Difference between pages "ISO 3166" and "Operation Shutdown"

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'''OUTLINE'''
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''2026--The US is no longer China’s main importer and the Beijing government is calling the entirety of its 10 trillion dollar loan in US Treasury Bonds.
  
−
''We left Uri and Carla in a Brig hotel room after he stepped out of the Orient Express on which Najwa and Alexander were also traveling.
+
''Taiwan is on high alert as the ultimatum given by the Mainland for all foreign (US) ships to clear 46 nautical miles from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_China Greater China]’s shores expires within hours.
  
−
''Back in Jerusalem, Aron who has been notified about Uri's whereabouts from US intelligence, is now confronted by politician with a clear agenda.
+
''The Republican lead Congress and Senate vote for a nationalization of The Federal Reserve System. The US now faces its worse financial crises since its foundation 250 years earlier. Great Britain, which has now fully embraced the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurozone Eurozone] can’t persuade its partners to bail out its former colony. Japan and unified Korea remain neutral as 90% their economies depend on the Chinese market. The Pakistan-India conflict and Russia's internal droughts/heat-waves concerns prevent these countries from intervening.
  
−
''In Bern, Carla has been pulled from the Nikitin files and is now being summoned by the Federal Counsel.  
+
''In Rome, it is the 100th day of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_conclave Papal Conclave]. For the first time, a Chinese Cardinal (Named by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, CPCA) is attending.''
  
−
''Uri is seeking extreme measures to elude all who are tracking him.  
+
''The US has one last shot: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCYBERCOM USCYBERCOM].
  
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[[CCTV|<< PREVIOUS EPISODE]] - [[One Night in Bangkok|NEXT EPISODE >>]]
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''Four Star General [[Jouni]] Wilson, 48, Head  of the United States Cyber Command has been called to the White House. The preliminary phases of Operation Shutdown (Operation Login & Operation Password) have been incrementally deployed since 2012. California developed softwares which power routers and hubs controlling 80% of the world’s Internet traffic, are coded to overload and create irreparable hardware damage (catastrophic physical failure). Triggering OSD means halting all trade and the world would instantaneously “regress” to a pre-Internet era.
 +
 
 +
''Two camps develop in the Situation Room:
 +
 
 +
''One is in favor of implementing OSD immediately without warning so the US could retreat into “self-sustaining mode”.
 +
 
 +
''The other is to expose the catastrophic consequences of OSD to all concerned countries and negotiate a settlement.
 +
 
 +
''The main argument in favor of the first solution is that the US is no longer dependent on foreign energy resources. 50% of new vehicles now run on electricity produced domestically in Canada. The rest and other energy needs are fulfilled by exploitation of high sea platforms in the Beaufort Sea. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McKinley William McKinley], 25th President of The United States, is being cited for his protectionist views.
 +
 
 +
''Arguments against, include US military domination and advance in software technologies as a possible means to turn around the current regression.
 +
 
 +
''Launch of an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse EMP] over the region is considered.
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 +
[[The Last Khazar|<< PREVIOUS EPISODE]] - [[S3E02|NEXT EPISODE >>]]
  
 
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====DAWN, LONDON CENTRAL MAIL CENTER====
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====SOUTH CHINA SEA, EXTERIOR DECK, USS PALIN, 2026-07-04 2000Z====
 +
 
 +
The sun is rising at the southern entrance of the Taiwan Straight. US Navy Commander [[Roger]] Pearl, 59, scans the horizon through a pair of 20th century binoculars. A contingent of more than 100 PLA Navy ships are deployed 22 nautical miles from the Cost of Taiwan. Lieutenant [[Pete]] Tran Huang, 61, views the interactive live satellite image of the area on his electronic pad. A crypted feed unrolls in a side dialogue box.
 +
 
 +
Roger<br/ >
 +
(still scanning)<br/ >
 +
No words from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USPACOM PACOM]?
 +
 
 +
Pete<br/ >
 +
No… The feed's now direct from The Situation Room...
 +
 
 +
Roger<br/ >
 +
Well... Happy 4th of July.
 +
 
 +
Peteg<br/ >
 +
(Looking at Pearl)<br/ >
 +
Same to you Commander.
 +
 
 +
Roger<br/ >
 +
Guess we're first row for the fireworks.
 +
 
 +
Peteg<br/ >
 +
(looking towards Taiwan)<br? >
 +
You think they'll resist?
 +
 
 +
Roger<br/ >
 +
Neah... [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Liberation_Army_Navy PLAN] will just will just dock on schedule.
 +
 
 +
Pete<br/ >
 +
(looking back at his screen where dozens of tiny Taiwanese Navy ships form a scattered territorial line, dangerously close to the Chinese "Armada")<br/ >
 +
Wow. This is David against Goliath!
 +
 
 +
Roger<br/ >
 +
And these guys are not waiting for a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_incident reason]...
 +
 
