Men and women who had been serving on operations in Nya Aland have today returned to Ostlake. Two squadrons of air force combat pilots and one squadron of logistics aircraft had been operating there alongside around 2,000 Legionnaires and an undisclosed amount of special forces members. The homecoming at Ostlake saw several of the returnees welcomed back by family members, some of whom they had not seen for six months. The military had been taking a role helping support Alander forces with the Gungnir insurrection after the joint Moreland/Aland training base known as Red Base came under attack early in the conflict. The King was present along with his sister Princess Freya to welcome the troops back home and spent time mingling with the troops. The King briefly addressed the crowd saying "I want to thank you for once again helping our nation fulfil our obligations to friends across the waves. The Gungnir present a thorn in the side of peace and freedom and it would appear that for now at least they have been removed and that allows the people of Nya Aland to once more live without fear. Some of you have sacrificed precious time with your families and that can never be given back to you but perhaps it is some reassurance that you have saved many Alander families. I hope that you all enjoy some well earned leave, catch up with family and enjoy being home." The King presented several of those returning who had spent a least 90 days in theatre with campaign medals and a handful were given medals such as the Distinguished Combat Medal.

One of those receiving the DCM was Sergeant John Penrice of the Royal Army Medical Corps who during an engagement with the Gungnir in a town in northern Nya Aland ran through enemy fire to help a mother evacuate her two children from the combat zone before returning to check the area for a casualty the mother thought she had seen. From his new position he was able to direct air strikes onto Gungnir positions while partly exposed. Meanwhile Flt.Lt Cody Huntingdon earned the Distinguished Service Cross    for keeping control of his medical evacuation helicopter despite damage to the aircraft that resulted in his taking shrapnal wounds to his right arm which was also broken. The conflict saw four Morelander Legionnaires lose their lives on operations.

---

Today the Royal Merriman University opened a new library that will intend to hold a copy of every book published in East Moreland since the 1st January 2025. The New Millennium Library should have opened in 2020 however rather ironically for a University named after famed historian Professor Marcus Merriman the construction was halted due to discover of a 12th Century structure on the site. Now with the archaeology of the site cleared the overdue construction has been completed and a grand opening ceremony and gala dinner was hosted by Dr.Merriman and attended by the King and Queen. It is well documented that King David is a well read student of History and three years ago achieved his Masters degree from the institute having already gained his Bachelors degree under the tutorage of Dr.Merriman when he was a lecturer at Royal Northfort University. The Queen turned heads however by wearing a white dress emblazoned with text. Asked what the text was she said that it was in fact the opening of her husbands Master's dissertation and said "Tonight we are here to celebrate learning and education. My husband is one of the most committed readers I know and he loves libraries and books. I'm proud of his commitment to education and advancing his and his Kingdoms knowledge so what better tribute to that than literally wearing his words."  The King gave the library its first book to add to the collection, a copy of "The Cult of Helus' The Sword" which is a series of prayers, poems and stories written by the human companions of the Gods during the war with the Underlords. This particular copy was King David's own with handwritten annotations within.

The evening included a fundraising event with around $160,000 raised towards supporting libraries for young people to get more accessible books for children with special needs. The amount will be matched by both King David and Queen Stasya. The King also used the opportunity to outline some changes to education he wished to see. "As a nation we have a literacy rate of just under 99%. While I'd love to say 100% I am well aware that is an impossibility. What I do want though is 100% of East Moreland to have access to education. We shall begin a feasibility study into two new initiatives. The first is that on top of our existing education system that every Morelander be given access to a "Personal Advancement Fund" of $800 this will be able to be spent on training courses, academic opportunities, workshops and the like. I want us to be the best educated nation on Mundus and that means in terms of depth and breadth. The 21st Century is seeing a huge change and we must adapt to that. The second plan is to establish a nationwide "Forever Learning Academy" be these centres helping people learn basic literacy skills as an adult or enhancing their skills in more vocational skills such as plumbing be that for use in their own home or as a career. I want people with skills to pass these on." These feasibility studies are expected to be reported on in the summer.

