soldiers unloaded plastic pipes and partially filled the trench with gravel. The pipes were put in and welded together, then the trench was filled with more gravel. Soon the pipes would conect to the city's drainage system ensuring that waste water was taken care of.
“In a camp like this hygiene is of the utmost importance. Minister Moccha said to the man standing next to him. The man was old with a wrinkled face and skin even more tanned than that of the usual Terrangan.General Yaotl Cuetlachtli had come personally to get himself a picture of the progress at the camp.
„I heard this is turning into a full scale war. According to our Intel service they are deploying nuclear weapons“ the General said.
„This is utter madness“ Moccha replied.“How could this have come so far?“ he spoke the last sentence more to himself.
„Obviously our efforts at peace were not enough“ the General replied. „If we survive this I will put in a request to enlarge our defense forces. If it`s not too late already“ he said.
The two men watched the work in silence for a moment.
A huge grader was rolling over the ground leveling the terrain.
Trucks were unloaded by more soldiers and civilian workers as well as volunteers.
Tents were put up and concrete poured in wooden frames to build foundations.
Minister Moccha grabbed his cell phone.
After a short conversation he turned to the General.
„I have to leave now. The first ship with refugees is coming in.“
„I will return to the HQ. I got a ton of work.“ the General replied.
Both men walked away to their respective cars.
And this was just the beginning.

[Pachamama]

“How many made it?” the man asked.
“8,320 so far but I think that was it” Minister Moccha said his voice sounding like he has gaegeld with acid.
“The Peoples Republis of Chinese Loyalist is gone. A nuclear holocoust at their own hand. What madness” President Folong shook his head.
“We have offered Salestia humanitarian aid but so far they have not replied. We can divert some more help to them now that we won`t have to deal with as many refugees from the PRL”
“We should keep in mind our own population. The entire north of Easteros is a flame. Also the nuclear weapons deployed by PRL forces were huge and detonated close to the ground. There may be massive fallout. Our neutrality will not protect us from that. Currently the wind blows not in our direction, but the airstreams will carry some of it over sooner or later.
I have ordered NBC troops to the northern borders to check for radiation and assist our troops inpreparations for NBC defense..
Also we are preparing a few aircraft with sensors to check radiation in the upper atmosphere.
We have however barely enough shelters. Also the people in the jungle and mountain regions, especially those in small towns will be hard to inform and evacuate.” Minister  Quauhtli said.
“We can just hope for the best. Our Air Forces weather squadron was never more important. They are working double shifts trying to calculate the weather patterns.”
“Our scientists are preparing solutions to protect as many people as they can from possible fallout. They too are working day and night” the young woman said with a voice that showed the many hours she had spent crying as clearly as her face did.
Now she was trying hard to sit upright and concentrate on the task at hand.
Maiana Citlali Minister of science and education had burried herself in her work but sometimes the size of the disaster overcame her. She was glad that her parents had died a long time ago. That madness the world had come to would have broken their hearts.

[Pachamama]

“Doctor Hielo” the man said helping the woman out of the car “I would like for you to leave this to me. I have invited you to observe the proceedings.”
Minister Yar looked around. He had returned to the homeland just a few days ago. If his country was to perish in this utter and absolute  madness he at least wanted to die aside his countrymen.
There were two police cars standing at the entrance to the refugee camp that held what remained of the PRL.
The policemen were a bit unsure. They stood around like they were waiting for something.
“Let us go Sergeant.” Minister Yar said to one of the men dressed in a white uniform.
The policeman followed him and the woman into the compound.
They were greeted om their way in by a man of around 50 years of age.
“Doctor Ling Kwan” Minister Yar bowed shortly before the old man.
“May I introduce this is Mister Ling Kwan, and he is not the man we are looking for. He has been appointed spokesperson of the refugees.”
Doctor Hielo looked around the well organized and clean camp.
She had the look on her face that expressed deep mistrust and a certain amount of disgust.
“Do they know why they are here?” she asked.
“Well I don`t know what they are told by the remains of their government but we don`t forbid them to read the newspapers.If they believe what they say I can not know,” Minister Yar said.
Doctor Kwan would you please lead us to the “group”.?” he asked the the old man.
Then he turned to the discretion ambassador. “Madam as you can see these refugees are mostly civilians. I do not want to create a riot. So whoever we are going to meet I count on your discretion.”
“I understand. I will try my best despite the fact that they probably killed millions not only of our but also of their own people.” she said with a biter voice.
The group of politicians and policemen was led to a container. A man was sitting on a concrete stair in front of it. He rose as the group approached.
A few words were exchanged and the group entered.
The inside of the dimly lid metal casket was hot and damp. 2 fans were fighting of the heat.
A group of men was sitting around a table.All of them word civilian clothing.
They stood up as the group entered. Two policemen remained outside to stand guard.
“These men are what remains of the Loyaist government as far as our nation is concerned. We know of no others except the people at the former Loyalist embassy whose status is unclear at the moment.” Minister Yar said.
The group of men bowed.
“These are General Asin Mia and Foreign Minister Jia Lian with part of their staff. “
“Gentleman I must inform you that the government of Saletsia has filed a lawsuit against you for alleged war crimes. We are forced to take you into custody until a international  and NEUTRAL tribunal can be brought up for trial.” Minister Yar spoke the word neutral clearly.
"Also I must say that I am  unsettled by the fact that you formed a preliminary government here at the camp without consulting us first."

