By Anthony Damiani

It was a team effort.

The idea that humanity could be used as a vast thinktank for celestials was ultimately Vapula's. The arrangements for a Cold War to act as a near-perfect simulation of The War was Malphas' contribution. The plot in question is one that Nybbas has wanted to try for a number of decades, but until now he has lacked the means.

The dividing line in the Marches is never straight or even in the best of times. It warps and bulges as particular fears afflict particular populations, creating a warped and contorted boarder filled with metaphorical peninsulas and fjords. Occasionally some of these outcroppings reach deep into the territory surrounded the other side-- and, in this case, to within sight of Heaven itself.

Which is exactly what Nybbas required

It's like this, see: Albertus Magnus once calculated that there were 400 million Angels in Heaven-- do you have any idea what kind of untapped viewer share that represents? It's all about the ratings, baby-- except when it's about the demographics. And even Shal-Mari doesn't pull the kind of demos you get in Heaven. It's where they invented the beautiful people, for Damnation's sake! Talk about your primo ratings...

"And that was 'Garbage' with 'Push It'... Now, stay tuned for our interview with a special guest-- Malphas, Lord of Factions! And remember, everybody: Resist the propaganda! Trust no one! Fight the man! Get in the pit and love some one!"

"This is the noise that keeps me awake/ my head explodes and my body aches" -- Michael, speaking for the entire choir of Seraphim.

Which is where the PCs come in. Though some Archangels, such as Marc, feel that greater dialogue with Hell could have beneficial results, and some, primarily Novalis and Eli lament the fact that the music is genuinely good ('It is one of our greatest failings that all the best bands are affiliated with Satan-- how I wish it hadn't been necessary to exile the Archangel of Song....')-- but ultimately, nobody is willing to allow Heaven to be exposed to Infernal propaganda. This particular outlet of dark language must not survive.

PCs have at least three options in dealing with this threat. They can hunt down and kill Shezekath ('Your NNN News Anchor'), the demon Nybbas has broadcasting Radio Free Heaven. Bear in mind that the broadcast itself is a projection, and it's not as simple as charging into the marches and killing him. Nybbas will, however, gleefully assign another anchor and continue the effort-- PCs will have to hunt down and kill a series of demons before this becomes too expensive an investment for the Media.

Option two is to travel to earth and provide people with peace, hope and security, in an attempt to destabilize the indentation Beleth has made in the Marches.

Option Three is to set up The Voice of God-- the Metatron Broadcast Network, airing Live from Sheol to Shal-Mari, and attempt to hit Nybbas where it hurts: in the market-share. If the programming is popular enough, Marc may be able to negotiate a deal-- one radio station for another.