Millions of people across East Moreland have today celebrated the end of 2024 with New Years Eve celebrations. There were however mixed experiences of one of the most celebrated non-religious events in the year. In Freestone a total of around 800,000 people took part in street concerts throughout the day with Cam Cole seeing in the new year as the headline act as introduced by Archduchess Sophie Harrison-Ironside and her former university housemate Leo P whose band "Too Many Zoos" had played as the warm up act for Cole.  This means the first song officially played in East Moreland for 2025 was "Mama" . It is estimated that around $3,500,000 will have been raised from the various collection points at the free concerts with that number likely to raise as other venues across the city add their totals into the amount. King David did not attend this year marking his first absence since 2018 instead he was in Portworth with Queen Stasya having spent much of the day with Princess Rhiannon who was visiting her mother in the city. The King and Queen are reported to have gone to celebrations at the Royal East Moreland Naval Service base in the city which hosts an annual New Years Ball.

It was however in Portworth where one of the more disappointing elements of New Years Eve took place, possibly witnessed by the King. There the annual beachfront fireworks spectacular usually lasts around 10 minutes and in recent years has even begun to incorporate drones. This year however the display lasted some 90 seconds when a giant fireball rocked the seafront as the remaining 8 minutes or so of fireworks went off at once causing many of the drones to be knocked from the sky. An eye witness, naval service member James Rourke said, "I've seen a fair few explosions in my time but this has to be up there. It was so bright I'm still seeing stars in my eyes and my ears are ringing. It was just one big multicoloured fireball and then that was it. If it wasn't the fact so many people where here it'd be funny." A spokesman for the events co-ordinator said, "We can only apologise. A software mishap meant that the carefully choreographed routine went out of sync and what should have been about 9 minutes of fireworks condensed itself into 0.9 seconds. We're reviewing how it happened and can only apologise." It was also confirmed that the routines misfire meant that about 60% of the companies drones were struck by fireworks knocking them out the sky. "Normally we have the routine set so as fireworks move forward the drones are behind them or vice versa with everything going off at once it didn't go to plan." The mayor of Portworth is said to be understandably very upset by the situation and is considering legal action to reclaim some or all of the costs of one of the biggest tourist events in the cities year after the Festival of Sail.

Redfern had been summoned to the Palace rather unexpectedly. He was aware of the winding down of operations in Nya Aland and the situation in Kritamala but he couldn't think of any real issue that would require his input and in a sense that made him nervous. The guardsman at the gate waved him through, after all he did technically have a residence in the Palace grounds but since marrying Freya the two of them and their adopted child Evie spent much of their time back in Rockhampton unless duties called them here. He parked his car in the designated spot and then picked his peak cap off the passenger seat before retrieving his briefcase from the boot of the car. The guards on the Palace's front door saluted and Alex with his cap tucked under his arm simply thanked them as he headed inside. He caught David just outside his office talking to the ambassador from Zimalia following a meeting over some routine naval patrols by the sound of it. The King shook the mans hand and Alex stepped to one side of the corridor to allow the ambassador to leave. "Come on in Alex." David motioned for him to follow. Once inside the office David tossed his suit jacket onto one of the sofas that made up three sides of a square that sat around a glass topped coffee table made from one of the engines of the SSC Honeybadger. "Tea, Coffee, something stronger?" David glanced at the clock, it was 3pm which could be considered a little early for the Seaforthian whiskey David was holding.

"Just a coffee please, got some errands after this" Alex replied still none the wiser as David asked his Head of Royal Household to get them some coffee. The King sat on the sofa opposite and loosened his tie.

"So Freya told me about your knee." Alex had been suffering with pains in his knee for the past two months, "Rice Krispy knee she called it, says the snap, crackle and pops of it keep her awake at night. Well I think its giving me an excuse to ask you to do something I've been looking at for a while now. I've seen plenty of guys our age who spent their lives in the military and once their knees, ankles, hips and backs start to go there is no way back. I don't want Freya pushing you round in a wheelchair in the next 10 years." There was genuine concern in David's voice but before Alex could respond Quinn brought in the tray of coffee's and the "Good" biscuits.

"I've some time left on medical leave. Physio should help." Alex said knowing himself that David was right.

"Bullshit Alex" David said rather less gentlemanly than you would expect from a King. "You know and I know your knees are checking out and the last thing I want or Red Legion need is you being stuck up some Soviet hillside with buggered knees. What I need though is someone to make this a reality." The King slid a piece of paper with a badge on it. Alex recognised it and shook his head.

