[center][u][b]July 8th, 8:45 AM
Kasimir Castle, Gotham[/b][/u]

"Reports from Channel 52 observers on the front line report hundreds of armored columns surging across the border of the Republic of Arabia, with air strikes by the Arab Federation having already crippled the Republic's air force. Resistence against the invaders has quickly crumbled in just a matter of hours before the strange new weaponry employed by Basil Al-Asad's forces," Marisha Coleman explained, a somber expression blanketing the news anchor's normally attractive features.

Images of flashes against the late afternoon sky dominate the screen of the Grim Grotto's computer in that moment, as the Channel 52 live team observes the battle taking place in the distant horizon.

"Marisha, it can barely even be called a fight. The Arab Federation's EE-T1s are vastly superior to the old T-55's and Patton tanks employed by the Republic, and within mere hours of the first opening shots, Asad's forces had already achieved near total air supremacy," Ted Huckman explained, the man clearly uneasy at being so close to the battle. "But in addition to their more 'traditional' forces, they seem to employing never before seen weaponry in their unprovoked invasion."

Marisha nodded in acknowledge, allowing the video feed to draw on for a few more moments before speaking. "Ted, can you describe these weapons? We've heard the reports, but have you been able to obtain any sort of visual confirmation?"

"They're tanks, Marisha, and I [i]believe[/i] aircraft as well, but they're so darn fast it's hard to catch them, even with the camera. They may have others we haven't seen, of course, but what's certain is that the speed of their advance is unprecedented. It's as if the other army isn't even there," Ted explained, flinching slightly as a particularly thunderous explosion detonated behind him.

Facing the camera properly again, Marisha folded her hands. "And there you have it, from Ted Huckman, live on the scene. It seems the fall of the Republic of Arabia is inevitable if they are left to stand on their own. As of right now, President Gloria Vanderhall is in talks with with the other NATO leaders on what the appropriate response to this act of naked aggression should be."

[color=orchid]"Back,"[/color] Lady Arcana called out, her feet touching down on the ground a short distance behind Zoey. With the hangar open, it made coming to and from the castle [i]so[/i] much easier. [color=orchid]"It's...pretty awful out there. I tried not to look too hard at the aftermath, and just focus on their weapons during my fly over."[/color]

She knew there were people dying right now out there. Her heart was ready to pound from her chest, and her tongue was sticking to the top of her dry mouth. She hated having to just [i]observe[/i], to wait knowing that it was costing lives. [color=orchid]"I don't know a lot about weapons and stuff, but there was definitely some really weird looking tech over there. I could sense magic from it, too...and they have a [i]lot[/i] of it!"[/color]

[color=IndianRed]"That at least confirms the new tech they have,"[/color] Came the low reply from Grim, rumbling from the voice modulator that was back over her face. Her eyes didn't stray from the screen of the Grim Grotto's computer for a few moments, taking in the last bits of the news report before finally tearing away to bring her gaze to settle on Lady Arcana. [color=IndianRed]"I recognized some of the Arab Federation's equipment, it was nothing that would've set the tracker off but still deadly. The ones you saw are what's making this a bloodbath most likely."[/color] The vigilante huffed, her jaw clenching beneath the mask as Grim tapped her finger against her arms in agitation.

[color=IndianRed]"In anycase it's a definite step up from New York. That... [i]man[/i] is gradually increasing in intensity with his tests. Supplying a full fledged army with magitech? What is he even interested in from the Arab Federation - unless he was already part of it?"[/color] Grim began pacing in front of her computer, fingers continually tapping away on the thick fabric of her coat. [color=IndianRed]"And of course we have to respond. Ignoring the actual complications of stepping in on a literal [i]war[/i] there's no way a traditional government could stop a combination of magic and tech like that on such short notice without assistance - so many lives would be lost if we waited on NATO to actually [i]do[/i] something."[/color] Finally Zoey stopped, turning once more to Lady Arcana.

[color=IndianRed]"Besides, I don't think I could keep you away if I tried. Think you can carry the Grim Jet? You're faster."[/color]

Lady Arcana eagerly nodded in confirmation, [color=orchid]"Of course!"[/color]

Turning without another word, she began walking towwards the hangar, assuming Grim would be right behind her. [color=orchid]"No matter what weird weapons they might have, I'm still [i]The Wizard[/i]. I'll end this whole stupid war on my own if I have to."[/color]

After all, since this involved [i]magi[/i]tech, it was her duty to make certain it wasn't being misused...and she was pretty certain that launching a massive invassion of your neighbors was a pretty flagrant abuse of magic. Especially by whoever it was that had given it to the Arab Federation to begin with. Maybe this time they would be able to figure out who was behind all of this pointless chaos.

In truth, despite her bravado, disabling an army of hundreds of thousands - maybe over a million - without killing anyone was no mean feat. She would have to break their weapons, but maintain a speed that wouldn't broil them alive with boiling hypersonic booms. She was starting to get the hang of suppressing the effects of friction at higher speeds, but she wasn't confident enough to put so many lives at risk just yet.

[color=orchid]"Alright, ready when you are,"[/color] Lady Arcana called up to Grim, placing her hands against the bottom of the Grim Jet.

[color=IndianRed]"Countdown to ten and ready,"[/color] Grim paused from closing the hatch on the jet, just a moment of pause. [color=IndianRed]"And Karen, you'll never have to do it on your own."[/color] [/center]