On the TV screen, CNN had already begun interrupting with breaking news, sensationally titled: "North Atlantic Tensions Escalate! Canadian Vessel Suspected Sunk!"
"Can someone tell me what exactly happened?!" Kreti's voice was hoarse from just waking up, but it was more filled with repressed anger and shock.
Defense Minister David Collins handed him a freshly compiled brief, his tone heavy: "Sir, we have received multiple confirmations that the Mexican Army, using airborne forces early this morning local time, has militarily occupied Machias Seal Island. Our Royal Navy's 'Kingston'-class coastal defense vessel 'Montreal', while heading to verify the situation and issue a warning, was attacked by air-to-ground missiles fired by Mexican Air Force jets—currently determined to be sunk, with about 37 officers and soldiers aboard feared dead."
"Machias Seal Island? Mexicans?"
