No Magic? No Problem!

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

Thirty minutess in:
When the Zarethians found out that they couldn't use their inherent magical abilities there was widespread panic in the streets. Grocery stores were packed with worried people attempting to hoard the food that they could no longer replicate magically. An hour into the panic, the government had to step in and enforce rationing so that food supplies could be sustained. Long lines soon trailed through the stores and out the doors, into the already crowded streets where the honking of ground-cars intermingled with the overall chatter of the masses.

1 hour in: All merchants find that they cannot examine the authenticity of the Zarethian currency using the standard magical methods. The stocks crash as investors lose their shares. Some, such as Burnedout Moldof, made away with billions.

2 hours in: There were widespread grumblings about the Zarethian government's lack of foresight. Many theories were discussed on televised news vids which often pointed fingers at the government or, in rarer cases, an extragalactic event similar to a solar eclipse but with magic instead of celestial objects.

4 hours in: The Zarethian government calls in many renowned scientists to discuss what has happened. Government releases statement ordering the citizens to stay calm, ration out supplies and otherwise go about their daily schedule.

6 hours in: Burnedout Moldof and other investors are apprehended for stock fraud and thrown in a temporary penal center.

12 hours in:
There were rioters on the streets, protesting against what they saw as government inadequacies and lack of preparation for these catastrophic events. The Zarethian city police were tasked with keeping the rioters under control but as soon as the first white and red painted police car found its way near the masses, they errupted in anger and began to riot in violent earnest.
(WIP)

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

Troops were reassigned from the Third Fleet, to assist the Local forces with the control. Hand and other agencies immediately started to look for intelligence for a possible attack, from the inside or outside. They started rounding up persons of interest, and immediately started interrogations.

Admiral Sora, and her staff, actively roamed the Capitol Building getting orders from Vaccon, while HIRU and Hand Officials got their orders directly from the council.

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Council Chamber
Zarethian Capitol District

12 Hours after the AM Effect...

"Councilmen, we need to discuss declaring a state of emergency, and martial law." One of Aki's lesser Admirals said.

"The civilians and criminals are starting to overwhelm the PD." another speaks up as Aki stood in the middle, facing the rest of the Council and Admiral Vaccon.

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

Addler nodded tiredly, his face ashy and eyes cold. It couldn't have been clearer that this was just one more disaster piled onto his palte at the moment.
"I believe the Council should be informed that we should be taking more drastic measures to dissuade the rioters." Maxis piped up from his seat at the far edge of the hexagonal table.

"Like what?" Said another, General Sotovin, commander of the ground forces of the Zarethian Empire. "These are our people, admiral." He pointed out. "Without magic how can we properly subdue them - peacefully- and without any more casualties then necessary?"

"Perhaps we used enlarged stun nets?" Asked the junior aid to Maxis.

"I don't care how you subdue them but do it quickly, efficiently and with as little collateral damage as possible." Admiral Vaccon finally spoke, interrupting an-about-to-retort Sotovin.

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

Aki rose her hand, and her subordinates hushed. "If I may, gentlemen... We should tell the containment forces to start using beanbag rounds, tear gas, and rubber ammunition against the rioters to show them that we do in fact mean business."

"And how do you plan to execute that, Admiral?" The Hand's, Special Defense Unit Director spoke up. "I have the HIRU ready to deploy to take out the rioters in front of the Capitol, and are ready to assist the PD further. We cannot play these games with the civilians, Admiral Sora."

Aki stood up from her seat in anger. She looked over to Maxis and sat back down.

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

"Admiral Sora, pulse weapons cannot fire beanbag rounds or rubber ammunition, let me remind you." Addler said, raising a hand placatingly.

Maxis shook his head almost imperceptibly. His opinion was clear Don't start anything now.

"Director, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, please see to it that government officials are safe. They are your priority, not the placation of the civilian populace. Sleep gas cannisters should already be in use." Maxis said.

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

"Well excuse me for thinking that we had the Technology to quickly make beanbag rifles." she muttered to herself.

"Have it your way Admiral Maxis. I'll contact the HIRU Colonel right now." the SDUD said.

"Perhaps we could try to reason with the people. Tell them that it is an isolated incident, and try to keep them calm. They will not react well with the military using direct force against them, and especially if they see Homeland Intervention units assisting." a lone politician stood. Interim Senate Leader, Hamilton.

Aki shot a look of disgust to him, as the the SDUD and other Hand Officials.

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

"I believe the Senator has a point that we are overlooking." Addler agreed. "The civilians certainly won't put up with a brutal military regime, as they see it, that has taken charge. Perhaps the senator would like to make a broadcast to show that the government is on their side and are working towards a solution?" Addler asked, raising an eyebrow. The other preparations would go on anyway of course, the senate had no real role at this point in the chaos.

