Death toll of June 2 bombings released

THE GOVERNMENT has released figures for the June 2 atrocities.

According to the figures, a total of 4,573 people were killed as a direct result of the blasts and the buildings brought down by them. A further 312 died as a result of respiratory failure and other complications caused by dust and smoke bringing the death toll to a staggering 4,885.

5,459 people were moderately or severely injured but have since recovered or been pronounced "stable", while 279 are either comatose or still in a critical condition. At least 6,500 people were mildly injured, and 157 people remain unaccounted for.

President Saxon addressed the nation outside her residence in Ferveo City today.

Visibly shaken, the President said, "The sheer scale of this tragedy is horrifying. That any group could murder almost 5,000 people simply beggars belief.

"But these terrorists, the Fervean Values Force, their leaders have been either killed or arrested by the finest soldiers in the region - Fervean, Jageran and Pagemaster. Though the threat is not over, the perpetrators of these monstrous crimes have been or will be brought swiftly and summarily to justice.

"What these people want is instability. In many other nations tragedies of this magnitude have destroyed democracy and brought in fascist régimes. We cannot allow this to happen, not when we have seen first-hand what this ideology can do."

Surveying the crowd, Ms Saxon continued, "I am not going to mince words. These attacks were not only politically motivated, they were also religiously motivated. Specifically, motivated by fundamentalist Christians.

"These people are the remains of a movement which started and ended with the Unseen Master himself. We simply cannot allow them to gain any power, or we risk another Great Holocaust.

"As President it is my duty to keep this nation together at this time. Do not judge me by my age or by my gender; I want the best for this nation, and I will listen - and have listened - to its people. To you.

"We are the future. We must move on from this tragedy and turn our grief into fortitude, a national strength that will not be eroded by clumsy terrorism. We must turn our faces to these monsters and say, 'No! You shall not destroy everything our people fought and died for!

"Peace through politics. Thank you."

Windows smash in Terminus Island riddle

HOUSES near the secretive Research Site 19 on Terminus Island had some of their windows smashed simultaneously last night, as eyewitnesses described hearing a  "buzzing" noise.

Residents within an approximately 4-km radius reported seeing some windows, glasses and even old spectacles shatter into "hundreds of tiny pieces". A number of related injuries have been reported at Ayyubids Hospital in Port Collins. The number of incidents increased the closer to the site, but the area is sparsely populated.

No response has yet been made by the government; however, Home Secretary Logan Birch is expected to make an announcement later today.

Saxon's shooting shock

THE FERVEAN Observer can today exclusively reveal that President Saxon has been taking marksmanship lessons.

A government insider informed us that Ms Saxon had been taking instruction in the use of handguns and submachine guns from retired military personnel.

The insider stressed that the lessons were paid for out of Ms Saxon's own pocket, and were to supplement her previous position in the FCPD before entering her career in politics.

Speaking outside her residence in northern Ferveo City, a spokesman told the press that, in light of the attacks by the Fervean Values Force on Saxon's predecessors two months ago, personal firearms knowledge could be vital.

"In today's climate of terror and intimidation, it would not do for the leader of a country to have no combat capability," he said. "It would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Saxon reopens borders

ACTING-President Saxon today issued her first high directive, reopening Fervean borders.

The order was made to respond to the expulsion of all Pagemaster citizens and the unilateral closing of all borders by former President Gabriel Seismos two weeks ago.

Speaking outside Parliament, Ms Saxon also issued a formal apology to the Commonwealths of Pagemaster and Jagera on behalf of her late predecessor.

"We do not know exactly why Mr Seismos closed the borders, as all his closest advisers were executed by the Fervean Values Force. However, my administration wishes to extend their most heartfelt apologies to the Jageran and Pagemaster governments, due to the disruption of international trade and the loss of thousands of our soldiers."

Addressing international TV cameras directly, Ms Saxon continued, "Hundreds, thousands, of all our soldiers and citizens were killed in the operations, and the bombings. I give my condolences to the families of the deceased; Fervean, Jageran and Pagemaster. I hope that in the future the bond between our nations will strengthen and thrive.

"We must strive to keep the unity of the International Democratic Union stable."

AREV self-destructs

IT EMERGED yesterday that the Exordium Island Object, while being transported from Research Site 19 to an undisclosed location, self-destructed in the hours prior to the death of Timothy Bishop.

Acting-President Jennifer Saxon, 34, spoke to the press about the mysterious object in the late hours of yesterday's preliminary cleanup operation.

"Our scientists are unsure why the AREV detonated," she announced outside Parliament (undamaged in the explosions on Thursday), "but the ocean around the site is far too deep for us to even attempt to salvage the item."

"The crew of the transport were unhurt. Due to the Official Secrets Act I cannot disclose the names of the crew members, but we never did find out just what was inside the AREV."

Saxon makes grim revelation

AFTER the chaos of the explosions yesterday, former Deputy Foreign Secretary Jennifer Saxon flew into Ferveo City aboard the FSC Nimbus to take command.

Speaking in the smouldering ruins of downtown Ferveo City to a thousand-strong crowd of shaken onlookers, Ms Saxon informed the crowd that everyone above her in the chain of command, including President Seismos, had been murdered in an unprecedented attack by the Fervean Values Force, who had also detonated the bombs in Ferveo City.

She also reassured the public that "there is no further cause for concern. The leaders of the FVF have been either killed or arrested in a joint Fervean-Jageran-Pagemaster assault on a fortified island some distance southwest of Exordium Island.

"While we mourn the deaths of our elected government, we must all play our part in rebuilding our nation, one step at a time. While I hesitate to take on the mantle of Acting-President, I will take the post until our nation recovers from this terrible tragedy.

"We are the future. As Ferveans we cannot allow terrorists to break our spirit. I look forward to building a strong nation, stronger than ever before, with the full support of the Fervean public."

"Let us move forward into a brighter future, starting with the reconstruction of this city. Peace through politics. Thank you." She then stepped from her makeshift platform to enthusiastic applause and took immediate command of the military presence in the city.

Detonations in Ferveo City

BREAKING NEWS

A SERIES of deadly explosions minutes ago ripped through downtown Ferveo City, seriously damaging much of the city's infrastructure.

It is apparent that hundreds of people are dead or mortally injured. Emergency services are strained, and fires rage across the industrial district.

Details are sketchy at best at the moment. We will endeavour to keep you up-to-date on the events of this tragedy as they happen.