Nu-Defense

The nationalization of the armed forces is bringing with it a unique set of challenges for Blotting. For many years, three private firms -- the Rules Inc. Military Police, Nu ltd, and MarsDefense -- have been solely responsible for operating the official state military, the military police force, and the security and intelligence apparatus for the entire country. But the State Council's nationalization bill will change all that by, for the first time in recent memory, creating a government organ known as the Blotting Armed Military (BAM), which will run Blotting's army, navy, and air force.

It will not be simple, however. The BAM, run by retired army corporal Lance Tyrell, will face the daunting task of equipping, training, and supplying a first-class military comprising 23,000 regular troops and an additional 10,000 reserves. Procurement chains with firms like MarsDefense and Nu will have to established, costing tens of billions of dollars over the next five years.

"I can't say that I am not a little concerned," Chancellor Miron Kardin said to reporters while touring a BAM Navy shipyard this week. In the background, the colossal husk of an 80-year old super dreadnought could be seen, visibly rotting. "While we have made substantial progress improving our economic standing and bolstering the civil liberties of our citizens, we also need to take greater care of our national security. I have full faith that Corporal Tyrell and the Blotting Armed Military Forces will be successful in-- oh my God, what is he doing?!"

The press conference was cut short after a BAMarine accidentally shot himself in the knee with an antique crossbow. The crossbow was in service for marksmanship training until the first shipment of actual firearms were delivered.