Posts from Actaea

Unfortunately, Shailion has temporarily left the pacifist club.

14 hours ago: Kittypink was ranked in the Top 5% of the world for Most Authoritarian (last census: Top 10%).

Still not in the top 1, but it's progress nonetheless.

Kvasardastan, Centrian State, Temple, Temple, council of directors meeting hall.
-I would like to draw your attention once again to the irrefutable facts and evidence of my theory!" - the short, plump middle-aged man in a worn suit continued, trying to find support in the dull, cold eyes of the people sitting at the table. He waved his short arms frantically, pacing from side to side in the spacious office, his rapid breathing mixed with wheezing and coughing, escaping from his chest, which rose with each breath. Sweat streamed down his face, obviously caused by nervous tension, but he continued his long monologue, not lowering his voice or stopping. He realized that he would never be able to convince these people and prove his point, but he didn't want to give up.
-...thus, you yourselves can understand what this might lead us to. Kvasardastan is simply suffocating!
-Just like you are now? - someone in the audience smirked, which caused a light chuckle to ripple through the room.
-Even worse than me. - the man ignored the taunt. - What is happening now is the right thing to do, but it is too hasty. I cannot prove this to you based on any data or graphs, but I assure you that the purely psychological level is often a much more weighty argument than statistics. In just a year, your program will have consequences that are deadly not only for the country itself, but for the entire continent! And you continue to modernize the armed forces, this is unacceptable! Listen, gentlemen. - the speaker pleaded, looking around the room. - You must believe me. The slightest malfunction in your "perfect mechanism" will lead to a breakdown that will simply be impossible to fix. Measures must be taken now...
-Enough. - a rough male voice interrupted the man, belonging to a tall, broad-shouldered man in his forties. He had short, neatly trimmed hair, and his dark green eyes radiated firmness and immeasurable ambition. A deep scar ran across his left cheek, from his temple to the edge of his lip, and the skin on the right side of his face was mottled and faded in places. His dry, thin lips barely moved, and his mouth was only slightly open, but despite this, his voice was full of energy, firm, and clearly audible. -We understand your point, Mr. Tarazh. And now, please leave the council meeting before the guards have to help you.
-But how? - the plump man asked in surprise, making a grimace of horror and despair on his face. -Don't you want to believe me? What I am doing is an absolute breakthrough in the field of research on the influence of human psychology on the mechanism of governing the country. In the future, this will be a highly paid profession, and now I am trying to help completely free of charge! Why don't you listen to me? - he pleaded, extending his hands to the directors. -Mr. President, I have always considered you to be an educated and reasonable man. You must, you must... - Tarazh's voice trembled, and his shoulders shook with barely suppressed sobs.
-Take him away. - Thomas said calmly. A few seconds later, the doors of the room opened, and a squad of armed guards grabbed the crying man and took him out of the room. -So, what were we talking about, gentlemen? - he turned to the others.
-It seems we touched on the developments that began during the reign of Kvasard the Great, dear. - said a well-dressed woman in her forties.
-Yes, thank you, Helga. - the president nodded. -As we have learned, Kvasard the Great was involved not only in the development of missile defense systems and a nuclear shield to protect the Temple. Recently, we began studying the underground level of the building, as well as deciphering data from his personal laboratory. And we discovered something... - Thomas paused for a moment, - something very interesting.
-Could it be a collection of personal pet killer spiders? - a young man in the far corner of the table exclaimed in surprise.
-Not quite, Arthur. - the president did not appreciate the joke. -Kvasard was developing a new generation of neutron weapons.
-Nonsense. - commented a tall, thin man with hair slicked back and a small goatee. -Everyone knows that such developments have been recognized as meaningless and ineffective in the world. The costs are too high, and the area of impact of neutron radiation is extremely small due to its rapid absorption by the atmosphere. In addition, at that time, Kvasardastan did not have sufficient technology to create even a semblance of such a weapon.
-And yet, it is a fact. - Thomas continued, handing the speaking man a thick folder with various documents. -Take a look for yourself, Adolf.
For some time, there was complete silence in the room. Only Arthur quietly tapped his fingernails on the table and hummed a song of incomprehensible content.
-Well, that's something! - Adolf whistled, continuing to study the contents of the folder. -And is all this true?
-It seems to be the case. - Thomas Stammer replied without delay. -If Kvasard had managed to complete what he started, he would have had components to create a weapon that would surpass all existing world developments in this area in terms of power and effectiveness. Apparently, his people stumbled upon this completely by chance, and they themselves did not fully understand everything.
-So, we just need to finish their work! - said the man in an expensive suit, comfortably settled in his place. It was clear that he was quite young, wearing stylish glasses, and rings with precious stones adorned the fingers of his hands, one of which held a gold cane. -We will start working on it right away, Mr. President. Our specialists will undoubtedly be able to complete this difficult task.
-Thank you, Ivan, - the director thanked Thomas, - but you know perfectly well that I will take such research under my personal control. It is necessary to conduct a thorough detailed analysis, identify possible shortcomings and inaccuracies, and, in addition, prevent the slightest rumors about all this. Is that clear to everyone?
-You're hurting my feelings, brother. - Arthur Stammer smiled broadly and winked at the others. -We know how to keep state secrets.
-And I am very glad that this is indeed the case. - the president agreed. -Then we can continue our meeting. I think it is now time to discuss the international problem...
***
Neutral territories.
The plane, on board of which, in addition to twenty heavily armed thugs, were Dari, Jabir's personal bodyguard, Kaid, and the owner himself, was rapidly approaching the borders of Actea.