 +
Rogers looks a the rising sun.
 +
 
 +
Roger (Continuing)<br/ >
 +
We're going home Mate...
 +
 
 +
Pete looks up again and scans the Asian shores. Pensive...
 +
 
 +
Pete<br/ >
 +
Right...
 +
 
 +
==== INTERIOR, SITUATION ROOM, WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON DC, 2026-07-04 2030Z (Friday July 3, 2026, 3:30pm ET) ====
  
−
The yellow striped red van carefully pulls back to dock at gate 17. Two Royal Mail employees&mdash;one leaning on his Pallet jack's handle, the other taking advantage of the open gate to smoke a cigarette&mdash;and a supervisor, wait for the driver to open the van's back door. Inside, a wooden box is securely strapped to a pallet.
+
General [[Jouni]] Wilson kisses President [[Sam]] Gomez on the cheek before settling into a cushy boardroom seat. Around the conference table sit: The White House Chief of Staff (WHCS), The Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff (CJCS), The Secretary of State (SOS), The Secretary of Commerce (SOC), Senator PRO, Chairman of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_Foreign_Relations_Subcommittee_on_East_Asian_and_Pacific_Affairs The Senate Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs], Congressman ALT, Chairman of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Appropriations_Subcommittee_on_Energy_and_Water_Development The House Committee on Energy and Water Development] and about a dozen t-shirt wearing aides and advizors. The walls are covered with LCD paneling displaying live feeds from the Pacific front as well as scrolling data.
  
−
====MAIN SORTING ROOM, LONDON CENTRAL MAIL CENTER====
+
Sam<br/ >
 +
(addressing Jouni)<br/ >
 +
This is your big day General.
  
−
A loud rumbling noise echoes throughout the facility as letters tumble inside a gigantic drum called the ''Segragator''. The supervisor take pictures as the two employees cut the metal straps then dismantle the wooden box which has been lowered next to an oversize sorting table. The crews of experienced [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sorter#Noun sorters] which has been assembled by management for the unusual task are fascinated as they discover the rusty trunk. The supervisor moves in to lift the lid. The trunk is filled with letters, most of them intact.
+
Jouni<br/ >
 +
(smiling)<br/ >
 +
With all due respect, this is YOUR big day Mr. President.
  
−
One by one, the content of the trunk is carefully laid out on the table and each letter is photographed&mdash;recto/verso. The letters are then placed in a different section on the table according to their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1_alpha-2 country code]. As all mail should be destined to Australia&mdash;the [[The_Zytglogge_Mission#DAY.2C_GULF_OF_ADEN.2C_ARABIAN_SEA|sunken ship]] was bound for Melbourne&mdash;letters are sorted by addressers. The first section handles the UK and Europe excluding Russia; another, The United States and Canada; a third one, the rest of the Americas and Africa; a fourth one for Asia excluding Russia; and finally the fifth section for the ex-USSR and for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-3 countries which have disappeared].
+
Sam<br/ >
 +
They all start to look the same to me if you want my opinion.<br/ >
 +
(turning towards the CJCS)<br/ >
 +
So, what do we got Chief?
  
−
====SORTING TABLE, LONDON CENTRAL MAIL CENTER====
+
CJCS<br/ >
 +
(rising and moving towards the main screen showing the same image as on Lieutenant Pete Tran Huang's pad)<br/ >
 +
Well Gentlemen... (turning toward Jouni) Mrs General... The ultimatum expires in less than 9 hours... (pointing to stars intermittently flashing red and blue) these are our position. About half the Pacific fleet is parked on either sides of the straight. The red dots here are the PLA's Navy. Over 100 ships with an estimated 100,000 troops on board. Further inland, we believe that another 20,000 Special Forces are ready to be airlifted and deployed directly downtown Taipei and Kaohsiung.<br/ >
 +
(Turing towards the President)<br/ >
 +
If the Taiwanese do not offer resistance, we estimate that the deployment and control of the Island by the PLA will take less than 6 hours. If the Taiwanese hold a battle, maybe 12 hours and over 10,000 casualties... Mainly on the Taiwanese side.
  
−
The sorter responsible for section 5 pulls out a letter emanating from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6nigsberg Königsberg], Prussia.
+
Pro<br/ >
 +
(sitting to the right of the President)<br/ >
 +
And if we block them?
  
−
-Prussia! Isn't that Germany? Shouldn't it go to section 1.
+
CJCS<br/ >
 +
This would mean launching Operation Sea Wall... Then we cannot predict the outcome as other fronts would inevitably open.
  
−
-Well where in Prussia, could also be Poland, answers the sorter at section 1.
+
Pro<br/ >
 +
(looking at the CJCS)<br/ >
 +
But this is what we signed up for... We must have an estimate.
  
−
-Königsberg, sounds German to me...
+
CJCS<br/ >
 +
Full on confrontation on this specific front could last forever. We have the capacity to hold indefinitely. But the contingency also involves an offensive on the Mainland... Moving to Operation Kuomin Bang.
  
