Armed Forces Week: All Member Nations Invited! (op

[Shikeishuu]

As befits the important occasion of a public address from 'the Emperor's Voice' (the seniormost aristocrat who speaks directly to the people and who answers to the Emperor Himself), an honour guard flanks the podium from which the speech will be delivered, a military band striking up the national anthem amidst cries of 'present arms!' from the sergeant-majors of the several regiments formed up on dress parade. Television cameras from all around the Federation follow the progress of the Grand Duchess' entourage as she makes her way to the lectern, a saluting battery of 105mm howtzers lined up wheel-to-wheel firing a forty-one gun salute as a squadron of Shikeishuu's vaunted SH-101 'Shinken' high-speed interceptors, pride of its military aviation industry (and latest evolution of the Chimaera fighters it received during the war) roar overhead.

After accepting a formal salute from Field Marshal St. Bernard Montgomery, commanding general of the Shikeishan armed forces, the silver-furred female fox makes her way to the podium flanked by the general and by the Minister of Defence, the latter garbed in hakama and wearing a daisho as befits the occasion. Once Her Grace ascends onto the podium those civilians who have gathered to watch the official proclammation, these easily numbering in the tens of thousands, move almost as one in bowing their heads solemnly in deference to the Lady. Once the band has finished playing the national anthem and the guns have completed their thunderous salute, Her Grace the Lady Mariko, Duchess and Voice of the Imperial Throne, begins to speak.

"In order to celebrate our Empire's singular designation of having the largest military in the Federation (both in terms of 'per capita' and ' in total') and in being ranked in the top 500 (489th) in the same category out of all the NationStates, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Shikeishuu is proud to proclaim 'Armed Forces Week,' during which our Empire's fighting forces will conduct extensive maneouevres, parades, public exhibitions, and other similar activities."

"As every able-bodied male and female between the ages of sixteen and sixty are members of our military, be they regular forces or reservists, it is only appropriate for our Empire to shows its pride in our fighting forces and in our burgeoning arms industry by honouring our military in a manner appropriate to the millions who protect its people each and every day. We will also pay hommage to the Heroes of the Empire, millions of whom gave their lives so that our nation could continue of its own accord: strong, independent, free from foreign aggression and in control of our own destiny as opposed to being at the mercy of others. Let us never forget the devotion to duty our fallen comrades have shown, for it is their supreme sacrifice that paid the price for our sovereignty and it is to them that we owe no less than our very lives." After a brief pause and a silent, almost imperceptible nod towards a group of medal-bedecked battle-scarred veterans positioned near the front of the podium, many of whom are on crutches, in wheelchairs, or visibly handicapped in other ways, she adds "Only through an unfailing sense of duty to ourselves and to each other could we ever hope to repay the debt owed them; they who gave their lives that we might live deserve no less."

[Shikeishuu]

Note to Federation Members: official communiques have been sent to the heads of state for all Federation member nations inviting them personally (and/or whichever officials they wish to send such as Ministers of Defence, Ambassadors, Military Attaches, etc.) to participate.

The FFDF (Furry Federation Defence Forces) are expected to participate in the military exercises on an unprecedented scale as are the militaries of Shikeishuu's close allies such as that of the Union of Tinis. "Having literally millions of troops from multiple nations taking part in the exercises will help raise the region's readiness in terms of defence to previously unattainable levels especially in terms of interoperability," the official statement says.

Also of great importance will be exhibitions of the latest in arms and armaments as produced by the Federation's largest arms manufacturing industry, which is uniquely able through close proximity to other member nations and continual output from active production facilities able to arm member nations with unprecedented speed and unbeatably low prices (the latter through virtue of sheer volume and the fact Shikeishuu is always geared up for wartime production).

In short: You, yes YOU, can participate!

[Ciata]

:From Opalance Calaminion, Diacanos of the Chattan:

I am sorry to inform you that our forces shall not participate in yer practices. Mah clan has very little military, an of wot we do have, it is held in utmost secrecy. Our Raja Borah are our only defence, an they are all we need. A dozen of them could decapitate the leadership of a nation or cripple it's industrial might or find out any secret that exists. Our high guardians are trained an bred to the utmost perfection. While I kin not tell of our secrets here, I can tell you we have less than a thousand, an they are needed else where at this moment of crisis.

