After expolering the rest of the island, the republic sends troops to Britain to see the statue at there, ETA:2 days. Research projects:basic land units, better booze, and a United church of Catholic and Protestant.
A long range telecommunication probe was set to Europe by Aperture Science today to re-establish stable communication with Europe, anyone is allowed to use it...if they supply Aperture with test subjects. Pop lost to testing: -6 Involuntary volunteers: +10 New population: 100 + 105 staff
Troops found probe in northern Britain, the troops touch it and a voice came on saying stuff about science. The troops only cared about bozos so they just destroyed it to make it stop talking.
After the disaster that was the original communication effort Aperture Science is planning to get a communications satellite up into outer space. I know what you're thinking it can't be done...conventionally. Lets just say that portal technology will be put to good use.