<big>Religious leaders to meet Ascendancy this week</big>



<small>Karim Sadjadpour

SENIOR ASSOCIATE,
DOMINANCE V CENTRE

The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre</small>



The Middle East is at a crossroads. It is crunch time for the CCD, where Dominance V has always teetered on the edge of a sword. Thirty years ago, nobody would have guessed the nations of bitterly antagonistic religious dogmas would agree to unification beneath one flag, leader, and name. The succession to the CCD did not come without negotiation, however. You might recall the intense and lengthy meetings featuring a younger, but no less emboldened, Nikolai Brandon, President of the Ascendant Soviet Union and heads of state that were loathed to enter the same room, let alone dissolve their borders. However, Brandon emerged victorious and the separation of church and state that held such firm boundaries elsewhere in the CCD was wholly ignored in the construction of the Fifth Dominance.

This autumn, for the first time since its inception, the dynamic in DV has shifted. The violence is primarily contained by the Arabian Peninsula. Surprising since the more historically violent areas constitute lands farther north where Jewish, Islamic, and Christian cultures collide.

Today, the Governance-Directors of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bagdad, Tehran, and Kuwait City sit content with their spheres of influence. Fighting over the sites of the Holy Lands stopped with the blurring uniformity of the CCD. Meanwhile, the most heated clamoring to ever emerge rattles Medina and Mecca - so loud that the Moscow Kremlin has answered. The Ascendancy intends to put a foot down like a stern parent annoyed with his children's behavior.

But one child in particular seems unlikely to listen to reason. The loudest of the tantrum-throwers comes from the followers of Muhammad Al-Hasan, who has been proclaimed as the the Islamic Mahdi: a figure from Islamic eschatology who is meant to rule in the years before a Day of Judgement and rid the world of evil.

However not all Islamic scholars agree on the existence of the Mahdi. Notably expert in Islamic Jurisprudence, Jave Ahmad Ghamidi, who attests the Mahdi is not mentioned in the Qurʾān, but only in the Sunni hadith, a report or tradition that follows along the tales of the Qurʾān but is itself not a religious text.

The figure of a Mahdi is far more prevalent in Shia Islam who say he is equivalent to the Twelfth Imam, the son of the eleventh Imam, Ḥasan ʿAskari, who died in 874 AD. The cryptic destiny of the assumed son of the eleventh Imam led to numerous rifts with prominent doctrinal adjustments. Some groups claimed that his son died at a very early age, others that he had survived until a certain age and then died, and still others solely denied his very reality, considering that Ḥasan ʿAskari never had a son. Only a small minority sustained the notion that the son of the eleventh imam was alive, that he was in “occultation”, [from: occult, or hidden as in an object blocked from view by another in the foreground] and that he was to recur as mahdi at the end of time.

However not all Shi'i believe in the idea of Occultation, such as the Zaidi and Nizari Ismaili. Among the groups that do, debate continues as to which individual is in Occultation.

These differences in belief compromise the underlying violence seen erupting across Dominance V. The Twelver Shia Islam, the largest branch of the Shia faith, have proclaimed the return of the Twelvth Imam, the Mahdi, as Muhammad Al-Hasan. His followers, the Mahdaviat, claim the world has become overrun with the wicked. This Messaianic figure will be the "restorer of religion and justice who will rule before the end of the world". He is intended to not only re-establish Islam to new veracity, creating “submission to God” the worldwide religion as the whole world is taken into his submission.

Unsurprisingly, the idea has not been well-received, particularly by Sunni unbelievers. The tales of a Islamic savior are older than a millennium, yet it is this ancient atmosphere that the Ascendancy intends to negotiate. Perhaps another miracle will astound the world as it did twenty-five years ago, and DV will truly see peace.

We wait on baited breath.



-The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre is an independent research centre affiliated with the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, an international Islamic non-governmental, independent institute headquartered in Amman, Dominance V, Central Custody of Dominion. 2045





COMMENTS: Open

Ninacska was born and raised in eastern Europe. Her parents were CCD loyalists. Not the pretty, peaceful kind demonstrating behind the barricades. The kind that did whatever needed to get the job done. A terrifyingly efficient couple.

Their one and only daughter raised herself as much as the boarding schools. By the time she was ten she could take a caning with a sinister smile on her face that read the future for the Latvian headmistress. The old crone did not meet a peaceful end.

Nina had steel running down her spine and a fire in her belly that constantly needed quenched. By the time she was old enough to be recruited to the army, she was the most fearsome little girl that ever lived. Her parents crossed the border into China two weeks before she graduated basic training. That was the last Nina heard of them.

She worked for CDPS ever since, advancing eventually to field ops. She's never been in love. She's never had a friend she cared for enough to stay in touch once she moved beyond whatever brought them together, including lovers. Especially lovers.