— You speak in riddles; I don’t like that, but I wouldn’t want to scare away a potential ally or business partner. Let’s go. — The soldier approached the steel door, entered a code on the side panel, and went inside, then descended the stairs. Only Frank was allowed to go down. — Here you can familiarize yourself with the entire range of products we have. — The underground room was several times larger than the above-ground part of the building. Everything was in perfect order: on one side were samples of modern small arms, and on the other, on computer screens, you could see drawings, photographs, and other detailed information about larger types of weapons (military equipment, missiles, etc.) that simply wouldn’t fit here. There were also drones, biological weapons, and nuclear weapons (bombs/missiles of any range).

In my opinion, this isn't quite the right answer, but let it be.)

He has such an incredibly high diplomacy stat. It seems like he can say any nonsense, and people will believe him, listening with their mouths wide open.

Franka ignored the small arms and nodded meaningfully at the screens. - To be honest, I expected a more meager selection. Yes, we can do business. I need to relay a message to the Kings – don't worry, it's not an official title, – she smiled. – And after they consult and give their approval, we can sit down and discuss the terms of the first delivery. I can say in advance that we will need models like these, – she pointed to the screen with the nuclear weapons. – As well as the equipment needed to operate them. Franka headed for the door and turned around halfway. - Oh yes, – she lowered her voice. – The Kings get nervous when they do business with intermediaries. So, for the first time, until working relationships are established and contacts are made, they would like to talk to the person in charge of the operation. Although you already know all the nuances in our field of activity. I will be available; I might stop somewhere until tomorrow; it shouldn't take much time.

Franka headed towards the door and turned around halfway.

Madeleine followed Franka with a stern expression.

The cop is playing the role of Gosling.

— I’m afraid you’re late. Commander Catbleck has already left and won’t be back for a while. Until then, you’ll have to conduct business with me… unless a video call would be acceptable.

Commander Catbleck has already left and won't be back for a while.

As I said...

novi banir

By the way,

Slight Crime Problem
Develop a crippling crime problem in a reasonably wealthy nation of at least 500 million citizens

Nice banner. Fortunately, not in Quasaristan. I'm sure many people have one like that.

I have something in Mushroom Kingdom...

I understand.

Alright, guys, here's the plan: Pless and Heroist will disguise themselves as the first patrol. Heroist will give the knife to Kosha. Me, Medge, and Kosha will go and take out the second patrol, and then we'll grab their gear. Does everyone agree?