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Phase 9: Halcyon Days
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Part 7
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Israel's military is mobilizing while emergency services fight fires and pull thousands from collapsed residential buildings. The Israel Air Force has been conducting air strikes across Gaza since the attacks began. Yet, a formal declaration against Iran is still pending despite promises from various parts of the ruling coalition.
CNN
US bases in Bahrein remained safe during the Iranian onslaught. This turns out, wasn't blind luck or oversight. Iranian military loyal to the moderate faction in the ongoing civil war has been fighting with Revolutionary Guard units ordered to launch attacks against targets in Bahrein. Pentagon sources confirm the loyalists in question have managed to destroy long-range missiles before being pushed back by RG units reinforced by irregular forces.
USA Today
President Obama pledged that the US military would soon begin operations against the radical faction in the Iranian civil war led by the Ayatollah. This comes hours after Iranian President Hamedani went to the air and made an official request for international assistance in putting down an insurrection led by radical elements within the Iranian government, including the country's Supreme Leader. He claimed that revolutionary forces under the control of the Ayatollah carried out all the attacks on foreign soil. That is not the will or desire of the moderates within Iran to prosecute senseless foreign wars, whether they were citizens, military, or parts of the government.
CNN
The Iranian Ayatollah just went on air and proclaimed Holy War against the Great Satan, America, its allies, and all corrupted subversive elements within Iran.
"Allah is great! Last night we had our first great victory by striking infidels all over Iran! Today, with Allah's help, our faithful Revolutionary Guard will crush the traitors in the army in a great clash at Tehran's gates! Praise Allah! Purge all infidels and those corrupted by Western lies!"
This was part of the rambling declaration of war against everyone the radicals within Iran consider enemies, including many of their citizens.
Euronews
Labor government officials do confirm the Iranian attacks against bases containing British soldiers can be considered a declaration of war. That is also true about the Ayatollah's proclamation. However, the question remains, the war against whom? Iran as a whole? Or are the radicals who struck targets around Iran and fight the regular Iranian military the enemy? Before taking offensive actions, the government must decide who is the true enemy and how to best neutralize them as a threat.
BBC News
Saudi Arabia mobilizes its military. The US and Saudi forces are moving toward Iran's border as we speak; however, at this time, it's not clear if they will assume defensive positions or cross the border.
BBC World News
NATO foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting in Brussels late tonight. While Article Five is inapplicable to attacks on forces of NATO members outside of Continental Europe and the United States, the fact remains that elements within Iran struck military units of multiple NATO members. The bases within Iraq hit by Iranian missiles held contingents from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Denmark, The Chech Republic, Latvia, and Estonia.
To make the situation more complicated, there were other allied forces within the attacked bases. Most notable from Australia, South Korea, and Ukraine.
Euronews
UN Ambassadors from over twenty countries filed a motion to sanction the radical faction within the Iranian civil war and approve international intervention against the Ayatollah's butchers.
So far, China has pledged its moral support and condemned what their UN representative called an 'insane level of aggression.' The Chinese government promised it would not veto any sensible resolution to curtail the ongoing insanity within Iran. Russia continues to be suspiciously quiet about the situation in Iran. The remaining Permanent Security Council members have been either directly attacked or supportive in the case of France.
New York Times
US Navy elements within the Persian Gulf launched a massive cruise missile strike at targets within Iran. Pentagon officials confirmed the targets were exclusively military facilities and infrastructure used by the Revolutionary Guard and irregular forces confirmed to support the Ayatollah.
CNN
Heavy combat formations of the Revolutionary Guard and Loyalist Iranian Army clashed on the outskirts of Tehran early this morning. Heavy fighting continues even late in the evening, with radical forces from the capital surging forth to join the battle. Loyalists are reportedly taking advantage of this and securing large tracks of the city so that emergency services could treat as many of the civilians harmed by the radical rebels as possible.
Unconfirmed reports from Tehran point to tens of thousands of civilians murdered by the Revolutionary Guard and irregulars aligned with the Ayatollah.
BBC World News
The fighting in Afghanistan between ANA forces, Taliban, and Ten Rings insurgents continues. Coalition forces continue to rebuild and consolidate while curtailing their air campaign due to the ongoing hostilities in Iran threatening logistics.
CNN
Iranian President Hamedani officially thanked the US for the intervention against the radicals, claiming that missile strikes against logistics and ammo depots proved critical in the Loyalist victory at Tehran.
After three days of heavy fighting, the Iranian military managed to shatter the Revolutionary Guard formations moving on the capital, repulsing their attack with heavy casualties. At this time, the Loyalist forces in the region, are recovering and aiding in SAR efforts throughout Tehran. They have their hands full in dealing with the aftermath of days of bloody fighting and murders perpetrated by radical forces.