Samantha Reed is her company name: not even her direct report knows the truth. Julie is the alias she takes when working with anything American, but she has a dozen other identities that has seen her through China, Brazil, Argentina, Honduras, Cuba, South Africa, Egypt, and Australia.

Current mission is to accompany American Nicholas Trano to Moscow.

She currently leads a team of agents that consists of two americans: a Moscow expert driver and escape artist, a computer technician and hacker named Shawn, and a CDPS partner named John Abrams (body missing, declared dead; disavowed).

She is extremely close-lipped about her past. Telling Nicholas Trano about defecting to the CIA took an extreme situation, and she is unlikely to bring it up again.

Thought maybe Drayson might be interested in this thread. The events might have tripped on his radar. Or anyone else. I've told the story I wanted to tell and am ready to open it up to anyone else thats interested in joining.

stranger than fiction

Continued from: Not that kind of help.

Despite the warm blanket tucked around his body, one arm flushed ice cold. A steady beep clicked a quiet beat of his heart. Machines whirred on the wall behind his head, the lights stung bright, and the air was motionless and cold. He was in a hospital.

The last thing he remembered was being in the alley. The kid who had been blessed with a full healing sprang to his feet, then a dark shape swung at Jensen's face. He'd thrown up his arms, but there was nothing after. Until now. For taking a hit to the head, he felt fine, but he had a feeling the state was drug-induced.

A pair of voices whispered at the edge of the room. He couldn't quite make out the words, but their tone was rushed and angry: argumentative. Jessika's shrill voice was one of the pair. The other Jensen didn't recognize as either a doctor or nurse. What was going on?

The scratchy freedom around his thighs told him he was in a gown beneath old blankets, but although covered to the foot of the bed, a chill shuddered nerves up and down his body. He started to move, but realized the arm that flushed cold with saline pouring in his veins was also rimmed with a metal bracelet. One that connected to the arm of the bed. He was in ... handcuffs?

He swallowed, growing tense, but tried to remain calm or else the beeping of his heart rate might spike and give him away. It was a dirty thing to do, but knowing it would give him an advantage, he took hold of the power and an explosion of sensations filled his head.

The whispered conversation became clear:

"...I already told you! Yes, he was beside the kid, but the kid was the one that got up and attacked him! Before that, he was with me and..."

The man that Jensen could now tell was in a wool coat bearing a badge pinned to his lapel, interrupted her. "Please stick to answering my question only ma'am. And what time did you hear the first gunshot?"


They were talking about what happened in that alley. Jessika likely called the police when Jensen didn't come back. Or maybe one of the boys had. They would have come across a gruesome scene. Three shells of skin and bone and Jensen splayed out in the middle of it with no sign of the old woman in sight.

Jessika scoffed, "I don't know! I told you, I was dropped off by my cab and we stood there talking for a couple of minutes before anything happened. And we saw the first kid come running..."

The detective pulled out his notes. "The Chinese-Russian male? Aged 14-16 years. Mullet hair cut, t-shirt, and drooped pants?"

Jessika nodded emphatically. The twang in her voice heightened as she grew more frustrated, "yes. That one. He ran inside. Then Jensen went to check on the other boys."


Did the detective not believe her? How many times had Jessika already told their story?

The detective tucked his notes away. "Of the four others, three are dead. Now why would two young men accuse an older white male of assault with if he were going 'to check on them'? Especially when that older white male has a history of corruption, embezzlement, and pornography?"


Jensen's chest collapsed deeper than the old woman's victims. He sat up, blankets falling hard to his lap. "They said I did WHAT!"
His face was white as his sheets.

He tugged on the handcuff. The clank of metallic ringing echoed through the hospital room. Jessika's white jacket was gone, leaving her only in the pink shell of a shirt and bright blonde curls laid on her shoulders. The detective stride forward. On the other side of a window, a CCD police officer stood guard.

Jessika sneaked around the detective, but he grabbed her on the shoulder and turned her back. "I'm done with you ma'am. Wait outside."


Jessika would have none of it. She shook him off. "Don't you dare touch me! Or I'll have you sued for --"
he shoved her toward the door, Moscow accent dropping deep. "You are not in the United States any more. Do as you are ordered."
The guard peeked in and fixed Jess with a glare. She sniffed and stalked off. Jensen breathed a sigh of relief and pointed at his arm.

"Why am I handcuffed?"
He asked, eyes large as the moon.

The detective stood at his bedside. "Because you're a murder suspect Mr. James. Now, I have a few questions to ask you.
"

Jensen licked his lips. The CCD did not treat murderers gently. Nobody was going to believe an old woman had taken down four armed gang kids then flew off when Jensen scared her with a ball of light. That was probably why they were quick to blame him. Were they going to claim a little old woman with a chihuahua took them down? Or a monster with giant leathery wings and glowing yellow eyes flew through the streets?