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

"That would be excellent." Allen said.

"Seriously Admiral Vaccon... You seriously think one of Decadea's old lackeys will calm the people down?" the SDUD asked.

Aki, for once, sat quiet. She simply shook her head at the mass turmoil, and tension in the room. For a largely successful empire, their leaders sure shared a lot of differences of opinion. But, of course this is true with any kind of situation involving military and political leaders attempting o solve a problem.

"Director... know your place in this. Admiral Hermitage may have appointed you, but it is the Senate and the Council that approved it. It is also teh Council and the Senate that can revoke it as well." Allen spoke up. The SDUD stood there completely surprised.

"He's definitely one of Alexandere's..." Aki whispered to Maxis.

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

"Director, I would like you to tread very carefully on the ground you stand. I ask you this: If you were a Zarethian citizen driven into a frenzy by the lack of government control of the situation, which would you respond better to? A paralyzing agent, a stun net or someone attempting to calm you down? It is entirely possible that talking will fail us as miserably as any attempt at magic but the Zarethian Government must give its citizen's a chance. Mister Allen here will be delivering that chance." Addler said, gesturing to Allen.
"Now, his estwhile affiliation with Mister Alexander Decadae is less important then your organization's affiliation with a certain Eric Mann, he's rather notorious, I'm sure you've heard of him." Addler'rs eyes glinted sardonically.

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

"Yes sir..." the SDUD says reluctantly and sits down.

"Alright, but if we're going to do this, he's going to need protection. Thats where the Diplomatic Security Service should come in if im not mistaken." Aki said.

"Yes, but im not sure if we have any to spare since most of the DSS and HIRU are occupied." the SDUD said.

"Well, if they're busy, free them up." a voice called out from the entrance as Regis Hermitage stepped in. "Im sure you can work something out Director." he said as he casually walked to his seat. "Sorry im late, traffic is hell out there." he chuckled.

"Now is not the time for jokes, Admiral." Hamilton said. "This is a serious situation here."

"We are all aware of that Senator." Regis replied.

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

"Humour has its place and I believe that even the most trying circumstances require a little deflating every once and a while." Addler put in. "Welcome, Hermitage. I'm glad you could make it." He gestured to an open seat to his left before returning his atttention to the others. "I believe that Mr. Allen would be abtly secured by a precise placement of shield generators. Troopers around, but concealed, showing we have every confidence in his security. Perhaps a broadcast from the Capitol Plaza?"

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

Hermitage takes his seat. "Perfect. We'll have it ready in about on hour." the SDUD says

"So, im assuming, from Senator Hamilton's presence, we are trying diplomacy with the civilians before we try force then?" Hermitage asks.

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

"It would seem that that is the most prudent option, yes." Addler nodded.

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

"Well, I suppose I should prepare for a live news broadcast." Allen said as he stood up.

"Have we alerted the DSS?" Hermitage asked.

"Yes, sir." the SDUD said.

"Alright, then he should be cleared. In the meantime, I want Z-SPAN and ZNN contacted so this can be broadcasted throughout the planet." Hermitage said. "Is there anything else you'd like to add Admiral Vaccon?"

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

"Not at the moment, if there is, I'll raise you on the comms." He said before turning and consulting his aide in a heated discussion.
"You're all dismissed." He said distractedly, looking around, surprised they were still there.
Maxis stood up and saluted crisply, as many other officers did. He walked over to Aki, his flourescent blue eyes clouded with thought.
"What do you need me to do, Aky?" He asked.

[Admiral Regis Hermitage]

Aki pulls Maxis close and rises up to his ear. "Keep an eye on our friends at the Hand. Im not entirely sure, but they may be up to something." he whispered to him.

Hermitage followed Hamilton out as they went to his office near the Senate Chambers. Hermitage eyed them the entire way before turning to Aki as she lowered herself from her toes. "Aki, you control the Home Fleet. I advise that you keep the PDF Marines on standby should the Planetary troops not be able to contain the civilians." he said to her.

"Right...: she said softly. "And do try to keep the HIRU out of this. I get that you're the Intervention force, but try not to incite more panic than there already is." she told him as he gave a light smile and walked out.

[Beware Ye Who Enter Here]

Maxis nodded and turned to leave the building.
"Maxis?" Addler's familiar voice called out. Maxis stopped in his tracks, it wasn't everyday a Hero of the Empire called you out by first name. He turned around.
"Yes sir?"
"I would like you to take direct control over the efforts to hunt down the leaders of this riot. Can you do that?" Addler's icy eyes bored into him.
Maxis nodded confidently. "I will do my best, sir."
Addler nodded and dismissed him.
As Maxis walked out of the room, Addler sighed, finally alone. "I can only hope this will all be enough." He muttered.