"You showed me this the day after you became King but we said then that it wasn't on the cards." Alex sat back having picked up a black coffee.

"We had bigger fish to fry. Its been a decade and the worlds changed. Red Legion are still our best tool but their primarily a strike weapon, a tool to go out and put boots on the ground and as the duty of every Legionnaire is they "close with His Majesties Enemies and kill them" but times are changing. Look at Kritamala, we need problem solvers, people who get in on the ground and can be self sufficent almost like a group of scouts for Red Legion but with more of a focus on guile." The King lowered his voice, "We saw how successful the Nightwitches are but this is something for how should I say this....more public displays. I want you to recruit up to fifty individuals to be the Mobile Intelligence Corps. The job comes with a promotion Colonel, a wing of the Northfort Officer Training School and a nice pay raise. What do you think?"

Alex sat for a minute. He was torn as on one hand he still felt he could be a useful asset to Red Legion but on the other this was a chance to leave a lasting legacy on East Moreland's armed forces, a unit he could say he was the founder of and that he could mould with his own mind of soldiering. "I'd want to pick each of the fifty myself, no limit on who, if they're not military they get an automatic sign up assuming they reach the standards I set." He extended a hand towards David.

"Is Corey going to be pissed?" David said with a smile as he shook Alex's hand.

"Not in the slightest" Alex was already twenty names into his new unit.

The Small Crew Support Class ships are designed to act as a modular platform to extend the firepower or capabilities of larger vessels such as Frigates or Destroyers. The ships are similar in size to an off-shore patrol ship however its modular design allows it to be rapidly fitted for a variety of missions. The ship is intended to be crewed by as small a contingent as possible with much of the ship being commanded by its parent vessel with whom the SCS is in constant contact and can piggy back its data such as radar, communications and targeting from. The most common configuration is likely to be as a missile platform armed with space for four containers each with a 6 cell Surface-to-air missile. Alternatively cruise missiles can be launched.

Length: 53.20 m (174.5 ft)
Beam: 9.80 m (32.2 ft)
Draught: 3.50 m (11.5 ft)
Speed: 27 kn (50 km/h; 31 mph)

Boats & landing craft carried: 1× rigid-hull inflatable boats and 1 x Bluefin UWV
Complement: 8 sailors

Armament   
Fixed armament
1x remote CWIS
2x .50 caliber heavy machine guns

Modular armament
4x containerized 6-cell missile launcher
Capability to launch loitering munition
Containerized ECM/ESM

The headline act of 2024's Freestone New Year Music Festival has been announced. The festival see's the city of Freestone close many of its streets and parks to set up large open air concerts that free to the public. Members of the general public do require tickets but these are free, with 60% of tickets being reserved for Freestone natives. Tickets are distributed via online lottery and while tickets ensure you can get close to the action many travel to the city to take advantage of music available in the bars and clubs that compliment the music extravaganza. The festival is usually attended by at least one member of the royal family who usually also has some input into selecting the headline act. This year Princess Freya has supported local busker turned successful recording artists Cam Cole to headline. The Princess sat alongside Cam Cole as the announcement was released via social media and the Princess said. "The idea of the festival was always to champion music being something everyone can enjoy its kept free so that no one is excluded by the cost of tickets. Cam embodies that, for years he grafted to make a name for himself via his music, during that time he literally gave music enjoyment away for free to people busking on the street.....this is just another busking gig but on a much...much bigger scale. I love his music and when people describe him as the "heaviest one man band in the world" they are perfectly describing what he does. I can't wait to see his show."

Cam Cole meanwhile said. "I always just love getting out and playing so in a sense this will just be another day at it. To me I couldn't care less whether it three people listening to me in Freestone High Street on my little acoustic or this huge crowd, music is music and I just hope everyone has a great time and enjoys what I play for them. I'm grateful for everyone whose backed me this year and helped me live my dream of being a full time professional touring musician."

The Princess wouldn't confirm how many of the royals would be attending saying. "As you can imagine with the sad news of the Osman family my brother has a daughter who has lost her second brother in her short life, he has a daughter who is seeing her mother heartbroken and family in turmoil. Rhiannon will be my brothers priority and not this music festival. I know he has always enjoyed the festival and I hope Rhiannon will feel able to come and spend time here with us but I also understand that the media are likely to be rather more intrusive than she needs." Archduchess Sophie Harrison-Ironside has though stated on social media that she'll be "side stage supporting my buddy Leo and his band Too Many Zoos" after that band was announced as the final days 8pm slot. The niece of the King was a student at University with their saxophonist Leo and has been at many of the bands shows over the years.

