[center][h2]The Greater European Confederation[/h2][/center] [b]The Second Ethiopian Empire[/b] The vessels of the Greater European Confederation cruised slowly into the former Somalian port, most of the crew standing at attention on deck in a formal manner of entering a foreign country. Diversity reigned among the crew men, for all nationalities of the Confederation were present, as well as many formerly of different nations. As the carrier, the [i]ECS Gutenberg[/i], docked at a berth, the commander of the flotilla, Counter Admiral Karl Mercer took a vehicle to the residence of Fasilides Zaile, disembarking to introduce himself, thank the leader for use of the port, and personally offer sincereties for the loss of his father, before returning to take care of his men. [hr] [b]Final Invitations[/b] The belligerent states of the Third Mexican Empire, the United South Asian Empire, and the Caliphate of Istanbul, along with any other interested states or organizations, are given a final invitation to the conference in Hamburg, Germany in order to resolve the ongoing conflict in a peaceful manner. [hr] [b]Hamburg, Germany, the Greater European Confederation[/b] Various news organizations awaited in front of the Hamburg Capitol and Conference building, speaking eagerly into hand-held and clothing-mounted microphones, detailing the currently meager proceedings which preceded the official beginning of the peace conference. Dozens of black limousines lounged in front of the entrance to the building, the drivers mostly waiting unless the delegates to the conference had given a command indicating otherwise. State officials and invited reporters trickled in yet, the last few scrambling to reach the main conference hall before the first speaker began their speech. Inside, the conference room was a vast chamber filled with dozens upon dozens of chairs, each grouping of four assigned a table, additional seating for the reporters had been erected in the rear of the room, providing a sitting space for them should any desire. Most of the spaces in the room were filled it seemed, a quiet murmur of discussion floating throughout the room in anticipation for the meeting. Talk subsided as a man and woman walked to the podium at the front of the room, both assured of themselves-on the outside at least. The man began to speak, "Greetings, and thank you all for taking your time to attend this conference which we are hosting. My colleague Karen Årud and I, Andrej Dusan, welcome you to the city of Hamburg. As you all know, our reason for this gathering is to discuss the situation which has developed in the Middle East, as the Third Mexican Empire and the United South Asian Empire declared war upon the Caliphate of Istanbul without prior warning. I cannot begin to describe the distress which such an event has wrought upon the people of our nation, worried that yet again will the fires of war rage violently across the world. I hope that such a possibility worries you as well." Upon finishing that line, Karen took up the rest of the introduction, "We of the Greater European Confederation know of the horrors that war can bring for our land was ravaged during the events of World War III, broken and battered. Yet we endeavored to recover and now we are here, a coalition of countries determined to set right the world. With your help, we hope that the differences that exist between the various parties can be settled in a peaceful manner, one which befits nations of our capacities. One final thanks is offered to Dominus, Incorporated, for providing the additional security to this conference free of charge. With that, ladies and gentleman, we wish you luck." Clapping filled the room as the pair stepped down, heading off towards the bowels of the building. It was time for the conference to begin. OOC- As PMs can support a maximum of only six people, I have decided to base the conference here: https://titanpad.com/sukmST5Itn [hr] [b]Saint Peter's Square[/b] Pope Francis II stood in Saint Peter's Square, the location on which yesterday he had given a speech regarding the affairs of the world, asking that all remember the teachings of peace and forgiveness which the Bible proffered. It appeared that God, in his glory, had answered Francis's desire with the Hamburg Peace Conference, a meeting which would hopefully settle the conflict without any further bloodshed. A smile touched his wrinkled face as he thought on the matter. There was no greater gift to give a man than his life, and hopefully many thousands would receive such a gift within the next few days. A sizable crowd of worshipers, smaller than the one yesterday but still sizable, filling most of the square, prayed with him, offering thanks to the Lord for proclaiming peace. Yet all was not right in the world. Among the throng, hidden by virtue of being lost within a sea of faces, stood a man of Middle Eastern descent. Slowly making his way through the crowd, the unkown person neared the line separating the pope from the masses, little more than a small metal fence which could be easily overcome by almost any man. It had taken days of careful planning and execution to acquire the materials and now he was ready. Reaching the fence, head still bowed, he vaulted over the fence quickly startling those near him and some of those up at the dais. Dashing forwards, the Pope's guards reached for their weapons and drew to fire, yet they could not react quickly enough. The distance had been mostly closed and with a yell of "Allahu Akbar!" an explosion rippled through the air, a ball of fire, force, and shrapnel designed to kill. Panic set in immediately, the Papal guard engaging a state of emergency in the Vatican City, deploying in full force to ensure the protection of the Pope. A medical team arrived within the first minute and the Pope was deemed alive, if barely. One of the guards had given his life by leaping in front of the Pope at the last moment, absorbing enough of the blast to ensure the Pope did not die instantly. Within the hour, news of this event would begin to spread around the world at a rapid rate, a tale of how the Pope had been assaulted and almost killed by a radical Muslim, leaving several dead and dozens more wounded in the aftermath, including the Pope in critical condition at a hospital. It would now be the world that acted next, and their decision would help seal the fate of the world. [hr] [hider=To the Caliphate of Istanbul] Your request for armaments is currently denied. The Greater European Confederation does not seek to willingly endorse a war at the moment, no matter that the Caliphate of Istanbul is not at fault in any matter. If possible, the conference in Hamburg should relieve the need for these weapons.[/hider]