Euronews
Iranian diplomats in Brussels gave NATO officials up-to-date intel from Loyalist forces on Republican Guard positions and military targets in their hands. This happened two days ago, and it is no coincidence that tonight, US forces in the Middle East, Israel's Air Force, and Saudi Arabia's Royal Air Force began conducting SEAD and air strikes across Iran. We now have confirmation that while the air defenses of the Loyalist Iranian military are active, they are not targeting or firing upon the Air Forces conducting strikes against radical forces all over the country.
CNN
In a surprising turn, Russia abstained from vetoing the UN resolution authorizing intervention against the Ayatollah's rogue regime. The resolution passed with overwhelming majority mere hours after Loyalist Iranian forces secured Tehran and restored its communications links with the world. That allowed reporters from around the world to show footage and pictures of massacres all over the city. At the same time, local police and military Loyalists desperately tried to fend off Revolutionary Guard and irregular forces murdering people.
New York Times
The White House spokesman announced that because of the ongoing tense situation within Iran, the United States wouldn't deploy boots on the ground. However, the United States Air Force and Navy aided Loyalist forces within the country in destroying the Ayatollah's regime through air and missile strikes on military targets. NATO will also supply the Iranian people and Loyalist forces with humanitarian aid, actionable intelligence, and military supplies.
CNN
Considering that much of the military equipment the Iranians use is Russian or Soviet in origin, NATO officials decided that the best way to offer the Loyalist military aid they could put to good use immediately is from the stockpiles and active units of Eastern European countries. US Senate surprisingly voted for funding the replacement of any such material aid provided to Iran with US military vehicles and support assets.
This would not only help strike at the radicals in Iran but stimulate the US economy while ensuring our allies retain their ability to defend themselves in an increasingly chaotic world.
CNN
Stark Industries negotiates a contract with the UK company D30 to develop better protective materials with non-Newtonian properties. SI will invest three hundred million dollars in joint R&D by the end of the next fiscal year.
Forbes Magazine
Pym Technologies is looking for investors in their continued bid to make using Pym Particles practical. These unique sub-atomic particles have the properties of reducing or increasing the mass, density, and strength of materials under strictly controlled laboratory conditions. While the implications of developing practical ways to harness those abilities are staggering, for nearly sixty years doing so has proven impossible outside the laboratory. Recent advancements in various scientific fields and what is on the horizon could change this and lead to new fields of research and development.
Stark Industries has been interested in becoming a major investor; however, Pym Industries CEO Darren Cross so far refuses, fearing a hostile takeover.
Forbes Magazine
Dr. Susan Storm will become the director and lead scientist of a joint R&D venture between Stark Industries and Von Doom Industries. Victor von Doom and Tony Stark will meet to complete negotiations and sign contracts for further R&D cooperation between the two industry giants.
Forbes Magazine
Stark Entertainment announces a series of Star Wars comics taking part in the Old Republic era. They will cover events between the end of the KOTOR II game and the planned KOTOR III.
In more Star Wars-related news, the SWTOR MMORPG will see a significant gameplay overhaul while using as much of the already developed assets as possible. KOTOR III and SWTOR will feature real-time combat, similar to action games. A big source of inspiration there would be the Jedi Knight series of games, with gameplay heavily altered by proper RPG mechanics.
With the Star Wars tech bible out, now Stark Industries has begun in earnest to look into authors for books and screenplay writers for future movies and TV shows.
So far, Star Wars fans have met SI's efforts with cautious optimism. However, there are concerns that we might be seeing more of the same, with SI betting on safe stories, or more importantly, that Tony Stark and SI are afraid to continue the stories of beloved characters from the Prequel and Original trilogies.
USA Today
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Part 8
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After securing Tehran and regrouping at the capital, Iranian Loyalist forces are moving towards the borders with Turkey and Iraq. This would serve the dual purposes of neutralizing Revolutionary Guard forces in the northwest of the country and opening supply lines through Turkey and Iraq.
As of the past few days, Turkey is becoming a staging ground for military and humanitarian aid ready to enter Iran. That includes tons of ammunition, armored vehicles, tanks, artillery, and a large amount of humanitarian supplies.
The US Air Force has been concentrating air strikes on Revolutionary Guard positions in the North in the past few days, a strategy that now has a logical explanation. They are softening up the Ayatollah's radicals for the regular Iranian military.
CNNIranian President Hamedani survived an assassination attempt early this afternoon. He was speaking in front of military forces, ready to leave North, when a sniper attempted to shoot him. Security forces discovered the would-be assassin just in time and stormed his position. The distraction resulted in the sniper missing his shot against President Hamedani before being gunned down.
Iranian Security forces revealed the identity of the sniper – Major Halid al Tehran, a distinguished officer within the Revolutionary Guard. This leaves no doubt as to who was behind the assassination attempt.