While the King may be busy with international visits it didn't mean that Xerente could be ignored. The situation was therefore left to a team consisting of Princess Freya, her husband Alex Redfern, Foreign Minister Duchess Orlaith Kade and intelligence agency liaison Grace Yacobs. They'd meet at the Princesses lodge in the grounds of Northfort Palace and information was a little hard to come by. "How many Morelanders are there in Xerente?" Freya asked.

"According to our most recent reports about 80. Its not on the tourist hotspot list at the moment and the vast majority of people there listened to instructions to get out so we're not left with much to worry about." Yacobs referred to her notes. "We've no major East Moreland business interests there, nor have there been too many companies dealing there"

"Well it looks like we'll be fine then." Freya responded. "We have though in the past been stung in the ass by situations like this. As a result lets put a team on standby if we need to go and pick up any of these 80 people. I don't want a 2nd Seleucid situation, nor Mavrosia or Veashek." The group nodded and then each left to be about their business.

Following the announcement from Xerente of impending attacks against foreign citizens we are advising all Morelanders to leave within the next 48 hours. Anyone unable to arrange their own exit from Xerente is invited to contact the East Moreland embassy within the nation and staff will attempt to place you on a list for a rescue flight. Within the next 12 hours flights utilising EMACWings Airlines will begin utilising the extra slots made available. These flights will be directly to Northfort. While these flights will initially be for Morelanders we will, if spaces exist, also evacuate individuals from nations with which East Moreland has fast track visa arrangements with.

We will also be exploring further exit oppurtunities.

The emergence of this Regiment calling itself the Soviet Commisar Regiment was something new and to some degree worrying. What had been seen at first to be a simple crisis in humanitarian terms it was now seeming to be something more. It had though taken almost a week for these "Soviets" to rear their heads and until now they had been no evidence of any real support for a continuation of the Communist regime. It was though a concern, how large was this group, how was it organised, was it present across the whole nation. Decisions had to be made and that meant the wait for information to be passed up the chain of command and then to trickle down again. Eventually after a few hours it came back, "Continue the mission, consider Soviets hostile until otherwise" It was a simple set of orders that the senior Morelander officers would know seeing as they had all served in some capacity in one of the two Safraen conflicts. Now though it was important that they gather as much information as possible and that was something that Red Legion lived for, their prisoner transport mission was put on hold and a plan put together for a covert pair of observation posts to be established on the opposite side of the river. That involved Johnson and Forbes making a loop to the east of the capital and there crossing a river, then a trek back into the city itself to find a suitable position from where they could monitor the main road. It was clear that there were no significant forces of this Regiment yet in the city so if they were to push out the Morelander/KASA contingent they'd require things such as artillery and heavy weapons, none of which were seen. Meanwhile Wilcox and Hadden made their way to the west where they set up similar posts and just like their colleagues they saw nothing. Back at the Cricket stadium it was let to Lt-Col Ramsey to organise his manpower there to dig in. He'd made it pretty clear that defensive positions were being set up so that the Soviets would have no doubt the Morelanders wouldn't simply be leaving. High Command had also authorised several close support aircraft from the Air Force to make their way over to Kritamala. Ramsey was a verteran of urban warfare from Safraen, to Marseille and even a small amount in Mavrosia, he knew his men could hold the south side of the river against all but a full on  concentrated attack but even then he was confident that they could, and would, hold their ground long enough for Cenneg and Lodjain support to reach them. Once everything was secured King David had authorised a response to the Soviets.

Major Jain

The East Moreland Armed Forces are supportive of helping restore Kritamala during this period of transitition. Our intention is to support all humanitarian work and create a scenario where the people of Kritamala are free to choose their path forward. That being said our forces will not engage unless subjected to hostile action. Once the Kaiju Virus is under control and stability in law and order ensured it is my understanding that a provisional gathering of people with an investment in the future of their homeland will be convened. I believe it is right that a representative of your Regiment is involved therefore propose that your Regiment work alongside the IHC assets in the area. We shall not abandon the people currently receiving aid so therefore our forces shall remain in positions currently occupied or shall move to positions neccessary to render aid.