−
-That's Kaliningrad. The Russians kept that parcel of land. Stays in your pile mate.
+
Sam<br/ >
 +
Well let's not get carried away here. (turning towards Jouni) What do you say Jouni?
  
−
====SECTION 4, SORTING TABLE, LONDON CENTRAL MAIL CENTER====
+
Jouni<br/ >
 +
About attacking China?<br/ >
  
−
Now that all the mail has been sorted by global regions, each section labels its letters according to their new country code. The sorter at section 4 pulls one out.
+
Sam<br/ >
 +
No, about not attacking China. About pulling the plug.
  
−
-I got one here on that said Palestine, but with the Queen's face on the stamp.
+
Jouni<br/ >
 +
(she rise her head and take a few seconds before addressing the whole group)
 +
Well gentlemen... In response to the issue raised by Secretary SOC... about the February loan call by Beijing, I have been asked to present possible alternatives to defaulting or firing off nukes.
  
−
-What city? asks the man at section 1, who seems to be the most knowledgeable.
+
Pro<br/ >
 +
I think you're oversimplifying General!<br/ >
 +
(turning towards the President)<br/ >
 +
If we lose Taiwan Mr. President, the only pull we have left is on Canada, Mexico and maybe Cuba... That's my point.
  
−
-Avhayil...
+
Sam<br/ >
 +
Let her continue Pro. Jouni...
  
−
-Avhayil? No idea. What's the name?
+
Jouni<br/ >
 +
Thanks you Sam. About a decade ago, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Telecommunications_and_Information_Administration NTIA] introduced a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit Rootkit] protocol through FCC which covert objective was the installation of a ghost code which is now deployed on about 80% of the world's rooters and switches. We're talking main underseas and satellite switches here. Triggering OSD would result in catastrophic physical failure of these systems... Basically cutting off all communications worldwide.
  
−
-[[Isabella|Isabella Altaras]], Avihayil Moshav, Avhayil, Palestine.
+
SOS<br/ >
 +
(adding)<br/ >
 +
Which would instantaneously alt all international trade and get most economies to collapse.
  
−
-Show me.
+
Pro<br/ >
 +
Including ours!
  
−
The man from section 1 hands [[Isabella's_letter_to_Anastasio|the letter]] to the one from section 4 who reads out loud.
+
Alt<br/ >
 +
(sitting on the left of the President)<br/ >
 +
Ours has already collapsed!
  
−
-Avihayil Moshav... That's like a Kibbutz. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-2:IL IL].
+
Jouni<br/ >
 +
(resuming)<br/ >
 +
Code name: Operation Shut Down.
  
−
====PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICES, JERUSALEM====
+
==== TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE, CLOSING, 2026-07-04 2100Z (Friday July 3,  2026, 4:00pm ET) ====
  
−
[[Aaron]] is mulling over his thoughts, standing by a window overlooking the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wohl_Rose_Park Rose Park], when enters a man in his early forties.
+
''Although all securities traded in US dollars were suspended due to Independence Day observation, several Canadian energy and natural resources stocks gained up to 500% by closing.''
  
−
-Mr. Hanin. Thanks for coming to meet me. [[Ben|Ben Zimmer]], says the man as he shakes Aaron's hand.
+
==== BAY STREET, TORONTO, MINUTES LATER ====
  
−
-Pleasure to meet you.
+
A banker steps into a cab in which the transparent LED security screen displays a live newscast. The anchor, named Lloyd, is the default virtual rendition of Canada's longest-serving network news anchor in television history.
  
−
-Can I get you something?
+
Lloyd<br/ >
 +
In a formidable reversal of fortune, seven Canadian energy and natural resources companies, saved the day at the TSX this afternoon when their stocks closed up 500% getting the Canadian index to rise by 260 points, a first positive gain since the February crash...
  
−
-No, that will good. I just had a quick lunch.
+
As the newscast continues, the banker touches the screen to switch anchor skin. A 20 something foxy French accented lady named "Speakerine" continues without pose. Sask...
  
−
-Yes, sorry I couldn't free myself earlier, we had a Cabinet meeting. Please sit.
+
Speakerine<br/ >
 +
(continuing)<br/ >
 +
...atchewan based Prairies Potash Group showed the most spectacular gain closing at over CAD $1,000 a share up 512%. Nunavut based Inu Off Shore (IOS) closed at CAD $872 up 394%. At the other end of the Pacific, the standoff continues between the two Chinas... Will the US intervene? More live from Taipei...
  
−
The two men sit in the office's lounge area.
+
The Banker speed dials on his Dvice as the newscast continues.
  
−
-So, how can I help you, Mr. Zimmer.
+
Banker<br/ >
 +
(smiling)<br/ >
 +
I told you... 400% fucking percent man... Of course they'll pull out... I'll catch you after dark... пока!
  
