First Light of a New Age

Chapter 155: Down In Africa

The Hong Kong Times
Vol. 31, No. 16 - January 8, 2002
DISASTER ON EARTH

Above: the FRONT PAGE HEADLINES for The Hong Kong Times on 1/8/02. Partly in anticipation of wartime ink shortages and partly because the editing staff wanted an appropriate and respectful front cover to reflect the scale of this disaster, the front cover of Vol. 31, No. 16 was left almost entirely blank white with only the words above printed in black ink.

Infantry and T-90 tanks of the RUSSIAN ARMY prepare to relieve the ongoing siege of Chelyabinsk, out in the Urals Region of the Russia Freedom Alliance. This picture is believed to have been taken on 1/8/02 and was acquired along with many others by our reporters from a source within the Russian Alliance at great effort and expense. Now, for the first time, Western readers will be able to get a rare glimpse into the grim realities of the situation on the ground in the Russia Freedom Alliance, outside of the official propaganda reels permitted by the Ministry. Not surprisingly, they tell a story not much different from what is happening elsewhere.

Main Street, downtown PINE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA lies almost completely empty and abandoned a week after the initial invasion of the Magic Beast Tide.

Above: Jan. 1 /8 (?), 2002: Following the FALL OF TEHRAN, Iranian forces (incl. child conscripts) mass for a counter-attack in a desperate attempt to relieve/retake the besieged capital of the Islamic Republic. Although prominent high-ranking government officials and clerics such as the Ayatollah have been evacuated, much of the city's six million inhabitants remain trapped and unable to leave. Meanwhile, simultaneous attacks on Baghdad, Republic Of Iraq have led to somewhat of an unofficial ceasefire in hostilities.

Chancellor Adolf H. Reinhardt reads the formal declaration of war as many of their cities were attacked by green-skinned monsters and several other unknown creatures, and so 500,000 Reich forces will be deploying throughout the entire country right away.

Myanmar troops are amassing and preparing defensive positions along the border with the People's State of Xinhua. The President has issued a statement that the build-up is intended to ensure the safety of Myanmar and, if asked, have offered assistance, although Xinhuan authorities remain reluctant to ask as such. Meanwhile, no news yet on the current whereabouts of the Vice President, who has gone MIA during the invasion. Fighting continues throughout Myanmar cities and the surrounding countryside, though it is unclear whether their President is indeed KIA, or simply in hiding.

The streets of San Francisco lie almost completely deserted by nuclear bombs that were dropped last 1/2/02. Reports even stated that days after the nuclear detonation, radiation levels were shockingly lowered. Scientists speculated that the energy in the New World they were in now somehow get rid of the radiation from the city.

The attacks on Dallas and several petroleum-exporting nations in the Middle East has sent shockwaves surging through the global energy industry. Fears over imminent fuel shortages saw vehicle owners rush to their nearest gas station to stock up within hours of the event. At some stations, car-owners could be seen filling up jerry cans and steel drums in addition to their cars, perhaps hoping to stock up or else resell the fuel later on at inflated prices.

Beleaguered residents of Edinburgh, Scotland are evacuated as Reich forces move in to secure the area after nearly a week of fighting against the Green-Skinned creatures. Rumors of the Reich military were preparing to deploy a nuclear warhead on the city. Photo taken 1/8/02.

10/13/84: LENINGRAD NUCLEAR POWER PLANT: It is now being reported that all four RBMK-1000 reactors have been shut down in response to the ongoing urban warfare unfolding in Leningrad, cutting off power to millions (even in unaffected areas) in the process. However, diesel, coal, and hydroelectric power stations throughout the region remain in operation, albeit with heightened security. The Russian Nuclear Ministry could not be reached for comment. Our sources indicate that the Russian Army is now taking steps to equip all of the Russia Freedom Alliance's major public utilities with SAM and GGM emplacements.