As for Suraj Kumar he is currently in our custody and shall be handed over to the new authorities in Kritamala when they are established. Should you require access to him for investigative reasons we are happy to facilitate that.

Signed

Field Marshall Katie Yacobs
Commander of East Moreland Armed Forces

As part of an attempt to keep better track (for myself) of economic stuff on Mundus I've created an AI that has allowed me to do a few calculations etc of Mundus. It means I've a list of every nation as of today on the maps GDP based on their stated factbook data. It may be useful to share.

Total GDP of Nations in Mundus

Continent: Alba Karinya
East Moreland: $4,811,100,000,000
Irtref: $1,541,926,360,143
Valen: $880,896,000,000
Vaguzia: $2,861,786,964,226
Zimalia: $1,800,000,000,000

Continent: Aranye
Altona: $448,800,000,000
Gusano: $775,000,000,000
Lakhzovia: $816,000,000,000
Seaforth: $6,520,000,000,000
Neu Urburzis: $3,000,000,000,000
Charterlands: $2,198,601,032,429
Hozland: $2,421,056,000,000
Rosieland: $180,000,000,000
Abydos: $1,209,600,000,000
Mktvartvelo: $2,480,080,550,000
Vanora: $317,131,826,280
Tamora: $2,674,076,365
Royal Seleucid: $1,750,000,000,000
Rayyu: $450,000,000,000
Kizad: $32,963,033,962
Safraen: $53,022,000,000
Clysperis: $376,617,800,000
Kodima: $2,438,760,000,000
Wadden: $47,500,000,000
Centralia: No GDP data available
Kaitaine: $840,000,000,000
Chistopol: $2,120,000,000,000
Rodinha: $3,980,570,000,000
Matthelon: No GDP data available
Kemerovo: $828,498,226,400
Kritamala: $273,600,000,000
Renaku: $2,664,000,000,000
Revana: $2,465,000,000,000
Achkaerin: $6,144,000,000,000

Continent: Ardia
Bakkermaya: $1,622,301,354,638
Lymm: $3,292,800,000,000
Ui Cenneslaig: $12,250,000,000,000
Jargalant: $399,300,000,000
Lijiang: $573,600,000,000
Zolo: $2,399,187,100,000
Nassau: No GDP data available
Quintelia: $3,598,000,000,000
Asadal: $177,830,675,098
The Iwi: $1,264,800,000,000
Cassiopeia: $1,513,520,000,000
Abertone: $1,530,116,505,000
Rokkenjima: $11,943,169,050,000
Fusan: $11,913,000,000,000
Toshikawa: $3,360,000,000,000
Neuva Ardia: $277,375,140,000
Allied States of Ardia: $2,064,000,000,000
Phuebra: $6,219,000,000

Continent: Albion
Abertone: $1,530,116,505,000 (carried over)
Paracambi: $1,437,896,388,300
Kermah: $1,146,740,882,255
Tytor: $3,530,515,196,434
Rhand: No GDP data available
Drakensjolund: $2,019,600,000,000
Nya Aland: $950,000,000,000
Acquitaine: $57,619,154,000
Marseille: $724,000,000,000
Aosta: $2,494,224,029,000
Lodja: $3,936,000,000,000
Eboracum: $1,950,000,000,000
Barracano: $645,362,400,000
Tanith: $5,004,813,157,426
Holmvik: $833,304,973,000
Weissenwald: $582,675,882,610
Samoslavia: $1,006,348,048,000
Drenovia: $1,434,000,000,000
Smaragdfalt: $1,670,088,771,520

David was at first struggling to place the name of the young man who approached them. It was when he talked of the military equipment the name finally dropped, Tacitus, the younger of the Tanith Princes. "I'm glad that the equipment is doing its job. I've always found our equipment excellent, but the again I was in a unit that travelled rather light and it has been a number of years. May I ask what you're serving in?" David enquired as they were ushered into the railcar. Even though he'd visited the Isle countless times David was a little sad about the railway ride. The walk was always pleasant and he liked seeing how the locals who lived on the island had decorated their houses for the season, although it was likely that today the vast majority of them would be working. "As for visiting Tanith I'd be delighted, I would love to think I've been to every nation on Mundus before my time comes so any chance to tick another off is always welcome and I found your father someone I think East Moreland can work with. I trust he's well?" David said concluding the small talk as they reached the Palace level. He was about to head off towards the throne room knowing full well the way there when he heard Roksana, a voice he hadn't heard for a while. "Lady....Princess....I'm not sure what we call you now" David said while checking Rhiannon had followed them off the railway car.