−
-Well, let me go straight to the point. Uri Yatom, as I understand, one of your top men, has run Awol.
+
==== USCYBERCOM HQ, FORT MEADE, MARYLAND ====
  
−
Aaron hesitates a moment.
+
[[image:The_internet's_undersea_world.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The internet's undersea world]]
  
−
-Well, unless he's hiding in the Old City, I don't know how the Minister in charge of Jerusalem could be concerned? If I may say.
+
In a vast control room dedicated to major operations, a giant LED screen displays a map showing all terrestrial and submarine switches connecting the main lines of global communication. A holographic screen displays geostationary satellites above two hemispheres.
  
−
-Well, in this particular case, I'll wear my other hat, as Minister of Diaspora, replies Ben.
+
Around 25 operators are standing by as a full rehearsal is on hold, waiting for a go from the White House. The protocol is similar to one for a nuclear attack launch.
  
−
Aaron looks skeptical.
+
The senior officer in charge of the operation is Captain [[Octavio]] Jabbaz, a 40 something laid-back dude munching on an apple while monitoring all screens and intermittently glancing at a feed from [[Jouni]]. As he gets the go, he drops his apple core into the trash can, sits up right on his swivel chair and taps on his mike.
  
−
-I understand that you might not wish to, and that you are not compelled to share the whereabouts of your operatives, but you might be interested to know where this is going, at least from our end. We're all working together after all.
+
Octavio<br/ >
 +
(though his microphone)<br/ >
 +
OK girls... This is it. Full on rehearsal. I repeat this IS a drill... (pause) 180 seconds countdownnnn... Now!
  
−
Arron remains unmoved as Ben stands up to grab a file bearing the Knesset's logo.
+
The 3 minute countdown starts. A sequence is coordinated and broken down in sectors.
  
−
-In a few weeks, a group a people, with all kinds of agendas, will get together to study what composes our population. As you might well understand, this will steer controversy within as well as outside of our borders.
+
Octavio<br/ >
 +
(sarcastic, looking at his subordinate siting next to him)<br/ >
 +
Nothing better to do at the head of a holiday weekend, than to blast your own shop!
  
−
Aaron grabs the document to look it over.
+
12-11-10 seconds to launch
  
−
-Our administration, has a clear view on this and on the polities regarding Aliyah. Which is status quo, at least in terms of quotas! We have enough enemies at the gate, to start creating further dissension within.
+
==== INTERIOR, SITUATION ROOM, WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON DC, 2026-07-04 2115Z (Friday July 3, 2026, 4:15pm ET) ====
  
−
-Ok, but I still don't understand how my agency or one of my operatives could be of any assistance or interest to you, or this future commission?
+
9 seconds to launch.
  
−
Ben sits back at his chair, pulls an electronic cigarette from his jacket's pocket and starts puffing.
+
Jouni stands by a similar image as the one displayed at Fort Meade when the countdown reaches zero.
  
−
-Are you familiar with the myth of the Khazars?
+
Jouni<br/ >
 +
(pointing to the Mediteranean)<br/ >
 +
So the initial event happens here on the only cable joining Italy to Egypt. The break has an instantaneous domino effect on all communications reaching the Middle-East and most of the Sub-Continent. Shortly after, we trigger the North-Atlantic main switches, cutting us off from everything eastward. At this point only East Asia and North-America remain wired.<br/ >
 +
(pause)<br/ >
 +
The Euro-Middle-Eastern black-out overloads satellite streams and there we go... At this point we hit those 3 spots in the Pacific and all that's left is for the Chinese to talk to themselves and maybe to half of India and Indonesia.<br/ >
 +
(pause)<br/ >
 +
No one knows how it started but all eyes are on China.
  
−
-Vaguely, I remember reading something about it.
+
Silence...
  
−
-Well, it appears that our friend Uri has not only read something about it, but fully embraced the theory.
+
Pro<br/ >
 +
And what do we do next?
  
−
-What do you mean?
+
Alt<br/ >
 +
(introducing an aide)<br/ >
 +
Sujata...
  
−
-We also have our network, independent of your services, based on civilians and charity groups...
+
[[Sujata]] Gupta, a 30something plain looking and slightly shy woman moves her chair closer to the conference table.
  
−
-Yes, please cut to the chase, we are well aware of these networks...
+
Sujata<br/ >
 +
Hi, I am the executive director of the energy and water sub-committee on sustainability also known as the EWS. If many of you are not familiar with this committee it's because we've been operating under a classified Congress/Presidential order. I'm here to present a summary of our research.<br/ >
 +
(looking at her pad)<br/ >
 +
For the past 18 months, we have been working on a scenario in which the United States would be virtually cut off from the rest of the world. Here are the main points of our model. Our labor force would come from Mexico and our Energy from Canada; Agricultural resources would be optimized so that we could provide food for ourselves and our satellites (Canada, Mexico and Cuba); The Great Lakes would be secured though a Federal Act and pipelines would run sweat-water across the continent.<br/ >Time-frame from black-out to total sustainability: 12 months.
  
−
Zimmer sounds a little annoyed by his guest's tone adopts a patronizing one.
+
An uncomfortable silence in the room is broken when the Secretary of Commerce reacts.
  
