Over the past twenty years or so, at the beginning of Canada's rise on the world stage as a technological and industrial superpower, the Canadian Department of War had spent significant time in the investment of unconventional warfare, as well as military technology. After several contracts with Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, or SIG, and the Royal Small Arms Factory, the Canadian Expeditionary Units have never been so well equipped. With the recent licensing and development of the Mexican Mondragón semi-automatic rifle into the more streamlined and reliable Enfield No. II rifle, and the strengthening of military-class zeppelins into true warships, the power of Canada was unmatched for a time. However, with the uneasy political climate, and the uncertainty that peace would or could be maintained for the following decades, those previously mentioned investments in unconventional warfare began to become more prevalent. In 1892, a network of spies, as well as an elite infantry unit, the Phoenix Light Infantry Corps, were constituted. While the network of spies consisted of largely of civilians, the Phoenix Light Infantry Corps was an entirely new animal. Taking in volunteers from orphanages, Phoenix trains each of its recruits to be independent fighters, using their technological and strategic advantage to work alone if need be. Each operative goes through on the upscale of 16 years of military training, schooling, and other instruction, becoming the premier soldiers and airmen of the Canadian Expeditionary Group. By 1914, the Phoenix Infantry and the Lazarus Network had come together, becoming one of the first, most effective, and discreet special forces units in the world. It's mission: maintain Canada's interests overseas.
Tehran, The Sublime State of Persia - Market District
3 June 1914 - 1300 Hours Local Time
Company Sergeant Major David Kingston - Phoenix Light Infantry, Persia Detachment (ققنوس نور پیاده)
Sunrays shone through the clippings of cloth and sticks composing the makeshift canopies over the meat and textile merchant's stands, particles of dust casting their spattered shadow on the dirt ground. These particles were spewed about the entire square, creating dust clouds, making what little wind there was visible to the naked eye. The inhabitants of Tehran went about their day, purchasing meats for their family, arguing with shopkeepers, and walking about. Their dusty, rough garbs and often unshaven faces contrasted heavily with the more posh lifestyle of Vancouver. Two men, dressed in the garb of medical doctors sat in wooden chairs, overlooking the square. Through the middle, the few automobiles in Tehran commuted, crowds of people walking from the various parts of the city. One truck was filled with Persian soldiers, armed with copies of the Lee-Enfield rifle, and fliers, propagated anti-Canadian ideals. Three zeppelins could be seen in the distance, large howitzers protruding from the crew compartments under the massive air-sacks. The Alborz Mountains to the north towered over the bustling city, military installations surrounding it. Persia had been a target of interest for Canada since 1906. Although not incredibly important on the world stage, the predicted outcome of the events which would inevitably transpired made it so. Iran was an incredibly strategic nation. While possessed its own oil fields, it was in striking distance of the rich oilfield of the Russian province of Azerbaijan, as well as those of the Ottoman Empire and Arabia. Thus, it would not be wise to make an enemy of the Shah.
A group of five soldiers passed the two men, eyeing them up and down as they continued on their way to the Golestan Palace; the seat of the Shah. The man on the left took his hand off his left hip, revealing an American M1911 Colt pistol in its holster. He stroked it, waiting for the signal he told would be an obvious indication. The man to his right, name of Chester Mathers, a Phoenix martial arts specialist, pulled the now stubby cigarette from his mouth, throwing it on the ground and stomping it out. They both looked to their right towards a clock tower. It read 1:03. The two men slowly arose from their seats. Suddenly, a shockwave burst through the particles of dust, sending a thump into the chests of the men. Smoke, and a fireball rose into the air, originating from the center of the square. Within moments, the people who once filled up the square began gushing out of its back alleys, attempting to escape from what could be death. With the crowd, the two men merged into the crowd, running frantically into a back street which no one else had attempted. The scene here was quite different. Whereas the square was illuminated, the back street was almost completely dark, save the orange light breaking through in between the three-story buildings. The two men went from a sprint to a crawl, staying as discreet as possible. The panicking screams of the civilians back in the square were still audible from deep within the labyrinth of abandoned homes, the smoke ball rising far above the city.
The men hit the ground, covering their faces. Down the long corridor, patrolling soldiers shinned torches, searching the abandoned houses. However, they did not pursue, and simply moved on down the street. The men raised their heads slowly, working themselves up, and dashed into a door to their right. The foyer of the home was empty, full of cobwebs, and dark, hidden from the sun deep within the residential district. Locking the door behind them, the man who had been sitting on the left raised a board from the ground. The other man aided, lifting several other boards, revealing a makeshift passage way leading directly down. The two shuffled down the tunnel, meeting a locked iron door, surrounding by wooden shafts. Mathers put a key into each of the five locks, cracking, and revealing the main room, occupied by radios, weapons, a map, and other operatives.
"Welcome back." one of the operatives greeted them.
The two ripped off their doctor garbs, throwing them on the ground and exposing Canadian military fatigues. One man, David Kingston, was profoundly handsome, his chiseled jaw hidden in a black bear, a scar lashing across his left cheek. Three chevrons were posted on his right arm, denoting him as a Sergeant. A holster, holding his Colt, acting as a sash across his torso. The other man, Chester Mathers, was a reserved man, trained in the martial arts by the Japanese since he was four. His signature curved black sand steel sword was slung in a scabbard at his side, forged by himself after graduating from Phoenix's training program. The room was lined with communications equipment and weapon racks, holding Enfield No. II semi-automatic rifles, standard Lee-Enfield No. I bolt-action rifles, and Lewis automatic machine guns. An additional twenty Phoenix and Lazarus operatives worked the tunnels, attending to the various operations going on amongst the city. The room had five tunnels, leading into the markets, downtown, parliament, the outskirts of the city, and the Shah's palace. This entire operation was lead by Colonel Robert Lockesly of the Canadian Special Operations Executive. A heavy set man, Lockesly had earned the respect of his men during covert operations in other parts of Persia and Arabia, known for his intuition, loyalty, and compassion.
The Colonel turned towards Kingston and Mathers, putting down a report and immediately focusing on them. "What's the report from the Markets, Sergeant?"
Kingston wiped the sweat off of his brow, grabbing his red beret from his coat pocket and placing it firmly over his head. "We packed the Italian propaganda and black shirt official ID's in the bomb as instructed, sir. The crowds dispersed. We do not know what their reaction is at the moment."
"It better be damned impressive after the risk we've taken. Vancouver can't get its eyes off of Baluk or Baghdad's oil."
"Well maybe if we spark a revolution or two, we won't be in this alone."