BBC World News
While Iranian Loyalists marched north, the Iranian government revealed preliminary casualty figures caused by the Revolutionary Guard and affiliated forces massacring civilians. Over thirty thousand are confirmed dead, with tens of thousands in critical condition and over forty thousand lightly wounded. Tehran's hospitals are on the brink of collapse, facing massive casualties within the city itself.
Notably, these casualties are the confirmed civilians murdered or injured by the Ayatollah's butchers. The death toll from the days-long battle outside the city is currently unknown.
Euronews
Early this morning, Israel launched Operation Just Retribution, aimed at eradicating all known and suspected terrorist and Iranian-aligned forces within Gaza. At the same time, the Israeli Air Force began conducting raids against revolutionary forces within Iran in conjunction with the US, UK, and Saudi Arabia.CNNWe finally have a confirmation from the Pentagon on the effects of the Iranian mass missile strike against Eisenhower's carrier battle group. Increased state of readiness and the warning by an Iranian General were crucial in mitigating the damage. Nevertheless, despite the best efforts of US sailors, three missiles managed to breach all defenses of the carrier battle group. Two of them are believed to be Russian in origin. At the same time, the third is confirmed to be a Jericho missile produced by Stark Industries and sold on the black market by the late Obadiah Stane.
Russian missiles struck the Ticonderoga class-guided missile destroyer Hue City and the Arleigh Burke Missile Destroyer Carney. Both ships suffered heavy damage across their superstructure and dozens of casualties.
The Jericho missile survived to release its submunitions, which struck the carrier, Dwight Eisenhower. We now have a confirmation that everything on the deck and the command tower of the carrier received critical damage, resulting in hundreds of casualties. As of this moment, the carrier is considered mission killed and en route to the US for repairs.
CNN
Senate and Congress committees discuss calling Mr. Tony Stark to answer questions about the use of Stark weapons against US and allied forces in the Middle East.
US government officials countered these demands with the firm belief that the investigation in Stark Industries, which Mr. Stark not only fully cooperated with but even demanded take place, already discovered the truth of the matter.
The President's Chief of Staff commented that the best way Mr. Stark could make up for any liability he might feel over the misuse of his weapons is to design better ways to keep US soldiers and their allies alive on future battlefields, something Stark Industries is already doing its best to achieve.
C-SPAN
Rear Admiral Davis, Commanding Officer of the Eisenhower Carrier Battle Group, is confirmed dead, alongside three hundred fifty-two officers and crew members from the carrier. The casualties across the fleet are now tallied at one thousand twelve hundred and fifteen.CNNThe US Navy refuses to answer questions on how it will prevent such critical losses in the future, citing National Security.CNNThere are increased calls across America for a general war against Iran over the murder of so many US servicemen and women. The US military spokespeople and government officials counter such demands with facts often falling on deaf ears. Early this afternoon, President Obama reaffirmed his pledge not to invade Iran.
While not explicitly stating it in these precise words, the President's meaning was clear. Striking at moderate elements within Iran and the Loyalists within the military who had nothing to do with the attack on the United States and allied armed forces would be madness on the part with that of the Ayatollahs.
Washington Post
Interviews with construction workers reveal passive exoskeletons' usefulness in their daily work. The name exosuits keeps persisting as less of a mouthful among those using the technology daily.
Construction worker Matt Riley had this to say:
"Using this," he patted the orange-colored joint of the exosuit going over his arm, "was like being born again. I can work my whole shift while experiencing much less strain nowadays. Until recently, my buddies and I ended our shifts dead on our feet. In this work, we work long, hard hours; by the end of the day, we are knackered. Sometimes we are so tired it is hard not to make mistakes, and in our line of work, that can lead to nasty injuries or even cost you a limb. People die due to mistakes in construction, and tired people make mistakes. That's not rocket science. We get injured at the best of times just moving heavy stuff around when we are too tired. Sprains, torn muscles, crippling pain in the joints and back. All that is a hazard of the job at the best of times," Matt smiled. "This technology is changing things for the better. Since we began using them, injury rates have fallen by over sixty percent. That isn't just company propaganda to make us feel better. I am out here on projects all day, every day, six days a week. I have seen the same people day after day for months now, whereas, before that, injuries would have taken many of my buddies out of action for days or weeks on end! You notice these things!"
While statistics in the field are lacking, what we could find so far from the relatively limited number of companies both adopting exoskeletons in the workplace and willing to share internal data, is that there is an excellent reduction of injuries across the board with the highest percentage claimed to stand at the astronomical eighty-three percent!