−
-Well, these networks, which you're apparently familiar with, have reported to us, that a man, fitting the profile of Mr. Yatom, has been digging deep into his family roots, sending all sorts of alarms...
+
SOC<br/>
 +
But what's the point of burning all bridges.
  
−
Aaron cuts him off abruptly.
+
SOS<br/>
 +
Not to be at an unfair advantage.
  
−
-You have a mole in Mossad!
+
The White House Chief of Staff, a man in his early sixties intervenes.
 +
 +
WHCS<br/>
 +
The point Ms. Sujata and her team are making here is that we probably are one of the only world economies that could sustain itself from its own resources... Remember that our expansion was carried on over 2 major phases: Need for oil, obviously... and the subsequent post war outreach for new markets... Both these predicaments are now over. We consume 15% less oil then 10 years ago while our domestic production has increased by nearly 50% with the prospect for new untouched reserves very promising.<br/>
 +
In terms of markets... Our trade balance has steadily decreased for the past 25 years. We borrow from our producers to buy their shit! Never made any sense to me!<br/>
  
−
-A mole? As I mentioned earlier Mr. Hanin, we're all working together on this and as far I understand, Mossad is part of this administration.
+
At one point, this has to stop. We've been surfing this wave long enough and I think it's in the best intererst of the American people to pull the plug.<br/>
  
−
-We serve Israel, not a particular party or a particular policy. With all due respect, you are here today in this office, Mr. Zimmer, but tomorrow it'll be someone else, with a different agenda, but we'll still be at our post... We can't swing with the wind.
+
PRO<br/>
 +
What about the external debt.
 +
 +
SOS<br/>
 +
We'll negotiate!
  
−
Zimmer leans forward, getting closer to Aaron.
+
PRO<br/>
 +
And our rating.
  
−
-Listen Aaroon, we came to you because we know that you have your own grievances with the way things have been working at Mossad recently, and before changes are made, at the top, we want to make sure of who we want to work with...
+
POTUS<br/>
 +
Fuck the ratings!
  
−
====DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, BERN====
+
SOS<br/>
 +
This was a virtual game from the beginning. We'll just be the first to lay our cards down.
  
−
[[Carla]] is sitting at her desk on an early Monday morning. Her boss, a woman in her late 50s, knocks at her door left ajar, then enters.
+
PRO<br/>
 +
This means going back to the stone-age.
 +
 +
JOUNI<br/>
 +
If I may clarify something here gentlemen... Our modelling shows that new switches could be put instaled within months to replace defective ones. But what we can also predict is a trust issue where only China will be in a position to make these changes quickly and globally but where no-one will trust them. So the actual system could take years to be up and running again and trade routes will have to find alternative ways.
 +
 +
POTUS<br/>
 +
Where we succeded is in creating a sense of comunity within our borders... and with our Mexican and Canadian friends... (smiling) and Cuban cousins. Everywhere else in the world, inner fights are taking their toll. With this advantage, we can flip this back our way... Even globally.
  
−
-Hi Carla... Good to see you back. How do you feel.
+
==== DEAD LAKE, CREE RESERVE, WOOD BUFFALO, ALBERTA ====
  
−
-Great. Thanks. Had a fantastic week and weekend. Feel like new.
+
A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cree Cree] mother is walking towards the water truck with 2 five gallons plastic containers. Kids are playing on the grounds of an eery and desolate landscape.
 +
 +
Mother<br/>
 +
(looking at the kids)<br/>
 +
Come and carry the water...
  
−
-Listen, about Moscow... You know we'll have to talk about this.
+
Two of the kids join the mother at the water truck.
  
−
-Yes, tell me when.
+
Hundreds of neatly piled up gigantic used truck tires fill the horizon.
  
−
-Well, I'm not sure why but I'm not going to be involved. You will be called directly by the Palace, I believe later today.
+
==== MALECON, CUBA, SUNSET ====
  
−
-Wow.
+
[[File:WaveOnMaleconSunset.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The Malecon]]
  
−
-Yes and in the meantime, I have been asked to relieve you from the ZIC and all files related to Nikitin.
+
[[Najwa]], early forties, climbs out of the water to the setting sun. She stare at the sea for a few minutes as she dries up before climbing a rusted ladder to reach the newly renovated sea front strip.
  
−
-Well, I was kind of expecting this... But just to know, who is this coming from?
+
Semi transparent LED ads wrapping the preserved colonial buildings light up intermittently the sky darkens. Battery operated Chevys and Oldsmolibes from the 50s run silently on the Malecon. As she turns on Avenida de Italia, rows of street vendors scream out their deals in Spanish. A kids offers "Star-spangled" fireworks for the evening celebrations. Najwa enters a private court and climbs few steps to reach her home. As she gets to the roof, she approaches [[Alexander]], 56, busy talking to his Dvice.
  
−
-The Federal Counsel.
+
He smiles at her her and carries on his conversation as she approaches.
  