[Pachamama]

„Status report everyone please“ the Terrangan president Rokan Folong said bringing an end to the papershifting and file shuffel on the table.
Minister Talman Yar stood up
„We have offered refuge to the nations of Saetsia, Xyrael  the former PRL and the UFM.
So far everyone except the Union has accepted our offer. The Xyraelites have asked for additional medical personal to be send to their refugee camps.
We have made a plea to other nations to send us support. We are as far as I know not in a tight spot yet but I want to be prepared should we get there.
Also I was personally present when we arrested a small group of members from the former PRL government and their military. We currently keep them in a prison outside any populated area. The other prisoners have been evacuated to other prisons.
Saletsia is sending us documents and a list of other persons from PRL they are holding responsible for the war in Northern Easteros.
So far it looks like we can prepare for a trial instead of a lynch mob stile hanging.
I will contact the PI and the new Loyalist government in exile.“
The Minister settled down take a large sip from the mug in front of him.
The next Person was the Minister of defense Atahualpa Quauhtli.
„First a note on the Prison compound. I have sent over units from the First Infantry Division and the 2nd Tank Battalion. Our forces are currently stretched thin as every soldier availiable is more or less involved in building refugee camps.Our fighter cover is solid so far but a few machines are showing their age.
We have solid Radar cover of our air space but this too is taking it`s toll. I will go to our contacts in other nations  to ask them for support. We could need a AWACS or two and some additional transport capacity. All our transports are currently tied up with the humanitarian mission to Northern Easteros.
Our navy is out on the ocean looking for survivors. They are coming in in bath tubs with shovels as paddles. But the stream of refugees from the PRL has turned to a trickle.“

Minister Moccha spoke up.
„We are so far able to supply aid to all refugees in our country but the humanitarian effort in NE is thinning out our ranks. We are already deploying Medical students in their last year and speeding up the exams.
The overall health level in the camps is good. I have asked for the refugees from PRL to be put to work assiting us in construction of the camp. Also we are currently organizing a refugee government that will help us coordinate putting healthy refugees to work on their camps themselves.
The greatest problems are now the refugees coming in from Xyrael. Most of these people are from the PRL and we expect massive trauma and radiation poisoning.
We are nowhere near as prepared for such a high rate of people suffering from radiation sickness and we have little medication to counter this.
We expect a high casualtiy rate here.Also i will try to employ docotrs from other countries to assist us.“

„The ministry of education is currently making an survey of the refugee camps. We are looking for teachers and scientists. The first to build up schools in the camps the second to assist us in reliefing this disaster.
Also we are building up training of Paramedics and nurses using the snowball system together with the ministry of Health and welfare.“ Maiana Citlali from the  Ministry of education and science had stopped crying a long time ago. She had returned to her work and also she was looking incredibly exhausted like everyone else she had found relief and stability in her work. The support from her husband and children was an additional bonus.