"Roksana" Stasya hugged her former co-Lady in Waiting. "Its amazing to see you" It was perhaps rather telling of the relationship that rather than linking arms Stasya and Roksana held hands as they made their way through the Palace.

Rhiannon and her friend followed along walking arm in arm, Lodjain fashion. The two children chatted about mutual friends until they reached the throne room. Stasya was pleased to be sat among the foreigners as she suspected the media streaming the event to the public at home would be lingering over that side of the room. Beside that she believed not being beside her husband and among Lodjians would not play out well back in East Moreland, she was there Queen and while some still resented a foreigner undertaking the role the vast majority had taken her to their hearts. Rhiannon and Masha exchanged hugs and then Rhiannon took a seat next to her father. "I hope its not dull" Rhiannon whispered to her father.

"Its Lodja sweetpea.....they'll be something interesting. After the ceremony don't feel you have to stay with me and Stasya but I expect you back in our suite by 10pm."

"Midnight" Rhiannon tried haggling, "You know it'll still be noisy until then"

"11pm, final offer. If Masha's parents have no issue and you want she can stay over." David counter argued.

"And we can get pizza and cookie dough?" Rhiannon rolled the dice one more time.

"Done" David offered his daughter his hand and she shook it indicating the deal was done.

The Royal Aeronautical Society, the body responsible for overseeing space exploration for East Moreland, is today confirming that at midnight (AKT) on Monday 21st October we will be commencing Operation Merry-go-round. This operation will see a rocket launch carrying two probes destined for Asteroid #3827b which is due to make a close approach to Mundus soon after. It is our objective to place on 3827b two probes, each around 18cm in diameter and 8cm high, both weigh approx 1.1kg. Once deposited these probes will conduct a variety of tests and utilising "hops" will venture to different points on the asteroid. One of the probes is expected to end up in a position that will allow it to recharge itself using small solar panels. While similar projects have been conducted by other nations on Mundus what we hope to do is return to 3827b at a future date, thanks to its 321 day predictable orbit, and retrieve one of the probes. The probes will be known as Hitchhiker A and Hitchhiker B (Son of Blinky) and it will be the B probe that we will attempt to bring home. We will, in due course, be making data retreived from the project available to all member nations.

 

There were perhaps some perks East Moreland enjoyed above most other nations within Lodja. Having Queen Stasya so closely connected to the court of Queen Natalya meant that she was still able to make frequent use of private chambers within the Isle of the Goddess. King David and Queen Stasya had first travelled to Iskor where they had spent some time with Llewllyn, who was no enjoying some time with his Lodjain grand-parents. Then they'd moved to Gaia where David had spent time meeting with people connected with businesses from Lodja who had invested in East Moreland. Once in the capital Princess Rhiannon had joined them and had spent yesterday putting together a video which had been set as a kind of homework project. She'd been instructed by her languages teacher to make a short tourist video of Gaia which she would narrate in Rus, a language she was getting rather good at. The night before Rhiannon had been out in Gaia with some of her friends she'd made during her summer here while David and Stasya had enjoying dinner with Stasya's friends within court.

While Rhiannon was busy this morning getting ready with Masha, one of her closest Lodjain friends, David and Stasya had prepared with David in a crisp black pinstripe suit with white shirt, the buttons embossed with the image of the nations Honeybadger. His long heavy cavalry sword was strapped to his hip as he waited, as usual, for Stasya. She emerged, just in time, dressed in a long yellow dress As usual David was amazed at how stunning she looked and helped her strap on her own ultra-thin rapier before they exited their rooms and made their way to the entrance of the Palace itself to await the arrival of others. Rhiannon arrived soon after alongside her Lodjain friend and together the group waited for the proceedings to begin.