−
-Ok... So what should I do in the meantime...
+
Alexander<br/ >
 +
(in English)<br/ >
 +
What about the Alberta companies... Great. Listen, if we lose our lines of communications over the weekend, stay put on all stocks until Najwa flies in with instruction.
  
−
-For the rest of the day, just maybe transfer everything you have and maybe write a short report.
 
  
−
-To who?
 
  
−
-To me for now.
 
  
−
====DECK OF THE SHIP, STRAIGHT OF GIBRALTAR====
 
  
−
[[Uri]] looks at the lights of Tarifa, Spain, as the cargo ship '''Orama''' on which he sails passes the straight into the Atlantic Ocean.
 
  
−
====CLIPPER ROUTE, SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN====
 
  
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Uri sits at a makeshift picnic table set on deck of the ship. He wrote the first word, '''Carla''', but stares at the layers of clouds in search of inspiration. An Eastbound plane leaves a long trail in the sky. Uri starts [[Uri's letter to Carla|writing]].
 
  
  
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Latest revision as of 17:00, 22 December 2023

2026--The US is no longer China’s main importer and the Beijing government is calling the entirety of its 10 trillion dollar loan in US Treasury Bonds.

Taiwan is on high alert as the ultimatum given by the Mainland for all foreign (US) ships to clear 46 nautical miles from Greater China’s shores expires within hours.

The Republican lead Congress and Senate vote for a nationalization of The Federal Reserve System. The US now faces its worse financial crises since its foundation 250 years earlier. Great Britain, which has now fully embraced the Eurozone can’t persuade its partners to bail out its former colony. Japan and unified Korea remain neutral as 90% their economies depend on the Chinese market. The Pakistan-India conflict and Russia's internal droughts/heat-waves concerns prevent these countries from intervening.

In Rome, it is the 100th day of the Papal Conclave. For the first time, a Chinese Cardinal (Named by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, CPCA) is attending.

The US has one last shot: USCYBERCOM.

Four Star General Jouni Wilson, 48, Head of the United States Cyber Command has been called to the White House. The preliminary phases of Operation Shutdown (Operation Login & Operation Password) have been incrementally deployed since 2012. California developed softwares which power routers and hubs controlling 80% of the world’s Internet traffic, are coded to overload and create irreparable hardware damage (catastrophic physical failure). Triggering OSD means halting all trade and the world would instantaneously “regress” to a pre-Internet era.

Two camps develop in the Situation Room:

One is in favor of implementing OSD immediately without warning so the US could retreat into “self-sustaining mode”.

The other is to expose the catastrophic consequences of OSD to all concerned countries and negotiate a settlement.

The main argument in favor of the first solution is that the US is no longer dependent on foreign energy resources. 50% of new vehicles now run on electricity produced domestically in Canada. The rest and other energy needs are fulfilled by exploitation of high sea platforms in the Beaufort Sea. William McKinley, 25th President of The United States, is being cited for his protectionist views.

Arguments against, include US military domination and advance in software technologies as a possible means to turn around the current regression.

Launch of an EMP over the region is considered.

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SOUTH CHINA SEA, EXTERIOR DECK, USS PALIN, 2026-07-04 2000Z

The sun is rising at the southern entrance of the Taiwan Straight. US Navy Commander Roger Pearl, 59, scans the horizon through a pair of 20th century binoculars. A contingent of more than 100 PLA Navy ships are deployed 22 nautical miles from the Cost of Taiwan. Lieutenant Pete Tran Huang, 61, views the interactive live satellite image of the area on his electronic pad. A crypted feed unrolls in a side dialogue box.

Roger
(still scanning)
No words from PACOM?

Pete
No… The feed's now direct from The Situation Room...

Roger
Well... Happy 4th of July.

Peteg
(Looking at Pearl)
Same to you Commander.

Roger
Guess we're first row for the fireworks.

Peteg
(looking towards Taiwan)<br? > You think they'll resist?

Roger
Neah... PLAN will just will just dock on schedule.

Pete
(looking back at his screen where dozens of tiny Taiwanese Navy ships form a scattered territorial line, dangerously close to the Chinese "Armada")
Wow. This is David against Goliath!

Roger
And these guys are not waiting for a reason...

Rogers looks a the rising sun.

Roger (Continuing)
We're going home Mate...

Pete looks up again and scans the Asian shores. Pensive...

Pete
Right...

INTERIOR, SITUATION ROOM, WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON DC, 2026-07-04 2030Z (Friday July 3, 2026, 3:30pm ET)

General Jouni Wilson kisses President Sam Gomez on the cheek before settling into a cushy boardroom seat. Around the conference table sit: The White House Chief of Staff (WHCS), The Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff (CJCS), The Secretary of State (SOS), The Secretary of Commerce (SOC), Senator PRO, Chairman of The Senate Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Congressman ALT, Chairman of The House Committee on Energy and Water Development and about a dozen t-shirt wearing aides and advizors. The walls are covered with LCD paneling displaying live feeds from the Pacific front as well as scrolling data.