New York Times
By the end of the year, all construction and manufacturing jobs provided by Stark Industries will incorporate exoskeleton support for the workers in question. The only thing pushing the adoption process that far is the need to train personnel in the safe use and maintenance of the new equipment. In the coming years, Mr. Stark promises the incorporation of powered exoskeletons once a reliable mass-produced design is on the market.Forbes MagazineMore and more companies worldwide are ordering exoskeletons for their workers in sectors ranging from construction, manufacturing, and warehouse work; even regular supermarket chains want such equipment for their workers. While limited in scope, all the available data points to a significant increase in productivity and a decrease in downtime due to injuries sustained in the workplace due to various factors, including fatigue. The cheap exoskeletons manufactured in China make adopting the technology by businesses worldwide an affordable and wise investment.Financial TimesIranian Loyalist forces encircled Arabil and kept pushing all the way to the borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan, sweeping away light Revolutionary Guard resistance. Irregular forces keep harassing the Loyalists in the North and carrying attacks against civilians. That is often backfiring, with newly formed local militias and armed civilians either directly fighting back or rapidly guiding the military toward the insurgents' hideouts.EuronewsA major clash is brewing in the vicinity of Tabriz. Revolutionary Guard and irregulars from the Northern and Western parts of Iran had been converging into the city for over a week. They were determined to hold it to prevent the flow of NATO sources supplies into the country. US and UK Air Forces have been conducting strikes in the North of Iran for a week, flying out of airfields in Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and Iraq.
While officially, NATO is not at war with Iran or the Revolutionary forces loyal to the Ayatollah, at times these past few days, it's hard to tell the difference.
In Eastern Turkey, we can see long train compositions loaded to bursting with weapons and combat vehicles waiting for a safe passage into the hands of Iranian Loyalists. We also have unconfirmed claims that weapons shipments from Eastern European NATO members have been reaching Greek ports, then sailing to ports in Iraq and Israel to make their way to Ahvaz – a stronghold of the Loyalists since the first days of the Iranian civil war.
BBC World News
The Loyalist buildup at Tabriz was a strategic feint that pinned down nearly a third of the Revolutionary Guard's remaining combat formations and a significant number of irregular forces! At dawn this morning, the Iranian army sent an armored spearhead up the Urmia-Mahabad Road. An Iranian Armored division with attached motorized elements from other formations has been moving toward Urmia for hours now. In this city, loyalists and local militias have been fighting for control with irregulars and light forces detached from the Revolutionary Guard. Under cover of persistent NATO-sourced air strikes, the Loyalist's armored thrust has been smashing through light resistance with little effort.EuronewsAir Strikes destroyed the Urmia Lake Bridge, considerably slowing down any radical's attempt to reinforce Urmia city while Loyalist armor was racing to reach it. The Iranian military gathered at the gates of Tabriz launched spoiling attacks to pin down the Revolutionary Guard units dug in within the city. Massed air strikes devastate any unit attempting to move away from Tarbiz, turning the area into a killing ground for the Ayatollah's fanatics.BBC World NewsLoyalist forces reached Urmia late this evening and kept going, bypassing the city and racing to secure the vital Dr. Bahonar Highway linking the town with Turkey. Follow-up motorized forces are reported to be dismounting and casting a wide net to deal with irregulars loyal to the Supreme Leader across Urmia.CNNAt eight local time this morning, Loyalist forces reached the Turkis border at Esendere, where the Turkish military, with NATO logistics support, has been shifting supplies and military equipment for over a week now. The first supply shipments are now flowing into Iran. Ammunitions and combat vehicles will replace losses sustained during the rush of the Loyalist armor to secure the area. At the same time, humanitarian supplies flow all the way to Tehran.
With winter coming early this year, this was likely the last major operation until early spring that either side would launch in the North. This will give time for the Loyalists to consolidate and build up their forces after the ruinous opening days of the Civil War. At the same time, the Ayatollah's radicals were growing weaker by the day due to the increasing lack of supplies and continued NATO air campaign.
Analysts claim that come spring, in many places, the Loyalists would be able to run over Revolutionary Guard units that air strikes and attrition have nearly destroyed due to lack of supplies.
The situation around the Persian Gulf is similar – massed air and missile strikes greatly weakened Revolutionary forces, forcing them to retreat, bunker down in a handful of cities, or face destruction in the face of resurgent Loyalist forces.
In contrast, to the East, near the borders with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, the Loyalists' situation is dire. The last remaining coherent Loyalist Forces in the region had to pull back after Revolutionary Guard divisions from Zabol and Zahedan converged on and took Birjan, opening their way to strike at multiple cities. At the same time, after heavy fighting, Kherzi-Dasht Beyaz fell into the hands of revolutionary forces. That development threatened the flank of the Loyalists fighting to Bardaskan, forcing them to retreat towards defensive lines in Tabas and across the Khar Turan National Park. Consequently, the Iranian Loyalists practically conceded the Eastern part of the country to the Ayatollah and his radicals.
Euronews