„Well done everybody“ President Folong said.
„You go ahead a splanned and keep me informed. I will state a general mobilization order to get every able bodied man we can spare into military service and on the relief operation. That`s it people now lets go to work. No time to waste.“

[Saletsia]

Dr. Hielo then opened her laptop, there a message for Terrangar's government:

To: The Government of Terrangar

The Imperial Saletsian Government hereby offers the Terrangar Air-Force 6 Embraer P-99 for radar surveillance purposes and 4 An-124 cargo/transport planes as a sign of our gratitude.

Another document was also shown:

Analysis of PRL actions in the current conflict

The conflict as is has been triggered by the People's Republic of Loyalist.
The Empire of Saletsia offers this document based on facts to underline its stance:

1) Hostility was started when the PRL changed sides by leaving the UASS and alligning itself with the former UASS enemy that is Myroria.
2) For military maneuvers, there had been a mobilization of troops in Saletsia and Xyrael upon which PRL and UFM responed with full mobilization and the militarizaion of its borders with the Empire.
3) Moreover, PRL's news broadcast station reported about Loyalist satellites spying on Saletsian and military installations upon which the Loyalist Government was sent an ultimatum by Saletsia - a chance for peace which the Loyalists chose to ignore, thus underlining the notion they did not intend to maintain peace and stability.
4) After the ultimatum was over and not responded to, Saletsia was forced to launch preemptive strikes against Loyalist military targets in order to avoid an attack that was likely to take place - considering recent activities of the Loyalist Government. Note: war was not declared and attacks by Saletsians were ceased after the selected strikes during which NO nuclear warheads had been deployed.
5) Athough the Saletsian Empire did not continue any attacks, the People's Republic of Loyalist launched a massive nuclear attack targeting Saletsian population centers proving to us that the Loyalists had planned the annihilation of the Saletsian people. Furthermore the attacks also affected Xyraeli forces taking part in maneuvers with the Saletsian Armed Forces.
6) The use of nuclear force by the Loyalist Government against its own people further underlines that it is guilty of war crimes and crime against humanity.

[Pachamama]

Minister Yar looked at the documents.
"Thank you very much Doctor for the assistance" he said.
"It is highly appreciated."
" I will also put the documents you have procured so far on file for review by the court.
I would also like to discuss the further proceedings. I know that your country is in a terrible situation but I must ask of you to assist us in assembling a court that will be accepted by everyone.
Also we need names and documents to these names. I want the persons guilty of those crimes to be punished to the full extend of the law as much as you do. But having innocent people prosecuted would put a bad light on this. We must be sure to get the right ones and for the court to have full backing by all involved. Even the PI.
Also if you wish to interview the prisoners I will have you brought to them. However I ask that a lawyer from Terrangar is present and we film the interrogation. Don`t worry I am just asking this so no one can lay claim later on that you tortured him.
We both know this claim would be ridiculous but you know how those things work."

[Union]

Message from the Provisional Government of Loyalist

1) Hostility was started when the PRL changed sides by leaving the UASS and alligning itself with the former UASS enemy that is Myroria.

Defunct as treaty states that any member may leave freely at any time.

2) For military maneuvers, there had been a mobilization of troops in Saletsia and Xyrael upon which PRL and UFM responded with full mobilization and the militarizaion of its borders with the Empire.

Cannot be consider a war crime as mobilization was a defensive response to military increase of stated nations,

3) Moreover, PRL's news broadcast station reported about Loyalist satellites spying on Saletsian and military installations upon which the Loyalist Government was sent an ultimatum by Saletsia - a chance for peace which the Loyalists chose to ignore, thus underlining the notion they did not intend to maintain peace and stability.

Defunct as new source reported false information. Saletsian officials did not wait for more detailed Loyalist response.

4) After the ultimatum was over and not responded to, Saletsia was forced to launch preemptive strikes against Loyalist military targets in order to avoid an attack that was likely to take place - considering recent activities of the Loyalist Government. Note: war was not declared and attacks by Saletsians were ceased after the selected strikes during which NO nuclear warheads had been deployed.

Ultimatum was given at short notice. Also, the firing of military munitions into PRL territory IS a declaration of war by default, as supported by international convention.

5) Athough the Saletsian Empire did not continue any attacks, the People's Republic of Loyalist launched a massive nuclear attack targeting Saletsian population centers proving to us that the Loyalists had planned the annihilation of the Saletsian people. Furthermore the attacks also affected Xyraeli forces taking part in maneuvers with the Saletsian Armed Forces.

