New source, same violence - corporations and cartels escalate war in the Jelbék steppeDecember 9, 3984The corporate narcotics distributors of Jelbania have survived years of violence and infighting to flood the Jelbék steppe with cheap drugs of all kinds. Previously their supply was imported primarily from the Artanian nation of Ibutho, but the drug-friendly regime there collapsed after few nations beyond Jelbania seemed interested in mass import.
With the collapse, several major distributors went out of business and the local cartels saw a resurgence.
The more resilient corporations, however, sought refuge in the still-cheap exports of ODEN, whose primary member Kalistan offered narcotics of a wider variety than those offered by Ibutho for only marginally higher wholesale prices. With the prospect of ODEN expansion into Jakania in the near future, prices seem sure to drop, perhaps below the costs of Ibutho imports, meaning that in the long term the corporations may emerge from the shift more profitable than ever. Share prices (primarily sold overseas) for many corporate distributors rose with the announcement of the ODEN import deal.
The cartels have reacted as is expected - several corporate distribution centers were hit in coordinated raids on Monday morning, and a corporate freight ship was sunk off the coast of Rilmos with 30 men aboard after an explosion below the waterline. Corporate security has been beefed up, but often corporate security is more occupied with fighting other corporate security forces than with the cartels, and rumors of corruption in the forces are rampant.
Haján rides the length of the Vanukese border aloneDecember 13, 3984The Khan of Jelbania has proved his prowess and manly vigor by responding to
the recent Vanukese militarization of the border by riding in full war dress along the entire length of the border alone.
Haján Intrsmor Azisrmko Knzmazrk is said to be the finest warrior who ever lived, and has promised to personally kill the first Vanukese to enter the Jelbék steppe in anger.
During the ride, the Haján is said to have ridden so close to the border and so ferociously that the Vanukese earth shook with the thunder of his horse's hooves, sending womanly fear through the hearts of the cowering friends-of-the-Augustans.
The Haján also proclaimed that if the
Vanukese battlesuits which "make them look like bugs" will simply lead to the cowering 'lion' being "squashed like a bug."
"Even our horses eat insects," said the Khan.
Finally, he remarked that any man who would call himself "
Emperor of the Augustans" is certainly not the heir of Temrkai or Timur Haján, was not Jelbénkai, and was hardly even a man.
Just a bunch of shit.