[The Union of Tinis]

I have dispatched Secretary of State Waldo to Shikeishuu in order to represent Tinis in the excersises. Supreme Commander Epshrin informes me that Commander Xon will also be arriving shortly with a contingent of Tinis' best and brightest. Though the units in question are rather green as far as experience goes, I am more than confident in their ability to participate in and excelle at the excersies. From what I hear, some of the soldiers who participated in the last joint excersies are as we speak using the valuable experience they gained from it to help in opperations in Shimandu.

Of course I would personally like to attend, but I feel it is best if I chair the council personally for the time being so that we may answer the question of Shimandu. Though I wish we could live in a world without war and bloody conflict, alas, it was not meant to be...at least as of yet.

-First Speaker Izixs of the Union of Tinis

[Vyl]

The Government and military of Vylland shall not participate in this to any great extent, being still unsure of the regional politics and relations. An acting ambasador and small token force has been dispatched, the latter may be of interest for training purposes - comparing our techniques, strengths and weaknesses may be beneficial.

The private sector is less reserved - arms manufacturer represtatives are already setting up in this concentration of customers, building reputation and interest for future use, though export of most military technology or equipment is not permitted at this time.

[The Union of Tinis]

"Glad you could make it," says the black ursine upon the arrival of the Secretary of State. "I had feared assasins might come after you as well."

"I'm afraid they would know getting relieved of my position either through death or injury would be helping me out. But how's the manuvers going Commander?"

The bear takes a sip of his tea before answering. "They're going well. I'm still amazed at the efficency of the Empire's military structure. Literally millions of active duty troops all being coordinated by their vast information and logistics network. If we were to simply scale up our current systems to that size would would have to go with five times the funding and personel they use."

A waiter comes to the table and Waldo orders tea as well.

"And their military technology is advancing quicker than we expected. Part of that is how they apply their funding and resorces of course. Its easier to redesign armor or aircraft than worrying about the molecular composition of a helmet. But both are important at the end of the day. And though they out number our military considerably, I feel in the last couple years we've begun to approch parity with them as far as effectiveness goes."

"Are you saying we haven't gotten there then?"

"Exactly. I may just be an old militaristic nationalistic fart, but I would rather see Tinis dominant militarily over diplomatically any day. And don't worry, I'm pretty damn sure the First Speaker knows my opinion on this matter. And I don't care."

"Fair enough. But I'm guessing you're happy about his pushes for military expansion this past year."

Commander Usil chuckles. "Yep. You could say that. And I think others are noticing. Besides Shikeishuu, we have the largest contingent here. That's gotta show for something. And we have units committed to the Shimandan problem."

"Did ya hear about the battle taking place in Ciata?" Waldo's tea arrives and he begins to drink it quickly as Usil responds.

"Heard a report a little bit before coming to see you about that Raja Borah the Ciata have beating up on an armored column. Impressive close range fighters. The invaders probably didn't know what hit them. Just like the Toson."

"The Toson?" Waldo finishes his tea. Usil continues to nurse his.

"Yeah, our aircraft that went down near the Ciata boarder. Right into the invading force's middle. Apparantly took out a missile battery and an interception laser, along with a number of other things of course. But back to the Ciata, the more I hear about them the more they remind me of when I was a kid with the houses and such, except more religious. I would think twice about sending a squad of young-uns after a veteran warrior of any of the old houses, all like five that are left of course. And I'd do the same about sending them against these Borah types. Even with full gear."

"What about the other nations. Your first impressions of them?"

The bear finally finishes his tea. "Well, the troops from Vyl showed up last night. They seem eager. The few scattered others appear about average. Nothing special, at least of yet. But sorry that our meeting had to be so breif but I'm due back at 'T command' in about an hour and need to get on the road."

"I'll probably see you again at the parade then?"

"Sure Secretary, but probably not a lot of chit chatting for that as I'll be marching myself."

"Well thanks for the informal breifing," the raccoon shakes hands with the bear. "And I wish you best of luck in the excersises."

"And good luck in all that diplomatic crap you do."

Waldo giggles, "Thanks."

[The Union of Tinis]

To: SoS - Waldo
From: F.S. Izixs
Subject: Usil

Epshrin is taking Usil and the troops out of Shikeishuu and deploying them along the Ciata boarder. Please give my appologies to Lady Mariko and Field Marshal Montgomery for our early departure. In person. Enjoy the rest of the festivities. Our advanced flight corp still has their demonstration tomarrow, try to attend. Oh, and could you get me a momento?

Enjoy!
-Izixs-