The Ministry of Defence has today confirmed that the Royal East Moreland Naval Service will be acquiring three new vessels by the end of the year. The ships, which will be assigned the designation as "Sidekick" class, are being adapted from Portworth Dockyards "Small Crew Contingent" project which has seen them and partners SmartWar examine ways to reduce the number of sailors required onboard combat vessels. These three ships will be fitted out to work alongside existing Fast Frigates to provide what the MoD have described as "significant additional fire support." During the presentation the assembled media were told that the ships would "be equipped with the ability to have modules assigned to the deck. The most likely configuration will see four containers with each capable of launching nine missiles. These systems can be utilised to fire cruise missiles and air defence missiles. The system will also have a launcher for the deployment  of several loitering munitions." The ship will require only a crew of eight who will be able to sail the vessel and carry out functions re loading the launch systems. The ship will not require its own systems for guiding missiles as it will function within a few hundred meters of the fast frigate and utilise that vessels battlespace management systems. The ships will also be able to utilise small underwater drones for inspecting infatstructure and other such tasks.

In a small way David was annoyed at Beatrice bumping into him. The problem was that even though the media where not here other nations leaders were. David was very much of the mind that there was an expectation on him in how he acted and presented East Moreland in public and that was to him the most important manner here today. He spotted a waiter heading over towards the former Empress and her husband Alex and he intercepted them. He spoke to the man who then turned and wandered back to where drinks where being prepared for the guests. A moment or two later he approached the table where Beatrice and Alex were sat. As the waiter approached he placed a white napkin down in front of Beatrice and then placed a whiskey on it, Beatrice would know that the stuff was David's favourite tipple. Next he placed a second white napkin down in front of her and placed a glass of mead down. He then moved to Alex, put down a third napkin and put a shot of vodka down in front of him. "Enjoy your drinks" the man said as he stepped away. On the first napkin there was a scrawled message. "Good to see you. Glad you look well. D"

"Whoa!Whoa!Whoa....did that kid just say cannibals are over the other side of the river?" one of the newer Red Legionnaires, a former member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Enginners, said to Captain Seb Johnson.

"Get a grip Wilcox" Johnson turned on him. "These boys lasted here years with whatever it is over there running around, be it cannibals or just some headcases, they're in good enough shape to still have fun playing cricket without messing their knickers. You're supposed to be a Red Legionnaire, that means we deal with it or is it true REME really stands for Really Enjoys Making Excuses?" The other men chuckled and Wilcox, as Johnson had intended, went very quiet. Johnson turned his attention back to the conversation he'd been part of. "Is there any easy way over the river?" He asked the boys who confirmed that there were several bridges, all in good condition. "Excellent" Johnson proclaimed, if anything goes wrong then you can come and get us before someone starts snacking on Wilcox there. "You're going to be busy turning this place into our new home away from home. What I'd suggest" he turned to address Lt-Col Ramsey who for now would be the commander of the Morelander contingent in the capital. While he may be the commander he also realised that Red Legion tended to operate outside the usual confines of command structures and Johnson had a plan in mind for what he wanted his little patrol to do it generally would be a good idea. "Is that Lt-Col Ramsey here and the Marines get this place ready to receive more troops and more people should things go a little chaotic. Meanwhile the cool kids will cross the river as covertly as we can and take a nose around. If we find anyone over there not looking like they're about to start turning a ballbag into a three course meal we'll send them this way if need be. If we find the buffet club we'll try and work out if they're a threat. If they are we'll take them out."

"Roger that Captain" Ramsey said. "Might be better making the crossing as nightfalls and until then we've a few drones we can send for a look. How does that sound?"

"Perfect" Johnson said as he took his Legionnaires off to get sorted for that nights forray.