He collapsed his head on his pillow. How in the world was he going to explain what had happened without ending up in a psyche ward?

We all know how Trano feels, but should Julie Reed (The double-agent PPC you might be familiar with if you've been following Trano's threads through Moscow), should she be transformed into a full PC?

Second question, if so, what would you suggest as her picture???

FUCKING PLACEHOLDER UNTIL I WRITE AN ARTICLE THAT MAKES SENSE

<big>Ascendancy nominated for Nobel Peace Prize</big>

Brandon's nomination was put forth because he "promotes resolution of all conflicts arising on the planet."

<small>The Mirror
James Christopher

2045</small>






The founder of the Central Custody of Dominion, Ascendancy Nikolai Brandon, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

A spokesperson for the Moscovite advocacy group permitted to make Nobel Peace Prize nominations stated Brandon as worthy because he “actively promotes resolution of all conflicts arising on the planet.”

Custody Press has released a statement quoting the Ascendancy as stating he was "humbled and honored by the nomination. My efforts have extended beyond Custody borders and sought to bring a stop to the bloodshed."

The Ascendancy will dedicate all his resources to an upcoming tour through Dominance V, which has recently seen an increase in religious infighting, with some demonstrations turning deadly to help the conflict situation with political dialogue. This is only further evidence that he is worthy of this high title.

According to the Moscow Press Society, the academy's submission to the nomination committee read: "Being the leader of one of the foremost nation in the world, Nikolai Brandon makes efforts to maintain peace and tranquility not only on the territory of his own country but also actively promotes resolution of all conflicts arising on the planet."



COMMENTS: Open

Jessika Thrice cancels sold out fundraiser

Dallas Chronicle
A.P. -2045

The Citizens for Reformation campaign organization has announced today that a fundraiser meant to take place tomorrow night at the San Antonio Convention Center for Jessika Thrice's election for Governor of Texas has been cancelled.

Jessika, known to many as the up and coming Grassroots Princess, herself has made no official statement as to why the sold-out fundraiser thought to consist of many wealthy Southerners from across Republican and Democrat party lines will be absent.

The CFR organization will reschedule for a future date. Refunds will not be issued. A television appearance for Ms. Thrice scheduled for Wednesday morning is also rescheduled.

Torri acknowledged her checklist one last time before zipping up her rucksack. Uniforms, kit and belongings were all accounted for. Her medical gear would stay separate and on her person at all times excluding the most formal of events.

Satisfied, she put the finishing touches on her pack and reached for the phone to call down for transport, but before she finished punching in the code, the television blared awake.

Her face snapped toward the other room and a thin line pressed her lips together. Moments later, she was pressing her forearm to a scanner embedded beneath the system, and once clearance was assured, the feed sprang to life.

"At ease, Captain Weston,"
the speaker ordered, and Torri relaxed her stance, not at all bothered by the abrupt interruption to her life there in her own living room.

The caller was a red-blonde woman named Jan a paygrade above Torri herself, but Jan worked in the Executive Office of the Ascendancy as military liaison. The only time she contacted Torri was to deliver a message regarding the Facility, which fell under EOA command. It had been weeks since Krasivolkya was the face on the monitor, but Torri did not question what happened to the woman. She had appeared unwell during the tour at the Facility. Torri's investigation found a diagnosis of a mild panic attack, but further investigation as to the government official's whereabouts were hidden behind clearance-walls. Torri subsequently ceased further investigation.

"Is there a message, ma'am?" Torri asked, flatly. She was prepared for the journey to DV. She was going to travel in Subject 22's ... Alric's... company, both as physician and as a expert on The Sickness, which she now was, more intimately than she ever wanted. DV was no more immune than the rest of the world by their own cases. There were samples to collect, and Torri was going to be there to see it done. Why else would the Facility order her to travel with the Ascendancy's caravan?

She accepted the following orders with a stern nod and salute. Finally, when the feed was closed, a thin line pressed her lips together.

The CPC official press release to follow.

For now, Patron Yaser Adnan al-Qasimi and his appointed Governance-Directors for the cities of Mecca, Kuwait City, Medina, and Karbala have arrived in Dubai.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to stabilize the city for the Ascendancy's arrival. The Executive Kremlin Itinerary states the Ascendancy will touch down at DXB sometime in the early-morning hours, then travel by secure air-traffic to Dominance headquarters for closed-door meetings.

Tuesday, the group will tour through the Dominance's greatest cities to meet with government and religious officials. The Summit will commence in the morning hours of Wednesday morning in the city of Mecca and is expected to continue uninterrupted until Friday.

The Summit will consist of a panel of Custody officials and representatives of the Madhi faction among others. An invitation has been extended to Muhammad al-Hasan requesting his attendance.

Comments are: CLOSED