Sam
(addressing Jouni)
This is your big day General.

Jouni
(smiling)
With all due respect, this is YOUR big day Mr. President.

Sam
They all start to look the same to me if you want my opinion.
(turning towards the CJCS)
So, what do we got Chief?

CJCS
(rising and moving towards the main screen showing the same image as on Lieutenant Pete Tran Huang's pad)
Well Gentlemen... (turning toward Jouni) Mrs General... The ultimatum expires in less than 9 hours... (pointing to stars intermittently flashing red and blue) these are our position. About half the Pacific fleet is parked on either sides of the straight. The red dots here are the PLA's Navy. Over 100 ships with an estimated 100,000 troops on board. Further inland, we believe that another 20,000 Special Forces are ready to be airlifted and deployed directly downtown Taipei and Kaohsiung.
(Turing towards the President)
If the Taiwanese do not offer resistance, we estimate that the deployment and control of the Island by the PLA will take less than 6 hours. If the Taiwanese hold a battle, maybe 12 hours and over 10,000 casualties... Mainly on the Taiwanese side.

Pro
(sitting to the right of the President)
And if we block them?

CJCS
This would mean launching Operation Sea Wall... Then we cannot predict the outcome as other fronts would inevitably open.

Pro
(looking at the CJCS)
But this is what we signed up for... We must have an estimate.

CJCS
Full on confrontation on this specific front could last forever. We have the capacity to hold indefinitely. But the contingency also involves an offensive on the Mainland... Moving to Operation Kuomin Bang.

Sam
Well let's not get carried away here. (turning towards Jouni) What do you say Jouni?

Jouni
About attacking China?

Sam
No, about not attacking China. About pulling the plug.

Jouni
(she rise her head and take a few seconds before addressing the whole group) Well gentlemen... In response to the issue raised by Secretary SOC... about the February loan call by Beijing, I have been asked to present possible alternatives to defaulting or firing off nukes.

Pro
I think you're oversimplifying General!
(turning towards the President)
If we lose Taiwan Mr. President, the only pull we have left is on Canada, Mexico and maybe Cuba... That's my point.

Sam
Let her continue Pro. Jouni...

Jouni
Thanks you Sam. About a decade ago, NTIA introduced a Rootkit protocol through FCC which covert objective was the installation of a ghost code which is now deployed on about 80% of the world's rooters and switches. We're talking main underseas and satellite switches here. Triggering OSD would result in catastrophic physical failure of these systems... Basically cutting off all communications worldwide.

SOS
(adding)
Which would instantaneously alt all international trade and get most economies to collapse.

Pro
Including ours!

Alt
(sitting on the left of the President)
Ours has already collapsed!

Jouni
(resuming)
Code name: Operation Shut Down.

TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE, CLOSING, 2026-07-04 2100Z (Friday July 3, 2026, 4:00pm ET)

Although all securities traded in US dollars were suspended due to Independence Day observation, several Canadian energy and natural resources stocks gained up to 500% by closing.

BAY STREET, TORONTO, MINUTES LATER

A banker steps into a cab in which the transparent LED security screen displays a live newscast. The anchor, named Lloyd, is the default virtual rendition of Canada's longest-serving network news anchor in television history.

Lloyd
In a formidable reversal of fortune, seven Canadian energy and natural resources companies, saved the day at the TSX this afternoon when their stocks closed up 500% getting the Canadian index to rise by 260 points, a first positive gain since the February crash...

As the newscast continues, the banker touches the screen to switch anchor skin. A 20 something foxy French accented lady named "Speakerine" continues without pose. Sask...

Speakerine
(continuing)
...atchewan based Prairies Potash Group showed the most spectacular gain closing at over CAD $1,000 a share up 512%. Nunavut based Inu Off Shore (IOS) closed at CAD $872 up 394%. At the other end of the Pacific, the standoff continues between the two Chinas... Will the US intervene? More live from Taipei...

The Banker speed dials on his Dvice as the newscast continues.

Banker
(smiling)
I told you... 400% fucking percent man... Of course they'll pull out... I'll catch you after dark... пока!

USCYBERCOM HQ, FORT MEADE, MARYLAND

The internet's undersea world

In a vast control room dedicated to major operations, a giant LED screen displays a map showing all terrestrial and submarine switches connecting the main lines of global communication. A holographic screen displays geostationary satellites above two hemispheres.

Around 25 operators are standing by as a full rehearsal is on hold, waiting for a go from the White House. The protocol is similar to one for a nuclear attack launch.

The senior officer in charge of the operation is Captain Octavio Jabbaz, a 40 something laid-back dude munching on an apple while monitoring all screens and intermittently glancing at a feed from Jouni. As he gets the go, he drops his apple core into the trash can, sits up right on his swivel chair and taps on his mike.

Octavio
(though his microphone)
OK girls... This is it. Full on rehearsal. I repeat this IS a drill... (pause) 180 seconds countdownnnn... Now!