The Royal Marines, Royal Engineers and assorted bodies from various other regiments got themselves settled in as one of the Marines unpacked a pair of small drones that they sent into the city. As the UAV's soared between abandoned blocks of flats, high rise office buildings and even across parks and plazas they saw next to nothing. They spotted a few signs of life, a rooftop garden that looked like it had been tended to, a clothes line full of clean washing elsewhere and finally what looked like a group of people sat in prayer in a backyard. These places were marked on maps and handed to Johnson as places he may want to head by on his exploration. At around 9pm Johnson had proclaimed that it was dark enough for him and his team to make their forray into the southside of the river. Ramsey had positioned some of his marksman in positions to keep overwatch of the five Red Legionnaires who had picked out a spot that allowed them to cross where the drones had seen no activity. That part of the operation went off without any hitch. The team had picked out a three floored building close to the bridge that would be there base of operations, it seemed to have at one point been a restaurant of sorts with accommodation above it. As they entered the place had everything covered in a layer of dust, it seemed no one had been here for quiet some time. As they went room to room making sure there was no one here it became apparent just how long the place has been deserted when Legionnaire Forbes could be heard heaving having checked out one of the downstairs backrooms. Johnson went to check on his trooper and instantly regretted walking in. The room contained a now opened walk in fridge that Forbes had opened releasing a stench of rotting food. "Wow" Johnson said, "Breath through your ears" he remarked as he did his best not to follow in Forbes path. Braving the stench he walked in and using a gloved hand turned over a packet, no chance of recognising what had once been the form of the liquid in the bag. He could see the useby date, some time in 2021. In a way that was a good sign, no one had clearly been here for some time. Johnson imagined how many homes across the city may have similar situations waiting for people to return, if they ever did. He pulled Forbes away from the room and shut the door. "No one opens that again.....leave it for some bloody Marine to sort out" The team laughed as they began setting up shop in one of the upstairs rooms. It gave them a good view down what would at one point have been a busy street and across a small park. Johnson pinned a large map up in what would have once been the flats living room. "We move in a spiral out from here going this way" he traced a finger across the map, "We check each building, we're quiet and if we see anyone we do our best to make contact ok. We go out a pair at a time, no longer than an hour for now. Me and Forbes are out first. If we're not back in an hour let the Marines know."

"Yes boss" the team responded.

Johnson and Forbes made their way back outside checking each direction up and down the street before crossing. Across the road was a similar building to their own only this one seemed to have been a hardware store. "At least no smelly fridges here" Johnson said as he forced the lock on the door as quietly as they could. The pair moved quietly through the building which seemed much better kept than the first. All the merchandise seemed to have been taken, no doubt the hammer, nails, screws etc that labels on shelves showed would have once been placed there had been taken to help the nation under Bachchan. Next they moved up stairs and as they entered one of the bedrooms they noticed a shape on the floor. Johnson passed his torch over it and then motioned for Forbes to step back and cover him. Johnson slowly approached and called out. "Hey!" he said three times, each time increasing the volume. Next he used the barrell of his rifle to poke the body and still no response. "No signs of life" He told Forbes as he used his left boot to roll the body over. "Ah shit" he said rather quickly. "Forbes back out man." The Legionnaire complied but Johnson could see him glancing at the body. Johnson took out a small camera phone he had and snapped some pictures but only having put his respirator on first. Before he exited he ordered Forbes to do the same and then joined him back downstairs. "We're not heading back just yet" He said as he motioned they could take the masks off. "He showed Forbes the photo, "I'd say been dead less than a day. You see that, blood around the mouth, white stuff. Now look at the arm chunks missing.....that rash." Forbes nodded but wasn't sure what he was looking at. "I was once in Safraen, then I was in Gaia when some samples went missing and there was a lab accident. I'd put good money on this being one thing." He sighed "Kaiju Virus."

"Bollocks." Forbes said thinking Johnson must have been winding him up.

"Nope. If there is an outbreak it'd explain what the kids saw, it'd explain why everyone's keeping the fuck away from this place. Pass me the radio." He called Ramsey and told him what they'd found.

"Missions off Johnson. Head back, you and Forbes stay in the car park for now, you're the only ones potentially exposed. We'll get the test kits in ASAP and work out if you're right." Johnson wasn't too worried, While Kaiju was horrific if caught early enough it was actually relatively easy to treat and he was confident that even though he'd been close to the body there was nothing that could transmit the virus. It made sense though to take precautions. As they followed the other three back across the river at a distance it was Wilcox who, once they were nearly back at the stadium spoke first.

"Hey boss" he yelled at Johnson. "Can we get you to promise not to eat us?"

"You're safe Wilcox I don't eat junk food" Johnson yelled back and the team shared a brief moment of light heartedness as they split, Johnson and Forbes into a truck that had been parked up to be there home until test kits arrived while the others returned to the stadium. Ramsey radioed in what they'd found and waited for more information from KASA.