Saletsia continue to threaten PRL with the use of military force. Also, ballistic systems were reprogrammed in response to the threat of Saletsian attacks.

6) The use of nuclear force by the Loyalist Government against its own people further underlines that it is guilty of war crimes and crime against humanity.

HOLA launched our nuclear response without Parliament consent. HOLA states that it had launch the preemptive attack in light of intelligence report showing that Saletsia was preparing to use nuclear weapons on Loyalist targets. This fact was reinforce when Saletsia launched precise nuclear attacks on Loyalist military installations. Hence, Saletsian charges can apply to itself as well.

[Saletsia]

Dr. Conchita Hielo laughed: "Indeed. We are quite aware of the Loyalists' ability in propaganda..hence I would say it is best to be very careful. As for names and such, I am told that we want to try all Loyalist government and military officials - only civilians are free of any accusations on our behalf", she paused and nearly whispered, "and to be frank with you, we have heard of reports of Loyalist officials that had gone to Canada to escape from the consequences of their actions. However we are sending in agents to hunt them. We hope our agents can catch those criminals"
She paused again and spoke in normal tone:
"Of course we would be more than willing to assist in the creation of an international war crimes tribuneral. It would also be wise to gather documents and reports from the Xyraeli side."

[Pachamama]

" I agree with you Doctor. However we must make sure to uncover the full extent of this.
Also extracting the Loyalist members from the PI may trigger a military response. I rather have them hand these people over trough court proceedings than have another army at our shores."

A man came into the office.
"Minister Yar. Document from the PRL exile government. Just came in by fax."
Minister Yar studied the documents then handed them over the Doctor  Hielo.
"Looks like they already have a response up. I will take this into the files as well. we should hurry with the assembling of the court. About Xyraeli files we naturally we will include all documents for review by the judges. Also it will be hard to find people for this position that will be accepted by all. I am going to contact the PI about this. May take some time. Please I ask of you to try and talk to your government not to do anything rash in the meantime."

[Xyrael]

To: The World
From: The Xyraeli State

The State will admit to using nuclear force against both UFM and PRL, after the mentioned states expressed their desire to use nuclear force.
The State will note that Clause 5 of the message from the Provisional Government does not respond approriately to the accusation that nuclear force was used primarily against civilian targets, instead of against Xyraeli and Saletsian military formations. Furthermore, the declaration of war against the Ryazanian country meant that these maneuvers were quite possibly meant to train Saletsian troops on how to combat Ryazanian forces.
The State will note that Saletsian second-strike nuclear capabilities were only deployed as a response to PRL nuclear first strike. Should Saletsia have had the intent of initiating first strike nuclear capabilties, it would have used them against UFM as well.
We would like to charge all HOLA Officers for war crimes in a joint Saletsian-Xyraeli Court.

The State has deemed it paramount that the wasteland once was PRL will now be forcibly annexed by the State and will be treated for radiation over the next several decades. The State will also be treating UFM territory as well as Saletsian territory, and prays that further use of nuclear force will not be necessary. We implore the world to assist the State with our efforts.

[Saletsia]

OOC: How did Loyalists get a look at a piece of paper I hand to a Terrangar official?

IC:

"I have to say, the Loyalists are really a weird people - very hard to figure out. All their arguments though are pretty much useless. We have the effects and they formally caused them all", said Dr. Hielo.

[Union]

Response from the Provisional Government of Loyalist

We like to bring out that the preemptive attack by Saletsia had also targeted our civilian populations in Anyia and Gandao.

Also, since the attack was authorized by HOLA military officials, I ask Terrangar to release all civilian officials from prison. The civil government of PRL had nothing do to with the attacks on Saletsia, and were only told by HOLA officials to evacuate the country. Also, our sources has stated that only a small group of top brass were involve with our nuclear response, all but one (Asin Mia) who perish in the unauthorized self-destruction of Loyalist.

We will gladly provide evidence on the prosecution of High General Asin Mia if the court so wishes it.

[Saletsia]

Dr. Hielo was shown the next message from the Loyalists and laughed:
"Good heavens, it is a well-known fact that these two cities have had a high concentration of military forces and installations which is why we bombed its outskirts - we spared the city centers themselves and the surviving ambassadors of various nations testify that."