The 3 minute countdown starts. A sequence is coordinated and broken down in sectors.

Octavio
(sarcastic, looking at his subordinate siting next to him)
Nothing better to do at the head of a holiday weekend, than to blast your own shop!

12-11-10 seconds to launch

INTERIOR, SITUATION ROOM, WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON DC, 2026-07-04 2115Z (Friday July 3, 2026, 4:15pm ET)

9 seconds to launch.

Jouni stands by a similar image as the one displayed at Fort Meade when the countdown reaches zero.

Jouni
(pointing to the Mediteranean)
So the initial event happens here on the only cable joining Italy to Egypt. The break has an instantaneous domino effect on all communications reaching the Middle-East and most of the Sub-Continent. Shortly after, we trigger the North-Atlantic main switches, cutting us off from everything eastward. At this point only East Asia and North-America remain wired.
(pause)
The Euro-Middle-Eastern black-out overloads satellite streams and there we go... At this point we hit those 3 spots in the Pacific and all that's left is for the Chinese to talk to themselves and maybe to half of India and Indonesia.
(pause)
No one knows how it started but all eyes are on China.

Silence...

Pro
And what do we do next?

Alt
(introducing an aide)
Sujata...

Sujata Gupta, a 30something plain looking and slightly shy woman moves her chair closer to the conference table.

Sujata
Hi, I am the executive director of the energy and water sub-committee on sustainability also known as the EWS. If many of you are not familiar with this committee it's because we've been operating under a classified Congress/Presidential order. I'm here to present a summary of our research.
(looking at her pad)
For the past 18 months, we have been working on a scenario in which the United States would be virtually cut off from the rest of the world. Here are the main points of our model. Our labor force would come from Mexico and our Energy from Canada; Agricultural resources would be optimized so that we could provide food for ourselves and our satellites (Canada, Mexico and Cuba); The Great Lakes would be secured though a Federal Act and pipelines would run sweat-water across the continent.
Time-frame from black-out to total sustainability: 12 months.

An uncomfortable silence in the room is broken when the Secretary of Commerce reacts.

SOC
But what's the point of burning all bridges.

SOS
Not to be at an unfair advantage.

The White House Chief of Staff, a man in his early sixties intervenes.

WHCS
The point Ms. Sujata and her team are making here is that we probably are one of the only world economies that could sustain itself from its own resources... Remember that our expansion was carried on over 2 major phases: Need for oil, obviously... and the subsequent post war outreach for new markets... Both these predicaments are now over. We consume 15% less oil then 10 years ago while our domestic production has increased by nearly 50% with the prospect for new untouched reserves very promising.
In terms of markets... Our trade balance has steadily decreased for the past 25 years. We borrow from our producers to buy their shit! Never made any sense to me!

At one point, this has to stop. We've been surfing this wave long enough and I think it's in the best intererst of the American people to pull the plug.

PRO
What about the external debt.

SOS
We'll negotiate!

PRO
And our rating.

POTUS
Fuck the ratings!

SOS
This was a virtual game from the beginning. We'll just be the first to lay our cards down.

PRO
This means going back to the stone-age.

JOUNI
If I may clarify something here gentlemen... Our modelling shows that new switches could be put instaled within months to replace defective ones. But what we can also predict is a trust issue where only China will be in a position to make these changes quickly and globally but where no-one will trust them. So the actual system could take years to be up and running again and trade routes will have to find alternative ways.

POTUS
Where we succeded is in creating a sense of comunity within our borders... and with our Mexican and Canadian friends... (smiling) and Cuban cousins. Everywhere else in the world, inner fights are taking their toll. With this advantage, we can flip this back our way... Even globally.

DEAD LAKE, CREE RESERVE, WOOD BUFFALO, ALBERTA

A Cree mother is walking towards the water truck with 2 five gallons plastic containers. Kids are playing on the grounds of an eery and desolate landscape.

Mother
(looking at the kids)
Come and carry the water...

Two of the kids join the mother at the water truck.

Hundreds of neatly piled up gigantic used truck tires fill the horizon.

MALECON, CUBA, SUNSET

The Malecon

Najwa, early forties, climbs out of the water to the setting sun. She stare at the sea for a few minutes as she dries up before climbing a rusted ladder to reach the newly renovated sea front strip.

Semi transparent LED ads wrapping the preserved colonial buildings light up intermittently the sky darkens. Battery operated Chevys and Oldsmolibes from the 50s run silently on the Malecon. As she turns on Avenida de Italia, rows of street vendors scream out their deals in Spanish. A kids offers "Star-spangled" fireworks for the evening celebrations. Najwa enters a private court and climbs few steps to reach her home. As she gets to the roof, she approaches Alexander, 56, busy talking to his Dvice.

He smiles at her her and carries on his conversation as she approaches.

Alexander
(in English)
What about the Alberta companies... Great. Listen, if we lose our lines of communications over the weekend, stay put on all stocks until Najwa flies in with instruction.





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